Who knew? no regrets...

Certainly not I.

Did you?


I mean seriously - if I had known - I would have done things a whole lot differently. Well at least I think I would have - I mean - without actually knowing how things would have been, had they been different than they actually are, it's kinda hard to say, truthfully, what I would do [just being honest here]  But knowing myself as well as I do [which I am finding out as each day passes, isn't as well as I thought] I am pretty darn sure, I would have done allot of things differently, had I been given the opportunity.


So, how about you?






I know, I know. We can't change anything now. It does us no good to dwell on the past.
That is not my intention by any means.
However, sometimes it is good to glance back and remember from whence we have come from.
Where the Lord has delivered us.


It can help us in our current situation. 
Where we are in life - in our walk with God - Remind us of God's faithfulness, of His love, His grace, His compassion, His peace, in a very personal way.


It's easy to forget.
Life has a way of stealing all of God's precious gifts  away - if we let it - if we're not oh so careful.
Life's busy schedules, relationship issues, troublesome financial situations, every day burdens can creep in unawares and before we know it, the gift of waking up every morning, is transformed into a burdensome involuntary ritual. Lacking peace and leaving us wanting.  

The Cost of Being a Disciple

 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them,  “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? ²⁹ Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?  And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Luke 14:25-33

No regrets

No regrets

I have followed you

No regrets I have counted the cost

No regrets

You are all and everything I desire - You are all - you are all there is for me

Come Holy Spirit - Come - Holy Spirit - Come Holy Spirit

Fill Me - Fill Me 

Come Holy Spirit - Come - Holy Spirit - Come Holy Spirit

Fill Me - Fill Me

I have no regrets - I have left it all behind

No regrets - I have left it ALL

And you - I want you - only you - nothing more

YOU - I want YOU - Nothing more than you - Jesus

Jesus - show me you - I want you

You are so beautiful- YOU are so wonderful

Jesus my heart beats for you alone

You are so wonderful Jesus

You are all I long for 

You are so beautiful my Lord

You are so beautiful

You are so beautiful 

You are so beautiful

To me

I have left it all for you

and  

I have no regrets

...

Gutt feelings

Sometimes we just have to go with them.  It could mean the difference between life or death in some instances.
Why is it though, that we hesitate so much of the time to act upon our "gutt feeling" ? Or sometimes known as our 'intuition"....or I have even used the term, (affectionatly) "the little birdie"....or "small voice" in my head.
What ever or however we describe it IT IS something we all have built-in and I believe built-in as a  SAFE GAURD, by none other than our creator Himself....TO HELP US OUT along lifes journey.
So again, I pose the question,  "Why do we NOT listen to our gutt feelings, small still voice, little birdie or intuition like we should?"

What'cha looking at ME for?

I am actualy asking the question for real.
¦^)

A Word from the Lord/ A Storm Like No Other

I received this this morning about 6 a.m.

A Word  from the Lord

07/26/2012

A Storm Like No Other – Be Ready So God Can Use You

I will come like the rain down upon you

Like a heavy rain that falls in the midst of a great storm with thunder and lighting and wind all around.

My rain will fall down upon  all who are in the path of the storm

For those that have set themselves apart, unto me – those that have devoted themselves to be “Holy as I am Holy” – to those,  my rain will refresh – renew – and restore.

To those who do not know me – who have chosen to separate themselves from my grace and my love – who have chosen to reject my Son – to these that have set themselves apart from me – the rain will also  fall - the mighty wind will come as well – the thunder and lightning all around – and with all this destruction will come and  sadly,  many people will  suffer the effects of this destructive storm.

When the storm has passed – all those who have set themselves apart unto me – those that have devoted themselves to “be Holy as I am Holy” -  those that have been renewed and restored by my rain – by my holy spirit –these precious ones I shall send forth to those that came through the storm – the survivors that were not my own – did not set themselves apart unto me – I will send my faithful ones – they shall be MY hands, MY feet, MY mouth piece.  I shall send them to go forth and bring comfort, healing, deliverance and salvation to a lost, dying and desperate world.

This is the day of salvation.

Chick-fil-A

Mike Huckabee · 711,505 like this

about an hour ago · 

• Just when you thought this whole thing couldn't get more irrational, now we have "Boss" Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, hoping to prevent a legitimate business from locating in his city because one of the owners happens to believe in the Biblical view of marriage. Will Rahm seek to evict the Catholic and Evangelical churches because their priests and pastors not only believe it, but preach that from their pulpits? Has Rahm Emanuel been elected to an office high enough to give him the ability to censor the speech of people he disagrees with?
  
  Here is the issue: Chick-fil-A is in the chicken business. No one has said they discriminate against customers or employees or serve an unsafe product. In fact, they are known for exceptional service to their guests, they are beloved by their employees, and obviously the food must be good to grow to 1600 stores. This is about a small but disproportionate minority of militants who are attempting to bully a family and a business and are spewing vile hate speech toward the company because one of its executives said something they dislike and disagree with.
  
  We are asking all the participants on August 1 and those who post on the blogs to be respectful, kind, and civil no matter what. We are not against anyone or anything. We are for the freedom of Americans to speak their mind and practice their faith. There is no need to lower ourselves into childish name-calling and screaming. That is what people do when they can't defend or explain their point of view.
  
  If Chick fil-A forced its customers to sign an oath stating they are heterosexual before they could buy a chicken sandwich, the angry critics would not only have a point, but I would join them. I think it is great that Chick-fil-A is run by people with a Biblical world view and they operate it based on Biblical values, but there is a bigger issue. That's not what this is about. The company sells chicken and doesn't force a view on its customers or employees, but the owners shouldn't be disenfranchised from their citizenship and rights of free speech, nor should they be kept from operating their business in cities across the country because a few "wanna be tyrants" disagree with their beliefs.
  
  We're simply asking people to eat chicken and not to be one when it's time to take a stand-our appreciation is not only for the views of Dan Cathy, but for his right to have them and express them freely.

The new behavior of choice -ummm NOT

Okay - so I am sitting here - brimming over with emotion. 
I have so much I want to write. I just don't know where to start or how to start. Or if I should start for that matter.


See This post is one of those "soap box" posts. More than anything else.

I am just blown away at how incredibly ridiculous this world has gotten. How "inconsiderate" has become the new behavior of choice these days among the young and old alike.  If that  isn't bad enough, this undesirable behavior has become considered perfectly "normal" as well as completely acceptable and is totally tolerated by the majority of society today.


What and why? That is what I keep asking myself....the answer [which really isn't an answer at all] that I have come up with thus far is, "Sheesh....UN-believeable."


Seriously, I don't know if any of you have notice a sharp increase in the number of rude behaviors in the general public. Let's take for instance the family unit. How many of you have notice the way children, young and grown children alike, have been treating their own parents recently as opposed to the last two decades?It is definitely not the same as years gone by. I can say with certainty, that today's generation of children lack respect for their parents - in general. There are always exceptions to the rule. What I find so upsetting is that the exceptions are those that actually show respect for their parents. 
That is backwards. It should be the other way around. 
Again I say, this behavior is not only accepted today, but applauded by the general public and even in some churches as well.  [Yeah....hits a nerve]


And what about the parents?

Isn't it our job - To love and nurture our children? 
To teach them to fear God and walk in His ways?
To love them unconditionally? 
To teach them how to become men and women of God and prepare them for what the Lord has for them? To provide for them while they are with us?
Is this so hard? 
THIS should be a JOY - not a burden! 
THIS should be our heart and soul! 
It should be our daily prayers to God - our daily conversations with the Master -throughout the day - not just a tag onto our meal blessing.


If this is true then -----

Why is it then, that our homes are being torn apart by the enemy? 
Children are becoming parents and providing for their households while their capable parents sit by with idle hands and justify stealing their child's youth away? 
Grown children are divorcing their God given families and in the Name of Yaweh.
Why is this????

As a mother of five - I know all of the above to be true and I do all of the above. It is second nature to me. My children are my heart and soul. Second only to my Lord and Master.
And though I do all of the above. It is not always without heart ache. I know this first hand as well. Still, I love my children with all my heart and soul. I always will.


I will never understand how a Mother can be so selfish. Oh I "know" the "reason" in my carnal understanding. [below is the answer] Still, in my heart I just can't fathom it.



This is un-acceptable! But yet - it IS accepted! It is accepted by not only the world but the church as well!


Why? I keep asking the Lord, "Why?"

The answer - found in the scripture in a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy [2Timothy 3:1-6]
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.


Of course, [knowing the why] may not make it any easier to deal with,  especially when you [personally] have had to experience the affects of this "era" of disrespect first hand. 


The pain that comes from selfishness and inconsideration, sometimes robed in acts of betrayal, is without a doubt one of life's worse experiences. However, knowing why our loved ones are acting the way they are does have it's advantages by allowing us the upper hand in the spirit world. It shows us how to pray and prayer changes things!
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
So I shall keep on praying and believing.

Still, I leave you tonight with a heavy heart.

Wondering just how a mother can willingly put a son in a position that very well may steal his chance at a clean start at a life. Why? Why would any mother do that? Especially a child of God.


Then I wonder how and three grown sons would  leave their mother and sisters and step-father. Just like that. Years of love. Years of prayers. Years of life together. 

There are so many other bad behaviors that are rearing their ugly heads in our society and crossing over into  our homes these days. It's just that these two are hitting so close to home right now. They are really breaking my heart. 

I know who is ultimately responsible [satan - the deceiver - our adversary] 

Still, we all need to grow up and hush up long enough to hear the voice of Holy Spirit and allow Him to show us what is happening. Let Holy Spirit convict, heal and restore.

That is where I leave this in His capable hands.

So - Why?

Well, only God knows. I suppose.

I am done asking why.

The Killer Storm

A Dream

I had the worst dream ever. Or perhaps one of the most merciful.

I fell asleep and as soon as I did I dreamt that I had driven into the worst storm I had ever encountered.

I had left my home where I currently reside. Rounded the corner and headed up the main street in our neighborhood. I had just left home having gotten everyone in the house ready for the day. i.e. I had packed everyone lunch to take with them to work and double checked to make sure they had everything they needed to face the world.

I suddenly realized as I rounded the corner that I had been so preoccupied helping everyone else in the house get for the day that I had rushed out the door empty handed. I had nothing but the clothes on my back. I was all dressed and ready for work but I didn’t have a lunch. I didn't even  have a bottle of water and I always have a bottle of water with me.  I hadn’t even had a chance to say goodbye to anyone.

This really upset me. So I picked up my cell phone to call home and at least tell the girls I loved them, but before I could even begin the conversation my eyes were held captive by the fast approaching storm -directly in front of me.

It was HUGE.

The clouds were dark grey and white. They were swirling fast and furious. At first I didn’t make any attempt to slow down, thinking to myself as I watched it in the distance, “It looks like a bad storm but it is down the road a way. I will take a different route and avoid it.”

But without notice, within seconds right smack in front of my car there appeared soaring through the sky pieces of debris - a house - a car a tree. I knew at that moment I was in BIG trouble. There was nothing I could do. No where I could go. In a split second; all at once, I threw my cell phone down to the floor of the car. I took hold of the steering wheel tightly with both hands. I stepped on the gas peddle with all my might as if to try and drive straight through the middle of the storm; shut my eyes tightly and screamed a blood curdling scream, “I LOOOOOVE YOU LORD!!!!!!!”

Knowing in my heart this was probably my time to go home and be with the Lord.

I even thought, “This is why I didn’t bring anything with me; God knew I didn’t need it.”

Still, I wasn’t going without a fight.

That was the last thing I saw before I woke up - suddenly. Just like that.

I can not describe how surreal this experience/ dream/night vision was.

I can tell you that through it all - I had perfect peace.

There is a storm headed our way.

I am ready.

Are YOU?

Life's Storms

In the Eye of the Storm

Such calm for a moment;
In the eye of the storm;
There’s sunshine and clear blue sky.

Why does beauty behold such scorn?

Which way is out?

Is there such a thing?

Can I escape this whirlpool of death?

Up through the eye; if I only had wings!

I do not have wings.

I cannot fly.

So until I can find a way out.

I must keep up with this storm or die.

Crashing noises; thundering blows.

A sudden gush of wind;

Once again the storm’s course has shifted,

When oh when will it end?

Dark clouds forming over my head;

Rain begins to fall.

I open my mouth to cry for help;

The wind’s gush drowns out my call.

I’m swept up high into the air,

Tossed about in a whirlwind of speed;

Being battered and bruised from head to toe

By various pieces of debris;

My heart getting ready to give out,

I open my eyes, and take one last breath.

Knowing in my heart my time has come;

This life I live is far worse than death.

Sudden quiet fills the air.

Just as unexpectedly so,

The storm that swept me up

Just lets me go.

There is calm and quiet all around.

I can see once again the blue sky.

I am all of a sudden standing

Right by my Saviors’ side;

I fall to the ground. He lifts my head.

Without speaking a word to me, he says,

“My precious child, don’t give up. I am still here with you.

Walk by faith and not by sight. This storm will not overcome you.”

I lean over to kiss his feet

When I looked up he is no longer in sight.

I am back in the eye of the storm;

though, no longer afraid of my plight.

***

copyright©AmyColleen. All rights reserved.

This took my breath away

From time to time I post something that isn't something I have written or sung.

It has to be something I feel is exceptional and anointed.

This song took my breath away.

Titled - "Home"

Sung By Matt Doyle written by Matt Doyle and Will Van Dyke.

Obedience - Always in style

I have been on a continual journey with the Lord since July 1976.

I am consistently getting closer to where I need to be.

Honestly though, I feel like the closer I do get to becoming what the Lord desires me to be, the more work I actually need done -

before I will ever become what He designed me to be.

Which,  simply put - is a mirror image of Himself.

I was given a word a while back during one of my personal prayer times early in the morning. I shared it back then as I felt it appropriate to do so. 

Considering the times I am going through and how many people I personally know that are facing equally challenging situations - I decided to share it publicly again. 

Everything we do in our lives as believers must stem from our love for God.
and 
It is made very clear, by the Lord Himself and others in the Holy Scripture

 there is one way to show/prove our love for God to God.

Obey Him.

The Lord himself says in John 14:15

“If you love me, you will keep my commands."

Again Jesus says in verse 23

Jesus answered him, “If someone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Well, there is so much more than just reading the rules and regs. of the 10 commandments.

It's about getting to know the author of the rule book and what the rules are all about.

That's when your life begins to really change.

Thank you Lord!

Psalm 34 :1-5

I will bless Adonai at all times;

his praise will always be in my mouth.

 

When I boast, it will be about Adonai;

the humble will hear of it and be glad.

Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;

let us exalt his name together.

 

I sought Adonai, and he answered me;

he rescued me from everything I feared.

A Word from the Lord

Divine Obedience

I will move you in perfect time I will not let you fail
If you keep hold of my hand

You may stumble
You may fall
Along this rocky path
But I will lift you right back up
Together we will not miss a step

Trust me

This is a new place I am taking you
This calls for a deeper love - a stronger faith
and A trust in me that will deliver DIVINE OBEDIENCE
We will make this happen together

I always keep my promises

Stay close to me and Keep hold of my hand 

I will deliver

Psalm 32 By David

How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
those whose sin is covered!
 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit!

 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away
because of my groaning all day long;
 day and night your hand was heavy on me;
the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)

 When I acknowledged my sin to you,
when I stopped concealing my guilt,
and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;
then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

 This is what everyone faithful should pray
at a time when you can be found.
Then, when the floodwaters are raging,
they will not reach to him.

 You are a hiding-place for me,
you will keep me from distress;
you will surround me
with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

 “I will instruct and teach you
in this way that you are to go;
I will give you counsel;
my eyes will be watching you.”

 Don’t be like a horse or mule
that has no understanding,
that has to be curbed with bit and bridle,
or else it won’t come near you.

 Many are the torments of the wicked,
but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai.
 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous!
Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Psalm 33

Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous!
Praise is well-suited to the upright.
 Give thanks to Adonai with the lyre,
sing praises to him with a ten-stringed harp.
 Sing to him a new song,
make music at your best among shouts of joy.
 For the word of Adonai is true,
and all his work is trustworthy.
 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the grace of Adonai.

 By the word of Adonai the heavens were made,
and their whole host by a breath from his mouth.

He collects the sea waters together in a heap;
he puts the deeps in storehouses.

 Let all the earth fear Adonai!
Let all living in the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and there it was;
he commanded, and there it stood.

 Adonai brings to nothing the plans of nations,
he foils the plans of the peoples.
 But the counsel of Adonai stands forever,
his heart’s plans are for all generations.
 How blessed is the nation whose God is Adonai,
the people he chose as his heritage!

 Adonai looks out from heaven;
he sees every human being;
 from the place where he lives
he watches everyone living on earth,
 he who fashioned the hearts of them all
and understands all they do.

A king is not saved by the size of his army,
a strong man not delivered by his great strength.
 To rely on a horse for safety is vain,
nor does its great power assure escape.

 But Adonai’s eyes watch over those who fear him,
over those who wait for his grace
 to rescue them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

 We are waiting for Adonai;
he is our help and shield.
 For in him our hearts rejoice,
because we trust in his holy name.
 May your mercy, Adonai, be over us,
because we put our hope in you.