Is it worth it - does anyone care?

Are you wore out and sick of fighting?  
Are you not sure it is worth it?  
Not sure if anyone will ever come to your rescue? 
Is all your strength gone and courage fading?
Not sure if you believe HE will come and do as He says?


We have all been there and sometimes these lies of Satan can ruin our day, week, month, or even longer.  


Take a few minutes to read this scripture OUT LOUD and find rest in its word!  Speak it over and over again until you believe it and feel its power.  Please speak it out loud so that the defeated one, satan, knows you mean business and will flee from you!  Do business with the Lord and may He see and HEAR your faith!!  



^3-4Energize the limp hands,
   strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
   "Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
   on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
   He's on his way! He'll save you!"  Isaiah 35:3-4


Friend - I am praying for you and so is Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father!!!  Find comfort today in the power of His word and in Him!!  I love you!  

He said, "Destroy"!!

Is your place of refuge also a place where your enemies are destroyed?  I think that is a pretty cool idea!!  I can think of all kinds of places that I go to seek refuge.  There are certain friends houses I would go to.  There are even certain ones I would call on the phone.  I know I can always go to my momma's house.  I count it a huge privilege to cuddle up with my hubs and find refuge!  But even at the safest times these places make me feel, I'm not sure any have the power to just speak and destroy my enemy!

I find great refuge on the alter of my church and in prayer services on Wednesday nights.  These are places where great power reside!  I know I can go to the Lord at any time and at any place, but these are the Lord's and I feel so much closer to the Him in these places.

However, I do not have to be in a church to find refuge AND for Him to destroy my enemies!  I don't even have to be in prayer at that very second when enemies are taken down.  I believe the Lord is fighting for me...always.  He is constantly destroying things set out to annihilate me.  And He is doing this with just words!!  "Destroy"!!!

Deuteronomy 33:27

New Life Version (NLV)

²⁷ The God Who lives forever is your safe place. His arms are always under you. He drove away from in front of you those who hate you, and said, ‘Destroy!’

Take rest in that - seek confidence in His refuge!!!  Tell Him out loud so the defeated one can hear!!!  You believe in His destroying words and appreciate it as well!!!

Friends - there is power in His words - so much more than we realize or will possibly ever realize!!!  Say His words, share His words, and live His words!!

Our softball and baseball teams won last night!!!  Oh Lord - may they have the same success again tonight!!!  We are praying for State Bound teams!

I love you Lord!!  

You gotta know this - your hormones do!

We, women specifically, "feel" so many things each day - and most of us are moment by moment, changing constantly.  This is one reason I am so thankful to live in a day of a plethora a Biblical translations and interpretations.  Here is a scripture that YOU NEED TO KNOW and I have put it in lots of different translations so that no matter what mood or hormone that is working in this moment you can hang your hat on it - live by it - receive life and healing from it!!!  That is the way scripture is and should be in our lives - LIFE! HE has got you covered and will handle your stress and burdens if you allow Him to!  See below!

Psalm 68:19

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁹ Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
   who daily bears our burdens. (This is the translation I usually study from.)

Salmi 68:19

Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI)

¹⁹Sei salito in alto conducendo prigionieri,
hai ricevuto uomini in tributo:
anche i ribelli abiteranno
presso il Signore Dio. (maybe you are feeling a little sassy Italian?)

Psalm 68:19

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

 ¹⁹Blessed [is] the Lord, day by day He layeth on us. God Himself [is] our salvation. Selah. (I love the way it says HE layeth on us - nothing will touch us!  We are covered.)

Psalm 68:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁹ Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
      For each day he carries us in his arms. (Again, protection, but we are in His arms.)

Psalm 68:19

New Life Version (NLV)

 ¹⁹ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us.

Psalm 68:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord,
         Who daily loads us with benefits,
         The God of our salvation!  Selah (much benefit to following Him.)

Psalm 68:19

The Message (MSG)

 ^19-23 Blessed be the Lord—
      day after day he carries us along.
   He's our Savior, our God, oh yes!
      He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us.
   Lord God knows all
      death's ins and outs.
   What's more, he made heads roll,
      split the skulls of the enemy
   As he marched out of heaven,
      saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots,
      put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
   You can wade through your enemies' blood,
      and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots.  (The Message can hardly ever say anything concisely, and neither can I.)

Psaume 68:19

La Bible du Semeur (BDS)

    ¹⁹ Tu es monté sur la hauteur en emmenant des captifs.
      Tu as prélevé des dons^[a] parmi les hommes,
      même parmi les rebelles, pour ta demeure, Eternel Dieu. (maybe for the french in you!)

Psalm 68:19

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁹ May the Lord be praised!
    Day after day He bears our burdens;
    God is our salvation. ^(A)  (This is not just a one time thing - this is day after day after day.)

Psalm 68:19

Darby Translation (DARBY)

 ¹⁹Blessed be the Lord: day by day doth he load us [with good], the ùGod who is our salvation. Selah.  (little Hebrew(???) added to explain a characteristic of God more fully.)

Psalm 68:19

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

¹⁹We praise you, Lord God!
   You treat us with kindness
   day after day,
   and you rescue us. (I love thinking about His kindness, such a gentleman.)

詩 篇 68:19

Chinese Union Version (Simplified) (CUVS)

 ¹⁹ 天 天 背 负 我 们 重 担 的 主 ， 就 是 拯 救 我 们 的 神 ， 是 应 当 称 颂 的 ！ （ 细 拉 ）(Done forget I think you read this one backwards!)  

And here is what Knoxville thinks of them!!

My mom and dad have always been so faithful to exercising and staying healthy.  After his stroke on Dec. 8, 2009 - which still baffles the medical community because he is SO healthy - working out and "getting it done" is still part of their every day life.  They do everything together, I mean even more so now!!  This is beautiful article written by their workout facility.  Mom and dad are an inspiration to all they meet - even if you never meet them, but are just observing.  I have been to this place to watch them workout and do their thing.  All eyes are on them watching with anticipation and "hopefullness".  Sometimes their eyes say, "Wow, I cant believe this has happened."  And many other times the eyes say, "I hope I find someone to take care of me the way she does.  What a team!"  I hope you enjoy this article even half as much as I did!  Sorry the picture didn't copy - I will try again!  (Yes, I look just like my momma!)

News

Thursday, September 01, 2011 - Living the Healthy Life

  

Rob and Susie Hargis

Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center is full of amazing people with inspiring life stories. As a staff member here, I have the privilege of meeting those people and sharing their lifelong commitments to healthy lifestyles.

From the first words out of Rob and Susie Hargis’ mouths, one thing is clear – this is going to be a truly great love story. 48 years of marriage and they still act and talk like a couple of teenagers in love. This great relationship is built on trust, love and dedication. They’ve also been dedicated to living active lives, even becoming Senior Olympians several years ago.

Senior Olympics is just one competition this active couple enjoys. Australia for The World Masters tournament in 2009 is where we set the stage for Rob’s great triumph. Competing in full court basketball, he brought home silver and gold. Susie, of course, proclaimed him the MVP! This past July, Susie competed in a 3-on-3 National Senior Games basketball tournament in Houston, Texas. While she and her team lost by one point, they did win the silver medal, and second place is still great when you are competing against thousands of athletes.

Time Out

On December 8, 2009, the Hargis’ fun and games came to a racing halt. Rob was exercising at the Fort when all of a sudden simple things became difficult to understand and the left side of his body started to lose function. He told Susie, “Take me to the emergency room.” Susie says she could tell something was wrong.

A trip to the ER revealed Rob had suffered a stroke. It would be devastating news for anyone, but especially for Rob, who realized his Olympic days were behind him. He spent three grueling months at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center trying to regain strength and function on his left side. Now, after nearly two years of hard work, Rob has regained ankle strength and is hoping to have movement back in his left hand soon.

Getting Back in the Game

Rob’s therapy includes many types of treatment, including exercise at Fort Sanders. His exercise regimen has increased productivity in his other treatments. Through it all, Susie has been his cheerleader and sometimes even his coach. Together, they play a little basketball, workout on the weight machines, and walk on the treadmills. With each step the Hargis’ keep their eyes on the prize. For Susie it’s a victory in the next tournament. For Rob, it’s simply to improve everyday life.

Through all the wins and losses on and off the court, this couple has had a great sense of humor. They are always there to cheer each other on – working out as a couple, doing therapy as a couple. In fact, they take on life as a couple. Susie’s next tournament will be the Huntsman Senior Games in October. This time, Rob will be her coach.

Not for the Weak!

Boy oh boy how i know this message to be true. What about you? Ever had to take a beating for the Faith? Love to hear how you got through? Thanks and much love!!! Leigh

I saw the unseen!! Incredible day!

Lord Jesus, going to a Children's hospital is not always my favorite thing to do.  #1, I'm there for a reason - there is something going on with one of my children and so therefore that is always reason for concern.  #2, the other families are there for a reason as well.  Many that you run into look very sick or their parents have the face that tells all.

At the same time it is a very tough trip, I am always brought to a very grateful place.  It is as if I am saying thank you in my mind the whole time I am walking from one room to the next knowing that the particular stages of sickness that are so visible in so many of the kids we have not entered into.  Thank you!!

Much like always, we didn't park in the most convenient location and had to do quite a bit of walking to get to our building.  Passing the patients outside still hooked up to all kinds of medicines AND smoking was something that Sarahjane could not understand.  "But mom, if a doctor is making them stay in the hospital, cant he make them not smoke too?"  I thought she had a very good point.

The further we got into our journey I began to think about each family represented.  This was the last place anyone would have ever chosen to spend even a small amount of time.  No one asks to be sick or even given something that is curable.  Sickness, in any form, is not something we as humans raise our hands to be chosen for.  BUT, i saw the unseen.  I really did - it was not visible, but I saw it!

¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18


As i passed each family I allowed my mind to go to a place where there would be no sickness.  A place where no doctors would be needed.  A place where there would be no pain - no need to even draw blood.  A place where the sick would never cry again and those giving care would never cry as well.  


The Lord allowed me to envision Heaven and these precious lives walking, running, playing, singing, jumping, and even sitting.........at peace.  I quickly took my mind to a scene in Heaven when some day when both my dad and I will meet up on the corner of Gold Street and run to worship the Lord Jesus.  He will hold my hand with his left hand that will be fully functioning and we will together RUN to the Father as fast as we can - no cane, no delays, PERFECT.  


For now I saw the unseen.  But someday I will see AND experience the unseen all at the same time. I pray for those families that are living in the seen, that have no hope of the unseen.  I pray they come to find the hope that will help them make it until they see the unseen!  Lord, may they come to know the one that freely gave His blood once and for all.  May they all come to know and trust The Doctor!  May we fix our eyes on You!  I love you Savior!  


PS - Update on Sarahjane - the doctors are running more tests on her thyroid.  They also are doing a test to find out what stage of growth her bones are in.  All in all - the doctor had no serious concerns.  Praise You Lord!!  

Pain Does Have an Answer

Oh Lord - I cannot say enough about the incredible-ness of this past weekend in Washington.  WOW!!  As i showed you on facebook, they thought of everything!  It was again a church of much vision and passion and followers of Christ with guts to try!  I don't see this kind of church everyday, but when I do it is like a taste of heaven.  It is almost one of those things that you have to be there to understand!  So next time, I will take you!!  

After serving at a church for a weekend I am always reminded of the hurting people.  I get the opportunity to speak and pray with all kinds of ladies that are going through things I cannot relate to, but can relay my Jesus to for hope and healing!  It is like I always carry the answer - we DO!!!  Jesus!  

In my devotion I came across a verse that offers so much encouragement and hope for anyone and everyone.  No matter if you are in the midst of a trial or just got out of one - another will be coming - this scripture will speak comfort in your heart!  

^13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don't quit.
   I'll say it again:
      Stay with God.   Psalm 27:13-14 (Message)

Another translation

^13 [a]I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the ^(A)goodness of the LORD
In the ^(B)land of the living.
^14 (C)Wait for the LORD;
Be ^(D)strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.  (same scripture but NASB)

There is an answer for your pain - Stay with God!!!  The writer here must have just gone through a pain or trial and this is their final word on it - Stay with God!  Wait on the Lord.  

"Land of the living" or "exuberant earth" simply mean the day we live in today. The earth as we know it.  Here and Now.  

This you must hold on to not matter what the trial is - You may have to look hard especially if your mind's eyes are clouded by depression or even frustration, but you will see the goodness of the Lord.  You may have to wait a bit longer if you are clouded for whatever reason, but take heart you will see His goodness!!  In the wait be strong and may your hope be encouraged knowing the visible goodness is coming!!!  Take heart!  

I don't know about yall - but I needed to hear that!!  Pain does have an answer - or there is an answer for the pain - wait on the Lord - you will see!  

Today after I lift weights with my trainer girl - killer woman that I love - my daughter Sarahjane and I will take off for St. Louis for her appointment with the pediatric endocrinologist!  I am excited for this meeting to find out more!  Yall please pray for clarity and definite answers.  Either way - I know we will see the goodness of the Lord on this earth - even today.  I will wait on the Lord and be strong and have a courage heart.  Even if it takes longer than I want - I will wait on the Lord!!!  Amen Jesus - I love you!  

Emmajoy Gray singing Carrie Underwood's I'll Stand By You

This is my second child, first daughter, Emmajoy Gray. We are very proud of her - That's ok, right?

Learn to Acclaim? Huh?

Oh Lord, Your Word has not left me empty this morning!  Thank You!

So many times my kids will ask, "Mom, when will I be able to pray like you and daddy?  When will I be able to shout out praises to the Lord and not feel weird about it?  When will this relationship of talking to the Lord not feel so weird?"

I understand their asking and actually appreciate their honesty.  I love their desire to grow and pray often this passion never leaves them - even though it looks very different in my older kids - appears invisible at times.  (I have had to really learn to be patient with that.  A wise friend told me you can not force a rose open before its time.)


¹⁵ Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
   who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.  Ps. 89:15


I was directed to this Word from my Jesus Calling devotion this morning and really sat on it until the Lord spoke this over me; 


A relationship with ME is a learned thing.  It does not come naturally.  We have to work on it.  We see in Ephesians that Paul encourages us to "workout" our salvation.  That does not mean work for our salvation.  That means give it a workout like I gave my shoulders a workout yesterday.  UGH!  


We see the same thing here in this particular Psalm.  Do you see it - "Blessed are those that HAVE LEARNED to acclaim you".  There seems to be a learning process and possibly a learning curve.  


Notice at the end of the this verse it explains how learning to acclaim - applause, proclaim with enthusiastic approval (dictionary.com) - we have to walk in the light - consistently and habitually some translations said.  


Learning our relationship with Christ, learning to talk with Him, and learning for it to be more natural, will not come natural.  We have to work on this daily and that requires us praying, praising, and yes, reading.  It will come, you will learn, but you have to do IT - and it will look different for many of us. 


Lord, thank you!!!  Thank you for your patience as I learn to acclaim you!  Thank you for your teaching Word and the passion You have placed inside of me to push through the weirdness I had so long ago.  May all those who read this push through as well.  You are so worth it My Lord!!  I love You!   


Emmajoy sings in the talent show at 6 tonight.  and also for the whole student body today as well.  She is excited!  I am scared!  ha  Tucker's team has won all their games this week.  Won the conference last night!!!  Yeah!  SJ and EL are cheering their little hearts out!!!  Things are good.  

Monday's glance at the week

Lord Jesus - you have given my family a very exciting and busy week ahead.  We have 3 baseball games this week alone.  That right there makes homework tough and all the other things that the girls want to do.  There are times it seems like Tucker's events rules the house.  But the girlies are good about supporting him.

On Wednesday Emmajoy will be in a talent show at her school.  She is singing the Carrie Underwood version of I'll Stand By You.  Yeah - that is what I thought too - cant you start with a tad bit easier song??  But actually she sings it pretty well.  She is feeling it!!  ha  (Mom, I will tape it and post it on here or Facebook.)  She also made student council this week.  Her daddy helped her write the speech and I helped with all the other crafty stuff!  I had so rather help with speech.  lol!

Sarahjane and Elleigh both have gymnastics and cheerleading this week as well.  We have to fit that in during the games.  I am thankful for my friend Nathalie that is so willing to help me out in a pinch!  There have been a lot of pinches since school has started!!

This weekend I'm traveling to Washington, In. to speak to a group.  I'm very excited.  It is a small group of 60-70 ladies, but that usually means a lot more fun and intimacy.  I will be speaking on "What Does God Require of Me" based on the scripture Micah 6:8.  One of my favorite messages.  It will be a weekend of having another stand in the gap for Clay and I.  He will be traveling home at the same time I am to be there.  It happens like that often, but we have some great sitters to help us out if need be!

Lots is going on with Speaking Thru Me Ministries.  This week I am fervently praying Ps 90:17 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands - yes, establish the work of our hands."  There is a really cool opportunity on the horizon and I want to know if this is something STMM is to be part and ask for the favor of the Lord to be all over it!  We shall see!

Lots of feelings and thoughts.  But this i know to be true - I am serving the Lord.  I love the Lord.  He loves me.  He is my judge.  He is weeding out my schedule to refine my "business".  Lord, establish the work of my hands!

Do I Have To Be What God Calls Me To Be

Sorry - didnt mean to cry - it just happens!!

It's Not Just the Bad that is Wrong

Dear Lord, So often I am just a half a day to giving up all social media because of different stuff I see.  I don't know how to explain it, but so much of it is all about ourselves.  I'm including myself in this observation.  But then you bring something to me and help me to know my time is not done there yet and to keep on.  In fact, I felt Your conviction so as to discern that not taking place, not participating in this avenue of ministry, not even using this for Your good and Glory........... it would be sin!

Lord, as these thoughts come to me it almost causes me to go to my knees because I don't understand it at all.  I have even thought I have to be making this up in my mind.  But after much prayer, conviction, and confirmation - I will obey and in that obedience there will be action.........again!


" If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."  James 4:17


I really appreciate this verse so much!  I appreciate the specificity of it!  It doesn't just say that anyone that knows good and doesn't do it randomly is sinning, but it is specific to me!  When I know something He has called me to do no matter what it is - no matter how silly it may seem - no matter how many other times I have done it - no matter if it has never worked before - no matter what - IF i don't or chose not to follow through on this "good" - that is not just general sin, but this is sin for me!!!!  


What is it in your life?  What is it that you keep passing by for some reason?  What is it that you hear Him saying - I need you to do this "goodness" and you don't make time, you done feel like it will be effective, you don't want to get involved, you think it is stupid, you are embarrassed, you are don't see any good that could come from that....................


It is not just the obvious bad that is sin in our lives, it is not doing the obvious good that is sin as well.  Oh Lord, may we hear you!  Oh Lord, may we respond to you.  Oh Lord, may we have joy in our hearts.  And Oh Lord, may You be pleased!!  I love you Savior!!  

Doing my work release hours!

 ³ Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: ⁴ “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”  Haggai 1:3-4

Dear Lord, It has been a long time since I posted just simply because I have so many things going thru my head and I am trying to hear correctly.  Sometimes being quiet and having less distractions helps to hear You better.

This past Sunday I taught a wonderfully written lesson by our youth minister from the book of Haggai.  Basically the whole 2 chapter book is talking about a people that have beautifully decorated homes, but the temple of the Lord was in ruins.  Chris made lots of great examples in the lesson that I was to expound upon and did so with much conviction.  (I'm not sure the students got much out of the lesson, but I was forever changed after that hour.)

You see, the Lord of course knew before time began that on my way into church I need to be appalled by the amount of grass and weeds that had been allowed to grow up on our sidewalks.  When I saw it I immediately began to place blame and get angry at what a terrible representation this was of our church.  I was ready to make heads roll - ha ha!  I remember even peering down the sidewalks to see if our street neighbors' sidewalks looked like ours - nope!!!  UGH!!

So as I began to teach, very loudly to much of the other classes dismay, I could feel the conviction of the Lord sitting heavily on my heart.  It was if I could be preaching to the kids and a conversation going on at the same time in my head with the Lord - quite surreal.

At the very end of my class I was so burdened by the lesson that I told the kids - "I'm not just up here preaching to yall in hopes that you change your life, etc... This lesson has impacted me in a huge way."  I went on to explain the sidewalks and if it were my house that would never occur.  I don't even want a weed in my flower beds or near my shrubs.  So why would I sit by and let my church, the Lord's house look this way?  Why would I let the more important place be falling apart while my own house is shining.  - Haggai 1:3-4

So I had to take action.  I marched myself up to the church and bent down and begin to pull weeds on Monday.  I tried to do it after school was in so that less people would see.  But my lands it is on Main Street and there is no way to cover up this deed.  Oh my stars - my hams are so sore, my fingers want to fall off, and my arms can hardly be brought over my head!!  It has been so interesting the looks I have received, suggestions made, and also the help.

One wonderful lady - Debbie - sent a text thanking me and then met me there the next day to help.  Many cars would give me a little toot as they drove by.  One man in his work truck, Donnie, stopped by to give me a shovel and stayed for a few minutes to help as well - in his work clothes!!!  Another stopped by, Bryan, to tell me he would just spray it and then weed-eat it.  And still others would look quickly at me and then kind of shake their heads as if to say, "wonder what she did to get put on work release or community service hours?"  ha ha

You know - it was great to have help, I could easily make a roar about why this is not done, I could just spray and let time and the wind take the ugly away, but that is not what any of this is about.  This is about me responding to the Word and conviction the Lord Jesus placed in my heart.  This is about obedience.  This is about living out what I know to be truth - the Word of the Lord!!  This is about doing what I was called to do...this week!  This is about not taking the easy way out!!!

I wrestled Monday and Tuesday because I knew the Lord wanted me to write about this.  I was not embarrassed to write about it, I was scared people would judge me and say I was looking for applause.    That is why the Lord and I have argued much of the time out there.  But I relented after Him playing over and over in my heart - Leigh, this is about me and You.  This is about obedience.  This is about making sure My house is taken care of.  This is about people learning from conviction.  You tell this story and encourage others to take a look at their place of Worship.  You tell this story so others can see that My Word is alive and living and still convicts.  You tell this story in hopes that others will turn to my Word to receive a Word.  You tell this story as an example.  You tell this story - because I say so.

So I want to end by asking for forgiveness.  Lord, forgive me neglecting Your house.  Forgive me for by-passing certain parts of Your Word subconsciously thinking it may not apply.  Forgive me!  And I want my own church to forgive me for not doing my part in taking care of my church!  I have not done my part and please forgive me for not acting sooner.  Forgive me!  

For Me

Too often we keep His gift for us, salvation, too impersonal. It was for ME - and for YOU!!!!

I can know...NOW

There may not be time to pray for hours or even minutes when we want to know what the Lord would have us to do - here is why and how to cope!! Have a wonderful day!

Watch out for prayer

Are you doing all the talking - is there anything else about prayer than just talking to God - let's see!

Yes, Search ME!!

Are you scared of God? Are you scared of what He might find? He is so loving - let Him in and what Him do a work in YOU! Search me Lord - Lord, change me!! Be near!

Talking Sex with my kids

I dont think this needs any explanation - ha ha

Deaf Man Worship

Too inspiring to not repeat!!! Thank you Jesus!

Smoothie Leigh!