God Will Provide Himself a Lamb

Today in my daily Bible reading I started at the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21). Then I went onto the offering of Isaac (22). In verse 7 it says that Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the burnt offering was and in verse 8 he answers him. Abraham told Isaac, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb".
Now I have heard this story and read this story many many times in my life. But it has never meant anything to me until now. Alot of times when I read the Bible it is a struggle for me to hear what the Lord is trying to tell me. And most times I do not hear it. But today as I sat there, I FINALLY heard the Lord speak through His Word!!! I am so excited about it!!! He told me, "Cindy, if you will just give it all to me, I will provide what you need". I have struggled with our tithing lately. We have always given, but given what I thought we could afford, not what God told me to give. I never asked His opinion about it. And ever since I have started giving what the Lord wanted me to, He has kept His promise and he has provided not what we WANT, but what we NEED.
And I have learned recently that when you have a giving heart, He will bless you. Not just toward Him, but others as well. Recently a family I know needed help and everyone was quick to do so. I am ashamed to say this, but the first thing that popped in my head was, "Why isn't anyone doing this for MY family?". And that was so wrong of me. But I am proud to say that I quickly turned that attitude around and even though we don't have much I gave what we could. And I prayed that whatever their need was that it would be met. And then I asked God to forgive me for ever thinking that and being so selfish that I would not think of others before myself.
I hope everyone can see my growth as a christian. I have been saved for awhile, but never applied anything to my life until the last 6 months or so. So I actually see myself as a new born babe in Christ. Be patient with me, Ill get there...:)

Hello to all!!!

Hellllllooooooo!!!!!! Did you ever think that I was coming back? lol I know that I have been away for some time now. Many different reasons for that. Schedule changes, illness, etc. But the main reason is just a plain old pity party. I thought that in order for me to write something in here, that I needed something wonderful and extraordinary to say. Many times I have had something that wonderful to say but was too busy feeling sorry for myself to realize it. Ok, admit it, you've been there, done that. Its ok to admit it, you'll feel better when you do. Go on, do it. Now then....isn't that better?
ANYWAYS...Pastor got me thinking today in church about the blessings that the Lord has given me and the purpose behind those blessings. There has been so many. Most of them I have been too blind to see. Sometimes a blessing comes in a horrible disguise and you don't recognize it. The one thing that I particularly thought of today was the very first time that I met Pastor Mathena. Now remember, we are in Pennsylvania and we have only lived here for 5 years.
Back in 2000, my senior year, some pretty horrible things happened in my life. My father was once again abusing me and we were doing nothing but fighting all the time which led to a suicide attempt by me. After I got out of the hospital, my pastor and parents sent me down to the Roloff Homes in Texas where I was NOT put in the Rebekah Homes for girls, but the Jubilee Home for women even though I was 17. At this time in my life there were so many "whys" in my life I didn't know what to do. So instead of going to the Lord with my problems I rebelled more against everyone that I thought was out to get me. (WHICH WAS EVERYONE BY THE WAY...LOL)
Well in that home was a woman from Pennsylvania. I was already there when she arrived and her pastor and his family had driven all the way to Texas to bring her there. At that time with the Mathenas it was a hi and bye situation. Then again in 6 months when they picked her up it was a hi and bye situation. This woman is not in the Will of God now, but at that time she had told me that she was praying that God would bring me to Pennsylvania, go to her church, and find a good Godly and loving husband. I thought she was off her rocker!!!!
In between now and then alot more stuff has happened...some good and some bad. But I am just now coming to realize the full picture of my life. If I would have had a loving father, no family problems, no attitude, drug, or alcohol problems, I would have never met my husband David, Pastor Mathena, his family, and my WONDERFUL church family that I have today. Whoever thought that I would end up who, what, and where I am today? Definitely not me!!!!
As much as I miss my family back in Kansas, I know that God's purpose for me is here. I'm not sure yet what that purpose is, but I know where it is.
Please continue to pray for me and my husband. I was denied for my disability again and my health is not getting any better. Dave needs to find a full time job that he will be able to keep. And pray for us as a couple. Anyone who is married knows the emotional struggle a couple has when they are financially down and the strain it can put on someone. Also, I have gotten away from my relationship with the Lord. Please pray that I can restore it to where it ought to be.
And please don't be afraid to let me know that you are praying for us. It gives me encouragement to hear so.
Now I have shared alot with everyone today that I didn't have to but wanted to. Please don't use or hold anything that I have said against me. Look at the person I am trying to become and not the person I use to be...:)