Prayers Please!

You know what they say?

"Be careful what you wish for,

because 

you might actually get it!"

I have always dreamed of being a 

REAL Speaker,

you know, someone who actually gets paid for it?

Well, this week I have a few speaking dates,

and I'm a little scared.

I could really use your prayers!

On Wednesday,

I'm speaking for one of my favorite Mom's Groups,

Mission Hills' Mom2Mom Group.

On Saturday I have my first

"REAL" Speaking opportunity at a Boutique in Orange.

Then, on Monday,

I have another "REAL" talk that another speaker referred me to since she couldn't make it.

I will be sharing 3 different talks,

within 

1 week.

Please say a few prayers for this girl! 

(two thumbs pointing at myself)

I am praying this:

But I'm not so scared that I'm not preparing or doing what I need to do.

Our God is faithful.

HE always shows up.

HE always provides.

HE never leaves me,

ever.

So, I don't have to be afraid.

That doesn't mean that some of the ladies won't like me.

:-(

That doesn't mean that I will bring all the lost to the Lord.

That doesn't mean that my fear is completely gone.

It is still there....a little...

but HE calls me to be brave,

faithful,

courageous.

So, 

I'm stepping!

Please say a prayer for me and for the hearts of these women that I will be speaking to

1) on Marriage (Wed)

2) on The Gift of CHRISTmas (Sat)

3) on The Power of a Praying Mother (Mon)

Thank you SO, SO MUCH!

And may I pray for you?

Lord, 

Please bless my friend reading this.

I pray that this week, he/she would see you, that you would make yourself 

supernaturally real for this friend.

I also pray that this friend would be blessed, protected and be swooned by you and your love!

Lastly,

I pray that they too, would step out in fear,

and that they too, would be brave,

courageous 

somewhere in their life this week!

Thank you, Father, for hearing every word, every prayer, every heart!

I love you,

in Jesus' name I ask these things,

AMEN!

It's Official!

Remember when I told you about this?

Well, it's OFFICIAL!!!!

Mary's book is OUT, for sale, AVAILABLE to 

YOU!!!!

When I first got an email explaining that I had been chosen to help Mary DeMuth launch her new book

EVERYTHING,

I was elated, ecstatic and excited!

I got to read this literature before everyone else.

I felt like I was a new member of this secret, and very special club!

Guess what?

I was 

and now you can be in it, too!

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book...

                                                                                                                                                         Consider reading Chapter 1 here,

and if that isn't enough,

watch this and maybe grab a tissue!

I would not endorse something I didn't fully believe in-

I endorse this book,

the author,

and most of all,

the content.

I dare you to read it and tell me that it didn't do a thing towards your relationship 

with God,

whether you believe He is real or not!

I double dare you!

If you order this book TODAY,

you will get a ton of FREEBIES 

(YAY! Who doesn't like free stuff?)

and you will also receive a book that will challenge you and urge you , 

if you haven't already, to give 

EVERYTHING

to Jesus

and to also allow HIM

 to be YOUR Everything.

Here are some online places to purchase:

• Amazon.
• Barnes and Noble.
• Christian Book Distributors.
• Parable.

What WOULD it be like if you did give Jesus everything,

ALL of you?

Jesus in EVERYTHING!

September 11th...

I remember that day, still.

My girlfriend Gina called at 6ish a.m. and said, "Turn on the T.V.!"

This is what I saw.

One of the Twin Towers was hit

and

the next one was about to be hit by the airplane in the background.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

It was as if I was watching a movie,

this was NOT real,

oh,

but it was.

I just remember tears streaming down my face.

I felt so helpless,

watching as people began jumping from the first tower that was hit.

As I remember it now, my stomach actually turns.

My eyes are watering, 

taking me back to that moment.

Pure EVIL in human form,

taking innocent people to their death on the airplane,

 death in the Towers,

death on the ground.

War,

on our ground.

And even though it was on the other side of the nation,

I felt as if I was there,

as many bystanders were watching,

horrified,

helpless,

hopeless.

Then, the 2nd plane hit.

Speechless.

More tears, 

weeping.

News of the 3rd plane,

heading towards the Pentagon.

Wait,

something happened.

EVIL was overtaken by GOOD.

The plan turned,

what happened?

Someone had the courage to step in and face that Evil.

Others joined

and although they all fell to their death,

many others were saved.

I just wanted to remember this day.

It changed our nation,

communities

and 

neighborhoods 

forever.

It changed me.

We are in a battle, friends.

A battle of Good and Evil that is

REAL.

And I'm glad that God is on my side.

God promises to bring something good

out of every heart break,

hurt,

loss.

We have hope in HIM.

I am so grateful to live in this beautiful county,

that was built on GOD.

What about you?

What are you grateful for today?

Be blessed-

It's Raining Again

It's raining today.

Made me think of the Carpenter's song, "Rainy Days and Mondays".

That was one of my favorite "albums" growing up.

It had a brown album cover with the word "Carpenters"

written in a beautiful script font.

I would listen to that album over and over.

And although I loved that album, and that song, those of you who know the rest of,

"Rainy Days and Mondays", it goes...."Always gets me down".

Kinda sad, huh.

Well, I love the rain.

We get the perfect amount living in Southern California.

It rains often enough that I can have a reason to stay inside, light the fire in the fireplace and bake some cookies, but not so often that I hate it.

But, since the Carpenter's "Rainy Days and Mondays" is kind of a sad, boo-hoo song, I was thinking about other songs about rain that are more upbeat.

I found this.....it dates me, for sure.

Don't laugh...

I actually listened to the lyrics today.

The first time ever, seriously, and I liked 'em.

It's raining again,
Oh no, my love's at an end.

Oh no, it's raining again
and you know it's hard to pretend.

Oh no, it's raining again
Too bad I'm losing a friend.

Oh no, it's raining again
Oh, will my heart ever mend.

Oh no, it's raining again,
You're old enough some people say,
To read the signs and walk away.

It's only time that heals the pain,
And makes the sun come out again!

It's raining again
Oh no, my love's at an end.
Oh no, it's raining again
Too bad I'm losing a friend.

C'mon you little fighter,
No need to get uptighter.
C'mon you little fighter,

And

get back up again

Oh,

get back up again..

Fill your heart again...

I was so excited to read these lyrics.

SO much more positive than,

"Rainy days and Mondays al-ways- get - me dowwwwwwn".

And I know we can all relate to a time or two (or a few hundred) when you have felt like the rain is just coming down,

no,

pouring down on your head.

NO umbrella

&

wet. soggy. hair.

Lots of it.

Thank God, we do not have to sit there with our wet, soggy hair for long.

We have a HOPE!

God promises that after every "rain", there will be a rainbow.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose."

Romans 8:28

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Let's be FIGHTERS!

When has God turned your RAIN into a RAINBOW?

Why is Today called "Good Friday"?

Today marks the day that Jesus was crucified. He was REAL and still is REAL today, and yes, his crucifixion REALLY happened. I was just thinking this morning, "Why is today called, 'Good Friday'?" So, like any resourceful person, I Googled it!

Good Friday is the day commemorating Jesus Christ's death on the Cross, which is probably to be dated April 3, A.D. 33. In the liturgical calendar of the Western church, it is the Friday before Easter. The exact origins of the name are uncertain; some argue it stems from the use of "Good" as an adjective applied to the day, which is an Old English synonym for "holy." Others argue it is a corruption of the word "God," in the same way that "Good Bye" comes from the phrase "God be with ye." Christians believe the day is "good" because the message of Easter is of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil; as the Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." It is believed that, in Jesus' death on the Cross, He took once and for all the sins of all mankind upon Himself, in our place. This gift He extends to everyone who will believe in Him. Believing in the Good News of the Gospel is our hope. Jesus, the Son of God, who died for our sins, was raised again for our justification, we who believe being made in right stead with God. However, the term "Good Friday" is only used by Western Christians, and not by Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox refer to this sacred day as "Great and Holy Friday." Author: John Beagle Many religions "recognize" that Jesus was indeed crucified and died on the cross. What makes Christianity different from other beliefs, cults and religions is that WE believe that Jesus died and then ROSE AGAIN, three days later. "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." John 10:17-18 What do YOU believe?

Motivational Monday!

What brings you JOY????

Reeeeaaaaaaaal Joy?

DO that...

BE that....

SHARE that...

Spend more time with that

and you'll

have more

JOY!

So, what brings YOU real Joy?

I gain JOY through

laughter,

anyone's laughter,

seeing my children happy,

BIG hugs,

when the underdog wins,

when a prayer is answered,

helping someone,

BIG HUGS!,

when I know I've made a positive difference,

a handwritten card/note w/heartfelt sentiments,

connection,

music!

"Be JOYful always:

Pray continually:

Give thanks in

ALL

circumstances,

for this is Gods' will for you in Christ Jesus."

1Thessalonians 5:16

I know it isn't easy to "be Joyful ALWAYS" and have to admit that sometimes I'm the pouting kid...okay, more than sometimes.

But the bible commands us to

Be Joyful,

Pray Continually,

and

Give Thanks in ALL circumstances.

When we listen to Paul's advice, we will gain more JOY and have a better perspective,

because let's face it-

there can always be "better" or "worse"

so let's be JOYFUL exactly where we are

today!

I choose JOY today!

Avoidance

JAPAN

Can you even believe these pictures?

They look like something taken out a movie.

Oh, yes, an old Godzilla movie,

after all, this is

JAPAN.

Please forgive my sarcasm.

It is being used to cover my

grief

and

shock.

I found another picture that made me burst into tears...

it was a hand sticking out of the rubble.

I'm of Japanese descent,

1/2 third and 1/2 fourth generation,

have never been to Japan,

but have cousins there.

I would be considered

"faux"

Japanese.

Too Americanized...

But, I cannot help but feel a personal pain in my heart for Japan

and especially the

26,000

who are either

dead or missing....

I have totally avoided watching any news about the tsunami,

it's devastating..

overwhelming...

almost nauseating...

But...there is HOPE.

The Japanese are doing what they do best,

working together,

helping each other,

supporting one another.

This is an email my mom sent me:

"For those who wonder how JA's were able to 'gaman' and live through what happened to us as U.S. Citizens during World War II, 'On the Ground' by Nicholas D. Kristof describes it very well. Trust you will agree.

But the Japanese people themselves were truly noble in their perseverance and stoicism and orderliness.

There’s a common Japanese word,

“gaman,”

that doesn’t really have an English equivalent,

but is something like “toughing it out.”

And that’s what the people of Kobe did, with a courage,

unity

and common purpose that left me awed."

"This stoicism is built into the Japanese language.

People always say “shikata ga nai” – it can’t be helped.

And one of the most common things to say to someone else is “ganbatte kudasai” –

tough it out,

BE STRONG.

Natural disasters are seen as part of Japan’s “unmei,” or fate –

a term that is written by combining the characters for movement and life.

I remember reading an ancient account, I believe from 16th century Jesuit visitors, of an earthquake devastating a village,

and then within hours the peasants began rebuilding their homes."

In the midst of this disaster, the Japanese people have come together.

But, I'm still praying for the Japanese.

For strength,

for perseverance,

and

most of all,

for their

souls.

85% of the Japanese are Buddhist.

Less than 1% are Christian.

Please pray for the Japanese...

"I will build them up and not tear them down;

I will plant them and not uproot them.

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.

They will be my people,

and I will be their God,

for they will return to me with all their heart, "

(says the LORD.)

Jeremiah 24:6-7

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our

troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any

trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Let him who walks in the

dark,

who has no light,

trust

in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

Isaiah 50:10