Out with the OLD and IN with the NEW

Happy New Year 2011!! No I am not on my front porch:( Oh how I wish I were. It is my favorite place to be. I have to get through a few more months of winter. Yawn!!

 I have been thinking backwards for the past few days...recapping the past year. I will have to say it was one of the best for us. Thanking God for His many blessings to Michael and I and our family.

Let me share something near and dear to my heart. Here's how I start out each new year. I purpose to spend time looking to God as I go back through my journal for the year. I love to recapture His activity in what I pray for. My faith is always increased as I witness His faithfulness to His Word.
     This year I had a burden for our family to draw closer to God, to know Him in a very personal way, and to love Him and desire to serve Him. I asked God to lead me in prayer for each one. In His tender mercy and grace He began to stir my heart and give me Scripture to lay hold of by faith...and believe Him.
     We have had many challenges, but, we are seeing God move in hearts and lives are changing to His glory. Michael and I have spent more valuable time with family this year and to say the least it has been to our joy.  Our Grandchildren are growing up so fast I can hardly believe we have two graduated and attending college. 10 more to go") We want to be a strong influence in their lives and be a witness to faith in Christ. It is really what we live for.
      My desire is to live the life that can pray down heaven, God's kingdom come and His will be done. So, that means He is first daily and His Word is final authority always for all things. I journal most days and that helps me stay in close contact with His heart as well as His wisdom for my life. At the end of each year it is amazing to go back through and see just what He has been up to....teaching me, leading me, answering prayers, providing my needs and loving me even when I'm unlovable. (Selah)
     I have been looking at Matthew 6:19-21 and I am taking it as His lead for this new year. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven in 2011. This will keep me looking to Him for promptings as to where my treasure is. For that is where my heart will be")

May the new year bring you closer encounters with the One Who loves you best, that your life will be forever changed to glorify Him.

"Trust your past to God's mercy, trust your present to God's love and your future to God's providence."
Augustine of Hippo

Happy New Year!!

Simply His,
Alta

Blessed Beyond Measure

Greetings from my front porch. I have been enjoying the last of just what may be the best fall on record here in Indiana. It's time for some cider and hot homemade donuts. Just thinking about what fall brings to mind. Loved when my Gramma would make those wonderful homemade donuts and we kids would roll them in cinnamon and sugar, then eat as many as we could stand...that was just the best.

It is so interesting to me how we are such creatures of habit. When the cool nights come with the change of seasons we start thinking about soups and stews and chili with homemade breads and biscuits. OMGosh!!! I am making myself so hungry, I will be back soon...going to make something tasty for this evening.

Okay, I'm back...now where was I??? Oh, what fall brings to mind...did that...food for fall evenings. Soups are the balm for sure. What I want to share with you is what these last 6 weeks have meant to me in the grand scheme of things.

This summer as I was enjoying my front porch most mornings, I was prompted by the Lord to think about what I would teach if I had the opportunity to pour out my heart in a classroom. Well, I love spurring women on in their faith and giving instruction from God's Word. Several years have went by since God dropped in my spirit the words of the Apostle Paul as he wrote to the Philippians. "Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you my become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...." 2:14-16a

My thoughts went straight to holding out the word of life. I believe it is my mandate, my call, whatever we might want to name it. You see the Word of God is the word of life. I have come to know God's amazing grace.... upon grace, and I love sharing what He has done in my life as well as what He is doing in my life on a consistent basis. So, I began putting together some thoughts and experiences,and coordinating Scripture He has used to transform my life. It has brought me the greatest joy ever. It is just like God to want to delight us by giving us the desires of our hearts.

I titled the class Running to Win. My heart is to share what that means to me in this season of my journey with God. "Run in such a way as to get the Prize!" 1. Cor.9:24 It is my foundational Scripture. I have been blessed with the most amazing women in this class. We have anywhere from 25 to 30 in class most weeks. Women of all ages joining together to learn what God is up to") Lessons have included such titles as Brokenby Sin/Forgiven by Him, Its All About Love, Faith Tested/Only Believe and this weeks title is Christ in You the Hope of Glory. It has been my experience that if we are willing to look for where God is working and join Him we will most likely find our ministry to others filled with amazing grace and love that blesses us beyond measure.

I believe there is no greater joy than serving God while serving others. My passion is teaching young women how to find that out for themselves. Most Mommies have their ministry at home. For a season they are called to give their full attention to ministering to their families. What a high calling!!!

It never ceases to amaze me when they say things like, "I feel I need to be doing more to serve God. I am sure I am not doing enough to serve God." I love to see the light bulbs go on when I share the truth about what an amazing ministry they have to their loved ones and the home that they make a safe haven of peace and rest for their families.

Life comes at you fast...and we really need to believe God has a very good plan for each of us in serving Him while serving others.
Real JOY is:
Jesus
Others
You

Live each day on purpose!! Whatever season of life you are in...God is with you sweet one.
Keep Jesus first, be quick to serve Others, and be sure to spend time letting Him fill You up to be poured out")

Meet you at the finish line!!!

Simply His,
Alta

Faithful God

Greetings from my front porch. So glad you stopped by.
 It has been awhile. Since I am nursing a cold...or allergies??? whatever has me by the throat, I thought I would just write today and see where God would lead.

This week, I was blessed beyond what my wildest mind could even imagine.


Several months ago...in early spring, the Lord began to stir my heart about a fall class. I had really laid down alot of things this year to take up a prayer watch for my family, and seek God on how to pray effectively for them to know Him more and love Him better. As I pondered on the thought of a class, I knew that He wanted to bring to full circle what He had been teaching me for several years. I approached with fear and trembling what He may want me to do. I ask Him, "are You saying teach from my experiences?" His answer was...YES! I was afraid of that to be honest with you. However, I surrendered to His will and became subject to the Holy Spirit's leading. Months have passed and this week on Wednesday evening we launched the fall semester with the first class of 8 weeks of Running to WIN!!! Lessons on Faith, Hope Love, and Joy for the Journey.

We greeted a room full of beautiful women of all ages and the race was on. What I want to share with you today is...well, just how faithful God is. My journey on this path to His heart and to a life lived for Him has had many bumps in the road...or path. Though God always remains the same I have zigged when I should've zagged and jumped up when I should've set a spell....longer. Fell down skinned knees and elbows. Life comes at you fast sometimes. Amazingly...I never lost Him. What that says to me is He is faithful even when we are not. He is the pursuer of our souls and He loves for us to know that....I mean really know that!
1Cor. 8:3"But, the man who loves God is known by God." 

We may miss the mark of God's divine standard, which is sin. But, He never misses loving those who love Him. His love for us is not based on our doing everything right...we are not perfect, but we are forgiven...so His love for us is based only on the blood of Christ, His Son. It is God's goodness that brings us to repentance that leads to salvation. Mercy over judgment is His heart toward us.   

It is faith that pleases our faithful God. Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." I just believe God honors faith and I have seen Him work in the many facets of my life and every account that comes to my mind has a common thread...faith. Then there is faithfulness...what He loves is faithfulness...staying the course....walking it out....pressing on...trusting and obeying Him...leaving no room for being disqualified for the PRIZE...or rewards laid up for us.

My word of encouragement to you today is...trust Him with your life.  He can manage and do so much more with it then we can. Make it your one aspiration...your determined purpose... to KNOW Him and be fully KNOWN by Him. Paul says it like this in Phil3:8-9 "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

Stay faithful and full of faith!!! Meet you at the finish line!!!!!!!!!!

Simply His,
Alta

Call Back

From the Front Porch

"Life is a steep climb, and it does the heart good to have somebody
"call back" and cheerily beckon us on up the high hill. We are all climbers together, and we must help one another. This mountain climbing is serious business, but glorious. It takes strength and steady step to find the summits. The outlook widens with altitude. If anyone amoung us has found anything worthwhile, we ought to "call back."

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back---'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track; And, if perchance, Faith's light is dim, beacuse the oil is low, Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm; Call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;That, when the heavens thunder and the earth quake shook the hill, He bore you up and held you where the very air was still.

Oh, friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face; they say it glows with triumph, and your feet bound in the race; but there are the mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim, And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word from Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry.  And if you'll say he saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky---If you have gone a little way ahead, oh, friend, call back--'Twill cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track."
Mrs. Charles E. Cowman /Streams in the Desert

Can you hear this sweet voice speaking to your heart? I was setting on my front porch reading and came across this and had to share it. I love the whole idea of "going up the mountain of the Lord." And this reminds me we are in this journey together and how we are to love one another as we go. I dearly love the women God has put in my path to spur on and encourage in the faith. they bless my heart. 

If you look up all the " love one another's" in the Bible you will find many of them. God had a good plan of action when He expressed His heart that we should count on one another to make the journey together. That requires love.... my friends.

• Jn 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."
• 1Peter 1:22 "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love
• for your brothers/sisters, love one another deeply, from the heart."
• 1Jn 4:11 "Dear Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
• Eph. 1:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

My hope is that this will be a fresh word for you today. Remember to "call back" and lend a hand to help to pull someone up, it will make the journey sweeter. May God bless you as you pursue a more intimate relationship with the One Who loves you best") Jesus Christ.

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

Inspired

So glad you stopped by the front porch for a visit. It is Sunday evening and for the third day in a row it has clouded up...rolling thunder and  a light show, and with that comes the rain. Last night we were ready to walk out the door when it blew in with such a force we thought it better to just wait for it to pass and pass it did. I looked on the western sky and there was the sun. It was still raining..you know what that means. Yep! A rainbow...very small...but beautiful. The sun was on the horizon setting so it lasted but a minute or two and then as quick as it appeared it was gone.

About 9:15 we ventured out and jumped in the truck and headed to Crossroads. This weekend was the Awakening and there was about 75 teens attending and some great friends serving on the teams. In case you haven't attended the Kokomo Great Banquet I don't want to spoil anything for you. But last night was a very special part of the Awakening or the KGB. The Awakening is the teen version of the Great Banquet. An amazing transformation can happen on one of these weekends. Tender young hearts find their need for a Savior. Young ladies and young men...our next generation are finding their way home. By home, I mean... eternal destination. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us and where He is we will be also.
 John 14:1-3

Heaven is as real as our earthly home here. God's Word says so much about it, but, if we are not careful we can just live for today and miss something wonderful to look forward to for our eternity. All this earthly living will pale in the light of our eternal home in heaven with our Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So how now do we live?

• "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we MUST be saved." Acts 4:17
• "Jesus Christ...the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
• "Live in such a way as to get the PRIZE!!! 1 Corinthains 9:24
• "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish my race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me---the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24
• "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11: 6

Something to think about:Live by faith in Jesus Christ, live each day to glorify the name of Jesus, run your race marked out for you with perseverence, complete the task of making Christ known, cross the finish line...right into heaven...into His arms outstretched waiting for you.

In heaven many are leaning over the balcony cheering us on. Having trouble wrapping your mind around that one? Check out Hebrews 12:1-3. You just may want to read the whole chapter, it will be worth the trip I promise.

Meet you at the finish line my friends...lets take someone with us")

 

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

Making a Difference

Last week just blew by me and although I spent lots of time on the front porch I missed sharing with you on my blog spot. So here I am Sunday evening, the sun is setting, it's cooling down, and I am thinking about what to

write about.

 Life is flying by at breakneck speed these days. I don't know if it is just me or this season of my life, or I am just so busy packing in each day that they just roll into each other until it is Sunday again.

Whew!!!!!! What boggles my mind is that I used to work 40 or more hours a week and I think...how did I do that and get anything else done...but some how I did. Now, retired, I get to do 168 hours a week what I want to do...there is a big difference. Need I say I am grateful...smile. Well, these days I do get to choose how I spend my time. I try to make each day count don't you? Life is really meant to make a difference...what I mean by that is, when we find out that life is more than just about us...we will want to make a difference...and leave this world a better place.

What I am witnessing lately is a generation that is taking responsiblity for raising up their children to make a difference in the world they live in. I believe praying has made that difference. Many have purposed to ask God for this next generation. First of all, that their hearts be turned to Him. So He can bless them who will choose to obey and follow His Word, and choose His Son Jesus Christ. To live up to the highest calling of knowing Him and making Him known. That is a generation after God's own heart for sure. A generation full of passion and fire with intention of making a difference.

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. Isaiah 26: 8

Living on purpose... to pray daily for the next generation to make a difference for God's glory and honor. Won't you join me???

Simply His,

Alta Lynn

Live simply, live well... is a good definition for simplify.

 This is a special word for me. A few years ago the Lord put it in my heart to get my life back in balance and on the path He had purposed for me. I was exhausted and feeling very shaken over a illness that blindsided me just before Christmas 2007. It left me very weak due to an attack on my Mylen sheath which is the covering of our spinal cord. It was a terrifying experience and took better than a year to regain my strength back and energy I was so used to.

Simplify!! I didn't take it lightly... knowing the Lord was with me through the entire season I purposed to pay attention. I began to pray about what God would want me to lay aside, step aside, and put away. We can become so busy doing, that we aren't fully in line with His will for our lives. I have a heart for women and a passion to see them fulfill the purpose God has intended for their lives. Through encouraging them and spurring them on in their faith in Christ. I was leading Women's Ministry, teaching a discipleship class and organizing Bible Studies, leading small groups, and on intercessory prayer team and meeting my family's needs as well as speaking where ever God opened doors. It was a whirlwind of activity. As I laid it all before the Lord, He would lead and guide me to simplify.

It took about a year to fully get it in balance. I knew peace and joy...had lived it...but lost it. A servants heart is what I had prayed for. I wanted to love and serve God and His people.What I didn't know was when to say no. God knows best !! We must stay close enough to Him to hear His voice speaking to our hearts..."that's it!" "enough!"

I still love ministering to women and loving them to a deeper intimacy with God through encouraging them and sharing the Word of God when I have opportunity. I love prayer and praying for others. I also love paying closer attention to the Spirit's leading. This blog spot is birthed out of His leading and His green light")

This word spoke volumes to me:

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Are you living life in peace and joy while serving the Lord? Maybe you need to simplify...
Ask the ONE who knows you best")

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

For the Birds

This is my favorite place to reflect, to listen to my music, pray and praise. Hello from the front porch. I have been writing in my journals from here for several years now...weather permitting of course. There is just something about warm mornings, a cup of fresh coffee and watching birds...did I really say that?
I did...they just seem to delight me these days.  I have a little small maple tree that didn't grow with the rest of our trees and is really rather ugly. But, it is perfect to hang a bag of milk thistle seed for the Golden Finches. And they just love it!

What can we learn from bird watching?

Well, they must be special to God because Jesus even talked about them when sharing with His Disciples on the subject of worry. He says it like this..."look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God."Matthew 6:26 MSG Our Heavenly Father cares for them, and so He has us put feeders out because we think He needs our help...not really!! SMILE! He provides for them regardless if we put seed out or not. The obvious here is we feed them because we want to watch them...right?  So, what about the subject of worry? There is a reasonable concern and then there's... worry.

Some things in life are just out of our control and require our trusting God. This can be difficult if we do not have a God confidence that He is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do. Worry can be rooted in fear. Fear is faithlessness at its worst. Jesus commands us not to fear, but to trust. Cast our cares on to Him because He cares for us. "You have not been given a spirit of fear, but love, power and a sound mind." 2Timothy 1:7 NIV

Worry can also be rooted in insecurity due what we choose to carry into our new life in Christ. We must remember that when we receive Christ the old has pasted away, its under the blood, and the new has come. We are forgiven, washed clean, and now have the Holy Spirit of God to empower our lives to live for Christ.

Jesus teaches us a simple principle when it comes to worry...He says it like this, "steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provision. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday 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." Matthew 6:33-34 MSG "Seek first the kingdom (His rule and power) of God and His righteousness (His right way of doing and being) and all things will be added to you." NIV Italics are mine.


This is how we choose to live in God confidence..."trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge God and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Lord I rejoice that these things keep reminding me to depend on You with all my heart..that they prompt me to trust in your love, Your forgiveness, Your power and Your sufficiency. Your ability to overrule, and Your transforming presence with in me." R. M.

Thinking of you today with a smile in my heart. You are loved sweet ones")

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

Greetings from the front porch. I know you are loving this amazing weather.
I certainly am. Aside from the huge storm we had last night for a few hours it has been beautiful.

This morning I spent some time with the Lord that was so good I have to share a little of what He so graciously reminded me of.

You know those times when you struggle with your thought life? I notice it more when I purpose to "be a light not a judge." Whats up with that??? I strive to do as Paul instructs us in Philippians 4. In verse 8 he says, "think on things that are true and good and right. Think pure and lovely thoughts and dwell on the fine good things in others." (NLT)  I so want my thoughts to be pure don't you? I have this way down in my knower that God is not pleased when I don't change the channel and let unhealthy thoughts rotate in my head.

Well, I was convicted in my prayer time and I asked Him to help me. I confessed what I knew was sin and asked for His forgiveness. Then I picked up a book I often use and at the bottom of the daily reading there was a suggested reading to go to in the back, here's what I found. "Abide in Me"----what an incredible invitation! This was such a reminder to me..something I have known as a safe guard to keep me in that place of obedience and love. "Abiding"

Think of this promise in John 15:7... If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.

It is the abiding that is the key to a life that can pray down heaven...abiding in Christ..." it means to depend on Him, enjoying our spiritual union with Him and allowing Him to meet our needs. As we abide in Christ we experience the life of Christ as our own. Life that is fresh, pure, joyous, fruitful, free of anxiety, and full of faith.
Life that is wrapped up in the desires that are on God's heart." R.M.

Now isn't that so much better than letting our minds camp on, stinkin thinkin?

I love the reminder I heard from a godly women that was a mentor of mine, she said, "if you are struggling with fear, doubt, unbelief or you can't get your mind off yourself, or off someone else, then you better check up on your abiding." What that has taught me is... I need more time with the ONE who loves me best and knows my greatest need is Him")

Lets accept Jesus' words..."without Me you can do nothing" ---that is, nothing significant in God's eyes. Turn and trust Him...saying, Thank You that You are my life!

I changed the channel to...love...ahhh...my heart is at peace.


Next time you are struggling with your thoughts, check up on your abiding! You just might need a little Jesus time. Go ahead...meet with Him..in His presence is fullness of joy.

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

 

A Voice for a Generation

As I have been preparing my heart to pray for my Children and Grandchildren. My hearts cry is, that they will be used of God to be a voice for Him in their generation.  I am praying for each one specifically. May God grant direction and guidance.

So, I seek God on the words to pray that line up according to His will. 1 Jn 5:14-15 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him." How bout that for a promise! Always keep in mind that the commands of the Lord are to be obeyed and His promises are by faith.

Ciara & Maddie,14 &13, Summer & Denise, 13 & 17...will they be a voice for God in their generation? I pray they will delight in Him and have a life-changing personal relationship with the ONE who loves them best. Jesus Christ. I believe God has touched their hearts. May they learn to love Him with a whole heart and follow after Him. I pray for ears to hear His voice clearly. And a submissive heart and spirit to obey as He speaks. Willingness to go where He leads and fufill His perfect will for their lives. Praying they will shine BRIGHT LIGHT in the darkness and lead many to the kingdom of God.

Ashleigh and Hannah, 21& 18...will they be a voice for God in their generation? God has already touched their hearts. I had the privilege to pray with them for salvation when they were very young. My prayer for them is that God will have His way in their hearts and that they will learn to love Him wholeheartedly and be BRIGHT LIGHTS  in darkness leading many to Christ. Voices to proclaim God's goodness and grace through Jesus Christ. Speaking truth of His word to broken hearts, and comfort to those who are torn by broken homes. Advocates for those abandoned, the fatherless and orpans. Witnesses for Christ.

 

Hayden 15...will he be a voice for God in his generation? Praying God to raise him up as a "mighty man of valor". I am praying for a submissive heart willing to be lead of God. I pray for Hayden to be a leader that is strong in conviction and demonstrates God's power through faith in Christ. I pray that God will make known His plans for his life and he will be all that God purposed to bring Him glory. A man after God's own heart. A man of prayer. An example of a godly man, husband & father. That he will never forget those that society ignores, and be a light to those who set in darkness. Setting captives free through the power of the Holy Spirit. To be a LIGHT not a JUDGE!!

Madison 10, Stormy Lee 6, Lilly 5, Sydney 11 & Harry 2 ...will they be a voice for God in their generation? Praying for their little hearts to be good soil for God to plant His love for His Son Jesus. May God raise them up to be His hands and feet for serving Him. And a voice to be heard of His great love and mercy. Hearts to love others and especially the downtrodden and needy.  That God will give them an anointing to do more than any generation to bring many souls to Christ. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow!!!

                                                                                                    

I am believing God for His good work in our Grandchildren's lives. He has a good plan for each one of them (Jerm. 29:11) and I trust that He will complete it to His glory, honor and praise. I'm standing on the promise that I shared in 1 John. No matter how things may look in this realm, God is at work answering prayer when we pray according to His will. God is not moved by our emotions, but He is moved by our faith... "and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Today, believe him to work in your life through prayer. Find what he says about what you are asking for and then choose to believe Him for it. By faith are His promises true.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" Eph. 3:20-21

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

From the Front Porch

It is a a beautiful afternoon on the front porch. This morning it was a tad bit cool. I am always drawn to the the beauty of spring with all the new life and flowering trees. So I am posting a picture of one of our flowering Crabapples. We have a few that blossomed really full this year. Makes me smile:-) Makes me want to praise the One Who holds the Universe. And holds you and me in His arms.

  Think about this: "When we praise God and bring our request to Him in prayer, by faith, we plug into His almighty power...and when we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving we open a door for Him to rescue us and bless our lives, and we also prepare the way for Him to rescue and bless other people as well." R .M.

Do you worry about asking Him in prayer? Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Phil.4:6
By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving...here's our key to receiving. God loves a thankful heart. What we are doing here is saying, "thank You God in advance for what You are doing and going to do"...faith at work!

I love this quote from S.D. Gordon. "no human imagination can take in the startling, revolutionary power, softly, subtly, but with irrestible sweep, that flows down from the crowned Christ among grateful men and women...that flows through the lives of individuals wholly under the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit...through people who simply live in full-faced touch with Christ, and who take that power as the need arises and the Sovereign Holy Spirit leads."

Ruth Myers adds to this, "thank You God, that I am part of a vast army of people around the world--people who live in full-faced touch with Your Son and move Your mighty hand to bring about Your gracious purposes."

 Prayer is the key to living in full-face touch with God, with Christ. When we trust Him to do what He says He will do and believe we hear His voice, all things are possible.
God has given us the blessed Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and He makes known to us the heart of God.
Zechariah 4:6 "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD."

If you find yourself today wandering or wondering... stop!!!! Ask yourself, "have I even asked God about this? does He even know I am struggling here?" He delights for us to seek Him first, and to trust Him. Don't call a girlfriend, don't wish and whine...start believing and receiving my friend. PUSH=Pray Until Something Happens:-)

Know you are loved and prayed for daily. Jesus loves you and I do too.

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

Life is Good

We love it when all is well. Life is good!! Maybe it's when your health is good and your weight is normal. Maybe it's when your first born starts school and your little one is potty trained...oh what a memory that is.  Ah, life is good!!Or you finally landed that job you have been looking for forever. Maybe when the bills are all paid and you have food in the frig. Well, I could go on and on with thoughts about when we are loving life.



But what do you do when life is hard? Where do you turn? Who do you call? Before I became a follower of Christ I would panic and worry frantically when things would go wrong. What am I going to do? Who will help me? I lived with the stress of life out of control for 40 years of my 60 yrs. Then came the  Peacemaker...Jesus the Christ of God.  He changed my life and I haven't been the same since.

  One Scripture that began to change the way I did life is found in the book of Matthew. Jesus speaking from the Mt. Beattitude overlooking the Sea of Galilee shared with His followers this profound statement. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Matt. 6:33 NIV and in the Message it reads like this. "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." I am learning still to give my hard days to Him to help me. When I looked at the Amplified version the word seek really spoke to my heart. It actually means "to inquire and require God as your vital necessity."

When life is out of control and you are at the end of yourself it is the best place to call on the ONE who loves you best and knows what you need. Trust Him to do what he says He will do. He will meet you right where you are in life. He will meet your needs, give you direction, comfort your broken heart, give you strength for to day and bright hope for tomorrow.

FOLLOW THE SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Simply His,
Alta Lynn

The Women in My Life

This is Heidi and Alta (me). She is my first born, a darlin girl if you ever met one. She is the Mother of my Grandson Hayden 15, and Grandaughter Maddie Mae, 13. She works hard as a Pharmacist. And is the "Family" cab driver when she isn't working. I love her very much. She is a good daughter and friend. God blessed her with the best Husband and Dad to my Grandkids, Kenny. I couldn't ask for more. God is GOOD!!!

This is Samantha and Alta (me). She is my youngest daughter and my little Sam. She is Mother to my two beautiful Grandaughters. Ciara 14 and Denise 17. They are very special girls. I love all three of them. Sam is between jobs right now but has been blessed as a stay at home Mom for a few months. So she has had special time to herself. She loves God and we love sharing about what He is doing in our lives. She is married to Dan, a very cool guy who manages a very large softball org. in Indiana. He also coaches Denise in softball. She travels a lot to play and is hoping for a scholarship at a good college so she can continue to play softball. Ciara is our brainy one and she loves to read and Facebook. And she loves God. She is a very cool girl.God is GOOD!!

 As you can see I am on the front porch. It is my favorite place to be and this day I am spending it with my sweet girlfriend Tanya. We have had a wonderful friendship for a few years now. We enjoy doing Bible studies together and have both lead groups of women in our church. We are Beth Moore fans and love her studies, thats what we do most. We went to Springfield, Ill. last November to see her at Living Proof Live. It was awesome!We will be going to Beth's Simulcast this Saturday April 24 in Indy. Tanya is a special lady, and well beyond her years in godly wisdom. She is a Sister in Christ and good friend. God is GOOD!!

These are "His Beachgirls" we love the SON!! Backrow ~ Sarah, Barb, Donna, Melinda, Dawn,&; Sue.

Frontrow~Brenda, Sharon Alta & Margaret. There are eleven of us but Laura wasn't with us that night.

We are what I like to call "forever friends" we have been together for several years now. Barb and Donna and I have been friends for over 40 yrs. We picked up the rest along the way...smile. We all have God stories of His glory. That is what has knit us together forever. He has shown Himself strong in our lives.
We pray for each other and our families, and come along side to encourage each other in our faith. We do projects togther for community shelters and make blankets for the Linus Project. We serve in our local Great Banquet community in any position they will give us. We love to share a special time for birthday's and have parties and celebrate. I love them like crazy! God is GOOD!!

This is Alta, Miriam and Patti. They are very dear friends and lovers of God.
Powerful prayer warriors and the best girls to serve with. We were blessed to serve on the Great Banquet team in August 2009. Patti (seated) was the Lay Director and Miriam and I were her Assistants. God showed off for us that weekend and many ladies were blessed and we were blessed greatly. I love them forever. God is GOOD!!

Bible Babes. I had them in class for Bible study. What a joy and privilege to be a part of sharing the Word of God and life togther. They are the best . I love each one of them and I am so grateful to have spent time loving on them and being so blessed with them loving on me. Standing: Brenda, Donna, Susan,Sherrie, Caprice, Me, Donna. And Joy is kinda bending there") Seated:Debbie, Jenny & Melinda. I love these girls and their love for God. What a blessing they are to my life. God is GOOD!!

Jinn is my faithful Babe Chic. They don't come any sweeter and delightful than Jinn. She is a beautiful women of God. Her thirst for more of Him is inspiring to me. She is an encourager, a Princess Prayer Warrior. She is always a joy to hang with and I have loved her for many years now. She speaks volumes into my life and keeps me wanting to know more and give more. God is GOOD!!!

This is the Bible Babes of last semester at our church. We did Breaking Free with Beth Moore. Tanya, my front porch friend, was the Teacher and did a great job leading us. What a special honor to be in her class. I loved it!! I had a blast with these darlin girls.

 God is GOOD!!

Well, this gives you an idea of how special it is to have wonderful women in your life.  Women have such a special place in my life and ministry. I developed a passion for them years ago while breaking free of my own junk and pain from my past. When God showed up big in my life and began freeing me of my bondage I  wanted to help women know Him and know His power to set them free. I love to encourage them in their walk, teach them what God has shown me through His Word, and take them to the next level of faith. What a joy God has given me to be a part of what He is doing today in the church, and in  the lives of women. I wake up daily purposeful to make a difference in my sphere of influence to His glory. 

To make Him known, and to love Him more and know Him better. God is GOOD!!!

 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:16-17

Simply His,

Alta Lynn

My Favorite

Hello Girlfriends,
Enjoying this beautiful Sunday afternoon on the front porch. So very blessed today with warm sunshine and the smell of fresh air. I was thinking of something to share with you all since I am learning how to set up this blog. So here goes.

One of my favorite books for my morning time with the Lord is a devotional given to me a few years ago by my daughter Samantha. A friend had given it to her and she then shared it with me. I had to have it. Samantha had bought me a used copy and I cherished it. I later found a new copy which was updated and new cover and had to buy several to give away. It has been a faithful companion to my Bible reading and prayer time. So I thought I might share it with you.

"31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers cuts through that darkness and despair with the truth, reminding you that approach to God has nothing to do with your attainment; it is based on Christ's atonement alone. This book will lift your eyes so that you see the purity, honor and dignity that God has given you. His "beloved" one. That right view of yourself is not only immensely freeing...it also brings both joy and deep praise."

 

April's Treasures

On a day like this, with sun shinning bright against the bluest blue sky. Blossoms on the trees are in full bloom. Colors so beautiful you can hardly take your eyes off them for you know the time is short and they will be gone for another year. How could anyone miss the Creator of heaven and earth? Yet some do. I love being reminded of His creativity in all things. And that the same Creator God who amazes us everyday with His creation all around us, created you and me. Different as we are, He had a good plan in mind when He made us, each one unique.

Oh, the wonders of His love for us. We are created for His glory! In Isaiah 43:7 His word says, "everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed and made." This Scripture changed my life. I had thought many times... "what is my purpose?" I had struggled for years with the whole creation thing and all the questions that go through your mind when you are without the knowledge of God.

When I turned forty I was in a pit of destruction. Failed marriages and both daughters moving on with their lives and off to college. I was alone for the first time ever,and at the end of myself. That's when the answer to my life long question was answered. Pursued by God, He revealed Himself to me through His Son Jesus Christ. As I recognized my need for the Savior I repented of sin in my life and received His forgiveness. I was reading the Bible, God's Word, His love letter to us, His life manual. I found this Scripture in Isaiah 43:7 and my soul was filled with a peace I will remember always. From then on these 18 years I have never doubted what my purpose is. I am created for His glory. What I choose to do with my life in loving Him and loving others, serving Him by serving others is how I bring Him glory.

God loves you today and His purpose for you is to know Him and to beleive Him, to love Him and to serve Him. Jesus is the way the truth and the life and none come unto the Father(God) except by Him. John14:6 Trust Him as your Savior and He will fill you with His Holy Spirit to lead and guide you into all truths. One more thing before I go. "Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
1 Corinthians 2:9 KKJV

I pray this is an encouraging word for you and that God will shine bright His truth in your hearts.

Simply His,
Alta Lynn