Where There is Faith!

I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving to myself for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty and trust but it’s not enough
For all that I believe may never change the way it is
Unless I believe Jesus lives
CHORUS:
Where there is faith
There is a voice calling, keep walking
You’re not alone in this world
Where there is faith
There is a peace like a child sleeping
Hope everlasting in He who is able to
Bear every Burden, to heal every hurt in my heart
It is a wonderful, powerful place
Where there is faith
There’s a man across the sea
Never heard the sound of freedom ring
Only in his dreams
There’s a lady dressed in black
In a motorcade of Cadillacs
Daddy’s not coming back
Our hearts begin to fall
And our stability grows weak
But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe

Frugal

Are you frugal ? I am seeing more and more information about "how to live frugal." I read over the information and I have tried so hard. I came across several blogs that teach you how to use coupons and actually make money off of them. I found myself purchasing products just because I could possibly get if for free. Which is fine, if you actually needed the product and could use it..
I have actually purchased the product and given it to someone who did use it. How is that being frugal. I mean I am in to helping out others.. But that is not the point behind coupons.

I purchased a notebook, started clipping the coupons and organizing them. The sad thing is, I would go to the grocery store and forget my notebook full of money saving coupons.. How sad is that??? I keep promising to do better on my next shopping trip. Just to do it again... If you do your research you can actually save money using the coupons.

Most of the grocery store chains send out there weekly sales papers on Wednesday. Except Ingles and I believe it comes out on Sunday. If you really study the sales papers and purchase what is on sale and plan your menus around the products on sale then you do really good. My thing is I do not cook very often. I like to cook, but I do not have a working oven and have not had a working oven since December. It does not look like I will have one in the near future. So I make do with what I do have. This would be utilizing my stove top, my George Foreman and my microwave.
Getting back to couponing. I keep reading where all of these people actually purchase only things they have coupons for. There are several websites that offer coupons too. Lets face it, buying groceries takes a huge chunk out of our budgets. So, if you can save why not save at the grocery store. Some of the blogs I read actually pay almost nothing for there groceries. I have not gotten anywhere near that good.. I don't even see it happening. It is a challenge though. I will share with you the blogs that I read. These blogs tell you where to shop what coupons to use and tell you exactly what is on sale. It is worth giving a try, huh?
Another thing they talk about doing is stock piling. If something is on sale at a steal and then you have coupons for it then you stockpile. Some of the blogs tell about having 6 month supplies of canned goods, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, etc... So I say, give it a try...

http://www.becentsable.blogspot.com, http://homemakerbarbi.blogspot.com, http://www.couponmom.com/blog, http://www.sisterlysavings.net/, http://thecentsiblesawyer.blogspot.com, http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com,
http://www.moneysavingmom.com, http://www.afullcup.com

Let me know what you think... I actually am a subscriber to most of the blogs.
One of my favorites is http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com

Does Anybody See Her?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOJW4Uwy3c






She is running
A hundred miles an hour
in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening
In the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another
misadverture just to find
She's another two years older
And she's three more steps behind

Chorus:
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?
Lord does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her?
Can anybody see?

She is yearning
For shelter and affection
That she never found at home
She is searching
For a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming
And he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason
And she gives herself away

Chorus

If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her
If judgement looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her

Chorus 2x
He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction

You're Not Alone

God’s arms are always open to us, when everyone else has forgotten... He is always there...

Have a joyful day!!

I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I’ll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You’ve had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
**sayin’

You’re not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s love you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true… Forever
For my love will carry you….

You’re not alone
for I… I am here
let me wipe away every fear… Oh yeah
My love I’ve never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I’m the one that’s loved you all your life
All of your life

STAINED GLASS MASQUERADE

Casting Crowns is my favorite Christian artist. These guys are awesome.

STAINED GLASS MASQUERADE -is a song that reveals the truth about the life many Christians unfortunately regularly live in. Read the lyrics below and you’ll see what I mean

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away,
like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it,
maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin,
I play the part again
So everyone will see me
the way that I see them

*Chorus*
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Chorus x2

Well if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRUJrjUGGfg

Brighter Days

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."


Father, make me mindful of what others are going through...


I am one who strongly believes in this scripture which is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 verse 26. I personally believe that we should be similar to dominoes falling against each other or even a thrown pebble rippling the water, believers do have an effect on one another. In addition to that, when believers suffer or when a believer is honored every Christian in that local body (church) is affected.



While I am getting through this terrible time of dealing with my moms death, I truly believe that the church I am a member of has showed no compassion, I was and am forgot about. It has opened up my eyes to show me, this is not where I want to belong.



I have always been one to show compassion to others when they are going through difficult times. When I was in the youth ministry I showed this to the youth who were under my direction. When there was a death in our church family, we all got together and went to the home of the person who was hurting. This was very important to me to teach them to show compassion and genuine concern for whomever was hurting. When one of the youth members were going through a hard time, I reminded them to show compassion and empathy for this youth member who was hurting. No matter how small to us it may seem when someone is hurting it is important to show them love, care, & empathy.



I do feel as if I have been forgotten about.. When you are hurting you need Godly people around you ... To reassure you that you have not been forgotten about. To reassure you that you are important to God and he is right there carrying you through this difficult time.. Thank goodness I have these type of people in my life. However they are not from my local church where I am a member of..



A huge thank you to Mt Pleasant Baptist Church (where I attend all of my life up until a few years ago), Pastor Fred Quidley (pastor of Selma Baptist Church) who calls me up just when I need it, to quote a scripture, let me know he is praying for me. Kathy Williams (my BFF) for always being there for me... Ashlee Tolleson (my BFF's daughter) who is truly after Gods own heart, and my sisters who are the bomb. I know we will get through this...



I hope and pray I never become a person who does not show compassion for my fellow man. Even if the situation they are in, was due to the bad or wrong choices this person made. What a wonderful way to show the love of Christ.. other than showing the same love and compassion that Jesus Christ shows us every single day.



I read just this week, that God does not look down on Christians who mourn... Jesus Christ mourned himself. He cried when his friend Lazarus passed. So I know, without a shadow of doubt brighter days are coming...

Prayer for a Friend Lyrics

We all have a friend who is lost. I heard this song and it brought so many names to my mind. Friends who have strayed away from the Lord. Friends that I still love..
I know we all have lost friends, that still need our prayers... Don't forget about them..



Lord, I lift my friend to You,
I've done all that I know to doI
lift my friend to You
Complicated circumstances
have clouded his view
Lord, I lift my friend up to You
I fear that I won't have the words
that he needs to hear
I pray for Your wisdom, oh God,
and a heart that's sincere
Lord, I lift my friend up to YouLord,
I lift my friend to You
My best friend in the world,
I know he means much more to You
I want so much to help him,
but this is something he has to do
And Lord, I lift my friend up toYou
'cause there's a way that seems so right to him
But You know where that leads
He's becoming a puppet of the world,
too blind to see the strings
Lord, I lift my friend up to You
My friend up to You
Lord, I lift my friend to You,
I've done all that I know to do
I lift my friend to You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN3D0Carn3U

Good Ole Gatlinburg, TN

We escaped to Gatlinburg this past weekend. I just up and decided I wanted to go. I would have loved to been up there in those beautiful mountains by myself, but it does not work like that.

Randy, Lindsey, Tianna, Erica and Adam joined me. The ride up there was very pleasant. We woke up on Saturday morning to find there was no water. We were not able to take a bath, make coffee:( (you would not like me without my coffee) I made a quick dash to the grocery store to get some water. We had breakfast, sat around on the back porch for a few hours and still not water. What to do now? We all needed a shower....

We had to go to the club house to shower, which was not at all fun. The shower stalls were so small. No even enough room to turn around in them. The water finally came on around 4:00. So much for Cabins4you.com . I was not going to let this ruin my trip though. We went shopping (which is my favorite thing to do) . Grabbed a bite to eat and then headed to Gatlinburg so Lindsey & Tianna could escape mom & dad. We gave them a couple of hours to hang out without us tagging along.

Not the best trip I have taken to Gatlinburg, but it was time away from Spartanburg and the long weekends that I so dread these days. Life seems to have taken a toll on me these days, but when I am spending time with my kids, it gets me through!!