Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

It is totally Terrific Testimonial Tell All Tuesday and what a Tell All Tuesday it is! I sit here looking at the screen wanting to both laugh and cry hysterically at the same time.

Those of you who have read my story know that I was approached by God as a pre-teen and told that I would be a mother to many. Today, I have the following announcements:

1. 1. Mike and I are 100% over. His heart belongs to someone else. A first love he never got over. He is searching for her on Facebook as of last night.
2. I'm pregnant.
   

This morning I am of course in the midst of a turbulent emotional storm within my heart. It is crazy the waves of emotions that are hitting me. It is almost too much to take. 

I know the only true thing I can armor my heart with is with Words from my father in heaven, so I grab my phone and pull up my email account in hopes that the crumb I find from K-Love's encouraging word will be the one I need. This is my substance this morning:

Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. (John 14:1, NLT)

I wept with gratitude." Don't let my heart be troubled! TRUST in God, and trust also in me." I cannot begin to tell you how those words strengthen me. I KNOW my God. I KNOW He loves me. I KNOW babies are blessings. While I have not a clue of what on earth He is thinking in blessing me at this time in my life, upon reading the encouraging word of the day, I recalled the first verse I clung to:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, NLT)

I am so thankful that I can trust in the LORD today. In times past, I didn't even turn to the LORD while in crisis. I leaned on my own understandings; of course you know that if you read "You Are Worthy Too: The Proof is in the Pudding"

You can bet your bottom dollar that even fully armored today, I will laugh and I will cry. Twelve years is an interesting number and that is exactly how many years I have known Mike. I felt our relationship had come to its end on Sunday and I ended up going to the first Sunday service. 

I arrived late as I had originally planned my morning with the intention of going to the second service. It is my favorite as there is no rush for it to end at an exact time. It is my belief that this allows the Holy Spirit to work more freely. Anyway, after the singing part of Sunday worship ended, a man with a message was asked to come forward and share.This is mostly what he said:

"A relationship full of strife has come to a close today."

I sat in the pew truly believing that was a confirmation for me that Mike and I were indeed over. Full of strife described our relationship to a "T". The man went on to explain that the type of relationship was like Ruth and Naomi and he mentioned another relationship that I can't recall at the moment. I know the story of Ruth and Naomi so I questioned if the message was for me. He then went on to explain that is was more of a mentoring relationship that they were looking for, and I was like, "Oh. That kind of describes our relationship too." Next he mentioned that he believed that this was going to be a new person. That made me question if the message was intended for me again. You see, I am new to first service but not second and I just began going here this summer. He went on to mention that this message was intended for the prayer team so they would be on the lookout for this person. It was his belief that they would be in need of healing. With that I decided the message was for someone else. I reasoned that I would be elated if that message were for me and healing would be the last thing on my 'needs list'. 

Today as the realization that Mike has been in love with another girl for our entire relationship smacked me upside the head, the evil one began whispering awful lies to me and I was quickly sliding down a slippery slope of overwhelming heart break. Here I am pregnant with another child and this family is the last thing in the world that he wants. 

I've known it for a long time. I think anyone who reads my blogs may have thought the same thing a time or two. Some silly part of me thought, "One day. . . " Ugh!

Yes. I am sad and relieved. Worse, I am pregnant. I resent the hormones that make it that much harder for me to stay focused on the truth. God LOVES me. Christ also LOVES me. I am a redeemed child of God. I have a purpose. I need to set my mind on things above. Just what does my oh so humorous Father have in store for me next? Mom of Many indeed! 

I am going to need prayers for healing and strength and I ask for all who are intercessory prayer warriors to pray for me. I need prayers for provision as well. May my books flow off the shelves encouraging countless others to seek the LORD themselves. May the desires of my heart be fulfilled. May the LORD use me to the largest extremes. Expand my purpose. Fill my life with light. Allow my story to touch hearts across the globe. Let me be an expression of hope that brings knowledge of your glory into the darkest corners of the world. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God.

© Wendy Glidden 2015

I 

Blessed by Curiosity!

This morning my encouraging word from K-Love began with the word 'rather' according to my personal study bible the word mentioned is 'but'. The verse was such that curiosity rose in me to see what came prior to that conjunction. Curiosity is said to have killed the cat, but I am human and when it comes to the Word of God, curiosity is often blessed! The verse they shared came from 2nd Peter. I was curious enough to get out of bed, grab my bible and check out what preceded the advice given in the shared verse. Before I knew it, I had read most of 2nd Peter! I am always amazed when this happens. It is like the book jumps to life before my eyes and I find my soul on fire for the LORD. I wish I could simply take what is in my heart and brain and transfer it all into each person I meet in life that is lost and lonely. The best I can do is use the talents that God gave me and pray that the seeds I cast out land on welcome soil. With that being said, this is the full encouraging word that I felt led to share with the world today:

[3] Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, [4] and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." [5] For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, [6] through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded by water. [7] But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 

[8] But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. [9] The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

[10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat and the earth and its works will be burned up. [11] Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, [12] looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the elements will melt with intense heat! [13] But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. [14] Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, [15] and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, [16] as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. [17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, [18] but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ( 2 Peter 3:3-18, NASB)

I know that is a lot to bite off, but I could not simply share the last verse and expect you to get full understanding! This chapter has a lot of helpful advice as well as warnings in it. For instance, how many of you don't attend church because you feel in your heart what is being preached is designed to control you or manipulate you in some way? How many of you feel that the church is full of hypocrites who say one thing and do another? How many of you believe their is no point in reading the Word of God because you have been told that it is full of contradictions? All of this is easy to believe if all you have ever done is step inside of a church. We go to church to find other true brothers and sisters in Christ because in them, we find encouragement. I spent years of my youth going to church only to be taught things that made me feel bad about myself. Some churches pound home the message of sin and while we all must admit that we are sinners, God does not want us to focus on that aspect! He actually wants us to walk with Him and grow. He wants us to discover the truth, for the truth as we know will set you FREE! It is this exact FREEDOM that drives me day and night to want to share all I have learned with others. 

I have a lot of parts of the bible that I would consider favorites. This conversation between Thomas and Jesus would be one of them:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And you know the way where I am going." [5] Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" [6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. [7] If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also, from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."

If you truly long to know God. To understand His nature, His thoughts, His LOVE for all, you should truly get to know Jesus. We are blessed to be able to get to know Jesus through the Gospels. Jesus is loving, compassionate, clever, witty and so much more than all of that! 

You cannot say that you long to know God yet never pick up the book He had written for all humanity through 40 writers with the help of the Holy Spirit over a span of 1500 years! As I have mentioned before, you could spend your entire life reading the bible and never learn all the truths and mysteries it holds inside. It is in reading His Word thought that you begin to understand how He communicates and in that aspect, you will begin to hear Him for real. 

All relationships take work; that includes your relationship with your Heavenly Father. When you work on this relationship, it actually will enhance all of your relationships. You cannot get to know God and remain stuck in who you are today. You will evolve, you will grow and you will love who you are in Christ. I tell people that if you were to meet me without Christ, you would not always find a kindhearted person! It is only Christ in me that guides my footsteps as well as my tongue! If I did not know Christ and understand God's Word, I would be capable of unkind acts left and right. However, in knowing who I am in Christ, I am reminded that I am here to love, not to hate. Christ in me, keeps me in line, convicting me of the truth, and protects me from the ways of the flesh.

[19] We love because He first loved us. [20] If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. [21] And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. 

(1 John 4:19-20, NASB)

Life will become abundant when you seek the LORD. It will become more colorful and you will become more joyous, not being constantly dragged into depression, worry, anxiety or fear. That is not to say that you won't have days where life comes to kick your rear end; no, quite the opposite. This is why as you get to know the Lord, you also learn about your armor. Your shield of faith is vital to your well being. I encourage you to learn about all of your armor for as you learn who you are in Christ and discover true freedom, you may be driven to share the truth with others. As you do this, you will be attacked by the enemy, but fear not, Christ already conquered Him. While we may be engaged, it is our faith in Christ that will keep us safe. As King David famously said, "The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?" (Psalms 118:6, NASB)

One of my favorite songs to this day is "Whom shall I fear?" by Chris Tomlin. It speaks volumes to me. At one point in my life, I did believe the very things He sings about and in more recent days, I have come to understand the truths he also mentions in this song. For those not familiar with the tune, this link will take you to a YouTube video with the words included. May you be lifted and blessed in your listening! 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my post. I am simply a girl who sought and found and truly longs for all others to find as well for I know the FREEDOM that comes with the truth. It alone is worth the effort! May you be blessed today in all you do, in all you read, in all that you understand. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God

© Wendy Glidden 2015

Come as You are, But Don't Stay There!

Today's encouraging Word courtesy of K-Love:

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, (1 Peter 2:2, NLT)

God invites all of us to come as we are. He is willing to meet us right in the middle of any mess we may have made. He just doesn't want us to stay where we are. Just like any parent, God longs for us to grow and learn and to fully step into our purpose. Who in their life hasn't wondered at least once, "Why am I here?"

If you truly want that answer, then learn who you are in Christ. When we first begin to learn, we really are like newborn babies. Each day, we must nourish our minds and hearts on what God has to say about this world we live in and this battle we are a part of whether we have come to realize that yet or not!

Even those who don't study God's Word, know some of what he has to say because His Word has infiltrated in ways that some of us may not recognize as His Word, but it is. For instance, "The Golden Rule" comes from the bible. The funniest thing about the Bible though is not everyone gets understanding when they read it. That is because it is a living document. I cannot tell you how many times I have read something and then read it later in life and had it blow up for me in ways that give me understanding and I love it when that happens. You should always pray for understanding of the LORD's Word each and every time you go to read something from the bible.

As you truly grow, you will crave more than mere milk. You will be looking for meat because milk alone will no longer satisfy you, or at least it shouldn't. That is where these verses come in:

You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. (Hebrews 5:12, NLT)

I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren't ready for anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, (1 Corinthians 3:2, NLT)

The only way you can proceed from milk and milk alone to solid food is to grow. We all need a teacher when we first step into God's Word. There are so many layers to God's Word. I have been studying it in college for the last year and the more I learn the more I realize there is to learn. I don't think you could ever learn all there is to learn from simply reading the Bible. It is in seeking the LORD Himself, that the Holy Spirit comes along side as your greatest teacher. Even then, you must take on this task daily. In all honesty, it is part of your armor. Don't forget for a single moment that you do have a mighty foe in this world, yet more importantly you have a mighty champion who wants nothing more than to save you and teach you how to live in the midst of the trials and tribulations:

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10, NLT)

God desperately wants you to know Him. He did not send his son into the world to hang out with those who had it all together. He sent Him into the world in order for us who are sinners to be saved. Let us be honest, not one of us is without sin!

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. (1 John 1:8, NLT)

Now God knows all, He sees beyond our flesh and into our hearts. He does not want to condemn us, He wants to save us!

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17, NLT)

For me this news was both eye opening and exciting. I had lived my whole life thinking that God was indeed a God of Judgement looking to condemn me for every wrong move I made! I truly believed the only way to earn His love was to do things. This is not the case. While it is true that as you grow and learn the truth, you will be driven to do works, this is nothing like doing works in hopes of being loved!

I think James explains it best in this verse:

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." ( James 2:18, NLT)

I want to leave you with this encouraging thought. When you discover who you are in Christ, you will truly be free. It is also true that as you grow, you will face the enemy more often. He does not want you to grow to the point that you are able to help others. This is why you must feed yourself daily. I think one of the most important things we can learn is how to amor ourselves for the fight. This verse clues you into that:

for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinithians 10:4-5, NLT)

There is a war that is being waged against all humanity. We are called to be soldiers in this fight. If you are not a soldier today, you may realize you are a pawn. I don't know anyone that longs to be a pawn in life. Most of us recognize the truth that we are here for a reason. This is why I insist that you should wake up today and begin seeking to learn who you are in Christ. Become a milk drinker that in turns longs for solid food. Don't simply learn who you are in Christ, get saved and sit idle. Learn, grow and in turn go into the world seeking those who are lost and longing for something more and teach them all you have learned. This is our calling. This is the great commission. Yes, God wants you to come as you are, but His desire is not for you to stay put. You are being called into action!

God called me forth a few years ago. I have been in training ever since. I admit I get my butt kicked by the evil side on occasion, but I know where my strength comes from. My stronghold, my fortress is the God of Jacob. While I may stumble, I always regain my footing by opening up the Word of God. It is my prayer that you learn to do the same!

For those who are curious about my travels, God had me write much of it in a single book. It is full of true life stories and what I gained in hindsight. I know they were written with the help of the Spirit because no one in their right mind would reveal so much about themselves in a book. After all, who seeks to be judged lol? I did it because I no longer fear what man thinks of me. I share my life to reveal the glory of God and how He has worked in my life all along without taking away my free will. Please check out some of it for free by visiting my author page on amazon by clicking here

Be blessed in your reading. Be blessed in your life. Look for the silver lining in the midst of your strife!

Wendy Glidden

© Wendy Glidden 2015

"For Reals!!?"

I sit here this morning shaking my head. Time Flies! I mean I know it flies, but I am surprised that it is already July 14th! Over half of 2015 has flown by and I have not accomplished near as much as I had hoped, yet in the same hand, I have done quite a bit.
The thing is, I realized today, had I just managed to lean on the strength of Christ more firmly, I would have been able to get more of my work done. That is not to say I hope to achieve anything by works but more so that I have not been available for the Spirit to work through me!
Alas, today is a new day! As a matter of fact it happens to be Totally Terrific Testimonial Tell ALL Tuesday! With that in mind, let me catch everyone up on some of what has taken place thus far in 2015:

• January 1 ~ I turned myself in on a felony warrant on January first around lunch time. 
• January 1 ~ 16th, I remained behind bars. Never saw my children and only talked to them 3 times.
• January 14th ~ met with the criminal investigator and gave my statement.
• January 16th ~ all charges were dropped and I was released after the 2nd head count that day!
• End of January: We were forced to relocate within hours due to unfortunate circumstances.
• End of January: Someone with a vendetta filed a false report with the Department of Children and families regarding me.
• February 1 ~ We moved into a park designed for 50+ with five children without knowing it was 50+.
• February 7th ~ I was interviewed live on good deeds radio while taking care of 5 children! Listen to it by clicking here
• February 11 ~ I received a phone call from 50+ park stating due to children we would need to pay an additional $750 for the month. With prayer and allowing the Spirit to talk through me, that fee was waived but we were not going to be able to stay longer. 
• February 28- March 4th ~ moved from Florida to Pueblo, Colorado where we knew no one.
• March 3rd ~ Got caught in a winter ice storm while driving the RV pulling a load and the limo: The RV pulls Mike's Jeep and the trailer loaded with all the bikes and Mike's motorcycle. Scary on a good day!

• March 4th ~ Found a place to rest and paid for a month's rent.
• March 5th ~ Registered 4 oldest children into new school.
• March 6th ~ 13th: Mike and I both searched for work.
• March 14th ~ Mike is hired at a fence company making only $10 per hour, no guarantee of 40 hours each week.
• March 21 ~ We discovered our elderly neighbor does not care for kids and move to other side of park where there is no WiFi available for the next two months. (I'm about to begin school and need the internet on a daily basis!
• March 23 ~ My two spring college courses begin: (1) Public Speaking in a Digital Age & (2) The History of Ancient Israel.
• April 5 ~ cannot get my YouTube video for my college class assignment to load up due to the WiFi service having issues at the office. Click here to watch it Did manage to get it to upload the following day by going to McDonalds and using their free WiFi.
• Mid April ~ Mike leaves the house saying he's going to quit his job unless he gets the raise he was promised would come. He did not get the raise, quit and arrived home at noon to let me know he had landed a welding job making more money.
• End of April ~ Mike is not acting like himself.
• Beginning of May: I begin fighting against powers of darkness by trying to bind demons for Mike and two of my friends all at the same time.
• May 4th ~  I wake up running a fever and hurting but I took CounterAct Ibuprofen and Aspirin and successfully complete my daily chores regardless and this included washing folding and putting away 12 loads of laundry and grocery shopping.
• May 5th ~ I wake up in pain feeling like my arms have been ripped off my shoulders and my hands hurt so bad it kills me to type and my eyes begin giving me serious problems.
• May 11 ~ I start a new college class: New Testament, as I complete my finals for my two Spring Classes all while having trouble focusing my eyes.
• May 15th, I am in so much pain I schedule a doctor's appointment.
• May 15th, Mike does not come home but calls me at 9 PM to tell me he's partying with a friend from work. He informs me he really needed a night out and that he'll see me tomorrow.
• May 23th, I manage to finish both finals as well as all assignments and reading due in Summer class
• May 28th, the school year comes to an end for the children.
• June 1, while in a serious dispute with Mike, it comes out that the night he didn't come home, he almost left me for an 18 year old girl that he had been working with for the last few weeks.
• Beginning of June, I finish the New Testament class and being taking the History of Christianity.
• Middle of June, Mike and I almost end it for good. He has become paranoid I am going to leave him for someone else and begins going through all my social media platforms and calling numbers in my phone that he doesn't recognize.
• End of June my car breaks down and I have no transportation for 3 weeks!
• July 1st Jeffrey ends up with pink eye and nothing seems to help until I learn about Organic Virgin Coconut oil! I will never use pharmacy drops on any of my children again!
• July 11th, I finally get out of school for my summer break and I am half way through my degree! I am still waiting on my grade to come in for my final but so far unless I really bombed the final, it looks like I have managed to get this far with straight A's.
• July 12th, my toilet breaks, overflows, ruins the floor and all has to be replaced. The bathroom is ready to have the new floor put in today. We have been without a home toilet for almost 48 hours!
• Today, July 14th, 2015: I have resolved to get back to basics, blogging. You could say blogging helps me get myself fully dressed in my protective gear! You see, one thing I have learned about life is we live in a fallen world and bad stuff can happen to anyone at any given moment. The other thing I have learned is that by putting on my full suit of armor completely changes the game when it comes to living life as we were meant to live it; ABUNDANTLY!!

I began today by getting into God's Word. It is truly what I read this morning that helped me shake off the negative darkness that was trying to envelope me and step back fully into the light.

I admit, this year has taken a toll on me. I went through a Spiritual battle literally from hell and found myself physically hurt. I warn all who are out there attempting to bind evil Spirits, you can truly be hurt in a physical way. There is even a story in the bible about such a case! I received some great advice in this area and it is way simpler than trying to fight the enemy yourself. All you actually need to do to be successful in Spiritual Warfare is pray for blessings over everyone as well as everywhere. Keep it simple and you will never have your arms darn near ripped off your body as well as your eyes knocked out of your head! That is what happened to me! Both of my thumbs were dislocated, my wrists had been yanked so hard that the bone going from my elbow to my wrist had dislocated, my shoulder tendons had both been ripped and my shoulder muscles were also torn. I don't know what made me think attempting to bind the demons my friends were being influenced by would be a good idea, but it is what I thought. While I was going through this, Mike was falling for another girl who he saw as more fit to be a physical partner. He began calling me weak, both physically and mentally. He also began attacking my faith on a continual basis. To say I felt like I was in hell would be an understatement. I have truly just now began getting my feet back under me.

If I claimed that life was perfect today, I would be a liar. As a matter of fact I am not sure I will ever have a perfect day. What I do know is this; I am capable of having peace in the midst of turmoil as long as I remember to dress daily in my full armor. I also know that I must fight the good fight. God's Word holds all kinds of encouragement and promises for all who do. These are the Words that I filled mind with today:

(9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

(10) For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (11) For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (12) Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (13) But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13)

If you were to look at how many blogs I have written this year, one could easily say I have grown weary. It was in remembering this morning that with Christ, I can be renewed that I found a wealth of strength today that I have been unable to find until now. A gentle reminder was exactly what I was meant to receive. 

I still have so much I had planned to accomplish this year. I have two books on the table. I want to get into prison ministry. I truly need to blog and inspire more. For as Paul reminds us, encouraging one another matters. It is in filling my mind with the Words of God and in turn sharing my life, that I do find encouragement from those who write me thanking me for sharing my life and in turn share their stories with me.

I have yet to have met anyone who is living a perfect life. I have however met others who are living in the midst of trials and tribulations that are full of joy and hope in the LORD. Those are my fellow brothers and sisters and I am so thankful to have such family in this fallen world.

Today I pray that me sharing a snippet out of my life has helped you in some way. It is my prayer that my blogs become a bit more inspiring in the days to follow. I also pray that these next four weeks that I am blessed to have to spend with my children while all of us are out of school are full of life long memories of laughter, peace and joy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God and sometimes stumbles along the way!

© Wendy Glidden 2015

Faith: It's the Key

Faith. We hear it all the time: "The mind is a powerful thing. Think it and you can have it."

One thing is certain; We ALL want it! So, just how does one get the faith of a mustard seed? We start with a simple little thing called, "Thanks!" In all seriousness, it really is that simple.

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; [2] To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, [3] With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, With resounding music upon the lyre. [4] For You, O LORD, have made me gladly what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your Hands." (Psalm 92, NASB)

King David is the same David who with the help of God, protected his sheep from both a bear and a lion! He is also the very same David who slew Goliath. King David was truly the best King our nation has had to date. Do You know WHY that is? Because David LOVED the LORD and he THANKED Him for EVERYTHING!!!

David had faith that he would beat Goliath. He KNEW God was for him. How did he have that depth of faith? He had it because he KNEW God. How did he know God? He used his mind to build His relationship with God. See for yourself:

[7]I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. [8] I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [9] Therefore my heart is gland and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.[10] For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. [11] you will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:7-11, NASB, a Mikhtam of David)

Jesus tells us something very interesting about faith:

[6] And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6, NASB)

[20] And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. (Matthew 17:20, NASB)

Faith is obviously a game changer. With it you can move mountains. How do you get faith to grow as big as a mustard seed? You thank God EVERY day. As David did, you bless the LORD for all he has shown you. Acknowledge Him. It is in doing this, that your eyes will begin to open up wide enough to see things in the Spiritual Light.

We are all given a measure of faith: [3] For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he out to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3, NASB)

The true question is, "What are you going to do with YOUR measure of faith?" Are you going to feed it or are you going to let it simply lie dormant? That my friends is the element of 'Free Will'. God is not going to force you to use your faith, but I assure you, He has tried to arouse your interest regarding your faith! Not only does He tell you about the very power that faith holds for you, He also reveals how your faith can indeed help protect you!:

[16] in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16, NASB)

As your faith grows, things begin to happen that will help your faith to grow. God even tells us that this will be the case:

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

I don't know if you are living today with the measure of faith you were given at birth or if perhaps things have happened in your life that have grown your faith in the living God over the years. I can tell you that I truly have gone from faith to faith and I have been blessed to have seen glorious wonders. Many that I have shared in my most recent book, "You Are Worthy Too: The Proof is in the Pudding"

If you are truly wanting to grow your faith, buy my book today. It is a quick, easy, interesting true life story of a girl who ventured through hell and came out with the keys to an abundant life! Don't delay another day, you deserve an abundant life too! Click here to Gain the keys to abundance today for only $13 ~ 

May you be blessed in your purchase. Father, today I thank you for all you have done in my life. I thank you for calling me forth to share my story. How cool my life has been thus far. Only you could weave such a tale! I thank you for all the color in my life. I thank you for all the blessings I received along the way. I thank you for the lives you put in my path allowing me to shine your light into lives. I long to be a worker in the harvest. One who reveals your glory so brightly that countless are dazzled by your brilliant light. May my true life story, my never ending adventurous life be the line that draws them closer to You! Thank you LORD God for using me as I always dreamt you might! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God

copyright: WendyGlidden 2015

Turmoil Tornados

I started this week out in a panic. The children are off on spring break I signed up for two more college classes that both began this Monday! By day one I was overwhelmed by all of the reading and assignments that were looming ahead. On top of that, we moved to the other side of the RV park and it turns out that the WIFI doesn’t work over here yet. Talk about making life a little harder when it comes to online classes, not to mention blogging and marketing on Social Media!

I am grateful that my classes are focused on the Word of God so that in the midst of my personal panic, I have to fill my mind with the LORD’s words! As the week progressed, my anxiety levels decreased. It is funny what happens as you renew your mind with life breathing words. Yesterday I even managed to stay ahead of the game concerning school and have now completed every assignment with the exception of one paper that is due on Sunday and here I sit today calm as a cucumber sharing a post!

I had a fellow student ask me how on earth I manage to get everything done that needs to be done in a day. I still need to go back and answer her on that one. When I read it, I was honestly in the midst of my panic and thinking to myself, “Get everything done?!?” That is truly humorous because there is never a day that goes by that I manage to check off every single item on my to do list!

The truth of the matter is, when it comes to making it through each day, I have a checklist of must do’s, need to do’s, and want to do’s. I also apply self discipline telling myself each day that I can play once all my work is done. Some days I don’t play at all!

I will be honest in saying that even though I have a plan in place, I still find myself swimming in the midst of anxiety at various moments; especially as the end of the day approaches while tasks on my must do list are still looming ahead!

I have found when it comes to chaos, anxiety, fear, panic, waves of overwhelmingness, it is God’s promises that calm my heart and settle me down. It has taken me years to learn that I am truly not in control of much! The rest I must give to God. So let me share what I tell my friends when they are in the midst of their own individual “Turmoil Tornado”.

(1) I ask them if they know what Jesus had to say when it came to the subject of worry?

I usually get a blank stare if this is the first time we have talked about it. I then smile and say something like, ‘He actually asked what one of us could do something as simple (SIMPLE!) as adding an hour to our own lives! Like adding an hour to your life is simple! He basically asked us why do we worry over anything when our own limitations to perform the tiniest of miracles are so blatantly obvious.

“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?” ~ Luke 12:25-26 (NASB)

I also go on to share with them that God’s mercy and grace are sufficient each day. I remind them that we need to live in the here and now not in yesterday or tomorrow. That is a trick of the evil one to keep us tied up in our inner turmoil; shaming us with the guilt of yesterday and worrying us about the events of tomorrow. God’s word advises us to live each day accordingly.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:34 (NASB)

Even with me being a student of the Word, even with me seeking His input daily, I find myself in various spiritual battles. Some so intense I often pull out a devotional or turn up the music on K-Love. As revealed in a chapter out of my latest book, sometimes I even use chocolate as part of my defense!

I don’t think one of us out there has the perfect life full of perfect days. We all face various trials and tribulations. It is the weaponry that we use that differentiates how the battle ends! If you don’t know all the armor God has provided you with, I invite you to read past posts of mine regarding the subject. I will leave a couple of links at the end of this post for you to check out!

Hopefully this has helped someone somewhere with their own anxiety and worry. If you are not a student of the Word, I highly suggest you open up the book of John and learn about Christ. It is my prayer that your eyes are opened to the Truth, The Way and the Life in such a way that you dive fully into the River of Living Water and find yourself refreshed each and every day! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Wendy, Mom of Many, walks with God

http://youareworthytoo.blogspot.com/2013/10/are-you-dressed-for-daily-battle.html

http://youareworthytoo.blogspot.com/2013/07/take-up-shield-of-faith.html

May you find yourself better dressed for battle by reading these two posts. May you find yourself blessed in sharing them with others in need of armor!

Your sister in Christ, Wendy

© Wendy Glidden 2015

Are You in Search of a Better Life?

It’s Tremendously Thankful Thoughtful Thursday and today I am thankful that I got to a level of such great frustration regarding my circumstance that I sought God’s opinion on the matter. I knew I had tried everything possible. The only thing I hadn’t sought was God’s opinion in the matter.

I figured since He’d called me by name the last time I had found myself on my knees and after that when I had cried out to Him, He’d sent an Angel Band to sing a message to me that perhaps He’d have some great wisdom to offer regarding how to improve my relationship with Mike, the father of my last five children. In the process of my seeking, I ended up learning about Christ. Knowing God and talking to Him is VERY important. Getting to KNOW Christ will change your life and how you live it as well as what happens to you upon your ultimate demise here on earth. 

It was in following a one year study on the ministry of Christ that I was convinced that Christ was just who He claimed to be. He is the Son of God. He is the way, the truth and the life. John: 14:6 ~ Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” If you are wondering just who God is, you should educate yourself on Jesus. Many have bought into the idea that Jesus was a great moral teacher or a good guy, this is simply a baseless claim. I myself could not argue this misconception any better than the very words uttered by C.W. Lewis on the matter; “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” 

That statement doesn’t leave any room for argument on the matter of just exactly who Christ is. 
Today’s encouraging word courtesy of K-Love is this: So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ ~ Romans 10:17 (NLT) 

I would have to concur that when I understood that Christ was exactly who He said he was, I was finally able to grasp the message of Grace. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and vowed to spend the rest of my life sharing the Good News about Christ. I made this committment not for fame or fortune but for the simple truth that in knowing the truth for the first time in my life I found myself completely free of bondage. All my chains were broken and I was truly free. Satan no longer bound me with fear, self-doubt, anxiety, or any of his other cruel chains of slavery. When you discover such a thing as true freedom, you are compelled to share it. You simply cannot help yourself. It’s exciting stuff. I guess that is why I love to read what Paul wrote. Admittedly, I have seen an angel who talked to me and gave me a message. I have also had angels sing to me; not once but twice. If you love music, you are going to be in awe at the instrumental sounds in Heaven. I fought a house fire with angels at my side. I couldn’t see them, but I heard one of them clearly. He instructed me on everything I needed to do. I actually inhaled a ton of toxic smoke and passed out, falling to the floor. I came to as I was given a fresh breath of air and I was advised to stay low as people died in fires. In the midst of desperate prayer, God spoke to me, calling me by my name and prophesied to me. All of these stories can be read in great detail in my third book; Angels, Answers, Signs and Wonders.

However, Paul, who was previously known as Saul, was at a point in his life where he had been persecuting the first Christians believing in doing so he was bringing Glory to God when he was suddenly blinded by the light of Christ and shown the truth. He went from being a murderer of Christians to an Apostle of Christ, bringing the good news to the gentiles and Jews alike. He spent the rest of his life professing the Good News. Talk about an intervention of sorts. Christ could have easily ended Paul’s life. Instead he transformed him into a new creation. This is truly what will happen to you when you come to KNOW who Christ is as well as who You ARE in Christ! I get why Paul was so devoted to the Lord. 

Today I would encourage you to simply start seeking the truth for yourself. You could begin by reading my books. God called me forth for a purpose. My purpose, much like Paul’s purpose was, is to get to know Christ and in turn reveal both the truth and the Glory of God to all who are willing to dive into my story. If you are a reader who enjoys a great story, or one who likes sequels, then my books are right up your alley. When I first began blogging, my call out ad I posted to sway people to read my posts was something like this: “I’ve been called out to share my story, from running away to being married off in a shotgun wedding, from becoming a high-school dropout to a teenage mom, from birthing babies to giving one up for adoption as well as both aborting and living through a miscarriage, being molested at gun point as well as finding myself in abusive relationships, to almost killing myself as well as using drugs, I have worn a lot of shoes that I would have preferred to never pull out from the recesses of my closet. However I cannot deny God’s request. Please come read all He has called me out to share.” 

In a couple of years, I found myself being read in countries I had never heard of. It has been a blessing to share the truth about myself. The evil one has attempted time and time again to keep me from my purpose and in telling my story, God revealed all of this to me in such a way that those who read my story also see their way to true freedom. Are you seeking an abundant life? If so, I encourage you to check out my books. I guarantee you they will open your eyes to things you never saw before. What are you waiting for? Buy the 3 book set today by clicking here! 

For a short encouraging video message, Click here! 

Until next time my friend, be blessed and be a blessing! Wendy, walks with God, Mom of Many © 

Wendy Glidden, 2014

The Funny Thing About Life

It is Marvelously Magnificent Miraculous Monday!! Those that know me, know I talk in rhyme and make up songs at the drop of a hat. Lately the children have begun singing back to me when I sing to them which I have found absolutely hysterical.

My sister and I have often discussed how much more fun life would be if we all had to sing to each other instead of talk. Could you imagine it if everyone broke out into song and dance while shopping the clearance aisle at Wal-Mart? I'm cracking up with the scene that just flashed in my head. I'm weird like that, what can I say.

Lately life has been crazier than normal. I guess that is what happens when you decide to follow Christ for real. As I sit here in Colorado, I am amazed at all that has taken place in the last year.

My so called normal safe life began falling apart at the seems beginning with my relationship with my father and how I viewed how he viewed me. You could easily say he is not a fan of my blog or my books. I know this because of the conflicts we had over my writing this winter and again this spring. I also know it because of kind messengers who reported to me things that I would have rather not have ever heard. I would be a liar if I said that not having the support of my father when it comes to my writing never bothered me at all. It bothered me at first, but then I came to see that my faith is hard for him. Now instead of being hurt, I pray for him to discover for himself why my faith is so strong. I pray he comes to know Christ before all is said and done.

So here I was at ends with my father and summer was quickly approaching. I could truly feel things beginning to change, I just wasn't sure what was going to happen so I kept praying for wisdom and signs I could easily see. Before long, God pointed me back to school and just prior to classes starting, I found myself unemployed as well. I had been doing the same thing Monday - Friday for almost 8 years when that too came to a halt.

Without a job holding me in place and school being over, I followed the direction in which God seemed to be pointing me in. As a family, we packed up and headed out west to what is often referred to as "God's Country". It is truly beautiful in Colorado. As I look across the terrain, I cannot help but often be moved to tears. I cannot believe that God has given me such an amazing life to live. I get to hang out with my youngest five every day. No one else is being paid to take care of them. I get to enjoy it all.

Being without a job has also made me have to depend on God even that much more. He is after all my true provider and protector. Without a weekly paycheck coming in, I have been blessed in multiple ways. Recently I wrote about less often being more and it is so true. When you have more than you need, you often take the basics in life for granted. This is not the case when you barely have enough. I guess that's the funny thing about life.

Jesus told us it is hard for a rich man to find his way to heaven. I think that may be because a rich man blindly believes he has all he needs due to his financial wealth. He is blind to the truth. The only thing any of us truly needs is to know our Lord and Savior. When we have that knowledge, nothing can bring us down. Not the biggest battle that Satan can wage. For in knowing Jesus, we know that this world is not our world and we are confident in our hope.

I began this blog thinking about musicals and how great life would be if we all sang to each other. I was trying to think of something light to write about because lately my studies have been brutal in not only the assignments I have had to write, but also in what I have had to read prior to writing. One story particularly haunted my thoughts for the entire week. I am pleased to know it was a fiction story however the theory behind it was quite chilling. Almost in a Stephen King sort of way. I have had to take some serious time to recover from it all. I truly don't know why this was required reading. That is how horrible the short story was. I used to love reading thrillers when I was younger, now I just don't care for the brain warp if you know what I am saying. Perhaps that is because I have come to learn what you put into your mind truly matters. This is why I chose to fill my head with the Lord's word every day. It keeps me prepared for the days battles.

I guess I accomplished what I wanted to. I proved if I sat in front of a blank screen without a thesis to create or a certain topic I was forced into writing on or about, I could still write at will. Who knew English Composition would be such a hard course for me! Certainly not me lol. I guess that is just another funny thing about life. The future is never certain but that's what makes it so interesting, right?

Today I pray that anyone who is not happy with their life as it is playing out is brave enough to step out of the slave mentality. I pray you come to know who you are in Christ and understand that the Lord is your protector and savior. Once you do, you will have nothing to fear. I pray you learn to listen to the Lord's voice and recognize his direction and your purpose. You were born to be more than a survivor, you were born to be a warrior. I pray more and more followers of Christ wake up and begin to get busy not for their own glory but to show the glory of God at work. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, walks with God, mom of many

© Wendy Glidden 2014

May You Learn to Live Before You Die!

My grandma gave me a book for my birthday somewhere around age 27 give or take a year or two. On the inside of the book, she had written a message to me. “May you learn to live before you die, Love, Grandma Rosie.”

I cannot remember for the life of me what the book was, but I never forgot her words.

This morning I awoke and wondered what God had in store for me. Since my computer is down, I found my so called smart phone and opened my email account and searched for K-loves encouraging word of the day. When I opened it up, I read this;

Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. ~ Psalm 119:144, NLT

When I read that, so many things flashed into me all at once. This is how I am led to write what I write. These flashes of insight are why even when I begin to doubt that this is my path, I remember the conversations God and I had about me writing one day and I know to my very core, this is what I am meant to do. I am a ghost writer for the greatest writer of all. He communicates things and ideas to me via the flashes and talking thoughts. It is my honor to share all he shares with me. I am blessed in doing so. I am humbled to be given such a task.

My wit, my patience, my kindness, my heart, everything that is good about me is due to Him in me. I absolutely love who I am in Him. When I walk on my own, things don’t often turn out quite so well. This is most obvious when you read my life story.

So back to the inscription my grandmother had written me. When I read it I was like; what? Live before I die? I’m living now. What does she mean?

I did not ask her outright that day. Instead, I pondered it over the years though. As I look back over my life and many of the things my grandmother has said to me I am sure that she was moved by the spirit to say them. I believe this to be the case because they have been one liners and they have been deep. Short, sweet and full of meaning. Often the spirit talks to me directly in such a fashion.

When I read that encouraging word, one of the things that flashed to me is that sin is death. When we chose to live outside of Gods laws, we often find ourselves deep in some kind of trouble that was brought on by our own doing. This kind of living is not living at all, it is simply surviving. Sure we are alive. We are breathing, moving, working or whatever but in all honesty we are not living at all.

We allow our actions to hold us in bondage. You see, it does not always feel good to walk outside of Gods laws. If you got real truthful with yourself, much of what you are doing when you are living outside of the law, does not make you proud. Meaning it is something you don’t want the entire world to know about. This is something the evil one relishes. As soon as you yourself are not proud of what you are doing, as soon as you begin to avoid certain people or places for fear others may see you ‘in the moment’, the devil has all he needs to begin shaming you into silence.

So, when King David says help me understand your laws so I may live, this is what he was talking about.

When you are on top of the world, doing what is right in all ways, you can stand proudly and you do. It is like the sun is beaming on you and life is good. It is abundantly good. Most of us have had one of those moments in our lifetime when everything was perfect and worry was not even a passing thought. We had nothing to worry about. We were on the right path.

On this earth it is so very easy to slide off of the right path, the narrow path, because so many temptations are lurking around every corner. Shame is a guilt that will chain you quickly. It truly is enough to keep one from their purpose in life.

If you are afraid of others discovering something from your past or present, you will not be near as bold about things. This is why it is best to come clean of everything. Leave the devil with nothing to shame you with. If you step forward and say; I did that and I did this and it did not feel good but it is part of my history, it is what it is. By doing this, those things lose their power over you. You will break the chains of slavery.

When you sin, you may not fully grasp in that moment that you have supplied the evil one with the tools he needs to enslave you into bondage. He will haunt you later in life with your shames. Don’t allow him that privilege. Don’t hand over that power. There is NO REASON to! Your heavenly father loves you so much; he provided you a way to freedom. He provided you with the law of liberty. Step out of the shadows and allow yourself to bask in the sun. Come follow the son of God and live an abundant life.

The birthday wish my grandma gave me approximately 17 years ago is the same prayer I say for all my brethren today. “May you learn to live before you die.”

My computer is in the hands of a friend. I do not yet know if it can be saved but I do now have in my email both of the chapters from book III that I feared may be lost. I still have 4 chapters to polish off to finish my book and I am certainly behind schedule at this point but I am not going to stress over any of it. This is Gods book. He put it on my heart to share with the world. It will hit the shelves right when it is supposed to.

Should I need a new computer, then a new one I will find this weekend! I hear there is a mighty storm headed our way. I wondered when I heard it was on its way for sure if it was perhaps going to be enough to allow me to stay home toasty warm and finish this third volume God put on my heart to write. We will see won’t we?

Father, today I come before you with such gratitude. As I read all of King David’s 119^th Psalm I found myself crying. I am so thankful that he too was willing to share all you put on his heart to share. His words and songs to you have lifted me so many times lately. I find him and his love for you very inspiring. To know that I am not alone in any way. To know that you love us regardless of anything we may do. It is such a gift to understand the depth of your love. I thank you for never giving up on me and for sending others my way to minister to me over the years. May I be a hand or foot for you as well. May my words lift and encourage and shine light into the darkest corners of the world. I have so much to be thankful for my Lord. Please fill my heart with your love so that I may reveal your glory to all I manage to touch in my lifetime. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy, walks with God,

Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden

God Is Faithful, Good and True

I have so much to be joyous about.
It makes me laugh and sing and shout!
Life is abundant, I am free
Curious as to how I came to be?

I am not here to brag or boast
It's good news I love to share the most.
God called me out over a year ago
It's in sharing our story others will come to know

God is FAITHFUL, good and true
He sent His son to save me and you!

The Good News is the Best News you will ever hear
If you're not deaf, you'll give a mighty cheer 
If you are blind, you will sadly only sneer
But those that are able to see will be free from fear!

So if today you have found yourself at the end of yourself
I am here to share a story of hope and faith I pray helps
The roads I have traveled have been at times dark and long
But throughout my chapters I reveal how I remained strong

I've been told by others that they have walked a similar street
The most amazing part of my life today would be the others I meet
I am here show you God's mercy, grace and glory
They are intertwined throughout my life story.

I hope through sharing my life with you,
Seeking the Lord becomes something you naturally do
For when you seek, you will discover an abuandance that never ends
P.S. I'm always looking for fellow sisters and brothers for friends 

This is actually a post I began on facebook as a status update on my business page. I had only planned to type an intro and share the encouraging word from K-Love, yet as often happens when I am relaxed, it seems my fingers have something else in mind! Here is today's encouraging word from K-Love:

He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:6, NLT

I ask, "Who's longing to LIVE this life and live it abundantly?"

I have seriously been blogging and sharing true life events for over a year now! Before the month ends, I am hoping to publish the first 16 years of my life. Had someone asked me if I thought my first 16 years of life were worthy of publishing, I would have told them no. God thought otherwise.  be blessed and be a blessing 


Wendy Glidden, walks with God
Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2014

Perfect Timing!

It's Totally Terrific Testimonial Tell-All Tuesday! We all have a story. Many of us have a bunch of stories! I am blessed to be one of those people!

This morning was the first morning my school crew boarded the bus from our new place. Without knowing exactly when the bus would arrive, the morning was a little hectic. Once everyone was on the bus, I went inside to tell Mike and Jeffrey goodbye only to have little Jeffrey insist on coming to work with me so that he could do his ABC mouse school. He is so stinking cute and really VERY well mannered for a three year old so I caved.

Getting him dressed for the outside element was of course going to make me run a little late . . . or so I thought. Lately I have been hearing a lot about God's timing and how it's not always in line with our timing but we need to chill out because His timing is always perfect.

So, here I was finally behind the wheel and on my way. I literally only have a three minute drive to work now so that is pretty awesome. If you've been reading my blog this year, you know it was God that led me to move where I did. I still feel like pinching myself for I truly love where he placed me. Anyway, I realized something was wrong with my car almost as soon as we hit the road. At first I thought maybe I had a flat tire or was it my exhaust? You have no idea how my brain works . . . probably a good thing!

Anyway, I was thinking, 'Did I plug up the exhaust pipe with something by backing up my car into the plowed snow bank?' No. Something much simpler than that was wrong. As I stopped for the one red light I cross each day, I suddenly realized the funny feeling that I was feeling was me running out of gas! My gauge showed half a tank and it suddenly dawned on me that I had threatened to start keeping track of the mileage but had not stuck to that plan!

I thought prayed 'change light change' and it did. I pressed the gas, surged forward and then puttered to a stop right in the middle of the intersection! "NO!" I silently screamed. I put the car in park, said a silent prayer, "please God get me out of the middle of the road!" I cranked the car. It started! I pressed the accelerator and sped across the intersection at a whopping 8 miles an hour! A turtle would have beat me! Still, I managed to get across the road as kind citizens honked at me. I coasted to a complete stop 15 feet beyond the intersection and realized a truck was right behind me. I thought, "Do they know I just need up the road? It looks as if they are wanting to push me with their truck . . . or maybe that's just wishful thinking!"

Sure enough, a lady jumped out of the passenger side and it turned out to be my son's fiancee's mom and her dad! She asked if I wanted them to push me the rest of the way with their truck! I said, "Yes! Please!!"

The best part of being pushed into the driveway was Jeffrey. Boys!! He thought it was the coolest thing ever to be pushed down the road by another vehicle. Once safely in the drive, I jumped out, ran over to Sherry and thanked and hugged her.

Once I got into the office I was giggling to myself. In a flash I clearly saw that had I dashed out the door on time according to my own plans, I would have been early and would have ended up walking a block to work in the frigid cold with little Jeffrey at my side or more likely than not in my arms!

You just have to love God and how He always has you!

I hope this little testimony of mine has helped you with your own timing in life. I often say the best 'Chill Pill" is a silent prayer and then giving whatever it is that has you wound up to God. I pray you are able to rest in Him daily!

Those of you who have followed my blog this past year know that I became a mother at the age of 17. You also know I have been a work a holic, control freak much of my life. When I was in my early twenties I was always in a hurry. This was truly my theme song the year it came out. I hope it causes you to chuckle and slow down a little so that you can better enjoy this thing we call life <3. Be blessed and be a blessing <3

The song is called: 'I'm in a hurry to get things done' by Alabama

Father, today I come to you with joy in my heart. I love knowing that you have all my needs met before I even know I'm going to need something! You never cease to amaze me. I feel like a simple child when it comes to the ways of the wise. Please teach me to be more trusting, more loving, more wonderful, more wise! I pray that you help my fellow brother's and sister's in Christ with all of that as well! Again, thank you thank you thank you for always having my back! I love your ways! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Wendy Glidden, walks with God
Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden, 2013

Landing on a Ledge

Isn't life funny. So much to do in a given day let alone a week. I have yet to blog on Mike and I. Takes a special moment to be able to drift back in time. I know everything is in God's timing and since that is perfect I do not let not getting something done in my time cause me stress. The words will come just as God wants them to.

I have opened but not had time to share K-Loves encouraging words the last few days. I find it fitting that they perfectly blend well together so I am going to share them in order beginning with Saturdays here all in a row on this Terrific Testimonial Tell All Tuesday. Let's see where the Spirit will lead!

Saturday 10/19/2013

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. ~ John, NLT

Sunday 10/20/2013

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

~ John, NLT

Monday 10/21/2013

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

~ John 14:6, NLT

Tuesday 10/22/2013

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

~ John, NLT 

When you read the four in order doesn't it just make your heart soar? This last Sunday was an emotional one for me. We had the most incredible speaker. Just a humble servant of the Lord, but I believe she moved the entire room. I know she moved me. After already beating a cancerous tumor entangled with her spinal cord, she is now battling brain cancer and smiling about it. She would say something like maybe it is not cancer, maybe it is marital problems or teenage issues or whatever it is, it is not your biggest battle. That one was already taken care of for you on the cross. When you take that and combine it with those 4 quotes of scripture, what she was saying makes perfect sense. Sure what we walk through may be tough but if we keep our focus on the Lord we will make it through the valley and we will soar once more. Should we be at the end of this life and it is not planned for us to continue in this earth suit, it was always the end and we should not morn that, we should rejoice for the best is yet to come. When you truly wrap your mind around grace and eternal life everything truly changes. You can begin to live the abundant life that God intended you to live. 

I just heard an awesome song on the radio. As promised prior for those that cannot see the video on their device this song is titled "My Help Comes From The Lord" and it is performed by Chris Tomlin. 

My morning started out with a text from Mike expressing his love for me and that he longs to be married to me. That he never wants to be apart again and he is very sorry for not thinking before. I don't believe his problem was with thinking or not thinking. I believe his problem was with letting go and accepting that Jesus was Lord over his life. Mike giving up power to anyone was overwhelming to him. I just know it was. Then God striped everything out of his life in one fell swoop. Suddenly, he was without his family, his job and perhaps even his freedom. Now, even though he wants to, he cannot return. It is one thing to be behind bars and miss your family, it is another to be out walking the streets, working your new job, eating meals and be so far away from family you'd see them more were you in jail in your home town than where you are each day. Within his first week in Florida, he was picked up on a violation of probation stemming from 2006. Turns out when we left Florida with permission from his probation officer, with the condition to complete a class prior to May 6th, his probation officer did not get a copy of the class, so he filed a violation on him. Mike did do the class and amazingly enough even though seven full years had passed, I remembered where he had taken the class and they indeed still had his file available. You would think with proof of the completed class prior to May, 2006, the charges would have been dropped, but again no, he goes to court on October 29, 2013. His original probation officer wants 60 days in jail from Mike. That's what happens when you have to leave the state is what he has been told. I refuse to fret no matter what happens. If he has to serve 60 days I know it is because God needs some serious alone time with Mike and that is where they connected the first time. That is where Mike prayed to win my heart before he ever saw or met me. Sometimes you really do go full circle. All I know is with each passing day that we are apart Mike grows a little more and ironically while I too am growing, I am also shrinking. I just imagine how much better in all ways we both will be in the end. We had planned to get married for real on January 18th of next year, the ten year anniversary of our very first kiss, before everything seemed to go haywire. I love how we have come to realize what was truth and what was an attack from the evil one. What Satan intended to destroy has grown stronger. It very much reminds me of the story in Acts of the first church. Time and time again the evil one attacked and out of evil, every time, good was produced and things flourished. I know God uses all evils for good and I have come to love His ways. I could never change Mike or make him grow up myself, but God can do all things. I am thrilled that I had enough Faith in Him to finally let Mike go completely. Look at the fruit that is being produced in the end. 

With that being said, I am reminded of how I fell on that ledge the first time where Mike is concerned. If you have read my first two chapters regarding us, 'How I Fell In Love With Mike' and 'Dissed, Disowned, Disgraced and Darn Near Destitute' you know at this point in our relationship I was madly in love with Mike and was seeming to fall down this never ending mountain day after day and then Wham, it happened. I had a warning that trouble was ahead. The same voice that warned me I would lose my money, asked a simple but gigantic question as I unlocked the doors of the van after I had just walked out of a W.I.C. appointment in Grand Junction Colorado, "What are you going to do when Mike runs into Heather?" It came out of nowhere and literally stopped me in my tracks. I had Tia, Travis and the twins with me at the time and I just halted  in the process of getting everyone loaded up into the car. I asked the question out loud myself and instantly I knew the answer. I would have to let him go. I couldn't shake the feeling or the thought that Mike might not truly be mine after all. But that night, as he wrapped me into his arms, I let that voice fall to the back of my head and tumbled down the mountain side once again deciding I was going to lavish up this love for as long as it was mine. A mere month later I was in the same building with everyone and we were applying for job assistance. Mike said he had to go to the bathroom and he went off on his own. When he returned he was clasping a white piece of paper in his hands. He sat down beside me looking almost ill and when I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I ran into Heather. She gave me her number." I didn't breath. He handed me the paper. I feebly laughed and said, "As if you don't have the number memorized already." He said, "No, I didn't even look at it. She told me I was welcome to come to her as long as I left you and the twins. She is not into children." I was surprised to say the least. I took the number and threw it in the trash hoping silently that that was the end of it. 

** Pausing for a moment to play catch up. The twins were born in Florida. From a heartbeat of almost living on the street, Mike landed a job and through it I landed a babysitting job. The owner of his restaurant had four children needing to be cared for and that fell to me. I never got paid, but we were provided a one bedroom condo in exchange. Sadly shortly before the twins were born it was discovered that this man was corrupt. The restaurant closed and Mike and I quickly managed to get into a two bedroom trailer a few weeks before the twins arrived. Mike found another job as a cook at another restaurant but it was obvious he was not happy. When the twins came, Mike's mom was out of the state so, a friend of Mike's had his wife help us out by staying at our home when we had to go to the hospital so that Tia and Travis were taken care of. Mike let me down a little by getting drunk the night the twins were born. He barely made it back to the hospital that night. He claimed the surgery was too awful for him to stomach and he had to drink to get over it. As I lay recovering from a C-section where I was literally cut and then ripped apart due to the doctor needing more room to get the babies out, Mike was in my bathroom throwing up. He did not have the proper identification to be allowed to sign the girls birth certificate so, to this day he is not listed as their father although they both have his last name. We only stayed in Florida through October. Mike quit his job, we sold all we had, packed up all we could and headed off to Grand Junction, Colorado to go live with his best friend from his childhood, Mike Stark, and that is how we ended up in Colorado. Back to the story.

Less than a week after Mike had his run in with Heather, Mike's best friend who I will call Stark and his girlfriend began arguing over trust issues and somehow it came out of the closet that Mike had all but cheated on me the night the girls were born. Turns out the girl I entrusted to care for my children and drive Mike around as he did not have a valid license at the time and I did not want him getting in trouble in Florida thought they deserved a little fun. She got him drunk and attempted to have sex with him in my van right outside the hospital in the parking lot. No wonder Mike was so sick. As the details came out I found myself barely able to breath. This is when I landed on that ledge and had the air smacked right out of me. My world was spinning so fast I wanted to puke myself. Suddenly I understood what was going on. Like a light was flashed in my head. I looked at him and said, "You are trying to start a fight with me so that you can go to Heather. There is no need for that. Call her, Go to her. I will be okay." It was all I could do to hold myself together and even in reliving, it is so very very very painful. Thinking he might leave me for Heather, his first love was one thing. Thinking he let me lie crying for him in a hospital bed while he considered sleeping with just another girl with no meaning behind her at all had rocked my world. I wept for real that night as he slept. 

Things at his friends house were falling apart rather quickly with the fighting and we moved out of there and ended up in a homeless shelter when they had room and on the streets when they did not. Life was rough to say the least. Tia and Travis were acting out badly demanding they get their dad back. Mike was miserable torn between old and new loves. I could feel his heart was not completely mine and it hurt. As night dawned in the homeless shelter and the children were asleep he reached for me. He pulled me into his arms and attempted to kiss me. I turned my head from him. I know he was surprised by my move. I simply said, "You love someone else, I cannot kiss you." Again I wept myself to sleep. 

The next night Mike insisted we stay out of the shelter so we could talk things out. We did. In the end he decided he did not want to be without his babies and he decided he loved me and Heather had been nothing but a girl who played games with him through out their relationship and he decided he wanted to stay with me. Regardless, looking back, so much damage had been done to my heart. Within one month, I had a pretty good wall built around my heart. So much for someone praying for you meant they would do everything in their power to show you their love every day and would never stray. I no longer felt secure in Mike's love for me. It was a very big pivotal point in our relationship. 

The words have stopped flowing and that may be due to these crazy tears streaming down my face. Mike and I truly are back at the beginning. I am by myself in Indiana raising ironically five children again on my own just like I was when Mike and I finally got together. He is in Florida and praying for me again. He may even come back to me from behind bars like the first time. Ten years later we get to start over only this time we have the best foundation. Our love is built with Christ as our Center, our foundation. Who could pull off something as unbelievable as that but God Himself? Of course He has been involved in our love affair from the very beginning. 

As I wipe my eyes, I am happy to have this chapter behind me once and for all. Mike knew I was going to write on it. He asked the other night, "No way around it eh?" I laughed and said, "No" In sharing there will be healing and indeed there is. Love truly is the greatest of all:

1 Corinthians 13:13: Faith, Hope & Love. The Greatest of These is Love

Father, today I come before you and ask you to lift all those in a relationship that are struggling with Faith and love and hope and hard times. Let them see and feel your love. Help them see that to survive and flourish they must invite you in. When you keep your focus on Jesus it will change the way you talk to and treat one another. Even if only one of them is openly seeking you Father like I was, lift them and fill their faith like you did me Father. Help them be so bright their partner will seek your light as well. Should their be children in the mix Father fill these babies with your love and guidance. Shelter them under your wings. Let them know it's not about them at all father. Be the parent that we hurting parents are not able to always be. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Wendy, walks with God

Mom of Many

© Wendy Glidden 2013