Next to Impossible

What do you do when you are faced with impossible odds? When it seems the cards are stacked against you so to speak, how do you handle the situation?

We all face difficult circumstances and sometimes even situations that look to us to be impossible. There are days when it seems not worth it to get up in the mornings. Days when it seems all our friends are gone and we are standing alone against the impossible. I'm sure you know the saying "when it rains, it pours" and it seems we just can't take another thing, then something else happens, something else breaks, someone else gets ill, the job ends, the food runs out, the clothes wear out, then what? We pray and pray and it seems as if we are just talking to ourselves. The burdens of life become insurmountable. The pressure makes you feel as if you will explode if one more thing happens. How do we handle this?

Giving in or giving up is not an option! We must keep going, we must keep putting that one foot in front of the other. I have good news for you today, God is amazing at impossible situations! You see, when the three Hebrew children were cast into the fire, God could have stepped in and rescued them before they were thrown into the furnace, but He didn't.....It was when they were cast all the way in that they found God walking with them in the flames.( from the song, "On Time God") 

You want to talk impossible.....being cast into a furnace, bound, death is imminent, and then God steps in.....that does something to my spirit! It lets me know that it does not matter how difficult this race becomes, how hard or how long the days are, how many times I stumble on the way, that God sees me and He cares so much that He will step into the worst situation and rescue me.....He is not afraid, He is not confused, He is not worried.....but He is powerful, He is on-time, He is faithful!

For me right now, the greatest thing I can think of is that He sees me.....out of everyone else, regardless of what else is happening in the whole world at this very minute, He sees Me!! That is compassion, that is love....I am loved by an all-powerful, King of Kings, Master of the Universe. I don't have to wait for my prince to come and rescue me, He already has!! I am loved and cared for by the royalty of Heaven. When I stop and think of that I can continue the journey. I am then reminded that NOTHING is impossible for God.......... if  you are in a situation now and you need someone to pray for you just leave me a message below in the comments, you don't have to elaborate, just a simple "I need prayer"....and I will remember you when I pray.

Continuing the journey
Regina
I heard this a while back and it stirs my heart every-time I hear it until I just can't stay in my seat...I hope you will take the time to listen and watch this today and let it encourage your heart....


In case you are unable to watch the video here are the words for you to read.....very powerful
THE BIBLE SAYS
HE’S THE KING OF THE JEWS
KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
KING OF GLORY TOO
HE’S ENSHRINED AS SOVEREIGN KING EVERY WAY
HE’S THE KING OF THE HEAVEN THE AGES AND MORE
HE’S THE KING OF ALL KINGS
AND HE IS THE LORD OF LORDS
NOW THAT’S MY KING!
AND I WONDER DO YOU KNOW HIM TODAY?
HE’S EN-DURABLY STRONG
HE’S ENTIRELY SINCERE
HE’S ETERNALLY STEADFAST
IMPERVIOUS TO FEAR
HE’S IMMORTALLY GRACEFUL
WITH THE IMPARTIAL MERCY HE’S SHOWN
HE’S BEEN MISINTERPRETED AND MISREPRESENTED
HE’S UNPARALLELED
HE’S UNPRECEDENTED
AS THE GREATEST PHENOMENON THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN
NO MEANS OF MEASURE 
CAN BEGIN TO DEFINE 
HIS LIMITLESS LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND
HE’S THE SINNERS’ SAVIOR
STILL THE ONE TRUE ONLY WAY
HE’S THE LOFTIEST IDEA 
IN ALL LITERATURE READ
THE HIGHEST IDEAL 
IN THE PHILOSOPHERS HEAD
THE REAL OF THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE
NOW DO YOU KNOW MY KING TODAY?
THAT’S MY KING!
THAT’S MY KING!
I WANNA LET EVERYBODY KNOW 
THAT’S MY KING
HE’S STRENGTH FOR THE WEAK
FOR THE TEMPTED AND TRIED
HE SUSTAINS AND LEADS
HE EVEN SYMPATHIZES 
HE DEFENDS THE FEEBLE
TO THE DOWN AND WOUNDED
HE’S A SHIELD
HE REWARDS THE DILIGENT
TURNS LOSERS TO WINNERS
DISCHARGES THE DEBTORS
HE FORGIVES ALL THE SINNERS
AFTER 2000 YEARS HE STILL SAVES AND 
DELIVERS AND HE HEALS.
HE’S LIMITLESS IN GOODNESS 
MERCY AND LOVE
HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
HIS WORD IS ENOUGH
HE’S THE KEY TO ALL KNOWLEDGE 
AND THE PATHWAY TO EVERY GOOD THING
HE’S THE HIGHWAY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
COMPASSION TO INDIFFERENCE
HE’S THE WELLSPRING OF WISDOM
HE’S THE DOORWAY TO DELIVERANCE
YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT HIM 
AND YOU CAN’T OUT LIVE HIM
DOES ANYBODY KNOW MY KING?THAT’S MY KING
THAT’S MY KING
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT’S MY KING
THAT’S MY KING
THAT’S MY KING
I WANT EVERYBODY KNOW THAT’S MY KING
NOW LISTEN LISTEN
I WISH I COULD DESCRIBE HIM 
BUT HE’S INDESCRIBABLEHE’S SO INCOMPREHENSIBLE
HE’S UNDENIABLE
HE’S THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE INTOXICANT 
YOU WILL EVER HEAR ABOUT
HE’LL MAKE YOU WANNA SING
HE’LL MAKE YOU CLAP YOUR HANDS
HE’LL MAKE YOU WANNA TESTIFY
AND PREACH TO EVERY MAN
HE’LL MAKE YOU WANNA STAND UP
MAKE SOME NOISE 
AND JUST SHOUT 
THE SADDUCEES COULDN’T STUMP HIM
THEIR QUESTIONS NO PROBLEM
THE PHARISEES COULDN’T STAND HIM
THEY ALL COULDN’T STOP HIM
SOLDIERS COULDN’T SCARE HIM
NOBODY COULD MAKE HIM LEAVE TOWN
PILATE COULDN’T FIND ANY FAULT IN HIM
ANGRY MOB COULDN’T CHILL HIM
THE CROSS DIDN’T SLOW HIM
AND HEROD COULDN’T KILL HIM
DEATH COULDN’T HANDLE HIM
AND THE GRAVE COULDN’T HOLD HIM DOWN
THAT’S MY KING
THAT’S MY KING
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/carman-lyrics/that_s-my-king-lyrics.html ]

A Special Place

Today I accomplished something I had been wanting to do for a while. I turned my spare bedroom into my homeschool room...We had been having school in the dining room and living room, but something about seeing the school things stacked in there every evening just stressed me....so today I accomplished this goal of moving everything around and making a special place just for the kids and I. It feels so amazing! And when I had finished, this great sense of relief came over me.....

 I wonder if we realize that we have a special place just like that in our Savior?? He is our refuge in the time of turmoil, illness, strife, or whatever you may be facing. He is dependable. He is faithful. You can lean on Him and He never tires of you. When in His presence we experience grace and mercy, peace and rest.... His presence is always available to us. How many times do we just continue in our struggles attempting to find our own solution when The Answer is standing right in front of us, patiently waiting for us to run to Him? Just like I found relief when I came into that special place in my home for a classroom, I can experience relief from this life when I come to that special place, in His presence.....

Sleepless nights and teaching school

Did I share with all of you that I have bouts of insomnia??? Ugh, well I do and for the last week and a half, I was unable to sleep. Finally last night I was able to go to bed at..*gasp* 10:00!!! But today I have to admit I am dragging. I am currently teaching school and I still have one that is about half way through for the day. All I can think of is  "please get done, Mom needs a nap before she hits the delirium state"

I changed my blog name, you may have noticed. I love being "Queen of the Bling and Other Amazing Things" but just felt that the title didn't' really convey the different posts that I make. Sure I still do the bling art, but that is not all I do. I am a wife, a mom, a woman of God, friend, sister, cheer coach, prayer warrior, chauffeur at present, and the list goes on. I want my blog post to reflect my life, I want you to be inspired when you read, encouraged through your struggles, I want to touch your heart with every post. I want you to laugh with me, cry with me, and share in this amazing journey called life.

When I was thinking of all the things I do for my family and others, I realized that I wouldn't trade my life for anything right now. I love where I am at on this journey.  I get to spend everyday with my children, teaching them, not just out of the text book, but out  of life experience with love and compassion. I am tuned in to how they learn best and can set up my lesson plans accordingly. I love the fact that I am at home when my husband arrives home for the day, that I get to plan his meals, and take care of him. I think it is awesome that he was blessed by God to have this job that affords me to stay home. 

It is a God thing that I am able to be here with my son, Hank. He has had learning struggles through all of his school life. I have tried so many different things, and it just seemed like nothing was getting through to him. It seemed he could not remember from one day to the next what he had just done. Finally, I prayed. I asked God to just show me what to do....and you know what he did. I found out about a website that colleges use to assess the learning styles of students. We gave that inventory to Hank, and found out the he is DOMINANT, kinesthetic learner. Which means that he does not learn in the traditional paper pencil fashion. Instead he needs to associate big muscle group movement with the skill that is being taught. Turns out that all of us start out learning this way, but by the time we are in about 5th to 6th grade, we have diversified and learn in more traditonal ways. Only 5% of the population continue this style through out their lifetimes. Once I changed the way the material was presented....his learning took off like lightening! It is so cool to watch him now. Frustration for him and for me ended! He even told me and his dad that school was so much fun!

Then, just being here, especially with Savannah Grace....I am blessed to be able to be with her at every step of learning and discovery. I love it! It is exciting to watch her learn.

 Some-days, I have to admit I don't want the day to end, I don't want to miss out on a single thing that either of them experiences.....

Enjoying the journey, Regina

Revival in the Land or Revival in my Heart?

I hear a lot of discussion lately about revivals, how we need one, how some want to have those old-time experiences, and how do we bring about revival now. It seems people want an easy answer, a quick fix, something that will generate lots of number growth in their congregations. Is that the purpose of revival or is there something deeper we can gain from a revival experience? 

Let's look at the word "revival." If we break it down, the prefix "re" means to do again, or to repeat. The word "vive" means life. So "revival' in its simplest form means to bring life again. What does that mean for us?  Revival is for the believer. We need to recognize that we have allowed certain things to creep up in our lives that has crowded out the place that should be occupied by God. In other words, our spirit man is struggling to live because we are allowing some strongholds in our flesh to continue to thrive.  So, one of the first steps to revival is to see the need for it to happen to us, in us, on a very personal level. 

If you look back at great revival experiences of the past, you will find that these events did not happen without first people recognizing a need in their life and then repenting. Repentance precedes revival. Revival does not just happen because of good music, or great teachings, it happens when you begin to repent of the things that God is showing you that is taking precedence in your life. 

Perhaps you wonder how you will know what things to repent of....very simple just ask Him to show you the areas in your life where He is not first. Then listen to what He says to your heart, be willing to follow through and pray through those areas. It is a process. Do not get discouraged in the process, because on the other side of that is freedom! It may mean laying down bitterness, envy, hatred, or un-forgiveness. For some it may be that they are finally willing to give over to God the areas in their lives that long been a source of hurt and misery. You see sometimes the things that take first place in our lives are not things at all, they can simply be old wounds we are holding to, emotions that we are not willing to lay down. 

It sometimes can  even be scary to rid yourself of the things that you have carried for so long, because you will have to learn to walk a new path. The old path is so familiar to you, but you have to make the effort to move forward and not pick those old things back up again. 

Revival can happen in our churches and in our nation, but it has to start somewhere, will you let it start in you?

Enjoying the Journey....
Regina

What In the World is Happening??

Do you find yourself asking that question lately? Lots of things happening in the world around us these days. It sometimes makes me want to barricade myself inside my home, with my children and my husband around me. But, seeing that is not a rational thing to do, I must go on living this life with all its obstacles. 

I asked myself today, what God thinks about the current situations in our world....one thing that gave me instant peace in my heart, was that God is not nor has ever been so shocked by our behavior that He fell from the throne..and as long as I trust in Him, and place myself in His care, there is nothing that can take me from His hand....nothing. It may look extremely bad around us, the political ground unstable, world events becoming more and more frightening.....but God is NOT stunned! I know that has to sound so very simple, but it is the truth......He is still in full authority. We can't  forget that, but often we do when in the middle of difficulty. 

I have to remember to quit saying, "God, I don't know what to do!" and instead say, "God what is it you would have me learn from this situation?" it changes the whole perspective for me when I say that. My focus in the midst of difficulty has to be on Him and not on the situation. It is easy for us, any of us, to get overwhelmed with our circumstances, take our eyes off the King, and try to manuever through this life without His guidance. This will never work.....He is our guide. Sometimes when I was a little kid at school, (I hated school by the way), I just wanted to be home with my Mom and Dad.....I still want to do that, in the midst of difficult days, sleepless nights, illness, struggles, and worry, to run home and know that I am safe, I can't do that anymore, so instead I run to my Heavenly Father.....I must remember that He knows the way Home.

This verse comes to my mind 2 Corinthians 4:8 & 9 

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

We have a hope....yes there are horrible things in this life that are happening all around us, but we have an eternal hope, that God will never leave us, He will never forsake us, and that He will go with us! 

It is my hope today that you will find peace in these times of turmoil, that you will be comforted in the areas of your life where there is unrest, and that you will reach out to a very loving Savior and cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you! 

Be Blessed!

Regina

Quit Fighting It

Do you struggle? I mean really struggle over some of the simplest things in life? I think we all do at times. Why is that? We could site many reasons, many circumstances, but what it all comes down to is wanting what we think we rightfully deserve. We have rights and we want those acknowledged....by our spouse, our kids, our boss, even our churches...What does that do for us? Make us feel vindicated in some way?  Is that what we really want is the satisfaction of knowing that we were right and that we "won" over others? 

I dont think that is what we really want...what we are really looking for is true peace. How do we find it? True peace only comes when we are walking in unity with the Father God. There is always going to be a struggle between what our flesh wants and what our spirit knows that we need. Which one are you going to listen to today? 

Let's look at Christ example for us. In the book of John, the retelling of the scene at the crucifixion, we see John say..."He bowed His head and gave up the ghost" in other words, he died. But that act of the bowing of the head, shows complete surrender. It shows that He gave His life, no one took it from Him.....he freely gave it. He had rights as well.....He is the Son of the Most High God, He left Heaven to become man, like us....but what did He leave in Heaven? He left the presence of the Father, the sound of angels praising Him all the time, he left splendor and glory behind in order to redeem a lost world. Instead of angels crying Holy, He heard the crowd cry, crucify Him! But He knew that without His death, there would never be a resurrection. 

That is true in our lives too....we may never literally die on a cross, but we do attend a crucifixion of sorts each times our flesh cries out for our rights and our spirit says "No" We don't want to lay down our lives in sacrifice to do what we know to be right, because we think that it will be too painful, too hard, too much. But only when we lay down our rights, can their be a resurrection of our spirit, then can we walk in unity with the Father, then our petitions are heard because we have surrendered to Him, we are obedient to Him.  

1 Samuel 15:22"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice"

What is God calling you to surrender to Him today? Is it your job situation? You relationship with your children? With your spouse? Is it your physical health? Your emotions? What ever the situation, when you give it to Him, new life can come forth, just like  the resurrection. 

Be Blessed today

Regina

Hidden Treasure Giveaway

Welcome to the Hidden Treasure Giveaway!

This wonderful giveaway is hosted by Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog, Diva Fabulosa and Pink Ninja Media. Special Thanks to our fabulous co-hosts What’s Up?! Contest, Freebies and Everything Nice, Coupons and Freebies Mom, Money Saving Lisa, The Frugal Free Gal, Pink Ninja Blogger, and Moms Vacation Spots

About our Sponsor - Hidden Treasure Soy Candles:

Have you heard of Hidden Treasure Soy Candles? If not, you’re going to love this giveaway! In each candle you’ll find Hidden Treasures. Jenn’s Blah Blah Blog was lucky enough to review one of these amazing candles. Read her Hidden Treasure Candles Review.

You never know if you could be the lucky person to find a candle with an iPad3, Le Vian Necklace, or Tiffany & Co. Pendant. Regardless, there's a awesome treasure in each candle and they smell amazing.

Hidden Treasure Candles are reasonably priced and offer a variety of candles. Every candle that you order will have a beautiful gold-plated or silver necklace buried beneath the soy wax.

Either way you're a winner when you choose Hidden Treasure Candles.

About the giveaway:

• 5 Winners will receive 2 Hidden Treasure Soy Candles.
• Winner chooses candles (cannot be layered candles).
• Event will end on Oct. 5, 2012 at 11:59pm EST.
• Must be 18 years of age, and is open to US residents Only.
• Use the Rafflecopter form to enter!

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: This blog received no money for promoting this event, nor are we responsible for shipping the prize to the winner! Hidden Treasure Candles is responsible for shipping candles to the winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wedding Anniversary

(2011)

Today is my wedding anniversary! What an exciting to time to remember our love for each other, our vows, our promises we made in that first few months of marriage when everything was so new. I wish that I could say that we have always just had the most perfect life, wouldnt that be a great thing to write about??? But, sadly, just like all of you, life sometimes gets in the way of that perfect life that we started out with on this journey. Jobs, children, obligations that we have seem to take precedence over the love of our life, that one that we looked into their eyes that day and promised that nothing would ever come between us.....

(2012)

How do we get back to that? Where do we start to re-prioritize our lives, so that God is first, then our spouse, then our children...etc. Today when I was thinking of what gift I could give to my life's mate, I saw this month long study on "Reviving Your Marriage"

(2011)

I am always looking for different studies that God can use to show me how I can be more like him, how that I can live out my divine purpose, how I can glorify God in my role as a wife, as the helpmate to my husband....

As I read the subject of today's challenge, prayer for your marriage, I realized that this would be a wonderful gift to my marriage and ultimately to my husband. I want to grow as a woman...I want to grow in the beauty of God, and to become more like Him. Today the challenge was this....regardless of what you are doing, each time your husband crosses your mind pray for him...if you are cleaning the kitchen, doing his laundry, making beds, let that be a reminder to you to just pray for  him. Our husbands need  praying wives behind them....and our prayers are so powerful!

"The Prayer of a Righteous Man Availeth Much" (James 5:16: KJV)

What are some things that we can pray this week over our mates?

• His Wife (there's good place to start!)
• His Work
• His Finances
• His Affections
• His Temptations
• His Fears
• His Purpose
• His Health
• His Trials
• His Integrity
• His Priorities
• His Fatherhood
• His Past
• His Attitude

One thing I try to remember is this...If I don't pray for my husband, then who will?

Will you take this week's challenge with me and pray everyday for a week for you husband? Let me know in the comment section if you are up for the challenge and feel free to come back throughout the week and let me know how you are doing!

Be Blessed!
Regina

(2009)