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IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY WORD MAY BE ESTABLISHED

When I was a little girl, I was privileged through church, that the Word of God was drilled into us tiny terrors. There were Bible contests, quizzing, memory challenges-I loved and participated in them all! In fact, I won my first Bible in a contest and our Bible Quiz Team won the entire denominational championship my Senior year of High School. As a teacher, you never lose when sowing into those little brains the Holy Bible!

Fast forward a few years.

I was singing in a family gospel group and I felt it was the time to leave. I had my own crazy hectic schedule singing and speaking with radio appearances, but I didn't want to just jump ship and up and leave. I wanted the Lord to confirm it. I prayed and asked the Lord to guide me. I asked close friends to pray with me.

When I was a girl I memorized the Scripture that said, “in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be established.”

I believed God would guide me that way before I left this family singing group. I still do!

In a relatively short period of time, God not only established his confirmation that it was okay to leave, but He in fact confirmed it SEVEN times by seven different people- the exact same Scripture!

I've heard it preached that SEVEN with God means finished and complete. It's His perfect number. He certainly answered me completely concerning this prayer with His Holy Word. I tenured my resignation with that group knowing it was in God's timing and not my own. We are all still close friends to this day.

I'M GONNA BE A DEEJAY SOMEDAY

I worked for a construction company. My friend Lori and I were in the accounting department and sometimes on our breaks, we would have some fun. It included listening to a local Christian radio station. At that time, there was an upbeat popular song called There's Gonna Be A Pay Day. The lyric said, “There's gonna be a payday, someday, for those who have been true”...Lori and I jokingly changed it to, “I'm gonna be a deejay, someday, on WXIC”. You get the idea.  In the process of time, we all lost our jobs when the construction company folded.

One day Lori ran into the manager of said radio station WXIC, Rick Schweinsberg. THE Rick Schweinsberg who sponsored the singing contest where I won my first record! Rick was looking for deejay for the station. Lori told him about me and our funny song. He remembered me. He called me. I got the job. It was August 1999.

I've been a gospel deejay for over 32 years now. I LOVE WHAT I DO!

When I was younger, I was always fascinated with radio. I even dated radio announcers and grilled them about their jobs! I interviewed deejays for school assignments! I've always had the desire to do this work. Journalism was my best subject in school. I know first hand, All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose...

LET'S JUST SEE WHAT THE LORD WILL DO

One of the greatest gifts in ministry is a dear friend and traveling buddy. Mine is Vickie. She has been such a blessing as I've traveled many many miles sharing the gospel. She's donated to my ministry, prays for and with me, traveled out West and into Mexico with among other places just to be a support and blessing. I call her Vickabus – not unlike Barnabas, the Encourager in Scripture.

One weekend I was scheduled at a church in North Carolina.

It is 7 hours one way without stopping just to get there. Before we leave we always pray. That particular trip I only had so much money and some change to my name to make the trip and I told Vickie, “We'll see what the Lord will do”. Contrary to what some people believe, not all ministers are made of money! We had a place to stay, but we would have to pay the expenses for food and travel to be there and minister four days. I have never charged any money to come to churches and events, no matter where they were. I have found the Lord always supplies when we put Him first!

Off we went, and when all was said and done, through love offerings and CD donations (several which I gave away), when I came back home, the Lord had quadrupled that offering! Watch and see what the Lord will do in your life and ministry! You cannot sacrifice enough that He will not give it back to you fourfold! Try Him and see what The Lord will do! 

GRACE UNTO THE HEARER

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO WORK ONE DAY, PRAYING. TALKING TO THE LORD ABOUT NEEDING TO RECORD A NEW ALBUM, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW I COULD WORK IT OUT.

I DID AS I ALWAYS DO- I PUT IT INTO THE HANDS OF THE LORD. I DID NOT TELL ANYONE ELSE.

LEAP FORWARD WITH ME TO THE NEXT CHURCH SERVICE AT MY HOME CHURCH.

A MEMBER OF MY CHURCH WHOM I ADMIRE AND RESPECT, WAYNE CAME UP TO ME AND SAID OUT OF THE BLUE, “WHEN ARE WE GONNA MAKE A NEW ALBUM?”

I SAID, “I DON'T KNOW-I'VE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT”. HE SAID, “FIND OUT HOW MUCH IT IS AND LET ME KNOW. WE'D LIKE TO BE A PART OF IT”.

I DID. THEY DID. AND GOD DID.

THE LORD SPOKE TO ME ONE DAY ABOUT WHAT TO NAME THE ALBUM. IT WAS GRACE UNTO THE HEARER.

GOD IS FAITHFUL.

I AM A RAGGEDY ANN IN A BARBIE DOLL WORLD

I worked in South Shore KY as an announcer for 11 years. One day on my lunch break, I walked down the street and browsed at a local shop. I saw a little Raggedy Ann doll there and thought, ' I'd like to have that,' but I didn't buy it. I can't remember if I didn't have the money or just didn't want to spend it! My lunch hour was over and I went back to the station. I was at my desk when my friend Vickie walked in and laid a shopping bag on my desk. I opened the bag and looked inside, it was that exact little Primitive Raggedy Ann I had just looked at mere minutes ago in that shop!

I never get over my Heavenly Father- how he gives us little gifts because He loves us and knows our desires when no one else does. I cannot count the times He has done that in my life since I've served Him. No, I didn't NEED that silly little doll; I just admired it and would like to have it. I don't serve The Lord for the 'bread and the fish' like the multitude, but I know it must have been His pleasure to give it to me that day. He knows how to give good gifts to His children and I'm reminded of that every time I look at that silly little Raggedy Ann doll.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Wayne and I hadn't met yet. It was during the recession in the early nineteen eighties. Wayne was living at home with his parents- single, depressed, out of work, and down to his last few dollars. He worked odd jobs here and there when someone needed a roof or house painted or small welding jobs.

One day, He and his church friend Kelly went hunting together. They stopped to rest at Kelly's old family farm.

As they sat there, to only himself and the Lord he said, “I'd like to own a place like that someday ” as he was looking across the fields and road to a beautiful piece of land.

Some years later, after Wayne and I were married, we decided we wanted to sell our current home and land and move closer to our church. We put the word out. No long after that, we got a call from Avonelle, Kelly's wife who said, “We've got some acreage we're not doing anything with, and if you're interested we'll sell it to you, and we don't want all the money at once. You can pay some now and the rest later.” We indeed were interested and did just that! In less than a couple of weeks, we bought 15+ acres of beautiful prime road frontage land from them for a song. We then put our place on the market; sold it in another two weeks to a family 2 hours away.

With the help of several church members, we moved in-February 1, 1992.

The beautiful land where we live today is the exact place Wayne longed to own many years before. Even in seemingly hopeless, discouraging times that we do not understand, the Spirit itself knows un-uttered longings from the depths of our hearts and God answers those prayers- if they are in His will.

ANGELS IN THE ROOM

Wayne and I were at our home church one Sunday morning. Late! The church was full that morning and we slipped in all the way in the back. During prayer request time, a precious saint named Lily who always sits in the front, said, “I just feel like the Lord said, there's someone here in red who needs prayer”. Our church was full that morning, so I know she hadn't seen us come in and I know so she didn't know I was wearing red that morning! I hit the altar and everyone gathered to pray. What she also didn't know I was having severe insomnia since we experienced that early morning "visitor" (see blog titled Angels In the Room and We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood). Night after night, I tossed and turned and my body would hurt all over. It was anything but rest.  Soon after that united church prayer, I was again lying in bed, in the middle of the night unable to sleep. Wayne was quietly sleeping beside me. It was one of those 'if you can't sleep, try talking to the Shepherd' nights.  During that time, I had this incredible experience. One I will never forget. As I was praying, the atmosphere in our bedroom changed. It was though there were Heavenly beings in that room. It felt like an airy rustling all around me and Wayne-and peace. What peace! The temperature even felt perfect! I laid there for hours, basking in something that was not of this world, just praising God.  I believe it was of “Yonder's World” as the older ones use to proclaim. All I know, it wasn't what had tormented me so many nights before. This was clean-feeling, light, a rustling-words fail me. Whatever it was, I have longed to experience it again.  Somehow, I feel I will- when I get to Heaven where my heart longs to be. It later came to my memory that after Jesus was tempted and tried in the wilderness by the devil, the devil left Him and the angels came and ministered unto Him. Maybe angels were dispatched to my room that night!  

WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD

Wayne and I were newlyweds. Our first home was on 36 acres of land we had bought on land contract from my Mother.

In the middle of one particular night, I woke up shaken. Something, or someone, was in our bedroom.  The thing was, our door was shut. It woke Wayne up too and he said “What's wrong?” I said “I don't know. I woke up and I thought I saw something or someone”. He said, “I feel like someone's gonna come through that door”. We were both shaken, but we prayed and eventually went back to sleep.

Later when we talked about it, the instant that happened to us, the exact same Scripture came to each of our minds. It was, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.” Ephesians 6: 12, 13.

Even in the subconscious minds and spirits of men and women who are believers, the indwelling Holy Spirit rises up in battle and fights the unseen enemy for us!

THE HEALER

When I was 11 years old, I had gotten up by myself one February Sunday morning. My neighbors were coming to pick me and some other neighborhood kids up to go to church in town. We lived way back in a holler not unlike where Loretta Lynn grew up. My mom told me our house was originally a chicken coop. There were seven of us who lived in that little 3 bedroom coop of a home, with no indoor plumbing. Heat was a wood stove. Our hot water heater was a kettle on the wood stove.  An old primed hand well pump for fresh cold water was at the kitchen sink. It was spring-fed and the sweetest water you ever tasted! (I know there's a good sermon point here somewhere). Foolishly, when my parents weren't up yet, I decided I would take the tea kettle off the stove to pour into the kitchen sink to wash my hair. I didn't lift it high enough, which caused that scalding water to spill over my legs and feet. I was transported by ambulance to the county hospital with first to third degree burns. The pain was unbearable. The attending doctor said I would most likely need skin grafts.  I was treated and sent home. Day and night, it seemed like it would never stop burning.  In a short amount of time, I had huge blisters from both knees down to the ends of toes, and then the skin turned a nasty, gross green. Infection was always a concern. The remedy for healing, always strange to me, was for my mother to soak my feet and legs in warm to hot water with pure soap in it. And then apply vitamin E to them. Good times!

In a follow up visit, my family doctor said he would have to get all that old skin off. He then began a procedure at the top of my legs and SCRAPED all that dead skin off down to my toes. There was nothing administered for pain, and it seemed like an eternity! It was more than my little mind could comprehend!  I thought my precious Mother would lose hers too as she and the doctor's nurse held me down! Later a friend of mine, who is also a nurse, told me it was called 'Scaling'.- how appropriate. That accident was an absolutely miserable, painful, drawn-out experience for me and my family.  

But I remember, right after the accident happened, church members, full of faith, who attended the little church I went to, asked my parents if they could come and pray for me. My parents were not Christians, but agreed. Members came to our home, laid their hands on my legs and feet and asked God to heal me. In time, God did just that. Do you know that I did not have to have any skin graft procedures or any surgeries? I do not have ONE residual scar, pain or any problems as a result of that accident. I can walk fine and my skin looks beautiful. Today, I give God praise for that awful experience. It taught me so much about faith and prayer. And every time I experience a burn of any sort, it takes me back to that Sunday morning. It reminds me that the Lord does heal and He did it just for me-and those that prayed that prayer of faith.  It also is a reminder to me of His willingness to go to the cross in our place. Because of Christ, no one has to go where the fire is not quenched!  

THE AMERICAN DREAM-OR NIGHTMARE

Early in our marriage, Wayne and I looked at different homes and properties to buy closer to where he worked. We kept looking at a particularly beautiful home many times.

In fact so many times, the sellers got annoyed at us coming back so much. It was priced right and we had the money to purchase it, but something about it was “off.” We kept praying and asking the Lord about it.

Among other things we were uncertain about, the basement creeped us. It was painted solid black from top to bottom- the ceilings, the walls, and floors. It was bizarre.

We finally came to a settled conclusion, we were not going to buy that house. 

Some time passed and Wayne again drove by that property to see if it had sold. He was absolutely shocked when the saw the house was completely leveled right down to the basement.

We learned later that a young man had died in that house in the basement in a devastating fire. We heard there was some type of evil that took place there.

It pays to pray to God for Divine leadership in our personal lives. He leads us in ways we cannot see or understand at the time.

COUNTRY ROADS TAKE ME HOME TO THE PLACE I BELONG

I've been a Southern Gospel Radio Announcer for over 32 years. I've spun some of the finest music that will outlive all of us. I have played one award-winning songwriter's music consistently. Her name- Kyla Rowland. She is a lyricist that reaches thousands of people through her number one songs: One Scarred Hand, I Rest My Case At The Cross, Safe Thus Far, God Handled It All, The Past Is a Promise, If You Knew Him, He Will Row You Over the Tide and many others. Kyla has garnered many award nominations- Songwriter Fan Awards, Composition Awards, Who's Who In America, and multiple other honors in this genre. She is also an accomplished author and keynote speaker, and just a beautiful classy, Spirit-filled southern lady.

I was invited to be the keynote speaker and sing at a particular denominational statewide ladies meeting in the Spring of the Year in West Virginia. I was told by the coordinator of the Spring event, that in the Fall, they would be having Kyla Rowland as their keynote speaker!

I thought to myself, “ I wish I were speaking in THAT meeting!”  Be careful what you wish for.  Well, guess what?

That Fall, through a series of events, I was included to be the co-keynote speaker with Kyla Rowland!
I NEVER get nervous or jitters before I speak or sing, but this was an exception! I was up all the night before in the hotel room tossing and turning; I had dysentery and was so sick. Porcelain Patty was my new best friend. On top of all that, my traveling buddy couldn't make the trip with me because of work, so I lost my equilibrium in several ways!

I managed to struggle through that meeting, but I tell you, I will never forget it! I went through what felt like the ultimate spiritual ringer washing machine!

But I did learn from that experience Kyla Rowland was a woman just like me. Even though I had admired her for decades and had put her on a pedestal, she was still flesh. We are all just flesh in the hands of a Big God. I don't know why I always have to be a slow learner of the the hard way, but one thing's for sure, you don't soon forget those lessons at the Lord's academy!

MY TOUGH OLD DADDY

My father Ralph David Walls was born in 1918. He was one of seven sons-rough and rowdy like their father. They tell me my grandmother was a precious Christian woman. I, the youngest of six was born on 1963. Needless to say, He was a little tired when I came along. We were a lot alike, and clashed on more than one occasion. As a result, I moved out of my parent's home after graduation. Daddy acted like it didn't bother him, he was glad to see me go. But the thing was, His actions spoke louder than his words. He showed up more than once at my new place! Mom told me that he wanted to make sure I had what I needed. He was a crusty old man who came up through the Depression. I guess you would call ours a Generation Gap. His generation had to be tough! Regardless, I wanted my Daddy to be born again more than anything else.

He had many health problems as long as I can remember- disabled by a stroke, heart attacks, and ultimately kidney failure resulting in dialysis three times a week. After my dear husband broke the news of my sister's death to him, he was so quiet. He said he understood because he had sown many wild oats in his younger years. I've heard some wild tales about moonshine, women and reckless behavior from my older siblings and others who knew him then. People in area churches shake their heads when they talk of what a miracle it is that I am a Christian.   

Not long after my sister Hazel died, Dad gave up the will to live.  He made the decision to take himself off dialysis. I told Dad, “You know what this means don't you?”

He replied, “I'm just gonna put it in the Lord's hands”. A tear ran down his face.

I knew right then The Lord was dealing with his heart for salvation. We had to respect his decision. I would come to see him at the manor all during that time and he gave me more compliments than he had given me my entire 33 years! You see Dad was always critical of me, so I knew God was softening his heart! I had been praying for him for decades. His doctor told us he would likely live only about 10-11 days after he stopped  treatments. He lived for 33 days. Me, my brother Randy and my sister Lori took turns being with him around the clock his final days. I was with him when he took his last breath. He was almost 78 years old. His earthly belongings filled a brown paper bag, but the witness of his conversion he left was worth more than a King's ransom because of Calvary!

MICHAEL PAUL

Our church was in a remodel and I volunteered to cook for the men who were working one day. It was a stressful day trying to get everything prepared and delivered before I went to work. Combined with many other  logistical hindrances, the pressures really grated on my nerves, but it was nothing compared to what was to come.

I finally got to the radio station and was talking to my co-worker Ruth Marie telling her all the things that had went wrong before I even got there. In my folly I stated, “I don't care what the Devil throws at me today, bring it on!” Oh, he brought it on alright.

Later that evening, I was watching the eleven o'clock news when my phone rang. It was my dear mother who cried and said, “ Lisa, Mike is dead”.

She went on to tell me she found him on her front porch dead of a gunshot wound to the head. He had been drinking as usual. I couldn't believe my ears.

Not too long before this, my brother had showed up at another church drunk where I was singing in revival-disrupting the entire service. I was so embarrassed and ashamed. Later, He told mom he wanted to make up for his bad behavior by coming to church again-the next night. 

I thought I would lose my mind. It if were not for the grace of God I would have. In fact, I begged the Lord not to be committed. It was just too much. Hands down, the darkest valley of my life. I pray for my family to be saved and go to Heaven with me, not to die like this! I can tell you God's grace is sufficient even in unbearable loss and in futile questions that have no answers. Something or Someone, in the Christian's life, takes over and carries us through these gut-wrenching experiences. After my bereavement leave was up, I went back to work and spoke with a precious artist/songwriter John Darin. He told me his entire church was in a united fast and prayer. He related to me that he had chosen to fast and pray for me and my family during this time. There are no people like God's people. I will never forget that one act of kindness extended to me during that storm. I now shutter when I hear people make remarks about Satan like I foolishly did. We alone are no match for the devil. Even the archangel Michael when contending about the body of Moses, did not bring an accusation against him, but said, THE LORD rebuke thee. Mark my tongue Lord, for I know it can speak from an unguarded heart. Keep my heart Lord, with all diligence, for I know out of it are the issues of life -and death.

THIS IS WHAT CRITICISM DOES TO THE CHURCH

I experienced a dream/vision several years ago when I was going through a particularly hard trial of my faith. I pray I never forget it.

I saw a huge wall of white colored square stones. They were hand-chiseled and made up a mighty tall and wide wall. At the bottom of the wall, there were cornerstones. In toward the middle of the wall of stones, there were openings of holes every other stone on what I understood to be the foundation. You could see through them. The Lord spoke and said, “This is what criticism does to the church.”

I immediately understood what He meant. He meant criticism from within the church.

Later, I read in the Bible, “ Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood...acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” -and this...”For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building .”

I also was privileged to go to Israel in 2011.

When I came near to the site of the Wailing Wall/Western Wall in Jerusalem, it looked SO familiar. It looked exactly like the stones I had seen in the vision! The Wailing Wall/Western Wall is believed to be a surviving remnant of the Temple which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. It is said that it is the main conduit for the flow of Godliness. The Jewish people mourn and pray at that site. It is so sacred, many do not turn their backs on it as they exit the site. 

Just like that wall, we the church survive. Through siege, fiery trial, disease-we survive! We survive when there is no division among us. Division weakens the entire structure. We need to cultivate our love for one another in unity. Together, we can stand strong against the enemy who would like nothing more that to destroy us from within. God help us. We are your church - Not the people's church, not the pastor's church, but your church. And as such, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against us! God help me not to criticize anyone in the church- whether I agree with them or not! Whether they have a personality like me or not! Mark my tongue  Lord that I may contribute to the strength of the entire body!

MY HEAVENLY FATHER PROVIDED WHAT MY EARTHLY FATHER WOULD NOT

I began singing gospel music not long after I was saved at age nine, and I've been singing ever since.

I was not raised in a Christian home, but I listened to Christian Radio on WPAY Portsmouth OH at the time. My dad, (an unbeliever), told me one day after he heard an ad on that frequency about a recording studio. He said if I would find out how much it would cost to make a record, he would pay for me to go there and make my first one! (Yeah, kids, in my time it was a vinyl record!) I was thrilled beyond belief! Many people at churches had asked me for a record and I told them I would be making one soon! Big mistake. After I found out how much it would be, and was making plans to record it, my dad backed out. He took the money and bought something else. I was completely devastated.

Some time passed, and I was in my room ironing clothes, I was again listening to WPAY and heard an ad for a contest sponsored by the same studio. The contest was to be judged live on air.  If you won, the Grand Prize was a free recording and 100 free 45 RPM records courtesy of this recording studio.

 I fell on my knees right by the ironing board and asked my Heavenly Father about it. I said, “ if it Your will, I will go down there and win that recording.” This time I didn't tell one single soul about it.
 

Well, I finally found the radio station, entered the contest and won! God is so good! I've made many recordings since then and I will never forget what my Heavenly Father provided for me what my earthly father would not. Through a series of events, that answered prayer led to another one down the road...about five years later. (read blog I'm Gonna Be A DeeJay Someday).

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

 

Today Is Friday the thirteenth. My precious nephew Earl David was born today. On Friday the thirteenth, in January 1995 I was working at WXIC AM 660 in Waverly. I was driving on the way home and thought to myself, “This Friday the thirteenth stuff is foolish. Nothing bad has happened to me today”. I was the one who was foolish.

After I got home, the phone rang. It was my niece who informing me that my oldest sister, Hazel had been killed in an accident.

I immediately fell to my knees in horror. How could this be? This is my oldest sister who I pray for every night to be saved and go to Heaven with me. Everyday the same prayer, “Lord save Jack, Hazel, Mike, Randy and Lori.”

My sister had been drinking all day. It was unusually warm that day so she and her friend had their windows down, and driving too fast on a country road.  Her friend walked away with a broken arm. My sister died. We couldn't even show her body at the funeral. She was 42.

She left two grown sons and a daughter who was only ten years old.

Later we found out from one of the paramedics he had prayer with Hazel before she died. Only God knows where each soul will spend eternity.

After my bereavement time ended, I went back to work. I was crying out to the Lord about losing my sister. He spoke to my spirit and said, “Don't dwell on the loss of Hazel, but think on how merciful I was to her”.

I could only reply “Yes Lord”. God the Father knows the pain of loss. He gave His only Son Jesus to die for all.

My sister Hazel was very talented and all around gifted, beautiful young woman. God has a plan for each of us, but if we live outside His will for our lives, we can shorten our lives by the choices we make.  
One day my other sister Lori came across Hazel's secret recipe for her amazing cinnamon rolls. She, mom and I got together and made them and talked about Hazel. We miss you Sis. Especially on Friday the thirteenth...Little did we know that day would be the catalyst for the next death in our family...(see blog My Tough Old Daddy).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The year-1931. Back in a holler in Pike County, Ohio, an unwed young woman named Emma was expecting her child. Nothing extraordinary about that, right? Happens every day. Except for the fact, Emma would always have the mental capabilities of a 6 year old... and that same sweet, humble Emma was taken advantage of by a man she would never indict. No one would ever know who did this to her for sure. She would never tell. Out of this unholy union, a baby girl was born on June 4, 1932. She was named Miriam Ruth - great Bible names for an illegitimate unwanted, child, who would always be reminded of that. What shame.

Ruth, as she was called, was born healthy and normal-mentally and physically. In fact, she was very bright and creative. Born to a mother who was mentally challenged, in a family of extreme poverty, no doubt the census today would have been to abort. What kind of future could she possibly have? This was no 'planned parenthood.'  After all, this was scandal. Oh, what scandal! Emma's own mother- totally blind. One of Emma's two brothers- also slow in mind. Who can possibly take care of this child? It was a challenge enough just to feed the family- so impoverished, they didn't even know there was such a thing as the Great Depression, because they were already living IN one every day! The 'New Deal and a chicken in every pot' hadn't made it's way to this holler. Survival was cow's milk and cornmeal mush. To this day, Ruth cannot eat either. Some may say it would have been better if she were never born. BUT God.

Emma did indeed bear Ruth. Ruth grew up to bear five children of her own. The youngest was named Lisa Jo. Yep, that would be me. I own it. You know, no one wants to swell up their chest bragging, “I don't even know who my grandfather is on my mother's side.” What the enemy sowed in evil, God can get the glory from. I would not be here today if it were not for the grace and mercy of the Lord. I deeply understand that. My life is consecrated to God- no matter my beginnings. You see, before the foundation of the world, He said in His Word,  I was chosen in Him. Chosen. In. Him. You talk about a self-esteem booster! Almighty God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; sanctified thee; ordained thee”...That's the God who created the worlds!  And you know what?  I can proudly proclaim, that I will give Him the glory according to the good pleasure of His will-in my generation. Some would say that's narcissistic and an illusion of grandeur. Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps you should to take that up with Him, but I do remember studying that Jesus' family tree was not so green either. "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?"Let's Come and See what God can do!