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Christmas Story #4 “the Cabbage patch doll”

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12 days of Christmas “Story #4” Cabbage Patch Doll.

When My daughter was 4, almost 5, she really wamted a cabbage patch doll. I believed in God, but I had not given my heart to God (yet).

Anyway, I got her one, and well remember the ridiculous way people acted, shoving each other in store to get one, buying more than one and re selling them for double the price (or more). It was ridiculous. cab patch

On top of that hers got stolen, (in church no less) and that was the end of the cabbage patch doll. I have happier stories to tell you, but I must admit this was during my years of darkness.

I tried to find happiness in my own way, worldly things, and I was not a happy person.

I still loved Christmas lights, but I was convinced at that time in my life, if I only had more money I would be happy.

It wasn’t true. I’ve had more, I’ve had less. Happiness doesn’t come from how much we have (or possess) and certainly the cabbage patch doll turned out to be a very fleeting thing.

I am reminded of the book of Ecclesiasties, where the preacher said he obtained everything he ever wanted, and learned it was all vanity (and chasing after the wind). it’s a blessing to know God Loves us “through it all” even when we have wasted some of our time on vain pursuits. He loves us! so much! He is just happy to see us coming down the road…….coming home……

He doesn’t wait to chew us out or say “Done being stupid?” 
He just grabs us, fixes a big feast, and rejoices over us with singing and tears of Joy! What a great Father we have! “Our Father” who is in heaven (watching for us to come down the road to him!” ……with Love, (til next time) -Laura 

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The second mile…..according to Jesus…

a ROAD Matthew 5: 41 “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ” 

Right after Jesus sat on the mount (speaking to the multitudes) He continued to speak about other topics. One was this passage- (above) which came to mind this morning as I was pondering and waking up. 

You see, I have dreams in my heart, which I believe God placed there. Dreams of travelling, speaking, sharing all the treasures he has bestowed within me. Dreams of sharing with others (who are hurting) all the beautiful testimonies God has given me of redemption, healing, restoration, and reasons for praise! 

I have boldly declared “I will go” (travel and speak) but I seem to be ahead of my time in most everything I do. In Other words, Sometimes a vision is so real to me, I think it’s going ot happen tomorrow! I just want you to know everything I”ve ever said is going ot happen HAS happened. But not in the year or day I thought it would happen. 

I was asked to help with music in my local church about three years ago, starting with the children in an after school program. That led to more singing (in the church) and later on, a semester of teaching music at the local school (grades K to 12) and this was without a teaching certificate by the way. AMAZING!

I can’t tell you how much it blesses my heart that even recently, I sang at church (a song God put on my heart to sing with guitar) and a local person chased me down the other day saying: “I forgot to tell you, that song was so great, please do that more often!!”. It’s 2017 now. Twenty years ago I was crying and asking God WHY He would not use me in church to sing. I had learned almost every song on guitar that church did at the time. EVERY SONG …It took hours to learn them all….hours and hours and hours of time……

I prayed “Thank you Father that if I am faithful you will TRUST ME to sing and minister to your people” …..(as I learned all these songs, and practiced them over and over) And I have to tell you….I had given up on the whole thing, a few years ago.

Oh sure- I sang at this one place but for the most part I’d “thrown in the towel” Given up…..said Okay Father what’s next I surrender! Obviously I”m NOT called to sing or do music in my local church! 

Now I’m in school (full time) Pursuing a degree at a christian college, I’ve written books, I’ve made brochures…..I’ve gone on some speaking engagements…..and I’ve done a mission trip this past summer in my local region. The pastor of the church I attend now is telling me “this other church” wants you to come and sing………” 

             I wanted to keep writing books…bag the singing…..Give up on it now…

 BEING REAL HERE! See it hurts to be disappointed, and if we don’t allow God to keep working in our hearts….we may just slam the door on him! 

Well? Do I go the second mile? Or do I just say “I have other plans now, Lord!”. I asked him to open doors! I asked him to use me! (for his Glory)….who am I to decide what I should or should not do? Who am I to say “this life is MINE I will do what I WISH to do?” …….hmm …..and when I asked him “Should I be singing or should I be writing books?” He gave me that passage (Matthew 5:41) “Someone is asking you girl!! What’s the problem?” ……Incidentally I CAN Do both if I trim some corners. 

So “Father I trust your timing! I don’t understand it, always, but I trust in you! I know whatever visions you have given me that you’ve put in my heart….will come to pass. Eventually ….they will! and please Forgive me for giving up all those years ago…….because I thought you were not quick enough to answer my prayers.” and Father thank you that when something in your word Is true FOR US you will cause it to leap off the page at us! Just like this one you gave me today! It’s for me Father! and I praise you for this! IN Jesus’ name. amen ……..Laura Grace, Author, Grace to Grow the Study guide (a self contained book With studies) Available on Amazon. 

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This picture is me Christmas Concert 2016 directing the music program (Without a teaching certificate) but God was with me……..Laura Grace

 

 

 

 

 

 

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All lives matter……..

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My (deep) thoughts for today……”All lives matter”….We can pray for the families that lost loved ones in this shooting…..those who died in recent storms, hurricanes…..more that died locally in traffic accidents because someone crossed the center line….snuffing out their life in a moments’ time because of carelessness, recklessness……..

That’s all we can do is pray for comfort as we cannot bring them back. Every day I hear of those who have hidden problems ….problems nobody understands. Wierd things, things they are too ashamed to even speak of……and I understand that because I’ve had some of those (unspeakable) problems that virtually nobody but God would understand…..

Here’s one I heard of this among many “a minister” who was into sadism, made his wife do unspeakable things and tortured her…who was she supposed to tell? How could she get help without someone gasping in horror? (and adding to the problem with their own fears and horror about it? LIsten all we can do is pray and be ready to reach out to OUR corner of the world….

Each of us is ONE person…….we can only do so many things in a given day….but we can make the world a better place. ONE good decision at a time..do what you can for those around you……

WE have to and need to develop the Kingdom of God within us Giving people Jesus and a true knowledge of Him and not some religious view point is the best gift we can give anyone ….a TRUE Knowledge from his heart to your heart to their heart………….the real thing…………

In HIM is all things LIfe, Peace, Answers….HOPE ……Get Jesus in you so deep you have something to give. Establish yourself on the ROCK WIth HIM then you can pull others out of the torrid waters and pray for them in Faith. This is how we can be “the best we can be” for Jesus…….get established ..ON the Rock! Amen

Then ask him to send you where you can go…..and ask him to send you those you are equipped to help. Amen -Laura grace, author Grace to the rescue and Grace to Grow 

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Having every day faith by Laura Grace

faith is substance.jpgEvery day faith ……

You can do great things for God in your everyday life. You can have great faith and apply it to your everyday living, too. This is how God prepares us to minister to others, but if we only do it for ourselves to get better, stronger, and more powerful in him, that’s fine also. Everything does not have to be about ministry or having a great ministry somehow.

My testimony is not how I gave money to some big name minister and then POW all my prayers were answered. I studied the bible to minister yes, but wound up ministering to myself. We had this house we bought, it was too small but the only one available at the time. (detailed in my book Grace to the Rescue). For 11 years i paid on that house and watched the cost of living go up as the wages stayed the same. I watched others lose their homes and cried for them, and still stood strong in believing we would always make the payments. I would say to God “You brought us here you will help us make the payments”

Sometimes it was rough, let me tell you. There were times we looked foolish for keeping that house. We had people tell us we should just give it back to the bank, as we were upside down in it, meaning it’s value was less than what we paid. (This was after 2009)

We made improvements when it seemed futile, and kept going, even though the house was so small we sometimes had trouble being grateful for it. I would pray and say HELP US be Thankful Lord! IN Jesus’ name! 11 years later, we sold the house. God made a way for us to get a bigger house, and it’s all paid for. This was all by faith, and as I said it’s not because I tithed (I believe everything belongs to God not just 10 percent) and it’s not because this big name minister prayed for me, it’s because I kept believing, no matter what. God gave me the direction along with my husband to buy the house. From there i just said ‘you gave us the house, you will provide.” I hope this encourages someone today. I am drawing from that Testimony for a new one now, as I go forward in other faith ventures. Pressing on! With love to you all,

 

Laura Grace

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Let Go, and Let God….change you

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Letting Go

A poem by Laura Grace   based on James 1:22-25

Let go of what you cannot change

Your life will never be the same

Cast your cares upon the Lord

Hold your ground, wield your sword

The sword of truth, the shield of faith

Keeps you alive, to run your race

Enjoy the ride, as much as you can

Pray to become a brand new man

It’s really simple, and talk is cheap

You’ll be transformed, if you just stay meek

The Meek inherit, all good things

And stay out of trouble, whatever life brings

Do you know why, this saying is true?

Because, Revival

Begins with you

Laura Grace, Author, Minister

Get my new book, Grace to Soar!

 

 

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a quiet accomplisher, behind the scenes….By Laura Grace

ME In 2011 boys and girls clubHi! I’m Laura! Good Morning to you! You know, I come from a long line of “accomplishers” behind the scenes. One of My Grandma’s made thousands of cookies, thousands of meals, and made people laugh thousands of times, with her contagious laughter. She, along with my other grandma, did not have face book to share pics of their grandkids, meals, or Joyful times.

I remember scraping up change, to afford the developing of film, and sending my best pics to my grandma’s (and Mom) desperately trying to share (the moments of our lives) so I truly do appreciate social media, it keeps us in the loop!

I was thinking today, about the thousands of times my mom made meals for us, and even after I grew up, how I couldn’t wait to go have some of her home cooking. OH the excitement of sitting down, being handed a plateful of love, and then the BIG question, would you like cake? “I made oatmeal cookies, want one?”

Oh, the every day love, of remarkable women, who do every day tasks, just because someone loves for them to do it!

I’ve got my own list of accomplishments, Great spaghetti maker, Lasagna, and other certain things I consider to be “my specialty.” I know over 120 songs on guitar, self taught, plus the songs I’ve written! I spent 20 years writing in Journals, trying to keep a record of life, what God was saying to my heart, how I felt about it, all kinds of things…….

And now, this year, marks my 4th year of authoring books, a new area, I ventured into, as the Spirit of God urges me on……..

Hey, I know there are many who appreciate me, they tell me so, every day! I’m not famous and I’m GLAD! Today, on memorial day, I am remembering the people who matter to me right now, (who are still alive!) along with those who have gone before me. I am remembering every day people, who simply cherish life, their loved ones, and do those thousands of tasks, every day, without fail, getting no recognition for it, and the simple reward of knowing “THEY LOVED” Enough to do it!

God sees you doing that ………..you know? He really does! And he writes it all down!

Happy Memorial day! with love, Laura Grace