Life in His Hand

Was amazed by this woman's story--Escape. Here's a hint... Ted Bundy. http://www.visitinspire.org/article/191/visual-arts/blacksmith-art

So we're driving down Highway 101 and seeing the Redwoods all around us. We're heading to the ocean near Ferndale, "The Victorian Village" and I say to the kids..how is it that we have no money but are spending a week in the Redwoods at Camp Meeting? God gave us a vacation that began as a weekend and developed into a week. I only had enough to stay for the weekend, but my mom surprised us by showing up. I woke up Sunday morning in the cool mountains and whispered,"Oh God I don't wanna go home today." I proceeded to hurry to the last couple of meetings I would be privileged to attend, not wanting to waste any of the time left, only to return to a surprise announcement that we would be able to stay for four more days!! I juggled my schedule around a little back home and thanked God for the way He worked things out.. I had no intention of going to Camp Meeting this year. I had so many reasons why we couldn't go..but at the last minute decided to step ou...

Being a follower of Jesus does not mean that your life suddenly turns into a rose garden. It does not mean you have no problems. They are thinking about closing my church down. It does not matter that we are a living, breathing community of believers who meet together in our small town to worship God and strengthen each other. It does not matter that by being here we are keeping a light burning in our community for people of like beliefs which cannot be found in any other church in our small town. It does not matter that we are bonded to one another. No it does not matter. What does apparently matter is the size of our bank account. We don't have much money. It does not matter that we share a pastor with the church in the next community which has means and in all actuality we are not costing the conference anything more. No it doesn't matter. We simply do not generate enough money in tithes. We do not matter... But we matter to God. And we matter to each other and the peopl...

I've been humbled and allowed to see my own sin. A very good Christian friend of mine looked at me and said how do you do it? How do you take anything that comes your way? I said, "God helps". She doesn't see me when I am alone..losing it. She sees me trying to hold things together. But this woman is the most positive person I have ever met. She is also the most encouraging. She's a great example. How many others who seem to have it easy look at me and wonder..how does she do it? Or maybe in their hearts there is sympathy? Sometimes I just fall so hard..."Pride cometh before a fall" was what I came across twice in my devotions this morning. That is what's happened with me. I'm the one judging and I'm the one who is in need of God's grace and that's apparent in my life lately. But I wasn't left without hope. It also said God will help you back onto your feet again. So I am going to quit thinking so negatively about my Christian...