Faith Can Move Mountains...Even Bureaucratic Ones!

Kutless- What Faith Can Do

Today, I marvel at what faith can do. Prayer really does work wonders. Miracles happen. God is bigger than anything. He opens doors. We are His instruments. However, in order for Him to use us, we must have some level of faith. He doesn't even ask much of us in the amount of faith.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”Matthew 17:20

In saying that, we must be willing participants. We must want to serve the Lord, and believe in His mighty powers. He can use us, but He does not need us to carry out His plans. He is God. His word tells us that if we keep quiet, the rocks themselves will cry out. I don't know about you guys, but I don't want a rock taking my place.


“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40

Yesterday, a plea went out via Facebook in Team Caleb's group. It was a simple plea, yet extremely desperate from a mother reaching out for help on behalf of her precious child. While in Houston trying to get treatment started for Caleb, his mom Jana ran into bureaucratic red tape. Her plea was as follows:
Ok Team Caleb, I need your help. The FDA has a new person in charge of reviewing case. It could take up to 2 weeks before we get approval. Please help me. We need letters from Congress persons or anyone with any political power to bang on the door of the FDA to get Caleb on this trial please have anyone you know fax or email the FDA on Caleb's behalf. The tumor is progressing and we are waiting without out treatment. Please help in any way possible.

You would be amazed at the response this request got and the speed at which people all over the country began scouring their resources. People put aside pride, and hesitation, and flooded their congressmen, state representatives, government employees, doctor friends with pleas for intervention. Within a matter of hours, the red tape was cut. The Kinnersley's got word that FDA approval had come for Caleb's clinical trial treatments.

I still stand in awe at what can happen when God's children bind together. When over 2400 people are praying for this child, good things happen. Our prayers don't stop there. We pray for Caleb. We pray for each other. We pray for the FDA. We pray for the Burzynski Clinic. We pray that God shows out in a mighty way.

God has brought Caleb this far. He has brought over 2400 people together for a common cause. He says wherever two or more are gathered, He is there also. He says whatever we ask in His name, it shall be given. I believe that. I claim that.

I posted the video above to Kutless' What Faith Can do. Read the lyrics below as a prayer. Ask God to increase your faith so you can move mountains. I don't refer to physical mountains, but those mountains that get in our way of living out our lives for Christ. Yesterday, the Kinnersley's faced a mountain...a governmental, bureaucratic mountain. Faith moved that mountain. Now on to the miracles! Go TEAM CALEB!!
 

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don't you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered                                                      
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It'll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It'll tell you that you can!

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

What Can I Do in This World?

I have recently had opportunities that have enabled me to grow in my life. It amazes me how God uses people and circumstances to reach others. Some may never know how their actions or situations can affect another.

Lately, I have encountered several families and individuals whose circumstances and/or comments have impacted me personally. The effect has not been the same for all instances.

A few cases have involved illness or loss that have prompted me to pray. I have made prayer a daily part of my life for a long time, but lately, it has become a more prominent part. It has become a privilege to pray for others. I find myself saying little breath prayers for others throughout the day. I take time to pray for myself specifically, too. I take time out of my day, separating myself, and to prayerfully offer focused intercessions to God on behalf of others. I do not share this to say, "Hey, look at what a good person I am!" I say this to share another little way I am finding my place.

Another recent event has been the abstinence training I am involved with in the schools. Through the coach whose class we are in this week, I learned a "help"ful acronym. He uses H.E.L.P in aiding kids with making wise decisions in actions. When faced with a decision to make, four questions can be asked to determine the course of action.
H is for "is it healthy?"
E is for "is it ethical?"
L is for "is it legal?"
P is for "would parents approve?"
Unless one can answer all in the affirmative, then one should probably refrain from the action. While this is a teaching tool used with high schoolers, I believe if all analyzed situations in this manner, society as a whole could improve. Now, I realize we don't live in a perfect world, and we can't change everyone, but we can change ourselves.

Mahatma Gandhi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Remembering 9/11

No words can begin to describe the feelings so many Americans have on this day. As I sit here and watch footage of that day, my heart breaks all over again. A knot in my stomach forms. Fear wells up.
We all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard. We raced to the nearest TV. We sat dumbfounded as we saw two burning skyscrapers. While in the midst of disbelief and prayers came the horror of watching the buildings collapse. Could this be happening? A short time later come more reports...the Pentagon, the plane in Pennsylvania...are there more? What about Atlanta? The busiest airport in the nation...is it a target? Is it over or are there more to come?
All of these questions and emotions are made fresh again as we remember and relive. Fear, hurt, anger...so fresh again. Our country, our world has not been the same since that day. One thing I long for though from that day and the days to follow, is the spirit of patriotism, love for America, the banding together against an evil one.
Whether all care to admit, we were all affected that day. Our lives changed forever. The nation changed forever. My prayer is that God will guide us and protect us. May God bless those who have lost in this tragedy, and those who serve to ensure or freedoms.
Pledge of Allegiance  
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
"I pledge allegiance" (I promise to be true)
"to the flag" (to the symbol of our country)
"of the United States of America" (each state that has joined to make our country)
"and to the Republic" (a republic is a country where the people choose others to make laws for them -- the government is "of, by and for" the people)
"for which it stands," (the flag means the country) "one nation" (a single country)
"under God," (the people believe in a supreme being) "indivisible," (the country cannot be split into parts)
"with Liberty and Justice" (with freedom and fairness) "for all." (for each person in the country...you and me!)
*copied from http://www.wvsd.uscourts.gov/outreach/Pledge.htm

I Will Praise You in The Storm

Casting Crowns' Praise You in the Storm

It is so easy for us to rock along in our daily lives, giving thanks to God here and there, without really thinking about it. When something amazing happens, we react one of two ways—either we jump to our feet and give God the glory OR we say, “Wow! How lucky are we?” or “Look what I did!”

However when something bad happens, we react in a multitude of ways at times. Sometimes our first instinct is to say, “Why me?” or lay blame on someone else. Other times we blame God directly. When we go through these storms in life, how often is our first instinct to praise Him in it? I am so guilty of having one of the other reactions most times.

I am a pretty smart lady…just slow at times J  Eventually, I come around and focus on God in the storm. “Eventually” is not good enough. “Better late than never” is not good enough. I realize, often too late, that I could have found comfort and peace much sooner had I turned to God in the beginning. Better yet, never turn from Him at all. In His word, He promises to be there for us.

Psalm 121

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

We should not put God in a box and only take Him out to say thanks, or to ask for something. Like a most trusted friend, we should to turn to Him in good times and bad, and all in between. If we distance God in the good times, and chalk our good fortune up to luck or give ourselves the credit, then it sometimes makes it hard to reach out to God in the bad times. Think of people around you that you consider friends. There are those you would not hesitate to call in times of need or times of joy. There are others who you say are friends, but would they actually be someone you would call for help or to share good news? Our Father waits for your call daily. He is ALWAYS there…it is we who drift away. Praise Him in the sunshine…Praise Him in the storm.

James, Love of my Life, Soulmate

Today, I am thinking of James. The love of my life. My soulmate.  As I wait to accompany him to a follow-up appointment after a recent CT scan of his sinuses, I am reminded of how much I need him.  While there is no suspicion at all of any serious condition and no need for worry, just the mere mention of a test of this sort incites a small amount of anxiety. As I work through the anxiety, I think of how wonderful my life is because of this man.

I am extremely blessed to have James in my life, to be married to him, to be mother to his children. I worried back when our relationship was new that one day we would get bored or boring, that the spark would fade and we would just live with each other in a dull routine.  He promised to me many years ago that it would not happen to us, as it does to others. He promised a “non-boring” life and a “non-boring” life is what I have! Now one might say it’s the three children and their busy schedules that keep it lively, but I disagree.

 The “non-boring” part is when I wake in the morning, and the first this he does is call me “baby.” He sends me a simple text, “lunch?” He always greets me with a kiss. He tells me how proud of me he is. He laughs with me. He accepts me. He makes me feel important. He knows me. He loves me! These little, seemingly insignificant, things keep it interesting for me. I don’t need worldly vacations, romantic dinners, or expensive gifts to keep the love alive. I just need him to be with me.

Our children do keep us busy, but they are not the reason we stay strong. They will be out of the house and our daily lives one day (sooner than I realize) and it will just be us again. We knew long ago that we couldn’t just live for our kids because then what would bind us when they are gone? We love them to infinity and beyond, but they are just a blessing and result of our immense love for one another. I told him yesterday that we make a good team, the best team. With him, I can be my best.

We thank God daily for our blessings. We cover each other in prayer. We seek God together. I have to believe that in doing so, we draw closer to God, and to each other. We go to church together and hold hands anytime we pray. He said to me early on that if we are to be one, we should pray as one. 

Mark 10:7-9 says “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

God blessed me more than I can ever know when He sent His Son to save me. Sending James to me was probably the second biggest blessing that I also view as an act of His saving grace.

Martina McBride
“Blessed”

Back Where I Come From

As my blog is titled, “My Place in this World”, most of my writings are somewhat centered on finding or identifying my place, my purpose. Some of the posts have dealt with my tasks as a mother, wife, Christian, and even an activist in a sense. I am not writing for anyone, or to accomplish anything, except maybe to share my thoughts and faith with the world J

We all have a place in this world. We are all part of God’s creation whether we believe it or not. Should you decide you evolved from fish or monkeys or some other creature, I believe I was beautifully and wonderfully made by the Master Creator God. As stated in Psalm 139:13-16,

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

As part of my search of my place in this world, I found it necessary to dig a little and find out where I came from… a little family history, if you will. I began in the most logical place, as anyone would begin to look…yeah, I googled. I had a few names and places from relatives that I could play around with. My search took me to an amazing site of www.familysearch.org . The web is full of sites and an abundance of information, but I am a cheapskate and refuse to pay for any info. I found a ton of information such as census records, military registrations, and other documents on this site for without cost or registration.

On my paternal side, I have been able to go back 5 and 6 generations on various lines. Names like Greenfield and Sloop, and the ever common Jackson have popped up. It excites me to see the hand-written census records of 1850 and 1860. Imagining my ancestors living in antebellum times, thru the “War Between the States” and beyond has become a favorite pastime for me. As I had been told a line of my ancestors were Cherokee Indian, census records only had three racial distinctions pre-1900’s… white, black, or mulatto, so most were listed as mulatto in my line. I find it funny how things have changed when you see all of the choices of today on any type of application.

As I continue on my quest to find or even make my place in this world, I will take a moment to remember those who have gone before me. I will honor those who have toiled to support their families and instill values for generations to come. I have a place in this line of people. More importantly, I have a place in God's family, and will do my best to honor that heritage, also.

The Day Family 1922

 "Back where I come from
Where I'll be when it's said and done
I'm proud as anyone
Back where I come from"

This One's for Caleb

As we go about our daily routines, we find it easy to overlook or discount things or complain about our circumstances. We find it easy until we hear someone's story like Caleb.

Caleb is the six year old son of my husband's coworker. A vibrant, inquisitive, intelligent little boy to say the least. A smile that lights up a room, and warms the coldest of hearts. He has been diagnosed with a rare, inoperable type of brain cancer. News like that can really cause one to examine his/her own circumstances and realize very quickly that "hey, I actually have it pretty good!"

In a very short amount of time, I have seen a small circle of friends reach out, spread the word, and get folks praying all over the world thru a Facebook group page (Praying for Caleb (Team Caleb). Last count was 1422 Members in 15 Countries - Africa, Belgium, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Korea, Canada, The Philippines, China, The United Kingdom & The United States of AMERICA (GA, SC, NC, AL, TX, VA, CO, IA, IN, NM, FL, TN, MA, CA, MO, OH, WI, MI, KS, UT,IL, AZ, OR, WA, SD, ND, NV, MD, NY, ID, PA, NE, HI, OK & MS). Another site: http://www.team-caleb.com/ has also been set up to allow readers to donate "caps and coins" to Caleb and for the family to give updates.

I do not write this to solicit donations, though I do encourage if you are able or feel so led to do so, but I write to solicit prayers. Please include Caleb in your daily prayers. Give God the glory for the miracle in advance. I believe in a God of Grace, a God of Love, a God of Miracles. He is more powerful than cancer. He is bigger than anything. Our Lord raised Lazarus from the dead...FROM THE DEAD!! He can do anything. There are many who are standing in the gap for Caleb, and his family. Please join us as we go to God on Caleb's behalf!