Blessings Abound!!!

I have been totally remiss in not posting for so long. Life has been moving along at what seems a tremendously fast pace in the last several months. We have had several major attacks, health issues, etc. But through everything we have been tremendously blessed. We have become even more active in church and our youngest son, Jeffrey, has enlisted in the Marines. He is scheduled to leave for Boot Camp March 30th. Please keep him in your prayers. Our dear friend and brother in Christ, Darin Montgomery, has published his book "A Membership Guide to the Body of Christ" website is www.dwmontgomery.com. My youngest brother and his girlfriend have joined our church, Praise God. I am joining a team from our church on a Mission trip to Bangladore, India the end of August. I am super excited to see the awesome power of God at work in that country. I have alot of fund-raising to do for the cost of the trip but I know that if God has called me to go it will all be taken care of. My dear friend Amber and her husband Rick have recently expanded there store location and it has proven to be fertile ground for them to witness to people. I hope to get back to posting more poetry soon if time allows. I'm also posting short messages and following some of my church members on www.Twitter.com, cool site. Hopefully I'll be back soon with some more good news!

Grace

Faithful and true is Your love for me

All of my failings,You nailed on that tree

*
Try as I might to prove myself worthy,

my humanity leads me to fail

Nothing I'm able to do on my own,

could prevent a descent into Hell

*

Grace beyond my understanding,

freedom I never knew

From something so great,

as You loving me

and so simple,

as me choosing You.

Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley

*

I'm still amazed daily at Gods's grace. Many people think that christians are hypocrites who think they are better than everyone else. However, christians are not impervious to mistakes and sin. If any of us could achieve perfection on our own, we wouldn't need a Saviour. God loves us despite our imperfections. He knew we were unable to save ourselves and sent Jesus as a sacrifice to atone for us. Such a great love is what leads us to strive for righteousness in the eyes of our Lord, to please him and get closer to him, but we still stumble. Praise God that His grace is sufficient to forgive our failings. We are a work in progess and He changes us more and more as we get closer to Him. Anyone who is waiting until they "clean up" their life to start that relationship with Him is just wasting time, He loves you just the way you are and He can

do more to change your life than you could ever imagine.

Hallelujah-He's Alive

HE'S ALIVE

By Dolly Parton

The gates and doors were barred

And all the windows fastened down

I spent the night in sleeplessness

And rose at every sound

Half in hope of sorrow

And half in fear the day

Would find the soldiers breakin' through

To drag us all away

*

And just before the sunrise

I heard something at the wall

The gate began to rattle

And a voice began to call

I hurried to the window

Looked down into the street

Expecting swords and torches

And the sound of soldiers' feet

*

But there was no one there but Mary

So I went down to let her in

John stood there beside me

As she told me where she'd been

She said they've moved Him in the night

And none of us know where

The stone's been rolled away

And now His body isn't there

*

We both ran towards the garden

Then John ran on ahead

We found the stone and empty tomb

Just the way that Mary said

But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in

Was just an empty shell

And how or where they'd taken Him

Was more than I could tell

*

Oh something strange had happened there

Just what I did not know

John believed a miracle

But I just turned to go

Circumstance and speculation

Couldn't lift me very high'

Cause I'd seen them crucify Him

Then I saw Him die

*

Back inside the house again

The guilt and anguish came

Everything I'd promised Him

Just added to my shame

When at last it came to choices

I denied I knew His name

And even if He was alive

It wouldn't be the same

*

But suddenly the air was filled

With a strange and sweet perfume

Light that came from everywhere

Drove shadows from the room

And Jesus stood before me

With His arms held open wide

And I fell down on my knees

And I just clung to Him and cried

*

Then He raised me to my feet

And as I looked into His eyes

The love was shining out from Him

Like sunlight from the skies

Guilt in my confusion

Disappeared in sweet release

And every fear I ever had

Just melted into peace

*

He's alive yes He's alive

Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven

Heaven's gates are open wide

He's alive yes He's alive

Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven

Heaven's gates are open wide

He's alive He's alive

Hallelujah He's alive

He's alive and I'm forgiven

Heaven's gates are open wide

He's alive He's alive

He's alive

I believe it He's alive

Sweet Jesus

Thankful

I am so thankful, the past week has had its challenges but God, as always, has been in control. I love Him so much, words just can't really express it but one of the songs on my music list comes close-make sure to listen to "Revelation Song" while you are here. I have so many things I am thankful for : my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ ( Amber, Rick, Darin, April, Connie, Peggy, my Sunday caregroup, Tosha, Frankie, and Dawn) and all of the little joys of each day. I have discovered that no matter how bad things are if I keep my eyes and thoughts on God and continue to praise Him for who He is, He will take care of everything else. I have a couple of praises to report. My youngest son was in a bad car accident a few days ago, the car was demolished but he doesn't even have so much as a bruise, Amen. A friend in our caregroup who has been battling colon and liver cancer just got a clear report- it's GONE, Amen. I never know what tomorrow may bring, but knowing that I have God to lean on and brothers and sisters praying for me and my loved ones is the most wonderful feeling in the world. This past Sunday we had a guest speaker at our church, Matthew Barnett, he's the pastor at The Dream Center and Angelus Temple in L.A. His ministry has been incredible, reaching thousands of the most desperate and lost in his city. So inspiring, God is so amazing, the Gospel of Jesus has changed so many hearts and lives in that city, so many that everyone else had given up on. "Lord I pray that your Word will continue to be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and that everyone I meet will see the love of Christ shining through."

Pray

Pray

Broken hearts, broken dreams,
are all a part of the devil's schemes
Loss of homes, loss of life,
loss of minds, so much strife.

Acts of God, some often say,
God's not the one they should blame
To steal, kill, and destroy is the devil's desire
Death, disease, and destruction are in his power.

But greater is He that is in the believer,
the power to defeat that old deceiver.
Pray for the Lord to bind satan's hands,
Pray for the Lord to heal our land,
Pray in faith and take a stand.

Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley

Prayer

I'm so thankful today for God's blessings and at the same time I feel as if my heart is breaking. I woke up with thoughts of the recent tornado victims in our area and the students at the Illinois University on my mind. It seems the devil is on a rampage of destruction. It bothers me that tornados and such are considered "acts of God", I personally don't agree with that. God loves us and only wants the best for us. So many don't understand that the devil is out to kill, steal, and destroy everything God loves. We that are Christians have the power and authority to defeat the devil through prayer and faith. I am in prayer for those families whose homes and hearts are broken. I am in prayer for those who are battling illness. I am in prayer for those who are battling the devil for their children and families. I know that our Savior has already won. I also know from personal experience that the Lord can bring us through anything the devil will try to defeat us with. I'll share more of that personal testimony as the Lord leads me to, but for now I just want you to share in prayer with me that God's love will reach those who are hurting and struggling with the loss of loved ones. If you are going through a struggle of your own just remember that we have an all powerful God who can handle any problem, in our weakness He is strength and in our sorrow He is hope and comfort. Cry out to Jesus, He will be there.

Reflections

Reflections

Inspired by God
Photo By Amber Skeeters
Poem By Vanita Hindsley
Sisters in Christ

Reflections of the past
seem to lead us round the bend
Heading for the future,
guided by an unseen hand

In a shining piece of metal
past, present, and future reside.
Where we have been, who we are,
and where we will go are inside.

God's guidance makes us wiser
as we enter unknown lands
In the rearview we will find
never alone did we stand

He's always watching over
every path we travel down
and when going the wrong direction
He will help to turn us around

A reflection of my Savior
in silver to someday see
is what I trust and pray
will be looking back at me.

Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley and Amber Skeeters

Amber took this photo on a little one lane road, someone had placed the mirror there so they could see what was coming around the corner.

Peace and "Knowing"

I'm in such a thoughtful state of mind today. Amber has given me another photogragh to contemplate. I've been intrigued by it on her blog and it just seems to fit the pattern so far of the Holy Spirit guiding us, seperately but together, towards a common goal. I already have the words running through my head but still need to put pen to paper. I have a sense of anticipation to see the final project. I know the Lord is leading us and I am so grateful for His constant presence. This past year has had more than its share of trials but I have never before had such a sense of peace and comfort. The Lord has constantly steadied me through it all. Another dear friend, Peggy, and I were discussing the peace that we are given from the Lord. I told her that in dealing with some of the worries I had struggled with this past year, I not only received peace but a "knowing" in my spirit that it will all be well. I hope that anyone who is struggling will seek His comfort and peace. He already knows your struggles and loves you so much. There is no problem too big for Him to handle. I just "know" it. : )

Light In The Darkness

"A Light In The Darkness"
Inspired by GOD
Photo by Amber Skeeters
Poem by Vanita Hindsley
Sisters in Christ and Children of God

Through darkness, sorrow, guilt, and shame
and many fears that had no name
My hopes and dreams had all but shattered
getting through each day was all that mattered

In downward spiral my life seemed to spin
hopeless and helpless, when would it end
My fault, My fault, screamed in my head
no rest or peace as I lay on my bed

But light crept in from time to time
and started to reach my tormented mind
His love began to prod at me
a rescue from that stormy sea

I've already beaten him my Savior reminded
though for some time he's had you blinded
Take the shelter I've offered to you
call on Me I'll see you through

Each day is now brighter with His shining light
my future secure in His strength and might
my hope in Him has no end in sight

It doesn't show up well on the screen, but in the window to the left is a portrait of Jesus, praying.
Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley and Amber Skeeters

Following THE leader, together

" Scars"
Inspired by GOD
Photo by Amber Skeeters
Poem by Vanita Hindsley
Children of GOD and Best Friends

We all leave marks with our words and actions,
some happy or sad, of sorrow and satisfaction.

Traces left as we travel through this life,
many created from love and strife.

Remnants of words, written and spoken,
can lift us up or leave us broken.

From the least of us to the greatest ,we all leave a mark,
if only on the face of this elderly bark.

Scars are there forever to see
in the way they shape each personality.

Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley and Amber Skeeters
We hope you enjoy this collaboration of gifts.

God has a purpose for this.

My love of writing and my best friends love of photography united together to share lifes lessons.

He Kept His Hand On Me

Even when I turned my back
God kept His hand on me
Though I wandered lost and blind
He tried to make me see
No matter where I looked for love
my needs would not be sated
until I turned my heart to Him
Oh' how patiently He waited.
He opened my heart and opened my eyes
to more love than ever I dreamed
Hope now lives where heartache dwelled,
my Lord stopped the devil's schemes.
His grace has washed me in the blood
my Savior shed for me
My sin died upon the cross
of that old rugged tree
Though never worthy did I feel
to Him I am a treasure
To live my life devoted to Him
is now my greatest pleasure!

Copyright 2008 By Vanita Hindsley

My Purpose

Well now that I've jumped into this (with a little pushing I might add) : ) I wanted to explain that my purpose is to hopefully provide some inspiration to others that no matter what the storm there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I pray that everything I post on this site will proclaim my love and thankfulness to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Unless otherwise noted, all of the poetry posted will be my own personal works and most of them are the result of my own personal journey. I must acknowledge my best friend, Amber, for her support and encouragement. Between the Holy Spirit and her tenacity I had no choice but to start this journey and I continue to trust the Lord to lead the way wherever this may go. I am so thankful to God for the gift to put my thoughts into words. Amber is an incredibly gifted artist and has a blog site I encourage everyone to visit, she just put our first collaborative effort on her site http://www.jewelsfromjunk.blogspot.com/. God has truly blessed me with the presence of some wonderful people in my life and I'll add more about all of them as I go along.