A Blogger

Wow! I am an official blogger! Thanks Rachel for showing me the great site to set one up. It's funny how God works. I've been told by so many people that I should start a blog. Well, here I am people! I hope to keep you entertained and well fed with the things that the Lord lays on my heart.
So I guess I will post what I wrote earlier and sent out in email for my latest "Alyssa's Thoughts."

"Out of the Mouths of Babes"

The last weekend of July, our family took a trip to Crater Lake. And as we were driving along the curvy road that gave us a gorgeous view of the lake and surrounding mountainous, forest views, my eyes began to focus on the steep drop-off beside the passenger side of the car. There were no gaurd rails to keep a car from plummeting off the edge and I was trying not to voice my nervousness, because I didn't want my fears to become my children's.
Unfortunately, my daughter, Madison, was already thinking the same thing, and decided to voice her fear. "That's scary looking down there. What if we fall off the edge?"
Before Jon or I could answer, our 4 year old son, Patrick, perked up and looked at his sister. "Remember Maemae? God is with us!"
Those words calmed me and his sister, and I smiled at him, so proud that he remembered what he was taught in vacation Bible school just a week before. "You're right Patrick, God is with us, so we shouldn't worry or be afraid."
I just felt like the Lord wanted me to share this everyone, because we all go through those times when we are looking down over the edge of something that looks so frightening, and we feel as though we're alone and going to fall off without anyone there to rescue us.
Whether its grief or loss that you are facing, and the fear of falling into utter despair, remember God is with you.
"For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." Lamentations 3:31-32
And: "I will tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, BUT your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So it is with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and NO ONE will take away your joy. In that day, you will no longer ask me anything. I will tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Maybe its a tough decision you are afraid to make. Remember that God is there with you to walk you through it. Take that step of faith and trust Him to catch you. If the decision is regarding something the Lord is putting on your heart to do--you can trust that he will provide everything you NEED.
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor, His righteousness endures forever." 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Maybe its just a lot of fears and worries that are facing you, trying to bring you down. When I looked up in the concordance of my Bible for verses on fear, most of them were verses on fearing the Lord. That is the only fear we are to have. Because He is with us in everything we go through and endure. If He is for us, who can be against us?
"The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." Psalm 19:9
"God is our refuge and strength, an EVER-PRESENT help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Psalm 46:1-3
"I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord will be kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
"Say to those with fearful hearts "be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
The List goes on and on of all the assurances and promises of God being there for us and keeping us safe. That His plans are to prosper us, to give us a hope and a future--not a life of fear.
So if you are facing that edge of something frightening, remember to seek the Lord, and He will remind you that you are not alone, that He is with you. One of God's many names is Immanuel--which means "God with us". Remember that name.
Have a wonderful day without fear! Love in Christ Jesus, Alyssa