I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in pleny or in want. Philippians 4:12 NIV

 The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite people. He had his trust in God no matter the circumstances, and I admire this about him.  The ability to trust didn't come from Paul's strength. I can admire him all day long, but nothing changes in me until I look at Jesus. 

Paul stood no matter what because of this time in the presence of the Lord through prayer and Bible reading. The wealthiest people in the world can be the most unhappy, because no matter how much the media tries to tell us that wealth makes us happy it doesn't work in real life.

The love of money can control, distrot, and ruin our souls, however I know those who manage lots of money well. What you love will control you. Our friend Charlie enjoys himself. He has huge sailboats, lives on a exclusive Island, and plays golf with celebrities. It has never changed who he is on the inside.

He loves people, and cares about them. He is generous, and he remembers where he came from. His friends are everyday people and some not-so everyday people. My husband and I love this  about him, and Charlie helps us every year with our finances.

He sits down with the lawn-care workers and has pizza with them. I know people in my humble neighborhood who wouldn't think of doing this! Are we too important for those around us? Are we happy on the lean times and the good? Can we trust God to provide when we don't see where it's coming from?

I ask myself these questions all the time. Where is my trust? If I look back at my life I can remember many instances when He showed up at the right time. It wasn't my choice of when He should have rushed into the scene, but it was his timing.

We might think that God missed the perfect opportunity to bless us, but he knows the best way to do all things. I need to be reminded of this too. I'm glad I have you to tell these things.

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content in whatever state I am. Philippians 4:11

This is my son Matthew at age four. I didn't send him to Pre-school because he wanted to be with me. We had a lot of fun together that year. He did go to Sunday School and violin lessons, and I was happy with this. Now that he is twenty four we still spend time together, and I feel so blessed. He will be home for a few months before he starts school again.

There is much to be said about the bonds between mother and child. My children have good memories, but not all of us can say the same. I'm not being negative about my parents because they did the best they could. They loved us as much as they were able, and I'm grateful for this. The scars are still familiar though.

I wonder how many of us can say the same? What about all the young women in our communities stuck in the cycle of pleasing others. They have bought ino the lie that they will never measure up to so and so or be as pretty as the guys want them to be. There is no peace or acceptance of who they are.

I want to tell you what God has been doing in my life recently. In late January, early February New York was thrown off their horse by the Abortion bill called S240. In passed unexpectedly behind everyone's back. I have to say my eyes were blinded to the seriousness of the situation until this passed. Abortion is now legal at any stage of pregnancy up to the baby's due date.

My earnest prayer has been"God have mercy." My desire to do something led me to empty by piggy bank {don't laugh} into a bank account. I had saved coins  from around the house for two years. I had collected the money for cans from the supermarket. My violet colored pig was about to burst, and I coud hardly carry her to the bank.

All I have done is tell this simple story to others. In two days I have had three women say to me,"I will do the same and give you the money." One woman from my church said, " I will turn in my old coins at the exchange and give you what I am given."  God put in into my heart to go to the bank. There is a saying, "Little is much when God is in it."

What is the money for? A home for Unwed Mothers. I feel if we are standing out in front of Planned Parenthood, we need to be able to tell these precious women we have a place for you and your baby. We are part of a prayer vigil for 40 days through an organization called "Forty Days For Life. We don't shout, or carry unappropriate signs. We pray. We talk when we are asked questions. Our presence has saved lives.

Last Friday a mother dropped off her sixteen year old daughter to have her second abortion. The Mom was distraught, and said to one of us,"I know this is wrong, and I didn't want to do this!" The girl who was on the other side of the building came running down the driveway saying, "Wait Mom, I want to talk to these people too!" This ladies were given directions to a free clinic for a sonogram. They wanted this child.Not every story has a happy ending. 

I am having a meeting with the Crisis Pregnancy Center leaders in our area to brainstorm about what we feel God would have here, now. Would you pray for us? Some of you are in states where this hasn't happened yet. May it never happen. All I know right now is God has said to me, Focus on me, and move forward. The Mama Bears march on.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you had renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. Philippians 4:10 NIV

My pictures lately may not be as inspiring as in the past. The site I was using didn't want me to use their pics without giving the name of the photographer. This is all well and good, but I couldn't figure out how to add this information to the pic. After many attempts, I decided to use my own pictures for a change. 

Paul is a great worshipper of the Lord. He often gives praise to the only one who deserves it. I like this about him, and I like it about me too. Worship reaches into us and releases the deepest, darkest, parts of our souls. It captures our imaginations, and allows us to see beyond the four walls around us.

I can be in turmoil over the crazies of living in a house with three adult children, a wonderful husband, and two huge dogs. {Let me say here, the hubby is never the concern.} When I play worship music whatever I was caught up in becomes a thing of the past. 

Have you ever run into a great, fluffy, warm bed with your head right into the comforter? I have, and, it feels as if clouds have engulfed you. It seems as if nothing is happening around you.
All you want to do is stay in that safe, soft, welcoming place.
There is firmness and stability, but your skin is soothed by the silkiness of the material.

Hugging a loved one especially as a child can feel wonderful too. Worship is better than anything we can try to compare to it. I thought I would write about something totally different, but this is for you, I know it. Maybe none of this is reaching you right now.

You have had a hard day, week or life. None of this seems real or attainable at all. God is a good Father and He wants you to know His goodness. This doesn't mean you will live a perfect life, without trials and hardship.

 This is where the trials start, because God loves you with a great passion. When we open to Him, He can mold us to be useable for His eternal Kingdom and purposes. It becomes your best life ever! 

We become the truest version of ourselves when we surrender to the Almighty. He can move through us to do the work of His Kingdom. How could anything be better than this?

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 NIV

What a pleasure it is to be writing to you. I have been sick for three months so you may have noticed I haven't been writing much. I just found out I have parasites in my gastro- intestinal system. I was treated initially for a urinary tract infection with no positive result; then for yeast, which I probably had, but still not well.

 Finally my doctor who is a wellness practioner, tested me for parasites after everything else was not working completely. In three days on this supplement, I feel like myself again! Thank God! I'm still fighting for complete healing but I'm confident this is the right direction.

It's hard when everything you try seems to be ok, but not the right treatment. I prayed for direction every day, and I believe the Lord sent me to the right people. Everything feels off when you are not digesting your food.  I eat clean, but sometimes this can backfire too. These little pesties can be found so many places!

Enough of that, Let's talk about Our dear friend Paul. You know he would be like us if he were here. I'm sure people flocked to him where ever he went as he spoke about Jesus. He didn't have much free time, but I'm sure he made prayer a priority every day.

Our verse today reminds us of the Godly character Paul established as he walked with God. He wasn't born with it, on the contrary, his natural man was the same as ours. He had to spend time in the presence of the Holy one, on his knees, asking, seeking and knocking. 

The fruit of our labor in prayer brings bountiful blessings with eternal value. We receive peace in this life and the one to come. What is especially important is emphasing the peace for right now. People are searching everywhere for some sort of peace.

The farther we are from God, the less peace we have. Divided families reap a bountiful harvest of pain, fear and anxiety. My father didn't mean for this to happen to us, but he didn't know the way to peace with God. I loved him, and saw the depth of his pain and emptiness.

Maybe this is why I hunger for my Father in heaven. He is my "abba" daddy God. His love comes in mountainous waves of compassion and uncompromise. He will not let me go. No, He will keep me by His side no matter what. 

This peace, which He gives, cannot ever be matched. Nothing satisfies like the one who made us to be satisfied by Him alone. Other things might fill a part of our cavernous souls for a while, but Jesus will stay as long as we want. Why would I want anything else?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is praiseworthy- think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

If I had to choose one verse as my absolute favorite, this one would be on the list. I know this is a non commital way of saying I really appreciate it, but honestly how hard it is to choose just one!

When I meditate on these particular verses in Philippians from 4: 4-9, I can stand strong and my feet are on solid rock. It brings stability I otherwise wouldn't have. Thank God we have His word!

Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book-"Switch on your Brain" verifies  neroulogically how our brains actually change when we use the Bible as our meditation. We can block out the worthless, dead and harmful words spoken to us by replacing them with the truth. What about parts of the Bible we don't understand?

I could leave out a few, like geneologies, but they serve an important purpose. I can't apply lists of people from thousands of years ago to my life in any way, to make sense of the mess around me.  These verses don't speak peace to my soul or comfort for my  day.

The lists we see as endless, faceless people prove Jesus is from the  lineage of David, the King.  The Messiah is said to be from David's family, and this was crucial in the day when Jesus lived on earth. The Jews knew many things about the coming Savior, but few of them wanted to believe he would be a suffering servant.

We can understand this, we all want someone who can come in strenght and power and deliver us from bondage, whether it be to slavery or something else. Those who missed the Messiah were hoping to be released from earthly bondage, and Jesus offered better. Those who missed Him were not looking for eternal blessings.

Have I missed some of God's best while looking for my own way of solving issues? Have I missed the Savior by thinking I knew what I wanted would be best? I can surely say, yes. I have learned to look for my selfishness, and turn to something good, right and true. God's light shining through me is what I want, and is best all around.