A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.. 'They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still goingto need Sisters. Remember to go places with themnowand then; do things with them.''Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women always do.'What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married?Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends eachyear. As the years tumbled by, one after another,she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,Sisters are the mainstays of her life.After more than 50 years of living in this world,here is what I've learned:THIS SAYS IT ALL:Time passes.Life happens.Distance separates.Children grow up.Jobs come and go.Love waxes and wanes.Men don't do what they're supposed to do.Hearts break.Parents die.Colleagues forget favors.Careers end.BUT.........Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther awaythan needing her can reach.When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,praying for you, pulling for you, intervening onyour behalf, and waiting with open arms at thevalley's end.Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walkbeside you...Or come in and carry you out.Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extendedfamily, all bless our life!The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much wewould need each other.Every day, we need each other still. Pass this onto all the women who help make your life meaningful.I just did. Short and very sweet:There are more than twenty angels in this world.Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment.

Grandma's Hands

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her. "Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. "They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken,dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. "These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something Christ would do. -- Author Unknown

Simple Message From Above

Simple Message From Above
July 8th, 2009
It’s a wonderful day to be a child of God. Today, I have been given A Simple Message From Above! Many of us have experienced trying times over the last 13 months. Death in the family, bad doctor reports, unemployment, times of loneliness, marital turmoil, ministerial difficulties, financial woes, emotional roller-coasters, betrayal of friends, rumors, lies and vicious assaults from the enemy. There have been times when quitting appeared easier than holding on. My friend, today God has commissioned me to tell you one important thing …
HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!
He is aware of your past hurts, your current dilemmas and your future challenges. He is aware of your weary days and tearful nights. He is aware of your night seasons when you walk the floors in worry and anxiety. He is aware of the unbelief you often fight off. He is aware of your cry and your pleas. He knows what you need, when you need it. Beloved, …
HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU!
Today, I ask that you share this Simple Message From Above with as many people as you know. We all need to know God has not forgotten about us. Whatever you stand in need of, God has it. Prayer for Today: Father, thank You for reminding me that You have not forgotten about me. I love You with my whole heart. In Jesus’ name … Amen!
Scripture Reading for Today: Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:28
May God Bless you at Your point of need!

You may have gone to bed last night weary and wondering how, when and why?

But thank God you woke up this morning and placed your feet on the floor. And when you did, I'm sure the enemy said... "DARN, she (he) is up again!"

That's right. You are up again. You may still be discouraged, but you are not defeated!

You are up again. Your head is up!

Your gratitude is up! Your faith is up!

You are standing up on your faith. You are cheering up and looking up.

You are speaking up and thinking up.

You are hooking up with the right people.

You are growing up and maturing in your self-esteem, self-worth and self-control.

You are up and ready to make it through and up out of your temporary circumstances.

To get better sleep, reduce the news watching and distance yourself from the negative people. Prayer is better than Prozac.

There is no cost... just a lot of reward...

Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer.

May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spiritrest and abide in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears.

May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced.

May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new heightfor you; I pray that your territory is enlarged.

I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy,true and undying love for God.

Someone once said, "Aging puts wrinkles on the body.Quitting puts wrinkles on the soul."

"I pray that God's great power will make you strong, and that you will have joy as you wait and do not give up." Colossians 1:11 (New Life Version) Tag ---- you just caught God blessing you :)

Praying for Your Children
from Victoria's favorite Daily Prayer Guide for Children
Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death". As parents, you have the power to speak life or death to your children and over your children. When you choose to speak the Word of God over your children, you are choosing to speak life over them.
Jesus said in John 6:63, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." The following are scriptural confessions that you can speak over your children — and as Isaiah 55:11 says — "these words will not return to you empty, but will accomplish and achieve the purpose for which they are sent."
Salvation
Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.(Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10)
Growth in Grace
I pray that they may “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”(2 Peter 3:18)
Love
Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love through the Spirit who dwells in them.(Ephesians 5:2, Galatians 5:22)
Honesty and Integrity
May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection.(Psalm 25:21)
Self-Control
Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be “alert and self-controlled” in all they do.(1 Thessalonians 5:6)
A Love for God’s Word
May my children grow to find Your Word “more precious than gold, than much pure gold; [and] sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.”(Psalm 19:10)
Justice
God, help my children to love justice as You do and to “act justly” in all they do.(Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8)
Mercy
May my children always “be merciful, as [their] Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:36)
Respect (for self, others, and authority)
Father, grant that my children may “show proper respect to everyone,” as Your Word commands.(1 Peter 2:17)
Strong, Biblical Self-Esteem
Help my children to develop a strong sense of self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.”(Ephesians 2:10)
Faithfulness
“Let love and faithfulness never leave [my children],” but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts.(Proverbs 3:3)
A Passion for God
Lord, please instill in my children a soul with a craving for You, a heart that clings passionately to You.(Psalm 63:8)
Hope
May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)
Responsibility
Grant that my children may learn responsibility, “for each one should carry his own load.”(Galatians 6:5)
Generosity
Grant that my children may “be generous and willing to share [and so] lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”(1 Timothy 6:18-19)
Peace, Peaceability
Father, let my children “make every effort to do what leads to peace.”(Romans 14:19)
Humility
Lord, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all.(Titus 3:2)
Compassion
Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion.(Colossians 3:12)
Perseverance
Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to “run with perseverance the race marked out for [them].”(Hebrews 12:1)
Prayerfulness
Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”(Ephesians 6:18)
Contentment
Father, teach my children “the secret of being content in any and every situation through Him who gives [them] strength.”(Philippians 4:12-13)
Faith
I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them.(Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40)
Joy
May my children be filled “with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”(1 Thessalonians 1:6)
A Heart for Missions
Lord, please help my children to develop a heart for missions, a desire to see Your glory declared among the nations, Your marvelous deeds among all peoples.(Psalm 96:3)
A Servant Heart
Lord, please help my children develop servant hearts, that they may “serve wholeheartedly as if [they] were serving the Lord, not men.”(Ephesians 6:7)
A Willingness and Ability to Work Hard
Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work hard at everything they do, “as working for the Lord, not for men.”(Colossians 3:23)
Purity
“Create in [them] a pure heart, O God,” and let their purity of heart be shown in their actions.(Psalm 51:10)
Kindness
Lord, may my children “always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”(1 Thessalonians 5:15)
Courage
May my children always “be strong and courageous” in their character and in their actions.(Deuteronomy 31:6)
Self-Discipline
Father, I pray that my children may develop self-discipline, that they may acquire “a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”(Proverbs 1:3)

Girls In My Circle

GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE
When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,And then I started to become a woman.And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man. Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom. Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'Another , 'Let's fight together,' Another , 'Let's walk away together.'


One friend will meet your spiritual need,Another your shoe fetish,Another your love for movies, Another will be with you in your season of confusion,Another will be your clarifier, Another the wind beneath your wings.



But whatever their assignment in your life,On whatever the occasion,On whatever the day, Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back, Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .. Those are your best friends.




It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several.. One from 7th grade,One from high school, Several from the college years, A couple from old jobs,On some days your mother, On some days your neighbor,On others, your sisters,And on some days, your daughters.

For My Daughter....

*Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

*Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.

*Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

*Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

*Just for this afternoon, I will take us to
McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up
late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

*I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.............

Haters

A hater is someone who is jealous and envious and spends all theirtime trying to make you look small so they can look tall. They are very negative people to say the least. Nothing is ever good enough! When you make your mark, you will always attract some haters...That's why you have to be careful with whom you share your blessings and your dreams, because some folk can't handle seeing you blessed... It's dangerous to be like somebody else... If God wanted you to be like somebody else, He would have given you what He gave them! Right? You never know what people have gone through to get what they have...The problem I have with haters is that they see my glory, but they don't know my story... If the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you can rest assured that the water bill is higher there too! We've all got some haters among us!

Some people envy you because you can: a) Have a relationship with God

b) Light up a room when you walk in

c) Start your own business

d) Tell a man / woman to hit the curb (if he / she isn't about the right thing)

e) Raise your children without both parents being in the home

Haters can't stand to see you happy.Haters will never want to see you succeed. Most of our haters are people who are supposed to beon our side. How do you handle your undercover haters?

You can handle these haters by:

1. Knowing who you are & who your true friends are*(VERY IMPORTANT!!)*

2. Having a purpose to your life: Purpose does notmean having a job. You can have a job and still beunfulfilled. A purpose is having a clear sense of what God has called you to be. Your purpose is not defined by what others think about you.

3 By remembering what you have is by divine prerogative and not human manipulation.

Fulfill your dreams! You only have one life to live...when its yourtime to leave this earth, you 'want' to be able to say, 'I've lived my life and fulfilled 'my' dreams,... Now I'm ready to go HOME! When God gives you favor, you can tell your haters, 'Don't look at me...Look at Who is in charge of me...' Pass this to all of your family & friends who you know arenot hating on you including the person who sent it to you. If you don't get it back, maybe you called somebody out! Don't worry about it, it's not your problem, it's theirs.. Just pray for them, that their life can be as fulfilled as yours! Watch out for Haters...BUT most of all don't become a HATER! 'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a manshould have to seek Him first to find her.'

Maya Angelou

For my son Damian

To my sweet, handsome son you're truly amazing. I thank God for blessing me with a son as good as you. I'm so glad that I have never had any problems with you and I pray that I don't ever have to deal with anything major because YOU ALREADY KNOW, LOL!……..I remember when you were first born and I held you in my arms, it seems like just yesterday. I would lie in bed next to you and couldn't ever get enough of watching you sleep. When you first started kindergarten, dad & I walked you in; it just broke my heart to leave you as I walked out with tears in my eyes. I felt the exact same way as I dropped you off, on your first day of highschool. You're growing so fast, right before our eyes and I still can't seem to "let go". I don't think that I will ever be able to. I wish I could protect you and your baby sister and brother from what's out there in the world. All I can do is give you advice and pray that when certain circumstances cross your path, that you will make the right decisions. Dad & I are very proud of you and your individuality. Do your best to reject thoughts if limitations and failure in your mind, and replace them with positive uplifting thoughts. I have always told you, there's not anything you cannot do. You can do ANYTHING your heart desires. Don't let anyone tell you any different. You've always been very obedient and appreciative that's why I never have a problem spoiling you with the things that you want. All I want from you is to continue to apply yourself in school and excel overall. Don't ever allow discouragement, hard times, or obstacles to cause you to want to quit or give up. I admire you for playing football these last two seasons even though you had never played. That takes a lot of courage ;) Dad & I will ALWAYS be your biggest fans. I want you to know that I appreciate all your help with your baby brother and your help around the house. I love you Mi Corazoncito Mas Lindo De Mi Vida……..

I John 5:14 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us"

Ephesians 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart"