Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless

This year I have been thinking about a number of things and I’m finding myself reminiscing of Christmas’s from the past.

Every year as Christmas time rolls around, I enjoy taking in the lights and decorations that illuminate homes around our area.  Decorations are becoming grander than ever with each new year decorations outdo what was up from previous years. As I take in the sights and sounds of Christmas, I can’t help by compare the wonderful memories of the lights, trees and smells that I experienced from my moms kitchen and hands.

When I think about Christmas’s of the past, there are many people who have made long-lasting imprints on the pages of my life. My mom Winnie Elder was one of those people. When it came to Christmas, she was at her happiest time. My parents didn’t have much money to spend on Christmas gifts. What she did have what the gift of baking and letting us help her decorate the Christmas Tree. I have the smell of home-made yeast rolls in my mind. When she was ready to decorate the Christmas tree, she savored each ornament as she smiled and hummed to herself.

It was at Christmas time that she felt the most joy. She would apologize to us, or at least to myself that she couldn’t do more. I let her know how much I loved her and she would just weep.  Mom had a really hard time money wise and having to deal with abuse. And at Christmas time, I know it was the one time that she felt true joy and happiness.

My mom also knew that I loved her fruitcake. I don’t really like anyone elses, but I do like hers. The year before my mom died, she sent me a care package. She baked me four fruitcakes. Each was wrapped and she sent me a sweet message. While it may not seem like a very good Christmas present, it meant the world to me because she enjoyed baking and sending it to me for Christmas.

Normally I would call mom and ask her about what she’s doing. She would talk about how she got her Christmas Poinsettias, which she loved and she loved mums. She would talk about her day and the regrets she has when we were growing up. She always wished she could have given us more and been there for us more. Mom was very difficult on herself.

For some reason, I’m really missing my mom more than other years. I missed being able to pick up the phone and asking her for advice. Even though I have cooked turkeys hundreds of times or made pies by myself, I always asked her for advice on how to make my pies turn out as good as her pies. This year, I didn’t make any pies or a turkey. I didn’t get any fruitcakes that my mom made.

I guess I have been an it depressed when I think about my mom and not being able to hear my moms voice on Christmas morning. I’m remembering all of the things that I use to hear from my mom. I know my mom is in a better place now and that she is celebrating with Jesus Christ.

I would be overjoyed if she found a way for my fruitcake found its way to me. But then I think about how I have the greatest gifts ever.

Because of my mom and dad having me and my sisters and brother, I have the best gifts because I was blessed with 2 lovely daughters, 6 grandkids and another on the way. I also have been married for 39 years to my husband Chuck. God worked things out in the most amazing way.

 

My last blog was about how Satan is destroying the church. This is the continuance of how destructive Satan is.

Satan’s goal is to seek and destroy you. 

I have been having a heavy heart when it comes to Satan’s ploy. His plan is to kill and destroy anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

God calls us to “be alert and of sober mind,” watching out for the schemes of the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

If you are a believer of Jesus Christ, then Satan hates our guts with a passion. He is the serpent and ruler of this world. We must stand firm and resist Satan. We can’t be naive and we must be prepared.  God has given us the tools that we need in order to stand firm.

For a while, well a long while, I have been praying about what God’s plan is for my life. God has a plan for all of our lives. We also need to understand that the enemy (Satan) has plans for our lives also. With all of the voices in our heart and minds, we have to decide who we are going to listen to. We also must choose who we are going to follow. If we aren’t paying attention, we will get caught in Satan’s snares.

God has given us His Word and if we follow Christ and focus on His Word, then we’ll have wisdom and the tools to stand against the enemy. We must put on the full armor of God. We need to be alert and pray that God will equip us to “stand strong.”

When we put on the full armor of God we can stand against Satan’s lies and schemes.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Read More…

There are 2 types of weapons when we put on the Armor of God. These are the only ways that we can stand firm against Satan.

Defensive Weapons; 

• Truth
• Righteousness
• Gospel proclamation
• Faith and Salvation.

Offensive Weapons;  

• Prayer
• Sword of Scripture

Additional Bible Verses;

1. (1 Pet 5:6-8) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
2. (Rev 2:10) 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. .
3. Thess 2:18 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.He may hinder [cut in on, as in a race] your gospel witness and steal it from unsuspecting hearts
4. Matt 13:19 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.
5. Acts 5:3 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

Satan knows that we love God. Satan’s goal is to destroy and attack anyone that God loves. He destroys us through a variety of ways. I have listed a few techniques that Satan will use against believers in Christ.

1. Fear- Satan wants our faith to be in anyone and anything other than God. When we dedicate our lives to Christ, we don’t need to live in fear. In Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
2. Doubting God– We shouldn’t let Satan convince you that you are unloved and not worthy of His love.  In John 20:27  we read about how Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to stop “doubting and believe.”  ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” When Satan temps you to doubt God, don’t let the confusion and your situation to doubt God. 
3. Avoiding Church- This is one of the situations that has been heavily on my heart lately. I have been having many people talk to me about how they have decided that it’s time to stop going to church. I can’t go into what is going on. For a while, there have been many heart felt discussions with people who have decided that it is the right time for them to stop going to church. It isn’t always easy to persevere.  My prayer is that those who have decided that they need to go elsewhere that they find a church that will help them become strong in their faith. 1 Corinthians 12 
4. For you to be led astray- This is a pretty big one for me. It’s so easy to be lead astray. There are those who profess to be a person of faith. We must keep our eyes focused on Christ and to  “Watch out for false prophets. When we rely on the words of men or ourselves instead of God’s Word, we can easily lead others away from Jesus and be led away from His truth ourselves. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15).
5. Failure –  Satan wants to destroy us. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV)  8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

As I get ready to close up this post, I want to be sure to mention that every minute, hour and day we face spiritual warfare and we must be prepared to battle Satan. He wants nothing more than to defeat those who are believers in Christ.

(Eph. 6:10-18) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

 

I will be doing a series of posts that will focus on Spiritual Warfare. This first blog post begins with how Satan’s lies and deception. This first post is focusing on Satan destroying the church.

Colossians 1:9-10: For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

When I was having a heated discussion with my daughter we were talking about church and meetings. He blinds the minds of unbelievers. Having business meetings on Sundays has been a hot topic for many, myself included. As I was praying about what this blog will be about, I was directed to 2 Corinthians 4:4.  My mind has been blinded and focused on the business meeting and not keeping my eyes open to the light of the Gospel and glory of Christ. Satan keeps us from seeing and hearing of the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:4- In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God

Satan goes out of his way to accuse  and destroy Christians . In  Revelation 12:10 it says, “I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’” Satan’s defeat is sure. But his accusations haven’t ceased.

 

I was planning on posting a different blog, but I think this post is needed. For some time there has been a lot of arguing and bickering. It breaks my heart that Satan is doing all He can do to destroy families and churches. This was going to be a post on something else, but at this point, God put this on my heart.

 

You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

It seems as if Satan has been doing his best to wreak havoc and destroy those who love the Lord. Satan has been causing chaos at church. I’m not a pastor but, I do observe things and I do my best to encourage others to follow Jesus and do my best to focus on Him and not on Satan. I know that Satan loves to hurt and destroy people and churches. Satan certainly goes out of his way to interfere with what God’s church is doing.

Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. (1 Pet. 5:8)

Satan is the Father of Lies

 Satan is a liar and he is the father of all lies. When Satan appeared the first time in the Bible that would be Genesis 3. His first words that he spoke were to bring cause suspicious of the truth (“Did God say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”). Then he continued to say that “you will not die”. There isn’t anything that Satan says has anything to do with the truth, because there isn’t any truth in him. When it comes to Satan, we are dealing with deception and lies.

John 8:44- You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

“When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). The first time Satan appears in the Bible in Genesis 3, the first words on his lips are suspicious of the truth (“Did God say, You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”). And the second words on his lips were a subtle falsehood (“You will not die”). John says that Satan “has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44). We are dealing with the essence of falsehood and deception.

Satan Disguises Himself

You may have heard the saying, (“A Wolf in Sheep Clothing”) Satan disguises himself as a a sweet innocent sheep if that would help us trust him. Paul says that there are people who are posing as apostles and that even Satan has disguised himself as an angel of light.

In 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, Paul says that some people are posing as apostles who are not. He explains like this: “Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 -For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 4 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

While I’m having a hard time dealing with the damage that Satan has been doing, I find hope knowing that Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire.  Satan is on a leash and there will come a time when his reign will cease.

Revelation 20:10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Prayers Needed Concerning Our Church and Believers

Our church family and churches all over could use your prayers in these areas. Let’s join together as a church body and pick up the Shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit as we take our place on the front lines for Faith Family in praying:

Ephesians 4:1-3: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” 

• That God will protect our church and our Pastor .

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1

• For the believers and seekers in our congregation

Please pray for our eyes to be opened and that the Lord provides knowledge and wisdom to those who are seeking.  Please open our eyes and heart to know that it is You who are speaking and not Satan.

• Please pray that God will build up His house and that His Will is done.

Jeremiah 42:2-3: “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord your God for us, for all this remnant—because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us—that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.”

• This is one of the areas I really need to focus on instead of the stupid things. Please pray without ceasing.

Ephesians 6:18-20: “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” 

Prayer For Our Pastor

• Dear God. there are so many obstacles out there for pastor. Pastors all over the world are being attack by the enemy and we come to you to ask for your protection. Keep him and encourage. Thank you for bringing him and his lovely wife Kathi to our church.

 

Flu season is upon us. I have started seeing people post images or comments about how everyone should get the flu shot. When I hear people make comments about how important it is for those who are children, senior citizens and those who have weakened immune system it makes me cringe.

People, Dr’s. nurses and so on give warnings about how it’s best to get the flu shot.  While they mean well, that isn’t true for everyone.  Every year there is this huge campaign to immunize. People will judge those are don’t vaccinate and they don’t care to listen. it’s like your Democrats or Republicans. No matter what side you are on, someone is going to judge. There are those like me who has had horrible effects to the flu shot. I was told by my neurologists to not take the flu shot, shingles, pneumonia or the tinnitus.  immunizations. I personally think it is important to get immunizations for your kids if there is no medical reason to with hold them. But that is me.

Top Part of Patient Consent Form… I have read, or have had explained to me, the CDC Vaccine Information Statement about influenza and the influenza vaccine. I understand that this vaccine may cause flu-like symptoms in some people and in rare incidents Guillain-Barré Syndrome. I have had an opportunity to ask questions which were answered to my satisfaction. I understand the benefits and risks of influenza vaccine and request that the vaccine be given to me (or person named below for whom I am authorized to make this request) Click Here to Read the Full form when you consent to get the flu shot. 

What is Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)?

(CDC) Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that usually last for a few weeks. Most people recover fully from GBS, but some people have long-term nerve damage. In very rare cases, people have died of GBS, usually from difficulty breathing. In the United States, an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 people develop GBS each year. Click Here to learn more… 

I was diagnosed with the CIPD variant of Guillian Barre Syndrome.  I was told by my  Dr back in 1980 that once you have it, then you won’t get it again. They said that only 1-3% of those who get GBS never has a problem again. I guess I was in the lucky 1-3% group. Which is the recurring kind. I ended up with GBS/CIPD because of a flu shot I received.  In just 3 weeks I ended up on a vent and was paralyzed all the way to from my feet to my face. I didn’t have a clue that I have an antibody that reacted with the flu shot.  You can also get GBS because of a virus.

If you look at the form that you have to sign you will see a notification that states that if you have had or have GBS not to take the shot. Or if you do decide to then that has to be your choice, not someone else’s. Since I got Guillian Barre Syndrome from the flu shot, there is no way on this earth that I would do it. The risk isn’t worth it to me.  Since I have the chronic form and I have had it three times, again there is no way.

There isn’t a lot known about GBS even today. My daughter Jessica doesn’t get the flu shot and she also doesn’t give those to her children. I was pregnant with her when I got diagnosed with GBS. Once you have gone through something as traumatic as that, you would never want to again and you do what you can do to try to prevent it.

I won’t go into a lot of my diagnosis things. But, you can read about my experience by clicking here. This is part one of two. 

I just want to say this last thing. If sonmeone is sick, please don’t be around others. You never know who has an medical problems and compromised immune systems. Don’t be one of those people who goes into public places when you know you are sick. Use some common sense. If you feel like you need to caugh or sneeze, then cover your mouth. Again, use some common sense. There are people out there that has life threatening illnesses like disease, auto immune disease and people are dying. If you have strep throat a fever, throwing up or symptoms, stay home and respect others. Your cold or flu could cost someone their life. Click here to learn more about what to do if you are sick… CDC Flu and Cold Prevention Awareness

This is a true story of a man and his dogs and cat. I have mentioned Eric Dodge in previous posts. I have shared a bit about his sweet Anna and his cat Bart. I want to share this story from Erics own mouth. It is a story of unconditional love, loss and renewal .  Have some Kleenexes close by because you will need them. But, this story is true and inspirational. I will share the first paragraph and then click on Read Next for the rest.

 

I used to think cremation was weird. I couldn’t fathom burning a loved one to ashes. It was so final, so blunt, the end, game over. I was lucky not to have been present to see my furbaby die. I was in the middle of a Christmas concert as my Anna took her final breaths at that emergency room on a cold December night. A vehicle in a complete freak accident hit her in front of my house. The animal hospital gave me some options and cremation was one of them. I decided to give this a try. This night my world stopped turning. I had recently turned 40. My relationships were struggling, my health was struggling, I was about to lose a long time career that provided me with a comfortable living, and all of these things came crashing down on me at the same time. I was handed that little wooden box with all that was left of my beloved Labrador Anna and I had a complete and utter meltdown. How do you fit eleven years of companionship full of love, adventures, and life, into a small wooden box with a paw print on it? It was hard to believe this was my baby? My Anna was in a box and was never coming home. Read More…

I have been thinking about how there are many Christians who want to hear the feel good sermons and when it is a sermon on the hard stuff they don’t want to hear. Thankfully Pastor Ray Schroeder at my church which is St. George Community Church preaches the whole Gospel of Christ aka The Bible Only messages. I seen this post on a friends status that is a retired pastor from New Covenant Community Church in St. George.  He  is now living in Arkansas and Pastor Bernie said what I was thinking and I wanted to share it with you all.

Re-post from Bernie Larson 

Do Christians really want milk? Some do , but most do not. Most want to hear the truth and nothing but the whole truth.Too many preachers are just tickling itching ears. Watering down the Gospel and giving only what sounds good, bypassing the Cross and neither calling for sacrifice or service.
Most people want to hear the truth without compromise. Most want their pastors to address cultural issues. Plenty of God’s people are sick and tired of the status quo. Shepherds of the flocks need to equip and sometimes that means to warn- be watchmen on the wall. People are waiting for faithful leaders to take a stand.
According to recent surveys: When Pastors are asked about key issues of the day- 90% say: ” The Bible speaks to the issues of the day,but when asked how many are teaching on those issues- only 10% are. Most people in congregations want pastors to address the major issues of the day.
Bottom line is: God’s people are hungry for all the truth of God’s Word. They are hungry for holiness. They are eager to apply to the gospel to every area of life.It is time to preach the truth in love! Bernie

There are some songs that mean more to me than others. There are a lot of songs I love. The song ‘Thank You by Ray Boltz” has a very special meaning to me.

There was a post that a friend that would I have been introduced to his music and lives locally. He sings country music, but he also has started singing song that are closer to my heart and his name is Eric Dodge. I spoke of him a few times and I share his info on a tab on my blog. I would love to see him put out music of more of the Christian genre. If he did, that DVD would be in my collection for sure and I would get it on ReverbNation.. This is the song that Eric has sung by Rich Mullins. It’s called  “Hold Me Jesus” I would love to play his version at my church during praise and offering. This is from his Facebook page..

Ray Boltze sings my all time favorite song. I would love to see Eric Dodge sing his songs. My favorite song is Rays is ” Thank You” and here is the video…

The song  Thank You is one of those songs that speaks to my heart the most. All of the words in that song speaks about how all the people in my life has made a difference. I bawl like a baby. I grew up where my parents didn’t allow us to speak about God and I had to sneak out of the house to go to church. But, the part of the song with the missionary is when I realized I wanted to make a difference in other peoples lives.

Every part of this song means something very personal to me. I have had many people who are Christian who said I shouldn’t listen or buy his music because he made an announcement that he is gay. Instead of  being there for him, they stopped listening to his music. After his announcement he never made music again. I prefer to listen to the song and all the words to speak to my heart. God uses everyone for His purpose. It isn’t my responsibility to judge him or anyone else.

Thank You Lyrics; 

I dreamed I went to Heaven, you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold beside the Crystal Sea.
We heard the angels singing, then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man, and he was smiling as he came.
He said, “Friend you may not know me now,” and then he said, “But wait –
You used to teach my Sunday School, when I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart.”

Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
Then another man stood before you, he said “Remember the time,
A missionary came to your church, His pictures made you cry.
You didn’t have much money but you gave it anyway.
Jesus took that gift you gave
And that’s why I’m in Heaven today”

Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
One by one they came, far as your eyes could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, sacrifices that you made,
They were unnoticed on this earth
In Heaven now proclaimed.

Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.
And I know up in Heaven you’re not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure there were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand and you stood before the Lord
He said “My child look around you,
Great is your reward.”

Chorus
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave,
I am so glad you gave.

It isn’t easy to put into words what someone has done for you. They may never know they made such an impact. I have made it a point to tell some people from my childhood what they have meant to me and my walk with Christ. Can you ever thank someone enough?

I can’t count how many people have been significant in my life and I am forever thankful for the sacrifices they have made.  When I consider the beautiful things people have given so I could lean more about Christ, it blows me away big time. They may never know that way they have said or done has changed my life in the most positive way. Their actions are the most valuable thing and instilled in me how important my walk with Christ is and His love for me.

I also think of my mother in law Marjorie. She passed away on August 4th, 2008. But, she had this awesome way of praying for everyone that needed it. She even prayed for herself to like my sister in law more. Which my sister in law passed away two weeks before she did. She wasn’t the kind of person who would say that she would pray for someone and not do it. During church one day I noticed that she was writing names down in her bulletin during the praise and prayer time. She would pray for each and every person who needed it. Even if someone didn’t ask, she prayed anyhow. I’m sure that there are many special prayers that she never shared with me. She was and is a perfect example when it comes to sharing her faith and doing her best.

I have often wondered how many that I didn’t know prayed for what was going on in my life. I know those in my church do. But from the time I was a child there had to have been many praying for me and our family. Because of what countless numbers of people have been there, I didn’t venture far from God and I was led down the narrow path.

Everyone moment we go through is a teaching moment. Since it was difficult for me to get to church each week, God stepped in by putting people there to help me get there. Since I wasn’t suppose to be at church, it took believers and those who could drive to get me there.   I have been humbled by the greatest gift though giving to the Lord.

There are those who thinks they have to go to another country and serve missions. I thought that myself and had planned on doing just that. But, God had other plans. As I got older, I realized that we all can serve missions where we live. Each and every day we have the opportunity to witness to others who needs to know Christ. If you don’t feel comfortable with speaking to strangers, you can live by example.There are many at my church can’t go out witnessing door to door, but they find ways to be there for others.

I want to end this by saying that I am forever grateful for the sacrifices on my behalf. They have been a blessing in my life. It’s OK to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and teachable before the Lord.One of the things I wish more people would do at my church which is a small non denominational church (St. George Community Church) would be to share their personal testimonies. They may never know how their testimony could speak to someones heart.

 

If you have never watched the movie Raggamuffins, you should. The movie is about the life of Rich Mullins. I always thought I knew more about him, but I only knew his songs, not anything about him.

Rich Mullins greatest legacy is his music. His first song that was published or best known is “Awesome God“.  I could be wrong about it being his first song. So many of his songs spoke to my heart and still does. I have been thinking about the movie”Ragamuffins lately because I follow a country singer on Facebook and he is one of the only country singers I listen to. I mainly listen to Contemporary Christian music. I have asked him if he would come to my house and sing for my Christmas party. I’m hoping he will.

Eric Dodge did one of Rich Mullins songs. My readers should go to his youtube channel and listen to it. Here is the link to his page.  The song is called “Hold Me Jesus”.

One of the things that Eric mentioned in his video and it is so true and why I’m touched by the songs in the show of Ragamuffins is how we are all broken. It was hard for Rich Mullins and there were times in the movie that seemed as if the message was directed at me.

There are a number of things in the movie that spoke to me. Rich Mullins talked about many things but he also had hardships and his own demons.  I feel as if we all have our own demons and our struggles. Eric Dodge and the show about Rich Mullins (Ragamuffins) has helped remind me that there comes a time when we have to do something.

Eric has motivated me to not sweat the small things and to live life.  I have had many obstacles in my life. I think I worry about things that aren’t important. I need to focus on the important things and look around me more. Eric has been on this quest to minimize and to look around, live life  and do what is important.  I think I need to do that more and not fill my time with stupid things.

One of the clips in the video that spoke to me the most is this, “Listening to Brennan Manning” and I just bawled.  Click here to listen to the clip, and really listen to the words.

The first time the Rich Mullins heard about Brennan Manning was on tape as he drove through the edge of the Flint Hills in Kansas, his eyes filled with tears. He steered the truck to the side of the road. It was at that point that I broke down.

After this movie, I made changes. After a while, I found that I went back to my ways. I think that is why Eric Dodge’s way of doing things has touched my heart. He has had a rough year and I have gone to a couple of his concerts, but, he has spoken about the show and he is doing things and changing his life, which is awesome. I need to be more proactive.

On the front page of my blog, I will link his blog and Facebook page. Click on the tab at the top I think it is where is says Eric Dodge.

Rich Mullins was 41 when he died in a car accident. There were many true facts about Rich Mullins life.

1. In 1996 he took a break from touring and he went to the Navajo Indian Nation of around a year  and they were very close to his heart. I think they all helped him more than he helped them.
2. Rich Mullins wasn’t interested in money. He had no idea how much money he made. He only used the money he needed to live on. Most of his money was donated to the Navajo Nation and those in need.
3. He was also known for doing concerts with no shoes on. He didn’t care what others thought. He wanted to please God and do what he needed to do.
4. I loved his music, but in his real life, he had struggles like we all have. I didn’t have the kind he had, but we all have our things we go through. He got through everything because of his faith in Christ.

If you want to read about the man who did the tape that Rich Mullins was listening to on  Raggamuffin (Brennan Manning). Here is a short biography of Brennan Manning

If you want to read his personal page which is being updated now… Click Here for Erics Page… 

 

I haven’t been on my blog for a couple of months due to being in the hospital and I’m having some pretty major medical things going on. So, I just wanted to do a small update.

My last blog I shared about my experience with Gillian Barre Syndrome. I have the CIDP form of it. I was in the hospital for about a month because I had an infection in my blood. It is called Sepsis and I had Bacteriaemia. I don’t remember anything that happened for most of my time in ICU and the hospital. I only remember the last few days in the hospital and I think about 3 weeks in the car/rehab center.

But, what I do know is that I have had some wonderful friends and family members that encased me in prayer and support. My pastor, family and friends came to visit me everyday.

While I don’t remember anything that happened and what led up to my hospital stay, I do know from the nurses and care givers that my family and friends made sure that I had my radio playing at all times. I listen to K Love which that is a Christian radio station. My husband and daughters made sure that they had the radio going at all times.

From what my pastor said he was saying that they almost let me go home to the Lord. I don’t know if that’s the exact words. But, they turned the radio off and my family was where they didn’t think I would make it. While the Dr’s were working on me and people were praying, they noticed that my radio wasn’t on. They turned it on and it must have done something. It was like it was at that moment that something happened. That something isn’t a thing, I have heard from some of the people who when the music was playing, I was alive again.

I want to thank all of those who lifted me up in your prayers. I would like to thank my family and friends who didn’t give up. I don’t know who was all there to pray for me, but from my understanding, there was a lot of people. One of my friends had her bishops come and pray for me. Then a friend from church gave me a bracelet. It simply says “Jesus is Enough, Mark 16:15”. Thank you Rhonda. When I was having a hard day and not knowing what was happening, I could read that and what an awesome reminder.

Mark 16:15- He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Thank you Pastor Ray for being there for me and all of the prayers. My daughters Jessica and Beckiah came to visit me and they made sure things were getting done. On one of the nights where I was having an emergency and I needed to have intervention because of blood clots, my grand-daughter Jocelyn who is just 2 left her little unicorn in my room. I found so much comfort in that. Then my daughter Beckiah was a life saver. I was so hungry and they needed to do tests. Beckiah made sure to be there while they did swallow tests and she made sure I had food. There is a huge list of people who came to visit and pray.

God uses many things to restore our faith, hope and life.  I have had some people say that it was the Dr’s that saved me. I think they were an important part, but God is the one to be thanked and my life being saved is an act of God. God provided the help that was needed to save my life and for anyone’s life. Because of the prayers by others while having the faith, God is the one in control of all things.

If it wasn’t for God putting everything in order, I wouldn’t be here. My family and friends knows that my faith in God is the most important thing in my life.

I do want to share a major blessing. My sisters Bren and Joyce and my dad came to visit me. I never thought I would see my dad up here since it is a long trip. God made it all possible. For me, that was such a big blessing.

We shouldn’t ever put limits on God. God uses Dr’s, medications, family and friends when we need them the most. I still have a long road ahead of me, but I know that God has bigger and better plans.

Going Home- Part 2

This is part two of my Guillian Barre Awareness Blog Post from 2 days ago. The most important part will be part 3  and that is how God can get us through anything if we only have faith and beleive.  This is the paragraph from the last one.

In order to go home, my Dr’s told me that there had to be someone with me at all times since I wasn’t out of the woods. I also had to have my house approved since there were so many things that could happen in a moments notice. Someone also had to be trained to help with going to the bathroom, bathing, helping me roll over in bed. When I came out of the hospital I was a size 0 and I would guess about 85 pounds. So, Chuck had to make sure everything was ready for me to come home.  He had to also make sure that I had the means to get medical treatment since I was a minor.

So, Chuck arranged for me to be dropped off at his friend’s house, which I did know them, but not well. He had to be on base at 4:00 Am every morning, unless he was off. So, we left the house around 3:15 and he had to carry me the whole time. He carried me into the truck every morning. Lana gave him a key to her house in case she was asleep. She arranged for a bed to be in her living room. He brought me in and made sure I was in bed, brought lunch over if I got hungry.

Chuck would check in throughout the day to see how I was. Lana had to have some training in order to help me. She would help me sit up since I was getting sores from laying down all the time. I couldn’t feed myself. So, she would feed me. Oh, and by the way, I was also pregnant with my daughter Jessica. She had to help me go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. When I wasn’t at her house, Chuck did everything for me. When I say everything, I mean everything.

Like I mentioned before, Chuck was in the Army. I had to have medical since I was still needing major medical things. While Chuck was on High Alert , which means he can’t go anywhere that is over 15 miles. When he got the call on his day off, he was stressed. I asked him why and it was because of me and how since I was still in a battle for my life, we needed to find a way to get medical treatment. We were planning on getting married in December. Instead, we pushed it up. Because of him being on High Alert, which I think it was during tole cold war, we decided that we would get married. It was the best way to get me medical coverage. So, that’s what we did.

Chuck and I already had our license and we didn’t have anything to do. So, he lifted me up and put me in the truck and we decided to get married. We made it to Belton Texas with 30 minutes to spare. Chuck had to carry me into the court-house and he even held my hand to help me sign. My parents about two weeks ago signed the permission slip since I was 17. He did find an office chair with wheels to help me. When we went before the judge he asked me if I was positive that I wanted to get married. I wonder if he thought Chuck was trying to force me since he had to help me hold the pencil.

I’m sorry this is going on for so long. But it’s important. Chuck and did get married on the day before Halloween. Chuck always says that we got married then so I could ride my broom. Chuck has also said he married me since he felt sorry for me lol. Which isn’t true, lol. But, my mom did tell me when we got married she would send us 200.00. We called her when we got home. We needed the money because my stuff is very expensive. Little did we know that Scott and White contacted the Shriners about my case and they covered every penny of my care since I was a minor. That was a major relief and Chuck was prepared and has been paying for everything for me even though we weren’t married.

Chuck and I went to the base. We borrowed a wheel chair to get around. We didn’t even have the money for that. We showed them our ID and the marriage certificate. The timing was great since now I had full medical coverage with the military. I was readmitted into Darnell Hospital at Fort Hood. I wasn’t on life support, but I was still paralyzed and I was in the hospital for 3 months. Over the course of a year, I spent 90 percent of the time there.

Chucks CO arranged for Chuck to go on Special Duty so then he would be close to home in case I needed him. When I was in the hospital he made sure to visit before he went home. I honestly don’t think that there would be many people who would have stuck around. We have been married 38 times. He has stuck around for all of the things I have gone through. I have had Guillian Barre Syndrome 3 times which is why they have changed it to CIPD which is the chronic form of Guillian Barre Syndrome. About 12 years ago or longer I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. There has been a number of other medical crisis that many would have walked away from.

I wanted to keep this post short and I will just touch on this since I will cover more of this in a separate blog post. GBS is an auto-immune disease and those who have had it or have compromised immune system. For myself the second and third time I had it was because I was around someone who had either a cold or the flu. While the cold, flu or other virus doesn’t affect some other than being sick for a short time. For those who have a compromised immune system it could land them in the hospital or they can die.

I think the second time I was paralyzed in the late 90’s which would be 98 or 99 it was from someone who came to my house with strep throat. I spent most of that year in the hospital where I live. I missed almost an entire year of being a part of my daughter’s life. When they seen me, it was from them coming home from school and they had to see me in the hospital or the rehab center. During lunch breaks they would walk over to the hospital and have lunch with me. I shared this because something as simple as strep throat almost costed me my life. If you are sick and you know someone with a compromised immune system, please stay away. If you are sick, stay home. If you must go out, wash your hands.

Links to Informational Websites for Guillian Barre Syndrome and CIPD

• Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Guillian Barre Foundation/CIPD  GBS/CIDP Foundation International