Fphoto Friday

Today is my first time to participate in Fphoto Friday, hosted by Natalie at "Married To The Preacher". Thank you Natalie, for the opportunity to participate!

This is a photo of our long driveway out to the main road. I drive it day in and day out. I never noticed how beautiful & peaceful it looks. Until one day, when a young women knelt on the asphalt with her camera and took this photo!

I wonder how much more beautiful & peaceful our world would look if we viewed more often "from our knees"?

Blessings, Chris

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I'm Back!

Have you missed me? *Ü* I have not posted since the beginning of November! Loooong story, which I will attempt to make short enough to not bore you all to tears!

Life gets very busy for my family in November. My daughter & I both have birthdays, then comes Thanksgiving and the preparations for the Christmas season. I really did mean to post at least a couple of times...

On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I ended up at the hospital with a severe "female" problem. They did a biopsy, sent me home with medication which helped a great deal, and told me I would hear from my Gynecologist after Thanksgiving. You know that sent me to my knees! And on the Friday after, I did hear from him, but not with the news I wanted. I was told that I had endometrial cancer. The biopsy cells were grade 1 (the least active & invasive) and that I would need to have a complete hysterectomy.

Between my own family, friends & my church, there was a whole lot of praying going on! I can't tell you how many cyber-friends were praying and church prayer lists I was placed on. I am so thankful for all these wonderful saints who were willing to pray for someone they'd never met in person!

On January 6th, my very sweet, skilled (and handsome) surgeon, Dr. Mahavni, performed the hysterectomy. I prayed that morning that my Lord would be standing beside him, guiding his hands. I know He was there! My cancer had not progressed beyond the uterus. The hysterectomy was all that was needed. No chemo, no radiation! Hallelujah!

I am living breathing proof that God answers prayer! And even if the outcome had been different, I had the "peace that passes all understanding" about God's care and love for me, whatever the situation.

This has not been the most pleasant experience physically. But what I have learned about Jesus and my relationship with him has been a true blessing!

It is 5 weeks post-surgery. I am feeling mostly well and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things! That includes posting regularly here.

I am starting the Beth Moore study of Esther this Wednesday night. I always learn so much in our Women's Bible Study. I'm sure I'll have lots to share!

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my salvation!
I praise & thank you for restoring my health! Help me to be mindful of this precious gift in all I do, eat & drink. Thank you for the work you have done in my life over the last few months. Help me to continue to draw closer to you! Please send special blessings to all those who prayed for me and are now praising with me! Help me to become a prayer warrior, always ready to pray for the needs of others. Allow me to be a blessing to any who have similar health issues. Use this blog to reach and care for others!

In Jesus precious name, AMEN!

Have a blessed day! Chris

A Wonderful Read!

Every Thursday I participate in "Thankful Thursday" over at my Refining Life blog. It is such an inspiration to make the rounds of the participating blogs and have my heart filled by what is shared on them!

This morning, one of the bloggers, Jeanne at "Backyard Neighbor", shared a story that is just too good not to share. Give yourself a blessing today! Go read: God Lives Under the Bed.

You did good Jeanne, really good!

Have a Christ-filled day! Chris
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Just For Fun!

I'm thinking it is time for some fun!

My cousin Terri keeps my email "inbox" full of all kinds of interesting & sometimes silly things! This morning, she sent me these Church Signs. They made me smile. I hope they do the same for you!

Blessings! Chris

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Take Comfort!

No, I am not happy at all with the outcome of the election! I believe our country has elected the wrong candidate, and is headed for more difficulties than we have had in the last 8 years!

That being said, I was so comforted by Beth Moore's LPM (Living Proof Ministries) blog, that I have to share it with you! This post certainly puts the events of yesterday into the proper perspective!

Click HERE to Read and Rejoice!

Heavenly Father, we praise you as the King of the universe, far above our earthly leaders! We know that all power is yours and that your hand is upon our country and our lives. We pray that you will give our country's leaders the wisdom and courage to stand for what is right. Help your redeemed ones to "walk in the light" in all circumstances, remembering that you will never forsake us! In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.

Thankfully, Chris
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A Call to Prayer and Fasting!

Dear Sisters in Christ,

Tomorrow, the direction that our beloved country will take for the next 4 years, will be decided. We must all get to the polls and vote. Me must vote "with prayers attached"!

But more than that, we must FAST and PRAY! Each of us individually, and as groups of believers, must confess and ask God to forgive the sins of our nation. Pray that our land be healed. Pray for revival in our pulpits and churches.

Make time to call upon the Lord for our nation's salvation. Ask God to do a mighty work, to show the world that we are STILL a country founded on God's principles. Gather in groups and together lift our nation in prayer for it's leadership.

Fast one meal, or two. Fast until the polls have closed.

We must reclaim our country for God! We must honor the forefathers who secured liberty for us! We must leave a Christian legacy for our children and grandchildren! We must continue to be the "light" in this old world!

Pray Dear Ones! Pray as you have never prayed before!

Dear Father, we are in such a mess! Our nation is in jeopardy of turning away from you. We have often neglected to hold fast to your Word for guidance. We have become lazy and ineffectual in leading our country down the true path of righteousness. Lord, please forgive our sins and heal our land! As each and every Christian walks into the polling booth tomorrow, I pray that you would touch their heart and lead them to vote for the government & leaders that will uphold life & liberty, marriage & family, and most of all, honor Almighty God! I ask in Jesus name. Amen

Prayerfully, Chris

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I am going to see Beth Moore!

I can't tell you how excited I am! Beth Moore will be in Stockton, CA on June 26 & 27, 2009! I have already registered my daughter & I to attend. It will be such a privilege and a blessing to be in the presence of Beth and her team. (I can hardly wait to hear Travis Cottrell perform.)

You see, it was a Beth Moore bible study on The Psalms of Ascent, that helped to soften my heart and lead me back into fellowship with the Lord and into church. After years of neither of us attending any church, my daughter found Bayside Church of Lincoln, CA. There, she began to grow in her Christian walk again. She and the women of the church began to pray for me. Although she asked me to visit church with her many times, I just didn't want to go. When she asked me to attend a women's bible study with her, I couldn't believe I said "Okay"! Of course, God had been working in my heart, and with all those beautiful women praying for me, I had to say yes.

During that study, which was unlike anything I had ever attended, Beth's teaching truly touched me! She brought God's word alive for me again. I remember while watching one of the videos I thought to myself, "Lord, this feels so good to be in your word, to be in fellowship with these women!" I knew that night that I couldn't go my own way any longer.

I am so thankful for my daughter's faithfulness to God & to her mother. I am thankful for Beth Moore's ministry and for what it has brought to my life. I am thankful for those sweet Christian women who prayed for me, and welcomed me and still uplift me today! Many of them will be attending the Beth Moore event with us! Isn't God just so good?

Most of all, I praise God for his righteousness and I am so very thankful that he seeks his lost & wounded sheep and welcomes them home to his fold!

Heavenly Father, thank you for raising up great preachers and teachers who proclaim your living word! I pray for blessings upon these "workers in the word", their churches, ministries and their families. Lord, our country is in sore need of more like these! Men & women who can help to turn us from the wide way and lead us in the narrow path of righteousness, so that you can heal our land. Thank you for Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross! In His name I pray, Amen!

In Christ's Love,
Chris
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