Book Review: “Daddy Dates” Greg Wright

In the book “Daddy Dates” Greg Wright opens up about how raising four daughters has changed his life. He challenges dads today to not only raise their daughters, but to have a relationship with them. Weather you have a small daughter, teenager, or young women this book can really help you understand how to connect to your daughter. From feeling like your relationship with your daughter is slowly going downhill, or trying to figure out how in the world to do this dad-thing, this book is a plus for any dad!

Being a daughter myself, I was very curious as to what Mr. Wright had to say. As I started reading “Daddy Dates” I realized that Mr. Wright is not speaking about what he thinks rather what he knows. This book hit the mark! I have a great dad who has been totally involved in my life. I thank God everyday for my dad, but I have watched too many of my friends suffer from a lack of dad. Weather dad wasn’t there or just wasn’t interested, it hurts just the same. I would recommend that every dad read this book, and not just read, but practice what is says!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"You Are For Me"

Transition. It's a scary place. You aren't where you are going, but neither are you where you were.

These words sum up my life for the next few months. Transition. Change. Becoming. Growing. Learning. Trusting. Stretching.

This isn't the first transition I've lived through. This seems like the scariest transition I will ever live through! (At this point) Some mornings I wake up wanting to cry, laugh, sing, and scream all at the same moment. If I look into the future too far, I start getting very overwhelmed. When I start feel like the world is going to crash on top of me, this is the song that I sing:

"So faithful, so constant,
So loving and so true,
So powerful in all you do,
You fill me, you see me,
You know my every move.
You love for me to sing to you,

I know that you are for me,
I know that you are for me,
I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses,
I know that you have come now even if the write upon my heart,
To remind me of who you are

So patient, so gracious,
So merciful and true,
So wonderful in all you do,
You fill me, you see me,
You know my every move.
You love for me to sing to you" ~Kari Jobe

You see, it doesn’t matter where I am. It doesn't matter how much my life is changing. It doesn't matter how scared I might be, how worried, or how much the stretching hurts. HE never changes. HE is always constant. HE holds my world in HIS hands. AND..He is for ME. HE loves me. HE's not going to leave me alone in this time. HE's going to be with me every step of the way!

So yes, the fact that I am getting ready to move out of my parents house, halfway across the world unnerves me a little bit. (They live in Togo, West Africa, I will be living in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.) No, not every detail is perfectly outlined for me. (This is hard because I like plans, and perfectly outlined details.) But, it's okay. I trust. I hold onto the Master's hand. I bring each day to HIM. When I start to feel like I am going to go insane, I cry out to HIM. HE leads, guides, and directs my path. That gives me peace!

Whoever you are, wherever you are reading this, trust that HE also holds YOUR world in His hands! He knows just where you are at, and He knows where you are going. He more than likely won't tell you every detail of the way, but He'll guide you. Let peace soak into your heart. Trust. Lean. Learn. "HE is for YOU!"

"I know that you are for me,
I know that you are for me,
I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses,
I know that you have come now even if to write upon my heart,
To remind me of who you are."

Learning to Die

The Lord has really been speaking to me lately about denying self. This has been the topic of every sermon, devotion, or lesson I have heard recently. Tonight was no different. Bro Adams gave a devotion about carrying your cross and following Jesus.
I would like to share with you what God has been dealing with me about.

Genesis 22:2-3 "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two if his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him."

No questions, no comments, no "But God that's too much." He just obediently "Rose us and went." Isaac, his only son, the son he loved, was being asked of him.

Tonight Bro Adams stated: "Abraham’s attitude on Mount Moriah was, “I don’t have to survive. What I want, what really makes me happy in life doesn’t have to survive today. God’s will that is what must survive.”

Today, what I want, what I desire, my thoughts, my feelings, none of those matter. None of that is important to me. Jesus, His will, His desires, they must survive. They must live on. Even when it hurts me. Even when it's uncomfortable, I must die.

Matthew 16:25-26 says; "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

That day, Abraham was giving his all, his very precious "self."

Tonight I sit here faced with a question. What will you give. What sacrifice will you make for Me?

You see when it comes down to it, Hannah doesn't have to survive. Hannah isn't important, but, Jesus, his will, his calling, are.

Paul said in Philipians 3:4-7 "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh I more. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."

Abraham gave all. Paul gave all. What will you give? What will I give? These last few weeks I have been "Learning to Die." Not physically, but spiritually die out to the flesh. Give literally everything to Jesus.

No, it isn't easy. No, i'm not perfect. Yes, there are days when I totally fail. (It's an everyday thing.) Yet, I can't give up. I must die.

So, my question for you is; in these last days when material possessions are everything and people live only for themselves, are you willing to die? Are you willing to give all?

Book Review: "The Final Summit" By Andy Andrews

This book centers on David Ponders, a very successful 74 year old business man. After suffering the loss of his dearly beloved wife, Ellen, Mr. Ponders finds himself in a pit of despair, feeling unneeded. Contemplating taking his own life, Mr. Ponders soon learns that he is needed to help answer the one question that will save humanity. You will travel with Mr. Ponders as he attempts to answer this question with other figures in history.

After reading the summery I concluded that this book could have some spiritual impact on my life. I was very disappointed that it is not written for that purpose. I would say that this is more like a self help book. Also, I do not agree with everything that was said in this book.

Although the style with which it is written is very easy to read, it did get a bit monotonous in the middle, but it has a very exciting twist near the end. In the beginning it is somewhat confusing, because it follows the book, “The Traveler,” which I have not read. Thankfully, the author gives enough background information that it all becomes clear the more you read.

I enjoyed this narrative very much as a fictional read, but I don’t necessarily feel that it is study guide material. This is simply my personal opinion.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

My Jesus Walks On Water

Matthew 14:

25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26: And when the desciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27: But, straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I: be not afraid.

28: And Peter answered hom and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29: And he(Jesus) said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30: But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afrais; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and sais unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dist thou doubt?

32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

We love to read this story and say, "(tisk tisk) Peter, Peter, why didn't you just trust that Jesus would keep you?" Yet, if you are like me, you do the very thing that Peter did.

We beg Jesus, "Lord take me higher. Higher in you." Then, when he does, we feel the difficult winds and we start to doubt. Knowing that we are sinking we immediately call upon Jesus and he rescuse us asking, "When did you start doubting me?" Just as soon as we reach our "comfort zones" again the wind ceases.

Going higher can be a bit uncomfortable it takes us from the norm to the unorm. In the unorm we are able to feel the winds stronger. If we take our eyes off of our purpose we can become scared out of our minds. But, might I point out that scripture says that he immediately caught Peter. He didn't wait until he was halfway down, or until he felt that Peter has suffered enough. He caught him immediately.

"Oh Jesus, help me. As I desire to draw closer to you, help to realize that you are there. Even when the winds blow, even when I start to feel the force of them you are there. Help me to understand that if I start to sink, you will catch me immediately. Lord, give me the faith to trust you completely with no doutbs."

AND....the lights went out....

As I came to my senses I thought,"This is the part where prince charming comes in." But, as I opened my eyes, I only saw the old shop vendor with his wrinkles and crinkles. "Surely not him," are the words that came to mind.

Our trip started out as any other. The Nigerian shoe market was our destination. We got there and immediately Mae (One of my friends) found some gorgeous shoes. We were only there about 1 hour when the sun got to be too much for me. I needed something cold to wet my parched throat. As I looked around for signs of something, anything I saw a man selling soft drinks. Thinking this would be a good choice; I bought one and downed it immediately. Feeling refreshed we continued on our shoe quest.

Not more than 15 minutes later....I began to feel a bit nauseated and light-headed. My first reponse was the need to escape the suffocating heat. Doing what every girl knows to do, I called.........my mother. Relief was insight, or so I thought.....

I found my friends and told them of my plans to leave the market. We agreed that I would wait for them, as they were almost finished, too. While watching them try on hats, I began to get the distinct feeling that I was about to faint. Being the romantic that I am, I decided that nothing as exciting as fainting could possibly happen to me.

The next thing I remember....I was sprawled out in the middle of the walkway, hearing my name called out over me, "Hannah," "Hannah." Yes, it was Jaydie. Upon opening my eyes I saw the old shop keeper and not the Prince Charming I was hoping for! So much for my knight in shining armor.

Coming to my senses, I realized that Amber, Jaydie and Mae were moving me to a bench and out of the walkway. How dreadful of them to wake me.... I had been in such a deep and calming sleep, or so it seemed to me. But, reality was certain. I was back in the Nigerian Market. It was still 100 degrees. The sun was blistering and my head was throbbing!

At this point, the "dying yovo" had the attention of the whole market. As, I was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what had just happened, the sweet shop owner was running around franticly doing his best the make me comfortable.

My mother was on her way, but we knew the only way out of the market was to walk. At this point I was becoming a bit nauseated as well. My very brave friends, to whom I owe my very life, set out to get me out of there. Mae got on one side of me and Amber on the other. Jaydie walked behind carrying our bags and making sure we didn't trip.

It felt like the farther we walked through the market, the farther away the exit moved. There were a few points that I thought I wasn't going to make it. But, by the grace of God and with the help of Mae, Jaydie, and Amber, we made it through.

So, what have I learned through all of this?.....fainting is not the romatic excitement hollywood makes it out to be. Rather, it's a bit scary and painful!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is one of those stories that we now look back on and laugh at. lol

Falling in Love

I have never been one to proclaim that I « Fell in love. » In my opinion those words have been way over used in our culture. I decided long ago that I only wanted to say that once in my lifetime to that one special person. Yet I find myself exclaiming these words precisely. Oh, not to a person, but rather a place.
As we embarked on our journey halfway across the continent of Africa this past week, I had no idea what awaited me. I knew of this place, and I tried to love it the best I could before I really knew it, but, as I have come to find out, that isn’t real love.
Our plane made two stops along the way. I am pretty sure that our next to last stop was the longest flight I have ever been on in my entire life. It was only about an hour and thirty minutes from Lagos, Nigeria to Yaoundé, Cameroon, but to me it felt like 21 hours and 30 minutes. I tried to sleep, but couldn’t. I tried to read, but somehow could not seem to concentrate. All I could do was sit and wonder what lay ahead of me.
Wonder, “What’s it going to be like?” “Am I going to like it?” I was afraid of the possibility that I might not like it. So many questions, fears, doubts, and yet unbelievable excitement was running through my head at one time.
When our plane began the descent into Bangui, the capital of C.A.R, I am pretty sure that butterflies over took my stomach. After all these years of waiting, praying, and hoping it was finally here. Yet, I felt like a little girl meeting my lifetime crush for the first time. And then, it happened the landing gear was lowered, may I stop to thank Jesus for this, and we touched down. In that moment, that tiny second that we met the ground, all fears and doubts vanished.
I describe that week in this way, “It was the longest, shortest, most awesome, and yet most miserable week of my life.”
In trying my best to describe this week to a dear friend I told her, “I have never felt the way I felt that week before.” In that week I found my calling, my longing and at the same time felt my own inadequacy. No, I wasn’t prepared for what happened. I wasn’t prepared to “Fall in love.” I am not sure at what point I realized what was happening. Maybe I knew it all along. It was the best and worst feeling all wrapped up into one. My emotions were going crazy. If I had to describe these feelings I would say, “It felt like someone had take my heart, mind, sound reasoning, and emotions and ground them all up and mixed them together.” I wanted to cry, scream, and laugh all at the same time. I experienced joy, pain, and deep sorrow in the same breath.
The work is so new, so fresh, and so white with harvest. I realized in that week that I wasn’t ready to begin working with them. I realized that I myself needed to be trained. Yet, I saw the need. I felt their hunger for teaching; even the children and I thought how can I keep them waiting another 4 yrs. I struggled with this. I struggled with God and the path I knew He was trying to take me. I struggled with myself.

I didn’t want to get on that plane to come back. I wanted to kick, scream, and throw a tantrum fit. But, I knew this more than likely would not help. So, I refrained. I came home broken and with a bleeding heart. Numb emotionally and feverish physically. I prayed asking God for direction for my future. I questioned what He had already told me. I was “torn up” on the inside. Yet, through all of my questioning and just plain hard-headedness, Jesus remained faithful and patient. He is slowly but surely giving me peace to continue in his plan. He is helping me see it not as a detour, but rather as stepping stone. I need to go home and go to Bible School.
I’ve come to the conclusion that falling in love isn’t easy, maybe it isn’t always fun, but it’s worth it.

Walking in the New Mercies

It's just been one of those days. One of those days that from the word "go" you feel like you are walking in sludge. Sometimes there's a reason we feel this way, but today was one of those days.....there wasn't a reason. I just felt like a dark cloud was hanging over my head ALL day!

It started about 5:40 this AM....I was awakened by a night-mare. After I was awake, there was no going back to sleep. So, I decided to have my "quiet time" with the Lord. I am still not sure what on earth I said to him.....I hope He understands mumbo jumbo, because I think that's what I was speaking! At least I tried....right?

Finally, I was convinced He and I weren't making any progress...I couldn’t go back to sleep in my bed. I had just had a night-mare for goodness sake! So, I went and climbed in bed with my momma. I felt much better then!

Around 7:30 I got up brushed my teeth, put my hair up in a messy bun and made my appearance down stairs. (What can I say? It was just one of those days.) I attempted to commence my schooling, but I kind of..well..I ah....fell asleep on the couch. (What?! I'm a senior...I have benefits.)

Around 9 I awoke and again restarted my studies only to out that a dear friend had been injured. (This dear friend is fine! It was just one of those days!) We got this dear friend home and I finished my school.

If you know me at all....you know a break down was on it’s way . Around 10:30 PM I was ready for this day to be over. But, in the emotional, sludgy state I was in; sleep was out of the question. So, I decided to have a pow-wow with Jesus. In other words....I had a meltdown.

I have decided melt downs don't really help. The more I melted the worse I felt, and just when I thought I was at the end of my rope…………Jesus reminded me of scripture.

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are made new every morning, great it thy faithfulness.” ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Just when I thought all of his mercies towards me were used up, just when I thought He had forgotten about me, He reminded me that he gives new mercy everyday! You know something else……..his mercy is enough to last throughout the whole day.
I just stopped typing to smile.

Even when I felt that he couldn’t possibly be around…….his mercies were right there waiting for me to take them. Why does he give us mercy? Because he loves us! Therefore along with his mercy, he gives us a bit of love, too!

You may be wondering……”Hannah, why did you take the time to write this blog?” Here’s why, someone out there needed to know that their mercy with Jesus hasn’t run out for today, and that tomorrow there will be some more waiting on them! Don’t give up just yet, because just when you think you’re at your wits end his mercy is there with you!

Walk in his mercy, dearest!

The key to true beauty

If you are a girl reading this, then you are going to know exactly what I am talking about......We spend hours making sure we have that "perfect" outfit....the most adorable shoes. Hairstyles, we have those down to a tea. We will do just about anything to make sure that we look beautiful. Once we feel we have achieved that goal....we take one look in the mirror and squeal in horror as we see once again...the image we have in our head doesn't match what we see in the mirror. Why is this?????? Is it because there is something wrong with us? No, it's because we have yet to "put on" the key to true beauty.

"What is this "key?" you might ask. Here let me show you......

The Bible says in Psalms 147:1 "Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."

Now, if you are like me.....you are thinking "What does comely mean?"
Comely means beautiful....

There you have it. The key to true beauty is praise! When I read this verse in Psalms, it just blew my mind! It was like a light went off in my head! True beauty, as we have all heard, comes from the inside. Now, I have often wondered...."How do you make your insides beautiful?" I mean, I could run around and help everyone in need, hug a few babies, and scream "peace on earth," but that doesn't make me a beautiful person on the inside.

Only when we have Jesus Christ living on the inside of us and a heart full of praise to HIM can we be truly beautiful. I know what you're thinking......"Does this mean that I have to walk around with my hands folded singing "How Great Thou Art" in a prayerful manner all the time?" haha No, but when you live a life of praise...you suddenly see things in a different manner. You have more joy in your life, the love and light of Jesus starts to radiate out of you.....people notice a change, and you don't mind talking about the ONE that changed you! You learn to love people, instead of seeing them as mess-ups...you see them as messes Jesus is just waiting to clean-up! A life of praise is a life devoted to the Master. It takes time and commitment. But, it is so worth every minute of it!

Lord, help me to "put on" the key to true beauty, and help my life to become a life of praise to you!

"Because No One Cared About My Soul"

Psalms 142:4 "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." KJV

As I was doing my nightly Bible reading I read this verse. I have read this verse many times before, but tonight it kind of jumped out and grabbed me.
As I read and reread over it, another verse came to my mind.

Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." KJV

As I sit at the computer and try my best to think of something profound to say, something that will bring you to your knees in tears.....I find nothing. Maybe it's because the burden for the country God has placed in my heart is too heavy. But, maybe just maybe these verse are self-explanatory. All I know is this: after sitting here for what feels like hours this is what I have to say..........there is a world out there dying lost because "No one cared about their soul."

Here are a few statistics I would like to share with you about the country we are appointed to.

The Central African Republic:

Indigenous Beliefs 35%
Protestant 25%
Roman Catholic 25%
Muslim 15%
(Animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority.)

"I won't delay
I won't hesitate
I will obey your call
And abandon all to see
The power of God
Your glory revealed
My nation healed"

"Nevertheless At Thy Word"

First I have to say that I cannot take the credit for the idea of this blog. My mom taught this lesson. I'm just kinda borrowing it! =D


Simon, James, and John (sons of Zebedee) had been out all night in their boats. They were trying their best to make a living on fishing...But, it just wasn't easy when the fish didn't want to be caught! Finally, it was time to return to the shore, repair the nets, and hopefully get some rest. Simon was just washing his net when all of the sudden a man out of no where jumps in his boat and ask to be taken out a little ways. Simon noticed that something was different about this man. So, out they went.

When they were just a little way from the shore the man said "Stop here." Then, He began to teach the people. As Simon sat and listened to what the man was saying, He realized that this man wasn't just another priest or prophet. This man named Jesus was, was God. Listening to the words Jesus was saying, Simon had no idea that his life was on the verge of being forever changed.

All too soon Jesus finished teaching. Simon began to pull up the anchor getting ready to head back to shore, when Jesus said, "....Launch out into the deep, and let your down nets for a draught. ~Luke 5:4" Simon stopped what he was doing, not sure that he had heard Jesus correctly. "What did you say, Jesus?" "Let's go out a little further and let down your nets for a catch." Simon was dumbfounded. But, again he was overcome by the fact that Jesus wasn't just a good prophet..he was God. So, he replied ""And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." ~Mark 5:5"

"Nevertheless at thy word...." So out they went. Maybe as Simon let down the nets he thought he was going to catch a few fish...at least enough to make a few dollars that day. But, as he began to pull the nets up, they just kept coming and coming. "James, John! I need some help! Bring your boats." Then, before they knew it all three boats were full!


"Nevertheless at thy word..." "Lord, I have to tried to have a successful prayer life before...but,"Nevertheless at thy word!" Lord, I have tried to do this and that before..but, "Nevertheless at they word!"

I don't know who is it that this needs to read this today...but, "Nevertheless at they word Lord!" Try it one more time...do it one more time because maybe, just maybe this is the time that Jesus is gonna step in and make it work!

A look through my eyes/I dream of Africa....

Some see it as the home of poverty and sickness. Others see it as that place across the world where people live in a jungles and mud huts. The rich man may see it as a place where he can send his money to help ease the suffering and his conscience. The nurse may see as the place where she can make a difference in someone's health. The missionary sees it as a place to help change lives...and all of these different views are well and good. But, me...I see it as my home.


It is the place that I have worked my whole life to get to. Even when I was young, I always knew we would end up here. We went to Madagascar for the most amazing yet difficult year of my life. We went back home, and yearned to return to this incredible place. No matter what my address has been...this is the place I have always wanted to be. The sights, the smells, the people they have all in some way become a part of me. The way their faces light up when you smile and wave. The way the young girls play clap games in the street. The smell after the rain that brings moisture to the hot, dry ground. The way the pressure builds up right before the bottom falls out of the sky. I love this wonderful place. Maybe, you can't appreciate the view through my eyes. Maybe, it's quite difficult for you to understand. But, that's okay. I understand...I love this place.

Most kids my age are dreaming of college and what they are going to do for their lives. While these things are on my mind, they are not what I dream of....I dream of a place called Africa. This is where I belong. God truly has blessed my life to be able to live it here.

Maybe this wasn't the best look into my world....I just felt I should share. :)

Pure White....

When I think of the color pure white, I usually think of a white linen cloth, a cloth that has no spots, no stains, and no discoloration. It's just....well, it's white.

Here lately it seems like everyone in Togo feels the need to tell me I am "Pure white." One man in the market described me like this, "You are not yellow. You are pure white." He also said that being "Pure white" was beautiful. So, I decided to take it as a compliment instead of an insult. :) Then, the other day a lady told me I was "Pure white" again. This time though I don't think she meant it as a compliment. So, I thought well, maybe I do need to get a little sun. lol I wasn't really upset or hurt that she was telling me I was too white. I was more or less amused. lol When you really thing about it, it is funny.

But, the more I thought about it the more I realized. Yes, I am "Pure white,” not only physically, but spiritually. You see, I have had the opportunity to grow up in an Apostolic home my whole life. I have never had to experience the real evils of the world. My past is "Pure white."

One year I was at youth camp, and a lady gave her awesome testimony about how she was in the world, but Jesus forgave her and brought her back into church. As I sat and listened to her I began to think, "WOW! What an awesome testimony she has. She did all of these things, and then came back to church and found forgiveness. Her testimony will really touch someone's life." But, I have never done anything like that. How can my testimony touch someone when I've never done anything?

(Please note: I am not saying that I want to go out into the world! :))

But, I realized that is the beauty of it. I have a clean slate that is just waiting to be used for the glory of God. I have a whole "Pure white" life to give to Jesus! That my friend is just as powerful as someone who has found forgiveness! My testimony although different can still touch someone's life. I can still tell other teens who have grown up in church and are wondering the same thing I was (do I have a testimony) that you DO have a testimony for Jesus.

Our testimony is of His amazing grace. It's of his anointing on our lives. It's of his blessings, of his keeping us from the things of the world! Our testimony is of being "Pure white!" It's a testimony of Jesus giving us the strength to stand strong for Him! "Pure white" is still an awesome testimony for out King!!!

Maybe you are sitting here reading this blog thinking, "I don't have a "Pure white" testimony. I wasn't privileged to grow up in this truth." Please let me tell you that when you asked Jesus Christ to forgive you, you were baptized in Jesus name and you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.....HE WIPED YOUR PAST CLEAN! He gave you a clean slate and a "Pure white" past. Jesus paid the price for your guilt and shame!

Rejoice because you have a "Pure white" testimony! Be glad that Jesus has given you a life to give to Him!!! I sure am! :)

I am trying to figure out a way to give the pastor telling me I have a "Squeaky voice" a spiritual twist for my next blog! lol ;)

Mark 14:37-38
"And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak."

We know that when Jesus asked His disciples who men said He was, that Peter stood up and declared He was Lord. Jesus then gave Peter a promise and a warning. "Apon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail." The promise....but, He also gave Peter a warning, "Before the cock crows 3 time you shall denie me 3 times."

In the scripture we read that Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane his disciples were with Him. Jesus had gone off by himself to pray. He had left his disciples to pray. When Jesus came back to check on the disciples they were asleep. He then spoke to them..But, I find it very interesting that when He first came back, Jesus did not speak to all of the disciples. He first spoke to Peter. The same one He had warned earlier.

Could it have been that this was Peter's chance to be strengthened in the Lord. What would have happened if Peter had chose to pray instead of sleep? Would He still have denied Christ? Maybe just maybe Jesus was giving Peter a chance to strengthen his flesh. But, instead Peter slept through it.


Don't miss your chance to be strengthened! Jesus is waiting there to pour out some strength to you. Go get it!

Noises can't hurt!

Isaiah 9:5
"For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but, this shall be with burning and fuel of fire."

Pay special attention to the first part of that verse. "For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise."

Isaiah 37:5-7
"5: So the servant of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6: And Isaiah said unto them, thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid OF THE WORDS THAT THOU HAST HEARD where with the servants of King Assyria have blasphemed me. 7: Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and HE SHALL HEAR A RUMOUR, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."


Have you ever wondered why in a football just as the player is trying to make a hard decision fast the fans of the other team start going nuts? When LSU is playing and this happens I get mad. Because you know that the NOISE is most likely distracting the player. Why is that? Something as simple as a noise scares the mess out of us? Can a noise hurt us? Can they come over and physically injure us in any way? So why then are we so scared of them?

As I was reading in Isaiah tonight, the story of King Hezekiah stood out to me. I had read Isaiah 9:5 a few weeks earlier and that spoke volumes to me. When I read this story of the King, the two kind of clicked in my head. Hezekiah was being scared by the noises of Sennacherib. If you read the whole story you see that he kept going before the throne of God. (Another blog for another day.) Finally, the Lord basically told him "Don't be scared by all these noises. I am going to scare Sennacherib with a noise and he will be killed on his own land."

Okay, if this is making no sense to you......I am about to try to bring it all together. Hang in there! :D

So many times the devil comes in and whispers words of defeat in our ear, and we just go plain chicken! I know because I am so guilty!!! He'll come in and tell me something and right then and there I have heart failure. Then, when my parents try to calm me down and get to the bottom of it, they are like, "Hannah what is your problem? You know the devil lies. So, why do you believe him?" Then, a light comes on in my head and it all makes sense! HB, it's just a NOISE! Here is the thing I have learned about noises....are you ready? This is powerful. LOL THEY CAN"T HURT YOU! WOW! So, are you telling me that the very thing that I am losing sleep over can't even hurt me? THAT'S RIGHT! Maybe I am the only one that got hit in the head with this realization, but to me this is powerful. The noise is a distraction. That's all it can do is distract!

So, quit worrying about the noise. Go get some rest! God is on your side!!!


Love yas.....HB

Joy in the Morning....

I have never really realized the connection to "The morning" until now. Mom and I are doing a non-denominational Bible study entitled "A Women's Heart" with some of the missionary wives here in Togo. Beth Moore is the writer of this study. It is absolutely wonderful! In these last few lessons she has brought some things into focus that I would like to share with you all.

The Manna was rained down with the dew in the morning. The Israelites had to RISE EARLY to get it because, it melted away with the day. When the Lord gave the Israelites a chance to bless Him, (when they brought their gifts for the Tabernacle) they brought their gifts in the morning! OKAY Here's the coolest part.......Jesus died in the evening right?!?!!?!?! BUT, HE ROSE IN THE MORNING! WOW! What a connection....There's just something about the morning! It brings refreshing, newness......What am I missing by not getting up and COLLECTING my Manna every morning? Just thought I would share this inspiration with you!

Love to all.....HB

I miss my blog.....I miss my readers....I miss the joy in reading my comments....So, here I come back to my lost love wagging my tail behind me. I have said it time and time again...I hate writing! But, there is something about blogging....It's just soothing for the soul! I love it!

We went to the National Conference in Benin last weekend. WOW! There were 1,200 to 1,500 in attendance and, 186 received the Holy Ghost! It was absolutely amazing!!! I was in awe! The children with their smiling faces....One little girl came up to me when we were leaving one of the services, and, she gave me a hug and told me by! They had the biggest smiles and, the cutest faces...There was just something about them! I fell in love with those kids! Their laughs...their eyes....their smiles...everything! They were hungry!!! I think that when you know a passion is there, but, it has been dormant for a while.....and then, it awakens....WOW! There is something just amazing that happens! Lord, give me the ability to be able to teach them and help You reach their souls!


We have a nondenominational Bible-study for the missionaries here where,Jaydie (the AIMer) and I teach a SS class on Thursday nights. When we went to Kara to baby-sit, one of the girls from our class received the Holy Ghost!!!!!! We were so excited! Great things are happening here in Togo! Great things are happening everywhere!

I am so excited to see what is going to happen in the next few months here and, to hear the great reports from all of you!

Hope you have enjoyed my blabbing....hehe

Love to all,
Hannah

Teaching Sunday School...

I taught Sunday school to the African children for the first time 2 Sundays ago. I was quite nervous because I wasn't sure I would relate well to them but, God came through and He helped me! I taught on Jesus Power and how the Holy Ghost which is Jesus power, is more powerful than anything else! I told the story of Cornelius and how he knew there was a power but, he wasn't sure what power. I brought out the point that even though he was a Gentile it wasn't Jesus who didn't want him to have the power. It was the Jews. Jesus never said he couldn’t have the HG! I said that, even though they are children that they can have the power also! I talked about how Jesus said suffer the children to come unto me. I brought my Friend Kofi with me. He is in the picture.

I really had a great time teaching! I loved the look on their faces when Kofi came out. This is what carrying His light all is about! No one got the HG but, the seed was planted that, they can have it if they desire it. Jesus didn't just die for the big people but, He died for the small people too! Thank you Jesus!!!!

They have a saying that the children say at various times in the service. They say it in dialect. The Sunday I taught the SS teacher told me what they say.
It goes something like this “Jesus friend of children" a line I can't remember then they say "when you come into the sanctuary. SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" I laughed when she told me that! LOL

Grey Hair, letters, and labels!!!!!

What do grey hairs, letters, and labels all have in common???? ME! I have recently realized that at 16 yrs old I have grey hair. How depressing is that? LOL Sad to say but, they are there!

Labels…..Well I just spent about 45 mins organizing all of my sheet music into alphabetical order. I also made homemade labels for them as well. Why you might ask…why did I do this crazy thing.....Well, it's simple....I have a problem. I cannot live without organization! I feel incomplete when things are not organized. It is so bad that I have to keep myself from trying to organize others. Why? I have no idea why, where, how, or who this need comes from. But, sometimes it drives me batty! LOL Most teenagers when they are bored talk on the phone, watch movies, or other things.....I…. well, I organize. But, I guess thats enough about my organization.

Now to letters....well you see I have a dear friend who has asked and asked that I write her a letter. Not so hard right? Wrong! I hate to write!!! I can't even make myself keep a journal because I hate to write! That is really funny because, I am always talking to myself and could have written ten fictional books by now. But, again I hate to write! On the other hand I love this BlogSpot and, I don't know why. Anyways so, today when I was organizing I found some really pretty stationary that a lady gave me one time. Only problem, I only had one piece. So, I made copies. The stationary is black and white with music symbols on it. So, now I am going to make myself write poor Kalin a letter!

So, to sum up my ramblings.....Well, there is no point! They are just my ramblings!!! LOL Hope you all enjoy my faithful blog readers!!!

Love to all,
Hannah

Rebuilding Burnt Walls

I am reading/writing from Nehemiah 4:1-2.

v.1 "But, it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
v.2 And when he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"

We find here where Nehemiah had gone back to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. This wall had been destroyed during the captivity of the Jews. When Sandballat found out about it, he wasn't happy at all.....Why wasn't he happy? When there is a wall, the enemy has a harder time getting in. Sandballat knew that if Nehemiah and the Jews built this wall back there was no way he was getting in! So, he was going to do everything possible to make sure this wall wasn't going up. He threatened them with threats of attack, ridicule, discouragement, extortion. But, if you read on, you will see where they got the wall up!

Somewhere in someone's life today, you have let some walls fall. You have let the bondage of sin get in and you don't know what to do....Build your wall! You see when you have the wall of Jesus around your heart then nothing can get in unless you let it in. When you build and strengthen your wall everyday with prayer and fasting, it will soon become invinsible!

While you are building this wall, the devil is going to do everything possible to get you to mess up your wall.....Don't stop! Keep building your wall! You see, he knows that if you get that wall built around your heart then you are going to become mighty in Jesus!

Walls provide protection!!!