I am such a bad blogger.  I see other's blogs and wonder where they find the time.  I always start the day with the best of intentions of writing on here, but time just seems to slip away.  Between Kierstynne's lessons, fixing lunch, getting Tim off to work, housework and just everyday life, there doesn't seem to be enough hours of the day.

These last few weeks have been very interesting.  Since March 3rd, my life has been turned around.  I am learning and seeing things that I never thought possible.  God has been so good to me.  He is revealing things to me from my past that I thought I had dealt with, but were holding me in bondage.  He has been showing me how my prideful, self centered attitude was destroying my life.  It's been a hard lesson to learn.  I have come to the conclusion that it is much easier to learn the lesson the first or second time around than to be stubborn and not learn until time 15 or 16.  The lesson is much harder because more time has past and you become more entangled in the deception.  Thank God we have a God who is infinitely patient with us and doesn't give up on us.

I know that right now, I am in the valley.  It is hard making my way through.  There are boulders, snares, and learning opportunities.  The Word tells me that even though I walk through the valley that I do not have to fear because God is with me.  Sometimes I still think it would be easier to go another way, but that way leads to death and destruction.  Yes, it is easier, but no where near as rewarding.  Learning how to depend completely on God has been hard at times, but it is also enlightening.  I have also realized that when I finally make it to the top of the mountain, I will be able to look back and see how far I have come and I will be able to see God's footprints right beside mine, showing that He never left me while I was making my way through the valley.  Praise God!!!  I am not alone.  Even when I feel alone, I am not alone.  God is always right there beside me, urging me on, encouraging me, helping me press on to the top of the mountain.

God has also shown me that I am not who my past said I was going to be.   I do not have to be held in bondage because of my past.  God has set me free from the generational curses that stem from my past.  I have a choice..I can stay in bondage or I can choose to walk in the freedom of God.  I choose freedom.  We have the ability to curse with our words.  Not curse like a sailor, but curse as in bondage.  What we allow to come out of our mouths can either cause damage or encourage.  When we speak about a person, we can choose to speak forth blessings or curses.  When someone hurts our feelings or says something that cause anger to well up inside us, we can choose to say, "God, forgive them, because they don't know what they are saying", or we can say, "Dang that person.  He/she is an idiot."  Which do you think would be the right choice.  I know that it is hard to choose the way Jesus would take, but it's the right way.

 Now, I have to warn you.  When I began to notice changes in my life after March 3rd, I was on cloud 9 for about 3 weeks.  Then, slyly, discreetly, the devil moved in.  I began to read the book, "The Power of a Praying Wife," and to do the study guide that goes along with it.  I was reading the Word everyday, and doing another study about humility and seeking God.  Within 2 days of beginning the Praying Wife book, Tim and I were arguing over stupid stuff.  He got mad at me and I didn't even know what I had done..so I got mad at him for getting mad at me.  Sounds rather childish right?  Well, that's how the enemy of our souls work.  He doesn't come right out and say, "Look, I am going to cause havoc in your life today.  Just sit back and watch what I am going to do."  No.  It's sneaky, it's sly and it can be very damaging.  He comes like a thief, seeking to see who and what he can destroy.  Marriage is ordained by God and it is the first thing the devil will attack.  When it dawned on my lightening fast pea brain what was happening, I was able to mount a counter attack.  I prayed and asked for help.  I knew I couldn't change Tim's anger so I asked God to do it.  Two days later, I found out what had made him get mad at me and it was something that he thought I had done that I hadn't actually done.  So we were able to work it out.   The more I draw closer to God, the harder the devil is going to fight against me.  I know that God has a plan for me and my husband and it is going to knock that stupid devil for a loop and he is trying to destroy us before we can even get started walking out the plan God has for us.  Not going to happen..We have to be aware of his schemes at all times.  The Bible tells us that he sneaks about like a lion just seeking out those he can devour and destroy.  We have to be on our guard at all times, making sure we have put on the Armor of God everyday in order to defeat him.

As we walk out God's plan for us every day, we must make sure we are ready and able to fight against our enemy.  We must make sure we are well prepared.  How do we do that?  We spend time with God each day.  We must pray without ceasing.  That doesn't mean we have to into our prayer closets and spend the day.  It just means that we are in a continuous conversation with God all day.  We must read the Word each day.  Get the Word into your memory and your spirit so that when you need a flaming arrow, you know what to use.  We must allow the Holy Spirit to live large in us.  We must decrease so that Jesus can increase.  The more of the Spirit we have living in us, the better we are able to defend against the devil.  In times of trouble, when we are in a place where we are stuck, the Holy Spirit can step up to the front line and defend us.  If we don't allow Him to have that much leeway, we are going to be attacked and beaten down.  Don't allow that to happen.  Fill yourself up every morning. 

I pray a special blessing upon each person that reads my blog today.  May the Spirit of God live largely in your life.  May God lead, guide and direct your path.  May you feel God's arms supporting you, encouraging you, and loving you throughout this day.  God bless  you.