I just don't get it...why!?

"I just don't get it....why!?"....that line has struck me a time or two...ok maybe more than I can count. It's those moments in life that just don't make sense no matter how much you try and analyze you just can't figure it out, and you can't grasp the why, and you honestly...just don't get it.


For example:


I don't get why we have to pay such high homeowner association fees, or why Wendy's added a new sauce to their burgers (it taste revolting) or why my mother and grandmother can never get anyone's name right even after you spell it out and have told them that name for years. Sounds like petty issues....well they are....but then there are larger, more real ones that really hit home:


Like when a friend betrays your trust, or someone that you thought had it all together commits suicide, or if you lose your job, now how will you pay your bills...or if you lose your house, now where will you live...or if you lose a loved one, now how will you manage.....and at the root of it all you keep asking "I JUST DON'T GET IT....WHY"??!?!?!


I have seriously racked my brain several times trying to figure out the "why's" and "I just don't get it's" behind certain things in life. But, I am so thankful that we serve a God who carries our burdens and if we must ask "why" we can simply turn it over to Him because at the end of the day He knows....and maybe when we get to heaven He'll let us in on the answer. But until then...sometimes asking the "why" behind certain things can lead to the kicker...or the method behind the madness.....WORRY!! Oh how guilty I am of this. You can worry yourself sick. Actually, I did one time. I worried about something all night and the next morning I developed a cold.....like seriously it was out of the blue. Crazy!!!!!!!!! 

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:27 that "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life". Honestly can we though??? Think about it for a minute....something that you are worrying about right now you seriously have no control over. You are not God, you are not all powerful, you can't just wrinkle your nose like the lady on the old Nick @ Nite sitcom, Bewitched, and make something happen that you want to happen. It's not possible...whatever is gonna be is gonna be. But one thing we as believers can have rest assurance of is.........and I absolutely love this........ good ole Romans 8:28.


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."


See peeps.... He works everything out for our purpose. God is a God of love. He is love. 1 John 4:8 tells us this. Read these verses below found on Love (God) in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.

 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Now....read those verses again...but this time substitute the word "love" for "God"....since God is love.

God is patient, God is kind. It (He) does not envy, (He) does not boast, (He) is not proud. (He) does not dishonor others, (He) is not self-seeking, (He) is not easily angered, (He) keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (He) always protects, (He) always trusts, (He) always hopes, (He) always perseveres. God never fails.

See again peeps!! God never fails, He always protects, He always perseveres?? What???? Yes!!! Wow...now that's something to put your trust into, and to not worry about!! How can we worry, when He has given us clear instructions to A. not to... and B. that He never fails?!?! 

So do you get it??!!

Well, to wrap it up. I am guilty as charged when It comes to this subject matter...I even worried about something today and of course kept asking "why" because I obviously wasn't getting it......but God has been dealing with me on this...everyday I am learning to turn my "whys" and my "I just don't get it's" over to the Lord.....and I trust, pray and encourage you to do the same!

"Cast all your anxiety's upon Him, for He cares for you"              -1 Peter 5:7


 Join me in doing that today..............

Baptism...so long overdue!

So....I got baptized yesterday after church service for the second time in my life. It was such a remarkable next step in my relationship with the Lord...and with that being said I really wanted to share what it truly mean't for me...and why I chose to do it a second time. Here goes....




Well...I was baptized as a nine year old child after first coming to the Lord, at a Baptist Bible camp. I said that little prayer that sometimes us Christians like to call "The Sinners Pray". As soon as I returned home from camp I was given a New Believers study guide, a new white Bible NIV edition and was told I needed to be baptized. I just honestly thought at that time, that is what you did. I have seen so many friends say the little prayer to God and then get dunked in the water and now everyone calls them a member of the Church.


soooo....that is a little background info for you....




Well.....flash forward a few years down the road, I got into highschool, lol. I am sure you know what goes on in highschool....we'll then again...maybe you don't. But, I on the other hand got off the straight n narrow path, started living my life for me. I got mixed up in the wrong crowd, still went to church mind you (youth group) but for all the wrong reasons. I either went because my parents made me, I wanted to check out he fellas (lol) or because my girlfriends would be there. Truly was not living out the Christian walk....and honestly now that I think of it, I don't sincerely believe I was a new creature in Christ. I never allowed the Spirit to transform my walk, I never read God's word because I loved Him, and only did I pick it up at church...if that. I knew who Jesus was. I knew He was savior, but I do not truly feel He was Lord over my life. There was no real relationship with Him. I had turned my back on God, but God never turned His back on me.




Flash forward now a year or two after highschool....I had joined the United States Air Force (hooray!)


I got orders while stationed in Tuscon, AZ to go to Osan Air Base, South Korea for 13 months. I was soooo excited, but scared as all get out to go to a foreign country.....but that my friends....is where God needed me to be in order to get me right with Him.


After a few months of being there, with no real friends (sure I had fellow friends at work, but not true friends like I needed) I felt so alone. Now that I look back on it, God had stripped me of everything I had placed in my life as little gods ie; cellphone, friends, car, money, material things, even food. Everything I loved and thirst for in this life was taken from me and He got me to a place where I could completely humble myself.


Well I called my mother one day after work and told her how I felt...I was lonely, no friends, and I can 't do this another 10 months etc. She replied with "why don't you visit the church on base or something Corey, I am sure you will meet some friends there". That was God speaking. So I took her advice as much as I didn't want to because you know....when your not right with the Lord...."the last place you seriously want to be in is....oh I don't know.....a CHURCH!!"


Anywho...I decided to go...and oh my....the Holy Spirit started doing a number in my soul. The preacher preached and was so dynamic....everyone was on fire for the Lord...the Spirit was moving....and I was missing out on what those people had. I had longed to be filled with something....all this time I had filled my life with these empty things...materials...bad friendships....negative relationships....etc. I remember going back to my dorm room that night on base....and I got down on my knees and cried out to Jesus. I was so repentant. I then laid prostrate on the ground for hours it seemed. I was so sorry, and had so much guilt. I think I probably confessed every sin I had ever committed....lol (I'm a little extra)...but no...I was just so remorseful that I had lived my life for myself and not for Christ who was my creator that put me here so I could have a relationship with Him. Jesus said in the Bible "you have to pick up your cross and follow Him....and be willing to deny yourself". OH that is so  what I did that night....and something that everyday as a follower of Christ you have to do...because our flesh is sooo weak, but the Spirit is willing.


I gave my heart and LIFE to the Lord that night in a dorm room floor on an Air Force base...it was real...it was raw....I was totally exposed, naked (not really, but a metaphor) in front of His thrown. I wanted Him to take have me and all of me and make me whole, because I was tired of trying to fill my life up and live my life for myself. After that night....I was so on fire for the Lord....I was just so radical! Woooooweeeee....I almost wanted to start knocking on my fellow airmans doors and start preaching the Gospel!!!!!!!!!!!




Anywho...I wanted to get baptized right after that. I approached the Pastor at the church on base and pretty much explained to him and poured my heart out to him just like I did right here in this blog. He looked at me and said "Corey, there is only one baptism in the Lord, so I don't think you need to be baptized again". WEll...me being only a week old Christian (a babe in Christ) and so weak in the Word....I was like "ok" and I took what he said as truth. After all he is a pastor and don't want to disobey the pastor...lol...jk but that is how I felt. So I carried on...but in the back of my mind...and in my heart....I felt like....no this can't be right...I am now truly saved, I am a born again Christian...I don't think I was when I was nine years old.


After several years of really digging into God's word and really soaking up His scriptures and truth there were many opportunities for me to be baptized...even at Next Level Church (where me and my hubby have been going to for 2 years now). But every time the opportunity arose that pastor's voice just kept playing over and over in my head. I was totally drowning out the Lord's voice. Well I really began to pray about it...and pray bout it and then the Lord led me to a passage in scriputure where Peter was speaking to the people at Pentecost in Acts 2:38 where he said "Repent and be baptized" and something struck a cord in me....that is what I did in Korea. I repented! When I was nine years old, I didn't repent from anything....I just said a little prayer asking the Lord to come into my heart....and it wasn't sincere. 


So I reached out to one of the pastors at Next Level. I shared briefly with him my story....and asked him just to reaffirm my feelings....."so is there anywhere in scripture where it says you can't be baptized or there is only one baptism in the Lord?" His quick reply was short and simple...."yes you can be baptized again". Gosh it felt like a weight had been lifted! For so long I had not listen to the Lord's voice! What a new chapter about to unfold.


So that is what I did this Sunday. I got baptized for the second time in my life...and it was so beautiful. I just remember sitting there and the Pastor saying "upon confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" I began to weep. I was so filled with joy because even if you have been a Christ follower for 1 week or 1 year or 25 years, we never need to forget, but always remember where He has brought us from. So Sunday it was not just me identifying myself with my new life in Christ or a public confession of faith or the symbolic meaning of dying to myself and being raised with Christ......but it was also me remembering where He had brought me from and how I am still His and He is still my Lord. 


So....if this little blog has struck a cord anywhere in your spirit, and you have never been baptized....or have been and don't remember...or maybe you don't even know Jesus as Lord and Savior and your searching....I encourage you to get in His word, reach out to someone who can explain the Gospel message to you and pray for wisdom and for God to reveal His Word and Himself to you through Jesus.


Blessings to all......




Because He lives,


Corey

Just the Hem of His Garment

I wrote this poem with the story in mind of the woman in Matthew 9:20 who touched the hem of Jesus' garment because she was in need of some physical healing. I wrote this poem sort of through her perspective. Although, she was in need of some healing from a blood disease this poem could also be looked at for those who are in need of healing from an emotional, spiritual or mental standpoint etc. Regardless of what the healing need is....we should approach only the one true Healer....Jesus. 

Just the Hem of His Garment

I could almost see him so clearly from a distance.

He was walking humbly upright.

I tried to inch my way near him, but the crowd that was following him was too thick.

I began to lose sight of him for just a moment, and then I caught a glimpse of those piercing eyes.

They indeed pierced right through my empty soul.

I must get near him I thought.

For I know that only he could heal me.

I decided to push my way through the crowd that began to grow wild.

I fell down in the midst of them all, but I still somehow kept pushing forward.

On my hands and knees I crawled towards him; weak and trembling.

If I could only just touch the hem of his garment I just knew I would be made whole.

I finally got near him, or so I thought, and I reached out my fragile hands.

I didn’t reach far enough, for he was still a little ways off.

Desperately on my knees I gave one more push through the crowd.

I was trying with all my might to get close to him.

I reached out this time with everything inside of me, and touched the hem of his garment.

For that is all that it took to make me whole.

He turned and asked “who is it that touched me?”

My heart began to melt.

“It is I, Lord”... said with much trembling.
He then reached down, and grabbed my hand, but really He grabbed my heart.

 “Woman, your faith has healed you.”....my master said.

I was full joy.

For all it took was just to touch the hem of His garment to make me whole.

Greetings Earthlings.....

Well Hi there!


Totally new at this. Never blogged before so I am venturing out into this little blogging world. At first when I heard that people blogged, I didn't quite get it. But, now totally digging what I have read from others. I love to write so why not do it here. I wanted to write about my life, our newest addition to our family, random thoughts, poetry, little spiritual uplifts and whatever else I feel led to write or share. So sit back, relax, and grab a cup of joe. Just stay awhile and sink into this little blog of mine. While you are here I hope you are encouraged, uplifted and inspired...but most of all...I hope you enjoy it!