Worth the Wait

Merry Christmas to all...
I wanted to share something I read today that gave my heavy heart hope. Enjoy..

The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:25

The story of Christmas goes back to Eden. The day Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the tree, God didn't panic. He had seen this coming before creation. God went on record, foretelling a coming Messiah who would crush Satan's head and bring deliverance to God's people. And then, I imagine with tears running down his cheeks, God dismissed Adam and Eve from the garden.
I can almost see God standing by the forbidden tree, knowing that one day he would return to earth as a human baby, grow up, and let himself be nailed to a tree, bearing all the sin of this world in his own body. And in the moment of Satan's apparent triumph, he would turn around and crush him and rise from the dead to offer new, eternal life to all who believe.
Yet this promise of the Messiah was made thousands of years before Jesus' birth. Christmas is about an incredible promise God made to us in the distant past. It's about promise, and about waiting a very long time.

Toward the end of the Old Testament, God makes this sobering declaration: "I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem's darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the LORD will do nothing to them, either good or bad"(Zephaniah 1:12). Yet in t he end, not even the high priest welcomed baby Jesus into the world. Only a few shepherds ans some foreign dignitaries seem to have noticed God's arrival.
The high priest probably didn't believe God was going to do anything to change the status quo. After all, God hadn't done anything, as far as he could tell, for centuries. The prophets spoke no more. No one had seen a miracle for generations. For all practical purposes, God had disappeared. Few were still waiting with expectation.
Yet some were. Forty days after Jesus' birth. Joseph and Mary met a man in Jerusalem who had received God's promise that he would see the promised Messiah in his lifetime. Simeon longed to see the Christ child. The day it happened, he took Jesus in his arms. I can imagine him laughing, looking, wondering, God is that you? It is! You've come! At last! This baby is the Savior of all humanity! Now I can die in peace. Against all odds, at the end of Simeon's life, God had kept his promise.Anything worth having is worth waiting for. But it's so hard to wait.

-David Sanford

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water; and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
or grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
-Wendell Berry

Happy Birthday Jesus!!
Love,
Julie Peck

Waiting

"He'll wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—
all the first order of things gone."
Revelation 21:4 (MSG)

Today is December 22, 2009. It is a day I find myself reflecting on the past. The past concerning my own life and the life of our Savior. On my personal calendar this week, I reflect on Jack's birthday into Heaven. On the Saviors calendar, I reflect on Christ's birthday into this world.
The topic this week on the advent calendar is "preparation". It is the period of time between conception and the delivery of a child who came to save us from death, for good.
For mothers, this side of Heaven, this is a time of "nesting".. washing, sorting and putting into place the items needed for the arrival of the newest member of our family. It is also one of the most exciting times for a mother, longing to see her child. During this time we prepare for the unexpected day of arrival. What seems to be the longest nine months of our lives is quickly forgotten when we at last see our precious child for the first time.. we are surprised by joy!
As a Christian, I am suppose to long for Jesus Christ return. And when the world's injustice, pain, and senselessness bear down on me, I do so long for that day. I find myself wondering, "How long can you wait, Lord? How can you let us keep going in this mess?"
I already know the answer. It's His grace again... giving me time to get my rooms in order, to get my mind and heart on track so that when He comes, I won't have to regret it. So while part of me cries out, "Come, Jesus!" the other part says, "But don't rush!" There is so much to be done before you're here!"
Advent is a time of remembering how the world waited- and prepared- and despaired for the Savior to come. One day, He came. The world has never been the same. Advent is also a time of looking forward to his second coming, of waiting- and preparing- and never despairing. What the angels told the disciples on the Mount of Olives so long ago they say to us today; "This same Jesus will come back!"
How can I prepare for the Lord's second coming? After speaking to the Corinthians about the next advent, Paul concluded: "So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless" (1 Cor. 15:58) I can prepare for Jesus' coming by committing myself to do his work. Even the smallest act is not in vain.
The months waiting for our babies were forgotten when we first held our new born child. These are Aha moments as we meet the person to whom we have already committed our body, hearts and souls to.. When the Lord comes again, "in a moment, in the blink of an eye"(1Cor. 15:52), the long anticipated. prepared-for day will no longer be someday, but today. It's only a dull picture of the divine magnificence, like the baby in a mothers womb whom she knows she loves and yet has never seen. I also finally will see my Lord face to face. Come, Lord Jesus, come! May I be found prepared, even if you come tonight!

Something Beautiful

Thankful for the Hollowed Manger Ground

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
-Luke 2:6-7 (MSG)

Christmas time is a very weary time for our family. Since Jack's birthday into heaven, Dec. 23rd 2004… we have dreaded Christmas . Instead of joyfully entering into a season of good cheer.. we fall wearily by the wayside praying desperately for it to pass as quickly as possible. Again, I am wondering where God may be in all of this ? After 4 years I still find myself searching desperately for hope… wondering if we will ever be able to enjoy Christmas again. We have such horrible memories that cloud a time that should be spent reflecting on the moment “Glory in the Highest” first placed it’s human feet here on earth. I know the enemy loves the fact that our tragedy intersects with the birthday of our savior. He would love nothing more than for me to always dread Christmas.
However, this past weekend I felt this strange urge to celebrate. Not in the way I used to celebrate with hurried parties and packages. This year, I really wanted to celebrate the birth of our savior, Christ. One reason for the urge was because I know that the enemy never imagined that I would want to celebrate Christmas again. The revelation hit me while I was singing Christmas songs at a concert this weekend. I had to force myself up to join the crowd in their joyful singing and clapping . What happened next was very unexpected! With each clap I felt like I was becoming stronger. I imagined myself clapping directly in the face of my enemy.. showing him that he had not won this battle.. that I would not go by this Christmas with my head hung in defeat.This year I wanted to look up from my wounds to see my Father's sacrifice. Taking a step back, I can see the enemy’s age old tactic. He wants me to only see my pain.. but I know that if I take my pain to God.. I begin to see His pain, His plan and His purpose.
His heart aches for us.. He knew over 2000 years before Jack’s death that I would need a plan, and a purpose for my pain. He knew that if He left me alone in my pain that I would die too. His plan was to join me.. to come down to my level.. to meet me where I was at.. look me in the eye and say to me… I know this is hard for you, it was also hard for Me. I did not plan for it to be this way, but I have plans to change it!
My plan is a gift for you. Actually, it was the first gift ever given on the first Christmas Day. Julie, when I gave it over 2000 yrs ago.. I had you on my mind. My plan was to give you life at a time when all you could see was death. I knew you would need this specific gift, because I, myself have endured the pain of suffering the loss of many loved ones…. I did not want you to feel forsaken, I wanted you to feel defended. My gift came with a purpose and that was to defeat death once and for all. My gift was hope! It promises when death steals something precious from you… that I buy it back .. restore it and give it new life. My sweet child, don’t you know what is precious to you was precious to me first.
With that being said, can I once again celebrate Christmas? Can I truly feel the joy, peace and love that this season is suppose to bring us?.. remind us of?…
My heart shouts yes! Because, for the first time in my life, I can fully appreciate the “reason for the season”.
To remember and be thankful for the day God sent a baby, full of grace and truth, to bridge the gap between life and death. I am forever grateful for the gift of knowing I will cross that bridge one day to be reunited with those who are precious to Him and missed dearly by me.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Merry Christmas to all!
Julie Peck

God's Promise

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. "When you come looking for me, you'll find me."Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree."I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Jer 29:11-14 (MSG)

Do you ever feel like you have been forgotten by God? When life is hard, and you have prayed for hope... what keeps you coming back to God for help? For me, it's knowing His love for me is true. I know for sure one thing... Love is the one thing when all else fails, that will hold us together make us a shelter to weather the storm. God encourages us to be persistent prayer. He tells us that we will not be disappointed, that He will turn things around for us and bring us back home. Home is where the heart is .... where is your heart today with God?

Remember, He is love and wants you to be at home with Him!

The song below says it all!

It don't have a job
It don't pay all your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills
Won't fix your life
In five easy steps
Ain't the law of the land
Or the government
But it's all you need

And love will hold us together
Make us a shelter
To weather the storm
And I’ll be my brother's keeper
So the whole world will know
That we're not alone

It's waiting for you
Knocking at your door
In the moment of truth
When your heart hits the floor
And you're on your knees

This is the first day
Of the rest of your life
This is the first day
Of the rest of your life
‘Cause even in the dark
You can still see the light
It's going to be alright
It's going to be alright

Joy is found in the mourning

Grief and mourning are considered by many to be one in the same ...
Not true. Grief is the feelings you feel over something you've lost. Mourning is acting out what you feel. It is the actual act of sorrowing. What I have come to discover as I journey through great sorrow is that all people grieve, most do not mourn. Most of us keep our "feelings of grief" over something we've lost stuffed deep down in our hearts. We do this either because we feel like it is not important enough to deal with or that we have no one to help us deal with it. We also fail to see the importance of dealing with it. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."Psalms 30:5, KJV
This scripture hit me with such meaning this "morning"
Joy is found in the "act of sorrowing"... dealing with, acting out, working through our pain is where we find joy! Simply put, God wants us to deal with our hurts, losses and disappointments because that is the only way He can deliver us.. give us joy. He is always available to offer joy, however we are not always willing to offer him our grief..
What is your grief? Are you willing to allow yourself to sorrow for what you have lost? God is waiting...

If you've knelt beside the rubble of an aching, broken heart,When the things you gave your life to fell apart;You're not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief or pain,But the Master promised sunshine after the rain.Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,Weeping only lasts for the night;Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.To invest your seed of trust in God in mountains you can't move,You have risked your life on things you cannot prove;But to give the things you cannot keep for what you cannot lose,Is the way to find the joy God has for you.Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,Weeping only lasts for the night;Hold on my child, joy comes in the morning,The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight.Just in sight!

"We are the Outsiders"

Do you ever feel like an outsider?
Walking out God's will for our lives is not easy. For the short time that my eyes have been open to see the path, I have strayed and stumbled many times. For me, keeping in step with the path requires me to stay connected to a rhythm, or a certain melody that is often hard to hear. It changes from season to season, which means it's never predictable. I often feel lost and alone because no one else seems to hear what I hear. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one out on the dance floor... and you know what that looks like! "Look at that poor girl! She has no one to dance with". On the contrary, if I stay connected to God's word, it assures me that the dance floor is full! It's filled with other "outsiders" dancing on the dance floor of life. We get to that dance floor by seeing it with the eyes of our heart. Our hearts play the tune we must dance to and often it requires us to dance when we think we should be "sitting this one out". When we choose to tune in and listen, God will move us to dance on an empty dance floor. It's only empty because of the circumstances that surround us. Jesus told us not to lose heart even when circumstances are hindering our ability to dance... He told us we would have troubles.. times where we would not feel like dancing.. He said, "Do not lose heart, Pray". So, when my heart is heavy due to what I see... I reach over and push "pray" on the ipod in my heart... and once again ... I find that I can dance. Our hearts are the ultimate ipod, because the songs are downloaded from the heart of God.
I wanted to share this song... it allowed me to dance again yesterday!!!
It makes a great point... "If you're not laughing, who is laughin now? -

"Face To Face"

Had to share my "Streams in the desert" with you this morning. It went well with this song...

My struggles only bring me "face to face" with the only one who can bring me comfort.

Enjoy-

"And he took him aside from the multitude."(Mark 7:33.)

PAUL not only stood the tests in Christian activity, but in the solitude of captivity. You may stand the strain of the most intense labor, coupled with severe suffering, and yet break down utterly when laid aside from all religious activities; when forced into close confinement in some prison house.

That noble bird, soaring the highest above the clouds and enduring the longest flights, sinks into despair when in a cage where it is forced to beat its helpless wings against its prison bars. You have seen the great eagle languish in its narrow cell with bowed head and drooping wings. What a picture of the sorrow of inactivity.

Paul in prison. That was another side of life. Do you want to see how he takes it? I see him looking out over the top of his prison wall and over the heads of his enemies. I see him write a document and sign his name, not the prisoner of Festus. nor of Caesar; not the victim of the Sanhedrin; but the"prisoner to the Lord." He saw only the hand of God in it all. To him the prison becomes a palace. Its corridors ring with shouts of triumphant praise and joy.

Restrained from the missionary work he loved so well, he now built a new pulpit, a new witness stand and from that place of bondage come some of the sweetest and most helpful ministries of Christian liberty. What precious messages of light come from those dark shadows of captivity.

Think of the long train of imprisoned saints who have followed in Paul's wake. For twelve long years Bunyan's lips were silenced in Bedford jail. It was there that he did the greatest and best work of his life. There he wrote the book that has been read next to the Bible. He says, "I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write."

The wonderful dream of that long night has lighted the pathway of millions of weary pilgrims. That sweet-spirited French lady, Madam Guyon, lay long between prison walls. Like some caged birds that sing the sweeter for their confinement, the music of her soul has gone out far beyond the dungeon walls and scattered the desolation of many drooping hearts.

Oh, the heavenly consolation that has poured forth from places of solitude! --- S. C. Rees.

Taken aside by Jesus, To feel the touch of His hand; To rest for a while in the shadow Of the Rock in a weary land. Taken aside by Jesus, In the loneliness dark and drear, Where no other comfort may reach me, Than His voice to my heart so dear. Taken aside by Jesus, To be quite alone with Him, To hear His wonderful tones of love 'Mid the silence and shadows dim. Taken adise by Jesus, Shall I shrink from the desert place; When I hear as I never heard before, And see Him "face to face"?

How to find Joy Again

My goal this year was to find joy again; that abundant life that Jesus talks about...My devotion this morning from "Streams in the desert" showed me where to find it..

Enjoy...

Joined in God

"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" (2 Cor. 6:10).

Sorrow was beautiful, but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below.When Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of the nightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpectant gaze of one who has ceased to look for coming gladness. She could weep in tender sympathy with those who weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her.Joy was beautiful, too, but his was the radiant beauty of the summer morning. His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine's kiss. When Joy sang his voice soared upward as the lark's, and his step was the step of a conqueror who has never known defeat. He could rejoice with all who rejoice, but to weep with those who weep was unknown to him."But we can never be united," said Sorrow wistfully."No, never." And Joy's eyes shadowed as he spoke. "My path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses bloom for my gathering, and the blackbirds and thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays.""My path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the darkening woods, with moon-flowers only shall my hands be filled. Yet the sweetest of all earth-songs--the love song of the night--shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell."Even as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a Kingly Presence, and a great and holy awe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him."I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow, "for on His Head are many crowns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory. Before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever.""Nay, Sorrow," said Joy softly, "but I see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nailprints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great agony. I, too, give myself to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy that I have known.""Then we are one in Him," they cried in gladness, "for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow."Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness, "as sorrowful yet always rejoicing."

"Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder,

And walk with thee in silence on life's way,

While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder,

Becomes to thee more distant day by day?

Shrink not from the companionship of Sorrow,

She is the messenger of God to thee;

And thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow-

For what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see;

She is God's angel, clad in weeds of night,

With 'whom we walk by faith and not by sight.'"

- L. B. Cowman

Be strong and couragous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

- Joshua 1:9

Macie, my 13 year old daughter, needed help with her homework. It was about 10:00pm and I was tired and honestly did not want to participate. My husband and I had just returned from a long day of moving my oldest daughter, Maddie (age 19) into her new apartment at school. My day had been filled with 5 hours of car travel, a Walmart visit, buying, moving, and assembling furniture, decorating on shoe string budget, praying “she” would like it… and most importantly trying to enjoying an afternoon with my daughter, whom I rarely get to see.
Simply said- My brain was fried!
I know you can relate….But, Macie could not… and at the innocent age of 13, she didn't need to relate just yet. “Helping” at any time of the day still fits my job description. And with the current job market, I certainly can’t afford to lose this job. So, silently I gave myself a pep talk-

“Julie- you can do this! It’s only an 8th grade reading assignment. Read the one page essay; explain it and all will be good."

What I didn't realize was that the assignment was going to be more for me than her!
“Come on Macie, this wont take long at all”.

Re-energized by my pep talk, I grabbed her homework and began to read and translate “Self Reliance”; an essay written by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

You know by now, one would think that I’d be able to recognize God’s way of getting my attention. Once again, I am blessed by Him for just doing my job…being present and actually listening to what my girls have to say. He likes to use my children to speak to me. I think He uses them because honestly, I don’t always take the time to listen… and when I do, I am often blessed by what I hear. It is one of His calling cards, using the weak to help the strong.
The essay was about the importance of being you, and living in the moment of each day. Mr. Emerson pleads with his reader to “simply believe your own thoughts.” He goes on to explain that we underestimate the value of ourselves and our personal thoughts. We are always looking to someone else to be the smarter one, the wiser one, and the chosen one. His challenge to the reader is - To believe what is true for you in your private heart is true for others as well… “Speak what is true for you, and it will almost always resonate in others”.
The voice in our own mind is so familiar to us. We give it no respect. Instead we give more weight to the thoughts of others; our neighbors, our teachers or some great thinker from the past. So, I pondered the question, “What makes great thinkers great?” The answer: “They don’t disregard their own thoughts and look to someone else’s thought to be better. “ They move ahead confidently living a purpose filled life while I sit back and wonder, what about me?
Yes, I too have been guilty of wondering why everyone else has been given a plan and wonderful purpose for their life. Emerson says that way of thinking is just a sign of my ignorance.
“Envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide.”- Emerson
I have something unique, original, and great to express. Trying to imitate someone else only kills off the originality of “me”. Envy is a lack of appreciation of my own special gifts. I will never know what my special gifts are until I try to express them. I must find them by paying close attention to the interests placed inside of me by my Heavenly Father. They will reflect the “one of a kind” miracle God made me to be. For the miracle of “me” to be expressed, it will take courage and dedication. The greatness of the One who created me cannot be expressed through a coward.
Remember the Cowardly Lion who lived in the fictional Land of Oz. He was not your typical lion. Lions were made to be courageous and fearless kings. Oz’s Cowardly Lion never acted like a king. He was afraid of everything. He lacked the courage to face his fears because he was always running from them. What he failed to realize was that courage would come through facing his fears. Only after he receives the Wizard's gift, is he not filled with fear.

Our Father gives us the same gifts through the Holy Spirit. So, be brave and true to the creation God intended “you” to be! Put your heart into your work and be aware of what interests you. Follow these interests with sincerity! Listen and trust the holy spirits voice with in you! And soon you will find yourself moving closer to who you truly are: An original work of art, a “one of a kind”, a genius, a creator, a witness to the reality of redemption, a teacher and a force of good passing through this world.

May you live today with the courage and strength to be you!

Julie Peck

My Friend, Missy Morgan

Missy Morgan is my friend! I say that to make a point…
The fact that I cannot physically see her doesn’t end our relationship..
It will continue because now I see her through the eyes of my heart…

Last year, I stumbled across a sentence that made me question God…
“God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see.”
Gen. 1:1
All we see and don’t see? What in the world does that mean?
Why would God’s choose these words to be His first words written to us in the bible?
My question led me to a very comforting answer … That has opened my eyes to see “the unseen things”. They taught me how to see what I don’t see…. So I can live with what I do see….

If truth be known, I was a teensy bit afraid to be Missy’s friend.
Why?
Because I didn’t want her to ever know the pain I knew.

Who would have ever dreamed that Missy Morgan’s and Julie Peck’s paths would cross?

A mother who had just lost a son and a mother whose greatest fear was to lose a son.

I remember the week we first met. It was June of 2006, our first time serving at the “Lighthouse”. Smith suggested that we go because a good friend of his … thought the mission of the lighthouse reflected the heart of JSP’s newly birthed vision. Another reason ….that wasn’t mentioned, but clearly understood by both of us… was personal..
We were also going because we learned early on…while traveling our own journey of grief …..That somehow…. helping others helped us… It demanded our full attention which forced our eyes to focus on something besides our own pain.

The Morgan’s were returning to the lighthouse to enjoy their 2nd visit. The year before they had been had served by an amazing family, “The Howards “who are still their close friends today. They also experienced meaningful connections with caring volunteers.
But, most importantly they connected with fellow warriors who were also battling cancer.
I am sure that Missy came to have fun, to be loved on, to rest and relax and enjoy much needed time together with her family.
I came to serve, make new friends, fold and wash clothes, make beds, and to hopefully make life a little easier that week for a family who needed a break from late night hospital check in’s because someone had spiked another fever..

What happened when our paths collided with our own agenda’s?

Let me take you behind the scenes...

30 min before we met the Morgan’s I decided to take a moment to learn about Ryan’s cancer. My eyes had never seen the word neouroblastoma before. I walked into my room, closed the door turned on the television, and grabbed my paperwork hoping to find a definition to this word. Needless to say, I could not find the medical dictionary that I thought may have been included. Somewhat satisfied with not understanding, I heard a voice on the television that by chance had been turned on to a show that was explaining the history of Alex’s Lemonade stand. Alex had neoroblastoma too…. Wow what a coincidence…. As I listen I became quickly aware of the weight this word carried. It didn’t take too long before I found myself crying in my bedroom asking God “Why”….I know that day I was unaware of the why.. But God was not..

It was no coincidence that Missy and I became friends the summer of 2006. God orchestrates our lives- “From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” – Acts 17:26
It is no accident which neighborhood you grew up in, who lived next door, who went to school with you, who is part of your church, and who works with you. Our relationships are appointed by God, so there’s every reason for me to believe that our friendship was appointed by God as well and it will continue in Heaven. God’s plan doesn’t stop on the Earth- Friendships that begin here on Earth will continue in Heaven.
When God said, “It is not good for man to be alone” –Genesis 2:18, He was speaking not only of marriage but also of the need for friendship. He was saying, I’ll make these people so that they’ll need one another.”
Did we need one another? I surely didn’t think so... But as the week came to an end, I forced myself to confess my past to Missy and she said back to me… “Julie, I am not sure why, but I know in my heart that we were suppose to know one another”
I am thankful today for our friendship. It was not always an easy one… we did have many moments of laughter and I am very thankful for that.. But we also had moments that I brought me to my knees..
I will never forget the conversation we had sharing lunch at the McDonalds’ located across the street from Scottish rite…
“Julie, I never planned on having cancer… I never planned on my son having cancer” she said as she casually took a bite of her “Fish Filet” my reply … honest silence ….because none of us plan for the bad… there were no words to offer … just a look that offered love.
Or the conversation we had this past November at Emory hospital. As she was waiting to be released by the doctors to go home… she turned to me and said… “I guess I will get to meet Jackson...”
That was Missy Morgan for you.. Always looking at the glass half full…and speaking the truth! Her honesty gives me peace today. With that statement she gave me assurance of where she was sure that she was going… and I cannot wait to see her again..
As I reflected this week on our friendship I remember something that happened the day after Jack died. I just happened to open my bible which I had never opened before on my own....My eyes fell to a page that had been scribble on by Jack… The verse I read was Isaiah 43:10 it said…
“You are my witnesses and my servant, whom I have chosen..”
June 2006, Missy and I agreed to begin a relationship. A friendship forged between “two soldiers” on the battlefield of life. Our Mission, that was unknown at the time… was to witness to one another. Missy witnessed to me a life lived to the fullest no matter what the circumstances were… I witnessed to her a life that could be restored and lived again to the fullest no matter what the circumstances were… Nothing can ever replace the loving relationship we shared while fighting the heart breaking battles of this life.
I know when I get to Heaven I will remember my experience of fighting side by side with Missy Morgan in trenches of this fallen Earth.
She has had and will continue to have a profound influence on my life.
I will miss her greatly …. Until we meet again!

“We have not lost our dear ones who have departed from this life, but have merely sent them ahead of us, so we also shall depart and shall come to that life where they will be more than ever dear as they will be better known to us, and where we shall love them without fear of parting.” – Augustine

"I hoped that you could understand, This is not what I had planned" - Love God

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This past week has brought many tears. I have watched my friends, The Morgan Family "bear the unbearable". My heart breaks back into a million pieces to see this family (who witnessed to my family selfless love for one another)loose a mother, wife and son. Death is once again waking others to the reality of this life.
After walking 5 years through my own heart shattering event, I have learned many truths that have filled and binded it back together again. I must admit that this week's events have tested the cords that bind my fragile heart. Fear came back again pointing it's bony finger in my face. It made me question all that I believe to be true today.
Once again, God put my fears to rest and reassured me of His love for me. He also gave me the strength to do what I have done so many times before.... reach out and break the bony finger fear keeps waving in my face! I laugh because I know the doctor who tends to my fear has to be out of finger splints by now!

I wanted to share a song that spoke to my heart as I tried to out-run my grief on the running trail yesterday. I pleaded with God for an answer.... and this is what He said........

Listen and enjoy.."More Time" by needtobreathe (I posted the words below)

God bless all who are like me -struggling to understand-
Love,
Julie

More from JASMiNE_JUiCY14 at Myxer

God Say's:
"I promised you the world again
Everything within my hands
All the riches one could dream
They will come from me

I hoped that you could understand
That this is not what I had planned
Please don't worry now
It will turn around

Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and we'll be fine
So say what's on your mind
Cause I can't figure out just what's inside

I hoped that you could understand
That this is not what I had planned
Please don't worry now
It will turn around

Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and we'll be fine
So say what's on your mind
Cause I can't figure out just what's inside
So say alright
Cause I know we can make it if we try
Cause I need more time

Just a few more months and we'll be fine

We're off to new lands
So hold on to my hands
It's gonna be alright
It's a whole lot brighter
So stand by the fire
It's gonna be alright
Yeah, the road gets harder
But it's not much farther
It's gonna be alright
You know that it ain't easy
Please believe me
It's gonna be alright

Please don't worry now
It will turn around

Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and we'll be fine
So say what's on your mind
Cause I can't figure out just what's inside
So say alright
Cause I know we can make it if we try
Cause I need more time
Just a few more months and we'll be fine"

God Has Won!

"The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God's trumpet blast! He'll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise—they'll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we'll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16 MSG

I was dreaming this morning of what it might be like when Jesus comes back for us. One of my favorite vision's is ... On the day of Rapture, Jack will be riding back with Christ. He will be upon His shoulders, with his hands in the air shouting "Mom,Dad, Macie and Maddie ... I have missed you so much...It's time to come home!!!" What a day that will be! When Christ returns for "the ones" left behind. I made a little video of what it might be like... enjoy

# 1 Reason Your My Best Friend.....

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies…he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus."
(2 Cor 4:8-11)



Now that's a BFF... Someone who finds you when your lost. I tend to get lost every now and then.. so it brings me peace to know I have a friend like Jesus. Over the past 5 years, He and I have become pretty close friends. He and I have shared the good, bad and the very ugly parts of life together. I have to say that it's been the ugly parts of life where I've gotten to know him best...

We are told that we will know Jesus better by sharing in His sufferings. What does it mean to share in His suffering and why is it so important to share? Bottom line- He is the only one who has the cure for the "ugly" parts of life. I truly believe, I never would have seen the importance of this great pearl of wisdom without suffering an UGLY that the world could not cure.


There is no "cure" for death. Think about it ... Have you ever attended a school fundraiser or benefit dinner or joined a cause on facebook that wanted to raise money to cure death. I am aware that we raise money to stop things that cause death.. but once it happens there is no turning back. We are forced to deal with the effect's, too many to name. I would rather get to the point....heap them all together and you get one big pile of "suffering".

Suffering is hard. Doctors have no magic pill to make it easier.. Oprah has not aired a show that reveals a way to avoid the effects of suffering.... The President has not issued a new stimulus package to help move us through it faster. My opinion, the worlds solutions for suffering only prolongs it and make it worse. They may offer short term relief, but rarely do they move you forward to find hope.

Hope is the "cure" for suffering. My hope is knowing Jack is in Heaven and this suffering is temporary. What has opened my eyes to this hope? The words spoken by my friend, Jesus Christ. A true friend that shared in my suffering. His love found me when I was alone and hurting. He waited patiently with me, at each stage of grief ,until I was ready to move forward. Not forcing His way on me led me to asking questions?

How did Jesus suffer? He suffered gracefully ... Why? because He himself is grace. His example to me of how I should suffer allowed me to see just how much He loves me. He gave his life so I could have hope to see Jack again! What else could I ever want? So,to share in His suffering is a no brainer... It is my honor!
As I join with Him by faith, He extends the grace I need to heal. This does two things ... It allows my suffering to be transformed by grace into something sweet that can be offered to another that is also suffering. My hope is to always be working out death so the sweetness of the son of God can be ushered in and offered out...

Jesus, thanks for sharing life with me....
your friend- Julie Peck

I must give thanks to "Ozzy" for the inspiration today...

"We have to form habits to express what God's grace has done in us. It is not a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved in order to manifest the life of the Son of God in our mortal flesh, and it is the disagreeable things which make us the exhibit whether or not we are manifesting His life.
Do I manifest the essential sweetness of the Son of God, or the essential irritation of myself apart from Him?"

"Lost"

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." luke 19:10

Have you ever felt lost? I mean the kind of lost that makes you feel like you've been stranded out at sea. After we lost Jack, I found myself on a ship setting sail for the island of "Lost"!
Grief has the ability to take you to that place called "Lost". The battle required to defeat grief's grip on "the ones left behind" is the most deadly part of death. Returning to life after the loss of a loved one is still uncharted territory.
"You know there is a 90% divorce rate for couples who lose a child." This is one of the first statements a couple hears from a counselor after their loss. Which by the way is uncalled for! I say, let's let the couple pull themselves together from the first major blow life just delt them. However, the reality is most families are torn apart because they lose hope. Living with hope deferred makes the heart sick. It also leaves you feeling lost.
Have you ever thought that "lost" may be the very place you need to be? In "Pirates of the Caribbean at worlds end", The captain of the ship is trying to pump his crew up for the next part of their journey. One that they need to take to find something of great value. The journey requires that they go through a storm to a place they have never been before. They question him about the necessity of the path. His reply to them.."Sometimes you have to be lost to find the places that can't be found." Which brings me to why I love the scripture above... "Lost" is the very place we can find a savior. Jesus came to save the lost! The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came that we may be found to live our lives more abundantly!
Finding your way out of "Lost" will look much like a Hollywood pirate film. It will be filled with adventure, suspense, bloody battles, and will end with a love story. The love story will be how God's love saves and rebuilds your family from His word... Always remember His promise to us...
"I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt." Jer 31:4

Headed twords hope!
Julie Peck

"Word's on air"

"Fools are undone by their big mouths;
their souls are crushed by their words"- Proverbs 18:7 (MSG)

I am always surprised to see how God work's in my life. I have just enough knowledge about God to be dangerous. Dangerous in good ways and bad ways. Today, I was "dangerous in a good way". Only because I choose to look first at God, instead of looking first and staying focused on my troubles. Let me explain...
Yesterday, a new storm rolled in. It was a blizzard of "Uncertain Circumstances". The problem was, the last storm hadn’t cleared up yet. I wasn’t sure we could handle any more snow!
I am sure you can relate! We all go through a "winter season" in our life that seem to have more than its fair share of problems and heartache. Entering into my 5th year of winter, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of spring. Instead, I got another blizzard.
A couple of years ago I wouldn't have taken the news of the oncoming blizzard very well. I would have worried and complained about it to all that would listen. However, this morning was different. With just enough knowledge to be dangerous, I knew God needed to be first in line to listen.
As I prepared for my morning quiet time, I remembered that I needed to put a load of clothes in the washer. Quickly, I ran down stairs to complete the chore. As I was pouring the laundry detergent in the washer I thought about how thankful I was to have a washing machine and detergent. I reminded myself that I do have a lot to be thankful for. So, I made a decision to thank God for everything I could thank Him for during the day. I figured this would be the best way to get back at Satan for trying to use this new blizzard to smother me. Word's of gratitude! That would be a good weapon! I ran back up stairs, happy about my plan of attack, ready to start my quiet time.
I just started a new study, "Can we talk?” by Priscilla Shirer. The study teaches you how to have conversations with God by reading His word. Eventually this would re-train me to rely more on the Spirit. Well, I am here to say day one worked. The spirit was at work and I was listening.

My assignment was to read James 3:8-11.
"but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring?"

How funny to read about the dangers of the tongue!" I had just made a decision to retaliate against my enemy today with praises to my Lord and Father. This trilled me so I dug a little deeper to see if there was anything else God wanted me to know. What I learned was I had to take action, to make a decision. How was I going to react to the uncertain circumstances? Was I going to allow Satan to use my tongue to dispense "deadly words of poison"? Or, would I allow the Holy Spirit to use it to dispense the "antidote"- "truthful words of life".
God also showed me that the enemy loved the blizzard that had just come into my life. The cold weather normally shuts me down and fills my heart with despair. One of the enemy's greatest weapons is my tongue that speaks from my heart of total despair. If I choose to give my tongue to him at this moment it will spew poison that will cause injury, illness and death to my loved ones. However, if I choose to give my tongue to the Holy Spirit during the blizzard I could speak words of life, hope and encouragement that will actually melt the snow!
The blizzard that came in so suddenly I thought was here to teach to "let go" again... But actually it was here to show me the fruit of a sanctified heart, "My words": Matthew 12:34 says that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The key is out of the abundance of the heart, that is, "what is in the heart?"-
God was in my heart! Finally! I have been running hard after Him for the past 4 years begging for understanding. Now I understand. His ways do not always make sense, but they are always for the good of those who love Him. Today, I made the right choice. I gave my tongue to God and He poured from my heart words of life that would offer words encouragement to those little ears around me that I love so much!
Thank you God! You are so good!
Julie Peck

Do you see the Jesus in you?

Do you see "Jesus" in you?

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2Cor. 3:18 ESV

When you look in the mirror do you see the Jesus in you? I feel like that kitten looking in the mirror, not sure I agree with what I see. Really, if you think about it, we are all so uniquely made by our Heavenly Father, put here on this earth with the intent of being transformed to the image of His son. I never thought about it before, me- being transformed to the image of Christ.

One reason I never entertained the thought was because I compared myself to other Christian's. I could never be that good! You know those kinds of people. They are so good at teaching, memorizing and serving. I kept comparing myself to the way "she" did things not realizing that God never intended for me to be like "her".

If God put us all here, on this earth, for this particular generation, to live in our small town with specific and certain people.. With my unique personality because He placed me in the care of two particular people... Then the Jesus in me is not going to look like the Jesus in you. Am I right??

"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens me morning by morning; He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple."Isaiah 50:4

We are being transformed to the image of Christ through our trials and sufferings... to be able to speak a "word" to the weary.
My trials are much different than "hers". So, what a freeing moment for me!!! My Jesus may look and sound "a bit" different than yours, but we are all speaking the same "word".

Ok, so what I am trying to say is... We all speak the same language, but are able to speak to certain people God has granted us opportunity to speak to...
Wow!! How exciting to know that My God has placed me here and put me in a certain environment to learn how to speak a certain "word" that will help the one that is weary!!! Praise God! There is a purpose and a reason why we are all here!

What one word do you have for the "one who is weary" on your particular path of life????

Love you all!!

Julie Peck

Is that all it takes?

I have been studying the story of Lazarus, Martha and Mary with hopes to end with a written bible study that will help others through the 2ND stages of grief. My focus has been on Martha and how she reacted to the death of her brother. I have found in this story a beautiful pearl (or mustard seed) of wisdom. I saw how Martha’s small, mustard seed-sized faith transitioned to full trust that would allow Jesus to heal her broken heart. The transition happened when she finally dropped her expectations of how her life should have been! When she finally let go and let God, the prayers from her grief-stricken, broken heart were answered abundantly beyond what she could have ever thought to ask for! Beyond her wildest dreams!
I began to put myself in her shoes (or sandals) and a new thought dawned on me.
A huge part of me died the night Jack went to Heaven. For the past 4 years, I have been trying to understand and figure out why I could not find a whole lot of joy in my life. Coping and struggling through the motions of “every day” was how I was getting by. I missed the old me, the one who could laugh and have fun. Where did that part of me go? That “happy” part of me seemed to have died after going through such heavy grief. What really began to bother me was the statement Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”John 10:10 Where was this abundant life? I began to dig through my bible. I found that right before He makes this promise, He reminds us that: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”John 10:10
It hit me like a ton of bricks… Jack, my son, was not going to be raised from the dead like Lazarus. He was not going to walk out of a tomb to live again with me here on this earth. However, if I truly believed what the bible said, I would understand that Jack wasn’t the one who needed to be raised from the dead… He is alive in Heaven. I’m the one that needs to be raised from the dead! The power of Jesus will be seen in the miracle of resurrecting “Julie Peck” from the” joyless living dead” to a new life of joyfully living!
The thief did his part, just like God promised us! He killed, He Stole and He Destroyed! And I was allowing him to do it over and over again on a daily basis! What I was failing to realize was, if I focused my eyes on Jesus, trusted Him, and dropped my expectations of how I thought my life should be…. He would give me a new life to live more abundantly!
I know, it’s a hard one to grasp on a daily, moment by moment basis. But, reality is, this is my new life, and Jackson Smith Peck has a new home. So, what and who am I going to believe? The one who keeps lying to me... Or the one who promise’s me a new joyful life? Understanding that from death comes new life brings a new joy to life. It puts everything into a new perspective. Jackson got to go home at the age of 4 because finished what he came here to do. I’m still here, so I must not be finished! No sense is wasting the rest of my life with why’s and what if’s! Instead, I’m going to choose God’s plan by letting go and letting God! I want just what Martha got; answers to my prayers that are abundantly beyond what I could ever think to ask for! Beyond my wildest dreams!

I love you this much!

Real love stories never have endings.
--Richard Bach

I love this quote! As I look forward to tomorrow’s celebration of Valentine’s Day, I find myself both happy and sad. It reminds us all that we love and are loved. Have you ever thought about the best "I love you" ever expressed to you personally? Was in 4th grade when your crush gave you a "Huge Hershey Kiss" at lunch so all your friends could share in the excitement? Was it the first valentine spent with the one you would spend the rest of your life with? Was it when you got to experience the day with your kids, oh how they love to celebrate this sugar filled holiday! I really love all my memories of celebrating the ones I love. Now days it is especially hard knowing one has moved on and I cannot physically wrap my arms around him to show him how much I love him. The flip side of this revelation is I have come realized what the most important "I Love You" has been for me. It has been "The Cross". The biggest I love you I ever got was the day Jesus died on the cross. On that day God shouted.... "I Love You This Much!!" This thought brings me to a memory I have of being a child. My grandmother used to ask me, "How much do you love me?" and I would reply by stretching my arms out as far as they would go behind my back and say " I love you this much" ... as much as my 4 year old arms could give...
Wow... just like our God.... He stretched out His arms as wide as He could and said “This Much"... He gave as much as He could give to show us just how much He loves us! Tomorrow as you show your loved ones how much you care... remember to give as your Father has given... Love with no end!
Happy heart day.. Smith, Maddie, Macie , and Jack!
Love,
Mom

25 Random Things About Me?

Have you been asked to do the "25 Random Things About Me" on face book yet? I fianlly gave in, sat down and made myself do it. It was a challenge! I thought I would share....

1. I said I was not going to do this, but here I am!.. (Hmmm...Could this be the theme of my life?!)

2. I love to laugh! Laughter has put my heart back together. I have learned through my grief that "laughing" is the way I "cry" best. (Watching "Arrested development" and "The Office" helped during my deepest days of grief... of course after I spent many hours talking to God.. ) Instead of bringing flowers and chocolates to lift my spirits, Smith would rent me the full season episodes of my favorite funny shows and I would watch and laugh for hours.. ) God has to have the best sense of humor.. I can't wait to meet Him!

3. I secretly want to be a standup comedian.. But I'm not really that funny. I know this because my kids tell me so...

4. I love to do crazy, "out of the box" things daily. It makes life fun. It helps balance my natural tendency to be too serious. In fact this year I have taken a stand against the sadness in my house. 2009 is the year of FUN!!!!!

5. I love God, my husband Smith of 18 yrs. and my children Maddie, Macie and Jack more than I ever thought possible. I have learned that you really don't know how much you love someone, until they are gone. Lesson learned... Now, I know!

6. If you told me 5 years ago that I would be a contemplating which bible study to do next.. I would have called you crazy! Never in my life would I have imagined being so taken by God's word. I love the way He has showered me with Love and Compassion and through that I have learned to see His truth, which initiated for the first time in my life, real life change in me! (I know that was a really long "run on sentence". Please forgive me. HA!)

7. I bet most of you did not know.... when I was 18, I sent a video tape of me impersonating Rosanna, Rosanna Danna to Saturday night live. I was certain they would take one look at my performance and be blown away! You guessed it..Lorne Michaels never called me so I went ahead with plan "B". Jacksonville State University!! (I should have given more thought to plan B??)

8. Good things came from plan B... It led to plan "C". Having a baby then getting married and all before the age of 19. Do you see a theme here? I am not a very good planner!!! But I have learned to roll with the punches!

9. Right now as I type, there are at least 15 wild turkeys running through my back yard. They are very loud and annoying! I should get bonus points for this one.. It’s extremely random.

10. I am the poster child for Romans 8:28 - "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”. I know I keep God on His toes. It amazes me how He has taken my very unplanned plans, A- C, and worked them together for my good.... just because He loves me!

11. I Read a good quote this morning... "The marvel of the Redemptive Reality of God is that the worst and the vilest can never get to the bottom of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but to reveal His Son in him" Oswald Chambers-
Reality check... once again..It’s not about making me... it's about realizing who we already are through HIM!!!!

12. I am learning to "Rest in God's work" ...When I notice anxiety creeping in, I literally close my eyes and visualize myself pushing whatever the issue is before God's feet. I feel free to enjoy the day and trust that God's in control.

13. When I don’t know what to do... I just do the next thing... most of the time that involves a trip to the dairy queen... Ha!

14. Here's another random thing about me... I love to talk for animals. Let me explain... I might see a horse in a field while driving my daughter to school... I love to start a conversation pretending I am the horse talking to me or another horse... weird, but it just comes so natural for me... I do it without thinking.

15. One crazy thing I did this past Christmas... I auditioned to be on a show that will be airing this year on the Food Network. I have not heard anything yet, and YES, it’s one heck of a long shot. However, it was a wonderful distraction during the Christmas season... which is always so hard for me! Grief makes you do some really crazy things!

16. I also was able to contribute to a book project last year. I wrote one chapter about why I felt led to speak out of tragedy. It was so much fun. I have felt led to write a book, but it seems to be such an overwhelming task... I guess now that I have done one chapter, maybe God will call me to do more?

17. Weird? The bathroom in our master bedroom only has a tub? No shower? Who would do that?

18. My dog's name is Fluke. The reason I named him fluke was because he showed up one day in my front yard and never left. After two weeks of being told not to feed him... I finally gave in... I fed him and thought... what a fluke! It was a total fluke that we had this dog. He still has not left to go back home.

19. I love to cook!

20. I have learned so much through my journey of grief!# 1 lesson- God is real! #2 - What used to matter doesn’t really matter at all... #3 - I got to know myself. #4 - I have more fun...
#5-Relationship are most important to God ... then we will follow the rules! (I used to think it was the other way around and it kept me out of church!)

21. I ask for forgiveness every day...

22. "Is this a masquara worthy day?" - A quote by the one and only, Julie Peck.

23. I love that I came up with that quote because; I didn’t used to cry in front of other people. I have learned that tears show how much we care.

24. One small regret, I wish I had raised my children from the very beginning to love God the way I do today. My heart aches to fully understand now what my role is as a mother. However, God is faithful and can redeem and repair and make new!

25. I cannot wait to go to Heaven. The thought of my family being all together again drives me daily to live this life well…. I can almost feel the amazing hug that is waiting for me!

God Opened Her Eyes

Just then God opened her eyes. She looked. She saw a well of water.
Gen 21:19 (MSG)

Why is it so hard sometimes to study God’s word? Ever heard that whisper early in the morning just before the sun rises? “Come and meet with me.” You feel this tug at your heart persuading you to go to that place where you meet with God. It begs you to get up, and you stay still. Why? Is it because we feel like we are going to be condemned or reprimanded for all the things we did wrong the day before. Constantly saying, I’m sorry! I not perfect! and I tried! Get’s old. You know what I’ve learned when I feel this way, but obey the tug in my heart. I meet a God who opens my eyes, once again, to see how much He loves me.
A couple of days ago I agreed to the early morning invitation, and was amazed by what God showed me. I was reading in Genesis about the story of Hagar and Ishmael. They were asked to leave the only home they had ever known. Sarah felt that Ishmael, Abraham’s illegitimate son, was a threat to her son’s inheritance. Abraham packs Hagar some food and a skin of water and then sends them away. With no time to plan, a devastated Hagar wanders off with her son into the desert of Beersheba. Suddenly she finds herself with a sick and dying son with no water or food to save him. Exhausted and out of hope she is forced to lay him down under a bush to die. Her mother’s heart couldn’t bare to hear him cry when she could do nothing to save him. All she could do now is walk away. I can imagine her body, curled in a tight ball sobbing uncontrollably. When all of a sudden she hears a voice, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, God has heard the boy cry and knows what is going on. Up now, go get your boy. Hold him tight. I’m going to make him a great nation.” With these words, God opened her eyes. She looks up to see a well of water that would restore her son’s life. God promises Hagar that He will be with Ishmael as he grows up. He lived in the desert of Paran and became a skilled archer. At peace, Hagar leaves her son and goes to Egypt.
At first glance this is a very touching story that shows God’s heart. Take a second glance and your eyes will be opened to see God’s plan. Isn’t it interesting, that Hagar and her son leave with only one skin of water? She wanders off and happens to land in the desert of Beersheba, which in Hebrew means “well of seven springs”. God has her wander to a place that happens to have seven wells of water. Surprisingly when she gets there she’s out of water… ha!! God plans every little detail! She sees no hope for her dehydrated son so lays him under a bush to die. She leaves his side because she cannot bare to watch. She cries out and the Angle of the Lord appears and tells her not to be afraid. He opens her eyes to see the answer to her prayers. The well was there the whole time, she just couldn’t see it. God is the only one that can open our eyes to see the solution to our problems in the desert.
God then gives her the peace to leave her son there with Him to grow up. God teaches Ishmael to become an archer in the desert of paren. An Archer was a skilled warrior that used a Bow and Arrow. In the psalms we read that the bow was a sign that God was in action.
God is always in action! This story gives hope to the mother who is begging God to heal her sick child. It also gives peace to the mother who has lost a child. We never know when our eyes will be opened to see the well. He will lead some to the well of healing water and give others the peace to leave their precious little ones with Him. We wander, but He knows where we must go. While our paths may be different, if we will trust, they will all lead to same destination, our Heavenly home.

Huddle up!

Good morning,
I was inspired to send out some words of encouragement today.. So I emailed all of my girlfriends this morning and wanted you to be a part of it... God bless Julie


OK,

I know you all think that I am crazy any ways so just put up with my idea.....

I was speaking to a friend yesterday that is grieving the death of a child. She broke my heart!She is at the beginning of her journey and is searching for guidance. Her biggest concern was that her family was falling apart. Her and her husband were drifting due to the overwhelming sadness. Her children were avoiding her because looking at her in such a sad state made them painfully aware of reality. Avoidance is a usual mode of defense with grief. It is much easier to look to the distractions of daily life than dealing with ripple effects of the death. She ended our phone conversation with a question, "Why would God allow this to happen to our family after all we have been through?" When I got off of the phone with her I kept thinking to myself how in the world did I get where I am at today???? My journey was not perfect, but my family is still together. Our relationships with one another are surprisingly stronger than before Jack died. If I had to boil it down to one piece of advice for her it would be God. I did not have a relationship with Him at the time of my son's death but began to seek out one with Him selfishly because I wanted to know who was caring for my son. On the other hand, God sought out to have a relationship with me unselfishly to show how much He loved me. He wanted me to be at peace. He did that by placing Godly people in my life to help me along the way. I thought all day about calling her back to tell her not to give up. She needed to know there was an unseen battle being fought over her. The enemy was not God, it was Satan. He not only wanted her paralyzed by grief for the rest of her life, but to destroy her family and the generations to come. She had to change her prospective to see the real enemy. It was time for her to fight back! I fight daily for my family and marriage. The end result gives glory to God and honor's my son. No way do I want to fall into the trap Satan created the night my son went to Heaven. He wanted the death of the Peck family here on earth. My mission is to turn his evil into Good! Stand and proclaim Life instead of death. " I just wanted to express to her with every gasping last breath that over my dead body would I allow Satan to have any glory from Jack's death! My mind kept going to the words huddle up. My friend needed to know that, Now is the time to gather your family together ... Proclaim to them that "We must come together not drift apart!" Would it honor the loved one that has passed to look down from Heaven to see all was destroyed?

I think the message is applicable to all of us on this journey of life. We have got to "Huddle up Girls" and hold each other accountable and encourage one another to live this life, and live it Well! We need to be the mothers and wives that God has called us to be! So today girls I encourage you to "Huddle up!"

Here are the words to a song that captured my spirit today.... Its from Natalie Grant's CD Awaken.....

"Something Beautiful"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oWmK8_T6J8


This is a song for anyone whose ever been knocked down and can't get back again stuck in the corner, can't move forward All alone and you think you're going nowhere this is a song for anyone whose ever stood underneath the sun and felt so small, two feet tall and so out of place He sees you- he knows you- he loves you and wants you to know that...
The life that you've been living, the days that you've been given were made for something beautiful .. Life... Don't let it pass you by .. because you were created for something beautiful... Heaven holds dreams that's just for you and there are things only you can do so step by faith, put the past away... It'll take you to a better day!!!!!

Love you guys..

Julie

I've Found A Golden Ticket

View the event's Web site:http://www.trueidentity.myevent.com/
Hear the radio advertisment: http://us.mc543.mail.yahoo.com/mc/showMessage?fid=Inbox&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=1479742906



I have been asked by a dear friend to speak at her women's conference coming up in march. I can not even believe that I am going to be able to share in this event. I am humbled to the point of tears at the thought of being able to do God's work.
I just had a funny thought...

"I found a golden ticket!" remember the movie, "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?" I'm Charlie Bucket, the poor but good-hearted boy living with his widowed mother and four bedridden grandparents. He dreams of finding the last golden ticket to be a contestant in an exciting contest. The finders of these special tickets will be given a full tour of Mr. Wonka's world-renowned candy factory and be given a lifetime supply of chocolate.
All of the kids in town are frivolously buying loads of candy bars every day hoping to be the one to find the golden ticket. Poor Charlie,on the other hand, would be grateful to buy just one candy bar. On his way home, Charlie finds a silver coin in the gutter. What a surprise, just enough money to buy two candy bars. He opens the first bar of chocolate , no ticket. Kicking himself for wasting the money, he hopelessly opens the second one... wait.. he's See's something.. A Golden Ticket!!!! He got a ticket to play!!!
Think about it. He won a golden ticket to the best show in town with a coin he did not earn. We find him running through the streets to go and tell his grandfather the unbelievable news. This ticket will change his whole life. Grace begins the story. His hunger to be near Mr. Wonka coupled with his humble spirit wins the contest. Willie Wonka was looking for a willing heart.. Kind of like our God.. He is looking for a willing heart.. I have nothing to bring to the table but a willing heart.. Just like Charlie, I find myself opening a chocolate bar bought with a silver coin I never earned that buys me a ticket the best show in town, "Salvation". I love to be used by God. Always in awe that He would use someone as broken as me. I guess thats how we go from Hollow to Whole!
I am so honored, Justina. Thank you for listening to God and following His direction. This may be the beginning.. a ticket to play! What I have always asked for.. God, I just want a ticket to play...

Dreaming big with God,
Julie Peck

Hollow to Whole

This will be my first post to my first blog spot. I have been meaning to make myself sit down to write my first post, but finding the time to do it seems to be a big problem for me. So, guess what?? I found some time.. actually I am stealing it, I should be working, but I'm not. Please don't tell on me!!!

I am not going to get to deep today.. in fact this is all there is for today!!
Stay tuned, my next one will be a better I promise. Gotta start somewhere!

Covered by grace!
Julie Peck