The Next Chapter - December 31, 2012-

Happy New Year ~ December 31, 2012

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ~Romans 15:4

As 2012 passes I reflect on Romans 15:4,  our instructions are clearly written in the bible.  It is hard to image what God's plans are for me.  Recently I listened to a testimony of a cancer survivor, and the message I heard was God is always there, whether we think he is or not, he is there.  Jeremiah 29:11 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.  But is the rest of this verse that should resonate with all of us. Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Seeking him with your whole heart!

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Go Light Your World - Kathy Troccoli

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

The Next Chapter - December 28,2012

The Next Chapter

How are you preparing for 2013?  Are you making any resolutions?
I am challenging all my friends and family to listen to only Christian music for 30 days.  In the car, on your computer, on your iPod....  it is a great opportunity to get positive and encouraging input to your day. This is not a challenge for me, as I listen to www.KLove (this is link to listen) all the time.  But to not listen to any secular radio is harder to accomplish with kids, it requires forethought and making Cd's for the car and their bedrooms where the christian radio station does not come in clearly.  I will also add pray to my daily routine, knees in the morning and the evening, first to thank him for the day, and ask for guidance, and then to thank him for his grace and mercy throughout the day.......I have been doing this, but I honestly slip in and out of it everyday, I will make it a habit.  It takes 3 weeks to make a new habit, and sometimes longer to break and old one.  I take one sugar in my coffee, and I want to stop using sugar, but everyday I add one sugar, and immediately think dang I did it again.....  Today I did it again!



Psalsm 51:10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your  presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

When Mercy Found Me - Rhett Walker Band

Something had to give, something had to give
'Cause living my life so wild and free, finally caught up
Oh it left me broken, left me hopeless
But that's where I met Jesus

In one moment everything changed
Who I was got washed away
When mercy found me
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me
When mercy found me

All those days, all those doubts
They don't seem to matter now
His Grace is all I need
His Grace is all I need
And the chains that I was in before
They don't hold me anymore
His love has rescued me
His love has set me free

In one moment everything changed
Who I was got washed away
When mercy found me
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me

My mind found peace
My soul found hope
My heart found a home

In one moment everything changed
Who I was got washed away
When mercy found me
My Savior's arms were open wide
And I felt love for the very first time
When mercy found me
When mercy found me
When mercy found me
When mercy found me
When mercy found me
When mercy found me

The Next Chapter - December 25,2012

Merry CHRISTmas!

Christmas Eve service was the best ever. I love CHRISTmas! I loved today. Spending the day with the kids, cooking and eating.... Then off to RI to eat some more with family. I am truly blessed to this wonderful family God chose for me :-)
I don't tell them near enough how much they meant to me ~~



Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
Luke 2:9-11 NLT


When Love Was Born - Mark Schultz

Starlight shines, the night is still
Shepherds watch from a hill
I close my eyes, to see the night
When love was born

Perfect child gently waits
A mother bends to kiss God's face
I close my eyes, to see the night
when love was born

Angels fill the the midnight sky. They sing
Hallelujah, He is Christ, our King

Emmanuel, Prince of peace
Loves come down for you and me
Heaven's gift, the holy spark
To let the way inside our hearts

Bethlehem, through your small door
Came the hope we've waited for
The world was changed forevermore
When love was born

I close my eyes, to see the night
When love was born

The Next Chapter - December 11, 2012

The Next Chapter.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12, NLT

Waiting patiently has never been my strong suit.  I will continue to ask for guidance and not jump the gun.  I am working daily on avoiding temptation * at so many levels * and putting positive people in my life.  Life as we know it is very short.  A fact driven home this weekend, when a young 14 year old boy was killed in Plymouth in an ATV accident.  When death comes close to home to someone so young, we must pause and realize life indeed is short.  I did not personally know this boy, but many of my church and school family knew him, and it has rippled throughout the community.

When life turns in a unplanned direction we as humans have trouble grasping why, and how could God let this happen.  I have been praying for peace, for understanding, and that they feel the presence of the holy spirit as they process this loss.  

Peace - Norah Jones


There's a place that i know where the sycamores grow
And daffodils have their fun
Where the cares of the day seems to slowly fade away
And the glow of the evening sun
Peace when the day is done

If i go there real late, let my mind meditate on everything to be done
If i search deep inside, let my conscience be my guide
Then the answers are sure to come
Don't have to worry none

When you find a piece of mind
Leave you worries behind
Don't say that it can't be done
With a new point of view
Life's true meaning comes to you
And the freedom you seek is one
Peace is for everyone
Peace is for everyone
Peace is for everyone

The Next Chapter - December 2, 2012

The Next Chapter ~

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. —Jeremiah 17:7

Blind faith and trust in the Lord.  Have you ever witnessed someone's body fail them?  Watching a disease take someone's life is difficult, as a person of faith you have so many questions, starting with why?  Knowing my hope, my life and my future are in the Lord help and remind me that every day is a present, and every breathe a gift.  My friends remember always the bible tells us over and over again, this home is a temporary one, and our true home is the kingdom of heaven.  

As you can see am thinking of someone, and her journey.  I only met her briefly, and honestly don't know if she even remembers me..... but I pray for her everyday and her journey to our Father.  I write this blog for me, and processing my feelings, my day, my journey.  Trusting in the Lord and putting all my eggs in his basket. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13
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.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

I Believe In You ~ Sinead O'Connor

(Words and Music by Bob Dylan)

They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I know I'll make it through.
They look at me and frown,
and like to drive me from this town,
They don't want me around
'Cause I believe in you.

They show me to the door,
They say "don't come back no more"
'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to,
And I, I walk out on my own
A thousand miles from home
But I don't feel alone
'Cause I believe in you.

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter,
I believe in you even though we be apart.
I believe in you even on the morning after.
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart.

Don't let me drift too far,
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed.
And that which you've given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you.

I believe in you when a winter turn to the summer,
I believe in you when white turns to black,
I believe in you even though I be outnumbered.
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn't make me go back.

Don't let me change my heart,
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue.
And I, I don't mind the pain
Don't mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you.