CIRCLE OF LOVE...may the circle never be broken

Hey friends....I have been having so much fun getting to know each of you better thru this CIRCLE OF LOVE segment! One of the greatest things that I love about blogging is all of the different kinds of godly people I have met thru this thing we call "blogging".

I have this little meter reader on my blog that allows me to read where the readers are coming from and how often they come by my site. To my amazement, the majority of the readers are not my real life friends...in fact, the highest percentage of my readers are from parts of the world that I have never ventured.

That is absolutely cool to me!

Our paths are brought together thru blogging but I believe that our hearts are stitched together thru the love of Christ. This is a circle of love that seems to just keep going and going!

If you have not been featured here on CIRCLE OF LOVE or if you are new reader...I would love to share your blog and your ministry with others. I know each of you has a story to tell!! and I want to share it with my readers.

MAY THE CIRCLE NEVER BE BROKEN!

So, please CLICK HERE to find the simple questions to answer and email your response to me at supermom4jc@yahoo.com . I want to stitch you into my circle of love so that the circle will never be broken!

GOT SNAGS IN YOUR LIFE

Today I shared a devo over at the AT THE WELL homepage for the To Have and To Hold segment. It has to do with "SNAGS IN OUR LIFE"...more specifically snags in our marriage.

I wanted to share the same thoughts with you here on THANKFUL THURSDAY. I think that we are living in days of turmoil, distress, fear and uncertainty. Certainly many of us feel like we have come across many snags in our life.

I am so thankful for all of those snags...aren't you?

Without snags, difficulties and distress ~ we would not depend on the power of Jesus Christ. Today, what I am thankful for is the knowledge that in Christ, ANYTHING is possible and when there seems to be no way ... He will make a way!

GOT SNAGS IN YOUR LIFE...

Give God thanks and then expect miracles in your life!

LYNN is hosting TT this week....please visit her and share your grateful heart with us!

YYYYYYY

Mary was a young woman engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. What excitement must have filled her heart as she prepared and waited for her wedding day. Of course little snags might occur, as they do in any plans for a big event. But when that angel showed up...his news presented more than just a snag.

Do you remember your wedding day? Was it full of snags or did everything go smoothly? If your special day was full of snags, try to think of how crazy your day would be if an angel appeared in front of you!

For Mary, an angel appearing in front of her was not an everyday occurrence. And this angel was not just ANY angel...it was Gabriel, the angel sent by God specifically to address Mary, who lived in Nazareth, a city of Galilee. Gabriel wasn't sent to just any girl named Mary, but the one who was a virgin and engaged to Joseph.

Gabriel addressed Mary with honor, and he told her that she was highly favored and blessed and that the Lord was with her. What wonderful words for Mary to hear right before marrying Joseph...but don't you think she must have wondered what in the world was up?

Certainly, you and I would be like Mary and we would become startled by the appearance of an angel and even more so, we would be perplexed with his greeting. The angel Gabriel calmed Mary right before he broke the totally crazy news to her...she would become pregnant and give birth to a son whom she would name Jesus. He would be great, and He would reign over the house of Jacob and His kingdom will never end.

How totally amazing this must have sounded to Mary. But the assurance of Gabriel's voice that nothing is impossible with God calmed her fears and disbelief that very day.

Maybe the snags of your wedding day has only been the beginning for you. Perhaps you have found that life in general has been full of surprises, disappointments, and difficulty.

Life certainly can throw us some wicked curves at time. But no doubt God has a special blessing for you and I know that there has not been one day of your marriage, or even one day of your life that God has not been with you.

LUKE 1:37-38 MSG "Nothing, you see, is impossible with God." And Mary said, "Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say." Then the angel left her.

The Bible is full of God's assurances, and even in the challenging days of your marriage, God will meet you right dab in the middle of your impossible circumstances!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY PAUL!

Today is my son's 24th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEREMY!

Hope South Korea honored you with cake and ice cream today.

I love you very much!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...Where is Perry?

Several years ago, I was honored to be selected for jury duty. (ahem) Some of you have also been honored to do that as well ... what a very interesting experience. If you have not been selected yet, you just don't know what you are missing!

To my surprise, in an over crowded room of potential jurors, my number was just the 2nd one to be picked. What luck was that!

As all of the potential jurors were called forward, we then listened to the charges. Certainly, a family dispute or possibly a drug bust would be our case to hear. I remember how all of our mouths dropped when the charges were read... a triple murder case.

Sitting on that jury for a week was really interesting and enlightening for me. The entire aspect of the courtroom just fascinated me. From the jury to the judge to the lawyers. It all reminded me of one of my favorite shows growing up...Perry Mason.

I loved Perry Mason. Not only did he always win his cases, but he also always seemed to line up clients who really were innocent! He also had this ability to be tricky ... he was always able to get the guilty party to break down on the stand and confess to everything!!

Some people just need to have an intercessor like Perry Mason or more modern day ...Matlock. It is always good to have someone like this in our corner, fighting for justice and interceding on our behalf.

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "Where in your life do you most need an intercessor right now?" The top 3 responses were:

1. 66% of those voting said they need an intercessor with their children.

2. 16% voted and said they need an intercessor in their marriage.

3. Another 16% said they need an intercessor with the law.

No matter who we are, we all come to a point in our life where we will need an intercessor. Someone to intercede on our behalf. Great lawyers and attorneys such as Mason or Matlock are only around for a short while. In fact, all we have left of those two great intercessors are re-runs!

Jesus, however, is a priest, an intercessor that will be around not just for a short time but He will be around for eternity!

HEBREWS 7:23-25 "Now many have become (Levitical) priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them."

Any intercessor or mediator needs to be able to connect with both parties with whom they are interceding. To negotiate for example between business and labor, one must know how a business needs to be run but also they must understand the needs of the employees.

Jesus is the perfect intercessor between God and us because He was both the Son of God and man. His eternal and divine character makes Him the perfect intercessor for us with God.

WHO ARE YOU RELYING UPON FOR INTERCESSION... God or man?

A PIECE OF MY HEART...leave the light on for me

This morning, a pretty wicked storm brewed up around here. The heavy rains and wind knocked some power out for some people. I happened to be already at work. The power went out for about 2 hours where I was working.

With a lantern in hand, I went about my business, doing what I could in the dark.

Have you ever noticed what a big difference a bright light can make in the dark verses a bright light during the daytime? In the darkness, the flame of a lit match is bright and it will pierce thru the shadows.

I was reading in a book this week about the Festival of Shelters, where for six nights, candles in the Temple Court were set aflame. These candles lit up the entire night sky all around Jerusalem. People danced and sang while holding torches in their hands. Celebrating how God led His people throughout history.

Many times God would make an astounding claim by using light. Remember how God gave the Israelites a pillar of fire by night? This light guided the Israelites through the darkness of the desert but what a great reminder to us that God's light guides each of us out of darkness as well.

JOHN 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

When the lights were out today, even with a lantern in my hand, I found myself stumbling and having a hard time seeing in the darkness. God has made a way so that we do not have to live in darkness. We don't have to stumble thru life. His light will shine upon us, for He is the light of the world.

ARE YOU STUMBLING IN THE DARK?

OR HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED HIS LIGHT?

Jesus has left the light on for you!

ALL-ACCESS PASS

Recently when my family and I went to six flags in St Louis, I noticed a sign that many of you have seen at other amusement parks.

ACCESS PASS

This is a special entrance for those that have paid an extra price to by-pass the long lines for the rides and can receive immediate access to the ride because of their special pass.

Something similar to this, is at a big concert or event and you see people who have special name tags that say "All Access" - this means they have free access to go wherever they want to, including behind the stage or curtain.

Usually to receive such a pass, you have to know someone or you have to pay an extra admittance fee.

Likewise, to gain access into the presence of God, you have to know somebody. Not everybody has access - but only those with connections to Jesus. Those that have accepted Him. Unfortunately, not everyone who are connected to Jesus take full advantage of the access He has given them.

HEBREWS 4:16 "Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

God has granted us access and He invites us in. He wants to know us and He has extended the all-access pass to come into the presence of God. All you have to do is accept it and come boldly to His throne.

There is no extra charge for it. The price has already been paid.

HOW ARE YOU USING YOUR ALL-ACCESS PASS TO GOD?

CIRCLE OF LOVE ...meet Shirley

Today's feature on CIRCLE OF LOVE is

FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS

Meet Shirley, she pens a great blog. If you have not gotten acquainted with Shirley yet, I know a quick visit to her blog will leave you encouraged, lifted up and feeling loved.

I am not sure where Shirley and my paths crossed here on blogger land. It was either thru AG blog ring or Thankful Thursday. One of the first things that I noticed about Shirley is how she loves the Word of God. This is evident in all of her posts. She usually starts out with a passage and then shares her heart with us about God's Word. She obviously is very passionate about living for Christ.

This passion is found on her side bar of her blog...look at what her welcome! message says on her blog:

I am honored that you stopped by! I pray you will be encouraged and
blessed. I believe when we share our heartaches and victories, it helps others to know they are not alone. Knowing God is with us, and our steps are ordered by Him, gives us hope for the future!

Another thing that I noticed that she is passionate about is her family. Shirley has been married 25 years and she has 4 daughters, 3 stepsons and 12 grandchildren. Now if that's not plenty to blog about ... I don't know what is! lol

On a recent visit to FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS, Shirley shared the following with her readers on the subject of faith and trusting in God:

Psalm 50:10 (New International Version)10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

God owns everything, even the cattle on a thousand hills, He created everything on this earth with His words. "And God Said".Over and over again we are told how He made everything including us, in His image, He created us. He is our Father and we are His children. He loves us and has a plan for our lives. It is mind boggling to think about all that He did, and the reason why. All He ever wanted was a relationship with us, because He loves us so much. How do you have a relationship with someone? By spending time with them of course! God is pleased when we come to Him; whether it is praising, praying for a need we have, or just to sit in His presence. Now if He owns everything, and we are His children, and He tells us we can ask whatever we will in His name, He would give it to us; what is the problem? We need to get this in our spirit that He will make provisions for us to do what He has assigned to us. We have to step out in faith, believing what He said will surely come to pass. We all have a job to do, a plan has been laid out for us, today will you just ask Jesus what is His will for your life, what do you need to be doing; ask for direction, then you will experience that peace that passes all understanding. Reach out and touch Him, I promise you, He is waiting! ~Posted by Shirley

WOW! Shirley, that is awesome. What a great encouragement to us to know that all we have to do is reach out and touch Him. He desires to meet our needs. Recently, Shirley shared with me online a little closer of a look at her heart and desire. Please read with me what is on Shirley's heart...

1. PLEASE TELL US YOUR NAME AND WHERE WE CAN FIND YOU ON THE WEB?

Shirley Watts http://shirley-watts.blogspot.com/

2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING AND TELL US YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BLOGGING?

for about 3 months

3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN THINGS THAT YOU BLOG ABOUT?

Encouragement and Hope

4. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF...if you work ~where? ...have a family ~ tell us about them?

wife of a minister, mother of 4 daughters, 3 stepsons, 12 grandchildren. teach preteen Sunday school, involved in women's ministry

5. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SERVING THE LORD?

Since I was 13 years old

6. CAN YOU GIVE US A TESTIMONY OF HOW GOD HAS PROVEN HIMSELF FAITHFUL TO YOU? In sickness, through a divorce, raising children and stepchildren, and each day of my life. God is and always been faithful to me.

7. COULD YOU SHARE WITH YOUR CIRCLE OF BLOGGING FRIENDS YOUR FAVORITE SCRIPTURE:
Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope .

8. HOW HAS THAT SCRIPTURE MINISTERED TO YOU RECENTLY?By reassuring me He is in control of my life, and he does have a master plan for me

9. WHAT ADVICE ABOUT BLOGGING WOULD YOU OFFER TO YOUR CIRCLE OF BLOGGING FRIENDS? I believe to be effective for the Kingdom, we must write with our heart. We must be able to portray the love of God to everyone that reads our blog.

Thank you Shirley for that great advice. Certainly, you are being the example of exactly what you said ... portraying the love of God thru your writings. Certainly anybody who visits you can see your heart and your passion. Thank you for sharing with us and for being an encouragement to me and to all who are TAKING A STAND! -blessings, Laurie

PLEASE GO BY AND VISIT SHIRLEY TODAY. YOU WILL LEAVE HER SITE BLESSED! find shirley here!

I WANT TO SHARE YOUR BLOG WITH OTHERS! If you would like to be featured in an upcoming CIRCLE OF LOVE feature right here on Fridays...CLICK HERE and you will find information on how your ministry of writing can be featured. -God Bless!