Mark 1:35

"Give me your tired, your poor; your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore; send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door."- Emma Lazarus "The Colossus"

I remember these words in a melodious song from my youth. How peaceful and loving I felt when I sang them. Etched in a plate on the Statue of Liberty, the new arrivals to the United States of America thought all would be well. As I reflected on Independence Day, I was deeply saddened by how far this nation has fallen away from it's humble beginnings. "One nation under God" has now turned into a nation that wishes to remove God!

"We Thirst For You," sung by Cece Winans, rings in my heart. Without God my life would be like the desert in this picture. Barren and unfruitful. I am so thankful for the hope I have in the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew 11:28. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Mark 1:35
Originally uploaded by Extra Medium

Purple White Scene

Purple White Scene
Originally uploaded by Bukit95

It's been a minute since I last made an entry in my blog. Seems as if I can't get it together from my last surgery. Memorial Day celebration is today. I'm not going to any cookouts that I know of, but that's O.K. I need to spend time getting back to the things that truly matter to me.
One of those is my spiritual peace.

I chose these beautiful flowers as a reminder of God's sovereignty. The purple and white reminds me of His royalty. He is the one who sustains me. I can't always have a mountain top experience for it is down in the valley that we grow the most.

Blessed be the name of the Lord! I must remind myself that God says in His Word, "In all things give thanks..."

Tree Planted by Streams of Water

Tree Planted by Streams of Water
Originally uploaded by honey 77

It's been awhile since I made my last entry. A lot has been going on. 2008 ended on a rather down beat for me, but at the same time it was a blessing. I guess it's all about how you internalize a situation.
I suffered a ruptured appendix just before Thankgiving Holiday. No need to tell anyone that I didn't enjoy the turkey with all the trimmings and such. I barely made it out of the hospital before Christmas! I am so thankful to know what Christmas is truly about. When it seems like all your life has been about overcoming obstacles, it's refreshing to know there's a rainbow end if you search for the one thing that cannot be taken away from you.

The Bible tells me that "He will keep my mind in perfect peace if I keep my mind stayed on Him." When I saw the picture and read the verse, I knew it was past the time for me to record my thoughts in a positive light. I am so blessed to be alive and well as I am. Although I am experiencing much pain in my body, I know it's only temporary.

God has promised all of His children a day of lasting rest, a changed body from the corruptible to uncorruptible; from mortal to immortality. No more pain, death, tears or sorrow. I must continue to see my survival as the tree. The tree grows taller and the branches wider. But these are not the secret of its survival. Its survival is found in the deep roots it has grown and wrapped its self around; vying not to be removed.

Yes, I too must learn how to reach beyond the break and hold on. Then all will see how blessed I am.

YOU CHOOSE

Prolife Vs. Prochoice

Legislation cannot make the right choice for us. I remember a song by Brenda & Phil Nicholas entitled "Back To Basics." Phil makes a very valid point when he says "You can dictate, legislate, and mandate 'til you're blue in the face; but that won't ensure a lasting change. The change has to take place on the inside, and there's only One Way that can happen: Only One Way! And that's through Jesus Christ. He died and shed His blood that we might be saved."

I definitely believe in LIFE! But I also have lived in a time when people have turned to the butchers in the back streets with dirty rooms, low lighting and cannot be found when the woman that used their services began to hemorrhage from improper procedures or unsanitary conditions. So; it all goes back to what Phil said. Jesus said it best: "I have come that ye might have LIFE, and that more abundantly." (John 10:10)

No elected official can make the choice to please the people. The people must make the choice that pleases God. It's an individual decision as salvation is a personal choice. It would behoove you to make Jesus your choice. It has enternal ramafications!

YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN!
Originally uploaded by elycefeliz

"We cannot overcome anger and hatred simply by suppressing them. We need to actively cultivate the antidote to hatred: patience and tolerance." - Dalai Lama-

"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." -Jesus of Nazareth- (John 13:35)

I never dreamed I'd live to see this day in the history of our country! A country that has united in a cause "For the people, by the people." Where color would not be the premise of decision, but ability and hope would become the deciding factor.

As you can see from my opening quotes, I have held on to values of peace and love. Having been born in a time and place where segregation and hatred reigned, I endured. Not without scars or missed opportunities, but still looking towards a better day.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said it all for me when he said, "Don't judge me by the color of my skin, but by the content of my character."

President elect, Barrack Obama has this day, shown me that Dr. King's statement was worth embracing. My prayer is that the United States of America will truly become a united nation, "Under God."