I apologize for running late on my Into The Light Home post but it’s been a heck of a week so far. Sunday night Gerri was up late and while doing whatever she was doing when she heard a slight thud coming from the bathroom. She has a suction cup thing on the shower wall that on occasion will come lose and fall. Thinking that’s what the thud came from she paid it no mind.

It wasn’t the suction cup hitting the shower floor! Walking into the bathroom to get ready for bed she discovered the glass shower door had completely shattered and the glass piled in the bottom of the shower! There was no earthly reason for an entire glass door to shatter into a million pieces. There were no cracks, small holes, or any defects what-so-ever to cause this.

As Christians we all know there is an enemy of God that hates us with a passion. You can believe this or not but both Gerri and I have been being obedient in doing what the Lord is calling us to do and when we Christians are serving the Lord, trusting Him, and being obedient to His call, satan doesn’t like it! On occasion he will manifest himself through demonic activity in various ways, like shattering a perfectly fine shower door at 1:00 in the morning.

The second manifestation took place the very next day. We had been to the ministry home working and when we came home Gerri was standing at the front of the car and I was unloading items from the back when I hear a loud crash. “What was that!?” I asked looking toward the front of the garage.

On the floor was a foot long rod that had been on the far back side of a shelf with items in front of it. Gerri watched as that rod lifted off the shelf and slammed to the floor hitting a couple of metal buckets. It did not roll off the shelf! It was thrown off the shelf. We looked at each other and I said, “Somebody isn’t happy.”

I really don’t care if you think I’ve lost my marbles or not. The enemy of God makes himself known, and his anger known, if we’re just aware of some of his tactics. There is no question in our mind what has taken place between the shower door and the “flying” rod and he has been bound from any further manifestations.

My wonderful handy man showed up that evening and the shower door is being ordered and will be replaced, and we move on. What is meant for evil (supposed to scare us to death – but didn’t) God will turn for His glory.

With all that said, I spent this morning cleaning up the mess I raked out of the flower garden and have prepared to get to play in the dirt some more tomorrow morning. The border is marked and I have bags of dirt in my car and 2 flats of Phlox that will finally be planted. Pastor has finished a few rooms with the trim and base boards but with 2 weddings and a funeral the rest will have to wait.

Next step is getting the edging. Will we use cement scalloped or blocks?

Come back next time to see.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

I spent two days working on the flower garden for the Into the Light Home and as I was leaving pastor said he’d like to have flowers around one of the trees in the front yard. That put me on a search for plants that need mostly shade. I found some and the third day I got to play in the dirt some more.

While getting all dirty I remembered a place on the way to Helen, Ga. that sells all sorts of yard decorations, handmade bird houses, and the best ice-cream! So Saturday I used the excuse of wanting to go there to get a bird house for my garden at the ministry house, but what I really wanted was a double scoop of their chocolate ice-cream in a cone. Long story short, Gerri and I came home with a cool bird house, a small cement fawn deer, and a belly full of chocolate Ice-cream. That’s the first time I’ve driven almost 45 miles for an ice-cream cone. 🙂

I spoke with Pastor Sunday telling him what I got and he said he’d be working at the house today. Boy howdy did he ever! Gerri met with him and we learned he’s still working on the trim work, he’ll be putting new ceiling fans up, we had a donation of some much needed items delivered today, and praise be to God he had two fellas helping him.

He said he worked all day and during their conversation he leaned toward her and whispered, “Don’t tell Sue, but I had to use one of the new kitchen towels in the drawer. It was hot working in there and I was sweating and needed to use one but I’ll be sure to wash it.”

I guess he remembers me yelling, “Don’t touch the towels!” And yes, she told on him. (I’m laughing)

Pastor and the two helpers got a lot done today but there is still more to do. We thank the Lord for the help, for all the work that has been completed and we are so much closer to completing the renovations than we were in the beginning. We’ve come a long way, and thank God we aren’t where we used to be.

See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

As many times as I have worked at the Into the Light Home, there are only a few times I have actually taken pictures, which I now regret. I had taken some early on but the rooms were not brightly lit and like an amateur I didn’t use the flash, but since then I do have a few pictures to share, as I promised a little while back.

Remember how I just couldn’t wait for pastor to get rid of those crappy shrubs? Here’s why…

The house is a four sided brick home but you sure can’t tell it. Well, actually there’s very little showing behind those shrubs to see anything.

As we continued to work inside, I continued to want those shrubs gone! I like brick homes. They are more solid and yes, older homes, but to me they have a character all of their own.

The day finally came when even pastor was ready for them to be gone. Are you ready for a real “WOW?”

WOW! What a difference! We found a whole house hidden behind that mess of bushes!

The inside work has continued. Pastor has been doing most of the work himself, as I have stated many times. He’s been ripping out, replacing, and now trying to finish the base boards and molding around the ceiling.

The day after he tore out the shrubs he said to me, “Go get your plants,” So I did and then you all have heard me griping and complaining about this happening and that happening, or the weather, or, or, or and I didn’t get to plant anything. The plants have been in and out of my bedroom more times than I can count but the weather has finally warmed and no wind chills to speak of, and the rain has stopped.

Ohhhhh Sue is a happy camper now!

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day digging roots up, raking the garbage buried and exposed, and trying to fill in some holes and low spots. Obviously there are no stairs to even get to the front door so I marked off where stairs will be installed and once I was too tired to work anymore I left and came back this morning, with a car loaded with dirt, shovel, rake, water, and whatever else I needed. Once I finished raking, digging up more roots I headed home and came back with plants!

The line of trash is what I dug out, raked off, and will be gone next week. Do I look happy? Oh you bet I am. There’s nothing better than playing in good old dirt. You can’t see it but my T-shirt says, “I love to play in the dirt.” A dear friend gave it to me as a gift and I wear it…to play in the dirt.

Do you like the bird bath? The Rose of Sharon is at the end past the bird bath,but it’s just a stick with some tiny leaves right now, but that won’t last for long. They are fast growers.

I brought four Azalea’s with me and a Rose of Sharon. I can’t plant the Phlox or Hosta’s until the line of trash is gone and the border I will be doing is done. I’m one pooped gal but I am a contented pooped gal. That part of the garden is done for now. Pastor needs to get some fill dirt for the area closest to the driveway so asked me not to do anything with that other than the one Azalea. But next week we’ll be back at it and I can’t wait.

There have been people praying for good weather, after my “frustration” article and for the help pastor needs. Prayers are being answered. Next week, pastor has a whole crew of men coming to help him! Praise be to God and thank you Jesus, and thank you for your prayers.

I hope this post has been more uplifting for you my readers. Will that “crew” show up? Will I be able to get the border done and all those Phlox planted before they completely take over their pots with roots coming out the bottom?

Come back next time for those answers. We’ll see what happens.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Praise be to God the Father for His most Holy Son who died and arose. We just celebrated His resurrection. He calls each of us to various “duties” (for lack of a better word at this moment) all for His purposes. Some He commands, others He asks, and other’s He gives assignments to. My calling for 28 years was The Elah Ministry where I ministered to women, and some men, that had been sexually abused as children.

He assigned me to minister to various women, some lived in my home for a time as He and I helped them grow, heal, and get on their feet. That’s what my new assignment is now, my new calling.

Some months ago I was instructed by the Lord to shut Elah Ministry down and to be a part of this new ministry, Into The Light Ministry. We have bought a home and as many of you know we have been renovating it for ministering to women that have been rescued from sex traffic which includes drugs and prostitution. We will be a transition home to help these ladies transition back into society in a loving and healthy way.

But I have to confess, I’m frustrated! Pastor is doing most of the work himself and with everything else on his pastoral plate he can only devote 2 days a week, if that. With the past holidays, lousy weather, and trying to use the donations given with wisdom we are not able to hire the help to help him. I wish I had that M-I-L-L-I-O-N he keeps hoping for, I’d hire the help we need, but I don’t.

I’m also frustrated because the weather has prevented me from getting to play in the dirt and with a wind chill of 23 degrees I’ve once again hauled the purchased plants back into my bedroom. They’ll be there 2 nights so as not to lose them to the cold.

I’m angry and frustrated so I’m heading to the house in 43 degree weather this morning to start raking and clearing out what roots I can for the flower garden. After the rains we’ve had the ground will be soft (mud) but it must be done because the plants are getting root bound in their pots. A tiller has not been found nor a volunteer to help, and the inside of the house still needs work. So Cass is fed up and going to do what I can, when I can, and how I can. Anyone want to help?

Check back next time and maybe I’ll have a praise and hallelujah to report.

Blessings to you,

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

BECAUSE HE LIVES

WE CAN FACE

ALL OF OUR

TOMORROWS.

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

“He received 39 stripes because 40 was known to kill a man. They wanted him alive.

They held handfuls of his beard, and hair and pulled it out by the roots. They wanted him alive.

They kicked, punched, and spit on him for hours. Until there wasn’t a single spot on his body not covered in blood. They wanted him alive.

They shoved a crown of thorns down on his head so harshly it stuck in his skin. They wanted him alive.

After hours of being beaten, mocked, whipped, flogged, and tortured they made him walk with a cross. They made him carry it. A rough piece of wood with splinters digging into fresh wounds. They wanted him alive.

They wanted him to feel every ounce of pain they could bring.

He had to feel it in order to heal us.

Crucifixion was historically one of the cruelest most tortured deaths a human could face. Hours upon hours of torture. Torture most of us can not mentally think of because the cruelty isn’t normal. It isn’t something our minds can comprehend.

We celebrate Easter with pastel colors, happy children hunting eggs, and chocolate. Truth is there was absolutely nothing happy about the day Jesus died. It was cruel, bloody, and nasty.

He could have stopped all of it. He could have called every angel in heaven to demolish every person standing and shouting “Crucify Him!”

He didn’t. He knew in order to have a Sunday you have to have a Friday. He knew in order to have joy you have to carry your cross. He felt everything that day. He felt how your heart broke wide open when you had to watch your baby die. He felt how heavy your life was when you were staring down the barrel of a gun wondering if the man you called husband was going to shoot you. He carried the weight of the burden you have felt since your spouse died and life just doesn’t seem right since. On that cross he held the rapist and murderers, the sinner and the saint. He leveled every playing field and said ALL of you are worth it. He knew he had to carry the cross. He never promised the cross you carry in this life would not be heavy. His wasn’t. His promise is that Sunday is coming.

No matter how heavy Friday is. Financially, emotionally, mentally, or physically. Friday is heavy. That cross is weighing you down and you are about to crumble under its weight.

His promise was simply this. He won’t make you carry it alone.

What kind of king would step down from his throne for this? Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God did. For you.

He did every bit of it for you and me.

Oh yes it is heavy. So heavy sometimes you do not think you can take one more step.

But look up, because Sunday is coming.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(I copied this from FB and don’t know who penned it)

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Friday is “Good Friday.” We’ve all heard the story, how Jesus carried a huge wooden cross up the hill to Golgotha knowing that was His fate, to be unmercifully nailed on that same wooden cross until dead. The same one He had to drag through the streets after being humiliated, mocked, betrayed, and beaten to a pulp.

The picture above is of three men. One being Jesus and two criminals/ thieves. I look at that picture and think of my Dad. He’s the one, like the thief that spoke to Jesus at the last minute, and asked if He would pardon his sins. Jesus did and told the thief that he would be in paradise with Him.

What makes me think of my Dad? My Dad was that thief in many ways and in many ways worse. He stole my childhood, my teen years, and part of adulthood. He stole the childhood from others, too. My Dad was a pedophile. It took me many years to forgive him. At the age of 87 my Dad hung on that cross beside Jesus and asked, just 24 hours before he died, for Jesus to forgive him his sins and gave his life to Jesus.

I think of the pain that Jesus had to have endured, (which I cannot even imagine) I think of the pain that me and others have suffered at the hands of someone else, just like Jesus suffered indignation, betrayal, and beaten. He was finally hung and died – an innocent man at the hands of others. In many ways me, and many other innocents died inside.

I think of the innocent children that are being horribly abused by the evil of others, the teen girls and boys that walk into a spiders web of evil unknowingly, and the teen and adult women used like some kind of meat to be “devoured” and then tossed aside. I think of how many are forced into using their bodies for the sick satisfaction of others and those forced into drug addiction because they can’t cope with what is happening to them.

Why am I passionate about the Into The Light Ministry home? Because it is only by the grace of God that I survived the many years of abuse by a man that, like in sex traffic situations, use them as their tool! It is the love of Christ that help them survive through it and get out of it. And it is His love, support, guidance, and care through us that will help them transition into a society that cares, not the one that betrayed them and let them down.

Christ hung, shed His innocent blood for us! For ALL of us, even those who don’t believe, who mock Him, claim He doesn’t exist, and belittle His Deity. He died a horrific death so that everyone would have hope, freedom from sin, and spend eternity with Him instead of an eternity with our adversary, Satan. There is no greater love than that!

Will you be the third man on a cross?

Would you do what Jesus did for someone that hates you?

Praise the Lord and glory be to God for His unselfish love.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

It is not often a writer runs out of words. Well, at least this one anyway. I don’t think I’ve ever really experienced what is called “writers block” (even with nine published books) and the reason is because I always ask the Lord what He wants written and then get out of His way and let Him take over the key board. So if some of my gibberish comes through as gibberish, then blame Him. 🙂

This has been a crazy week though and not much has been able to be accomplished at the Into the Light Home. My church had a big Easter egg hunt party this past Saturday and that was pretty cool. We all know Easter is NOT about colored eggs or cute rabbits and even though there were games and Easter eggs found, the kids and adults were introduced to Jesus and what Easter is all about.

I could have sworn it’s Spring in Georgia, USA, but Saturday you would have never known it. It SNOWED! I don’t think kids feel cold, they were running around and acting like it was 80 degrees while the adults were freezing their fannies off, at least those who didn’t listen to the weather report and dress for it. But it was a great time and surprisingly, with it being so cold, a lot of people with kids showed up, all for the glory of God.

And then, of course, pastor had to prepare His sermon for Sunday morning. He isn’t one of those pastors who thumb through the file cabinet and thinks, “Hmm, that one might be good.” And he has had meetings and all sorts of stuff going on ever since.

Now this week is preparing for Easter Sunday. A new backdrop has been created at church, and its pretty cool, so that took a couple of days worth of work, not for me, but for the guys doing it. Pastor and I are suppose to have a meeting, in fact we were suppose to have it today, but his schedule seems to be packed already; luncheons, meetings, Easter prep’s, trying to get over to get a little work done on the ministry house, and my schedule is pretty full for a couple of days, too.

So I can’t report any big improvements or major work having been done in the last week. Like I said, its been a crazy week and may continue to be for a few more days. Just in case you’re wondering, I was forced to bring in all the plants, again, due to the weather but now they are all very happy out in the sunshine in 68-70 degree weather with warm 50’s night temp’s. and its supposed to stay that way now. Praise God, thank you Jesus.

For now my pretty plants will enjoy some sunshine in my back yard. Will pastor get around to tilling up my garden space this week? Will I finally get to get all dirty playing in the dirt?

Come on back Thursday and we’ll see.

Blessing to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Once again, this past Sunday, I cornered pastor, “I bought flowers to make the flower bed at the house. Do you know when we’ll be able to get those shrubs pulled up? It’s planting time.” I am persistent at times, especially when it comes to playing in the dirt.

“I need to talk to… Monday and Tuesday we’re doing… at the church.”

We talk a little more and on the way to the front of the church he asks Gerri to call to have the power lines, gas, etc. marked before we start digging. After church we ride by the ministry home so I can get a “before” picture so once the shrubs are gone and replaced with nice plants I can share the before and after with you.

I’ve set all the plants out in the sun and some in the shade that requires shade and hope nobody will sneak in my back yard and take off with them. Sitting on my back deck I sit staring at them with images of what I want to do and where I plan to put them. In other words, I’m designing my gardens in my head.

Then the phone rings.

“This is your best pastor of the day to let you know the shrubs are gone.” Hallelujah, praise God.

Pastor then explains that the landscaper that would pull them out for free said he couldn’t get to it right now, “I’ll work it in when I can.” Pastor, being a do it yourself man, decided to go cut the shrubs off to about a foot above the ground. Then he hooked a chain to the back of his pickup and pulled every one of those ugly suckers out! What a guy! No moss will ever grow under his feet and I couldn’t be happier.

“Heavy rain, possible hail, and slight chance for tornadoes,” is reported for the next few days. Oh for crying out loud! The shrubs are finally out, pastor is going to til the garden area for me, and I’m ready to get down and dirty and now- rain and storms, for two-three whole days! I think the Lord is testing my patience. It ain’t working!

Hauling all the plants onto my covered deck to keep them from being beaten half to death through the storms the news get worse.

“Later in the week the temperatures will drop back down into the thirties,” is the next bad news. Okay, now this is serious. All plants have been moved into my bedroom, off the deck, where it is warm and they will be safe from the storms and high winds.

Those storms they predicted haven’t happened! Not at my house anyway.

The weather man is now saying it will be Saturday night when the temps drop so out go the plants onto the covered deck again.They need sunshine and that doesn’t happen in my bedroom. I’m tired of hauling them in and out so they’ll be covered with a tarp -outside for the coldest weather!

Am I going overboard? Not in my mind. Plants are expensive, and even more expensive this year than last. No way am I going to lose them to a storm or freezing weather. I think this is the last of our really cold nights so once Pastor gets the tilling done I’ll be hauling a car load of plants, edging, paving stones, shovel, etc. over to the ministry home…

then I’ll enter my little piece of heaven on earth. Told you I love playing in the dirt. 🙂

So when is all this finally going to happen? Your guess is as good as mine.

See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Not all plans work out just as we expect. Some time back I think I wrote about going to the ministry house loaded with shelf paper, only it wasn’t paper, it’s that rubber kind of stuff that keeps your dishes from sliding. Kind of like the stuff you put under a throw rug to keep the rugs from sliding out from under your feet.

We were so excited to be able to get everything, almost everything, we bought for the kitchen all washed, dried, and put away in the cabinets. Everything looked wonderful until I decided the pots and pans needed to be rearranged. Lifting some pots the freakin non-slide shelf stuff came right up with them. Grrrr

Then we tried moving a few other items and the same thing happened. I looked at Gerri and said, “This crap has got to go!” We put the items back in the cabinets. Coming home I decided I should have gotten the stick down paper kind and berated myself for not doing it the first time. “That stuff is a mess to work with,” was my excuse. Now I’m kicking myself.

Off to Walmart we went and I bought the stick down shelving paper and announced, “I’ll go in the morning while you’re at the gym and replace that other stuff.” And that’s exactly what I did this morning. Not just replacing the first lain stuff but going through and doing the linen closet, one bathroom cabinet under the sink, and running from the other bathroom after opening door under the sink.

What all that black icky stuff is I have no idea but I have no intention of touching it! The rotten wood under it was bad enough. Oh Lord I hope that isn’t black mold. Four hours later with a hurting back and bruised knees the job is done. The rubber stuff is saved for exactly what I said it should be used for – under the rugs!

Obviously I don’t need a charged up electric screwdriver for that job. Yesterday while Gerri and I were working Pastor came by and when I mentioned I was going to do this, that, and the other thing, he said, “I’ll do it. I’m coming back this afternoon.”

Knowing his busy schedule and the work he was planning to do later in the day I figured he’ll not have time so I’ll bring my tools and knock out this easy stuff in no time. Arriving this morning, tools in hand, not only for the shelf paper, but the other small job, I walk in and – its already done. No need for the electric screwdriver, hammer, or anything else but scissors, tape measure, and a marker. Pastor took care of what I planned to do. I think the man thinks I’m a wimp. Love ya’ pastor. 🙂

So our plans not always work out quite like we plan. Anyone able to relate to that? This reminds me of “Your will, Lord, not mine.” We make all kinds of plans and then the Lord reveals His.

So what’s on the agenda for the next time? I have no idea. Pastor is putting the trim pieces around the ceiling and installing the base boards. I’m hoping when he finishes that he’ll get those cruddy shrubs pulled out and I can start playing in the dirt. Ohhhh, just the thought of it gives me happy bumps.

Will that happen? Will I get to get all that wonderful dirt all under my nails, on my knees, fanny, and face?

You just never know. See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into The Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com