Friday, November 27, 2009

GIVING THANKS EVERY DAY

Every day is a perfect time to give thanks. Give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you and me.

I am so thankful to be alive, awake, alert, assertive, and hopefully becoming more and more aggressive in my pursuit of the Lord's heart. So deeply thankful for the mercy of God that has been bestowed upon me day after day for all of my life. Exceedingly thankful for a few faithful friends that have chosen to love me through good and bad times, who pray me through the most difficult times of my life, and who have taught me so much through their continual sacrafice and obedience. Family overflows my heart with thanksgiving most of all, and gives me endless reasons to praise the name of Jesus. What a joy and what heartache comes by love and by being loved. His mercy endures forever! Great is His faithful!

I will sing and give thanks to your name O LOrd my strength, my rock, my fortress, in You will I trust.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

MISS MY FRIEND



Watched Prince Caspian from Chronicles of Narnia with my nephews the other night. This song was at the end of the movie. It reminded of glimpses and moments in time that are so few and far between, when I think I finally realize or maybe I am just reminded anew that eternity is not far away...and all the momentary hardships and struggles are light compared to all eternity.

How I long for the day when there are no goodbyes -----------------------

Saturday, October 17, 2009

TURN OFF, TUNE IN

Challenge to anyone who reads these words. TURN OFF the television, TUNE IN to life. You miss alot when you are mesmerized by lies and entertainment. It is meant to distract you from real life issues. If you really want to know what is going on, ask God. Get down on your knees and pray for wisdom and cry out for understanding.

No kidding, your life will be so much more than it ever was when you stop being emotionally drug through the mud of chaos and media reruns.

Monday, September 21, 2009

BE WHO YOU ARE...

A good friend sent this video to me. So thankful to God for rescuing me from all that could have been, I will live the rest of my days proclaiming His perfect love that cast out all fear. Ladies, be who God made you to be and do not wish to be something you are not.

If you are in a season of waiting and longing for your Prince to come, he will. Hold onto Jesus and just be still.



Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

Sunday, September 13, 2009

GOD HELP US TO RIGHTLY DISCERN

"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us."

Luke 19:12-14

A friend of mine called me today, reminding to be a good steward of the things that God has given me. He reminded me of this verse, "OCCUPY TILL I COME." I was telling him of some situations that have transpired lately that have stirred my thoughts to get rid of certain things in hopes of doing good for others. He said make sure you are praying and discerning correctly. Remember to OCCUPY until He comes. Be a good steward of what has given you. Sometimes it means sell what you have and give it away, and other times it means to use what you have to bless others.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

MANY PARTS


Why do you suppose there are many parts to the body? Each part supplying what the others are lacking. Why is there so much lack? Could it be that others are mistaking their existance is to save up and make itself sole priority, and think that the other parts should survive on its own? Parts are just parts if they stand alone. Together they are a body, the body.

Sell all you own and give it away. Do not be proud to have savings or good amount in your bank account when your neighbor has been struggling to make ends meet with children, and no way to put food on the table.

If you have faith in God, you will give what you have and watch the Lord multiply your little bit or your lot and you will continually have more to give away. Man's ways are not God's way. Man's way: To each his own. God's way: Love your neighbor.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

You want to hear God's voice? You want to make wise decisions? You want to be selfless? Get into the Word of God. Give yourself to reading and to prayer. You want change to come? Be still. Determine to live out the Word of God hour by hour. The fear of God is to hate evil and every wrong path. To fear God and keep His commands is the whole duty of a man. His will is His word.

Monday, June 29, 2009

IN THE QUIET

Quiet for some is awkward and uncomfortable. Maybe because we have time to think clearly and all the busy noise is not blocking out the reality of what is really going on.

Just today I enjoyed a nice visit from some of my dearest friends. They were talking about how the natural urge is to overlook as much as possible. The longer you ignore a problem the less it seems like a problem. When you face your fears and the things that you might be dreading, it becomes even more evident just how necessary living out the truth really is. Life is never richer than when we do not run from pain and hurt, but run to Jesus when things are uncertain and most irritating and uncomfortable.

The tears will soon turn to joy in the presence of our Faithful Friend and Saviour. In the quiet is our opportunity to pour our hearts out to God and to listen for His voice. It is good to be quiet sometimes.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

TESTED BY FIRE

I Corinthians 3 talks about each person's work is going to be tested by fire and will be revealed for what it is. Just wondering what we think the fire looks like in our daily lives? Do you think that our difficulties and hardships could hardly be considered fire? Or maybe anything that is a discomfort or distraction? What seems to be getting under your skin and taking you to Wit's end.

There's no need to buckle, complain, or think that this is the end of the road. Get your running shoes on and take the challenge head on. You are in a race. Most people would walk out or run from their problems...you run to Jesus. You run with endurance and with a determination to never give up.

Nothing like an ugly situation or circumstance to knock your pride down and slap you back to reality. When we are squeezed or pushed we spill what we are full of. What comes out of us at a moment of intensity usually points out what is really going on inside, all that has been hiding behind the nice clothes and make up and muscles...

Someone so desperately in need of crying out to Jesus.

I Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh that he stand, take heed, lest he fall.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

QUIET CONFIDENCE

"A fool utters all of his mind..." Proverbs 29:11 Most of the time when I have gone ahead and said all of what I am feeling or thinking in regards to anothers actions or disagreeing with them, I soon realize that I do not know all the facts and I am not God. I am not all knowing and I cannot possibly consider fully all that is factoring in and influencing their life decisions. Human beings are ignorant of alot. Nothing escapes God's view.

It would be in our best interest if we are truly concerned about another's well being to be quietly confident of the greatness and faithfulness of the God we know and love and serve. Trusting that He can and He will move the mountains that seem to be obstructing clear vision or right thinking.

There is a time for everything under heaven. So may we rightly discern what time it is and what the heart of our Father is in every circumstance and all situations.

Friday, May 29, 2009

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES

VANITY. The other day I was driving down the road listening to the stats on how much money people spend on costmetics and hair styling products and haircuts. As if that was not disturbing enough, they began talking about how much money is spent on girls under 13 years old on the same thing. Due to sixty second commercials that these little ones and all of the public view, they are impacted enough to go and spend and spend some more to try to become more beautiful or more desirable or more something.

ENTERTAINMENT. Unless you live in the mountains (and one day, Lord willing I will) entertainment means constant television, video games, hand held devices, and distractions of all kinds. If we were to take a step back and
I can only hope and pray that no person takes any of the material in these blogs as ammunition for contentions or debate. The articles that I write are merely concerns and observations, meant to challenge and encourage and bring the Word of God front and center. Please examine yourself according to the truth, and do not condemn others or yourself as we have all fallen short.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

FACING FEARS

A few years ago I recall telling a friend that I try my best to face every fear so that I will be walking by faith, as it is impossible to please God without faith. I recently have returned from a camp where we had staff meetings that would sometimes turn out to be discussion times, bibles studies or prayer meetings. Most of the staff had been at least glancing through a book entitled, Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges. In a few chapters he points out scriptures that prove the danger of willful disobedience even when it is not intentional.

Fear being one of those sins. Fear is the opposite of faith. "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind." II Timothy 1:7

I received word by the last week or so of my time at camp that mom had gone to the doctor and they told her she had psuemonia. She had not been feeling good for weeks. While I was praying for my mom the tears began to come for the reality of what my heart was feeling. Fears that had been in me since I was very small. Fears of something happening to my mom. I am aware that some things that trouble us in this life is to be expected regardless, but then there really are some fears that try to rule our lives and keep us from being free as the Lord has created us to be. I thank God for revealing simple truth of what is hidden in me. I also thank Him for the freedom and healing that repentance brings and that fear should never be allwed the living room in my heart. With the Lord's help --- I will continue to trust until all fear is gone. God loves me and He loves my mom. He is able to heal and restore and make all things new.

Also, it is always encouraging to look at life from an eternal perspective. This life is just a moment, eternity is forever. There is a time for everything under heaven. Seasons change and thank God that His mercy wakes us up to the truth and to the reality that we can trust His love will never fail us.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

IN THE PRESENCE OF LOVE

I was reading Luke 12 and Romans 12 today. As I read, I was being strongly reminded that I must be bold in proclaiming Jesus name, unashamed to make Him known, and determined to know Him with all that I am. Willing and aware that it will cost me everything to follow after Him.

The second part of what I was reading encouraged me to be very mindful of how I go forward and what I put my trust in. Where my treasure is there my heart will be also. What is there to fret about if my Heavenly Father knows what I have need of and He is faithful to His word?

And finally, thank God for a friend that sticks closer than a brother. In the presence of love I am not afraid to fall, to fail, to be imperfect, to not have the right words, to be who I am, and to still be learning that without love... I am nothing and I have nothing.

Friday, April 3, 2009

ALL SUFFICIENT ONE

GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE ALL SUFFICIENT ONE. WHAT IS THERE THAT I COULD POSSIBLY HAVE NEED OF THAT GOD HIMSELF HAS NOT ALREADY PROVIDED? NO THING. ACTIVITIES SEEM TO MEAN LESS AND LESS TO ME AND THE WORD OF GOD MORE AND MORE. EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST AN AVENUE TO SHARE HISTORY. I AM VERY THANKFUL...FOR THE COLD, SNOW, WIND, AND DAYS THAT ARE NOT ALL SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS. THE LORD HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH THROUGH HEARTACHE AND PAIN AND STORMS OVER THE YEARS. HIS LOVE IS UNFAILING. I BELIEVE HE IS DESIRING TO TEACH US ALL HOW GOOD HE IS AND WHAT A RESCUER AND FAITHFUL FATHER HE IS WHEN WE ARE FACING THE MOUNTAIN OF UNCERTAINTY, THE DUNGEON OF DESPAIR, AND A FLOOD OF UNWILLINGNESS IN OURSELVES. SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW US ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES AND WE WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

AND THERE WAS MUCH REJOICING!!!

All praise to the King of Kings! Healing has come! So thankful to God for all my friends that have stood in the gap for our friend and brother Will. The day after I had received word of him being in a 'dangerous way' I wrote down on a sliver of paper, "THE SUN WILL SHINE FOR YOU AGAIN WILL." Having full confidence that the prayers of the Saints were prevailing regardless of the dark near hopeless reports.

So the word on the street is it will be weeks before he's fully recovered. I would like to personally address that remark and defy that observation. It is good not to believe every report you hear eh? The report is speculating two months before he's "out of the woods." I have been informed by the Highest Order THE KING OF KINGS, that those particular woods have already burned to the ground and are dust under his feet. HE IS FREE! He is redeemed, delivered, rescued, and preserved. Death is swallowed up in victory!

To quote the Kingsman himself, "Not once has He ever let me down."
http://www.myspace.com/sirwilliamjames

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

CHASE JESUS



These are some nice pictures of my ten year old friend, Chase. Some of these pictures took very little time to make. You can fit alot into one day if you try hard enough.

Knowing how little time we actually spent doing any of those activities in the picture, makes me think how we all can use a reality check. When we must be careful that we are not giving an appearance that we are chasing after Jesus (if we are really not), or doing something for his glory, if we are just doing it to say "that we've been there and done that and got the t-shirt." It can seem real if we take pictures and tell all kinds of stories. But the truth shines through in the lessons that we learn in a day.

I hope we stop being so busy all the time, acting like everything's okay even when it is not, and truly begin to chase Jesus.

Monday, March 9, 2009

WHO WILL WAIT

I AM SEEKING FOR ONE WHO WILL WAIT AND WATCH
FOR MY BECKONING HAND - MY EYE
WHO WILL WORK IN MY MANNER THE WORK I GIVE
AND THE WORK I GIVE NOT - PASS BY.

AND OH THE JOY THAT IS BROUGHT TO ME
WHEN ONE SUCH AS THIS I FIND
A MAN WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL
WHO IS SET TO STUDY HIS MASTER'S MIND.

AUTHOR: ANON
REF: Phil 2:5-8 Matt 20:27,28

Sunday, March 1, 2009

YIELD

In on-coming traffic you must yield. When there is a yield sign you must yield. When the light turns yellow you should yield. You must yield or else you could hurt yourself and endanger others.

When you yield you are responding to warning and instruction. Yielding is walking in obedience, is choosing to observe and consider what is in the best interest of others.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

SOMETHING'S IN MY EYE

Can someone see Jesus in my eyes, if something else is on my mind? If I forget to cast my cares on the Lord, if I fail to pick up my sword, will darkness and troubles and fear surround? Will I remember my Saviour, His mercy, and His grace that abounds? Will I want to make a joyful noise to the King if I forget my vows and refuse my source of strength? Who or what is my daily bread?

Thursday, February 19, 2009

HEARTBEAT

Has your heart ever skipped a beat when the phone rings or if there is a knock on the door? There is something that is so delightful about true fellowship and reuniting in communion or getting to know a friend that truly rejoices the heart like nothing else. It is something to look forward to and hope for and patiently await the next opportunity for understanding to come...to know and be known.

What does your heartbeat for? Who does your heartbeat for? Are you hungry for another chance to talk to God? Do you long for His presence? Can you wait to hear His voice again? Do you keep His words close to you and play them back in your mind for comfort over and over again? Can you wait for the next time to get away and be alone...to listen and share when no one else is there?

Remember that out of the abundance of your heart your mouth speaks, so listen to your words throughout the course of a day, and observe what your heartbeats for. I pray you find that your heartbeats for the courts of the KING. To be where He is. His desire is for you.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Water

At the dinner table my four year old nephew asked his mother for some water to drink. Her silly reply to her son was "Not today. No water today." His eyes got big and he said, "Mom! Without water we can't live. We'll die!" She gave him the water of course. But for all of us who were standing by and very amused with his serious efforts in reasoning with his mother, I wonder what else we could pull from his reaction?

Do we ask God for what we need? Do we believe His intentions toward us are good and life? Do we see His word as so necessary to our lives, it's like water to a thirsty soul? Do we realize how critical our need is for God's word? Without it, we die.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Letter to a PRINCESS

PRINCESS:

I write to you as if you were my little sister. I hope to encourage you by these thoughts. I understand at your age it is easy to feel a little lost, confused, and not really sure who you are. You will understand who you are more when you pray and read God's word. When you study school and learn several subjects, you are a student. Can I ask you what does your life show that you have studied of God's word?

God's written word is the directions for growing up, learning how to be a true friend, how to avoid every wrong way. It teaches you how to have self control. It shows you the secret to handling life's complicated issues. It is the medicine that rids you of anger, bitterness, and resentment. It will assist you in discerning between a rebellious spirit and mood swings, and it will give you wisdom on how to handle your emotions. It tells you how to discern your thoughts and bring them into obedience to God.

The worst thing you could do is think that you can seek God later on in your life. If you wait to seek God at this time then your heart and mind will be filled with other things, and these things will hold your attention and you will pursue after the things of this world. This is not life, you know this. The world offers you everything, but upon acceptance of its offer there is only sheer loneliness and empty nothing. Are you getting the meaning of these words?

Do you understand that your choices make you? Your choices at this very moment will determine the rest of your life. I pray God gives you understanding and ears to hear this warning. The world will tell you what you want to hear. It does not care what you believe in and it will tell you to believe in yourself or believe in something and it does not matter what. I would not risk forever if I were you. You need to know what you believe in or who you believe in.

God says that if you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him. Do you want to find Him? It is not good enough that dad and mom seek and know God, but you yourself must seek Him and know Him or you will not. Those who do not know Him are lost. If you continue on in your own ways you will wake up in a few years and wonder how you got where you are. The world is blind to the danger of not knowing God. Only those that seek Him will find Him. If we are seeking Him then we do not live to please our self any longer, we do not despise love's correction, we get away from everything that is not the truth and choose to what is right.

People believe a lie when they think they have God or know God when they really do not. How do we know that we know him? We do those things that please him. How do we know we love Him? We do what He says. If we love each other for real, deeply, then we can say we love God. If we think of others more than we think of our self, we love God. How do we know that God hears our prayers? Because we do those things that are pleasing to Him. Please look at the book of I John it will tell you these things.

Psalm 7:11 says that God is angry at the wicked all day long. Who is the wicked? Those who do not seek God or strive to do what He says. Those who entice you to do things that are not pleasing to God are not your friends. If you encourage others to do things that are not pleasing to God then you are not being a true friend. If someone is being a friend to you because they are genuinely kind that is good. But if they are nice to you because they want something from you or because they are trying to get you to go with them and do what they do, your own heart tells you this is not well. Get away from evil and do what is right! People who are popular and everyone loves, you should not prefer them to be your before someone that seems less important. The less important person you should seek to serve and to know and bless. Honor all, great and small. True Greatness fears God and does what He says. True greatness is protecting people who cannot stand up for themselves. True greatness is being a friend to someone who could never repay you and others overlook and are ashamed of.

Honor your father and mother, Princess. Respect them from your heart as you never have. A bad attitude is not respecting them. It is not right for you to throw a fit or act out when they tell you NO. A Princess will always trust that God has assigned a caretaker of her heart whether it is a parent, grandparent, or guardian...and that person will answer to God for their own deeds whether good or bad. You need not put them on trial, but leave room for God's judgement. You are commanded by God to honor them, that means obey willingly. They should not have to ask you something more than once before you respectfully respond to their voice. When you rage against them, you are actually raging against the God who gave them to you. Your parents are kind and generous and give you space to grow. By no means are they perfect. They never ask too much of you. They ask for simple, basic, willingness to obey their words. They are God's gift to you though you do not see it. Every action and word that you bring to them, in real life you are sowing seeds into your future. What will be your harvest? Good or bad? Will it be sour bitterness or sweet juicy kindness?

Do not be ugly in your manner. Be beautiful inside and it will show outwardly. Love your parents from deep within your heart and ask God to help do this. Your behavior teaches many others, do you realize this? They copy everything you do. Always let your words be gentle kindness and let the attitude of your heart and life be exceeding thankfulness. I pray the Lord your heart to keep and protection for your mind. I pray that you will remain innocent, pure, and lovely. I pray that you will concern yourself with how many different ways you can honor your parents and bring glory to God. If you do this, you will be loving God with your life.

Every one of us is told by Jesus to humble ourselves and pray, repent and turn from our wicked ways, and seek His face so that our healing will come and our righteous will shine like the noonday sun.

Please do not disregard this letter. You cannot change yourself, but God's word can. You have to want it for yourself. Just like I did. I believe you are a Princess if you are reading these words and your heart is longing to be what you were created to be. I beg you to take hold of God’s word with all that you can and try to live His word out the rest of your days proving that you are a true Daughter of the King. Bring Him glory and let His Holy Love be your life story.


2009 Feb
Marcie Mayo

Monday, February 2, 2009

WORD TO THE MOTHERS

Mothers, God knows you need a break. He knows you need help. He knows how much you can take. He knows the depths of your need and exactly what you feel. He has not left you alone to fend for yourself. Come to Him and let Him carry your load. Listen to His counsel, be humble, be bold. Accept His invitation to draw near. Let Him hold you awhile. Be still. Let your heart melt in His presence. His love is real. His arms are strong. He never gets tired of being near you or hearing what’s going on.

You need a little ‘pick me up’ or a little extra boost? Come to the fountain and be renewed. Does it seem you never have enough time to accomplish all you would like to in a day? Start your day out with prayer, do things God’s way. Every hour you have the power to listen and obey, to be selfless, be thankful, and pray about everything. What your children see in you they will one day live out. So what is your life telling them about? Are you a victim or are you victorious!? Are you selfish or a servant? Do they hear you give thanks or often complain? God will teach you and train you and enable you to change a lot. If you will just take the time to acknowledge Him in all you do, and lift His name up.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

ADDRESS POSTAGE NECESSARY

As the days go by there is much that needs to be addressed. Until some things are addressed they are unable to be carried on or moved anywhere, because its destination has been left undetermined or unidentified. Once a matter is addressed postage is necessary to deliver the package or mail the letter. Postage is money. What does it cost you to deliver the message that God has written on your heart?

We can be confident that Jesus Himself paid the greatest price of all...His blood.

Friday, January 9, 2009

TREASURES



Through the lives of my nephews and nieces I have received more messages from the Lord than I can write down. My desperation for God is so much more than I could possibly confess. Somehow I think that children are our reminders, messages, and examples of instruction and mercy we have been given. Whether we decide to listen and learn is up to us. I treasure listening to their little voices, their words that are healing, and their consistenant request to "COME HERE," come over, come get me, or come home. Speaks clearly to me that if I will draw near to God and spend time with Him I will begin to see just how much He longs to be close to me. I want to show my nephews and nieces so much and tell them what's in my heart, but the only way that is going to happen is if they spend time with me, talk to me when I call, or read my letters when I write to them.

"IN HIS PRESENCE IS THE FULLNESS OF JOY AND PLEASURES FOREVER MORE."

When I am going for a walk and one of these precious treasures are holding my hand, or I have been gone barely five minutes and they still run to meet me as if I had been gone for months (and sometimes I am). When they give me a hug, or we are sitting in the dirt somewhere sharing our thoughts or maybe singing a song... such joy fills my heart for the true riches of the Kingdom of God are right in front of me. They are answers to my prayers, proof that "God remembers," He is a "Mighty Warrior." He has given us His "Field" and "God is the Lord" and we are His "Royal" children. (nephews and nieces name meanings are between the " ")

Matthew 18:3
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."