Chosen2disciple Ministries

07/05/2023

Family is growing up!

07/05/2023

07/05/2023

I have so much on my mind tonight. I just looked back over some blogs I wrote several years ago. I realized that Jesus was not closer to me (and my family) more then.... than He is now. Life was neither 'easier' nor 'harder' then, than it is now. In the past, I was not shocked when the chaos of life happened; I was just more willing to 'surrender' the chaos to Christ. When I know someone I love is struggling, I carry that burden with them. I believe we, as Christians, are called to be aware of others burdens, and they should never feel alone. I felt led to contact a friend this week and remind them when the Lord is working, Satan will raise his head....God said He will CRUSH IT! (Genesis 3:15) It has stayed on my mind. Why is it so easy for me to remind my friend to 'CRUSH IT', but I am not so quick to remember those words when Satan is raising his head to me. I refuse to hear Satan whisper "helplessness" in my ear anymore. I dedicated my all of my kids to the Lord when they were small. I have prayed for the spouse God was preparing for them from the time I dedicated them. As each of my grandchildren were born, I promised God I would do my best to instill faith in their lives, as well as praying for their future spouse. I would like to think I modeled the following verses well, but I am sure I fell short. These verses are a definite way to "crush the head of the serpent". (Lord, Help us all to take this to heart and no matter how we are treated in return display the following verses in our own lives....).

"And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love! Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. 1Thessalonians 5:12-15 (The Message Bible)

07/15/2020

https://chosen2discipleministries.blogspot.com

Here we go again...... Get link Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Other Apps July 14, 2020 It has been many years since I wrote a blog. I attempted to reopen my last blog and realized the email address attached to it is long gone! You can read my old blog, but I cannot add to it! I am learning my way...

07/14/2020

How much time do you actually 'give' to God? I have come to a realization about myself that I am not very proud of. God and Godly things are on my mind almost constantly. I pray all day long, every day. This all sounds wonderful.....BUT.....I haven't set aside as much time to truly give full attention to my Lord lately. Doesn't He deserve my effort to give Him 'time'? Think about it this way. You can be in the same room with your children (big or small) and not be 'present'. How many of us, me included, have sat with a computer or phone in our hand while our kids beg for our attention? Do they eventually give up and just play alone in the floor? We justify ourselves because we were 'with' our kids. Do our kids feel important if they are just in our presence without our focus? I think sometimes I approach God in the same way. I love Him. I want to be in His Presence, but I don't always focus on Him. "Lord, help me to focus on You. I want You to be my whole life not just a part of my life. I want to draw near to You, so You will shine in me! AMEN!"

05/27/2018

Hi everyone! I’m speaking in Carrollton, Kentucky at Faith Community Church at 10:30am Eastern time. I would love to see you there if you live close enough! If not, please pray for God to speak through me!

04/08/2017

Ephesians 6:10-17, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

03/16/2017

God sees past all the superficial slime we tend to wear. He sees our heart, our intentions, our integrity. I pray He likes what He sees when He looks down on me!!

03/15/2017

Seven Years ago today, a man sent me an unexpected text. We spent hours discussing our first loves, our children, our Lord, our lives, etc. I am still in awe of how God cares about the details in our lives. Tony was the man God hand-picked for me. Tony was the man God hand-picked for Mickey Pence and Dylan Pence. We have been through so much together in the past seven years. There were some scary and uncertain times. Tony was thrown into raising teenage boys. Teenagers are not for the faint of heart!! Mickey has had three life-threatning accidents. Dylan had one frightening accident. Not to mention, the boys have both tested our prayer life in very big ways. All five of our kids continue to keep us on our knees. My health took a dive a couple of months ago. It was a very scary reminder of a road Tony has already walked. It is only by God's grace I am still here. Tony stood unwaveringly beside me through it all. I am so blessed to be loved by this man. He always makes me feel like a million dollars. He loves our sons and daughter-in-law as his own; and Wyatt thinks Pap is the funniest guy around! Thank you, Tony, for stepping out of your comfort zone and loving us like Christ loves the church. Thank you, Lord, for hearing and answering my prayer in such way that could ONLY BE YOU!!! I love you, Tony, more today than ever before!

03/02/2017

One month ago today my life changed. Once again, God proved to me how much I am to depend on Him alone. Doctors told my husband if I had waited one more day, I wouldn't be alive. I am still in shock by that statement. What I thought was a kidney stone was actually kidney failure. My health slid downhill pretty quickly after that night in ER. I spent 3 days in St. Mary's hospital and 10 days in St. Vincent Hospital. While at St. Mary's, I had Plasma Exchange AND dialysis. This meant I was hooked up to a machine for approximately 6-7 hours per day. I was only on dialysis (4 hours) everyday during my St. Vincent hospital stay. I went to out-patient dialysis three days a week after being discharged. I HAVE GOOD NEWS! Yesterday, I met my kidney doctor for the first time. She chose to end my treatment an hour early and cancel my Friday treatment. She is beginning to "wean" me off of dialysis. My kidney numbers are not exactly perfect but getting closer everyday.

I STILL NEED PRAYER for my hemoglobin. I have been receiving injections through dialysis to help my body make hemoglobin. They "forgot" to request a hemoglobin level when they did my labs this last time. I am still sleeping often and very tired. My kidney doctor says if my hemoglobin is not up on Monday when they request more labs then I need to see the hematologist in Evansville. Please pray that my hemoglobin returns to a functioning level. I really want to go back to work but the kids would learn more if I stay awake!!
I know our prayers have been heard. I know God is answering those prayers. I am so sorry to everyone that has been inconvenienced and let down by my illness: my children & family, my students, my co-workers, my Bible quizzers & coaches, and my church family. Thank you to everyone who has brought a meal, sent cards & gifts. Your sweet kindness has been so appreciated!

I am forever affected by the events of the past month. My body is not bouncing back as quickly as I would like. God keeps reminding me to "Be Still". Psalm 46:10 is not one of my favorite verses! I want to trust God's leading. He says "slow down" right now. I will not be taking on several projects at a time any more. I will be dedicated to my Heavenly Father, my family, and my job.....in that order! I cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers and patience.