Thank you, Lord, for your son, Jesus!

It's been so long since I made time to update this blog. I just told myself, "no one's reading it, anyway. So why even bother", but I realized that I'm not writing this for popularity. I'm writing to Thank God for all his many blessings!!
Many, many years ago when God created this Earth, when He created man & woman, He did NOT create sin. His son was sitting at His right hand, all the while, we (men & women) multiplied the sins of this world until God's heart was broken. He loves us, & didn't want us to have to die & burn in hell. So he made a choice, to send His ONLY son to die for our sins. How great a gift that was!!! But I'm certain that it couldn't have been easy to watch His son suffer like that. I praise God for loving me that much. And thank you, Jesus, for loving me enough to die for me! I'm not worthy of your love, but your blood cleanses me & makes me worthy. I could never say thank you enough!!!
Merry (Holy) Christmas!

Thank you, Lord, for your healing power!!!

My Daddy, Allen, has been sick for a while, now. He's always had problems with his back, but recently developed problems with his stomach. It got so bad that he couldn't eat anything!! It just came right back up! After running some tests on him, they found that he had a blockage in his intestines & part of his small intestines was "dead". He will have surgery tomorrow to fix both. Please be praying with me that he'll come out of this surgery healthy and everything will be okay. I know that I can call on the one and ONLY Jesus Christ for his healing power.

I Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Thank you, Lord for restoring our health and your healing power!!

Thank you, Lord, for good directions!!

Madison has a softball tournament tomorrow 2 hours away. She has to be there at 7:00 am!!! I don't know how I'm gonna make it!! Only by the grace of God!! Be prayin' for me! I've never been to this place, and new things can be kinda scary. So, I called my Daddy. He knows all about that particular area. He clarified what "google maps" had totally confused me about!! He explained, step-by-step where to turn, how far to go, and so on. I'm so thankful that God does that for us in our own lives. When we come into His fold, he leads us down a brighter road......... destination: Heaven!! Sometimes, if we get lost, all we have to do is call on him, and he's right there to lead us back to where we need to be. Thank God for good directions!!

Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Thank you, Lord, for words of comfort!

The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I thank you, Lord, for forgiveness!

Somethimes, we get so busy in our every day lives that we forget to remember God. It's very easy, just stay busy, like I've done, and you'll find yourself asking God to forgive you for it! I'm so thankful that He forgives me when I've made mistakes! After all, I'm only human! I pray that I will grow closer to God, not further away. So when I realized that I wasn't walking with God every step, I quickly stopped and took a deep breath, and asked for the forgiveness only God can give! I no longer can go on without him. That's the empty feeling that I had.
~Thank you, Lord, for your compassion and forgiveness!!

Thank you, Lord, for sleep............

I've been so busy lately, working on my business plan, that I have neglected my blog. Sorry! I haven't neglected my Lord, though! He remains #1 to me! I thank him for what he's about to do in my life & what he's already doing!! I know that all my prayers may not be answered, but His Will will be done! That's all that matters! Praise God!! - It's late, and I'm so very sleepy, so I think I'll head on to bed.
Thank you, Lord, for sleep............
~Alisha J~

Thank you, Lord, for patience!

I'll be 31 years old next month, and the older I get, the shorter my patience becomes! All summer I've played referee to Madi & Drake. By now, I'm at the end of my rope! I thought that it would all be better when they started back to school, but just as soon as they get off the bus, they're arguing. It's so sad that we can't even have peace in our own home because of all the conflict. Jerome & I have completely stopped taking them out anywhere, unless it's a really special occasion. They fight no matter where we're at. But sometimes, I can look at them, & think of how I would feel without them, & it makes me want to cry. I slow my anger down. I give them a moment to calm down. I give them a 2nd (or 3rd, or 100th, & so on) chance. That's called "patience", and I thank God that I found it when He found me!! It's such a peaceful place to be!! I know God's gonna intervene one way or another. The kids are either gonna stop fighting, or I'm gonna be given the strength to tolerate it. Either way, I must have patience with the kids, and with God. He is an "on-time" God!!

James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Isn't it amazing how much patience the Lord has with us?

Thank you, Lord, for 1st days of school.......& cake!

Today was not only Madison's first day of school, but it was also my husband's birthday! Jerome turned 30 years old. I think he's just as handsome as ever, & he's finally started to mature! I love him for the man he's become. I hope I've showed him as much improvement as he's shown me! I ordered a small cake for him last week, but when we got the cake, it was pretty big! Too much, really. It makes me want to eat more. I don't want to waste it! Anyway, Madi had a great 1st day - Thank God! I met with a nice lady about a grant to open my new photography business. If it's the Lord's will, I'll get it. If not, I won't sweat it! I've learned not to lean onto my own understanding, but to God's. I trust him completely! Drake's 1st day of kindergarten is tomorrow! Yay!! Time to myself! I will probably miss him, but my brain just won't think about that right now. ............
I think I'll go to bed, now. My belly is SO full of cake!
Thank God for 1st days of school...........& cake!

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us to put you first!

The first day of school is tomorrow! (for Madi, at least!) I've been counting down the days all summer! Drake starts kindergarten, so they stagger their first days. He'll start Wednesday. We took Madi school shopping - for the 4th time - today. She wants to be the coolest dressed girl in school, but I'd prefer her to be the most well mannered. Funny how manners don't matter anymore. I hope that she doesn't let " being cool" take over her life. Young people now-a-days seem to care more about what their friends think than what God thinks. He should be our #1 priority. So many times, even us adults, do this. We try to "keep up with the Jones' ". God wants us to put him first, above all else..........our jobs, our friends, our neighbors, our finances, our needs, & yes, our families. We have to show sacrifice for Him. If we live the way He wants us to, He will supply our needs & the desires of our heart!!!

Matthew 6:31-34
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or , What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us to put you first!

Thank God for another Sunday to worship him!

We had a cookout for my husband's 30th birthday yesterday(it was also his Aunt Avie's birthday!). It went well. I thought it would get rained out, since it had been raining all day, but it cleared up just in time! Thank God for the sunshine! Jerome's dad came, too. We hadn't really been seeing him around a lot. It was good to see him. He rededicated his life to the Lord! Madison(our daughter) had really been praying for her Papa! He's feeling sick, not good at all! The devil's still trying to get him back. He's gonna do that, you know. Please be praying for him. Well, I'm getting ready to head to church. Thank God for another Sunday to worship him!

Psalm 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

I thank you, Lord, for the rain!

When I was really little, before my Mom left, I remember falling asleep to the sound of "moods" tapes. There was "sailboat voyage", "Thunderstorm Terror", & 2 others (I can't remember their names!) Anyway, the thunderstorm seemed to always make me sleep better. Now, when it's raining, I always get really sleepy!!! It's funny how something so scary to one, can be so soothing to another. Some might say, "I hate the rain!", but not me. I thank God for it! I'm not afraid of it. I know that when a storm comes, He will carry us through (remember the rainbow? God's promise!!). The same is true in life. When a storm comes brewing in, we should already be prepared. We should also seek him, & trust that He has control over that storm. I remember, in our old church, there was a woman who played the piano. She didn't sing very often, but when she did, she sang that song, "Til the Storm Passes Over". It said, "Hold me fast. Let me stand, in the hollow of thy hand. Keep me safe, til the storm passes by." I sing that when I'm afraid. Thank God for those times when we find that we REALLY need him!! (& for the rain!!!)

Thank you, Lord, for peace......

For years & years, I ran & ran. I was searching for something that was missing. There was a hole left in my heart. I always thought it was left by my mom, who had left my brothers & I when I was 8. But it wasn't until I gave my life COMPLETELY to God that I realized ~ He was what was missing! When the Lord came in, He brought peace that I'd never known. I never knew it existed! I used to get depressed over things going on in my life, but when Jesus moved in, He brought a whole luggage full of amazing things: love, peace, joy, comfort, lots of blessings, faith, grace & mercy. What more could you ask for? You can't buy these things, & no one could give them to you, except our Heavenly Father! We don't have to worry. If you're a child of God, you know that He will provide & take care of any situation! This is His promise:

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings............ & such wonderful PEACE!!!!

Thank you, Lord, for my husband!

My husband, Jerome, and I have been through a lot! We've seperated a time or two. But since I gave my life to the Lord, I've began to see that God can change people............He did me! Of course, you have to be a willing party in that! I see that, no matter how bad things get, God is the answer, not divorce. I know there are times when it's necessary, but in our case, I'm willing to try if he is. I really love him. We have a family & that's a precious thing! When we said our vows, it was for better or worse....... til DEATH do us part (not divorce!). I'm just gonna stand ~ ~ and wait on the Lord to move. You know, waitin' on my change!!! I know that this is God's battle, not mine!

Lamentations 3: 25,26
25. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

I'm waiting on you, Lord, and thanking you, today, for my husband!

Thank you, Lord, for everything! I will worship You!

We had such a good service at Church today! I know the Lord was speaking strait to me! Often times of trial, we forget the most important thing, worship. I went into church, trying not to look upset, but I was. (You know, things always seem to happen on Sunday mornings when you're trying to go to church!) I kept thinking, "Lord, please help me! Why does this keep happening?". I couldn't even hear the preacher, at first, because of my own pitiful thoughts. Then the Lord spoke to me, "This is not about you, It's about me". When we are in church, we're there to worship Him first, then our blessing will come. But don't worship to receive payment, do it because He is worthy!!

Psalm 96: 4,8,9
4. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
8. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Thank you, Lord, for focusing my eyes on You! I will worship You first, & know that You will hear my prayers.

Thank you, Lord, for those little breaks!

I had a photo shoot today, & after they left, I had more customers come to order their portraits.

After the photo session, I was so tired, but thankfully, my husband decided to take the children with him for a while. I was able to get my customer's order processed...........with peace & quiet! Those moments don't come often, but when they do, I cherish them! I thank God, that He sees when I'm on the edge of a breakdown, He sends relief my way! And He draws me closer to Him for that relief!

II Corinthians 12:9,10
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Thank you, Lord, for VeggieTales!

Sometimes, Drake has trouble sleeping. When he does, I always make him watch Veggie Tales! Those movies remind him that God has helped so many people overcome things! His favorite one is "Where's God when I'm scarred?". He has a tendency to be very skiddish. That particular movie sings a song, "God is bigger than the boogie man!", & reminds 'em that God is always watching out for us, so we don't have to worry. We as adults can learn a lesson from this. God is bigger than that boogie man. The devil has NO authority over us, unless we give it to him! When we feel afraid, we have to put on the full Armour of God & just stand! Thank God for his protective & comforting spirit! (& Veggie Tales!!)
~Alisha~

Thank you, Lord, for Your Holy word!

Today, I faced a trial, head-on. For a couple of hours, I didn't know what I would do, but after talking with my Grandma, I realized that God wanted to speak to me. Through His word, the Holy Bible, He speaks to us. When I got home from that special visit with my sweet Grandma, I opened my Bible & it turned straight to this verse:



.....Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude: for the battle is not yours, but God's.
II Chronicles 20:15
Thank you, God, for your word & for loving me enough to speak to me!!
~Alisha J~

I thank you, Lord, today!

God has blessed me so greatly! I just want to shout it from the rooftop! I had been thinking of starting a blog so that I could share the many blessings of my family & others that I know, but I've just put my plan into action! I'll be adding posts daily (hopefully!) of things that God reveals to me. Things that we may not see, at first, but the Lord wants us to be thankful for! Please visit this blog as much as you can! And if you have something you'd like for me to post, email me at:
alisha-p-jacobs@hotmail.com
Thanks!
~Alisha~