ACTION - Principle 3 begins "Consciously choose" - talk about action, to choose is probably one of the greatest actions we can ever take. In every area of our lives, what we CHOOSE drives how we live. The first 2 steps were the "lights, camera," and now we are ready for the "action". But what action is it? It's making a choice to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

I like the familiar saying, "Let Go and let God." I hear alot of "I have Jesus as my Higher Power, but I still can't change this, or I can't change that." I'm hearing alot of "I's" being used. Letting go and letting God means "He" can change this and "He" can change that. Do you see the difference? We need to let go of everything. We can't hold on to even the littlest issue. Our Higher Power, Jesus Christ, wants a relationship with us, all of us, and what we can't do, He can!

Sometimes it's our fear, guilt, or pride that stops us, but in this relationship that Christ seeks with us, He promises us rest: "Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens", Matthew 11:28-30 TLB. He promises us He will be with us throughout our lives in Philippians 1:6, "God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished." He won't leave us! We can depend on Him, so why is it so hard to turn everything over to Him? Because we have not made the CHOICE to!

Making that choice is just the begining. The action takes place every day, one day at a time. Don't get stuck in the yesterday, and bogged down by the tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). CHOOSE THIS DAY!

A - Accept
C - Commit
T - Turn it over
I - It's only the beginning
O - One day at a time
N - Next step

Remember, you are not alone! Turn to Him, and don't forget your support group!!
2 Corinthians 4:8 says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Psalm 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Remember the ACTION Christ took on the cross for you! You can trust He will carry you through!

HOPE, SANITY, & TURN! - These 3 words sure have been my life for the last 4 weeks. Many of you know that I have been out getting a total knee replacement which has been very successful. I had to miss 3 weeks of meeting with you, but it was great to be back last night.

Higher Power
Openness to change
Power to change
Expect to change

Boy was I hoping Christ would bring about the change of 24/7 pain I had with my old knee and a great expectation from the new one. I knew He had to power and He did not disappoint me!

But what about the Sanity?

Strength
Acceptance
New Life
Integrity
Trust
Your Higher Power

If you know me, you know I don't just sit - I am a doer. 2 weeks after surgery, I was mopping, vaccumming, and wanted to get back to work and not rely on others for food and help (which God must have had a great laugh as He humbled me with all of your food, prayers, and help). But I was ready, the doctor said I could drive if I could get in and out of the car with my knee. So, I went out and tried it and found if I put the seat all the way back I could get in and out. Yeah! I was FREE! But my car wouldn't start. Apparently it had sat too long and the battery was dead. Instead of taking the hint that maybe I should be healing longer, I called the calvary and Pastor Rob & Pastor Josh came to jump my car. Wouldn't you know it - Saturns are not made to jump. I didn't even know where the battery was (in the trunk) but there were a couple of posts that looked good so hey, jump it. No luck. My sanity was on the line - I needed to be free. So, a friend came over after work and put in a new battery and it purred like a kitten. So, the next morning I got up, dressed and ready for work went out and started the car and what? No power steering. Apparently those "posts" weren't there for the battery and I blew 2 power steering fuses. Pastor Josh to the rescue again. In Chile, most cars are manual steering so he could take it to the shop for me. Little did he know that when power steering goes manual, it is alot tougher to turn, but he did it and $8 later I was on the road to freedom and sanity.

But was it the right sanity? Did I trust my Higher Power or just do what I needed to do for my benefit. Of course I didn't trust Him. I was in control (lol) and look what happened. I didn't TURN to Him and trust Him to be in control. We need to learn to TURN to Him first, in all things in our lives if we want to keep our SANITY!

Trust
Understand
Repent
New life

Thank You, Lord, for catching me up on these lessons. It doesn't matter how long you've been in recovery, we constantly need reminders! We also need each other as I am well aware of after missing 3 meetings. Don't get out of the habit of meeting together as it says in Hebrews 10:25. Thank you to all who respond to this blog with encourgement and special writings. You guys are awesome!