Stand

 My friend "Wayne Asbury" shared this devotional and I wanted to share with all of you!

Psalm 92:12 

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree”

Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm? That tree may be bent so far over that it's almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops, that palm tree bounces right back up. What's interesting is that while that palm tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually becoming stronger. The reason God said you'd flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there would be difficult times. He knew things would come against you to try to steal your joy and victory. You're going to be like a palm tree because when the storms of life blow, you are going to come right back up stronger than before. As you reflect on past events, remember, the storms you have encountered have only made you stronger. You are wiser, you are more alive, and you are headed for victory. Your brightest days are right out in front of you! Always remember that with God on your side, nothing can hold you back.

After you’ve done all you can you just stand,

Thom

www.worldconquerorschurch.org 

 This picture was taken at the beach as I was watching the sun rise in 2006.

Not Giving Up Yet

 Galatians 6:9 tells us not to get tired of doing what is good. Because at the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up!

The beginning of this year was a difficult one for me personally. I felt like the gates of hell were opening up to swallow me whole. I asked everyone I knew to pray for me because I was afraid for my heart, soul and mind. Those prayers gave me strength to just keep pressing forward with the things that God had for me to do. I trusted that God was doing something in my life because Satan was so hard at work to destroy me.

This past Easter was one of the best that I have ever celebrated. I was involved in getting together our Easter Egg Hunt and breakfast for the church. All the volunteers at our church took care of everything that needed to be done and it was fun. The turn out was better than we had planned and 14 people were saved. Two of those people saved were visiting family members.

What a sweet and wonderful day! Two people who I love and adore will be sharing eternity in heaven with me some day.....Praise God!  

This picture was taken Easter Sunday of me with my cousin David Dunn visiting from Tennessee!

Thankful

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah 
Psalm 68:19

There is so much to be thankful for each and every day. A heart of gratitude will change even the most bitter heart. God has given us life, love and salvation. Everything is not perfect in this broken world but there is still so much to enjoy all around us. A walk clears my head and makes me see life through grateful eyes. I am always in awe of the clouds, the sky, the ocean, a tree, a bird, a butterfly and so much more. 

Thankfulness brings joy when we realize how wonderful it is to have family and friends who love and care for us. God brings people into our lives to encourage us. The other day one of my grandkids said, "Mom mom, you are my bestest friend!" It felt like my heart was going to burst with joy to hear such sweet words. Looking at her little face I could see she really wanted me to know how she felt in her heart. It may be a little thing but those are God's gifts in life and I am grateful!

"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. Psalm 103:2-3

This is a picture of my backyard when we began planting flowers

 after a hurricane in 2005.