MIRACLES in my MESS On Monday

{Just in case I do not finish reading to review by release date Tues., Nov. 7, 2017, I am sharing this so you don't miss out on Sheila Walsh's newest book}

"In the Middle of the Mess -

Strength for this Beautiful Broken Life"

a definite must read

especially for me

with a blog

named

"aMazing Grace - Mazes, Messes, Miracles"

FaithGateway

You can find out more over at Faith Gateway for a sample of this Study of Sheila's book also You Version reading plan and of course Sheila Walsh's website
I just happen to be blessed to receive  weekly devotional emails from Sheila Walsh
here's a personal note from her and this book
Sheila also appeared on Life Today for Wednesdays in the Word since Oct. 4th Part 1  Part 2  Part 3 Part 4 also one on  "Facing Depression"

Clearly, I am a bit biased and have found Sheila Walsh to be one of my favorite authors because I relate so much to her experience (not the same details) but close enough for the same "miracles in my mess" {which is probably why these words are part of this blog since its inception and before Sheila put her story together with this title - "In the Middle of the Mess"} and we all have Messes that God uses perhaps with Miracles that become our MESSAGE too! 

In this month of ThanksGiving, let's reflect on and with gratitude of how God turns our Messes into Messages to encourage and bring life changes in others, as Sheila Walsh speaks from her heart and life experience to help us find peace and strength in God, as we too struggle with hardships (or messes) throughout our lives, but we can encounter God by being authentic {like one of the other books I reviewed not too long ago: "No More Faking Fine" by Esther Fleece} letting us know God wants us to be real! ... with our brokenness, with life, with emotions.

I love the Group Discussions (which must be part of the study guide, because each chapter in the book ends with "reflections") that Faith Gateway shares after Session One video from Study Gateway on their site that I linked above, but have chosen this one for here: 

"Sheila noted the six sessions of this study. Which of the following holds the most promise for you? Which one makes you feel anxious the first time you read it? Brokenness is the beginning… the truth of our situation, as bleak as that truth may be, can set us free. Brokenness is hard… even on the darkest night, we never walk the path of grief alone. Brokenness is loud… even in our noisy world, we can learn to live in the stillness and quietness of God’s presence. Brokenness is to be shared . . . there is strength to be found in confessing our sins to one another. Brokenness is the path to healing . . . when we fix our eyes on God, we live a life of thanksgiving. Brokenness is temporary . . . what you are facing right now will pass."

"Brokenness is the path to HEALING!"
{fits both questions as the answer for me}
2017 God gave me HEALING as my One Word
although I am not completely healed I have seen "brokenness" as I've seen in years before so that I believe it will lead to my HEALING and hopefully HEALING for others

I don't think it's fair for me to review this until I complete reading the full book ... although my impression being half-way through the book, is as always ... a book meant for me (and you) to find "strength for this beautiful, broken life" and there is no one better qualified with compassion and experience than Sheila Walsh to lead us to God as our Source. My stumbling block in finishing this is so much of this is needed by me, applies to me, which causes me to go back and reread to be sure I got it and didn't miss it, but after seeing the Session One video, I am sure that Sheila Walsh has another best seller to add to her successes. Looks like I'll need to add the study guide, the saving grace is I cannot post my review at Amazon, etc. until the book is released. So my review is forthcoming and will be in time. Not only is this the "Bible Study of the Week" with Faith Gateway, but it is my Bible Study of 2017 and the competition has been really strong; lots of favorites this year aimed to help me heal and grow.

MIRACLES... this TOO is my story

[source]

She said, "No one, sir."

Then Jesus said, "I don't condemn you, either.

Go home, and from now on do not sin any more."

John 8:11 (ISV)

MIRACLES... Jesus' life was filled with MIRACLES and when He touched this woman's life, a MIRACLE began... and as He touches my life, I see His MIRACLES for me or in me or hopefully through me...

...our lives are a series of MIRACLES if only we open our eyes and look to see His Miracle of life in YOU and around YOU!

To me, Jesus DOing this was indeed a MIRACLE not spoken of as one, but to this woman, in that day or in this day, having Jesus change her life & life direction, forgiving her and saving her from condemnation and shame, with the HOPE to MOVE FORWARD through His simple but profound words, "Go and don't sin", do not continue down this road of life, this way...

The above may not be included in what you remember as one of "The Miracles of Jesus" but the following is known as His first;

Jesus FIRST miracle

"changing water into wine"

because His mother asked

"Whatever He says to you, do it."

JOHN 2:5 (NASB)

EXAMPLES of DO's and DON'Ts

I see both of these scenes

as

MIRACLES

Since last week's WFW and for quite some time, I'm on a MISSION. I am being led to put together my personal life testimony and so this is part of a current series of posts (actually for quite awhile now) that God's putting together with me to DO just this... as I work through two current books I've been reading & DOING, one of which I will be sharing here as a study, starting in September until the end of the year "The Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian and the other I was working on with my small group in my MN home church, but will be continuing with another church online, also this fall, as they "DO it" together church wide, "Life's Healing Choices" by Jon Baker along with a few more books I'm reading currently.

Both of these books are making an incredible life transforming impact on my life and my Christian walk... there's always room for more MIRACLES...

Each day of my life with Jesus is filled with MIRACLES, seen and unseen, but believed by me as

MIRACLES

to

HIS GLORY!

Join in Word-Filled Wednesday for more of God's precious Word glorifying HIM from blog to blog

What do you hear God telling you

TO DO

or

NOT DO?

What MIRACLE do you

need

or

you'd like to see

in your life?

If you don't want to answer either of these questions in the comments here, I'd really like it more if you'd answer the question I poised at the end of this weekend post: if you would do me the favor of sharing the song over there... just skip to the end and read the question and write your answer... the two that shared are FABULOUS ONES so I've included their lyrics!!!

*part of a series that I've been putting together for my personal life testimony. If you notice, MIRACLES is the third word in my aMazing Grace... blog title. I've already done MAZES & MESSES...

• MESSES... this too is my story...
• MAZES... this too is my story...
• THIS IS MY STORY... Part I.
• WHERE DO I BEGIN...
• TOMORROW WILL BE PART II
• of
• "THIS IS MY STORY"
• Part III next week (all ready to publish)
• 

2 Corinthians 3:3 (The Message) says:

... Peggy,

your very life is a letter...

that anyone should be able to read by just looking at you.

Christ Himself wrote it ...

...with God's Living Spirit...

and we publish it

right here

[personalized last week's WFW for my story]

CHIMINITO

CHIMINITO

Hi - Hola All You DOT Dog Lovers~

My name is Chiminito. My mom is Mazmagi, better known as "Peggy". I'm a Chihuahua/ Bull Terrier mix. Some say that I look like a Jack Russel. But there's no Jack in me! Oh, that's not entirely true, I jump or leap like a jack rabbit. I understand English and Spanish! Aye Caramba

Anyways, I was born in 2003. My mom says I'm a miracle baby. I shouldn't have lived. But I did! I'm here and in great health - thanks to my mom! My real mom died and so did my sister! My mom lived on a roof top and no one really took care of her. We were all infested with all kinds of parasites: fleas, ticks "garapatas"...some very small and some very venemous! My body was filled with them. That is until this mom saw me and tended to me! I even had one in my ear that she got out!

Ouch! I still fight her when she's taking them off me, even though I wear a collar and do all the right things. It just can't be escaped here in Mexico. [They say "that's life in Mexico for a dog" or pet. I tell them not in my house.]

Well, my mom cleaned me up, dipped me, cleaned me again, but the day I remember her most was when she sat with me on a curb, at my first owner's house, Lizbeth. She was just a little girl back then. Lizbeth loved my dad, I've watched them running on videos.

I had been crying night after night because of the little critters all over me. No one even knew how bad! But my mom did. One by one she picked those little buggers off of me, even the microscopic ones. Then she dipped and bathed me until I was well. She took me to her place to take better care of me. Lizbeth came and visited and stayed once in awhile. Lizbeth loved me so much that she let me stay with my new mom, so I could get well and stay well. I love Lizbeth!

My dad's name was Chimino. I'm named after him. I'm a little piece of Chimino...the -ito in my name is endearing and means little one. I saw those videos of my dad but we don't have any photos. My dad ate something bad and died too! But that's how I ended up with my mom and Bravo.(You'll met him last time). He became my BIG BROTHER! Kinda surrogate dad. We use to play together, but he's gotten too old now...so I play with my daughters. You'll meet them another time.

Years have past, and I have lots of tales to tell but the greatest was 2 years ago when I became the proud father of 6: 5 girls and 1 son. Now, I shouldn't have done that so that's why my mom took me to the vet so it never happens again. Just like Bravo!(the mother had to go, too). But now we live together with 2 of our daughters. One lives in Minnesota. 3 found new homes but sadly 2 of them died; my only son was one of them. I guess that's why my mom kept the others.

That reminds me, I have to tell this GREAT tale of when I was so tiny and my mom left me alone with Bravo! This is why she says I'm a miracle too!

Our home was on the second floor and she thought I was safe on the patio. She had it pretty well blocked off. But curiosity got the best of me. I had to go snooping around, looking for where she went. She hardly ever leaves me alone, so she couldn't have gone too far. Well, I found this tube, I thought I'd check it out. (Mom says it wasn't a tube and it wasn't where I should have gone, it was a rain gutter).

When she came home, I heard her and started crying. She was looking everywhere for me, upstairs in our home. She wasn't even close. So I kept crying!
Finally, she looked over the balcony in total disbelief toward my yelps for help and saw me, down in the basement. It was quite the ride or slide! She was down the stairs, two flights, almost as quick as I got down there. She was loving me, and checking me and so worried, but I was fine. I'M A MIRACLE! The angels were watching over me. That's why I'm the favorite!

That's a bit of my tales!

I've got lots more 'cause I'm the trouble maker!

These are my daughter's fighting. If you notice the one who looks like me, except her color, is winning! Like father, like ... daughter! And she was the runt! I say she's the real trouble maker!

ADIOS

Chimi

March? 2003 - August 29, 2018

Please join all the others over at DOT~Dogs On Thursday!

My mom showed me all kinds of new friends over there and human friends that love DOGS! Tell me how much you love me ... I otta have more comments then BRAVO ... he thinks HE'S the BEST just cuz he's BIGGER!

MAZE, MESS & MIRACLE MONDAY

IN THE OLAS ALTAS which means "HIGH WAVES" here in Mexico~


Footprints In The Sand sung by Leona Lewis

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going

You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown
Along the way

And just when I
I thought I'd lost my way
You gave me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say


I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow
And despair

And I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
When I'm weary
Well I know you'll be there
Cause I can feel you
When you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sadness and despair
Oh, I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
(choir)
When your heart is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend

I promise you
I'm always there
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints
In the sand

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what the Lord has been speaking to me.

I have always loved this poem:

"FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND"
Without going into specifics so as not to lay blame or shame,

back when I came to Mazatlan in 1996,

-which was my second trip-

this POEM became a reality and a cry to the Lord

in a deep and depressed prayer to God from me.

My heart was indeed overwhelmed

and though I wasn't lost- I knew the Lord,

I could not overcome the "rut" I felt my life was in

...and had little hope for living any longer.

It was during Easter week, the week preceding Easter known in Mexico as

"Semana Santa" Holy Week.

I had been to Mazatlan in 1995 as a tourist with my adopted son, and his friend. And felt I had heard the Lord speak to me and call me there. But in 1996 when I returned, I was very burned out, exhausted and hopeless after a very serious medical crisis with our adopted daughter, which I dealt with alone, like a single parent for 6 months of life-making decisions, except for the fact that my church family gathered around me

and that they did much beyond the call of duty.

So when I came to Mazatlan, I was really searching "alone" about what was my purpose for living.

It looked to me like I had failed at everything:my marriage, my job(s), "motherhood"...

I so longed to be with the Lord yet I knew that would not happen if I took it into my own hands again...

I walked along the beach, along the Mazatlan coast many times, but on Good Friday, when I walked, I cried out to God:

"Give me a reason to go on living..."

And I watched as I walked how the waves rescinded and there were no footprints in the sand.

And so I cried out again...

"Look, Lord...not even now, when I'm at my lowest do I see you walking with me. I don't even see my own steps-they are just as washed out as I am, the waves come crashing in against the rocks, rippling along the sand, not leaving a trace of my steps, not even like my favorite poem, so even You have given up on me...

I could walk out into those waves and never be missed, the current will pull me under and someday I'll wash up on the shore somewhere."

Please, Lord, just show me You care! Give me Your Purpose, for me to go on living".  I was very much without HOPE and saw very little purpose left in my life. I saw no resolution for my problem(s), in fact, I was told that I was the problem.

YET

Our Lord was ALWAYS THERE

HE IS ALWAYS THERE!

He doesn't give up on us

He's just waiting for you

to notice how much He cares.

I don't know WHY I decided to share this

except

to let you know

THERE IS HOPE

in Christ JESUS!

HIS PROMISES & HIS WORD

ARE TRUE!

I walked through many MAZES like this one above throughout my life,

I caused many MESSES and many MESSES caused me undue stress,

heartache and desperation,

but I am alive and living for Jesus,

a PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE,

a MIRACLE of

HIS aMAZING GRACE!

FOR
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

What's in a NAME?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet." Shakespeare ~ Romeo and Juliet

I'm
NEW TO BLOGGING
on

April 3rd, 2008
so

Why MazMagi.blogspot.com?

... and Mazes, Messes & Miracles?...

... aMazing Grace

[added later]

but has become my main name

because of God's Grace &

 how I am more aMazed every day by how

aMazing

Grace

is

Today is my first day of entering the BLOGGING world officially! Up until now, I have just been enjoying reading inspirational blogs of others, mostly Christian women. 

Today, I launch mine:

Mazes, Messes, Miracles ... aMazing Grace
now
aMazing Grace... Mazes, Messes, Miracles

But instead of giving a purpose for my blog,
or rationale of what I hope to accomplish or post,

I will explain the NAME.

First MazMagi and then aMazing Grace ... Mazes, Messes, Miracles!

MazMagi comes from
Maz for Mazatlan
the place I call home in Mexico
away from home in Minnesota
and
Magi a nickname for my real name.

In Spanish, my real name is a drink or a flower: margarita. I never used my real name in English, except for legal matters or when my father was upset with me, then I heard the whole name!!! Margaret Mary Teresa Anderson... but especially "Margaret Mary" from my dad. It was not a name of endearment but it came to be somewhat more precious when I studied the life of the saint, for which I was named

Margaret Mary

Alacoque

(a French nun devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

As long as I can remember (age 3-4), I have gone by "Peggy". Most people don't even understand how it derives from my real name, but it does. My dad would say that there is no "saint" Peggy, so I pray that I'm the first. (Although I believe when I was young, I read a pamphlet on Saint Peggy.) Anyways, my real name Margaret means "pearl" and from there, and other derivatives, comes Peggy.

In Mexico, many with my real name go by "Maggie" which in Spanish is pronounced and spelled Magui. (mah-gee) I chose to go by that at first, but I wrote it "Magi" on purpose (yet that is incorrect spelling of it). The reason was I wrote it like "Magi" was because of Jesus and The Magi at Christmas! The Three Kings, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus were known as The Magi. I added the background from "The Cutest Blog on the Block" for Christmas in honor of this.

2010 and 2011

When I come to Mexico, each trip, I usually try to bring gifts, because the needs of the people are so many! I don't have enough financially, as I found out on my first trip here, to meet so many needs, but my heart just broke with wanting to leave something, whatever I had to those who had less. I quickly decided that the reason I would come back every year was because I had a gift to give: me. Whatever I am, I would give, in the name of Jesus. Be it teacher or friend, I must stir up whatever gift or gifts lie within me to serve the people here in Mexico.

Of course, having a teaching degree, I thought it would be with CHILDREN, because children have held such an important place in my heart and God's, but I was soon to learn that God would use me, mold me, and minister through me with whomever He chooses.

The spiritual gifts that He has enabled me with, He will stir up, exactly what I need in the moment He needs it. If we are open to His Holy Spirit and willing to be used, He will speak to you and through you. His Word will be made real in your daily living!

So I am Magi...His gift...and my gift to Him is wherever He calls me to serve. That is the reason I live! That is the reason for MazMagi ... (mazmagi)

I really wanted to have my Blog have an inspirational name that reflects God's work in me and my life. I have found such beautiful and meaningful names that others have chosen. Than there are others that are comical and creative! So I wanted one, that one day I would be able to use as a ministry with what I post. I don't know if and when that will happen, so I chose:

... aMazing Grace

Mazes, Messes and Miracles 

because I guess that pretty much capsulizes
MazMagi's life.

I have MESSED up many times. I have gone through many trials, tribulations and temptations that have led me through this MAZE, called life or journey and I am aMAZED how God has seen me through the good and the bad.

But, I must admit I want to see many MIRACLES still in my life! I feel that the greatest miracle is the one God does each day in my life...because JESUS, His Son, not only did miracles in His 3 years of ministry, He still CAN do miracles today, through you and me by the power of His Holy Spirit. He is the greatest MIRACLE that came into my life and has had His hand upon me daily still, even when I may not have acknowledged Him or have strayed, HE was THERE & HE IS HERE reaching out, forgiving me, holding me, carrying me, filling me, leading me, completing my journey through this life by and through His Holy Spirit alive in me. The greatest miracle is how Jesus gave His life in exchange for mine, and Rose from the dead, conquered death and sin for me, or YOU-or anyone & everyone who puts their faith in HIM.

"For God so loved YOU and me, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, shall not perish but have LIFE EVERLASTING! "John 3:16

The additional phrase aMazing Grace was added soon after I began, because I am saved by

HIS AMAZING GRACE!
...but for the grace of God, go I...

I am who I am

because

HE is who HE IS!

and by

HIS GRACE

I am being changed

to reflect JESUS!

I added this as my THEME SONG: Amazing Grace: My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin and now His aMazing Grace is my main focus, not the mazes, messes or miracles. It is through His Grace that I am free.

I love the original *Amazing Grace but this one by Chris Tomlin tells more of the Freedom I have found in Christ Jesus, which is available through HIS GRACE! Not because I earned it, not because I fought the battle alone to gain this freedom, but because Jesus fights the battle along side me daily, as I put on the FULL ARMOR of CHRIST, HE goes before me and HE already won the victory so that I may have it: aMazing Grace! How sweet the sound!

Isaiah 61 is the one from which I have chosen parts as my Mission verse on top of my page

"...to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor!"

You need to click on Isaiah 61 to read the full 11 verses & have a context to understand better to whom I pray that I will minister or touch with some of God's Grace as He pours through me and my words on each post. I pray that they will be anointed!

..."I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. 
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, 
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, 
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."
(verse 10-11)

* this version of Amazing Grace is beautifully sung by this 8 yr. old phenomena Rhema Marvanne