With Thanksgiving just a handful of hours away, I'm going to follow in the footsteps of my dear friend, Sandy Broome (love you!) and voice some of the many things that I am thankful for this year...
* My salvation. I know that I am a child of God and He is my Heavenly Father. Regardless of the mistakes that I make in my life, He still loves me and always will. Thank you.
* My husband. He is the backbone of our small but precious family. I thank him for his love, strength and hard work to provide all of the things that we enjoy. Thank you.
* My Dad and Mom. I have so many things to thank them for. The wisdom that I use in my everyday life, some was education, most was my parents. I am proud to say that they molded me into the respectable adult that I am today. Thank you.
* My brothers. They are all such awesome men! I am thankful for their humor. If ever I may need a laugh, any one of them can make me laugh to tears. I'm enjoying watching them all grow and find their own ways in life. I love them so much! Thank you.
* My In-Laws. All of them! I could never have asked for a better family to have married into. Like my birth family, they all have their quirks, but that's what keeps life interesting! To Leigh and Jamie, I grew up with awesome brothers but I will grow old with awesome sisters, I love you both dearly! Thank you.
* My job. I'm thankful for the additional income that it provides for my family and the friends that I have met along the way. I'm also thankful for the knowledge I have gained and the new patience I've acquired! Thank you.
* My friends. I am so abundantly blessed to have so many awesome people in my life that I call friends. Some of them close enough to be called family. Each and every one of you add something to my life that is irreplaceable. Thank you.
* My life. Each day is a precious gift. I thank God for giving me the days I have had so far and, His will be done, the days to follow. Thank you.
* My country. Whether the land of the free and the home of the brave is in turmoil or not, it is still my country and I will stand for it. It is still and forever more, one nation under God! I am thankful for the freedom to pray for it's rulers! Thank you.
There are days where I find myself longing for more out of life. It is those days where something is said in passing or I see something on T.V. and I am humbly knocked to my knees to realize that I have so much. The most humbling part is that those that have much less, give abundant thanks for the little they have and here I am asking for more.
Oh give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Next Tuesday, November 25th!
It's getting cold, everyones getting pale and if you're like me you had to revamp your makeup to keep from looking dead! If you need some tips on how to create a "winter glow" or just want to sit in for a free make over, join me Tuesday night, November 25th (that's next Tues!) at my Mary Kay training center in Belmont, right off I-85. We'll meet from 6:30-8pm, refreshments served. This is also a good opportunity to get some really cool holiday gift ideas for everyone in "your circle", men and teens too! If your interested give me a call on my cell (704)460-2381 or email me at rachelsprings@ymail.com. I'll provide any extra details or directions if you need them! I hope to see some new faces join us and bring a friend if you'd like!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Peaceful Assurance...
On Sunday night this past weekend, I had two terrible dreams. Nightmares, you might call them. Not ones where somebody is chasing you with chainsaws or ghosts or goblins trying to eat you. It was vivid and frightening and much what I feel like the world will be after Jesus comes back.
To keep it short, the first dream depicted men rampaging our house during a sunny afternoon barbecue with guns and for no reason other than hate, shooting the people that I care for the most in my life. I woke up in a cold sweat with tears running down my face, scared to death to go back to sleep and see anymore of this horrific incident. Finally after an hour or so, I dosed back off. The second dream was even more confusing than the first. Again, a gathering at our home. The door bell rings and I answer to find a women with a group of what looks to be 6-10 orphans. The lady explains that she is searching for homes for these children and asks if I would be willing to foster. I let them in, after a few short minutes, the children start to pull syringes from their pockets containing poison and stabbing my friends and family. Needless to say when I woke from this, there was no going back to sleep.
Jimmy woke up a couple hours after I did and one look, asked me what was wrong. I began to sob and tell him about these dreams. He assures me that they are just that, dreams. No need to worry or fear for your life, that he'll never let anything like that happen to me/us.
This morning my mom send me the below devotion, words that I already know in my heart but without fail seem to forget when fear enters my heart...
Psalm 70 –
Be still, My child, and know that I am God! Wait thou patiently – I know the path you trod. So falter not, nor fear, nor think to run or hide. For I, your hope and strength, am waiting by your side.
Psalm 71 -
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. 6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
I know that these words are true and I know that the words of my sweet husband are also true. I also know that some may think that I have gone mad! I think that my mind is wandering into the unknown of what could come if people choose to turn from God. There are paths of destruction, whether crime or just temptations, that lead us astray. Last night I prayed the hardest I have prayed in a long time and this morning He sends me words from the mouth of my beautiful mother. Praise God!
To keep it short, the first dream depicted men rampaging our house during a sunny afternoon barbecue with guns and for no reason other than hate, shooting the people that I care for the most in my life. I woke up in a cold sweat with tears running down my face, scared to death to go back to sleep and see anymore of this horrific incident. Finally after an hour or so, I dosed back off. The second dream was even more confusing than the first. Again, a gathering at our home. The door bell rings and I answer to find a women with a group of what looks to be 6-10 orphans. The lady explains that she is searching for homes for these children and asks if I would be willing to foster. I let them in, after a few short minutes, the children start to pull syringes from their pockets containing poison and stabbing my friends and family. Needless to say when I woke from this, there was no going back to sleep.
Jimmy woke up a couple hours after I did and one look, asked me what was wrong. I began to sob and tell him about these dreams. He assures me that they are just that, dreams. No need to worry or fear for your life, that he'll never let anything like that happen to me/us.
This morning my mom send me the below devotion, words that I already know in my heart but without fail seem to forget when fear enters my heart...
Psalm 70 –
Be still, My child, and know that I am God! Wait thou patiently – I know the path you trod. So falter not, nor fear, nor think to run or hide. For I, your hope and strength, am waiting by your side.
Psalm 71 -
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. 6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
I know that these words are true and I know that the words of my sweet husband are also true. I also know that some may think that I have gone mad! I think that my mind is wandering into the unknown of what could come if people choose to turn from God. There are paths of destruction, whether crime or just temptations, that lead us astray. Last night I prayed the hardest I have prayed in a long time and this morning He sends me words from the mouth of my beautiful mother. Praise God!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
the decision has been made....
The elections are over and the people have chosen their next president. Barack Obama will take office January 20, 2009. Barack Obama promises change to this country. Lets all pray it's good change and Godly change. Even though Obama was not my pick and I have several reasons why not, he is still going to be my president. I have to accept that as do many other Christians that took a stand and voted for McCain. McCain is a man that fought for and served our country for several years and knows what it takes to have the freedoms we all take for granted. McCain stood for pro-life. He has his faults as do I but the facts are he took a stand in regards to some very importnant issues that Obama didn't. It is unfortunate that many others couldn't see that.
Whatever happens in the days to come, I know that I stood for my God and my faith and LIFE! I will be the first one to say that I hope Obama proves me wrong. I hope for every citizen in the United States of America, that he is the best person that could have been chosen to lead this country. I hope his promises have positive actions behind them and that the words that he has spoken weren't just to prove that he could become president with the right people behind him.
More than anything, I pray that all of God's children continue to pray harder than they have ever prayed before for our country. Barack Obama may be going to the White House but my God is and will forever be on His throne. I will continue to stand behind that fact!
Whatever happens in the days to come, I know that I stood for my God and my faith and LIFE! I will be the first one to say that I hope Obama proves me wrong. I hope for every citizen in the United States of America, that he is the best person that could have been chosen to lead this country. I hope his promises have positive actions behind them and that the words that he has spoken weren't just to prove that he could become president with the right people behind him.
More than anything, I pray that all of God's children continue to pray harder than they have ever prayed before for our country. Barack Obama may be going to the White House but my God is and will forever be on His throne. I will continue to stand behind that fact!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Why I can't vote for Obama....
I recieved this email from a good friend of mine (thanks Amanda!). My friends at work ask me why I am so close minded in my decision about voting for McCain. Like I've said before, there are quite a few things I don't like about McCain either, but none would sway me to vote Obama. Because it is very hard for me to get in a political battle and remain professional/polite in my workplace, here's my answer in another man's words... (obviously, I'm not black... I'm referring to me being a Christian and having conservative Christian views in politics).... I have one thing to say, Amen, Huntley Brown!
Why I Can't Vote For Obama By Huntley Brown:
Dear Friends,
A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating... First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter. We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.
NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)
To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with. There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.God help him. There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law. Think about this: You can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.
There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now? Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him? Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...1. Commitment to the White Community 2. Commitment to the White Family 3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic 4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community. 5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions 6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System 7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System. Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside. This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church.
The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world. A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.
Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: 'Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation? In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.
Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' Then God says 1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.'
Here is what we know for sure. God is not schizophrenic He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it. For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy. I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.
Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation, 1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation. 2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?
Blessings, Huntley Brown
Why I Can't Vote For Obama By Huntley Brown:
Dear Friends,
A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating... First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a Christ follower) means He leads I follow. I can't dictate the terms He does because He is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from the other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning to name a few, wrong economic concerns will soon not matter. We need to follow Martin Luther King's words, don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I don't know Obama so all I can go off is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.
NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama: Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)
To beat Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with. There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted No on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted No on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted No on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.God help him. There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law. Think about this: You can't give a kid an aspirin without parental notification but that same kid can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.
There is a reason he went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment but he sat under Jeremiah Wright teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now? Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 - 20 'Go and make disciples of all nations.' This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him? Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a ...1. Commitment to the White Community 2. Commitment to the White Family 3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic 4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community. 5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions 6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System 7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System. Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside. This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discovered he went to a racist church.
The church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world. A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandate. It does not matter if it's a white church or a black church it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.
Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book A Black Theology of Liberation. Cone once wrote: 'Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this? So what does all this mean for the nation? In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.
Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 1:9 'Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.' Then God says 1 Samuel 1:18 ' When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.' 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. 'No!' they said. 'We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.' 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, 'Listen to them and give them a king.'
Here is what we know for sure. God is not schizophrenic He would not tell one person to vote for Obama and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it. For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say; Father based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy. I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions.
Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation, 1. Whose value system should be placed on the nation. 2. Who should determine that this is the right value system for the nation?
Blessings, Huntley Brown
Thursday, October 23, 2008
loving on my man....
This day in 1999, Jimmy and I started dating! That marks 9 years for us and we can't wait for the next nine.... and the next nine! I love you babe!! ♥
Monday, October 20, 2008
2 posts in one day.... I know! But, I HAD to add this!
My friends Michelle and Jessica both posted this blog and I found it hilarious so I tried it out myself! Go to "Google" and search your name followed by "needs". Here's what I came up with...
1. Rachel needs guidance and normal supervision... seriously, I'm not that bad!
2. Rachel needs your help.... again, not that bad!
3. Rachel REALLY needs some organization and better flow... understatement of the century!!
4. Rachel needs some good thoughts.... PLEASE!
5. Rachel needs more caffeine.... should say Rachel needs to stay away from caffeine!
6. Rachel needs to focus.... AMEN!
7. Rachel needs a new roommate.... the irony of this blows my mind!
8. Rachel needs a squeeze... please be more specific!
1. Rachel needs guidance and normal supervision... seriously, I'm not that bad!
2. Rachel needs your help.... again, not that bad!
3. Rachel REALLY needs some organization and better flow... understatement of the century!!
4. Rachel needs some good thoughts.... PLEASE!
5. Rachel needs more caffeine.... should say Rachel needs to stay away from caffeine!
6. Rachel needs to focus.... AMEN!
7. Rachel needs a new roommate.... the irony of this blows my mind!
8. Rachel needs a squeeze... please be more specific!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
