Timing is Everything!

I have two struggles in my life. One of my greatest goals is that by the time I see Jesus face to face I will have conquered them.

Those of you who are like my Mack and want to know all the juicy details are saying, "What! What?! What are they!"

The first one haunted me from the time I was a pre-schooler. I procrastinated the chore even then.
One of my mom's famous stories about me is when she was teaching me to put my clothes away. My job was to put my undies in the drawer and put my dresses on a hanger in my closet (it had a low rod).

After a couple of weeks, she started missing my clothes. ~not in the laundry and not in my room. She began a search and found the answer to why I had "caught on" to my new chore so quickly.

She found all of my freshly laundered clothes stuffed under my mattress.

Well, I don't stuff my laundry under a mattress anymore, but it is something I cannot seem to get "victory" over! ha!

The other "struggle" I have is what I want to talk about today.

~tick~
~tock~
~tick~
~tock~

yep. You guessed it.

TIME!
It slips away from me like butter on a pancake!
And sometimes, [shock] I am not on time....
ok., well more than sometimes, I am .....
shhhhhh.....
LATE!

There, I said it!

You know it's bad when.....

• On Sunday mornings, if people pull in the parking lot at church when I do, they KNOW they are late.
• People ask if everything is ok when you ARE on time.
• Your kids run out of the door with their shoes in their hands, yelling, "Hurry!", when you haven't even told them what time it is.

Those of you who know me are laughing about now. [ Shame on you if you are judging me. ]
Those of you who don't know me are thinking, "is she for real!"

Well, it may not be THAT bad, but it sadly is a trait I am known for.

Does that mean I give up and don't try to correct it?

No way!

I am working on ways to constantly improve my issues in this area....

• like laying out clothes the night before
• having a spot for everything so I don't spend valuable time looking for stuff
• training my kids to do stuff themselves
• getting up earlier (I've been with out sleep for 10 years now.... ha! jk)

One thing I have learned in my perpetual quest to master this problem is~

Timing is Everything! ~ or so it seems.

Most of you know that we are in the middle of the Beth Moore Esther study.

Today was Bible Study day! I LOVED it. God spoke to my heart about so many things. One of them was regarding Isaiah 40:31.....

"Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

Sometimes it is really hard to wait, because as she said in the video, "Our culture trains us to be impatient."

Hmmmmm... How true is that?!!!

Everything is new and improved to serve us better and faster.

We get accustomed to that and feel devalued when we have to wait.

Poor us!

Well, I am working on my timing issues on both sides - on promptness and on waiting.

I bet, that anything God has for us is....

"Worth the Wait"!

blessings,

dorinda

Finders Keepers!

It never fails~ when I am running late (which is often), I can't seem to find my keys or my purse, or most often my cell phone.

Ugggghhhh!

Makes me wish I was one of those OCD people that have complete control over everything! But the irony is, in our family I am the best "finder".

If someone misplaces something, they call for me to find it.
~Like a missing sock, or shoe, or brush, or even the valuable ball glove.

Why? Because I look diligently for the missing item.

I am especially diligent when it is important to me!

That reminds me of Jeremiah 29:13:
"You will seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with ALL your heart."

We will find God only when it is the most important thing to us.
All other priorities have to be set aside.
All distractions must be dismissed.
God will be found when we recognize our need for Him and when we desire Him.

Wow!

So, how about it?
Seek Him with EVERYTHING inside of you!
Stop letting the business of life take away from a vibrant and real relationship with Him.
Make Him your top priority over everything else.

"Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

Finders Keepers!

Blessings!
dorinda

Spilled Milk

I was in a hurry this morning.

My schedule has been a little crazy lately and I haven't been in my office for decades it seems. I wanted to blog before the day got rolling.

I was quite proud of myself, because I was about to walk out the door a good 30 minutes early. To reward myself, I had already decided on a wonderful Large Diet Coke from McDs.

My peacock proud self was turning to grab my computer and other bags when I heard a rather loud "splat!"

I whirled around to see chocolate milk everywhere, and I do mean everywhere.

"Don't cry over spilled milk." ~ Yeah, right.

I don't know where it came from. I don't know how it fell. But I do know that it when from one side of my dining area to the next~ and even up the wall four feet away!

I groaned because I wondered if I would get that sparkly and fizzy ice cold diet coke....

So, I put a little hurry in my steps to make it all possible. I am wiping away at the chocolate milk that spread further with every swipe of my hand.

"OOOOOoooooooffff!"

"How did it spill so quickly - and was there a whole udder full of milk in that little cup??!!!!"

Being careful not to get the milk on my work clothes, I squatted on my feet rather than getting on my knees.

What is the other cliche?

"Haste makes waste" ???

Stepping forward to get those puddles way underneath the table, the inevitable for Dorinda happened.

Second "splat" for the day.

Except this time it wasn't milk, it was me!!!

And~ it wasn't a pretty sight!

My boots, slipped on the wet floor, my feet went one direction, my head the other, and there I was wallowing in pools of chocolate milk.

Can I type a bigger OOOOOOOOOOooooooooofffffffffffffffffffff!!!!???~ with a thunderous roll of laughter?

:)

So, I s-l-0-w-l-y pick myself up - out of the milk- and carefully position myself to not repeat that "splat".

I methodically finish my chore.

Hmmmmmmm....

Sometimes we just need to slow down and enjoy our moments.

Who knows?

Might I have encountered a careless driver?

Maybe I would have been the careless one?

Maybe, just maybe, I needed to be reminded that

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"A cheerful heart is good medicine...." Proverbs 17:22

Well, maybe I just needed to give one of you a good laugh today. :)

I don't care, I'm used to it! I have so many goofy things happen to me, that if I told them all, you would think I made them up! ha!

I pray you have a blessed day and that each of your days, you stop to allow Him control of every little thing~ even if it includes 15 minutes of cleaning up spilled milk!

blessings!

dorinda

An Easter Glimpse: Mary the Mother of Jesus

She snuggled the baby boy in her arms. She smiled at the scent of his freshly bathed little body. Her heart sighed in contentment.

“He was safe in her arms.”

“Mary! Mary! Wake up!”

Startled from her slumber, Mary awakened with the smile still in her heart. At that moment, when she saw the sadness in Salome’s eyes, reality came crashing through.

She had been dreaming.
Jesus was not a baby anymore.
He was a wonderful grown man who had done so many marvelous miracles! Two days ago she watched him die.

Why was all this happening?!

Jesus had never hurt anyone! For that matter, in all honesty, she couldn’t even remember that he had ever done ANYTHING wrong. Yet, her first born son died a criminal’s death.

Crucifixion.

It was a brutal and cruel way to die. It was a horrible way to see your son die~ to watch him breathe in agony and pain~ to watch other’s scorn and mock him.

She almost fainted when she heard the hammer drive the spikes into his hands.
When they crossed his legs and drove the spike through his feet, she moaned and almost passed out again. What pain he must have felt and gone through. What agony to know that he did not deserve such treatment. Even in his death he was concerned about others.

The memories of his death brought back that unbelievable pain again, but not a physical pain. Hers was emotional. She was still in shock. Her eyes were swollen and her stomach hurt.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this!

He IS the Son of God!

Was.

He WAS the Son of God!

He, her son, the Son of the most High God, was dead!

She just couldn’t wrap her mind around that fact.

What was it the angel Gabriel told her, just 30 something years ago?
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
He was never crowned King of Israel.
They crucified him.

He didn’t sit on the throne of his ancestor David.
He was dead.

He wouldn’t reign over the house of Jacob.
He was in a tomb.

His kingdom will never end…..
It never started.

All these years she had held on to what Gabriel told her.

Confusion set in.

What went wrong? She knew~ better than anyone~ that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She knew what Gabriel said had been true, but WHY would Yahweh let them kill him?

“Why!?”, her heart cried.

Her head throbbed with all the questions in her mind and the sorrow in her heart.

She heard the hushed voices outside the door and washed her face. She breathed a prayer for strength.

It was good to see the others. There was comfort in their embrace, yet the deep grief still sat in her chest and threatened to explode in uncontrollable sobs and shaking.

One by one, the disciples filtered in. Salome and the two other Mary’s prepared some breakfast.
There wasn’t much talking. Everyone still seemed to be in a state of shock. Even James and John, who always seemed to have an opinion about something, were quiet.

There were whispered conversations of going into hiding, something about Judas’ body, and of going to the tomb.

The tomb.

The finality of hearing it ripped her heart some more. Her sister and some other women were about to leave to go to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body.

Sadness wearied her.

John came to her side and encouraged her to lie down again.
“Let them do the preparations, Mother. You must rest. We do not know what the next few days and weeks will hold.”

She nodded and rose to go to her room.

She tried to close her eyes, but all she could see was the blood dripping down his face, from his hands and feet, and from the many wounds on his body.

She and John and several others had stayed until the end.
The End.

She just couldn’t figure it out. Why couldn’t she just let go?
How had she and her Joseph been so wrong for all of those years?
And~
What about Elizabeth and Zechariah and their John? They hadn’t lived to see John’s murder, but weren’t they just as wrong?

What about all of those prophecies Zechariah told them about? Even little Jesus as a young teen seemed to understand scriptures like no one else.

He had.
A shaft of light and understanding shot through her mind.
He did try to tell them all that he was about to die.
But she hadn’t wanted to listen.
She kept denying what he was trying to say, because she didn’t want to believe it.

She heard a commotion outside the house. An adrenaline rush cursed through her veins. Were the soldiers coming for them now?
It was Mary Magdelene’s voice she heard.

“He’s alive! Mary, Mary! He’s alive! The angel said He would meet us in Galilee!!! Can you believe it? He’s alive!”

Before Mary could even think, her feet were on the floor and she was running to the sound of Mary Madgalene’s voice! Could it be? Could it really be?!

Jesus! Alive!

She and Peter asked Mary Magdelene to start from the beginning. She told them everything~ about wondering how they were going to roll the stone away, about seeing the Roman soldiers passed out, about the angels talking to them, about the tomb being empty.

Mary asked her to describe the angels.
“What did they say exactly?”
“What did they look like?”

An old familiar feeling warmed her heart. It may not have been Gabriel, but Mary Madgelene definitely described an angel just like him.

Jesus! Alive!

He was meeting them in Galilee?!!!!

She would see her son again!?

Jesus Alive – changed everything!

Where once sadness and grief consumed her, joy and wonder now filled her!

He raised Lazarus. He raised Jairus’ daughter and another woman’s son. Now, the power of God raised her son!

Jesus was alive!

As she hurried to prepare for the trip to Galilee, she came across her robe from the other day. She had thrown it in the corner because the blood stains would never come out.

When Joseph of Arimethea had taken his body down from the cross, she, his mother, cradled him one last time in her arms. She had wailed and kissed his blood stained face.
Then~ he was dead.
Now~ he was alive!

Why did Yahweh allow him to suffer such horrible agony?
Jesus knew.
Jesus would tell them all.

There was something she remembered from years ago that Zechariah said, something about the blood of the Lamb and the Passover……

The Lamb that takes away the sin of the world….

Jesus was Alive!
Her mother’s heart smiled.

Passion Week

This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year~ the week we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I hope each day to , pick a person from the gospels and see Passion Week through their eyes. I have no clue what these people were thinking except for what God's Word tells us, but I would like to imagine.

So, who would you like to read about? Peter? John? Mary Magdalene? Mary the Mother of Jesus? The guy who carried the cross? Judas? The High Priest?

Think about it and give me some feedback. I want to learn and study these people more than I ever have.

And what about you?

How do you see Passion Week?

Easter Eggs?

Bunnies?

Baskets?

New Clothes?

Spring?

Complete sacrifice?

Death?

Victory?

Whatever your thoughts are of this sacred time of remembrance, I pray that you know without a shadow of a doubt that the price for your sins has been paid by the blood of one man~ the Son of the One True God. ~But~ He did NOT stay dead. The power of His Holy Spirit raised Him up and He now sets at the right hand of God the Father!

And most imporantly,

He

Loves

YOU!

blessings!

dorinda

ps~ give me some feedback!

:D

The Call of the Wild

It was almost 11pm and my eyes were beginning to cross. My soon to be 16 year old son, looks at me and says,"What do you think about this, mom?"

I look at the essay questions.

blank

I have no clue because I have never read the book.

So, like the wonderful mother that I am, (yeah, right) I pick up the book and begin reading The Call of the Wild.

I am mesmerized by paragraph 2. By paragraph 3 I realize that the lead character, Buck, is not what I thought.

By the end of chapter three, I see so many spiritual analogies, I am almost foaming at the mouth - pun intended (you have to read the book to get it) to blog immediately.

I have written all of that, to say this~

The book - The Call of the Wild is about a canine creature that began his life in luxury and comfort, only to be abducted and thrust into the cold, harsh world of dog sledding. To survive, Buck must allow his "wild" animal instincts to take over and kill or be killed.

We as Christians have our own Call of the Wild. It is our carnal or fleshly nature~ our lower nature as some say. We "domesticate" it and act civilized~ most of the time, but let a crisis come our way, or someone upset us, or an emotional upset, and that call of the wild howls in our souls.

The cry comes sometimes when we least expect it, craving, yelping, and howling to raise it's ugly head and destroy our Spirit led walk with God.

Something I never struggled with until I had children was offense. Someone could talk about me, say ugly things to me, and treat me horrible, and it just didn't bother me. But..... you let anyone mess with my babies! Oh. My. Goodness. I have to pray, fast, and just about enter a monastery to live the christian life God wants me to!

Why is that?

I remember when my daughter, who is a naturally talented athlete (she doesn't take after her mom), tried out for a competitive team. She went to the try outs and did a phenomenal job. Parents around me were saying, "Wow! She is good." She was only 7 or 8, but I just sat there and smiled, assuming she had cinched her spot on the team.

And lo, and behold, those people had the audacity to NOT pick my baby!!!!

Oh. No. They. Didn't!

But Oh, yes they did.

Thankfully I didn't "show" myself in front of God and every other parent there, but I walked out, holding my sobbing daughter's hand, and stuffed anger way down inside.

It was hard to explain to my young daughter that "Yes, you are only 7 years old and you made four beautiful free throws and several other shots. No, I didn't see many others do that. Yes, you dribbled wonderfully. Yes, you had 4 steals. But no, baby, they did not choose you."

It was a great opportunity to teach her that her value does not come from her accomplishments or successes. Her value comes from who Christ says she is.

It was a greater opportunity for Christ to do HIS work in her mom.

ouch!

I had to learn to let go of that offense for my baby.

When she cried, my heart hurt. I was her mother. I am supposed to protect her from all the evils of the world. Even evils that are unfair?

So, more than learning the value of character for my seven year old, mom learned the beauty of allowing God to develop HIS character in me in ALL areas.

For me, that was The Call of the Wild~ that call, that howling, that yearning to go give somebody, I don't know who, but give somebody the "what for" for making my baby cry.

The Call of the Wild was crying my name to hold on to offense and bitterness, to be angry because of an unfair injustice.

The lower nature of my self was trying to rear it's ugly head. ~And I think it did.

My point?

We all, no matter how long we have known Christ, have to make a decision to die daily to that sinful nature. No, we do not need to get "saved" every day, but we do need to choose to submit to God's nature in our lives. It is called sanctification- instantaneous and daily. His blood cleanses us and washes us white as snow, then we daily must separate ourselves from that part of our nature that wants to conform to the world.

Romans 12:1-2 in the Message says this:

2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Wow! Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

How many times does that describe us? More importantly, how many times does that describe me?

Lord, please help me to fix my attention on You, God. I want to be changed from the inside out. Help me to readily and quickly recognize what You want from me and help me to quickly respond to Your will. Help me refuse the "call of the wild" in my soul and to submit to You and Your plan for my life!

blessings,

dorinda

Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering

It is so good to be back and have internet again!!!

My goodness! But.... I have to say that being without internet in the backwoods of Eastern Arkansas brings a family together.

During Spring Break we went to a cabin. We had such a great relaxing time. The kids had a blast. There were trails to climb and vines to swing from.... even my dad got out there and scared us all to death!! Memories were sure made!

One of the good things about going to the boonies is that you appreciate civilization so much when you get back! :)

While I was catching up on all of my emails and facebook messages, I was drawn to pray for several of my friends. When God lays someone on my heart to pray for them, I like to pray the Word of God over them.

Today, I posted a facebook vi-devotional (my word for it) on this scripture, Ephesians 3:14-19.

14 When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. 17And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. 21May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

Wow! What a scripture!
Here are a few highlights I see:

1) His UNLIMITED resources are the source of mighty inner strength He wants to give to me - and you!
2) Christ wants to feel "at home" in our hearts. That happens as we trust in Him.
3) God's love is wide, long, high and deep.
4) God's love is so wide, long, high and deep that we will never fully understand it.
5) But, as we strive to learn about His infinite love we will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now chew on that for a while! :)

Isn't God just absolutely amazing!?
I pray you find His amazing love and mercy today.

blessings,
dorinda

Happy Birthday, Glenda!!!

March 25, 1975........





A soon to be teenage girl in Arkansas was oblivious to what was happening in a delivery room in Texas where beautiful baby girl was born.





The teen's world revolved around her sixth grade perspective~ turning flips in the back yard and trying to make straight A's on her report card.





The spring afternoon did not bring concern of newborns in Texas.





Destiny has it's way of finding you.





Infertility.


Broken Hearts.


Broken families.


Broken lives.


Infertility.


Empty hearts.





And wham!





a parent's love is born!!!!





Thirty-four years ago- my world changed forever and I had no clue.





I didn't get to hold her when she cried.


I didn't even change one diaper.


I never saw her kindergarten graduation.


I didn't take her to her first haircut.





but when she was 15 she became our daughter!





We prayed with her at an altar.


We watched her become a woman of God.


We took her shopping.


We kissed her goodnight.


We were at her highschool graduation.


We drove her to college.


We helped plan her wedding.


I almost missed her wedding giving birth to her sister.... but I made it. :)





So I will stop there.








How blessed am I? (and her dad)





For the full story of our adoption journey please click here.





Join with me in wishing my daughter, Glenda, a very Happy Birthday!!! - On Wednesday!





Love you my sweet beautiful girl!


I am so proud of you! ~And I cannot wait to see you Friday!

blessings,

dorinda

(btw- Mackenzie took that picture of Glenda!!! Isn't she a good photographer!)

Forgetting the Past!

Yesterday I blogged again on the potential that God has placed in each of us at the moment of conception.

I have been thinking about this all night, and I want to go a little further on this thought.

As we live life and mature (well, sometimes we mature~ha!), we sometimes begin to forget the dreams we had as a teen or young adult. We think, "Well, I've done so much in the wrong direction that I can never go back."

I want to challenge that thinking today.

Philippians 3:13-14 says, "..... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize foe which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I hope you realize how powerful those verses are!
There are several principles involved here.
The first is mentioned in verse 10~ and that is a passion to know Christ with the good and the bad.
The second is a humility to know that "we aren't perfect yet!" from verse 12.
The third, also from verse 12 is the fact that sometimes we have to "press on" regardless of our circumstances, situation or even our feelings.

Next is what I want to get to today: Forget the past!
Just stinking forget it!
It doesn't matter what stupid stuff you ~we~ did.
It doesn't matter how awful it was.
Learn from it ~ and go on.

Now, it is important to mention that the only way you can move forward is in and through Jesus Christ. He is the pre-requisite. You must ask Him to forgive you and live in your life. But after that, go forward.

The very next principle is joined to the forgetting. Paul says, "forgetting what is behind AND straining toward what is ahead."

Straining.
What an interesting word. In English it suggests discomfort.
Kind of like exercising.
Can anyone say, "UUUUUggggggghhhhh!!!"

I HATE- absolutely HATE to exercise. I know- I must be lazy, but that is my "natural" make up.

But - moving on here- straining also suggests something that doesn't come naturally- something that has to be decided upon and done.

hmmmmmm........
So, forget the mistakes of your past and lets go forward with God has for your life!

If you can, watch my video devotion below. I also talk about how Christ took our shame of those mistakes in our past!

Do I hear anyone saying, "Woooo HOOO!!!?"

So not only do we forget the past and move forward, but we must realize Christ nailed that scorn and shame of those mistakes to the cross! Hebrews 12:2

Let that get in your heart and pump through your veins a minute!

So, girlfriend, hold that head up high, look in the mirror and say,

"I am forgetting my past!
Working on my future!
and laying down my shame!"

You go girl!

love ya!
many blessings to you today!
dorinda

God has Placed Potential in You!

God never ceases to amaze me.

Where I am scattered brained and unorganized, HE has a divine plan for even the smallest of details!

Rusty and I did a baby dedication Sunday. He held the beautiful baby girl in his arms and said, "God has placed potential inside of you."

Wow~!
When we were conceived, God placed inside EACH of us the potential we needed for LIFE!

Did ya get that?!

At conception, He placed your DNA in you for everything you would need in life.

Isaiah 46:3,4 says,
"............you whome I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to you old age and gray hairs. I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you!"

Did you get all that?

He not only knows where you are right now, He has CONTINUED to uphold you SINCE you were conceived!
(How's that for a pro-life message?!)

Anyway, even to our old age and gray hairs (that we cover up with stuff in a bottle!), He has a plan for us and sustains us for that plan!

So, if He put the potential inside of us~ and He is sustaining us...or keeping that potential,
if we are not living UP to that potential, what is wrong?

I would say it would be in our decisions.

Remember:
Decisions Determine Destiny

First of all ~
Have you made the Decision to accept Christ as your Savior?

Have you made the Decision to submit daily to HIS will for your life?

When we do those two very important things, then we are on the right track to ~
Living up to the Potential He has placed inside of us!

I pray this word ministers to your heart today!
Below is my video devotion for this same scripture.

Have a blessed day!
dorinda

Daily Video Devotion

Good Morning!

The title says "Daily Video Devotion"- but if you know me.... daily will be stretching it! :)

So, we will go day by day and see how this works!
I am stretching myself and trying very hard to be obedient to all that God wants me to do!

Now, Mary Beth, my friend from CBC tells me I can imbed the facebook video on my blog thing here.....

so..... let me see if this brown haired (graying brown) blonde at heart girl can figure out how to "imbed" a facebook video on her blog. If you see the video - you know I succeeded.
If you don't see a video, then know that I am screaming, "Ruuuuuuuussssssttttyyyyyyyyy!"
:D

Video Devotion

Ok... I am venturing out into new territory.

Today I posted my first video devotion on facebook.

Just something God has been dealing with me about~ so join me on facebook for my
devotion!

Blessings!
and turn in your Bible to Jeremiah 29:11.....

dorinda

In a Moment: Crisis in the Congo

This week Fiction Friday is hosted by Rhonda over at Beach Reads. Stop by to read more Friday Fiction. We would love for you to join in!

-----------------------------------------------------

He held her extra long.

My how he loved her. He never wanted to take for granted the gift God had given him through her~ and now their two small children..



As his lips met hers, he felt little tugs at his trousers. "Papa! Papa! Me too!"
They chuckled and both reached down to grab the toddler.

Even in the midst of terror, chaos, and confusion, God was good to give them moments like this. Moments that gave them a feeling of normalcy.

Moments of feeling safe.
Moments that pointed to the truth.
Moments.
They changed so quickly these days.

It seemed a moment ago, that he was in the war also~ confused, angry, and vengeful.
Then he met her.

Her smile.
Her peace.
Her beautiful dark skin.

She had something he didn't.

He followed her around like one of the hungry dogs outside of their village.

She gracefully left him "crumbs" of her happiness that kept him begging for more.




Then he met HIM.

Shafts of light, joy, and radiant love exploded in his soul.



Jesus had changed everything.

And Nakir. Nakir introduced him to Jesus. Jesus introduced him to forgiveness and love.
Jesus.
Jesus was the reason he left the war.
No more senseless killing to avenge his father's death.
No more fear.
No more hatred.

Jesus.
In a moment Jesus changed everything.
In a moment Jesus gave him the ability to love his beloved Nakir with an everlasting love.

And now their small children..... Jamir, their four year old daughter had a fever so Nakir and Booma, their toddler son, would not go with him tonight.

Nakir would pray from their hut.

Prayer. Their warfare.

Tonight, instead of planning a vigilante raid on the neighboring village, Taamah would launch a very different raid with fellow believers.

Tonight Taamah and his brothers and sisters in the Lord would join together in prayer and intercession for the genocide to stop.

Peace talks had failed.
Treaty's trampled on.

Tonight was time to engage in the most important warfare.

Taamah checked in on Jamir and kissed her hot forehead.

One more kiss for his beloved Nakir and a jostle for his rambunctious Booma.

He looked into Nakir's eyes and as was his habit, he declared his love for her until the end of time.

She smiled and watched him all the way to the end of the path.

Taamah walked into the little church.

A few were already there.
The mood was somber. Another family lost their lives in a sister village.

When would the killings stop!?

Were Christians around the world praying for them or were they calloused to hearing of the wars in Africa?

Within minutes, the little straw roofed church was filled to capacity.

There was no formal introduction.


Each member knew the gravity of the situation, so their "warfare" began immediately.
Soon, the groans of deep intercession could even be heard outside.

The believers called upon their God to stop the war, to stop the murders, to stop the senseless killing of the millions.

Taamah asked God to open the eyes of believers around the world to the plight of his people.

Would God please place a burden for his fellow Assembly of God family to agree with him and his family that the hatred would stop, that the evil would cease and that the Congo would be draped in a heavenly peace.

The prayers were no longer muffled moans of intercession.

The huddled group was wailing. The intensity of their intercession was a chorus of moans and declarations.

The devoted believers never heard the footsteps outside the church.
They never felt the hatred for their prayers.
They never saw the torches lighting the perimeter of the building.

In a moment, their world changed.
Before any believer even sensed the danger, it was too late.

Hatred put another notch in its murderous belt.

A sister screamed as she realized their plight. There was no escape. Their prayer meeting would conclude at the very throne room of heaven itself.

Those filled with hate stood just outside the clearing to watch the flames lick up every last stick of the building~ and with it every living soul inside.

They expected to hear screams of horror and anguish as they lost their lives and were burned alive.
Instead, they heard a joyful celebration in song.

The people burning alive in the church were singing "Victory in Jesus".

One chorus of praise and jubilation.
The smoke rose to the sky.
The putrid smell of burning flesh burned their nostrils.

And in a moment it was done.

The church was gone.

The people were gone.

.....but their hatred lived on.

Never satisfied.
They thirsted for more blood to shed.

6 million wasn't enough.

They walked away, empty yet full of evil.

They walked within a hundred feet of Nakir and her children.
She smelled the smoke.
Saw the flame.
..........and waited for Taamah to come home.

She watched the empty path until the wee hours of the morning.

But Taamah was already HOME.

Grief washed over her soul as her tears washed her cheeks.

It wouldn't be long until the killers found her little hut.
She would take her children and a few essentials and live in the jungle until.......

until the elements or wild animals took them or until.....
Taamah's prayers were heard and the brothers and sisters across the world woke up to pray for the killing to stop.

Until.........

would that moment ever come?

Will the church be stirred to pray for the Congo?

Will the church realize that 6 million have died in genocide that has been unprecedented throughout the ages?

Will the church pray today as they live in security and safety?

or will the church be comfortable and cozy and pray about their big buildings and pray about finances?

In a moment.....
this could be you.
..................................................................................
This is fictional account of a true event. Assembly of God believers gathered for a prayer service and all were burned alive. It is not known how many were inside. But murderous events like this happen every day in the Congo.

More people have been killed than those in Rwanda and the Sudan combined.
It is a present day holocaust ~ and like the first one~ the West has remained silent.

Our governments may not intervene, but we as believers can and must INTERCEDE.

Please click here for more information of the Crisis in the Congo.
Will you pray with me today?

In a moment......
tis could be us.
blessings,


dorinda

God has a Huge Sense of Humor!

God is amazing, holy and incredibly funny!

Some people picture Him as this cranky divinity up in heaven just waiting to be ticked off so He can fry a few "mortals" with a lightening bolt.

The Word of God portrays Him as He really is: loving, just, holy, and humorous!
Say what?/??? - you ask....

Well, if you are a student of the Bible, do you recall~
a donkey talking to a stubborn man?
a Pharoah choosing to wait 24 hours to be relieved of great discomfort from frogs?
an idol laying prostrate in front of the ark of the covenant?

a skilled army quaking in fear from one man?

a shepherd boy being chosen instead of his big, strong brother as a warrior and king?
a shepherd boy dressed in King's armor?
a shepherd boy killing a giant with a sling shot?

and~ What about the incidents in your life where you KNOW God was at work, but after it was all said and done it was rather hilarious??

Like how we say, "I will NEVER do that!" - and then we find ourselves, upon complete submission to HIS will, doing the thing we NEVER would have done.

Or.... how He uses our complete inabilities to turn around and do something for HIS glory.

I just find God incredibly amusing.

I don't always understand WHAT He is up to. But, hey~ He sure doesn't need to ask for my approval before acting in His sovereignty. (Can we all say, "Thank. You. Je-sus!")

He is God.
He is All Wise.
He is All Knowing.
And I choose to TRUST in Him.

and that's something I have to choose daily.
or else, I kind of mess up.

well..... it's not "kind of, it's largely.
if you know what I mean.

So, relax. Let God be God.
Let Him have control.
And for heaven's sakes,
Learn to Laugh a little!

blessings!
dorinda

Triple D!

Once again, God has challenged me- my way of thinking, my processing, my everything.

Just when I think I have a handle on being and doing all that God wants of me, He challenges me a little more.

That'll teach me to get all comfy and cozy with where I am! :)

But you see, God loves me enough to not leave me the way I am....
Thank God!

Because~ I may think I'm getting "good" enough (not really- but I act like it sometimes!)- but what does Isaiah say???? something about filthy rags???

Anyway, I was at a service tonight where our District Superintendent preached a powerful message. In it, he made one little statement that I couldn't get past.

Decisions Determine Destiny.

I wrote at the top of my notes: Triple D

my Decisions
Determine
my Destiny.

ouch!

So, what decisions have I been making for my destiny - you know that one that affects my husband, my children, my grandchildren and my church....????

Well, let's see.

I read my Bible.
good for me!

I pray.
whoop ti doo!

I go to church.
uuuhhuuh.

I do my ministry.
impressed yet? (didn't think so)

I blog.
oh, wow! (I know- still not impressive)

I.... live my life for Him.
(I'm getting somewhere... maybe)

but-

There is a song that plays a lot on the radio these days- by Matthew West. It's called The Motions.

The words say something like this~

I don't want go through the motions.
I don't want to go one more day,
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't want to spend my whole life asking, "What if I had given everything?"
~Instead of going through the motions.

Oh.
my.

I want to live my life giving EVERYTHING!
I want to maximize the Triple D-
Decisions Determine Destiny!

My
Decisions
Determine
my
Destiny.

I have a choice in this matter.
I can make HIS decisions.
Or~
I can make mine.

Which one do I choose today??
Which ones do I choose tomorrow?

The decisions I make today, determine where I will be tomorrow.

mmmm-mmmmm-mmmmm.
Jesus help me in everything!
I want His all consuming passion inside of me!

What about you?
Going through the motions?

Your
Decisions
Determine
Your
Destiny
--------------------------------------------

blessings!
dorinda

Legacy

I have lots of thoughts and emotions going on in my little head today.

I went to the funeral of a wonderful woman of God. She impacted so many around her.

The same thoughts plague my mind as they did after Bro. Frank Cavitt's service.

Her passing leaves such a gap in our church, in our lives. I wonder- will we be able to fill her shoes? Will her ministries carry on?

Then I look at my life and think,
Am I giving everything? If I were to go to heaven today, how many people would meet me inside the gates of heaven to say, "Thank you for leading me here."?

Tough questions.

I have much to do, much to share, and much to write.

Ruby Morgan was one of those women that quietly strengthened your faith and your commitment. Her life challenges my ministry and my work ethic.

I must admit- I am a better person because I had the privilege of knowing Ruby Morgan.

blessings,
dorinda

My Dog Stinks!

We have this incredibly smart dog. Her name is Sasha and she is a cute little Maltese. (She is a sister to Jennifer's dog, Biscuit.)

You have to understand our family history of pets.

We are NOT pet people. In the past, if a pet came to live at the Blann home, it was a death sentence. Something always happened to them. We are not cruel or negligent- but things just always happened.

Then several years ago, after the incessant begging of our children, we bought Sasha.

She was our first house dog.
She was the first dog we ever trained.
She is the first pet to make her way into our hearts.

But today, she stinks.

So, no one really wants to love on her.
Or play with her.
Or give her the attention she is used to.

She is so smart that she knows she needs a bath.
Every time I get my keys, she looks at me like, "Am I going to get my hair done today?"

She knows.

So, today, when I leave the house, Sasha will look at me, her tail will way, and then I will say the words that will thrill her little dog life.

"Come on, girl!"

She will dance in circles and bark and probably leak a little.
Then I will take her to the groomers for her beauty appointment.

When she gets back home, the first thing she will do is prance or strut to my room.

Because she knows after her bath, she can sit at the foot of my bed.

She has privileges because she doesn't stink anymore.

We will love on her.
We will play with her.
We will sit by her.
We will lavish all the attention on her that she is used to.

She will be clean.


I am so glad that God is not like us!

He doesn't wait for us to get all clean and smelling better before He lavishes His unconditional love on us!
He takes us just as we are. He accepts us and snuggles up to us- just as we are.

The difference is, just being in His presence gives us the desire to be clean.
His Holiness shows us our filthiness.

Sin He cannot associate with, but He takes us faults and all into His presence.
He washes us clean with precious blood of Jesus.
He daily cleanses us with the Word.

So when you think about God, know that He doesn't expect you to be perfect to draw near to Him. Just run to Him! He will meet you. Then He helps you with all that dirt, filth, and stink.

He is a Good God.

blessings!
dorinda

P.S.
I just had to come back after posting this!
It is so funny! I just read Jennifer's blog. She talks about her sweet Maltese, Biscuit.
Now, she, my friends, is a GOOD dog person.
Shame on me!
Sasha is loved - but she doesn't get the priority attention her big sister does. :(
I would dare say that Biscuit has never stunk! Poor, poor Sasha.
But she will be clean soon!!!!

Keeping Your Dream Alive!

My favorite preacher/pastor/teacher in the whole world has inspired me in the past week.

I have had a dream for a long time, but have no idea how it will come about or even how to make it come to pass.

So, periodically, the dream starts to fade into the oblivion of "to-do lists and priority tasks".

In the past two months, the dream started to fade again.

Then, this awesome, wonderful man of God (My husband -btw) preached Sunday night and again Tuesday morning right into my spirit.

So, last night on the way to our son's ballgame (my 5th sport this school year to mom-cheer), we brainstormed about how to not only keep the dream alive, but how to bring it to pass.

I said all of that to say this: WE all have dreams that God has placed in our hearts.

If we are not careful, we begin to listen to the enemy of our souls.
The enemy says,
"That's just you.
You can't do that.
Who do you think you are?
God would never ask you to do that.
You can never accomplish that!"

And after time, after "listening" to the enemies lies for so long, we begin to believe them.

But GOD- waits patiently.
He knows HIS time.
He knows HIS purpose.
He knows HIS special abilities He has placed IN you! (Eph 4:7)
He knows HIS special tasks He has set aside just for you! (1 Cor. 3:5)

I know I have blogged on this before, but I think I need to remind myself AGAIN- and maybe some of you.....

Isn't it a little arrogant of us to think we know better than God?
Isn't it the ultimate "false humility" to think that God's gift He placed in us isn't as good as HE says it is?

Oh, my... I am preaching to myself.

Who am I to think that I can do anything in and of myself anyway?
Everything that I CAN do is from God anyway!

So, my prayer is.....
Thank you God for what you have called me to do.
Thank you Lord for what you have gifted me to do.
May I submissively obey you in all areas of my life - especially the small things, so I will be ready to accomplish any big thing you have for me- for YOUR Glory.
Use me! Fill me up with You! Empty me of me- so I can be filled with YOU!

So.....
What's your dream?
and.....
What are you doing today to bring it to pass?

blessings to each of you!
dorinda

In the Swing of Things

Wow! Getting back into the swing of things after a week of TOTAL relaxation is rather difficult.

I keep looking for the little guy to come clean my room.....
And as my friend Melanie texted me the other night.... "I CAN'T FIND THE BUFFET!"

Cooking and cleaning and taxi cab driving is back in full force - but my brain is still jello! It's like I am walking around in a daze.... "Now, what is it I'm supposed to be doing?"

But non-the-less, we are surviving. And it is good!

As I was looking back over my pictures, -the ones of other people sun bathing - :) I thought about laying out on the beach.

The sun felt so warm and cozy- not too hot, and definitely not cold. The breeze was just perfect. Right about the time we would start to get uncomfortably warm, a gentle breeze would stir and it felt like cool satin on our tanning hides.

But as the day progressed, we would re-position our chairs to follow the sun so our "tans" would be even. Every thirty minutes or so we would turn a few more degrees west.

The thought hit me, "it's kind of like that in our walk with God." To stay in His warmth and His rays, we need to move as He moves. Sometimes we act like God is never going to do anything different. We just sit in the SONshine, basking in His presence, but we don't move when He moves.

What happens? We get unbalanced in our evidence of being in His presence. Sun tanned on one side but not the other.

We have to re-position ourselves to make sure we are constantly aligned directly - centered - with Him.

hmmmmmm......

Does that make sense to you? If you don't move, it doesn't mean you are not a Christian. It just means that you are not allowing yourself to be "even" under His rays.

I don't know about you but I don't want to have a streaked "tan" when it comes to my relationship with Christ.

"Lord, help me to move when you do. Help me to align myself front and center in your perfect will and to be balanced in all I do."

I pray you have a wonderful day basking in His glorious presence - and get an even "tan"!

blessing!
dorinda

I'm Ba-ack!

Wow! Before last week, my husband and I had never been on a cruise! - What were we thinking?????

To celebrate our 25 years of marriage we decided to take a cruise rather than the mucho grande trip to Europe we had always planned.

I do believe we made the right decision!

No phone.

No dishes.

No cooking.

No laundry.

And not even a bunch of sight seeing. Just 2 shore excursions that were VERY laid back and included beaches and sunshine and siestas!

Just pure total relaxation and pampering.

We had an absolute amazing time! And we shared the time with our dear friends who were celebrating their 25th Anniversary also.

We laughed and laughed like a bunch of school kids!

I have to say that being married to Rusty Blann for 25 years has been a blessing I cannot even begin to describe. He is my best friend and my soul mate~ and he is a man of integrity, character, wisdom and compassion. I am a MUCH better person because of his influence in my life. I am blessed beyond measure.

I look forward to spending my next 25 years by his side - and on into eternity!

After being on a cruise ship for a week, I have decided that I like THAT life - you know- the lazy life:

Cabin stewards to make your bed, clean your room and awaiting your beckon and call.

Waiters and deck stewards to bring you a cool beverage (diet coke and water) whenever you decide you are thirsty.

24 Hour buffet and food service! (Can you say POUNDS?)

Then, reality slapped us in the face. :0)

A good reality - and my reality.....

Freezing temperatures and snow!

Dishes in the sink.

Mountains of laundry.

Hyper kids. (Love this one!)

and - I had to fix my own diet coke! ha!

The fact is - it was good to get away with my husband for some great relaxation.

The better fact is - I love my life and was VERY glad to get back to reality - even if it means I am now the cabin steward, cook, and laundry girl. I love my life and wouldn't change a thing - except maybe I would add more sunshine. :0)

May you love your life and enjoy all the blessings God has for you by plunging into His abundant and extravagant grace and forgiveness!

blessings,

dorinda

10,000 Visitor!

Ok.
I want to do a little detective work.

I need to find out who my 10,000 visitor was.

They just visited my blog at about 2:23 my time. So- If you think it is you, leave a comment on my blog -with a name or email address and then I can match up your IP address.

Then you will win a goody bag from me- with some Bath and Body Works, stationary, and some Ecuadorian Jewelry!

I started my site meter count at 1 - and it doesn't register my visits- so someone out there is my 10,000 visitor!!!!

It could be you!

Let's find out!

Thanks to all of you for being such faithful readers!
love ya!
dorinda

Ladies Retreat!

It is almost here!

Ladies Weekend '09 -

"Finding Treasure in YOUR Jar of Clay"

We have a great schedule lined up for you ladies and our very own
Karate Woman will be here!

She showed up for service Sunday to help us announce our Retreat!

It is not too late to sign up - and we have some generous donors who contributed some scholarship money. If you would like to attend and aren't sure about your finances, just call the church office (870-735-1907) for a registration form. After completing the form, write SCHOLARSHIP at the top. In order to receive the donor money, you need to have your form in the office by Thursday, February 19th.

I hope to see YOU this weekend!
blessings,
dorinda

Retreat information:

February 20th, 21st, and 22nd
First Assembly of God
513 N. Missouri St.
West Memphis, AR 72301
All Ladies are invited!

Sunday’s Special Guest Speakers:
Roy and Vickie Smeya with special music by their son, Shanon and Laura Smeya
Assemblies of God World Missionaries to Latin America

Saturday Sessions:
Saturday Speakers include Laurie Adams, Dorinda Blann, Kay Dragges, Jackie Harrel, Becky Harness and LaVaye Harness.

· A Taste of the Town: Encouragement for us all
· Be Anxious for Nothing: God’s treasures for us when we go through difficult times
· 40 Below: Bridging the gap in WM ministry for Ladies under 40
· Living in a Triage State of Mind: Making Life Enjoyable again after the Havoc of Life
· Five Treasures Every Child Should Have: Give them what they REALLY need.
· It's aPARENT You're Single: Being a Single Mom with the Help of the Heavenly Father
· Some Things are Worth Fighting For: Staying in the ring when life throws you a curve
· The M.O.T.L.E.Y. Crew: Moms of Teens Leading, Entrusting and Yielding to Christ

Thirsty

We are in the middle of the Daniel Fast. While I am not doing the "true" Daniel Fast, I am doing without some things that I easily crave and long for.

This morning I woke up thirsty.

My mouth was dry and parched and I wanted a drink.

I felt as if I had swallowed cotton balls in my sleep. There was a dry dessert in my body and I craved - craved-

.....not diet coke!

but ice, cold water!!!!

I went to the frig and grabbed the cold bottle and guzzled it down.

Refreshing.

Thirst quenching.

Hydrating.

To really understand the significance of this event, you would have to know me, and know that this is a MAJOR miracle. =)

Before this Daniel Fast I have had a Diet Coke in my hand - constantly.

Never drinking water.

Never drinking ANYTHING except.... Diet Coke.

As I was praying last week, I asked God to help this be a life style change, not just a Daniel Fast thing. I am not saying that I want to NEVER drink a Diet Coke again, I just want to be healthier.

I felt God give me some direction on how to achieve that, and His plan is working. I mean BIG TIME.... because we are going on a cruise next week, and last night, I didn't worry about having to pay big bucks for a Diet Coke (if I can't get the drink card) but I worried about not having a cold bottle of water every morning....

Wow!!!!

Ok..... now that I have shared all of that, let me share what His Spirit was speaking to me this morning. ....

Sometimes we get spiritually dry and parched.

We go through the motions of "spiritual" things, but there is no refreshing, there is no hydration of our spirits.

We get so busy with life and even "spiritual" activity that we deny ourselves the very thing we need the most-

Intimate relationship with Christ.

I'm not talking about religion. (Religion gets in the way SO VERY MUCH!!!!)

I'm not talking about a lay-m-down-to-sleep prayer.

I'm not talking about doing the right things.

yada yada yada......

I'm talking about INTIMATE time with Jesus.

If you have ever experienced it, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Thirsting for His presence.

Longing for time with just Him.

Knowing Him in such an intimate way that you feel His voice and sense His nearness. His breath is on your soul as a lover before a passionate kiss.

The honesty of that face to face passion is the intimacy our spirit craves in the deepest sense.

When that intimacy takes place, nothing in our lives compares.

We are drenched in His presence; soothed with His peace; bathed in His love.

His holiness becomes a focus.

Our humanity screams at it's frailty.

Then as we humble ourselves before Him, He covers us with righteousness.

I long for Him over and over again.

I get so frustrated at myself that I let life get in the way, that I shove Him to the side so many times in the name of religion.

I'm thirsty.

I want to drink of His righteousness and His saturating presence.

My prayer for you today is that you sit at His feet and breathe in Who He is, drink from His cup and be refreshed by His Spirit. May you KNOW Him as never before. May you long for Him and not be satisfied with the hum drum of religion- go for the real thing- the true, intimate relationship with the Savior!

blessings!

dorinda

A Wonderful Day!

Isn't she precious?

Looking at this picture, I feel I should whisper.
Today is her birthday. She is 10 years old today.

My how time flies.

Ten years ago right now I was in labor - led to totally believe I would deliver a baby I would never hear laugh, see cry, or see smile.

But God had other plans.


I am copying an pasting my blog post from last year on her birthday. Grab a tissue and be prepared to get a small picture of how BIG our God is!!!
_____________________________________
I don't know how to say what is on my heart without sharing this personal story, so please bear with me. Most of you know the story of Taylor's birth, but for the sake of those who do not know, please allow me to briefly summarize.

I was 29 weeks into my pregnancy. Because Mackenzie had been premature and because I was over 35, I was in the weekly office visit stage. I weighed in and had gained 14 pounds in 6 days! They immediately scheduled an ultra sound to investigate. Literally 5 seconds into the ultra sound, they sent me to the hospital because of the mass amount of fluid in my womb and in Taylor's abdomen.

To make a long story short, Taylor was not expected to live. We had to make the decision to allow them to treat her in the womb or to induce labor and let them try to treat her out of the womb. After prayer we felt God wanted to her out of my womb so they could work on her. The doctor's words echoed in our head, "Your baby will die whether we treat her in the womb or induce labor. The was no chance of a live birth."

My unborn child was going to die??? I would never see her smile. Never hear her laugh. I would never know what her voice would sound like. I would never take her to her first day of school? Never buy her a pretty dress for a special day?

The room begin to spin and I reached for Rusty's hand. It was trembling. I looked in his eyes and saw the heartbreaking pain. The doctor left the room for us to have a few minutes. We clung to each other as if we were about to fall off of a cliff, both trying hard to be brave for the other one. We prayed a simple prayer and felt God's peace in allowing them to induce labor the next day.

The night before she was born, I had to make another decision. I had to decide where I stood with God regardless of the outcome. My heart was broken. I was scared. Rusty was scared. We were leaning with our whole hearts on our Mighty God. But before I sound like a "super spiritual saint", please know I battled that night.

I struggled with all of the normal questions. "Why?" "What have I done wrong?" "Why are you doing this to me?" "How could this be happening?" "I thought You would always take care of us?"

As tears streamed down my face and my heart breaking in two, feeling as if a giant elephant was sitting on my back, I heard God's gentle whisper, "Will you still love me passionately and worship me if Taylor dies?" "Will you trust me no matter what?" "Will you still serve me with your whole heart?"

I couldn't answer right away. I lay on the side of the bed. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would wake up Rusty next to me. My pillow and my hair were wet with the tears that had fallen continuously for over an hour.

I heard the question and I didn't know if I could take another breath. This was it! This was a climatic moment in my walk with God. I had served Him almost my whole life. I had "surrendered all" so many times in altar calls I couldn't even count them. I had promised to follow Him all of my days. BUT - what if the all powerful God I served chose not to intervene and not to heal my unborn child? Could I still passionately pursue that God? Would I?

The clock beside ticked seconds that seemed like eternity. I knew this was not a question that I could just raise my hand in the emotion of the moment and say, "Yes, Jesus!" This question my Creator posed before me was one that placed my faith at the ultimate crossroad.

I was afraid to breathe. My hand traced my swollen abdomen. This little heartbeat had been inside of me for seven months. How would I handle not bringing home a baby from the hospital? - not seeing her take her first steps. - not having to change the diapers I had already bought. - taking the infant car seat out of my car not having a need for it?

Would I still serve God passionately? I knew I would still serve Him, but would I always have a resentment in my heart?

I wish I could say I knew immediately that I would love God no matter what. But it didn't happen that way. I had to choose. I had to make a choice to love Him and worship and adore Him regardless of the outcome the next day. I had to choose to let go of what I thought was a happy, normal life in order to let God be in ultimate control.

With a coarse, breaking voice, I whispered, "Help me, Jesus!" At that moment the floodgates of heaven released a torrent of peace that swept through my very soul. In that moment I knew I would passionately adore my Jesus no matter what the outcome. I knew He would strengthen me and help me. I literally lay my wishes, hopes, desires, and my very soul in His arms. When I "died" to what I wanted to happen, I felt more alive than I ever had before.

You may be at a crossroad in your life. You may have financial struggles that are weighing so heavy you feel as if you can't move. You may have teenagers that are wringing the very joy from every part of your life.

The frustration and bitterness is beginning to build. "Why isn't God showing up?" "Why can't He just do one small miracle for me this time?" "Why is He not answering my prayers?"

Can you let go completely, and say truthfully in your heart -
"Even if I have to declare bankruptcy, I will gladly worship and adore my Savior!"
"Even if my child continues the path he has chosen, I will gladly worship and adore my Savior!"
"If I never get another answer to prayer again, I will passionately pursue and love my Jesus!"
And that my friends is when you really begin to live. John 10:10 says "....but I have come that they might have life and have if more abundantly."

So, the next day Taylor Danielle was born at 10:55pm. Here are the bare facts and details:

She somehow had developed chylous ascites in the uterus. The massive amount of fluid was damaging her organs. In a 2 hour long ultrasound the day before she was born,they found a sizeable tumor. After she was born they confirmed it was cancerous. Because of the acites with chyle in it, they believed she had hodgkins lymphoma.

Immediately after birth, they whisked her to the NICU unit to put her on breathing machines because her lungs could not function on their own. She was born at 29 weeks. Prematurity was not the issue - it was her internal organs being so cramped due to fluid during their important formative stages.

They did not think our baby would survive -let alone after birth. Day after day, the doctors would tell us something was wrong, then come back and say the problem disappeared. I remember one doctor finding us in the NICU waiting room, setting down and saying, "We have done all we can do. All I can say is 'keep praying', because that is what is saving your baby. I have never seen miracle after miracle as I have seen in your baby."

Wow! That is her story in a nut shell- We walked out of that hospital in 4 1/2 weeks with our sweet angel. The doctors and a couple of nurses walked us to the elevator because they were still in shock she lived and was going home. And this is such a short version. I could go on and on telling you of all the miracles God did.

The condition she had was so rare that the neo natal doctors were calling other children's hospitals all over the United States trying to find a course of action. The other hospitals all figuartively scratched their heads. Babies with chylous ascites such as Taylor had died in the uterus. So a live birth in and of itself was amazing.... Then the tumor disappeared, and the ascites was gone, and the organs all started functioning properly..... Do you get the picture???

Please know the He is Mighty and Powerful and Wonderful! He is still a miracle working God and He is Sovereign. May you trust wholly in Him and seek His face.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for those of you who prayed with us for our little girl 10 years ago! Thanks for rejoicing with us today for our little 10 year old miracle!

Happy Birthday Taylor!
I love you more than you will ever know!

blessings,
dorinda

To tell the Truth.....

One of my favorite subjects to teach about is TRUTH.

In our culture, this absolute is fading into the fog of relevance in our society. But in our family and in our legacy I want to revive the spiritual necessity of praying for the revelation of TRUTH.

Truth -or its absence-has as much to do with our perception of the world around us as anything else we see, think, or know.

Think about it.
You are driving to work, and the little lady in front of you cuts you off.
You respond according to your "perception" of the truth that she is stupid and only thinking of her self.
The absolute TRUTH is that she just received a phone call that her teenage daughter is being rushed to the ER on life support because of an attempted suicide.

Or.....
Your child keeps telling you about this teacher that is "soooo mean"- and "the teacher just hates me mom!!!"
The absolute TRUTH is the teacher sees the brilliant mind in your child and wants to help push him so that he can succeed in life.

I could go on.
But I guess I am trying to say that sometimes we accept our "perception" of situations as TRUTH, when actually we are being deceived or manipulated by those around us.

One of the greatest deceptions is the one concerning our own value.
The enemy of our souls desperately wants us to believe in the negative worth of our value. He deceives us and manipulates situations so that our perception agrees with his lie.
But when we pray for the brilliance of God's absolute TRUTH to shine through, we can see God's TRUTH concerning the value He has so lovingly placed in our lives.

That is why God's Word has such powerful scriptures as:
"You shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set you free."
"Guide me in Your TRUTH and teach me."

And that is why Jesus said so many times, "I tell you the TRUTH...."

My prayer is that each of us
KNOW HIS TRUTH- and you will gain the ultimate reality of HIS Kingdom.

blessings,
dorinda

Character or Carnality?

Last week was kind of a tough week in the Blann home.

Not anything of major proportions- no illnesses or major catastrophes, just those tough moments when you have to choose - character or carnality. And I'm talking about all 5 of us. It kind of all crescendoed on Thursday.

But~ I ~along with the rest of my family learned some lessons and I pray we grew in our faith as followers of Jesus Christ.

I learned that God is a much better parent than I ever hope to be.
I learn more about God by being a parent.

There are times - this past week was one of them - that I want to make everything easier for my kids. I want to go nose to nose with a coach, a teacher, or a peer and give them the "what for" because they cause pain or hurt to my children. But I know that my children will grow into better adults if I let them learn to face these issues themselves.

I have to say, I love and respect my kids a lot, but after this week, I think I have some pretty awesome kiddos! :)

Without sharing too much information about our personal lives let me say that we have all cried this past week. There have been hurt feelings and hurt pride. The ones who either unknowingly or knowingly hurt my children, I honestly wanted to simply BOP them upside their head!

But my children!..... What examples they have been to their carnal mom! I have been amazed that at their young ages they chose character over carnality.

I don't think I would have chosen that path when I was their age. As a matter of fact, I know that I didn't.

During one of our long talks with one of the kids, I heard God speak to my heart to share His wisdom. After I spoke the words, I knew they came from God and not me. I want to sum that conversation up for you and share His wisdom:

"YOU are the only one who determines your character.
God has already determined your value."

We choose our character by one choice at a time.
God chose our value by one choice for all time.

Character is built by attitudes, beliefs, circumstances and decisions.
Our value was determined by the sacrifice of God's only Son on our behalf.

When we choose to live by godly character we live up to the value He placed in us.

Everyone has character - rather good or bad.

We must choose what face our character will have.
Will it look like Jesus, or will it look like the world?

Character or Carnality?
Which do you choose?

Just some thoughts for you to think about on this Monday in February.....

blessings,
dorinda

Hand in Hand

Welcome to Fiction Friday! Today's host is Sherry at A Candid Thought! Be sure to join us there for links to more fun fiction! And if you're posting fiction with us, don't forget to add your link to Mr. Linky at the end of Sherry's post. See ya there!

Hand in Hand

The drive wasn't that long, but their destination seemed to run from them.



The miles were quiet with reflection and "what-ifs", but the blanketing silence didn't cover up the love they had for each other.



As she pulled into the right hand lane to exit, she instinctively grabbed his hand and gave him a little squeeze.



The small gesture was a thousand sentences rolled into a gentle touch....

"I love you more than you know."

"I am here for you."

"I won't leave you."
"You will make it through this."

"We will be strong together."
"I am praying for you."

and on and on.....



All the strength she could muster lingered with the soft brush of her fingertips.



Subconsciously they both tensed as she pulled into the parking lot.



There it was. The place neither thought they would ever be. The neon letters screaming at them, "YOU HAVE CANCER!"



CARTI



Hand in hand they walked through the automatic doors. Side by side they stood at the receptionist desk filling out paper work.



"I'm sorry ma'am. I can't let you go back while the chemo is being administered. We will let you know how he is doing throughout the process."



She watched him go through the swinging door, watched him walk down the hallway behind the nurse, until he turned left to another door.



A quick glance around the room released the pent up emotions she had held at bay for the last 3 weeks. The frail bodies, the greying skin, the smooth heads.... all spoke the ominous words of sickness and death.



Quickly she gathered her things before she made a scene. She fumbled with the car keys and quickly closed the door behind her. Before the door even clicked shut, tears were streaming down her face and the sobs from her stomach were surfacing.



"No! No! No! This can't be!!!! God, Why?!"



Sob after sob, tear after tear. She cried until her energy was spent.



She had been so brave for her family- for her husband who needed her strength, for her little girl who needed her calm, for her older daughter who needed her wisdom......



Now, alone in the cold, quiet vehicle, she was just herself.

Vulnerable.

Scared.

Tired.



"God, just give me the strength to be what he needs me to be. Give me the strength to hold up and not fall apart. Give me the strength to trust You with everything. And please, God please, do a miracle in his life!"



Seconds turned into minutes.

Minutes turned into hours.



When there was nothing left, it was time.



Time to reapply her makeup and be brave and strong just like last week, just like last night, just like this morning.



She grabbed her purse and keys and walked back through the automatic doors.



The CARTI sign was looming overhead.



There was a home decorating magazine laying on the table. She picked it up and thumbed through the pages, looking, but not seeing.



A few minutes later she heard his voice and looked up with a pleasant smile. Within seconds she was back at his side- holding his hand.



She gave him a little squeeze of the hand.

Hand in hand they walked out the doors and back to the car.

Their home wasn't too far, but it seemed to run from them.

Letter to Former President Bush on YouTube

On the day of President Obama's election I wrote a letter of appreciation to former President Bush.

Some friends of mine took the letter and made a video to post on YouTube.

Here is the result.







Maybe, just maybe, former President Bush will someday see this.

blessings,
dorinda

Daniel Fast - Take Two: Obedience or Submission

Most of you know that this is our church's second year to do the Daniel Fast.

I think it is safe to say that across the board, it is more difficult this year.

I texted a friend the other day to say that I believe it is harder this year because we already know how difficult it is. Last year there was excitement and the unknown. This year there is dread and more dread.

I have pondered all of this and questioned my spirituality. The truth is - sacrifice isn't sacrifice unless it hurts.

And.... I am even unable to do the complete fast because I am having issues with my blood sugar. I am cutting out things though that I REALLY REALLY don't like going without.

But my thoughts tonight are not on "my" sacrifice, or even on "my" desires. My thoughts, my introspection tonight is on my lack of submission.

You see, I have obedience, but at the moment I don't have submission.
I am being brutally honest.

I don't WANT to give up diet coke.
Today, I gave up diet coke only because I feel bad that I am not doing the complete fast.
I am sick of drinking water.
I don't like water.
And, I have battled a negative attitude about it all day.

Again, I am just being brutally honest.
Now, the shallowness of my spirituality is screaming through this blog.
I will wake up tomorrow morning and read this and think, "Yikes!!! Did I really put that on the web for the world to see?" Then I will remind myself, that I should be more worried what HE thinks...... He already sees these issues in my soul.


What do I want more?
Diet Coke or a more passionate relationship with Christ?

What do I want more?
Diet Coke or my friends' unsaved children returning to Christ?

What do I want more?
Diet Coke or miracles of healing for my family?

What do I want more?
Diet Coke or a financial miracle for our church to be on our new land?

When I type it like that, put it in black and white, I feel ashamed.
So, in my heart of hearts, I want the spiritual things.
But in my physical being, I still want a diet coke.

I guess I am getting at the whole point of a fast- doing without something-
Letting that carnal, fleshly side of our lives die so that the spiritual side has more voice, more influence, more strength!

I spent more time in prayer today. I knelt at my bed and shared my feelings with my Savior.
I didn't hear the "Well done my good and faithful servant", but I did feel His encouragement and strength.

I didn't drink a diet coke.
Sacrifice isn't fun.

But a cleansed, victorious spirit is refreshing.
I want THAT more than a Diet Coke.

I want HIM more than a Diet Coke.

I want a heart that pleases HIM more than a Diet Coke.

I want to want what He wants MORE than a Diet Coke.

So with that, I think I am beginning to move from obedience to submission
- just beginning.


blessings to each of you and you consider your life of obedience or submission.....
dorinda

The Daniel Fast

Once again we at First Assembly in West Memphis are in the midst of a corporate Daniel Fast.

Once again I am reminded of my humanity and my dependence upon "things" other than God.

So, my prayer today is for TOTAL DEPENDENCE upon God - not on Diet Coke, or some sweet sumptuous chocolate.

Daniel refused to eat the delicacies from the king's table.

Hmmmmmm, in our culture, delicacies are commonplace to our diet. We take no thought of eating things that give us pleasure. We are blessed beyond our ability to even fathom the depth of those blessings.

During this fast I want to seek God with my whole heart. I want to know Him more than I ever have. I want Him to look at me and see His Son. I do want direction on some things and I do want to see Him move in a mighty way in our church. But more than anything, I want more of Him in EVERY area of my life. I want the passion. I want the anointing. I want the relationship. I want to want HIM more than anything else!

And........
I want to "want" Him more than I want a diet coke right now - which is a pretty big "want". :0)

blessings to all of you as you seek His face!
dorinda