Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

"I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty"

Godly Leadership

As any of you that know me well are quite aware, I am very business minded and have a passion for leadership qualities and learning how to be a good leader.  I serve as a leader in many capacities, so when I heard the following lesson in Sunday School one day, I took close notes.  I'm not quite sure where the lesson came from, so I'm sorry I cannot credit anyone except the Holy Spirit working through God's Holy Word!  I know I lack in some of these qualities and have much room to grow.  My prayer is that I will continue to mature in each of these areas!

A Godly Leader must possess the following characteristics: 

1) Wisdom

"I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths." (Proverbs 4:11 NLT)

"For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Prov 2:6 NLT)

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." (Prov 10:19 NIV)

2) Integrity: Who we are and what we do when no one is looking.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.  He is a shield to those who walk with integrity." (Prov 2:7)

If a king judges the poor fairly, his throne will last forever." (Prov 29:14)

3) Love: How we love is more important than what we know or achieve.

"Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure." (Prov 20:28 NIV)

4) Seeks Godly advisors

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (Prov 19:20 NIV)

"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure." (Prov 11:14 NIV)

5) Self-control

"Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people." (Prov 28:15 NIV)

"A food gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." (Prov 29:11)

6) Awareness of his influence

"When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.  But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (Prov 29:2)

7) Compassion

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12-13 NLT)

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

8) No need for public approval

"Watch out!  Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lost the reward from your Father in Heaven." (Matthew 6:1 NLT)

"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety." (Prov 29:25)

9) Submission to God

"The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases." (Prov 21:1)

10) Forgiving Heart

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.  Forgive and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)

11) Boldness

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7)

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your words with great boldness." (Acts 4:29)

Update

Hi Everyone!  I'm terribly sorry that it's been over a month since I last wrote a blog post!  It's been a whirlwind of a Summer, filled with racing, family activities, fair, and VBS!  Racing kicked off in full force throughout June and July.  We've had some trouble; blown two engine to be exact.  We just keep persevering and know that knowledge and effort is what will help us be successful.  The Hend. Co. Fair was last week, and we spent lots of time at the fairgrounds watching demo derbys and enjoying time with our friends and community.  We spent July 4th at fireworks and spending time with family and friends.  And this week is VBS at church!  I just love witnessing to children through this program each year!  There's something special about planting Jesus seeds in a child's life!  This coming weekend really ends our July festivities, as we celebrate being cancer-free at Relay for Life on Friday and gear up for Lucas' 3rd (yes THIRD) birthday party on August 3rd.  I have been asked to serve as the Survivor Speaker for Relay for Life this year, and am honored to share my story and testimony with our community!  I should be putting finishing touches on that speech right now... hmmm... ;-)  All of this is wonderful, but let me tell ya, I'm wiped out and absolutely ready for August and September to be here!!

Health-wise, things are going wonderfully!  I'm feeling great and have no symptoms.  My next MRI will be in September, so I look forward to that, with expectation of great news.  I have really claimed God's promise as my own- By His stripes I AM HEALED!!!  I truly believe that my healing has already came; The Bible tells me that.  I just had to claim it.  I've done so, and now Satan has no authority over my health!  God is SO good!

That's all I have for now, friends.  Please know how much I appreciate your friendship and following my blog.  It means the world to me, knowing that I'm able to inspire others and touch lives through sharing my story!  I hope to see you Friday night at Relay for Life at the West Central High School track in Biggsville!  Opening Ceremony and my speech kicks off at 6:00pm!

Much love,
Alicia