I'll praise You in this storm

Early in the morning on January 12, 2009, I received a call that no one ever wants to get. "I have bad news," my dad said. My cousin, Sherron, had been shot. He died a few minutes after my dad called me. I was devastated to say the least. He was only 27 years old. To make matters worse, the suspect is a career criminal. I won't go on about the manner of his death. I'd rather talk about his life, and even more, the good news that he had accepted Christ mere days before his death.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior a mere 2 1/2 days before his time on this Earth was over. He had no idea it would all be over when he accepted the call on that Friday afternoon. I am rejoicing--not that he's gone but that we'll be together again in heaven.

These last two weeks have been rough. I've been sad, angry, frustrated, confused, and numb at various times. I am finally at peace and at a point where I realize that no matter what I am going to praise the God who gives and takes away. I praise Him in this storm. I praise He who gave my cousin another chance for salvation before he took his last breath on this Earth. I praise He who is the Alpha and the Omega. The lover of my soul. The only one who can see me through this storm. Despite my sorrow at the loss of my cousin, I praise the Lord because He is faithful no matter what.

I have also been praying for the suspect and his family. Forgiving him has not been easy. I have times when I am angry that he took a life that was so precious and sweet. However, anger, hatred, and unforgiveness only hurt me. They get in the way. They cause me pain and anguish. So those things I have given up in prayer to the Lord. Vengeance is not mine--but His. So, I will continue to praise Him in this storm.

I do extend this message to anyone who does not know the Lord. You know neither the day nor the hour of when your time will be over on this Earth. Is your house in order? Will you be in heaven rejoicing with the believers? Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him into your heart and life. He will forgive you your sins and love you more than you ever thought possible. He will be your shelter during any storm. Please don't wait until it is too late!

Can others see Christ in me?

I have been thinking lately about my life and if I am a good representative of Christ. I have wondered if others are able to see Him in me. The answer, unfortunately, is no a lot of the time. Not that I am doing things that are blatantly wrong. I am also just not getting out there and being a witness the way I should either. In other words, I've just been blending in the background. Why? Am I ashamed to let people know? Am I worried about offending others? I know at work I cannot speak of my faith because there are laws against that. However, I could definitely witness more outside of work--to friends, family, and others. I am more active in church and various ministries. However, I am praying for guidance on what God would have me do because I know there is more. He has a plan for me. I do not have all of the vision, but I know big things are going to happen. I am excited to see what God reveals. I will certainly do my part to tell the whole world about the greatest gift this world has ever received--Jesus Christ!

An update a long time in the making!

Wow! So much has changed in the many months since I last posted. I am in the midst of my first full year of teaching. It has been an interesting journey to say the least. My husband and I have joined a church and met some awesome people along the way. We are both working on becoming more active in the church as the Lord leads us. We are just weeks from closing on our first home! My husband has a great job! The Lord has blessed us in so many ways that it at times is overwhelming--in a wonderful way!

Everyday I see just how God can and does work in our lives. Whether it's putting us in a position to meet up with people at the right time--or healing us from bronchitis--or making a way financially when things seemed stacked against us--God is able to do it all!

Blessings

Wow! So much has happened since I last posted. I am teaching at a local high school. It has been a very different experience, but so far a very rewarding experience. I do love that I will get to impart knowledge (I hope!) to the kids. They are great kids for the most part. Something that worries me is that kids don't really have respect for adults the way they used to. It also worries me the way they talk, dress, and behave. I'm very conservative, but I guess I just wish they realized that they should just enjoy being children while they can. It goes by so quickly! I am sure I was the same way at their age, but I just know that they face so many things I didn't have to face...Internet predators, more pressure to do drugs and have sex (those things were issues when I was in HS, but it seems more wide-spread now). I just pray that more of them realize that they don't have to rush to be adults when they aren't prepared to handle the consequences that come with those actions. I realize now that being an adult carries an awesome responsibility for which high school students just aren't ready. I pray for my "kids" (yes, I view them all as my kids) every day. I pray that I am able to reach them. I know that I am limited in what I can discuss with them as far as religion goes. I do let my actions show my faith though. More than anything, I wish for them all to have the lives full of promise and hope that God can give them!

Getting in the Word

Good morning, all! I am really enjoying getting in the Word. I am doing a study of the books of the Old Testament. In the past, my focus was always on the New Testament. I believe there is so much to be learned from the OT. The history, the prophecies, the wisdom...it's all amazing. I have actually tried getting into OT study before, but I usually got discouraged when the genealogy parts came up. I'm taking a new approach to that. I have a renewed interest in those parts of the OT because I want to absorb everything about the history of Biblical times and the lineage from which our Savior came into His human form. I am so excited as I know my journey through the Word and my quiet time with God will only bring me closer to Him. I am just in awe that He loves me so! I know I am not worthy, but through Him I am a new creature! Love it love it love it! Anyway, I must get to work now. I just wanted to give Him the praise this morning and share my excitement.

New Wife

Well, I just got married on Nov. 18, 2006. I found myself faced with a new challenge...being a Christian wife. My first big challenge is figuring out how to earn some money while allowing me to stay at home so that we can begin our family. We both agree that we do not want our kids shuttled around to daycare or babysitters when they do arrive. Furthermore, we do not want to be in such a bind that if something were to happen to my husband, that our family would have no income. So, I've been researching various work-at-home opportunities. So far, it seems that many of them are scams of various levels. I have been praying for discernment, and I know that God will lead me to the right opportunity.

My husband and I are looking for a church as well. We have visited a few churches, but we have not settled on one just yet. I'm accustomed to churches that are more upbeat and even charismatic one might say. My husband is accustomed to churches that are a little more (OK a lot) more traditional. We are trying to meet in the middle on that one without compromising because it is important that we find a church that will allow us to grow even more in our faith.

As for our family, it's just the two of us right now, but we would love to be able to add to our family in about a year or two. We wanted to spend time growing as husband and wife first & building up other aspects of our family and relationship before introducing children into the mix. Above all we are praying for God's will. So, pretty much, whenever He blesses us with children, we are ready.

I think this blog will be a great outlet for me as I search for a church, a job, and as I grow as a Christian. I can share things with others...my testimony, praise, and other things. I also love to help out others. If it is a prayer request you're needing or just someone to listen, I can be there. Just leave me a message:-) With God's love and all of mine,

Lanisha