Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm heading off to family and then Utah, see y'all later!

My Room

Oh MY goodness, this is so exciting!!! I had Rachelle move out all her decorations out of my room last week and I'm redecorating everything! SO much fun!. :) I'm having all these ideas and trying to figure out everything I need...the theme is cowgirl, horses, and roses. There's a million things I could do it's so neat. I've gotten dried rose petals I'm going to have to use somewhere and a dried rose bouquet...and a really neat horse head statue that's soooooooo pretty, it goes perfectly on my dresser. And a matching statue of a rearing horse...but it hasn't come in yet. Of course I am getting a bucket of used horseshoes from my neighbor, but she hasn't gotten them to me quite yet, oh my goodness I can do so much with that!... And I found Michael's old cowboy boots, his first set from when he was 2 and put them on top of the mirror on my dresser...like a frame on both sides. It's so cute! Mom got me a little boot picture frame that is perfect for a picture I just had printed of me and Michael... I have a few metal cowboy signs and such that I haven't yet designated a spot for, one is so sweet! It's black outline or a cowboy and girl hugging, aww! I think my walls are too big for most of them though so I'm going to have to think of some kind of arrangement with roses to add to it. Maybe I should check out what Walmart has in the way of roses. Or for one I could hang horseshoes around it when I get them, oh it's so awesome what all I could do with the horseshoes I'm ready for them to be here!

I also found on ebay a really cute picture 11 X 14 of a little cowgirl, about 6 years old, in a barn kneeling down praying. I thought of a plack to go with that that says "it's me again God" or something to that extent, so far I haven't had any luck finding that. I also have a 16x20 of a cowboy riding into the distance. *sighs* It's so romantic. And let's see, I got a horse bedspread that's of a mare and her colt running together and it has beautiful mountains in the background. I'm not exactly positively sure what to do with the curtains yet, I was thinking of making denim ones but I'm not sure. Then I thought of just draping something to make it look casual, but then denim is casual no matter how you do it... or I could do another fabric. So I'm still collecting my thoughts on the curtains. I thought about getting old latis that Daddy has and panting it rustic and putting barbed wire intertwined in it and using it as a picture board...hehe. But I don't know if I will get around to that or now, or where I would put it...I'm still thinking on that. The only thing that is throwing me now is ropes...I cannot figure out how I could decorate with ropes...I guess I'm not very creative. And then, oh my, yes. Then the bathroom! I'm getting this beautiful shower curtain, it's a huge picture of running horses, it's SOOOOOOOOO pretty, I LOVE it! And Daddy is putting up horse towel and toilet paper rack things for me. :D I thought about outlining the mirror in the bathroom with horseshoes but I'm not sure about that yet, I'll have to see when they get here.

Oh and about the theme, don't role your eyes (Allison)...Just be glad I didn't make it a nursery. hehe

Cowgirl is in my blood; my Grandaddy and Aunt:



P.S. Rachelle and Isaac got engaged Saturday. :)

6 months!

McCabe, 6 months? NO WAY! That is impossible!? 3 1/2 maybe, max...I'm still telling people he's 3 months and all the sudden he's 6...

Aren't they the cutest kids in the world?

He makes all things beautiful

In His time, in His time,

He makes all things beautiful, in His time,

Lord, please show me everyday,

As You’re teaching me Your way,

That You do just what You say, in Your time.



In Your time, in Your time,

You make all things beautiful, in Your time.

Lord, my life to Your I bring,

May each song I have to sing,

Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.

Words and Music by Diana Ball



"You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Isaiah 62:3

Magnificent Obsession

Deepen my passion Father! Strength our friendship and reestablish the power of the cross! I'm back at Your feet, take me to the hidden places of Your heart and fascinate me, overwhelm me with Your love. Obsess me Jesus, I cannot get enough of Your Spirit and Your presence...imprint Your fingers on my heart and Your Word on my tongue. Open up the Word to me and give me understanding, open my heart and pour Your ways into me. You are the Lion and You are the Lamb, let me see more of Your gentleness and great strength! Speak words of life to me, empower my spirit, I need You Jesus. With Your Words the mountains shake, may I shake with Your glory, for You alone are Savior! This is all that I want, I need to love to live for You.

Don't let the chains of my past entangle me, keep me free and let me stay here. Purify me, like a stone in the fire rid me of impurities, just let me see You. Cut these strands that hold me down to earthly things, I want it all to be for YOU! I hunger for You Lord, come let me worship forever. Let me sacrifice, I love You Jesus. My life, my desires, my dreams take my life and let me loose myself in the glory of Your presence. For what it's worth take my thoughts and actions and may You rule my innermost desires.

It's so satisfying to worship You, take me higher, closer to You into the riches of Your grace...take me to depths I've never been to Your glory and the splendor of Your love! Imprint Your thoughts into my soul, make us as one, Jesus I'm lost in You. This is everything I want, You are everything I need, I want this to be my one consuming passion. Everything my heart desires, Lord I want it all to be for You Jesus be my magnificent obsession!!!

Another day just the same
Another night, still no change
Caught in the middle of
Where I am and where I should be
Inside I whisper Your name
Outside I barely maintain
Without Your strength in my life
I'm a lost soul, Lord, please send Your...

Rain

Wash away the

Pain

Take away the

Blame

I'm callin' out Your name!

Lord, I pray
Help me find a way
Way back to You

I'm on my knees beggin' You please
Every time I stumble

Lord, I pray
Help me find a way
Way back to You
You sacrificed, paid with Your life
Gave me the right
Lord, I pray

I know I'm weak and You. are. strong.
You give me faith to hold on
Lord, help me see that I'm stronger
When I'm down on my knees
'Cause that's where the power begins
Your boundless strength has no end
No matter what comes my way
I'll just persevere if I just...

Pray

It's the strength You give me

Pray
It comes so freely

Pray
I'm callin' out Your name, so...

Down on my knees I find You
Leavin' this world behind, and You
Always hear me when I
Need some answers, and I
Just can't seem to make it through
And I'm not sure what I should do
That's when I close my eyes
And, Lord, I pray

Lord, I pray
Help me find a way
Way back to You
I'm on my knees beggin' You please
Every time I stumble
Lord, I pray
Help me find a way
Way back to You
You sacrificed, paid with Your life
Gave me the right
Lord, I pray
-Avalon

Today's thoughts...

Have you ever noticed that when you talk it seems like people don't even listen, like they are just waiting for you to get done with your sentence so they can say something? Or maybe they don't even wait for you to get done. Yup. Generally people don't want to hear what you have to say anyway...so why say it? I like to stick to asking questions. If you ask enough questions people will be asking what you have to say. Then they listen, for apparently you are hiding something from them.

Fear God

Once upon a time there was a little girl who had many dreams. But God said, "No, I must form your dreams, I must give you words. I will work everything out if you will just fear Me."

"For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God." Ecclesiastes 5:7

What do you want from me, God? Where are you leading?

McCabe...

LOOK, Oh my goodness my baby is growing up!!! McCabe is 3 months already! How did that happen, was it not yesterday I watched him be born?

Oooooooh look how long he is...

Are they not the cutest thing EVER?

Movin' On

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

I'm movin' on
At last I can see life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees, but I'm not alone
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone
--Rascal Flatts

Bring that Child to Me

Even though you never wanted
The child that grows in you
I know that you must be afraid
Of what you plan to do
But please before you let them take
This child before it's time
Would you hear what's on this heart of mine?

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I've been a mother only in my dreams
And the child that grows inside of you
Could fill these empty arms
Please give him life
Then bring that child to me

There'll never be a child unwanted
As long as we are here
Your child could have a happy home
And we could dry our tears

I am a barren woman
I cannot have a child
I've been a mother only in my dreams
And the child you plan to throw away
Could fill these empty arms
Please let him live
Then bring that child to me

--Annie Chapman

Jonathan's paper

YAY! This is a paper Jonathan had to write for his philosophy class. It is totally awesome, HE is totally awesome!!! :D He is sooooooooooooooooooooooo amazing. He's a thinker. *looks proud* Anyway here it is:
_____________________________________________________________________________

What Is the Purpose of Philosophy?

Why do we have philosophy? Is it so we can talk idle and not ever actually learn anything as some would think? In The Elements of Logic, Simon Blackburn says,"For people who want to think about the big themes: Knowledge, reason, truth, mind, freedom, destiny, identity, God, goodness, justice." This answers the question about why we have philosophy I believe in a very effective way. It states that mankind wants to know about deep theological matters. By our nature we are curious and desire to know the truth. And that's what philosophy is. The search for truth.

Now we realize why we have philosophy. We know that we should understand about the deep theological issues. It is a widely known concept that the more you know about the world and the way things work the better off you will be. When you have knowledge you can often transpose that knowledge into invaluable wisdom. You can know how to ride a bike but if you understand the mechanism then you will know that when the chain comes off the gears you must put it back on before you continue. For one to realize that if he has knowledge he can translate into wisdom and be better off, he is already ahead of the crowd. Take for instance the simple man who always takes things for granted. He isn't interested in engaging his mind in order to have a brighter future. Instead he is interested in knowing as little as possible to get by. Such a man may find himself in an emergency that he would have known how to handle had he engaged his mind in understanding basic concepts on a deeper level. In the same way when we have insights to the deeper spiritual issues it greatly affects the way we live. If a man does not believe in God that will also affect his belief about morality therefore affecting the way he lives. It is absurd for us to think that we can separate our beliefs from our actions. Therefore philosophy has a purpose to find truth and understand why we believe what we believe.

This raises the classic question. What is truth? Since we as humans are often deceived, how do we know truth from falsehood? Is it really possible for an imperfect person to have perfection in all of his views by using philosophy? Is it possible for a human to always believe the truth and never believe a lie? No. Believing a lie is part of our natural habitat, however we must strive to expose the lies and expel them whenever possible. Rene Descartes states, "I shall efface even from my thoughts all the images of corporeal things, or at least I shall esteem them as vain." This makes an interesting point. Decartes is reexamining everything he knows to find any falsehood. This is certainly taking it to an extreme. It is unnecessary to reexamine everything we know. There are things that would be a much wiser use of our time than spending hours and hours and finally concluding that we really do have two hands and if you walk out in front of a car you will get hit and it wasn't just something you imagined. This is foolishness. A man who doubts if he has a hand even though he sees it, and uses it will perhaps never have any spiritual beliefs. For if he cannot believe something physical that he can experience how will he ever believe the truth about God and spiritual matters? The Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God. So what about you? Do you have faith?

In conclusion, there is a time for philosophy. And there is a time to believe and a wise man will know the difference.

Little Star

Ok here is the music video that nobody could watch in the last format:

Happy Birthday Rachelle

To my sister: I'm so glad God made us close. Over the years it's amazing to see, how intertwined we've become. It's even hard to remember what things I do because I like it...or you like it? Thanks for the godly example you've set for me, I pray one day I'll be as selfless as you are. Thanks for being ready to listen and quick to understand. I think the Lord's given us a special gift to be able to understand each other on a deep level. It's really a blessing, for we know most all before the other even opens her mouth. IYKWIM even our darkest moments we trust enough to share. Our friendship doubles our wardrobe and divides our calories. *cracks up* I sure do love you girl, may you always keep your eyes on the Lord! :D

Lord Jesus, thanks so much for Rachelle! May You be glorified in her life forever and ever and ever! Fill her to overflowing with Your Spirit and shower Your blessings into her life. Give her wisdom to discern Your leading and guide her with Your hand. Give her joy & fulfillment in You, and draw her close to You, reveal more of Yourself to her. May You give her everything pertaining to life and godliness and help her to be dilligent to seek You with all sincerity. I love You Jesus, in Christ's name I pray!

HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY RACHELLE!!!!!!!!!

Quotes

"You should have God so big on the inside of you that His beautiful love, gorgeous goodness, and attractive acceptance emanates from you onto your family." -- Unknown

"Glances of true beauty can be seen in the faces of those who live in true meekness." Henry David Thoreau

"Love is the beauty of the soul." Augustine

"There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness." Marguerite Gardiner

"Don't be moved by praise or criticism. Just go to God and find your identity in Him." Unknown

"Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"People are like stained-glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Fair faces need no paint." Thomas Fuller

"The difference between pretty and beautiful is that pretty is temporal whereas beautiful is eternal." Unknown

"YOU cannot be anything but faithful
YOU cannot be anything but true
How I need this heavenly persective
Take my eyes off this world so I see You"
Eric & Leslie Ludy

PictureTrail

Morning Meditations

“He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything” Colossians 1:17-18

His thunder pierces, our tears fall hard

Death strikes and we’re forever marred

But the sting predicted as destiny

Evolved to His peace to create victory

For just as Christ is firstborn from the dead,

Of the body, the church, He is the head,

So He raises His saints with power divine

As His victory reigns His glory sublimes

Amid my ways, my dreams, my plans

The Father holds me in His hands

I fear not what He has for me

But shake in awe of what I see

I long to birth new lives in love

To watch a miracle from above

But His place is first in everything,

So all I give; to Him I cling

I gaze on Him, and my steps He prearranges,

For He is before all things, and never changes

In Him all things are held together

His grace, His goodness, He lasts forever!

Amid my ways, my dreams, my plans

The Father holds me in His hands

I fear not what He has for me

But shake in awe of what I see

Give me unadulterated love for Thee I cry,

As fall on my face before God on high

Worshiping Jesus, love is my duty

And I’m fully covered in His beauty

Perfecting Holiness

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Cor. 7:1

Fingerprints of God

This youtube is facinating! It reminds me of that Steven Curtis Chapman song "Fingerprints of God." I tell you what we have no reason to put little value on ourselves, we are created by God! Man, our God truly is awesome!!!!

Vows

I ran across a really neat idea today...a couple who made their vows with scripture alone! That is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! BTW Kelly Brown (Bradrick) is such an inspiration, I have learned a lot from listening to her cds in past years.


The Vows:

GROOM
I, Peter David Bradrick, covenant before God and man, to you Kelly Jeannette to be your loving husband, and to lead you, to protect you, and provide for you in the fear of the Lord[1]. I vow to love you as my wife even as Christ also loved the church, to lay down my life for you[2]; to wash you with the water of the word[3]; to love you as my own body and to nourish and cherish you even as the Lord does the church; to render unto you the affection due you, knowing that I do not have authority over my own body but you do[4]; to dwell with you according to knowledge, giving honor unto you, as unto the weaker vessel, and living together with you as heirs together of the grace of life[5]. You alone will be my delight as the wife of my youth[6]. I will fight for you, for our sons, for our daughters, and for our household[7]. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me[8]. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I pledge to you my life as a loyal and faithful husband[9].

1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Corinthians 7:4, 1 Peter 3:7, Proverbs 5:18, Nehemiah 4:14, Ruth 1:17, Hosea 2:19-20

BRIDE
I, Kelly Jeannette, covenant before God and man, to you Peter David Bradrick to be your loyal wife and to submit myself under your headship[10]. Just as the Church is subject to Christ[11], so I will be to you in everything. I will live first unto our God and then unto you, loving you, caring for you, obeying you, and ever seeking to please you as my earthly lord[12]. I will be your discreet, chaste keeper at home[13], diligently, industriously, and faithfully caring for the affairs of your household so that your heart may always safely trust in me[14]. If the Lord chooses to so bless us, it will be my delight to be your fruitful bearer[15] of children, and I will help you diligently teach them the commandments of the Lord as we talk of them in your house, as we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up[16]. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, And your God, my God[17]. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me[18]. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph, I pledge to you my life as an obedient and faithful wife.

Ephesians 5:22, Ephesians 5:24-25, 1 Peter 3:6, Titus 2:5, Proverbs 31:11, Psalms 128:3, Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19, Ruth 1:16, Ruth 1:17

[1] 1 Timothy 5:8
[2] Ephesians 5:25
[3] Ephesians 5:26
[4] 1 Corinthians 7:4
[5] 1 Peter 3:7
[6] Proverbs 5:18
[7] Nehemiah 4:14
[8] Ruth 1:17
[9] Hosea 2:19-20
[10] Ephesians 5:22
[11] Ephesians 5:24-25
[12] 1 Peter 3:6
[13] Titus 2:5
[14] Proverbs 31:11
[15] Psalms 128:3
[16] Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19
[17] Ruth 1:16
[18] Ruth 1:17

http://scottbrownonline.com/blog/archive/2006_08_01_archive.html

The Schmidts Summer 2007

For Allison (and whoever else wants to see them):

Yay! I had an awesome weekend!!! Here are the pictures I promised...

Misty, my best friend of 9 years, she's so beautiful:

Mr. Mark & Jennifer snuggling:

Mrs. Linda & Charissa:

Typical Daniel --the thinker:

Oh my WORD what happened to the little boys?! When they stand up it's like WOW how did you get way up there? Michael & Paul:

Jennifer & Rachelle, wow Jenn's growing up:

Joseph Hudson, my boy:

And Isaac:

Niecee

Friends are awesome.

Thanks for being so sweet to me.

YOU ROCK.

May God continue to mold you...and may He fill you with His peace and strength to continue following Him.

I love you, girly!!

East to West

Ever feel like you're sinking back into your past? I can identify very well with this song. Casting Crowns is so inspiring, their songs are real. :)

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

Linger

"Linger too long in the stench of your hurt, and you'll smell like the toxin you despise."
Max Lucado

My place in this world

The wind is moving
But I am standing still
A life of pages
Waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful
A head that's full of dreams
But this becoming
Is harder than it seems
Feels like I'm

Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need Your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

If there are millions
Down on their knees
Among the many
Can you still hear me
Hear me asking
Where do I belong
Is there a vision
That I can call my own
Show me I'm

Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need Your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

--Michael W. Smith

My favorite quotes

Some of my favorite quotes from Dad:

When you look at the Bible you have to keep things in perspective; major in the majors, minor in the minors.

Would it stimulate you to follow Christ more? What’s your purpose in doing it?

If you were to have a serious accident doing that, are you prepared to praise the Lord for the rest of your life with whatever happened?

Have you ever noticed how trashy your Mothers mind is? All she ever thinks about is taking out that trash and doing dirty laundry. HEHEHEHE

You don't call an alligator a lizard, you don't call a man a boy!

Me: guess WHAT?

Dad: God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life????

Most frequent quote: please come in here

Some of my favorite quotes from Mom:

Remember honey, the hand of the diligent shall rule, but the slack hand shall be put to force labor.

Well bless your pea picking heart! (I still say my heart don’t pick peas, it’s my hands…hehe)

...life's not always fair

Mom: oh, did you get this out? *picks up towel*

Me: no

Mom: well thanks for putting it up!

Me: oh...right… you’re welcome *puts up towel*

You don’t get what you whine for…work’s good for ya, it’ll build character!

Mom: you deserted us?

Me: well not technically, I didn’t volunteer to work on it

Mom: no you didn't, I drafted you

Oh no! I’m out of the loop! You haven’t told me about this?!!

Who says you need a pool of young men to choose from anyway, it only takes one you know, and God is more than capable of bringing the right one.

But some people don't have food, just think what a great blessing it is to have this soup again! We need to be thankful for it.

Most frequent quote: time for kitchen clean up!!!

How much time will that buy me?

Like it? I love this song...it gets it's point across. :)

Puddles '07

This past weekend Ashleigh and Hannah and Mrs. Alice came to spend a few days with us, we had lots of fun! It was great getting to see y'all, you are welcome back! :D

My blackmail picture: yay! let's be happy!

Me and Ashleigh:
Me and Hannah:

My beauty queen:
My Boys:




















Dancing:



The famous foot shot:


Side note
Special prayer request; my arm/wrist nerves they are not too happy today

She don't know

This song reminds me so much of you. hehehe. You're beautiful mylady. :D

Satisfied

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. - John Piper

am NOT

Yes! I mean NO! Josh Turner, my favorite singer in the world, is going to be in concert an hour from me tonight. But I'm not going. :D Nope, nada. NOT going. In the weakness of the moment I don't want to change my mind, so I'm blogging it for proof, I am not going. ok? hehehe

Just as we also long to see you...

"For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. " 1 Thessalonians 3:5-13

WOW!!! I know EXACTLY how he feels!!! There are people I do that with too, and it's an unexpressable joy and peace when I hear they are walking in the truth. It's funny how things from the Bible come alive to me all the sudden, when I've been reading that same passage for years and it's never hit me that way before...lol.

Where The Green Grass Grows

Six lanes, taillights
Red ants marchin' into the night
They disappear to the left and right again
Another supper from a sack
A ninety-nine cent heart attack
I got a poundin' head and an achin' back
And the camel's buried in a big straw stack

I'm gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin' my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord's best
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows

Well I'm from a map dot
A stop sign on a black top
I caught the first bus I could hop from there
But all of this glitter is gettin' dark
There's concrete growin' in the city park
I don't know who my neighbors are
But there's bars on the corners and bars on my heart

I'm gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin' my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you
Raise our kids where the good Lord's best
Point our rocking chairs towards the west
Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows

--Tim McGraw

Release Me

Why is my heart deeply troubled
With feelings of sadness and grief?
Though my life seems to be without
Real turmoil and pressing needs

Yet I feel so grieved inside
With feelings of giving up
A sense of real hopelessness
Has crowded out God’s love

Release me Lord I ask of thee
I don’t want to stay this way
Fill me again with your Holy Spirit
And deliver me I pray

May I again be filled with joy
And know your loving grace
May the spirit of heaviness over me
Be replaced with the garment of praise

I shall arise and sing your praises
And lift my hands to you
And declare aloud your faithfulness
In the wondrous works you do

Be gone you father of iniquities
You no longer have a hold
For greater is He that is in me
The redeemer of my soul

I will not give in to Satan’s attacks
Nor allow him the chance to bind
For Christ has already set me free
And released my troubled mind

My hope shall always be in God
In Him alone will I trust
His joy again will flood my soul
And my heart will be filled with love.

© By M.S.Lowndes.

"Lord Jesus, here I am before you again. I come dirty, stained, bruised, and cut up. You ask me, 'What happened, my Child?' With a bowed head, I admit that last night the enemy came. I wasn’t prepared for them, and so. . . here I am. They were able to get in and claim territory in my mind, but I don’t want then there! I want to claim the land back. I want to pick my guard back up, but I’m weary of the fight. I need rest and strength to prepare me for the battle. Come to my deliverance, Lord! I’m in desperate need of your strength and you! Here, take my bag of trash that the enemy gave me. I don’t want to walk around with its weight and smell on me anymore. I’m ready to be set free; I’m ready to pick my sword back up and get back in the fight.

My Lord arose slowly, and looking straight into my eyes said, 'Do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap, if you do not lose heart.' He picked up my trash bag and flung it behind his back. Then in exchange for me filthy, torn clothes, he clothed me in a gown of pure and spotless white. He washed away the dirt on my hands and face, and healed the scratches and wounds I had received the night before. He himself put on new shining armor on me and placed in my hands a two edged sword, and said, 'Now you are ready to get back in the fight. Go now, and my strength will be with you. Remember to come back this afternoon for a time of refreshing.'

Away I marched, back out to the battle field with the name of Jesus lifted high. I was ready to reclaim that captured territory as my own.”

--Undisclosed