Facing the future...

Without trials, you would not know to trust the Savior. Without pain,the help He offers would go unnoticed. So many long to take the easy way. Yet this is not always God's design.
At times our pathways become treacherous, taking dark and shadowy turns. We learn to identify with the psalmist, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for Though art with me".
God goes before you into each and every trial. He leaves a trodden path for you to follow. You may walk where danger is crouched on every side, but you do not walk alone, You may face being misunderstood, overlooked, and forgotten, but God knows you and loves you greatly. Keep your eyes on Him. Fix your emotions on His promises. They are unshakable.
Once you learn to go to Him in times of sorrow as well as happiness, a new joy will spring up within you. It comes from an overflow of being in the presence of God. It has the power to change the way you feel about yourself and others. It can heal any relationship.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself praising God in desperate times. Trials bring you to your knees. From this angle all you need to do is to look up into the loving face of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is here you discover that greatness of God's love and forgiveness C. Stanley His love gives grace, His grace gives peace, His peace gives hope.
This year I have learned much about the love of God. About His plans and how I have no control of my own, He truly is in the driver's seat. His grace and mercy hold me, He is my strength and comfort. He is my hope. Hard things come to all of us, our choice is only, where we go with them. As for me I choose my Lord. Some choose self destruction, some anger, some just walk away from friends and family. In my past life before I knew Jesus, I chose all these routes at one time or another. Speaking from experience, my advice is Jesus!

Behind the scenes....

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing; it is the ability to turn it into glory.1 Corinthians 4:12 "and we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure it."
You have probably discovered during this past year that periods of pain or difficulty are the hardest times to remember the basic truths of God's Word.Ironically those moments demand the light of His truth the most. While you can never anticipate all of the specific needs that will arise, you can make it a habit to view every situation through the filter of God's perspective.
Ask the Lord to help you focus on Him instead of the circumstance. Hurting does not mean that God does not care about you. You must make the commitment to cling to the truth of Romans 8:28 and similar promises. If you believe that He will bring good out of the situation somehow, then pessimistic thinking finds no permanent home in your heart. Over time, your emotions gradually align with the truth.
Part of Paul's joy resulted from his discovery of what God was doing "Behind the Scenes". What Paul thought was a slow time of limited contact turned out to be God's way of evangelizing one of the most impenetrable sectors of Roman society, the Praetorian guards. God put Paul in a position that he never could have achieved on his own.
Always remember that the Lord will give you His perspective if you ask Him to. You never have to give in to false friends of discouragement, worry or self-sufficiency. (C. Stanley)

Remembering You.........

Thank You Lord Jesus for finding my Tyler early in life, and for finding Ron, Jerica, Sumer and me. Your promise I'll always remember, the promise of Heaven, with You and with our son. I remember.....You, Lord



I found You in the most unlikely way
Really it was You who found me
And I found myself in the gifts that You gave
You gave me so much and I

I wish You could stay
But I'll, I'll wait for the day

Chorus
And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh, and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering You, I'll be remembering You

From the first moment when I heard Your name
Something in my heart came alive
You showed me love and no words could explain
A love with the power to
Open the door
To a world I was made for

Chorus
And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering You, I'll be remembering You

The dark night, the hard fight
The long climb up the hill knowing the cost
The brave death, the last breathe
The silence whispering all hope was lost
The thunder, the wonder
A power that brings the dead back to life

I wish You could stay
But I'll wait for the day
And though You've gone away
You come back

And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering You, I'll be remembering You

And I'll watch as the sun fills a sky that was dark
And I'll be remembering You
And I'll think of the way that You fill up my heart
And I'll be remembering You

I'll be remembering You
I'll be remembering You
I'll be remembering You

I'll be remembering You

Steven Curtis Chapman, "Narnia"

A special word.....

I read this poem last night, it touched me so very much. I believe it was another special gift from God for us all. I searched the web and found that there are several versions, but this is the one I want to share with you...from Tyler with love.



I see the countless CHRISTMAS TREES around the world below
with tiny lights like HEAVEN’S STARS reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so SPECTACULAR please wipe away that tear
for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I hear the many CHRISTMAS SONGS that people hold so dear
but the SOUND OF MUSIC can't compare with the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.

I have no words to tell you of the JOY their voices bring
for it is beyond description to HEAR THE ANGELS SING.

I know HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I can't tell you of the SPLENDOR or the PEACE here in this place
Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face

I'll ask him to LIFT YOUR SPIRIT as I tell him of your love
so then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your HEARTS BE JOYFUL and let your SPIRIT SING
for I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN and I’m walking WITH THE KING

Your Eternal Security..

Hebrews 7:25
He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.(He is Jesus)

Perhaps the most miserable people on earth are those who have trusted in Christ as Savior but battle harassing doubts concerning the assurance of their eternal security.
If you find yourself swinging in and out of a sense of eternal security, you can walk on the level, unchanging ground of God's truth. The ride of swaying doubt can end today. Here's why: You were saved by Christ's performance on the cross, where all your sins__past, present, and future___were forgiven. Your eternal security is grounded in the person and work of Christ, not your performance.
Feelings fluctuate, especially when we sin. But nothing can cancel the reservation that Christ has made in heaven for believers, since it was purchased once and for all by His sacrificial death.
Once you are saved, Christ takes up permanent residence in your life. He will never leave you, even if your track record as a saint is spotty. He may discipline you, and the consequences for your sin may not be pleasant. But your eternal security is not altered.
God's love for you is unconditional, unfailing, and unchanging. He has made you His child forever, and absolutely nothing can change your identity as God's son or daughter. (Charles Stanley)

Family changed....

The Broken Chain....

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

I love this poem, it reminds me that though our family will never be the same again here on earth, we will once again be reunited in Heaven with our precious Tyler! This is the season of Thanks-Giving and we have so very much to be thankful for. I am especially thankful for the gift of Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, He has assured me a home in Heaven where my son is!! Until then we will live this life for His glory and be thankful we had a wonderful son for 26 years! Our chain has a broken link, but it holds together by God's grace, until we meet again. Hooyah Tyler Woodle!! Pray especially for our military, our SEALS, these are hard days and they need our prayers!! 6PM Tyler time!! Pray!!

Pray for strength......

Tomorrow October 7th is Tyler's birthday. I believe it is his second birthday in Heaven. The first was when God first thought of Tyler, how he would look, what his personality would be like, his laugh, his smile, his huge heart. God planned every part of Tyler with loving care. God knew that Tyler would give his big heart to Jesus Christ at the age of 7 years and that he would tell everyone about His Son Jesus as a boy. He knew what kind of son we would need and love, He knew what kind of brother Jerica and Sumer would need, He knew what kind of sports Tyler would play and how strong to make him, give him speed and lots of courage, He knew that one day Tyler would choose to become a Navy SEAL and what it would take to get him through the training, He gave Tyler everything to get him through every part of his wonderful life here on earth. God had a huge plan for Tyler's life and He saw him through every part of it with love, grace and mercy. He knew the day Tyler would come home to Heaven and I believe God couldn't wait to see him face to face again. Tyler saw God, his Creator on February 16th at around 10am once again in His Heaven! I miss my son, but rejoice in the fact that he is with our Lord and I will see Tyler again on the other side of eternity!! Tomorrow will be hard for us but we will celebrate the life of our precious Tyler on his 2nd birthday in God's presence! Celebrate with us Tyler Woodle, a wonderful son and brother, a great friend to many, a precious gift from God!!