My Girlies

Thanks to you who hunted me down to find out why I haven't written to you in a while. I'm feeling better now, still coughing but on the mend. The burn on my hand is still very painful, but I can type now. This has been a crazy couple weeks!

I wanted to share some of my friends stories with you in hopes of giving encouragement and helping expose some of the self-esteem issues we allow ourselves to buy into.

Today's Girlfriends all have a "past".

Sexual impurity isn't always a choice, sometimes it's forced on us, by a stranger, a boyfriend, a relative, someone of the opposite sex or the same sex.

What ever the reason... there it is.... penetrating the spirit so deeply that in most cases bad choices, and low self esteem are inevitable.

Once dragged over to the "other side" some find it impossible to regroup. There seems to be no reason to be anything other than what we've been dealt because, after all, that's what we are now. No hope, no joy, no bright shinny future, no Prince Charming.

I don't believe any little girl playing with her dolls aspires to become someone who has sex indiscriminately, jumping from one relationship to another, or to become a prostitute.

Sometimes things happen on the way to adulthood that can shape us into things we were never meant to be.

Those things help contribute to an out of control lifestyle that can lead to an early death.

What I learned from my Girl friends that I want to share with you is, no matter how bad other people think you are, no matter what icky things you may have done or had done to you, all is not lost.

There is One that meets you where you are. It doesn't matter where you live, what kind of clothes you have on, how many tats or piercings you have, what drugs you use to kill the pain.

He doesn't care what you've done or what was done to you. He doesn't care what you've been called or even what you call yourself when you look in the mirror.

Once you meet Him, look into His eyes and take His hand that life of sexual promiscuity, pain, loneliness, and emptiness is part of your past not your future.

When He looks at you in your mess all He sees is a Princess, the love of His life. He sees beauty, strength, dignity, integrity, and purity. He sees all things beautiful in you. Everything you were created to be is reflected in His eyes.

At that moment you are transformed, restored back to what He created.

You can pack up your past and use it as a reference to help others, or you can wear it like a death cloak the choice is yours. It's not easy, but it's so worth it to move beyond the past and walk hand in hand with Him.

My friends stories have inspired, encouraged, motivated and liberated me. Realizing Jesus comes to us right where we are is so overwhelming. The Prince of Peace, King of Kings coming to my end of town to rescue me and then sending me out to tell others what He said to me...

Most churches won't let a "divorced" woman or a woman with a "past" have an opportunity to share His love with others, but Jesus sent my one friend out into her town to tell others about Him.

These friends have several things in common with many of us today. A past steeped in sexual misdeeds!

Rahab was a prostitute. Probably separated from her family due to her profession and her need for privacy. What caused her to turn to a life of prostitution is a question I plan on asking her someday. Something happened to her that made that life style a necessity. She protected the spies in exchange for the safety of herself and her family. She made a choice to do something. As a result of her action she was not only rewarded with life, but married a Hebrew and is in the Royal blood line, listed by name among all those men. She made a choice, and her past didn't get in the way of her future.Her story is in the Book of Joshua. I love this girls bravery and smarts..

My second friend is from Samaria. This seemed like an ordinary day for her, but when she got to the well her entire life was turned upside down. I'm sure there was a reason she had so many husbands. Why she was shacking up with her current fella remains to be seen. Another question for when I get to heaven. After a brief conversation about water, Jacob and political correctness, Jesus told her about her past and present living conditions. She knew He was something special and ran off to tell the Good News to the people in her town. A woman with multiple marriages used by Jesus as an Evangelist, go figure!! He didn't care about her past, He cared about her new life.... Her story is in the Book of John

My third and last friend for today was also the subject of a sexually charged story. She was caught in the "act" of adultery. After being dragged in public to Jesus for sentencing, I'm quite sure this was a conspiracy, after all where was the guy, this was a big set up at her expense. I digress. My friend knew the moment she was caught what the penalty was, and I'm sure fear gripped her entire being. In her day a woman caught in adultery was stoned to death. Today we are beaten to death by the wagging tongues of the onlookers. Little did she know that day, being thrown at the feet of the Master was the best thing that could have happened to her. He didn't condemn her lifestyle choice, He didn't do anything. He told her to leave her life of sin. Not only was her life spared that day, but her story was written to encourage anyone who's made less than stellar decisions regarding sex outside marriage. Whatever her issues were Jesus saw past them, cleaned her up and gave her a new chance at life.

I love these girls, they have been my friends and encourager's. Their lives are so real, they weren't virginal, prim, proper, churchie girls. These girls knew what forgiveness really meant.

Transformed by His love and provision.

When I was praying about sharing my girlies with you God told me to tell you this:

"I don't care how the world has abused you. I don't care how you have abused yourself or someone else. I have a plan and purpose for you and your descendants."

Don't let the sins of your past hold you back from a new life in Christ. His loving arms are waiting to hold you and make you pure.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Come Meet my Girlies

Over the next few entries I'm going to introduce you to some of my best girl friends.

Some of them I've know since I was little, but most of them have become my friends over the last several years.

Their faithfulness and flawless examples to me have been life changing.

These girls are always there for me pointing the way to hope.

As shinning examples of the Lord's forgiveness, mercy and grace I have clung to these gals on more than one occasion. They have never let me down.

They have shared their stories with me, not because they were proud of their pasts or experiences, but because of what God had done to change their lives. Thus giving me encouragement to make it through what ever current challenge I'm facing.

I look to these ladies for everything from simple DIY ideas and beauty tips to more complex issues like health and family salvation.

Each of my friends have had an encounter with God that inspires me to move closer to Him on a daily basis. With their help I am learning to put Him and His word first in my life, and to strive to be what He created me to be.

I hope you'll join me. I really want you to get to know these exceptional women and read their stories that have so influenced my life.

These gals will bless your socks off as I share their stories with you.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I am not going to turn my blog world into a forum for debate, however I apparently wasn't clear in my last posting about Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays.

So, in an effort to make my beliefs crystal clear to you and anyone else reading this, here goes.

As a Follower of Jesus, I choose to remember and celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 25.

He was not born on Dec. 25, nor does it matter what day He was born. It only matters that He was born, that He is the Son of God, that He is the only way to the Living God.

John 14:6 says:" I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Celebrating His birth is not a "race" thing, it is a "Believers" thing. Believers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and nationalities.

Everyone celebrating Christmas as we know it is recognizing the birth of the Savior of the World, whether they openly admit it or not.

His birth is the beginning of me being able to kneel at the foot of the cross and have my sins washed away by His blood.

I don't know about you, Anonymous, but I have a past, I sinned. Big sin, little sin and anything in between. If it were not for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (hence the term CHRISTmas), I would be sentenced to eternity in hell, separated from God, our Creator.

But because of Jesus, His birth, life, death, and resurrection I am able to live a life that is free from guilt and condemnation of my past. I am free, I am free!

I am celebrating my Saviors descent into this world. His birth into a world consumed with sin and disease. His birth, which was planned to lead to a horrible death just for me.

Quite frankly, I don't care about celebrating anything else on Dec. 25 or during this season.

I don't care if someone is offended by my Merry Christ-mas greeting

I don't care if someone thinks I'm being exclusive by not embracing the "Happy Holiday" mantra.

I just don't care....

I only care that, my savior was born and I am still free to celebrate His birth with child-like abandon. And I only wish you had that freedom too, it's glorious.

For you, Anonymous or anyone else out there reading this. If Jesus is not your Lord and Savior it only takes a second to invite Him into your heart. To allow Him to bathe you in His forgiveness, mercy and grace. Our past is of no consequence to Him, He loves and forgives anyone who asks. He's waiting with open arms.

When you've been forgiven, and you have been adopted into the Kingdom of the only true God, you realize with every passing year how much a privilege it is to celebrate His birth.

Thanksgiving, New Years, July 4th, Labor Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, etc. are Holidays.

The day we celebrate the birth of Jesus is a Holy Day, not to be lumped in with the other days we get off work.

Christmas and Easter are far beyond tinsel on a tree or an Easter egg.

I, for one, refuse to, for the sake of Politically Correctedness, lower either of these celebrations into something less than what they are. The Jewish celebrations would be included in my list of Holy Days, since they are the foundation stones for my beliefs.

So, my dear Anonymous, you can have all the Happy Holidays you want and never utter the words Merry Christmas so as not to offend. But, I will shout "Merry Christmas come celebrate the birth of my Savior", as loud as I can, as often as I can so everyone can hear and know HE IS LORD.

Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

Please indulge me today. I have to rant about something that has made me lose my "Christmas Spirit" for several years now.

My last 10 or so Christmases have been spent working in the Retail World.

At that certain point, while setting up all to early for Christmas the "memo" came.

With instructions in hand, Managers were to make sure each and every employee knew to use the term happy holidays rather than Merry Christmas.

Thinking of it makes my blood boil, I always made a special point, rebel that I am, not to use the term happy holidays. I just didn't say anything unless someone wished me a Merry Christmas then I would reply in kind.

Given the nature of my job, retail management, I was especially offended by the Politically Correctness of the Retail World.

Terrified a penny or worse a dime might be lost if someone were offended by the greeting Merry Christmas the term is banned in most retail organizations.

Here's the rub, if it wasn't for the celebration of Jesus birth on Dec. 25, they wouldn't be taking in over 50% of their profits for the year. The greedy corporations should be shouting Merry Christmas from the roof tops, in gratitude for the business that comes their way.

Not worried about offending Christians because they won't speak out on this issue to the "powers that be," the focus is turned on not upsetting the "Non-Christian" market.

In my mind, the Christmas buying public should be getting their feet kissed with every purchase, or at least a foot massage, especially in today's economy.

Retailers should be promoting Christmas with all the abandon they use to hush the words Merry Christmas from their sales floors.

They pull the merchandise out in September hoping to boost 3rd quarter sales, but deny the One we are celebrating.

As you shop this year, don't be Politically Correct. Wish your store personnel a Merry Christmas and don't be afraid to let the store you frequent the most know you are offended by the denial of your Lord's birth.

Speak up and speak out, why join the Politically Correct when it comes to the birth of Jesus.

Before any of you say anything, I'm well aware Jesus was in all probability born in Oct., but this is the day we celebrate it so let's let them know we are proud to be celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior.

This is not a time to be quiet and stand meekly by only to have one more thing important to the Believers taken away.

Saying Merry Christmas is just a little thing, but we as Believers have to stop letting others tell us what we can and can't say, what we can or can't display in public.

Thanks, I feel better now! Let me be the first one to say Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Blessings

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Are you in the Protected Area?

I took this picture while I was at the beach on October 31.

I can't tell you how much more fun it is to be in the ocean on a day when some places are experiencing snow!! It's like an extra special treat. Especially since I grew up in Ohio.

Seeing this sign I couldn't help but stop and take a picture.

The day we give our lives over to the Lord we enter the "Lifeguard Protected Area"

There's the same sand, waves, fish, shells. The dangers are the same on a bad day. But when I cross that imaginary line in the sand and enter the area protected, should something happen to me help is readily available.

When we cross that line and enter into the Lifeguard Protected Area of life, we still face the same challenges.

The difference is the Lifeguard is ready and waiting for our call. He's waiting for us to look to Him and then He comes running with everything we need to be rescued.

He will pick us up and carry us through the rough waters to safety. Then if needed, administer First Aid.

If you haven't all ready crossed that line in the sand and given your life over to the true, the only Lifeguard then take that step now.

He's waiting with open arms.

Nothing you've done or had done to you is to horrible for Him to handle. He can administer the appropriate First Aid for your situation. His love will set you free and keep you from drowning in the raging waters of life.

Cross over the line, He's waiting

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Sharing a Dream

I had the strangest dream last night and have been debating all day whether or not to share it with you. Usually if I have a dream I write it down, very few do I share with someone else. But for some reason I believe this isn't just for me. So, I'll share it with you.

My bedroom window opens up to my back yard which is enclosed with a privacy fence.

In my dream, when I opened my blinds I saw the privacy fence had been knocked down. Concerned, I started looking around my home to see what had happened during the night.

When I went into my bedroom, I noticed things missing. Looking into my closet I saw all my clothes were gone. To fully appreciate this you need to know the condition of my closet. It's full, were I married he would have to store his clothes elsewhere because mine fill up this closet.

So to remove my clothing would take more than one trip, lots more...

Looking at my empty closet I just couldn't believe how someone could come into my home, into my bedroom and remove all my clothes while I was sleeping. Needless to say I was more than a little upset, not just in my dream, but thinking about it even now.

The scripture that came to me is Prov.31:27. As annoying as the Prov31 woman is on a good day, I was in no mood to have her crammed down my throat while contemplating this dream. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. UGGGG!(The ugggg is mine)

OK, so for me, I reluctantly admit to you there are more than say one or two things I've been letting slide. A few things I should be doing that I'm not. Several things that I should not be doing that I am.

Watching over the affairs of our household to me means more than paying bills. It's an accountability to God for what goes on under the roof He has provided for me. Being aware, watchful, prepared, diligent in pursuing Him, relentless in pressing into Him.

Perhaps there are robbers at your door today. What can you do to protect the affairs of your household?

Seek Him, study His word, put on your Battle Gear daily so you can stand in faith, don't slack off for a minute. The enemy is seeking someone to devour, don't let it be you or anyone in your household.

When we seek Him we find him and His protection. When God is our protection, what can man do to us? Selah

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Do you FROG?

Friday and Saturday I spent time with some mighty Women of God, immersed in His presence. Filled with His Holy Spirit receiving His Love, Mercy, Grace and a healthy dose of "Come to Jesus."

Each of us running in wild abandon to His feet.

So what does that have to do with the froggies pictured here?

Plenty, I'll explain.

Freely

Relying

On

God

I have occasion to become amused with myself and my life when I realize the whole thing is nothing more than a "set up" to get me to the place where I completely rely on HIM for everything.

It's amazing at how dependent we are on people, ministries, jobs, unemployment checks, alimony, internet, TV, Books, Sunshine, Cars, Routine, well, you get my drift.

We can effortlessly put our hope and trust in everyone and everything but the One that has been the provider of our life from the beginning.

Every time something else is stripped away I have to make a conscious decision about my level of trust in my Father.

I don't know about you, but I feel at my "age" I should be one of those pillars of Spirituality, a rock, steadfast, unwavering. Sadly, I'm not.

Daily I find my self running to get close enough to fall at His feet. Completely unable to make it through a day on my own.

We each have an Alabaster Box that holds the precious things in our lives. My relationship with my children is in mine. Knowing had I not been what I was, those precious relationships would be what He wanted them to be.

Pouring the contents of my Alabaster Box out on His feet is all I can do right now. But in doing that I know He will, in His own way and time bring healing and restoration.

What ever is in your Alabaster Box run to Jesus.

When I say run I want you to picture a major sale, the last sweater in your size and color and the only thing between you and victory is a few hundred other women trying to get that same sweater. Nothing will keep you from getting to that sweater. You don't care what you have to do to get to that sweater, it's yours and it's going home with no one but you.

That's the determination we have to have when running to Jesus

When you reach Him fall at His feet, pour out the contents of your Alabaster Box. Let your tears flow down to wash His feet and with your hair dry His nail scared feet. Don't try to hold onto it thinking you can make anything happen.

Open it up and pour it out, it might be messy, you may need to forget about your eye make up streaking down your face, but healing will come.

You have to release the precious contents of that priceless box. Holding it in secret will only put off the day when Jesus can touch your situation and say "Daughter Get Up, your tears have moved me and now go and tell others what I have done for you."

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

S.A.L.T.

Before I start, almost all the credit goes to one of the young men in our church, Jason Kadlac. He spoke Sunday and shared this with us. I am always excited to see how God speaks, to one then speaks to another and it all ties in. God is so Awesome!

On my last visit here I wrote about being a role model, and this just fits perfectly.

Our church is called Merge we believe God is merging the generations together for His purpose. The motto with that is Connect, Grow, Impact.

Keeping in mind our responsibility as a role model and as Christians to share the Gospel, by our actions and our words. I'd like to share with you what Jason gave us on Sunday.

Matthew 5:13 MSG says: You are to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.

The text from his message was from 2 Corinthians 5: 16-19

S- See something worth saving. vs 16. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly

point of view." We don't evaluate people by what they have or what kind of job they do.

A- Act out your new life. vs 17 "The old has gone, the new (life) has come". Don't be an undercover Christian.

L- Love unconditionally. vs 18 "All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through

Christ." God's love is unconditional, and that's the kind of love we are to demonstrate

T- Tell others the Good News. vs 19 "He has committed to us the message of reconciliation"

Talk to people around you tell them what God has done in your life.

Thanks, Jason!!

As we fill in the space between our morning coffee and turning out the light at bed time we are an ambassador of God's Kingdom to this world. Everything we do and say reflects back on our King.

Technically we are not citizens of this world, but are Princesses and Princes of God's Kingdom. Seeing ourselves in this light puts a higher responsibility on us to protect our Father's Kingdom and to be an accurate reflection of our Homeland.

We, by our actions and our words, are to be the conduit that bring others to a place of reconciliation to our Father.

We are to Connect, Grow, and Impact on a daily basis.

Always remember who you are, who you are representing and never forget someone is watching you and will be learning how a Godly Woman or Man conducts themselves from you.

Get out there and be the SALT of the earth.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Is Anyone Younger than You?

At times I feel like everyone is younger than me. Especially with this last Birthday under my belt.

On the other hand, I'm planning on out living my Dad, who was in his 90's when he died, and his sister who is 100. So, as I see it, that puts me solidly in middle age, give or take.

Anyone reading this can look around and find someone younger than them. That makes each of us a role model for someone.

What ever else we are, we are role models.

Thinking about this responsibility God has assigned us I often reflect on what people see when they are around me. The good, the bad, and the very ugly.

Each of us has been given successes, trials, temptations, failures, loss, challenges, general life experiences to draw from.

It's not so much the junk we go through, but the way we handle ourselves, and our attitude going through the junk that speaks to others.

You may not want to be a role model, you may feel no responsibility to lead the way for someone younger, but you are. Someone is watching you and taking their cues from you.

This line of thought all came about when my friend and I were talking about single Mothers. I am one, she is not.

The whole area about older single Mothers speaking to the younger single Mothers, teaching them and guiding them was the logical follow up.

I can speak to things she can't. She has the head knowledge and the scriptures to pepper her speech with, but she's missing one thing, "Street Cred.", she has no experience. I, on the other hand have no idea what it's like to be married for 25 yrs., I can't address longevity in marriage.

The challenge is for us to become so filled with His Spirit, and His Word that our daily walk can be executed in a manner that will show those younger than us what God expects. We teach by our actions.

Make no mistake here, if you're 20 you are a role model to those teens that look up to you.

Younger women take their cues from someone. They aren't just hatched from a pod. They will either take their cues from a strong, solid, happy, secure Godly Woman, or from what society tells them is acceptable, right, and politically correct.

When someone younger than you observes how you handle yourself you are preaching a very clear gospel and I caution us all to be very careful. It's not just what you say, but what you do that teaches God's principles to a younger generation.

My generation needs to look to those who are more mature to learn how to be a solid, steady beacon of light in a very cloudy gray world. We in turn need to walk in a manner that will draw the next generation to Him.

God will put people in your life for you to draw from, He in turn will bring younger ones along side you for guidance.

He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 2Corin. 1:4&5 MSG

Older women....are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble. Titus 2:3 AMP

I encourage you to seek out someone older than you that you see God's hand on and latch on to them for dear life, learning from them. I had a very special lady give me her prayer shawl, even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. More than once I've wrapped up in it for a one on one with God, knowing I had a little more "pull" with Ana's prayer shawl over me.

In the same respect, open yourself to the concept that God does have younger ones for you inspire and teach through your life. You're not living your life just for yourself there's someone out there that needs what you have to teach them.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Compromise, is it worth it?

OK, I know you're wondering what on earth two wine bottles could have to do with compromise.

I have a point, I promise...

The bottles look the same. The contents look the same. The corks look the same. The labels are different, that's how I can tell them apart without pouring a glass and tasting the contents.

As you can see, the one on the left has less contents.

The reason for that is the quality of the contents is much better!

The one on the right looks just like the one on the left when you pour it in a glass. But when you taste it, it's bitter. Nothing like the one on the left.

The other day I had the bright idea to pour the contents of bottle A into bottle B, hoping to make bottle B better......y'all know where this is going don't ya??

God doesn't particularly care about the contents of either bottle, but at this point He decided to make a point to me and show me how really stupid my idea was.

If I had taken the good tasting yummy wine and poured it into the not so yummy cheap wine I would not have made the cheap wine better.

I would have destroyed the quality of the yummy wine by compromising it's integrity.

It would have no longer been what it was. The yucky wine would have destroyed the good wine.

Does this sound familiar?

As God's people we have so diluted ourselves that we can't be distinguished from anyone else out there.

After Church we rush to the store just like everyone else. We work on Sunday, we do everything else everyone else does with few exceptions. Not to pick on Sunday alone, but the stores are full on Sunday. Which day of the week do we then set aside for rest and reflection on our Creator? Are our Church services on Sunday enough to restore our Spirits, heal us from the past work week and prepare us for the next? I doubt it.

When we walk into a room the entire atmosphere should elevate because we are so full of God that His presence changes the air. In most public areas Christians are so intimidated by the politically correct that we whisper the name of God like we're embarrassed by Him

Daily I'm seeing the need for God's people to start drawing our world in black and white.

It's either God or it's not. Good/Evil, Yes/No, Black/White, Light/Dark

We have to start seeing a sharper image of God in order to see a sharper image of what's detestable to Him.

We have to hate what He hates, and not be cohersed into compromising truth for the sake of peace or acceptance into today's society. We as God's children can not be politically correct so get over trying.

Looking at todays society, in terms of good and bad, black and white with no gray why would we want to be participants? Why would God's people, for the sake of acceptance, want to be like those who take His name in vain and laugh tirelessly at the late night comics who mock our beliefs as outdated, uneducated and unsophistocated?

Everywhere we go should be looked as a mission field.

If God has directed us to a place, then He has more for us there than getting a cup of coffee or buying groceries. We are on a mission from God to change the atmosphere around us. We are not to be compromised and diluted into a weak, useless shell of a Christian perfectly acceptable in todays society.

We are to be fearless, ruthless, desperate in our desire for separation unto Him. We, as God's people, have to become committed to destroying every last bit of compromise that we have given in to for the sake of being accepted, popular, or considered "normal" by todays standards.

Our only standard, our only need for acceptance should be our need to be accepted and approved of by Him, our Father. Who else matters?

"The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God. Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it will be set a part for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction." Deut. 7:25,26

I know, it's the Old Testament we're the New Testament church...so then why does our Bible start with Genesis rather than Matthew? Why does the New Testament constantly refer back to the Old Testament? Because it's God's word. His blood covers us, but we must remember we are grafted in, and His word teaches us what He expects of us whether it's before Jesus' birth or after.

What we have to start doing is take an honest inventory of our beliefs, our walk, our committment, search out the areas where we have compromised and get the detestable things out of our house before it dilutes our integrity.

We won't be popular, but we will be free in Him.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Cloud by Day, Fire by Night

I promised a picture of the front of our church. Sorry the picture isn't better, but it does give you an idea what I get to look at while I'm Worshiping the God of all creation.

Today during worship Pastor Mark encouraged each of us to just be quiet and listen. Let God speak to each of us right were we were.

Now, I admit sometimes it's very hard for me to stop and listen. I have constant "chatter" going on in my head and to turn it down much less off is a challenge. Something I am working on as I grow in the Lord.

Standing there looking at this stained glass God spoke to me. Not in an audible voice, but I knew what was in my head was from Him.

He reminded me of the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire that lead His people through the wilderness.

Ex. 13:22 says: Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

He never left, 24/7. He was there in front of them leading the way to their destiny. They could look up and physically see His presence. Awesome isn't it?

What He showed me in those few minutes is this.

He's right there in front of us trying to lead the way, but we can't see Him because all we look at is the "stuff" in our life that blocks our view of Him.

I know what most of my "stuff" is, some I still haven't figured out, but I have to be diligent in hacking my way through my "stuff" so I can get Him in my sights all day and all night. I can't settle for a glimpse of Him now and then when the dust from my "stuff" settles.

We all have "stuff" to clear away from our line of vision. I don't know what yours is, but I do encourage to take stock and start clearing the "stuff" that's blocking your view from the One that is in front of you by day and by night.

He's there, in front of each of us always and it's our responsibility to look at Him and not our "stuff".

Sounds impossible, but He has put in us everything we need to clear "stuff" from our line of vision and behold Him.

Blessings

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Tea Time

It's cold. All right maybe 67 isn't cold to you, but to me it's cold and I don't like it....I live in Florida and I want it hot all day everyday, hot and sunny.

Because it's so cold I felt the only thing I could do to make myself feel better about the dropping temperature is make a pot of tea.

Making tea is a very involved process.

Choose your tea, black, green, herbal, organic herbal, flavored, caf/decaf and on it goes.

Once you've chosen your tea then you can determine the water temperature. Black tea takes boiling water, any thing else the water needs to be just below boiling.

The pot has to be prepared by putting heated water in it to warm up so it doesn't break when you pour in the water from the tea kettle.

Pouring the hot water over the tea bags starts the process of steeping the tea. For black tea 5 minutes, green or lighter tea 3 minutes.

It's the steeping I want to address here.

The unsuspecting bag full of wonderful dried leaves is placed in a tea pot. The pot is warm and very cozy, nice place to be for a tea bag. Very comfortable...warm, dark nice place for a nap.

Then out of no where comes this boiling hot water being poured over the innocent tea bag till it is completely covered.

Totally immersed in hot water, something wonderful happens, the boiling water rehydrates the leaves and as they steep in this bath they begin to do the very thing they were created to do.

They release their flavor into the water, the aroma sneaks out of the tea pot filling the air around it with an inviting fragrance.

Soaking in the hot water doesn't take forever, even though it may seem like it. A short amount of time to make an entire pot of something soothing, healing, refreshing and tasty.

Once the steeping process is complete, the tea bags are removed. They are done, they have given everything and the plain water is infused with the sacrifice of the tea bag.

At this point the flavorful aromatic liquid is poured out of the tea pot into a heated cup to benefit anyone willing to drink.

No one has to worry if the tea bags will make tea when the hot water is poured on them. They will do what they do...when the appointed time for the steeping has come the water is tea.

It's a process that has guaranteed results.

When we are steeped in the Holy Spirit we have nothing to worry about.

All we have to do is allow the Holy Spirit to wash over us and steep in it's warm liquid. Allowing God to make provision for us.

When we immerse ourselves in Him and soak up His Spirit we will come to the place where we don't worry, we Know, He will provide for us.

The Message Bible translates Matthew 6:33,34 this way: Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

He will meet our needs, all of them, when we allow Him to completely immerse us in His Spirit.

Now, lets talk about the cookies we eat with the tea......

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

God's Family

I would love to have you visit my church. Not only because it's a group of people with a strong desire to be in God's perfect will, not because we are a new church, but because we meet in a Jewish Temple.

The fact that Jesus was Jewish, and we are grafted into Abraham's line by the blood of Jesus, makes our meeting there more special to me.

In the front there is a beautiful stained glass circular window, in the window are twelve squares situated clockwise around the inside of the circle, the banner of each of the twelve tribes of Israel is in a square. Sometime I'll post a picture of it for you to see. It's beautiful.

We had our first praise and worship night a couple of Sundays ago.

God is always faithful to His people when they let go of all the outward trimmings and just get down to business and worship Him for who He is.

No laundry list, no bargaining, no looking around at what others are doing, just pure from the gut worship. You and God and no one else.....there His power is released on our behalf.

While singing I looked up at the stained glass window and started crying. You see, the pictures on the stained glass suddenly became very real to me.

I couldn't take my eyes off the piece. Each of the twelve Tribes represented there, in a place where God is so sacred, were real people.

Families, Mothers, Fathers, Grandparents, Babies, Teens, Aunts, Uncles, rich, poor, sick, healthy everyone in Abraham's lineage became human to me. These were now my people, because I have been adopted into God's kingdom.

They were real people, not just names, and words on the pages of my Bible, not just historical figures. They were real, I could see them.

At that moment I knew it wasn't just our little group worshiping, but millions of people who have gone before us. Members of those original twelve tribe and all their descendants were joining us in worship.

I was completely overwhelmed at the bigness of that moment.

Every time we raise our voice in worship it's not just us, but a chorus of ancestors all related by a covenant made thousands of years ago that's still in effect today. A covenant threaded through history, joining us by the blood of Jesus, our common denominator, the ultimate sacrificial lamb.

I think we tend to Americanize Jesus like we have a lock on all things Holy.

We get so caught up in today's modern religious practices we forget about the rich history that led us to where we are today. We forget these people are real, and we don't have a lock on anything, these people paved the way for us to be who we are today and we are paving the way for future generations.

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Gen. 22:17

We are numbered in that count, our children and grandchildren are numbered in His family

Someday people will be worshiping and we will be a part of that heavenly chorus joining them.

And so it goes, one generation leading the way for another, teaching, setting an example, telling our stories to glorify our Creator. It's so much bigger than politics, jobs, cars, jewelry, bank accounts, it's about being part of a family that is so big the numbers can't be counted.

God's Family.

So my Family members, God our Father craves our worship because He is God, we worship Him because of who He is.

Today and everyday as you go about your business take time to worship Him and listen for the millions of voices joining you in singing His Praises.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Thankful Thursday......

OK, today is "Thankful Thursday" so I will proceed...

Tuesday my friend Elizabeth and I went to the HolyLand Experience where these photos were taken.

After the body of Christ was taken down from the cross I stood there looking at an empty cross with the "blood stained" cloth they used to remove the body.

I am so grateful my Savior doesn't hang on a cross, have His remains buried in some cave in the Middle East or worse just disappeared with out a trace.

My Savior descended into the depths of hell, captured the keys to open the prison doors and set us free from sin and death.

Because He took every sin, temptation, and disease into Him self and carried it with Him to the cross we are free.

He has the keys ready for us to take and use to pray our children free, to pray release for our household and to open the doors to total restoration.

He's holding the keys out for us to use to unlock healing for our household, friends, and our Country. He has all ready done the work, all we have to do is go with all the faith we have and start opening doors.

I can see them opening now.

Some of them rusted shut. With some anointing oil on the hinges and the Keys to the Kingdom in our possession we can call our family out from behind locked doors and into His presence for salvation, healing, deliverance, restoration, total forgiveness and unconditional love.

We as Godly Women and Men are challenged to put on God's Armor, pick up out Battle Gear and

start unlocking some doors.

He's done His part, now it's time for us to do ours.

If you're weary in battle, don't give up....He will send Angels to minister to you, He will lift you up with His right hand and you will regain your strength to keep standing on your families behalf.

Always remember, you are not alone in this fight, and in that have peace and rest assured what He has started He will finish.

So, what are you thankful for this beautiful Thursday?

Congratulations to my friend Elizabeth who became an American Citizen today!! God Bless America...

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

My Plan vs. God's Plan

Plan A. Graduate High School, go to college, become a teacher, get married, have children, be a stay at home Mom. OK I'm telling my age on this one!

Plan B. Go to Cosmetology school, get my license, work, get married have children, work part time.

Plan C. Go to Canada with husband and children, live on a religious commune, wait to become the "voice crying in the Wilderness" OOPS!

Plan D. Return to USA with husband and children, be a stay at home Mom

Plan E. Join Mary Kay, work my way up the ladder to National Director, take care of my family for life! Loved my Pink Cadillac.....

Plan F. Walk into sin....take my family with me...divorce, marry again then 20 years of blackness and pain

Plan G. Go through the divorce from Hell, lose everything important to me, start life over in my 50's

Plan H. Find a career I can do for the rest of my life b/c no retirement, see Plan G.

Plan I. Great job secure for the rest of my working days, get laid off due to Company going under

Plan J. Live on unemployment, w/o alimony that was awarded being paid, see Plan G.

Plan K. Find a career I can do for the rest of my working life while on unemployment see Plan J

Plan L. Find a great hobby on line writing sharing my faith, but it doesn't pay the rent.

Plan M. Fall helplessly into the arms of my Father realizing plan A-L are my plans and His perfect plan is yet to unfold for me.

Relinquishing all rights to my life's plans and ambitions brings me full circle don't you think?

I'm back to Plan A. Only this time, with much prayer and humbleness, I will walk toward, and not side step from my Father's path.

All my failed plans are strewn like flower petals behind me.

The good news is, from each failed plan I have learned lessons that have propelled me forward. I have met true friends that will be carried with me on the rest of my journey.

Where am I going now? I don't know....

What I do know is this...

Many are the plans of a woman's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Prov19:21

Even with all my past failures, because my heart is turned toward my Father, His purpose will prevail in my life.

Should He choose to not reveal it to me right now, it's OK. I have come to learn to trust Him and not try to orchestrate too much because I don't want to be so caught up in my plans that I miss His.

In sharing all this with you I want you to see and understand something very important.

Our past doesn't matter, when we come to the end of ourselves and fall at His feet, He'll pick up the broken pieces, dust us off and set us on the perfect path He designed for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

So, whatever life's plan you find yourself on right now, it's not too late to give it up and run to the One that all ready has your life's journey planned from the end to the beginning.

Run to Him, His arms of love are open wide.

He's waiting to turn your life into the very thing He created you for. Turn all your past over to Him and let His creative energy be your guide into your God created future!

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Free To Be Me

I have entered a scholarship contest to attend a Retreat for Women who have blogs. Go figure!

I love the name "FREE TO BE ME" wow.....

Since my unemployment began in March I have stumbled upon a whole new world on the internet.

No, not just my farms, my yoville world, and my tropical island, pillow fights, water fights, and Twitter but a world of Women who share what God has given them.

I discovered the world of ministry in blogging.... wow, what a concept.

While checking for jobs, applying for unemployment, I could write down all the "stuff" God was putting in me.

I had an outlet.

My concern was, I'm not that computer savvy, html and links, and all are a foreign concept to me.

Slowly, as I take baby steps, I'm learning enough to put the words He has given me out there.

It's not fancy and certainly not professional, but it is from my heart and I believe that has to count for something.

When the Single Mother's Ministry I was helping with was stopped by the church I was attending, I had no where to "get rid" of the words God would put in my heart. I kept writing lessons and shared them with a few close friends.

I am so happy to be able to share what He has given me and so honored that He would give me words to say.

So, if your reading this, I would like to thank you for being here.

I can only pray that as He gives me words and I put them out there for people to read, somewhere in the process a few hearts will be touched.

Whatever He is putting in front of you, step out. Even if it's something you've never done before or never even thought of before, it could be the beginning of a whole new adventure for you and God. Don't be afraid, He's holding you up and if you fall flat on your face, He'll pick you up and set you on your way.

If you are interested in more information on the retreat there's a link on the side bar of my blog. I have no idea how to put it in here so you'll just have to look for it! :)

Blessings

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

God's Garden

Pictured to the right are our sad, sad tomato plants.

Amy did her best to grow tomatoes. She watered, weeded, separated, sprayed for bugs, prayed and whatever else we could come up with to make them healthy and produce beautiful tomatoes.

I cheered her on trying to come up with semi-intelligent suggestions to make those darn thing produce food for us.

The plants were tall, lots of leaves, looked healthy on the surface, but very few flowers formed and no tomatoes at all. :(

We are very sad at the dismal future of these plants.

After examining these pretty plants closer I saw something very important. They barely had any roots.

I don't know how the plants grew so tall when the roots were so pathetic, unless it was for me to share this with you today. Funny how God uses our apparent failures to teach valuable lessons...

Without a good strong deep root system the plant can't get the nourishment it needs to produce food.

If we as Christians don't have a good solid deep root system we will be uprooted by the first breeze of deception that blows our way.

We have to be grounded and rooted in His word in order to produce any fruit at all, much less flourish as God intended.

By daily studying His Word and ingesting it into the very depths of our being we can cultivate a solid, deep root system that will cause us to grow and flourish on top of the ground where the fruit will produce life.

Jer. 17:8 tell us, "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; it's leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of draught and never fails to bear fruit."

The deeper and bigger our root system is the more lush and tasty the fruit will be on the surface.

But, remember the root system is established first, before you even see a sprout above ground the roots are digging down deep into the soil for nutrients, water and stability.

I think as Christians, we need to learn to first dig deep, get our root system healthy and stable before we try to impress people with what's on the surface.

If we don't we will be toppled over by the first wind of deception that blows our way.

Join me in the dirty work of digging deep into the word to establish a life system that will support us during trials and temptations.

Pull out your Warrior's Manual, let your Spirit drink in the Water of the Word and feel the good earth between your roots building strength for the Battles to come.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Warrior in a nursing home, my Dad

There's a lot I could write about my Dad, but since this is the anniversary of the Attacks on America I want to share this story with you.

He was in a nursing home in Nashville, Tn in his nineties and having had multiple hip fractures couldn't walk any longer.

He was a decorated WWII veteran and extremely patriotic, he loved this Country.

When he heard the news of the attacks something happened, the same thing that happened in many of our veterans.

The very thing he fought to protect was being attacked, his family was in danger, everything in him rose up ready to go back to battle.

He wanted his gun, he wanted his boots and he wanted to be put in a chair so he would be ready.

He had a full sized American Flag put up in his window. He wanted to make sure if any of those @#@# flew by they would know who was in that room.

He was ready and fully willing to go back into battle to protect what he valued so highly.

Some people thought it was "cute", but I was so proud. Here was this little frail man who's body was just not able to function anymore with a warrior mentality. Ready, mentally prepared to lay his life on the line again for his Country.

He wasn't in a depressed state or suffering from any mental issues that come with being older he was fully aware of what was going on and was fully ready do make the sacrifice to protect and defend America.

He died two months later, never really recovering from the stress of the attacks.

He never stopped asking for his gun and boots.

To the end a frail gentle man with a warriors heart.

His memorial service was attended by a military guard, they read his service record and said they were proud to be attending his service.

As they presented me his flag all I could do was sob, but once again I was so proud of that little frail man with a warrior spirit.

Today, as we remember the Attacks on America tell your children and grandchildren. Never let this time in history get buried and made any less than what it was. And don't ever think it can't happen again.

God Bless America and all those who protect Her.

Blessings

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Now you see Him, now you don't

A few weeks ago my friend, Elizabeth and I went to the Orlando Science Center to see the sky through the huge telescope they have.

I'm not much of a student of the stars, planets and such but it sounded like an interesting evening.

We climbed up into the little tower where the telescope was then at the right moment we each got to climb a ladder to look at Jupiter.

I wasn't too happy about climbing a ladder when I'm all ready at the tippy top of the building. But I figured I was there and didn't want to look like a chicken so I took a DEEP breath, acted like everything was super duper and climbed up. The ladder did have hand rails and I was hoping no one noticed I was grasping the rails like they were my sole link to life.

Focusing in on the telescope I saw Jupiter and it's moons. Cool, how fast can I get down this ladder and down the circular stair way to a safe place??

Once safely on the top of the building we could see Jupiter on our own. It was a very bright light, not too impressive unless you're into that kind of thing.

Then the clouds started to roll in and I stood there and watched as Jupiter slowly faded away.

I knew it was still right where it was before the cloud cover, but I couldn't see it. All I could see with my eyes was darkness. I kept watching the spot like I was going to get some kind of sign that Jupiter knew I was rooting for it to be uncovered so we could see it again.

Standing there in the darkness staring at the sky that once had a pretty light for me to focus on I realized how cool it was for God to provide me with a little visual of Him and me.

I was so excited when I realized all this, I started talking as fast as I could trying to explain what I was seeing to Elizabeth, who by now knows me well enough to just hold on for the ride till I'm done with my "revelating".

This was amazing...I saw Jupiter, I knew it was there because I saw it. After the clouds covered it and I couldn't see it anymore, was I sure it was still there? Of course, because I knew it didn't fall out of the sky it was just behind a cloud cover. I had faith to believe it was there, behind the clouds.

When God is bright and shinning, preforming miracles on our behalf, bringing our household into salvation, raining down financial blessings, healing our illnesses, and all the other great stuff He does we all can see Him with our eyes and marvel at the beautiful light.

We are so excited knowing He's shinning just for us we can't help pointing Him out for others to see.

But what happens when the clouds roll in?

Are we still looking?

Are we still excited?

Are we still pointing Him out to others?

Are we still able to "see" Him behind the clouds?

Are we strong enough in our faith walk that we don't need to "see" Him constantly to know He's there?

When we can't see him because of a cloud cover what do we do? Worry that maybe He's left and forgotten us or Praise Him because we know He's always there?

Matthew 28:20 promises, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It doesn't matter where we are in our journey, or what inconvenience we're facing today, He promises He's right there with us.

It's our choice to believe Him.

It's our choice to exercise our faith and thank Him for being our covering, our protection, our everything, even if we can't see Him.

We can have faith that He's behind the cloud taking care of our business.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Whose Battle is it?

These are my children. The Bride is my newest daughter-in-love. My other d-i-l was probably chasing kids. Not sure where my son-in-love was either. Aren't they beautiful? I digress.

I firmly believe the prayers of a Mother for her household have a special place in God's heart.

Sometimes our prayers are ones of thanksgiving, but for the most part our prayers are battle cries.

When a Mother is crying out for the salvation of one of her children, or praying a covering over a child that she doesn't know where they are, or a Mother trying to capture her child out of the jaws of death all heaven is moved.

When these Mother's groan in travail for their children, with no one to turn to but God Himself, I can see God hushing the Angels and saying, "Hush, listen, that's one of My Girls, she needs Me."

I know with out a doubt the fervent prayers of a Mother touches the very heart of God. And those prayers hold a power only God, the Angels and another Mother can understand.

I have anointed pictures, pillows, clothing, mattresses and whatever else I could sneak a dab of oil on while praying over my children. I've cried, spent sleepless nights, cried some more praying,praying,praying for issues to be dealt with and healed, for restoration, salvation, guidance, the list goes on.

Every now and then something spectacular happens that lets me know God hears me and is bringing His plan into reality for me.

I'm changing my mental picture of a Mother. You know the one, apron on, dinner cooking, laundry folded, carpet vacuumed, gentle, smiling, mild tempered. Mrs. Cleaver, we all know the image.

What I'm beginning to see is not a domestic goddess but a warrior. Totally clad in her battle gear, sword drawn, watching, on guard, alert, standing ready at a moments notice to storm hell's gates for her household if needed.

2Chronicles20 gives us our battle plan step by step.

In vs.3 Jehoshaphat proclaimed a three day fast when he heard about the armies on their way to attack. During this time he was determined to hear from the Lord .

When the whole nation was gathered Jehoshaphat spoke out in verse 12 saying, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You "

Then someone from the crowd spoke out and said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not your, but God's. Then he told them, "You will not have to fight this battle, TAKE UP YOUR POSITIONS; STAND FIRM AND SEE THE DELIVERANCE THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU. DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."

After that Jehoshaphat and the whole crew bowed down in worship before the Lord. Then the Levites stood up and praised the Lord with a very loud voice... no whimpering or crying here, praising loudly is how we are to go into battle.

Jehoshaphat appointed worshipers to go out ahead of the army. The worshipers were the front line assault force in this army.

As they began singing, praising, and worshiping the Lord Himself set ambushes for the enemy army. The bad guys became so confused they began killing each other, not one of them was left.

When we go into battle for our children, after fasting and seeking God, we get loud. We put on our game face, we put on our armor, we praise and worship thanking God for the victory He is about to hand us.

The battle is not ours, it's God's. That doesn't mean we sit idly by, no, we train, we prepare, we move out in praise and worship to the battle field then we stand on His word.

The Bible says it took them three days to haul back all the loot they gathered from the armies.

When we allow God to orchestrate the battle, not only are we assured the victory but He provides us with all the spoils. I believe the spoils will be all the things the enemy has stolen from us in the past, everything he owes us God will allow us to collect.

There's a lot of warfare to do, as we learn this battle plan we will get into position more quickly and the battle cry from the core of our very being will be a shout, a loud sound of praise. Then God will step in and set the ambushes.

Victory is ours, the battle is God's. What a sweet deal! Only a loving Father, a mighty protector would fight the battle for His Children. I don't know about you, but I'm so glad I'm one of His favorite Girls.

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

Thankful Thursday......

As I read through my favorite blogs today I noticed a theme. Thankful Thursday was the going topic in many blogs so I figured I'd add my partial list.

Sorry I don't have fancy pictures and special fonts to make this more special, but my list is just my list

1. I'm thankful that while being unemployed I have been able to see the favor and generosity of my Father through friends, family and sometimes financial surprises!

2. I'm thankful I was able to attend the A Woman Inspired conference.

Because of what I learned I was able to start this blog, and meet some

really cool girls.

3. I'm thankful to belong to the church I attend

4. I'm thankful all four of my children and my grandchildren are healthy

5. I'm thankful for my health

6. I'm thankful for friends that encourage and support me

7. I'm thankful I have had the privilege of housing and "Mothering" kids that

needed a "Mom" or just a place to stay.

8. I'm thankful God will reveal His plan for my future in His time and until then

I can rest in the knowledge His plan is so much better than mine would be.

9. I'm thankful I live in a free nation where I can agree or disagree with out

threat of imprisonment.

10. I'm thankful God sent you here to visit me.

I'm curious, as you read through my list what things came to your mind that you are thankful for? List them in the comments so I can get to know you better.

Now it's almost Favor Filled Friday and God will move in a new and exciting way just as He did today. Are you anticipating Favor for Friday? I am

Blessings,

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty

God's Favor

Yesterday, as we all know was Monday. Enough said, it was Monday.

This week my Monday started Sunday night! It's bad enough Monday is Monday, but when it starts a day early that's just more than any one girl should have to deal with!

My car tags are up for renewal in Sept., I received the notice from the State a couple weeks ago. I didn't open it, I knew when it was due, why open it and have to worry about the money for tags a month in advance?

I knew there would be plenty of financial challenges between now and the end of the month and I didn't want to add the cost of tags to my list. So in my Scarlett O'Hara fashion I "filed" it unopened!

I did notice someone posting about the cost of tags going up in Fl. but I decided they certainly wouldn't do it till the beginning of next year.......silly me!

Sunday, the beginning of my Monday, I happened to see on the news the price for the tags was going up not just up, but UP almost double, Sept. 1, Tuesday.

As I sat it total shock, visualizing a calendar in my brain, with today as Sunday, Monday came next and was the 31 I suddenly realized what all the fuss was about!!

I had NO money to get my tags and only one day to orchestrate the purchase of 2 years worth, to "put it to the State" for hiking the cost of my tags!!

Florida was graciously allowing all born Sept-Nov to buy tags at the low low cost of what we had been paying, enabling us to avoid the hellacious fee hike they were about to impose on us for two years.

I needed to come up with $71 in less than 24 hours!! Remember, no money in the bank!

Immediately, I went into panic mode.

Where was I going to come up with that kind of money that fast??

I sent a text message to my youngest son who said he might be able to help out with one year. Whew..at least one year taken care of.

Out of sheer lunacy, I sent my ex an email reminding him how long it had been since I'd seen an alimony check and perhaps he could send me a little something to help out. Now, that was a move of a desperate woman.

All this on Sunday night, Monday hadn't even arrived yet!!!

I had to let my friend know about this financial burden the State was imposing on us because her birthday is in Nov., now two of us were trying to scramble to raise funds for these tags!! I had to share with her, misery loves company! Plus, I wanted her to pick up on the savings if she could.

My friend offered to pay for mine and hers on her card and gave me all her information. How sweet was that??

As we were plotting our attack on the tax office, her from her work and me from my home we discovered:

A. tax office didn't take phone orders

B. Neither of us could go stand in line, she worked and Amy was using my car

C. Couldn't go on line because the renew web site was shut down!! Of course everyone inFlorida who's birthday was Sept-Nov. was trying to get on to get their tags.

Are you getting the picture here? This was a time crunch, an all out assault against the tax system and we were bound and determined to win.

War had been declared!

I took all the info. I needed from my friend and proceeded carefully moving forward into attack position.

The web site was down. I called, was put on what seemed like a never ending hold, finally I got though. Victory was in my reach!

Armed with credit card and ready to do battle I was informed they didn't do phone orders.

I don't remember what I said but groveling and tears were involved.

OK she would help me, but not on someone else's credit card. Panic set in, then I remembered Amy put her rent money in my checking account that morning. Full speed ahead, I whipped out my card and gave her my numbers. Yes.... victory!!!! I won, two years of tags for a mere $71 WHOO HOO!!!!

With one victory down, no one could stop me from finding a way to get my friend's tags. After all, her giving me everything but her first born was a verbal temporary power of attorney, at least in my mind.

I checked the news, it didn't look good for anyone not standing in concert ticket sized lines. I saw they were issuing vouchers if the web site went down.... BINGO... had to get voucher at all cost....

I called back, waited on hold, disguised my voice just in case it was the same person from the enemy camp answering the phone. Introduced my self with my new temporary identity, kind of James Bondish, don't you think??

Was told the vouchers were issued if their access to the State web site went down. Ouch, temporary set back.... think fast.....all I remember is more groveling, more begging for mercy.

The next thing I remember was giving "my" tag number, then "my" address, all "my" pertinent information....Victory was at hand!!!

Mission accomplished!!!

After catching my breath, doing an "in your face" victory lap and allowing the adrenalin to stop pulsing through my body I reflected on the whole scenario.

I was geared up, I was pumped, ready to do whatever I needed to do to make this happen, but.....

God allowed me to have the victory. His favor had people doing what they normally don't do, in a crazy situation that should have turned out very differently.

Luke2:14 NIV tells us, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His FAVOR rests.

Peace? There was no peace. I was fighting a battle, on my own....No peace

Looking back, isn't hind sight wonderful, I had no need to go into "crazy mode", God had it all planned for me. All I had to do was take one step at a time, proceed in His anointing and the whole issue wouldn't have been like a circus!

We operate under a different set of laws. His Kingdom operates differently and when we are grafted into His Kingdom we are placed under His mantle of Favor and Grace.

So, next time I go into battle, I must stop, check my Battle Gear and then proceed to victory.

I know He was getting a chuckle out of my antics. He must have been thinking "Silly Girl, don't you know I have it taken care of? You have favor with the King, your Father, what do you have to worry about?"

You have unmerited favor with the King of Kings also. What ever battle you face today, His favor rests upon you.

Blessings

Princess, Daughter of the King of Kings

Mother of Princesses and Princes

Grandmother of Royalty