"On Earth As It Is In Heaven"...

I know for a fact that the Lord blesses those who are faithful to him. Fascinating and wonderful things are happening... even in the midst of trial and suffering. Once again I can feel God's presence in my life... and I am just lovin' it! We have been suffering financially for the past year. Don't get me wrong... I am making good wages... but... because of past medical bills every one of my paychecks for the past year has been garnished... and they have taken 25% of every one. We have struggled through... somehow making it day to day. I know there are those whose financial difficulties are far greater than mine... but the Lord will bless them as well if they believe it and just ask. I believe that with all my heart.

We have officially not had a car for 6 days now. I have managed ((with the help of three co-workers and one awesome friend)) to get to and from work this past week. On top of that... I have been very sick this past couple weeks... unable to breathe and having coughing attacks that just won't quit. (Today I am feeling pretty good!) It always seems like just when we start getting ahead in life... we get attacked with all kinds of horrible things.

Well... I also believe that it is our God given right to have our life blessed in all areas. It has been a struggle trying to figure out why... when we have biblical promises that God wants us to have so many wonderful things... why then do we struggle so hard sometimes? I have asked God that many times. He is probably tired of hearing me whine and ask "Why God... why me?" ((whine whine sniffle sniffle))

I have learned this past week... that it is the way in which we ask God for blessings that make a difference. I will tell you right now... I give God all the glory... it is only because of him that I wake up every morning and go to sleep every night. He is what makes everything between those two times happen. I have learned... (and have been taught this before... but just the past couple days have I actually been reminded of it and put it in motion)... that God wants us to go to him personally... and quietly... and gently ask him for the things we need. I don't seem to get anywhere by begging him and squawking loudly and bawling and whining to him about the things I don't have that I need. HE KNOWS WHAT I NEED! He wants to give me the desires of my heart. He does not want his children to suffer. Just like I would not want Hannah to suffer in any way, shape, or form. It would break my heart to see her in horrible situations. God feels that way toward us.

Let me share this with you...

Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV Bible) "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' ((in other bible versions after "deliver us from the evil one" I have read "for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever... Amen")) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive you sins."

These are words that Jesus spoke. How simple is that? Can you imagine this: YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN... Can you just imagine how wonderful life in heaven is? No sickness, no disease, no pain, no hardship, no worries, no debt, no hate, no lies, no sadness... only the wonderful things are in heaven... not the horrible things that plague us here on earth. AND WE CAN HAVE IT ON EARTH... AS IT IS IN HEAVEN! That's what I want! There is so much power in those verses. So much humble... quiet... power!

Let me share this with you as well. Yesterday I went to my heavenly Father in prayer. Yesterday afternoon... we received a letter in the mail stating that our garnishments were finished. We also received another letter stating that because we showed an interest in paying our past debts... that they were willing to make payment arrangements with us! So to make a long story short... Rich called them... and instead of having $350.00 taken out of my checks every month... we only have to pay them $100.00 per month. What a financial blessing for us! And I give God all the glory for that! He gives mercy and shows favor to those who are faithful and believe in him with all their hearts. It is so simple to love God... and it is so wonderful to have him love ya back!

Also... today the auto shop is going to bring a loaner car to us to use! YIPEE!! Our car will probably be fixed by the 3rd or 4th of June. It will cost about $1654.00 to fix... but insurance will probably take care of most of that!

I believe in God... I believe in miracles... and I want to share his love for us with the world! Does that make me a weirdo? Well... if some people think so... then that's ok with me! I just hope and pray that everyone has the opportunity to share in the blessings that God has for them. Life is so much easier when ya don't have to trudge through it all alone!

Today is a wonderful day. I wanted to let you all know that even the darkest of days... and the most difficult of hardships... can all be turned around. Just gotta know who to ask... and how to ask it.