HAPPY VERSUS JOY !!!

" JESUS STILLS THE STORMS IN OUR LIFE"

Recently a friend posted on Facebook, "I have misplaced my happy, if found please return." With this statement I began to think, what is the difference between happy and joy ? I like to look for definitions in Webster's Dictionary, this is what it says for HAPPY ; favored by circumstances-- lucky-- fortunate-- exactly appropriate for the occasion. JOYFUL - full of joy - expressing or causing joy.

My definition of happy, a state of mind, in the natural we look to other people and whatever is going on around us to make/keep us happy. A phone call or speaking to someone that gives us unpleasant news, something happens to us personally, we feel neglected,

unloved, or unwanted, happy goes out the door. It is not fair to others for us to expect them to keep us in a state of "Happy". My take on, JOY; only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus, when the pressures of life com I have a life jacket that will hold me up, He keeps me from going under. The Bible says In Nehemiah 8:10, For the joy of the Lord is your strength. The joy that God gives will sustain us through those times previously mentioned. When we depend on God to help us through each day. There is a peace that comes from the inside. We do not deny the trials, test, and problems that come with living life. Jesus said," In this world you will have tribulation, (trouble) , but be of good cheer I have overcome the world ,(John 16:32b). Speaking again in John 10:10 , He said "I have come that they may have life and they may have it more abundantly" He is speaking these words to us today, those who believe Him and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. A life of joy, peace and love that come with allowing Him to lead, guide, and direct us to a life that gives us something that NO man/woman can give. My message to you today is IF you do not know this Jesus I speak of, the one that gives us Joy, Love, and Peace so freely. We need only repent and believe.

Until next time, " KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS !! "

One Day At A Time !!

Has been too long since I have posted, been very busy as always. Life seems to be flying by, I can not believe we are in another New Year !! In the past month I have been to 3 funerals, I think that always makes me look at my life and think am I doing all I should be for the Kingdom ?? There are so many unfinished things on my list of things to do in this life, in the natural and in the spirit, I must be realistic, my time to complete these things is getting shorter. I in recent years I have joked about living to be 100, at one time that seemed like a LONG way off. It seems to not be so far away now. The new year always brings new challenges in my life and ministry, thoughts of am I walking in His perfect will ? Do I truly allow Him to be in control of my life ? Am I fooling myself ? I have found that it is easy to be in denial. These are a few of my thoughts as I move into 2010. Perhaps they are also on your mind and heart. One thing I do know, He is the light, I only need to follow where He leads and all will be well, no matter what the temporal side of life looks like, I am in the race for the eternal. What about you ? Are you one of the runners Paul talked about ? Are you pressing in to what He has ahead for you ? Will you finish the race, only those who finish will win !! I have considered stopping this blog as I do not really know if anyone reads it, so I am asking you to leave a comment so I can decide if I should continue writing or if my thoughts and time would be better spent on another project. So until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus" !

Staying Power

I am borrowing this title from my Pastor from his message on Sunday.He spoke on how we can not give up and give in when storms and trials arise in our life. He used Micah 7v8, when I fall I will arise,when I sit in darkness the Lord will be my light. God watches over the one with a heart to win and He rewards the diligent seeker. I came home and began to meditate on his words. I began to think back over my life to the times when I had no staying power and allowed the problems and trials to overtake me. It took me many years to realize that there was a way to overcome any and all temptation that came my way. I Cor. 10v13, God is faithful and always makes a way for me to withstand and become an over comer. As the years have come and gone I have learned that I must Thank Him, Praise Him and Trust Him NO MATTER what I see in the natural, I must look with my Spiritual eyes, listen with my Spiritual ears to where the Holy Spirit is leading me. When there seems no way out if I will look to Jesus, He will make a way, in the desert there will be a River of Living water. When I have a dry place he will water my spirit with His peace, which will restore my joy, in Him there is strength to overcome. In myself there is nothing but pain from making wrong choices which brings death to my Spirit and those around me see no peace and joy in my life. So as I meditated on Pastor's words I realized that today I do have staying power, I do trust Him when my life is in turmoil, I give Him thanks in the good times and the bad times, not for them but knowing that I can grow stronger in Him as I go through. I believe, "This is the Word of our testimony." When others see us walking out the problems of this life, in health, in finances, our relationships with those we love and those who are hard to love. When we do not falter and stumble, we continue our walk with Him and have staying power. If we do fall he holds out a hand and we can arise and go on. I urge you today to check out your walk, DO you have staying power ? When you fall DO you arise and go on ? Pastor left me with one last thought, I want to share it with you, "The difference in success and failure is determined by your choices, your wrong choices in the do not have to continue to effect your future." This is a new day in the Lord, choose to follow Him, allow Jesus to get involved in your life ! You will never regret following Him !! Until next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus !"

So Much To Be Thankful For !!

The pies are baked and the cake is frosted, all ingredients for Granny Beans are on the counter.

We have Granny Beans instead of the standard green bean casserole. You ask,"WHAT are Granny Beans ?" Just plain ole Campbell's Pork and Beans fixed with bacon, onion, mustard, catsup, and brown sugar. The secret is baking them in a cast iron pot, do not know why,but it makes all the difference in the taste. I have been making them for 23 years, most every time we have a family get together. The grand kids think we can not have a holiday meal without Granny Beans. As I was cooking and baking today I thought back to many years ago, 35 to be exact when there was little food in the pantry and less money. Poor choices in a mate left me with 2 children and no education 1200 miles from home, this of course was not my first poor choice in life. This one just opened my eyes to what a mess my life was. I thank God I did not lose hope or faith and with His guidance I learned how to begin to make better choices. It has been a long hard road to recovering from the past life to the life God has called me to at this time in my life. My biggest regret is my children, they have paid a high price for my mistakes. Tomorrow when we join hands in a circle to ask God's blessing on the food I will not see my birth children there, they are living far away from where I am, but I thank God for the extended family He has given me. So I am very thankful for a Saviour who never gave upon me and loved me in spite of all me mistakes. I am thankful for a wonderful church, Pastors who not only preach the Word, but live it by example. A Church family that loves and cares for each other, always ready with a prayer,

kind uplifting word, or what ever I might have need of. My prayer is for healing for my children from the emotional wounds from the past. That the scars will heal over when they reach out for the love and peace that only comes from a relationship with the Saviour. You may have scars and wounds from your past, or from your life here and now , Jesus is but a call away, at the mention of his name He is ready to forgive you, love you, and give you a life of peace, love, and joy that only He can give. You may have tried on your own for many years, WHAT do you have to lose ? Fear, Anger, Unforgiveness, Worry exchange them for Peace, Love, Joy, !! What a DEAL !! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. So let tomorrow be the DAY of new beginnings. Till next time, "Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, He Has ALL The Answers !!"

Happy Thanksgiving From My House To Yours !!

Want to take time to wish all my Blogger and Face Book friends a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving !

Will take time to do so now as I have Counsel sessions tomorrow and baking on Wednesday. Urging each one of you to take a few moments and thank God for His many blessings, health, prosperity, and family. We will be travelling 100 miles to spend the day with children and grandchildren. I also want to copy some from a posting from Life For Jesus Ministry

I thought this was very good and want to share with you.

SAFE, SECURE, AND LOVED What is the one thing that everybody needs, seeks and long for? Is it not to feel save, secure and loved? You were made with the driving passion to love and to be loved, but it does not stop there!! You are made with a longing for something or someone, even when you meet that special person you are still unsatisfied with what you have. There is a inner search to please someone, and let me tell you that person is God….Yes I tell you the truth today and its so sad that so many people never get the chance to experience that total feeling of being loved. People walk around with the idea in there heads that they are made to eat, sleep, have jobs and house and make friends, is that what you think? Is that what you think your purpose on this earth is? If your answer is yes then I think you need to learn the truth today…. There is such great love and sense of security if you come to understand and know God. No I’m not just another person trying to convince you that God is the way the truth and the light, I’m telling you. Without God we are nothing, just some specks walking around on this planet. People so often turn to people for happiness and rely on a person to heal them or take the hurt away from childhood or a previous broken relationship, an abusive father or mother or it can be that you were teased at school. What ever the reason, why do we turn to people for comfort and security? God is the only One that will never hurt you or abandon you, He will never shout at you or say hurtful things to you, He will never send you away if you need love and comfort, so why not turn to Him? Is He not the Giver of life? Is He not the One that loves you more than anyone? Is He not the One that puts you first and have your name writhen in the palm of His hand? Isa 49:16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. God loves and understands you, He knows everything about you. Your weaknesses and your strengths, what you like and dislike. Nothing about you is new to Him, but yet He still loves you. He does not ask or expect of you to be perfect, He wants you to be loved. If you don’t have God in your life, I want to tell you that to make that decision will be the best one you will ever make. God has an appointment with you and is waiting for you to let Him in. Look around you, do you see all the splendour, His creation and love. All the wonderful things that He has made? God cares much more for you than things on this earth, you are His child. I ask that you look past the things of the world and all that is going on, I’m asking you to look at God and His beauty. All you need to do is trust in Him and turn to Him. I truly hope that you make God apart of your life and see how satisfying it is to walk with Him, no matter what happens in your life. God is truly the only One that can give you 100% security, love and the feeling of being save. Our God is a awesome God and I love him My prayer for you: My wonderful Father and Friend, I thank You for the opportunity to tell this people about Your greatness and love. God You are truly the Way and the Light. I ask that You will please reveal Yourself to these people and let them experience Your love. God thank You that we can know for certain that You love us and will always be there for us. Father God You are awesome and there will never be anyone like You. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ and I thank You. Amen

Have a blessed week, All my love,

Anneline

Life for Jesus Ministries

Proximity, Perception, Promotion,and Power

Where does the time go ?? I have been so busy, no time for the blog. Maybe I need to spend less time on Facebook, it is addicting, always wanting to see what everyone is doing. Last couple of weeks have been working on a community wide garage sale to help restore and maintain our emergency shelter, Judy's House. This is an answer to an ongoing prayer for 8 years. I Thank God He has provided this place for short term care for victims of Domestic Violence. Attended a revival at a local church last week, the Holy Spirit moved and I was ministered to. You know the HS wants to minister to us as that is His purpose, we must open up and allow him to do so. The Evangelist Paul Bradford brought a message on 4 words. I have been mediating on these 4 words and am going to share a little from his message and a few thoughts of my own. I pray this will minister to you. Proximity, Perception, Promotion, Power. Let's look at the meaning of these words from a spiritual sense. Proximity-- the state of quality or being near -- How close are you to God, is He near to you or do you hold keep Him a distance away from you. The closer you draw to Him the more He can and will minister to you. There are several things that keep us from being drawn to God, our pride, our unbelief, and sin. It is hard for us to admit we can not do it alone, we need help. We must believe that what He promises in His Word He can and will do. God can not overlook the sin in our life, if we continue living in sin He can not bless us. Perception Your conscious awareness, the way you see something. How do you see God ? Is He bigger than any problem or situation you may face in this life ? Do you see Him as THE MOST HIGH GOD ? Or do the trials and problems of life overwhelm you ? Is your God in control of everything. Ask yourself,"How do I see God?" Promotion To advance, to stir up an interest in. Are you advancing in the Kingdom ? Are you moving onward and upward in your calling ? Paul said we must press in to what is ahead leaving behind the old man and becoming a new man in Christ. In the natural when we do well on our job we may be in line for advancement, the same is true of our spiritual life. When we are faithful in the small things God asks, He will give us more responsible work. Power The capability of performing or producing, great ability to do, act, or affect strongly. Are you walking in the power of the Holy Spirit ? Are you affecting the lives of those you live and work with ? Do people call on you when they need prayer ? Do they see the power of God in your life ? Each of these 4 Words have a big effect on your Spiritual life and your impact on people. If you are not close to God, see Him as bigger than life, looking and pressing in to Him on a daily basis, then you will have no power of the Holy Spirit working in your life. Today I ask you to search your heart, where are you in your walk with God ? Are you Far or Near, do you see Him as Small or Big, are you standing still or moving up to a higher calling ? Are you in working your own power or in the Anointing of the Holy Spirit ? The choice is yours !! Are you satisfied with being an ordinary Christian OR do you want to be an extraordinary Soldier on the Spiritual Battlefield ? Until next time,"Keep Your eyes On Jesus

Domestic Violence, The Rest Of The Story

This article will appear in the local papers in Leon County, Texas. I want to share it with my Blog viewers and FB buddies. I pray that lives will be changed from this article. Norma Threet, Support Services Director Over the past few weeks you have read articles on the signs of Domestic Violence, the statistics and ways you can help curb this problem in Leon County and the surrounding area. This week I want to address what happens after the victim leaves her abuser. Often she has no job, no transportation and often has left with nothing but her clothes and children. This is where our program gets involved for the long term, helping her find resources, for a place to stay, a job, and counseling for her emotional wellbeing. We offer individual counsel and guidance, when she feels she is ready there is a support group of women who have also been victims. Many of these women have great stories to tell of their road to recovery, how they have changed their lives, are no longer victims but on their way to becoming survivors. We do this by using the principles in the Bible, teaching how to apply them to their daily life. Helping them learn how to make better decisions,to learn from their past mistakes,avoiding the pitfalls that got them into abusive situations. To restore their self esteem, learn how to forgive their abuser and overcome their anger. To understand that God loves them and wants them to live a life for Him. A life that is full of the love, joy, and peace that only He can give, to put the past behind them and move forward to a better life for themselves and their children. They will never forget, but they can choose to not remember. I am asked all the time why and how do you do this ?? I have lived the life these women and children are living. My childhood was filled with a Dad who used alcohol to escape his demons and a Mom that no matter what I did or how I did it was never good enough. My early adult years were spent looking for love and peace in all the wrong places, my children paid the price just as I had. Domestic Violence is a curse that follows our families for generations, but there is hope and help for those who want to escape. This curse can be broken by learning who Jesus is and who you are in Him. I know it works, because I have changed on the inside, I am no longer a victim of my childhood or the mistakes I made of my own choosing. I now have that joy, love, and peace He promised, it did not happen overnight, it took several years, but it has all been worth it. Today my Dad is a recovered alcoholic who met Jesus at 65, my Mom also knows the saving grace Jesus gives. I now have the privilege of helping other women down the road to victory !!Today I can truly say, "There is Life After Domestic Violence !!" Do you relate to what I have said ? Maybe you have a friend or loved one that needs to start over, stop the cycle of abuse, get her life in order. Show her this article, give her my number 903-322-2399. All are services are free and confidential. Possibly you are a survivor and would like to be a part of this ministry, pray and seek God's will. We have a training class in November, call me for more information. Many ask how can I help ?? Come to the garage sale fundraiser sponsored by Doc Holladay on November 7, 8 AM - ? We are still accepting good useable items, drop off at Doc's office, Mon-Wed-Fri, afternoons. All proceeds will go to help restore and maintain our temporary/emergency shelter, Judy's House. Most important of all PRAY, that we can continue "Changing Lives One Family At A Time".