Editting

If you could edit your life, would you? Would you click a button to change things or cut them out completely?

There's no way I would! I would not trade my life for the world. Hard to believe, right? Especially after, the "challenges" I've been through in my lifetime. Those whom I call friend, know what I am talking about.

For so many years and especially 2 years and a few months ago , I pleaded with God, "Why me?" The funny thing is, today, I thank Him for it all! Every last second! I honestly believe that, I'm one lucky Chick! I can even say that after all the recent happenings. You know that when you're in the trenches, that God has big plans for you! Let's call it Boot Camp for Believers!

Although I would not change a thing about life, I just love the edit button on here. Post, Edit, Post again, Edit. It's like a big fat eraser, in a button, of course! Click it-poof it's all gone. Change your mind, click it and it's back again.

I LOVE to write. I could do it every day and never get sick of it. I enjoy blogging my thoughts on here just to throw them out there. Get them out of my head and share them with you. I will never deny that what you see here, is the real me. There are times that I may seem angry. I probably am. Last time I checked, I was quite human, just like you. And humans do a lot of stupid things. Trust me, I've done my share over the past 37 years. But what I do know is, I don't live for the edit button. I live to "Publish Post" button. Life is not a blogging post. It's one trip around, one go at it. It is one chance to touch an other's life in a positive way.

What if God chose to make permanent image of you in His heart of the day knowing broke someones heart?

I ask myself this question all the time to keep myself honest and accountable...

If you were to take a long hard look in the mirror, would you be afraid of what it would say back? Live today in a way that you don't have to fret tomorrow and wish there was an edit button. To be able to live our lives with free will is a beautiful, priceless gift that God gives us.

Thanks for listening, well reading. Dawn-Claiming my smile back from those who don't know love. And living each day to show others how to, willingly!

Thought of the Day

"Non discipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil" (Dallas Willard)

I want to be a student at Liberty University for forever just so I can read their "Thought of the Day" It's definitely not for the Algebra homework! Or research studies!

Thank you God for an amazing week!!! Just when I think I am the luckiest person in the world, BAMM, you go and bless me with another reason! I may look exhausted, even sound exhausted (it's lack of sleep, really) but God is working me hard and I'm loving it!

If clay could express it's feelings after the artist molded it into a work of art, it would say..."I'm looking good, but boy was that exhausting!" I am far from a work of art, but I am the clay in God's hands!

A Confession of Forgiveness for the Believer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I made a fresh commitment to You to live in peace and harmony, not only with the other brothers and sisters of the body of Christ, but also with my friends, associates, neighbors and family.

I let go of all bitterness, resentment, envying, strife and unkindness in any form. I give no place to the devil in Jesus' name. Now Father, I ask Your forgiveness. By faith, I receive it, having assurance that I am cleaned from unrighteousness through Jesus Christ. I ask You to forgive and release all who wronged and hurt me. I forgive and release them. Deal with them in your mercy and loving-kindness.

Form this moment on, I purpose to walk in love, to seek peace, to live in agreement, and to conduce myself toward others in a manner that is pleasing to You. I know that I have right standing with You and Your ears are attentive to my prayers.

It is written in Your Word that the love of God has been shed abroad, poured forth into my heart by the Holy Ghost who is given to me. I believe that love flows forth into the lives of everyone I know that I may be with abound in the fruits of righteousness which bring glory and honor unto You, Lord, in Jesus' name. So be it!

Scripture References: Romans 5:5, 12:16-18, 10; Philippians 1:9, 11, 2:2; Ephesians 4:27, 31, 32; I John 1:9; Mark 11:25; I Peter 3:8, 11, 12; Colossians 1:10

Chaching$$$

If I had a penny for every time someone visited this site this week to read what I would post after our "meeting with the mediator" I'd be able to drill a well for the kids of Africa to have fresh drinking water in a poverty stricken village. If only you were here for good intentions. I hate to disappoint you.

Its kind of a sad to think that instead of emailing me or one even better, giving me a call to see if we are doing OK. You'd rather click here to see me vent. So sorry to disappoint you... I'm still me. Remember, this is Walking in Love, a journal of my journey. I refuse to sell my soul for anyone. Pastor, family member or boss. In my eyes, I have only ONE whom I report to, and without a doubt, He's cheering me on this week. I can hear Him now..."Way to go daughter of mine!!!" :)


I want you to know that...I pray for you, I pray for the Pastors, I pray for the leaders, I pray for the elder board and advisers, I pray for the congregation. I pray for those who have decided to depart and especially for those yet to walk in. I pray especially hard for you, if you came here for gossip and hatred. I hate no one. I only feel hurt and discomfort. A reality our Lord deals with each and every day on a level I could not fathom.

I could quote scripture. I could remind you that God demands us to live in love. You know that already. A man or woman right with God knows very well when he or she disappoints Him. The Bible is the greatest rule book ever written. If you muck up, pick it up, God will lift you up.

This is my blog, and I'm sorry to disappoint you in saying that I am still me. The same Dawn that would be there to help the same person who stomped on my heart this past Sunday. The same Dawn that will pray each and every day for the lost, lonely and unsaved. I will lift up those already saved that they too will do what God demands of us and not give more people a reason to turn from Him but to Him.

Sorry for the boring blog..... sorry to disappoint you. I'm still praying for you, harder now than ever. May God's Blessings Not Only Shine Over You but Through You!!!!!!

Let me walk away being known as ....Dawn, the woman that loves an amazing man, not for what he once was, but for the man he is each and every day. Please remember me as God's daughter, a true Carpenter in mind, body and soul.

"As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath." (Romans 12:18-19)

Do you know someone who just walks around every day with nothing but hate spewing from their mouth? It's exhausting to hang with them, isn't it? I can't imagine being them.

God's word it quite clear in the verse above. Let it go!

If you need a reality check, this one's for you! You're not God!

So, hang up that ego trip you're on and let the God who made you deal with you and others like you. How's that for reality?

Late Nites...

Last week I blogged of our Youth Pastor, Tucker and his amazing ability to convey a message. Well, I believe that behind so many strong men, are inspiring women. Tucker has one of the best. Her name is Cherie. She's a beautiful wife and loving mother. She just has this all around beauty about her. It's really great!

Well, we finally, after many failed attempts, made it to Perkins after Ignite (Starbucks was the original plan, but it was already late). It was a great night! Huge thanks to Justin, a family friend, who brought my girls home and Tucker who took care of bedtime rituals in the Hibbs house. It allowed Cherie and I to just sit there and share, as God intended us to. We laughed and laughed. We also shared on so many levels. Our lives, passions, loves and dreams. One of the highlights was introducing Cherie to fries with brown gravy and mozzarella cheese. I thought it to be sad that she had never experienced them before. She's a fry lover and this just kicks it up a notch!! BAM!

I had to laugh to myself on my way home. Fries and late night gatherings have always been part of my life. Back in the day it was after a night of drinking and dancing and those fries just seemed to go well at the craziest of hours. Sharing the night with Cherie was one night that has left a true mark on my heart. It blows my mind how times have changed. A dozen years ago or so, I was drunk and giddy and searching for happiness. And now, all these years later. I shared a night with an awesome woman, who is a true inspiration of God's love and had a great night just being me.

Thanks Cherie for being you and allowing me to be me!

Wearing Your Heart On Your Sleeve

For the first time in a while I was captivated by the message in church. Kudos to Tucker! He just shines with God's given talent when he is preaching. It's so his thing! I don't know if he would agree or not, I am just a fan of his passion. We are fortunate to have him preaching to us the entire month of January. I have been looking forward to it for some time now. It's a great way to start the year! You should come check it out at Carpenters Community Church.

Today's message was based on the TV series, Heroes and entitled "Just Go." Tucker called us on the carpet about our faith. He asked us where we stand on it. What defines and inspires our faith and how willing we are or are not to get out of our comfort zone and share it with others.

Last year this time I got an amazing tattoo on my back of an Icthus. (Latin word, meaning fish. The letters stand for: Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior) I just love it! I did it because I wanted the opportunity to share my faith with others. It's kind of funny when co-workers will catch a glimpse of it and judge. I look at them, tell them to get a life and explain that it's a permanent reminder to me and all those who see it how GOD is amazing and with me always. Well this week, Tucker got an pretty freaking (shhh, it's not a bad word) cool tattoo, offering him a similar opportunity. You'll have to check it and his story out at his blog. I hope he doesn't mind.... Tucker Hibbs.

I'm not much of an actress. I can't lie to save my life. (ask my mom, dad or Mark) I wear my heart on my sleeve. I consider myself a "What you see, is what you get" kind of girl. I can only hope that my love of Christ is apparent in my words and actions. As for the tattoo, it's just another heart on my sleeve. It's an opportunity to share my testimony. The key is, not allowing it to limit me. Being a Christian has tested me. It's not easy but it's so worth it. Tucker called being a Christian "not boring" today.... so true! It's very possible to talk the talk while walking the walk. I'm honored when co-workers point me out at a Christian. It's one label I wear proudly! Thanks Tucker for the amazing morning!