"Nothing Is Too Hard For Our Father God ~ His Timing Is Always Perfect!" ~ NomiAnn

This is a long story about what some might call a burden that my life had ... but I see it as "Strength from Above" which made me the person that I am today. Because of this 'thorn in my flesh' God took me and has made me the person, the lady, that I am today. Here is my story . . .

I fell off of a garage roof in the year of 1959 when I was 8 yrs. old, hitting the back of my head on a rock walkway and leaving a crack of about 4" in the walkway. Very soon after that, in just days following, I began having epileptic seizures. I started school that next year, and the kids were really understanding. Jr. High was a little tougher, then high school wasn't easy for me ... it was tough & embarrassing to be different. When I was 16, I simply asked the Lord to heal me, and I didn't care of if healed me physically or spiritually, because I knew that His Will was best for me. **It was not easy being an epileptic, and getting teased at school by some of my classmates. Well He didn't heal me physically, so I felt that Spiritually He would give me the "grace" to be the person that He wanted me to be.

(Continued on Comment #1)

"Selwyn Hughes ~ A Wonderful Man of Faith"

I was in Ross's the other day down in Bakersfield, and found some books that caught my eye. One of them was "Every Day Light ~ Treasure For The Heart" by Selwyn Hughes. I had never heard of this wonderful gentleman before, but when I picked up his book of daily inspirations, I knew that this was a man of faith.

I skipped through some of the inspirations, and some caught my heart immediately. It is Day 78 of his study, and is called "The Generous Eye" and his writing spoke right to my heart, especially in the day in which we are now living! And the verse which he started the study with is Mathhew 6:19-24 ~ vs.22 ~ " ... if your Eye is generous, the whole of your body will be illumined." In other words... God needs to be the 'Eye' of all I am, all I have, all of my life for now and eternity.

I want to give you a little insert about this gentleman of God, and I hope that you will look into some of his writings and find the joy which I have found. One thing that inspired me even more about him, is that he worked with YWAM ~ Youth With A Mission ~ which is one of my favorite groups. Some dear friends of ours from our Church in Ventura, CA., are a part of it, and have been in this ministry for a long time.

Here is a brief biography of Selwyn Hughes ... who passed away in 2006:

Born in Wales to Christian parents who were significantly impacted by the Welsh revivals, Selwyn Hughes trained in theology and counseling in both the UK and USA. During his 18 years pastoring Churches around the UK, he was asked by a few of his congregation to share his method of daily Bible study. From this inconspicuous start grew "Every Day With Jesus" and for 30 years Selwyn has authored these daily Bible notes which are read by some 500,000 people around the world. In addition to writing, Selwyn traveled extensively in many countries presenting a wide range of seminars on different aspects of the Christian life including counseling, marriage, relationships, and personal development.

"Crusade for World Revival" ~ A brief history

Founded by Selwyn Huges in 1965 as a charity, the commission statement of SWR states the purpose of the organization as "Applying God's Word to everyday life and relationships." Today CWR employs 45 people, and from its base in the beautiful setting of Waverley Abbey House at Farnham in the south of England, provides inspiration, training and support to many Christians throughout the world through an extensive international publishing and training ministry.

For more information about CWR and the training and publishing products available, please apply to your nearest Christian distributor or to:
CWR, Waverley Abbey House,
Waverley Lane,
Farnham, Surrey,
England GU9 8EP

Tel. 44-1252-784700
E-mail: CWRMarketing@compuserve.com
Or visit the website: www.cwr.org.uk

I'm thrilled that I found this book! ~Naomi~

"I Believe ... Will You?" ~ Naomi Ann Knox

I believe in the sun, the moon, and the stars and the planets . . .
Even when they aren't shining.

I believe in all of the heavenly surroundings, and that they were set into perfect balance by our Wondrous Creator . . .
Even though I cannot see them all, I still believe.

I believe that though I sometimes feel my earthly home tugging profusely at my heart . . .
Even then, my greatest longing is to be in my Father God’s Heavenly Home which He has already prepared for us.

I believe in God's Faithfulness, His Hope, & His Great Love . . .
Even when I do not nor cannot feel it.

I believe in that inner Peace & Joy and it's constancy . . .
Even though at times it feels so distant.

I believe in the Creator of all the heavens & all the earth . . .
Even though I cannot see Him, I CAN truly know Him.

I believe that my Father God is so very close beside me . . .
Even when He is Silent, for no matter how long.

I believe in the strength of my faith in my Father God . . .
Even though I cannot see Him, He protects me each day & every night.

I believe that my Father God is attentive & longing for me to put my faith to work ...
And only He alone hears the many prayers of my heart, and He knows my tears ...

I also believe He is All-Wise and All-Knowing . . .
Even if the prayers I've prayed for and yet He hasn't answered them. . . (I can know & trust that it is all for my own good.)

I believe and I know that He is with you always, too . . .
Even & Only He can truly love & care enough to watch over ALL of us, ALL the time.

I believe that our simplistic, child-like faith holds onto those things which are hoped for,
Even though in evidence ~ they are not yet seen.

I believe that our LORD JESUS IS The GREAT I AM ~
Even throughout all time . . . HE IS The AUTHOR & FINISHER Of Our Faith!

I Believe & I Know that HE IS WHO HE IS . . . yesterday, today, and forever;
Even the stormy winds & seas obey HIS VOICE.

I believe that even though He is ALL POWERFUL . . .
Even His Love is so true and so deep, yet . . . He longs for US to open the door of our hearts to allow Him to come in.

I believe that you would love Him as much as I do . . .
Even today He is waiting and longing to know and to love you, too . . . just ask Him, He Is Faithful & Just & Very Forgiving Because Of HIS GREAT LOVE HE SACRAFICED ON THE CROSS FOR YOU AND FOR ME!!!

"How To Make A Beautiful Life" ~ Author Unknown

First love God ... and love Him with all your heart.
Then love yourself.
Make Peace with just who you are,
At this very moment in time.
Listen to your heart . . .
If you can't hear what it 's saying in this noisy world,
Make Time for yourself.
Enjoy your very own company,
As well as that of others.
Allow your mind to think and to wander among the stars...
Allow your knowledge to be constantly building.
Try.
Take chances.
Make Mistakes.
Life can be messy ...
And very confusing at times,
But it's Also full of surprises!
The next rock in your path might be a stepping-stone ...
No matter how large or small it may be.
Be Happy.
When you don't have what you want ....
.... want and appreciate what you have.
Make Do.
That's a well-kept secret of contentment.
There aren't Any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to pray and ask God for His Strength & Guidance ...
Then walk in the way He leads you.
To know where you're going
Is only a part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too.
And if you ever get lost ...
Don't worry ... because those who love you ...
Along with your Father God who adores you ...
Will find you ... and you can count on that!
Life isn't the hours, nor the days and not years,
But It Is "WHAT" you do with time ...
And with All of the goodness & grace
Which is budding inside of you ...
You will make a Beautiful Life ...
The kind of life which you deserve!

"A Word Of Thanks To My Friends" ~ Naomi Knox

"A Word Of Thanks To My Friends" ~ NomiAnn

Friends play such a very special part
In each and every one of our lives;
And when we feel that "longing" to have a listening ear ~
That there are those within our personal “ties” who are there.
Sometimes those “somethings” are huge, or are tough to explain,
Sometimes they are nothing much at all to those listening …
But it’s always so nice to know, we can share our hearts,
And feel like we can once again walk those winding trails so unending.
Because of those little words of encouragement;
Taking time to listen and hearing what you all have to say;
It’s a precious gift to lift others' hearts up and to bring a smile,
And to brighten their thoughts through the day.
If I could measure the miles of smiles
That each one of you have brought my way,
Just knowing that whenever I’m with you ...
My face will have a smile of kindness and thankfulness to display.
Friendship is such a joy to possess, to nurture, and to give,
For you’re stepping outside of your very own “space,”
And making a strong indentation in others’ lives . . .
In brightening up their day with a gift, which cannot be erased!
In doing/saying something special ~ to lift one another up,
We bring deep contentment into each other's lives,
And we make this world a much more beautiful place ~
And this is the reason why “wonderful friendships” thrive.
So “thank you, my friends, for your place in my heart,”
Through each day of our lives, whether it's sunshine, rain, or snow.
And I want you all to always remember this ...
… I will always thank God for “your part” in my life’s unending rainbow.
It is in my heart ... that deep hope ... that I may always bring
This gift of "a lifetime of friendship" into your life’s unending rainbow.