Power in a name?

Last week, I was making peanut butter fudge, and my phone started ringing. Since I was in the middle of making fudge, I couldn’t answer my phone (and risk messing up the fudge). But, when I was able to check my phone, I had numerous missed calls as well as a couple of voicemails. It turned out that a judge needed to get in touch with me about one of my cases. But, the judge did not have my phone number. So, she had to get other people to call me. That made me think about the direct connection I have to Jesus. I don’t have to depend on anyone else to “call” him for me. I can simply speak his name. If we could grasp this, we may surprise ourselves at the obstacles that we are able to overcome without ever feeling oppressed.

Something else that has been rolling around in my head over the past week or so is a song that Jeremiah Yocom sings. The song is titled “He Knows My Name.” It says:

He counts the stars one and all

He knows how much sand is on the shore

He sees every sparrow that falls

He made the mountains and the sea

He’s in control of everything

All creatures great and small

And He knows my name

Every step that I take

Every move that I make

Every tear that I cry

He knows my name

When I’m overwhelmed by the pain

I can’t see the light of day

I know I’ll be just fine

‘Cause He knows my name

I don’t know what tomorrow may bring

I can’t tell you what’s in store

I don’t know a lot of things

I don’t have all the answers to the questions of life

But I know in whom I have believed

Think about your favorite famous actor or singer/musician. Imagine how star-struck you would be if you saw him/her in person. Then, what if they knew you by name? Wouldn’t you go weak in the knees? Have you considered that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows you personally? He knows the number of hairs on your head. He longs for a meaningful relationship with you. But, as we all know, the key to a healthy relationship is communication. I want my relationship with Him to be all it can be. I want to be confident that He knows my innermost thoughts, concerns, disappointments, and satisfactions.

Hold On

There is a song that I used to sing with my church choir. One of the verses says,


The devil comes a-knockin', trying to steal your soul
Blinding you with circumstances that you cannot control
Your heart's been torn to pieces
You're at the end of your rope
You've gotta a choice to make
Are you gonna hold on or just let go


Hold on to what you got
The fire's not that hot
You can walk on through the flame
Holding on to Jesus' name
The devil is a liar, you can blow out his fire
With the power He has given unto us
Hold on to what you got


Sometimes, we don't give holding our ground enough credit. But, it made me think about what I was told as a child in regards to any potential bully-stand up for yourself. At times, it feels like standing is all you can do. But, remember, standing your ground is better than losing it. If you give up, you have just lost all the ground that you had gained. Psalm 27:1-3 NLT says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident."


There is absolutely no reason to ever give up. Even if all you can do is stand, consider Ephesians 6 "Having done all to stand, stand." 

Thankful Thirty

I was invited by a friend to join in an event on facebook. The goal is to name one thing each day (during the month of November) that you are thankful for. So, I thought that I'll blog about it too. My goal is to name one thing daily on facebook, and create an on-going list for my blog. I may expand more on each day in the blog also.


So here goes:


Day 1: I'm thankful for my wonder mom, Tina. She has been and will always be a true inspiration of what a Christian mom should be. When I was younger, I had no idea all that she did. But, now, as I reflect, I am truly amazed by what she accomplished, and she made it look so easy! I'm thankful for her discipline, love, sacrifice, and example. I could not be what I am today without her guidance over the past 27 years. Love you Mom!


Day 2: "I wasn't looking for someone I could live with. I was looking for the one I could not live without." I'm thankful for my husband. He loves me, brings me joy, and challenges me to be my best. He is a wonderful man.


Day 3: "A sister is a friend, chosen by God." I'm thankful for my twin sister, Lesha. I love that we still take our yearly vacations and completely enjoy the time together. We aren't alike in many ways, but I think that is what makes our connection so strong. I'm thankful that God gave me such a great friend from birth. What a blessing!


Day 4: "It was nice growing up with someone like you-someone to lean on, someone to count on...someone to tell on!" I am thankful for my brother, Jordan. If it wasn't for him, I would have probably never given a career in law enforcement a real thought. I still remember standing in El Charro talking about my job (as a hair stylist at the time) and Jordan saying, "Why don't you become a cop?" Now, when we go to El Charro, or sit around any other dinner table, we have plenty of stories to share.


Day 5: I am thankful for my sweet dad, Mar. "The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity." ~Jean Paul Richter. My dad doesn't give much advice; but, when he does, it is definitely worth taking.  ♥ ya Dad!