Oh Lord

Oh Precious Lord,

Sovereign God of my life
Please forgive me for my
Sins of yesterday.
The ones that I forgot 

To repent and pray for, 

And the ones I didn't even 

Know about.  You see me 

Inside and out, Dear Abba.  

Please cleanse me from any 

Unrighteousness. Mold me 

And shape me into the person 

You intend me to be.

May my life bring You glory.

by Christina Sexton

All That Matters

All That Matters Is You

All that matters 

Is You, Lord
All that matters 

Is I am Yours
No matter the storm
No matter the trial
No matter how difficult 
The road was, is, 

And will become
All that matters
Is I belong to You

For You alone are 

My Strength
You alone are 

My Peace
You alone are 

My Joy

When I am broken
When others fail

When I fail
When life seems to become 

More than I can bear

You alone are there

To see me through

It is for You that I live
My life is in Your hands
I have no right to doubt
Your goodness
Your faithfulness
Your loving kindness

You have always 

Been there for me
You have proven Yourself
Over and over again
Please continue to 
Teach me to

Trust You

At Your Word

You never promised me 

That life would be easy

In fact, You've 

Promised the opposite  

Your Word says

That in this life 
I would have trouble  
Yet I am to take courage for 
You have overcome the world 
I can not trust in myself
But I can trust in You 

May my life bring You glory

by Christina Sexton

Copyright © Christina Sexton 2016

My Story of Glory: Part 2; Life Sure Was Different...

Read 'Part 1' here.

Life sure was different in the big city.  At first, it was great!  I made several new friends, felt a freedom I had never quite experienced before, and for a time the inner longing seemed to be gone.  Life was good!  

Then, sometime during my senior year, the deep inner longing came back.  I found that life in a big city was similar to my life in the small town.   My problem wasn't standing out anymore. I was just empty inside, and the people around me were not able to fill this void I had.  In fact, I learned the hard way that people in general can be quite disappointing; including myself.  I became depressed, succumbed to peer- pressure, and made some mistakes I would live to regret.  I thought the people around me knew something I didn't.  So I tried to live like them for a time hoping I would feel better.  Of course, I didn't.  I was as empty as ever.  In fact, the inner longing inside just became worse.

One night, fed up with everything, I cried out to God in tears.  It was the first time in my life I spoke a spontaneous prayer.

I said something like, "God, are you there?  If so, I give up.  You take over, because I'm done.  I can't do this anymore." 

I woke up the next day hardly remembering what I prayed the night before.

Then, after graduation, I had the privilege of witnessing the miracle of a changed life.  Someone I knew completely turned their life around from a self destructive, deep depression to a person who was cheerful and full of life.  I couldn’t help but ask questions to figure out what happened.  This person explained that he asked Jesus to forgive him, and come into his heart.  This was the first time I had heard such words!   Intrigued, I asked what he meant?  There, over a lunch at a Sonic Drive-In, I heard the gospel for the first time!  I heard that sin in my life caused me to be separated from God, and that God loved me so much that He provided salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.  I couldn't believe my ears!  The Almighty God of the universe wanted a personal relationship with me?  And I could receive His love and forgiveness by believing & accepting His gift?  I was wowed and amazed by hearing all this! What stood out the most was hearing that God loved me!  As my heart burned inside, and tears streamed down my face.  I prayed for forgiveness, and acknowledged my need for His salvation, and in doing so I received God's perfect gift!

Wow!!  What a joy!  Instantly, the sorrow and emptiness I felt inside were gone!  For the first time in my life I felt whole!  All by accepting Christ's love into my heart!  Such a crazy feeling of happiness/fulfillment came over me!  I have never been the same!!  I remember while driving back to work that day I saw a suburban with dirt all over it.  In the dirt was written the phrase "Jesus loves you!"  I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that phrase was written there for me!  It was literally a night and day kind of experience!

My late twenties.

What an awesome God we serve!  He found me you see!  I didn't even know I was supposed to be looking for Him.  I was completely and utterly lost!  He left the 99 to find me!  (Luke 15:4, 6)  Praise the Lord!!!   It's been over twenty years now.  God has brought me through some mighty storms with more to come on the horizon.  Yet, He has never failed me!  He has always been there helping me through each and every trial.  He has been refining me like gold, and changing me from the inside out!  I know I have a long way to go, but I can walk with confidence knowing He’ll be with me every step of the way! 

Hallelujah, I love Jesus!!!!  Blessed Assurance; Jesus is mine!!!!  This is my story and my song...praising my Savior, every day, all the daylong!!!! 

Say, do you know Jesus?  Are you forgiven?  Have you accepted His AWESOME and cleansing love? 

Ah, my friends, if you haven't, you are definitely missing out!  There is nothing in this life, nor is there anyone who could ever compare to being filled with the love of Christ!

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV):

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can 
fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not faint."

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV):

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


Romans 10:9-13, (NIV):

"If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

My Story of Glory: Part 1; I Grew Up As A Carefree...

My 2-year old birthday party.

I grew up as a carefree, unaware, and simple-minded girl.  I don't remember ever pondering the meaning of life, or questioning my existence. I'd heard about God, but knew very little about Him.  The little knowledge I had came from attending church with my family.  We were an Italian-immigrant family.  So naturally we attended a local Catholic church.

I remember the crucifix hanging in the sanctuary not really knowing what I was looking at.  I can’t tell you how many times I spent staring at the story picture paintings on the walls, and wondered what those stories were about.  In Catechism, I memorized the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer, gained an acknowledgement of God, and learned that Jesus Christ was God’s Son.  That was all I knew back then.  I never knew or understood that there was more to HIStory (His story).  After Catechism, attending church was a decision I could make for myself, and most of the time I chose not to go.

As the years went by, I began to experience a feeling, a longing formed deep, deep down inside that was overwhelming to me.  I wasn't quite sure where the feeling came from.  Whatever it was brought me to tears throughout my youth. Somehow, it felt like I was missing something.

It's not that I didn't feel love or acceptance at home. Our family was dysfunctional, no doubt. As mentioned above, we were an Italian-Immigrant family adjusting to life among a culture different from our own.  Sometimes I stuck out like a sore thumb simply because I wore homemade dresses my mom made for me, and shoes shipped over from Italy.  We were different alright, but I felt loved by my family.   I think that's what made it so confusing to me.  I couldn’t understand why I felt the way I did.  I moved on ignoring it as much as I could, but it always resurfaced bringing me to tears each time.   

After my sophomore year of high school, my family decided it was time to move to a big city. I was born and raised in a small town. Not much happened in that town for me, so moving to a big city was exciting!   Plus, I never really liked sticking out like a sore thumb; being the introvert that I am.  Standing out only drew unwanted attention that was undesirable to say the least.  The thought of blending in was very appealing to me and I felt it would solve my problems.

To Be Continued in the next post.

The Purpose of This Blog

The purpose of this blog is to share stories from my life, reflections from my own personal quiet time in the Word, and somehow in the process be a blessing to others.  

Since only God can truly touch a person's heart. I let go, and trust Him to do what He will through this blog.  If I can bless even just one person with words of encouragement, cause laughter, bring a smile to a face, a comforting sense that they are not alone in this life, give them hope to carry on, or more importantly point them to Christ, the One and Only Lover of their souls, then it has fulfilled my intentions.  All glory to God. 

Encouragement For Weary Christians

There is no doubt about it. Life is hard! We all struggle with it. Whether it's the sins that so easily entangle us, the seemingly impossible circumstances we find ourselves in most if not all of the time, or simply the enemy throwing his darts seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. We climb mountains, then struggle through the darkest of valleys, just to look up and find another mountain in our path that needs climbing. It's never ending, or so it seems. 

The Lord is faithful to His children. He promises to always be there, and carry us through each and every storm. If it's not for the sake of discipline, then for edification; for refinement. He molds and shapes us through each battle so we may become more and more like Christ daily. So that nothing we suffer is in vain. Whatever the trial may be we can always know that it all works out for our good and for His purposes (Romans 8:28).

However difficult our troubles may be, and difficult for most is an understatement. One thing is true, that the struggles we have faced, and are now facing are nothing compared to the promise of hope we who are His await. Though we live in this world now we are only passing through it. Yes, my dear fellow believers, our time here is temporary. An end is definitely coming to all this chaos!

Now, we are collectively a broken people weary with much sorrows and sufferings. Yet, deep down inside our being, we find a longing for our own country. We long for our future home. We long for Heaven! There, where the Lord promises to wipe away every tear! There will be no more sorrows, sufferings, or troubles. It will all be behind us. There, where we can at last meet face to face the Lover of our souls, Christ Jesus! He who paid the ultimate price so we could enjoy fellowship with Him forever!  Where we can finally, finally come into our eternal rest! Be encouraged, sweet believers! Our end is coming soon! Keep watch! Stay strong! Pray for the strength to endure! For our Savior, our King, our God is coming soon, and He will not delay!

Revelation 21:1-7

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."


Hallelujah! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! :)

Scripture verses taken from the King James Version Bible.

Strawberry Blessings

There's something about strawberries that just make me happy.  I have brightened my kitchen with splashes of strawberry decor to help bring a smile to my face when needed.  I associate strawberries with some special memories from my childhood as they have been my favorite fruit since I can remember. Strawberries are red too, and red is my signature color!  :) Strawberries are a small detail of my life that help me to remember my uniqueness, and that it's okay to be who God created me to be.  I consider strawberries to be one of the many little blessings in my life.  

Blessings are the many ways that God touches our lives.  From the air we breathe to the love we share with loved ones, blessings come in many forms, and are meant to be counted.  When we take the time to count our blessings we realize we have much to be thankful for.  His mercies new every morning, His amazing grace, His gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, are all blessings from above.   

Have you ever counted your blessings?  If you have, what are some of your blessings that you have counted?  Big or small, I would love it if you would share some with me in the comments below.  If you haven't, then I'd like to encourage you to try this exercise.  Grab a sheet of paper and a writing utensil, and write down everything you can think of that you are thankful for: such as loved ones, good health, life itself, or even things you enjoy that bring a smile to your face (the scent of fresh roses maybe, or delicious coffee in the mornings, etc.). Remember that every life is full of blessings.  Our eyes may not be open to them, but they are there.  I look forward to reading all about your blessings!