12th Entry: Living by Faith

After going through most of my life in despair, I always had God to turn to.  Often I felt He wasn't listening.  Sometimes I thought He didn't care.  I begged God to relieve me from the burden of poverty (as seen in my first few posts).   He answered my prayers to a certain extent in HIS time, not mine.  Even though I don't understand His logic, I obey in Faith that He is taking care of me.  Lots of church goers have told me throughout my life how they are "living by Faith" even though they had life pretty easy and had strong family support.  I have found, in my life that living by Faith is a lot harder than I thought.  Living by Faith means not panicking when things go terribly wrong.  It means not giving up on my life because God still has plans for me.  So here I am living in my paid for mobile home insuring I will never be homeless again.  I had Faith that God's provision for me included moving clear across the country to a state I have never been to and know no one.  Although I am still struggling desperately with finances, I know that He will provide for my every need.  Since moving here, I have received a refrigerator, couch, chairs, vacuum cleaner, a cane (to help me with walking), and rides to/from food distribution center, etc.  Also, I have met many beautiful, caring people who include me in their Prayers.  I no longer stress out when I have no toilet paper for a few days, or have no milk for a week.  I know He will provide - and he does.  Every time people ask me why I moved to Colorado Springs I tell them "God" and succinctly explain my testimony of how God led me out of the despair of homelessness and permanently delivered me.  Some people do not understand how God can be the Father, the Son (Redeemer), and the Holy Spirit all in one God.  This lack of understanding has spawned several cults and sects.  After Praying about this dilemma, God gave me the answer and I hope you can use this when sharing your testimony.   Consider something basic as water.  The chemical molecules of 2 parts hydrogen and one part oxygen (H2O).  Water can be liquid, solid (ice), and gas (steam), but in either form of matter it is still H2O!  Some people use the egg analogy = shell, yolk, & white, but I like the H2O analogy better because it incorporates all forms of matter while retaining the same chemical compound.   God has placed each one of us in our own Mission field.  It is our responsibility to recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit and testify as each opportunity approaches us, NOT when we think we should grandstand and force people to believe when they aren't ready to entertain the idea, much less understand.  God loves us, we have a purpose, He became flesh by way of a Virgin and died for our sins.  He is the Messiah.  His blood makes us acceptable to enter into His family.  He has Blessed us with the indwelling of His Holy Spirit to empower us to do His will in our every day life.  This does not mean force.  It means live your life to please God.  The world is watching you - every word - every action (or lack thereof).  That is YOUR testimony.  Do not bring shame to your Creator/Messiah/Comforter.  Give Him the Glory for all things, even the small, supposedly insignificant things.  You have been experiencing the results of your Faithful Prayers in my life and I hope you have been experiencing God's Blessings for your Faith.  Please do not stop Praying for me.  I still have many physical and material needs.  Let's keep going on this journey together!  God Bless you.

One Week From Today!

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while.  I was hospitalized last week for Cellulitis.  The doctors thought they were going to have to do surgery, but the infection was localized to the upper layers of my skin.  I was very, very sick.  Now I clean the wound twice a day and Home Healthcare comes out three times a week.  This illness has been a small setback but not a deterrent.   This move across the country is totally a God thing and while I was laying in my hospital bed Praying, God revealed to me that this is my Mission Field.  God wanted me here.  There is something He wants me to do.  Many of the medical personnel asked me why I moved from Florida to Colorado.  Hence, the beginning of my new testimony.  The first word out of my mouth to respond is "GOD".  Then I explain how I tried to find a place in Florida but nothing panned out, how I read that Colorado Springs was voted as being in the top 10 places in the US for retirees, looking on Craig's list, and how God flooded us with confirmations that we were doing the right (albeit radical) thing.  
We still have many serious needs. 
Please Pray that God will Bless us with:
A Washer & Dryer
Beds Queen - we are sharing an inflatable Queen sized mattress
Funds to insure/register/license car & transfer our driver's licenses here
Microwave
Toaster/Toaster Oven
Winter Clothing - Saturday's "high" is supposed to be 39.
Chairs/end tables/lamps
Please continue to Pray for our well being and to serve God in our new Mission Field. 

So, are you wondering about the title to this post?  Well, a week from today, October 9th is my 61st birthday and the first birthday celebrated in my new home.  PRAISE GOD!

I thank you for your continued Prayers.  Please stop and Pray right now for our needs, etc.  I will faithfully share these Blessings with you and Pray for you all as well.  It is only through our Faith that my daughter and I have come this far.  Thank you Sisters & Brothers in Christ!  God Bless You!