Nothing But the Blood

What can wash away my sins? 

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

Perhaps you've stumbled upon my blog for the first time today. 

Perhaps you have read every single one.

Or you may fall somewhere in the middle.

I ask you, do you know what washes away your sins?

Is it church membership, water baptism, speaking with other tongues?

Is it being an American, is it confessing to the Pope?

No.

The only thing that can wash away your sins is the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus didn't complicate salvation- instead he made it simple for anyone who wants to confess and believe!

You can be in your car, you can cry out to God at an alter as I did, you can be in a van at 5 years old like my husband was, you can leave a bar with beer on your breath like my dad did, or you can do it right now.

A sinners prayer, to me, is a sinner praying, asking for forgiveness.

There has been many people pray a "sinners prayer" where you repeat what the other person says and never got saved! It isn't something magical, but you CAN lead someone to the Lord by leading them in a prayer of repentance. I had no clue what to say or pray when I went forward to be saved and I'm to this day so very grateful for the woman who prayed with me! 

What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!

AMEN. Bless Your name, Father!

If you want to be saved and haven't, all you have to do is confess to the Lord and believe in your heart! You're saved the very instant you do just that! 

After being saved it's commanded to be baptized (water immursed) and you will want to find a church that preaches and teaches God's Word. Develop a strong prayer life! That's how you'll talk to God! Spend time studying His Holy Word. That's how He will talk to you!

Have a wonderful day!

Storms Rollin In

I have been obsessed with the weather for as long as I can remember. 

If I had an profession I could have went into, it would have been anything to do with the weather.

I love it.

I check the weather a handful of times a day... Sometimes each hour! In Kansas it changes often and it could say rain one hour and then sunshine the next! 

Well,  all week it has been saying we are supposed to be getting rain and thunderstorms. I was thinking one at that be nice if we had a week advance to plan for the storms that were going to come in our life. The death of a loved one or the doctor called about our own health, losing a job or  your kid going through depression. That's why we must walk by faith not by sight. I can get on my phone and get an instant updates on what the weather is going to be in 10 days. Or I can do an extended forecast and see what the next month looks like. In our lives though, we don't even  know what is going to happen in the next 30 seconds. That is why we must stay prayed up and ready for whatever storms make blow through. 

 Rain or shine I will serve Him.

 Whether it is a type of day that is 75 for the high with no clouds and a light breeze,  or torrential rain's and damaging hail storma...  All I know is that He is still God and He is still in control.

 Whatever the weather is like in your life today just know that he wants to hold your hand whether it is a peaceful walk through the park, or hold the umbrella for you as the rains poor down. He will be there for you when everybody else is gone. 

Head On

Two years ago when Raylea wasn't quite 2 years old, a girl hit us head on because she wasn't paying attention. Thankfully, I was wearing my seatbelt, in a much larger vehicle than she was, and we each were going the speed limit- 30 mph.

Well, last night, on my way to church, it was just Jack and myself. Jack just turned 1.

I saw a car slowly entering my lane, and about two seconds later I realized he was nearly all the way in my lane coming straight for me! Our cars were similar size and this time the speed limit was 55 mph.

I slammed on my brakes and at the very same instant he swerved back into his lane. If I wouldn't have been paying attention, he would surely hit me.

With that kind of impact, the outcome wouldn't have been pretty.

The devil is coming at you head on.

It's your job to be paying attention and keeping an eye out for yourself and your own!

Where that car was headed, was straight into the front of my van. 

But since I was paying attention, unlike him, I saved likely all three of our lives.

Jack is the totally innocent one in the back seat. Just going wherever I take him.

Well whether it's keeping him safe on the road like last night, or keeping him safe on the road of life, I will be responsible and held accountable for how I protected my innocent son. (And daughter.)

Are you doing whatever YOU can to protect your God given family? 

With Jesus I'm Never Alone

Raylea listens to a kids cd in the car.

The first song is called "With Jesus I'm Never Alone."

...when life here is over He'll lead me on home

I'll be where my loved ones have gone

We'll visit for ages beside the Great Throne

And with Jesus I'm never alone!..

That's the last verse. It has really blessed my heart this past week!

Heaven is going to be so amazing on so many levels.

We can't comprehend how amazing it will be.

I can't wait to worship Jesus with those who I worshiped with here on Earth.

And with those whom I have never met here.

Millions who have went on years ago!

I can't imagine being led into Heaven by the Lord, Himself.

He said He is coming back for a spotless church.


What makes spots?

Hatred.
Disobedience.
Jealousy.
Lying.
Pride.


There is a huge amount of things that spot us up.

Are you taking action to stay clean?

No, you can't be perfect.

But I do believe we can strive to be Christ like in all we say AND do.


I challenge you today to look at all you are spotted with.

Then take some time to clean yourself up.


How do you do that?

Prayer. Repentance. Leaning on God.


There is nothing in yourself that will clean your filthiness.

There is nothing you can do or good work that can earn your salvation, either.


You must come to a place where you realize that it's ALL about Jesus and what He did on the Cross.

You must come to a place where you see how broken and dirty you are, and how Holy and Righteous He is.

You must come to a place where you lean on Him, not yourself anymore.


With Jesus, you're never alone!

Day 1

For the next month, I will be writing a post daily. Some will be long and some short. Some may contain scripture and some may contain lyrics or just my own thoughts.

I have a friend going through a miscarriage right now. Another is having a major surgery right now. Another is in rehab after a broken femor bone. One was in a car wreck yesterday. Another is fighting depression. One person is in prison. Another is in war. Another is finalizing their divorce.

Then... Another is worried about what their cooking for dinner. I have loads of laundry to do. Another person is upset because someone unfollowed them on Facebook. Someone else is jealous of someone's home. Another is prideful of the car they drive. 

 Today think about all the issues and trials that others are going through. It will make yours seem a whole lot smaller and you will find yourself having compassion for those around you. Have a blessed day! I look forward to this next month. 

Infant & Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day

 October 15th is infant and pregnancy loss awareness day.  Almost 2 years ago we had a little baby that was in my belly for a month and a half, go to sleep and wake up in heaven. One in four women, this effects. Whether it is miscarriage or stillborn, there is someone every day facing this.

 Loss of pregnancy and a loss of child that is in your belly is not a super popular conversation to have with people. You always think it will never happen to you. That's how I was. Just a few months before I miscarried my baby, someone I was close to went through it and I remember thinking that would be the hardest thing ever! Well lo and behold a few months later it happened to me and the pain that I could only imagine that she was feeling, was 1 million times worse whenever I was grieving for my baby while having to feel the physical pain of my body getting rid of and rejecting something that I wanted so bad to keep.   Everybody's situation is different and everybody loses a baby at different points, but regardless a baby is a person just like you are. They matter and they make an impact on people's lives. I still have people to this day tell me that my baby has made an impact on their life.  I don't think there's anything in the world sweeter to hear then that right there. To know that my little baby's heart beat only for a few weeks, it was never seen by anyone, never had a baby shower, never had a funeral, never had a first birthday ...  That my little baby who is in heaven made an impact on somebody's life. We named that little baby August Shalom. August because that's when I was supposed to be do with that baby and shalom means peace. God gave me great peace during that personal trial. 

 I want anyone who is reading this to know that if you have ever went through a loss or perhaps you are going through one, you are not alone and there are people out there who care, who love you and your baby and want to grieve with you and want to pray with you. 

 Father, I ask that you would be with all of those who have lost a baby or who are in the process right now who may have stumbled across my blog. I ask you that you would give them a supernatural peace during this trial in their life. I ask you Lord that you would wrap your arms of love around them and let them feel comfort that only You can give. Thank you for being the Lord of my life and my very best friend.  Thank you for saving my soul by your amazing grace! Thank you for making salvation something so simple that a child can understand it. Thank you for holding my little baby for nearly 2 years now. I love you Jesus and I thank you for all of the blessings in our life. We can't wait to see our babies soon and we thank you for watching over them until we are able to be there with them as well. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen. 

Take the devil back!

 

It's funny how my blog posts always pan out. This last post, on my stats, I almost had the least amount of people read it then any other post, by two. I will say though, I received the most kind comments via phone, that I have ever received. Many of those who read it must have truly gotten something out of it, and for that, I want to say thank you to those who encouraged me. I don't write for man's approval, but boy, it feels good to know other Christians have my back and are being touched or challenged by what the Lord lays on my heart. I take writing seriously, as I pray and ask the Lord to touch my mind, heart and my hands as I type. Whether one or one thousand read this today, I know it will touch someone because the Lord laid this on my heart.

 

 

Thank you thank you thank you to those who lift me up as I follow through with this calling in my life.

 

 

 

Kara... you have encouraged me after every single post I'm pretty positive. THANK YOU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night I was saved, the woman who prayed with me also encouraged me to go home and to pray and ask God what He would have me read. I went home and did that. I opened up to John 15.

 

 

 

If you were of the world, the world would love his own, but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19

 

 

 

I remember sitting on my full size bed, reading those words and it was as though they were written for me. Just for me. Within a couple months I painted my walls purple and took a silver sharpie and wrote in cursive above my bed on the wall John 15:16-19. Which is the scripture I read that night. I would lay on my bed with my feet on my pillow and stare at my wall and read it over and over again. I eventually filled up nearly every inch of the walls with scriptures or lyrics.

 

 

 

My whole world changed when I accepted Jesus. I wanted to tell others the change in me. I wanted them to know that I was going to be different from that day forward. I learned quickly that not everyone is a fan of being born again. The day before at school I was a different person. But, on March 16th, 2006, I was a new creation.

 

 

From the day I was saved, to today, not everyone has been supportive of me. One person said to me that I always "had it in me." Basically, saying that I was always a Christian before.

 

 

 Well, let me tell you this. I wasn't. And that's what I told them! 

 

 

I know myself better than they do or you do, and I know when I was saved. The devil tried to make me feel like I never was really saved. He made me doubt that I was a blood bought child of God by telling me that I was never going to be good enough. That's an old trick of the devil and it's about time us Christians start putting him in his place and telling him the truth.

 

 

Like the song goes...

 

 

It's been some time since I made up my mind
To make Jesus Lord of my life
I've withstood the fear and shed many tears
But patience has stood by my side
When I hear Satan say you're really not saved
You're traveling down the wrong track
I recall once again where grace withstood sin
Down memory's lane I take him back



      I take him back to the time at an old-fashioned meeting
When the presence of God filled the air
When the saints were singing of grace and glory
Sweet melodies seasoned with prayer
When one simple sermon from an old-fashioned preacher
Was life to a poor dying slave
I walk him down the aisle to a place at the altar
Where grace fell and I know I got saved



      I never knew love 'til it came from above
And took its abode in my heart
The sun now shines brighter, my burden is lighter
Since Jesus gave me a new start
My songs have been changed- my life rearranged
My journey is now a new road
Now when that old accuser tells me I'm a loser
I remind him how he lost my soul.

 

 

 

It's time we start taking the devil back to the place we were saved!

 

We aren't going to be the most popular person. If you are of the world, sure, they will love you.

 

But BLESS THE LORD, He has set me apart and ordained me and His ear inclines unto me when I cry! I believed on Him that night and He pulled me up out of the miry clay and set my feet on a solid ROCK and established my goings! He put a new song in my heart! He put joy in my life!

 

 

My daddy was a drunk.

My mom was a strong, strong woman to stay and to raise us four kids.

 

 

My dad has an amazing testimony and him being saved and delivered was an integral part of me eventually being saved as well. My dad walked far away from God, but He spoke to him in a bar while he was drinking a mug of beer and playing cards.

 

 

 

 Long story short, he left and never came back.

 

 

 

My dad's last drink was 14 years ago this last weekend. It wasn't because he was determined, like someone who decides to start going to the gym every day and loses 20 pounds. No, I lived with the guy. I heard the guy talk. It was God Almighty who changed every part of my dad, when my dad aloud him to. My dad is a man of God and someone who knows more about the Word, than any man or woman I have ever met. My dad is giving. My dad is loving. My dad has the Fruit of the Spirit.

 

 

He taught me all about God's grace. His love. His mercy. His forgiveness. His sacrifice. His plans. His peace. His joy. His hope. His friendship.

 

 

 

 

He taught me that God is all we need.

 

 

 

 

God is all I need.

 

 

 

 

Amazing Grace is all I need.

 

 

 

 

Take my home, my car, my family even, but I can't make it one second without Jesus.

 

 

 

 

My daddy was saved all those years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

Some folks from a local church came and knocked on my parents door long before I was thought of and shared the Gospel with my mom. She knelt right there with them as they led her in a prayer of repentance while my dad sat in the recliner watching television. She accepted Jesus and He came into her heart and life!

 

 

Grant was a five year old boy, traveling down the road in his parents van and asked them if he would go to hell for lying. They realized he was being drawn by the Lord and he got up by them and they led him in a prayer as he accepted Jesus as a young boy! I'm so thankful for that night! Just this past week, he preached at a revival and during one service, there were 20 decisions for the Lord!

 

 

 

 

Danny, my father in law was just a boy as well, 8 years old. He is nearly 60! He travels around this country telling people about a Savior. THE Savior.

 

 

 

Rhonda, my mother in law was a nine year old girl. She has a very neat testimony.

 

 

 

Garrett, my brother in law, was saved at church camp one year as a boy. He got to show me the building he was saved in this summer as we were there for another youth camp.

 

 

 

My little brother was saved his junior year of high school, which is also when I was saved, my junior year. I text him about it tonight and he told me it was on a Sunday night. I remember my Aunt Charlotte calling me crying, telling me about it.

 

 

 

 

When were you born again? When did you make the best and most important decision of your life?

 

 

 

 

Don't miss out on Heaven for eternity. Make Jesus Lord of your life. He wants to be your best friend. That's what He has been for me. He has been there for me when everyone else has let me down. Friends, family, even your kids and spouse will let you down. Your job will. Your finances will. Your health eventually will. Jesus is what you must place your faith in.

 

 

Draw nigh unto Him. Draw close to Him.

 

 

He's been speaking to me lately. He's been wrapping His arms around me and letting me feel His unending love, which I can't comprehend, and His peace, which passes all understanding.

 

 

 

 

 

I would like to end with a prayer.

 

 

 

 

Almighty God.

 

 

I love you. I worship and praise You, for being You.

Thank You for dying on the Cross for my sins. Thank You for drawing me to you on March 15th, 2006. I was a lost 17 year old girl, with no hope for my future. You forgave me. You accepted me when I wasn't worth accepting. You love me when I am not loveable. You give me joy and peace when I don't deserve it. You gave me Your Word to read, to meditate on, to find comfort in, to rest upon. You gave me prayer to talk to you. Talk to my very best friend in the world. Your Grace has brought me through so much. You're my everything and I pray for those who are reading this right now, that they would feel Your presence and want to draw near to You. I just want to tell You that I love You, Lord. In the Mighty Name of Jesus.

 

Amen.