New Thing!!

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19

How exciting is it to know God is starting a new thing in all of us!! It's time to lay the past down and begin to walk into God's calling for our life, our marriages, our relationships with our children..


Will you take a few minutes and share what God is wanting to start New in you?

Here are a few examples to get you thinker going:

~Behavioral changes with in our selves. (I have some as well) Remember, change can be fun! :o)

~New ministries that are hidden with in us and are exciting the pee out of us yet we're not doing anything about them!

~Things God is asking us to do but we are afraid to take the steps necessary to begin.

~Sins we don't want to let go of but know God is asking us too so we can begin fresh and new!


Don't be shy!! Remember our scripture..I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." God is not only wanting to do a new thing in us, He promises to make a way for it!!

So, What is stopping you???


♥ you ladies!!!

Can I Be Quiet?

Can I be quiet?



Hi ladies! I pray everyone is doing well and just about ready for Christmas..

There's something that's been on my heart for a couple weeks now and I want to share it with you. You know how God will give us a Word and we receive it but don't completely understand all of? So, we chew and meditate on it and ask questions (I do this all the time) until God brings it into full clarity for us. I have come to expected that my questions may be answered through a friend as well.

While Bill and I were home for Thanksgiving my Daddy took this opportunity to minister to my husband. My Daddy loves me greatly and wants Bill to be the best husband he can be for me but also wants him to grow in his relationship with God. He began to minister to Bill about something I have been praying over for a long time now.

As my Daddy began talking to Bill on this subject, girl, I got excited. I was ready and had some great things to say.. It was at this moment the Holy Spirit nudged me to be quiet. I listened and though I had a few things to share like "Way to go Daddy" or "You got that bud?", I sat in silence.

Now those of you who know me well know that a few years ago this would have been hard for me to do. I can hear you laughing now..

As he continued he said something powerful to Bill. I knew it as soon as it came out of Daddy's mouth.. Again I was reminded to be silent. Man!!!!.........................

I thought on this for a few days and decided to ask God why he wanted me quite. This was His answer and I pray you are as blown away as I was and still am! "As Bill changes you are required to change as well." Wow.... I could see exactly what God was saying to me.. Plus I'm reminded that I still don't have it all together but I'm learning. Still didn't answer my question but I was on my way to getting there.. I have learned over the years, God always has lessons inside the lesson..

God was sowing good seeds in Bill (seeds I have been asking for) and I needed to be quiet..

This is a change for me. I can be quiet at the time but I have to be honest with you guys, I will wait for the right moment and then pounce him with how I feel (as If my Daddy or who ever is talking to him didn't do a good enough job). Does any of this resonate with you as well?

Now this is the part where my friend comes in. Sheri is a long time friend of mine whom I have been walking (literally) in ministry with off and on for a few years now. . She has prayed over my marriage and sowed so many good seeds. So I was excited to share with her what God was doing. As I was sharing this lesson she said something very real and true.. She reminded me a certain scripture:

"And two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh." Mark 10:8

She said, "God made us one flesh"..... Pow!!! I got so excited and asked her if we could park right here for a few minutes.. I didn't want to miss what God was trying to say to me! As Bill changes I am required to change.. Why?? Because we are one Flesh.. What happens to one needs to happen to the other so the overall change will be complete!

I found this correction through revelations to be inspiring and joyful!

I still don't have the answer to my question but God was now ready to tell me. As Sheri and I were parked on this scripture, God took me back to His Word and reminded me of the parable of the sower and the seeds.

"Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved." Luke 8:12

Doesn't that just make you mad?!?!

So, why did I need to be quiet? Because, not only does satan desire to steal the Word from our loved ones hearts, he also desires to use us as a vessel to steal the Word as well. If I had disobeyed God and spoke anyway I could have done just that.

I sit here sure that I have many times before!! In this situation my words were extra and could have frustrated Bill or caused him to turn from God because they would have come out as an "I told you so" kind of tone. Ah, the answer!

In case your wondering, I'm still sitting perfectly quiet about the whole conversation and letting God grow the seeds he has sown in Bill! What is my reward for being quiet? I'm so glad you guys asked! My husband is becoming the husband I have longed for for many years.

We still aren't quite there but the fruit that is coming from Bills change and my obedience is simply wonderful. I'm enjoying my husband and my marriage. Because of his reactions to me since then, I have found my self letting go of thoughts, habits and beliefs which is giving Bill more room to move freely in our marriage and be less stressed. It's like the domino effect. One falling will break down the rest one by one!

I told you I don't have it all together but thankfully I too am a work in progress!!


God, we come to you and ask that you would help us hear your voice at all times. But not just this Lord, that we would be quick to obey. Let us not fall weary in our waiting to see our prayers come to fruition. Thank you Lord that you do require actions from us! As we grow in your Word we grow in our relationships with our husbands. Thank you Father for your faithfulness to your daughters! In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

Blessings to each of you!!

♥ Cherie

Celebrating 16 years of marriage and a life time of lessons!

Bill and I are celebrating 16 years of marriage this month. These days, sixteen years is a feat! We both have learned a lot of things about our selves and each other. Here are a few of things I have learned over the years from Bill and God!


1. Marriage doesn't mean I lead the way when I think he is wrong and I am right. It means I give way to his thoughts instead of mine, weather he is wrong or right.
2. The toilet doesn't clean it self no matter how much I want it too!
3. Men will be boys at a moments notice!
4. Love can be unpredictable at times along with my emotions.
5. People say crazy things when they think no one else is listening..
6. Bill can actually become a frozen chicken. You have to see it to believe it! :o)
7. My husband didn't come with the instructions I wanted to use.
8. God has the best sense of humor!
9. Living in a trailer isn't half bad when you have the one you love with you.
10. Letting go of my ideals and letting God's will come first is so much easier..
11. My husband can be the funniest person in the world!!
12. Sheets don't have to fit the mattress to be used!
13. A small towel to dry off with is all one needs after a bath! Or so they think!
14. If I want God to change my husband, I have to be willing to change first.
15. God will give me dreams to change my course and alert me to things I can't see in the natural.
16. There is something to be said for intimacy that doesn't have anything to do with sex! Who knew!!! :o)
17. Laughing with my husband is a greater high than shopping.
18. I don't want to be the one that steals the Word from my husbands heart by trying to add my two cents worth to it.
19. Praying with my husband is the greatest and sweetest gift we can give each other!
20. Hominy grits should not go up your nose!
21. Silence truly can be golden!



Cherie

Praying Gods Word, A Challenge to you !!

I was challenged through a book I'm reading titled "Praying the Bible, The Pathway to Spirituality", to begin to read God's Word out loud as my first prayer each day. I loved the challenge because I love a good challenge and the Word would be gravy. Plus, I needed to hear from God. The challenge this book is talking about is praying Psalms out loud to God!

I took the challenge and began on my journey at one of the hardest times in my life thus far. I started praying out loud five Psalms each morning. As I prayed God's Word to Him I began to learn something about David and the Psalms that I didn't necessarily see before. But for times sake I will offer just a few.

1. David truly loved Yahweh with all of his heart.
2. Even when David made mistakes he brought them to God fully expecting God to forgive and renew him.
3. David accepted the punishment for his sins with a righteous heart because he not only loved God he trusted Him as well!!
4. These are some of the reasons the Bible calls David "a man after God's own heart"!
5. If I want to run after God as David did then I need to allow God to work in me and trust Him just as David did.
6. To bring my complaints to God first instead of my friends and family. ( I didn't realize how much I said to others and left God out of it completely when they could only listen and God could to do so much more.


Within days, I began to see God answer my prayers. His answers didn't always come the was I wanted them to or expected them to. Some times they even caught me off guard. But in every way they came I received answers. Answers that changed me, my heart and the way I thought about my prayers, God, and how He works! God touched me every day!!

A sweet factor in this for me above all that I have stated already has been this: each time I honored God with the time I set aside for us God would honor me with a blessing/blessings. They came in all sizes. One day I received an email from a very good friend of whom I haven't talked to in years because he plays for a famous Southern Gospel group and constantly travels. Another day my husband brought home one of my favorite treats that I didn't even ask for just because the thought crossed his mind (thank you Holy Spirit). In fact, I received so many more blessings that God reminded me of the the old Hymn "Count your blessings" from the scripture:

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Th. 5:16-18)..

It didn't take but a couple of weeks to realize that God was showering me with blessings.. Blessings that were designed just for me.

Reading Gods Word out loud allows us to fulfill scripture within our selves as well.

But he said, Yes rather, blessed are they that Hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28

When I read God's Word, I have always read it to myself not realizing that hearing it in my head and hearing it out loud were two different concepts. I now read as much out loud as I possible can so I can be a Hearer of the Word! I also noticed the scripture that I'm reading attaches to my heart and mind better and I don't loose myself in thought as I tend to do when I read to my self.

Now for the challenge. I have started praying Psalms 5 chapters at a time over again today. Would you like to join me and see what you learn about you and God? I would love to hear from you. Please reply and let me know how things are going in your day to day prayer time with God and Psalms?

Another tool I love is "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore. She has studied the Word and put together scriptures to pray over different areas of your life. I have found praying the scripture to be a POWERFUL tool in my prayer time and when I go to battle for myself, family, loves ones and friends!

Two Quick note:

1.God honors His Word and fulfills His promises so we need to be mindful to fulfill ours to Him. As you set time aside for God, your creating a covenant with Him and God honors our covenants by meeting us at our appointed time. So with this in mind remember, each day that you have set aside time with God, weather you show up or not God is there waiting for you.

2. This is the oldest model of prayer expanding over two thousand years. The length proves it works. As you do this, you too will experience a marked improvement in your own prayer life!

Remember, His scripture was written for us! Let's take hold of all He has for us in in His written Word!!

Many Blessings to you today,

Cherie

What my friend Rob learned while leading worship in Lake City FL. this past weekend!

My Friend Rob is a gifted and talented Worship leader back home in Pensacola Fl. We have been friends since our middle school years. He is not only a Worship leader but also a talented writer and so many other things. One area I would like to share is he just completed the design of "Sonicflood" new website. Check it out!


While in Lake City, Fl this weekend leading worship he learned 11 things. They are really good thoughts with my favorite being #6! Deep..... for me anyway.

Enjoy!! :o)


WHAT I LEARNED:
1. When money and glory are taken away, what you have left...is exactly what God wants.
2. A piano and a Baptist Hymnal are all you need to fill a nursing home with smiles.
3. If you do all the talking at a nursing home, you will miss hearing God talk through these wise men and women.
4. Worship Leaders should do more following and less leading.
5. Never underestimate what a handful of people can do, who just want to make a difference.
6. God has all the money in the world, but He doesn't need it to accomplish His will.
7. There are 2 guys out there that quit their jobs, to travel around and help worship leaders they don't even know with their musical abilities--just because God told them to.
8. You would be surprised how much of an impact you can have on someone by simply "not being a jerk" as a musician. You may even make a life-long friend.
9. Sometimes the floor is a much better option than a camp mattress.
10. The sweetest people ride Harley's, wear leather and bandannas and have tattoos.
11. Tea-cup Chihuahua's shake nervously when birds fly over. :)

Maybe these eleven things will change your world, or maybe they won't...But they sure changed mine!

Robert Weston

Seems I have learned a few things just by reading Robs list!

Have a Happy Monday! :o)

Cherie

Something to Think About!!

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her."— Max Lucado


My sisters reaction to this quote on my FB status was incredible. I believe God is moving in her heart to become the women He created her to be and so much more! She is precious in His sight and my heart!

I always find Max Lucado to be so profound! His thoughts cause me to stop and meditate on what he has said. I pray this "thought" causes you each to do the same!

I seek God on behalf of each marriage on our "Praying Wives Club" Facebook group. Please let me know if you have a prayer request that you would like me to bring before our Father during my prayer time for PWC.

May you be encouraged by the words and move of the Holy Spirit within you!

Do you dream Big Dreams like I do?

I am a huge dreamer. I always say God made me this way. But in my biggest of dreams I have never dreamed that I would receive a call from someone asking me to step into a position I never thought would come my way. It's a position for the Assemblies of God denomination.

I have always dreamed of working for God not to long since the day I came to salvation. I would ask him to put me to work for Him full time. But there was always a catch. Lord, I need to be paid. I didn't care what I did. I even told Him I would walk on the streets with a sackcloth bag for my dress and sandals witnessing to anyone who would listen. God knows what our needs are and where he is taking us. I'm convinced that if I knew ahead of time I would probably mess things up.

I got a taste of ministry at our first church in Jacksonville FL. Our pastors wife there was amazing. I loved her so much (and still do). She knew exactly how to love you and bring out the best in you. She even recognized qualities within me that I didn't know existed at the time. She mentored and nurtured me from the start. I realized pretty quickly that God had given me favor in her and that I needed to listen to her.

After about seven years of working under her, God began to move in my heart to take something I had been doing for years to the next level. He called me to start the Praying wives Club. I had been giving out the book "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian to just about every wife that I had come in contact with from the time my husband wanted a divorce to now (about 11 years). He was moving in my heart to invite women to my home to pray over our husbands using this book as a reference.

I prayed about "Who" God wanted me to invite and invited them. Once I knew who was coming I went to my favorite Christian book store and bought each of them the book and a journal to write their journeys in. It worked. Each of the ladies came and we started our club. We actually didn't have the name PWC until the second night when one of the wives said, "Hey, we should call this Praying Wives Club".

PWC started as me giving books, to holding PWC meetings in my home, to creating a private Facebook group reaching out all over the world literally, to creating a packet for other wives to start PWC groups in their area. In fact we are in the process of starting a group in Roberts Bay, South Africa! Isn't God so good!

But, I'm getting ahead of my self. My first ministry team is actually the home page of this blog! To check out how SALT got it's start click HERE!

Since the first SALT meeting, God has grown this ministry in many ways and given us much favor with pastors, Directors of areas we are called to and so many others. I have an amazing team of women who give their all to this ministry. They even followed me into the one of the hardest hit low income apartments in Jacksonville FL for four years! You can't ask for a better team than these ladies..

Please know, I made quite a few mistakes when I got started. But I've learned from them, picked my self up and received God's forgiveness for my falls. I get excited about God and had a tendency to run past Him leaving Him with my orders and how He wanted me to do the task he had before me! Thankfully I don't do this any longer but not until I had done it at least 50 times before hand.

In all that I learned in SALT and PWC, I never saw my new jorney coming. Funny thing is, when I got the call, I didn't even know what the lady on the other side of the phone was talking about. Funny, Right! Praise the Lord she thought so!

Now, I am humbled to be able to reach so many ladies on a much broader scale! I have been asked to receive the mantel of our current South Carolina District Womens Ministry Director. We currently have 97 churches in SC. that's 97 opportunities to share with women all over this state the many trials and victories that God has walked me through in my 12 years of ministry.

I was talking to God about this a couple weeks ago and he reminded me of something. Remember when I share with you that I was asking God to make a way for me to work in ministry? He told me this, "You asked me for a small group of women, I'm giving you a whole state to minister to!" Not only did he open a door for me to work for Him full time, it also comes with Pay, yes I said Pay and paid trips among other benefits. Amazing... Proof God dreams bigger for me than I can for myself!

I'm sure my story doesn't stop here. In fact, I look forward to experiencing as Paul Harvey says, "The rest of the story!"

Don't stop dreaming ladies! God will always dream bigger for you!!! :o)

Exaltfest 09'

My church hosted Exaltfest 09 last night. This is a picture of my friend Tasha and I just before our last sound check before the concert. Our Praise Team "P.A.G. Band" was asked to open for the concert. I know.. P.A.G. doesn't sound like a great name but it does grow on you. I promise! PAG stands for Praise Assembly of God. What an experience we had. I wish we had gotten a picture of the whole band but we were missing two of our guys and the rest were running around like chickens with their heads cut off!

I now understand why people love to get on stage. It's not something I can put into words but found that all of us had the same experience once we had a second to compare notes. You never know what God is going to do with you when you let Him have control.

Singing has always been something I have wanted to do. I used to write songs about Snoopy when I was 6. They were comforting to me and cute for a 6 year old. My mom still has the Reel's she and my daddy recorded me on (this is what was out before 8 tracks).


I'm not old, technology has just caught up to us really fast!! But it wasn't until I got older that I knew I wanted to sing for God. It's a desire that has burned in me since I sang my first song at age 10 for my home church in Milton FL. After this they asked me to sing ever Sunday night. I learned the Hymns fast because this is all I had. Contemporary Christian music hadn't hit the scene yet and hymns was it. I learned to hear harmony by ear at very early age by singing with my Daddy at my Granpap's church in Pensacola Fl. He was the Pastor and they loved to sing every song they could think of and I'm not kidding when I say every song. They would ask us grand kids up to the platform to sing with them. There were many of us and we made a loud noise! My cousin Little Eddie (we are such a county family. There are more, Little Doo, Little Alvin, ok I'll stop here.) could sing rings around all Elvis impersonators.. He was good, but then we were young so what did we know. :o)

I think my brother Jeff and I are the only ones who continued to sing in our Adult lives. I went to collage on a vocal scholarship and he joined the Army and continued to teach himself to play the instruments he loves so much. God opened doors for both of us to sing and play on our praise teams. Jeff was even given the honor to lead worship for quite a few different church's at Camp Liberty in Iraq recently while deployed there.

We started writing music together when we were in our teen years, country songs mostly, about loosing the one you love and of course your dog dieing.. We were a sad bunch back then.. We laugh about it now. These days, I'm happy to say we have grown in our gifts. Each time we are together we have jam sessions. We play every Hymn and Contemporary song we can think of. Jeff plays the guitar and my son Bobby plays the drums when he's with us. When we run out of songs Jeff and I start to play and sing what ever is on our hearts. No rhyme or reason to it really we just sing to our Lord and what comes out is usually quite beautiful. Our Daddy and step mom join in with harmony and we have a grand old time! Daddy's desire has always been to see us on the platform one day as the Booth Family.

Maybe we will find our selves there together sharing our testimonies and love for God as the Booths but for now, sharing the platform with P.A.G. Band is enough for me. What a humbling experience it is worshiping with them. It's a sweet joy to be able to lead the body of Christ into God's presence with an amazing team of people who truly love our Lord and want to bring Him glory through the gifts He so freely gives each of us!

Parenting is the Hardest Job there is in this whole wide word!!

One of my twins has decided that he wants to move out in less than a month to live with his girlfriend. He will be 18 on September 21. His girlfriends mother has convinced him that this is the best for him because, evidently we don't treat him right! We love his twin brother, sister and younger brother more than him. We aren't perfect parents by any means but we do love our children.

I am going through so much with him that I thought I had lost my salvation two weeks ago. I turned my back on God and said things to Him I never thought I would ever say! My hope was gone and my faith was fleeting fast! I have never felt so alone in my life. I wanted to rip the mother into half and pour her blood all over her front yard! How dare her try to take my child away.

I know your wondering how I got to this point and how it got so dark for me. I just want to finish raising my sons. I have raised them to fear God and love Him. To respect us and love us. To be in church and use their gifts for God's glory. We've raised them with goals and hope for their futures. I have been waiting for the day they would graduate and leave home with a job, ready to start collage, a good place to live with goals in hand. I was loosing my way because everything was falling apart before my eyes. SC state law says that when they turn 18 our parental rights are gone even if they are in their last year of school. I had allowed these things to throw me into a very dark pit and I needed help. I started to read Psalms and found this verse:
___________________________________________________________________

Let not the flood water overflow me,Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me. Psalm 69:15
___________________________________________________________________

I needed God to save me! I needed His forgiveness. I needed to hear his voice. David came to God with fear and trembling much like me when I realized the things I had allowed myself to say to God. But God heard his cries and I know he has heard mine. I felt just like David. I felt the flood waters rising and ready to over flow me. I have a fear of drowning. I don't usefully tell this but I do. I have even had dreams that my children and I got caught in the underwater tunnel in Norfolk Va (while we were stationed there) and started drowning because I couldn't get us out of the car! Talk about a night mare. But now, because of my words and heart I was completely alone.

I didn't realize how much God fills my day until I walked away from him! I needed His mercies!!

____________________________________________________________________

Hear me, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. And do not hide Your face from Your servant,
For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; Deliver me because of my enemies. Psalms 69:16-18
____________________________________________________________________

His Mercies made me whole once again. I do not have to fear and condemnation does not come from God. It comes from hell. The place satan desires me to be. I will not let him have my children nor will I allow him to have me! Enough is enough! I decide to rest in Gods promise; Raise up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it, and pray!

With everything I have been through in my life time I now realize that God IS Jealous for me! Jesus dieing on the cross for me should be enough but even after this He still pursues me. The battle has been waged against me but God fights satan and hell for me. For Me!! I can not comprehend the magnitude of His love for me.

Listen to this song and let God's love permeate your soul! We all need to know how much God loves us! The words of this song have changed my life! Oh How He Loves Us SO! Kim Walker, Jesus Culture

The Enemy is Defeated!!

"And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15

How many times have you fought the good fight only to feel defeated? Eve must have felt defeated that day in the Garden when the realization came that she went against God and chose to act in what the enemy (Satan) was coaxing her to do. But, in the midst of Eve's sin against God he reveals a promise to her.. That her offspring would Defeat her enemy...

My Daughter has seizures due to the Cerebral Palsy. Mark tells us that if we Believe, what so ever we ask for we will receive. Three years ago God spoke to me about seeking Him for her healing from the seizures and the Cerebral Palsy.

The same week God spoke to me about this a mother of one of Sam's school friends shared with me what God has told her to do. She said, "Go to Food Lion (our local store)and get you some olive oil. Then, tonight before she goes to bed anoint her forehead, both her hands and feet and pray over your baby for her deliverance." I didn't even question what she said. I went to Food Lion, grabbed some olive oil and have been anointing and praying over Sam almost every night for three years now. This seems to be keeping the seizures at bay. But there are times when the seizures break through and always just before her bus gets here to pick her up for school or we are about to do something as a family. Even sometimes at restaurants and other public places.

I've been going to God and asking him, why if, I'm doing what you have shown me to do, are the seizures still coming? Eighteen years is a long time to be dealing with these on a almost daily bases? Three weeks ago God told me to STAND!! I thought to my self, "huh?" Then I thought what does Stand look like? God reminded me of the Israeli's and took me to Exodus 14:13,

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

Stand firm... God is telling me to Stand firm in what he has told me. So Standing for me is resisting the enemy in each of the seizures... The last three weeks I have been doing just this!!When the seizure comes I don't receive it.. Instead, I speak God's promises over Sam!! I remind the enemy who he is... I speak out every scripture as the Holy Spirit brings them to my remembrance! I am in battle for my daughters healing and this morning was no different..

I had just gotten Sam out of the tub and I felt in my spirit for the first time that a seizure was coming before it even showed it's normal signs. I chose then to stand. I began to fight before it reared it's ugly head. Satan's design, cause me to feel defeated. But God moved in my heart and I began to tell satan that he is a liar!! God gave Eve a promise that her offspring would strike his head and Sam will be delivered! The seizure came and I continued to speak out loud as many times as it took! Within five minutes the seizure was gone. It didn't even have a chance to take a foothold this time. We have a victory and one day we will have Full Victory and God will deliver Sam and I from the plan satan has for us!!

When I came back in from putting Sam on the bus one of my 17 year old sons said, "Mom, satan is a liar and you defeated him this morning". Wow...... With God I defeated him this morning... Can I say Whoot whoot!!!!!!!

What are you going through that you feel defeated in? Tell satan that he is a liar and that your Victory is at hand.. God is so good and so able!! Jesus defeated satan on the Cross and by His stripes we are healed! Like ours, your Victory may terry but it will come! We are promised this by way of the Cross. One day soon I will be blogging the day of Sam's full healing!!

I've included a picture of our Sam. Isn't she beautiful?

Thank you Jesus for your continued faithfulness to me and my family!

When did I get this "Plank" in my eye?

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from you or take your Holy Spirit from me." Psalm 51:10-11

The hard part about being a praying wife, other than the sacrifice of time, is maintaining a pure heart. It must be clean before God in order for you to see good results. Writing down what I'm thankful for in Bill did just that… it's hard to harbor ill will toward someone when you are being reminded of the good things about them. Cleaning our hearts out of things that can betray us toward our loved ones helps our hearts to be pure.

Have you ever prayed, "Lord, change him now!”? I did just that many times before realizing I wasn't helping Bill or myself. I was coming before God with a dirty heart. How do I know? My attitude was bad and I was expecting God to perform a miracle without accepting that I wasn't any better than him. One of the things I love about reading the scriptures and learning how to effectively pray for our husbands is that we learn so much about ourselves. God began to draw a picture of what my own heart looked like on the inside and it wasn't pretty. I had a lot of cleaning to do.

This reminds of Matthew 7:13, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? “ Plank!!! I had a plank in my own eye...it was easy for me to bring to God all that Bill was doing wrong while leaving myself out of the equation. This isn't what God wants from us. We as wives need to come before God each day and confess any sin we have in our hearts. On those rare days when I feel like I made the right choices, held my tongue, and reacted in a godly way in all situations, God brings to my remembrance something I did. My point is this: we always have something to ask God to forgive us for. We are human created from dust. But God is faithful to answer our prayers as we seek him.

Can I encourage you? Correction is always good when it comes from our Heavenly Father. He wants to change our husbands, but wants our hearts right before him first. Why? Because we are the one who is coming to him. When you have time, go back and read all of Psalm 51. You will be encouraged, enlightened and comforted as you are reminded how Great our God is and how His mercy endures forever towards us!!



Heavenly Father, create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Don't cast us away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen!! :o)

"The Praying Wives Club"

"Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Galatians 6:9

God birthed in me a ministry called "Praying Wives Club". We have been alive for more than 10 years now and this is the Testimony and foundation of our ministry!!

I gave my life to God 12 years ago. At that time Bill and I had been married 4 years. We loved the same movies and music. We are both musicians and is one of the things that brought us together..

One of the changes in me was instant... Music... God said to me, "Do you know how much music I have for you?" I thought, no... The very next day on my way to word, I started searching my radio for a Christian Station.. We were stationed in Newport News VA at the time and they didn't have anything except on the AM station.. Arghhh... The AM station had a lot of feed back and static but it was better than not having any to listen to..

The next change, how I began to see movies.. I didn't realize it at the time but I was seeing things through God's eyes.. I had given my life to him, joined his team, now he was opening his world to me and his thoughts on movies is huge.. I became frustrated about the content and don't let me get started talking about how people taking God's name in vain! I don't like it, don't want it, and couldn't believe people would say God's name in that content.. The changes in me were real and and evident by the change in my choices and Bill could see this..

Side note.. Jesus teaches us that the only unforgivable sin is to Blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Curse).. I asked God one day, why the Holy Spirit and not You or your son... God's answer showed me so much.. People speak God''s name and Jesus's name in vain and curse their names all the time, on tv, movies, books, everyday conversation.. But they don't do this to the Holy Spirit.. So many people would be lost to God, maybe even you and I if he had extended it to all three.. God's Grace for us abounds.. His thinking and Love for us overwhelmed me!!

Back to our devotion! :o) A few months latter we transferred to Jacksonville FL. While setteling into our new home I get a call and it went something like this..

Bill: Hon, we need to talk
me: sure, what's up?
Bill: I'm not happy anymore
me: why? (while my heart begins to pound so loud I can't hear myself think)
Bill: you don't like the same music I like, you don't like the same movies I like anymore.. We're on two different paths and I want a DIVORCE!!
me: Silence.................

I can't explain how I was feeling at that moment but I asked him if we could talk when he got home and hung up the phone. This was the last thing I thought I would hear!! I began to panic... Then I remembered I had Jesus.. I went right to my knees and began to pray.. I called my Pastor in VA but couldn't reach him.. I then called my best Friend Kim in Va and she answered.. I explained my situation and she had an answer..She told me to go right then to a Christian book store and buy "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.. In all honesty I thought she was crazy.. A book can't help me.. I need prayer... She laughed and said, Cherie... This is Prayer!!!

I bought the book and began my journey. I learned that scripture is also prayers.. Prayers for me, my marriage, my children, all of my situations..And I put them into practice right away.. As you have been reading these devotions, you have already seen that we are a work in progress. Though we have come a long way, we still have work to do!! I love my Husband with all of my heart and so thankful to God that He loves my marriage even more than I do.. It was a long, long, long year of hurts and pains but in this great deep valley God took the opportunity to change me in the midst of it!! He showed me to hold on to his word and our scripture today was instrumental in keeping me where God wanted me during this trial. He is so faithful to us.. to me and my love for my husband.

I know this one is long and I appreciate you giving me the time to share with you why this ministry means so much to me.. Since that year, I have given away many of these books, prayed with countless women over their marriages and interceded for them.. God is a good and faithful God but he is also our God of Restoration. If you need restoration in your marriage, you have come to the right place... Prayer Changes Everything!!

One last thought... Praying about ALL aspects of a marriage keep the concept of divorce from gaining any hold. We mustn't neglect what seem to be minor issues, even if we don't think they are important.



Lord I come to you know and reject and rebuke any thought of Divorce over the wives reading this. Work in their hearts to stand resolved to see their marriage all you created them to be!! Only you Lord can take the word Divorce out of the hearts of these wives and husbands.. Bless them Lord and keep them in your wings just as you did me...Help them to not grow weary as they are doing good for their marriages that they may reap their due rewards.. I pray a hedge of protection around them for each day.. Help them to hold every negative word captive! Only your Word stands True and brings Truth into our hearts!! Thank you Lord for your Faithfulness to us and that every marriage is precious in Your site! In Jesus Name I pray.. Amen!!


God's blessing to each of you and your walk with HIM!!

Cherie Zack: King Saul or King David?

Cherie Zack: King Saul or King David?

Are you overwhelmed by prayer request?

Hi ladies!! Today is a little different for me. I woke up with my spirit excited and ready to jump. This happens often to me but today was a little different.. God is talking to me about our prayer time and how important it is!!

We have so much going on and life can seem a little crazy as each day comes and goes. We are asked to pray for this person and that person.. Prayer Warriors always get many request a day.. Sometimes I forget to pray because of the things I have going on in my day!!

Add all the prayer request from others on top of the request I to want to bring to God and I can get overwhelmed... I tell my friends and strangers that I will pray for them and think to myself I will when I pray latter. In my case, sometimes "latter" doesn't come. I don't mean to forget but sometimes I do.. And sometimes I find myself telling God, Lord, If I have forgotten anyone I know you know who they are.... Oh my!! What a terrible way for me to pray.

A thought I'm sure you have all heard before... when someone asks you to pray for them, why not stop what your doing and pray at that moment. I have been doing this since the the Holy Spirit encouraged me to a few years ago.

If your feeling overwhelmed by all the request that come your way and can't seem to find the time to pray or forget to pray, this could be a great solution for you as well. Praying at that moment will allow your private time in prayer to be much easier.. Our Husbands and children need our covering each day!! I don't want you to miss what God has for you in your prayer time because of "to many things to pray for"..

One last thought... Where ever your "prayer closet" is and time you have set aside, make sure you show up.... God is already there waiting for you!!

All my love and prayers... yes prayers.. Lol..

King Saul or King David?

My children and I took a trip down to Jacksonville Fl to see our friends Kim and Paul. On Saturday night Paul asked if I had seen the movie "David". I have always loved this part of scripture. Davids story gets my heart each time I read it. And I have read it many times and love the rich history of the Old Testament!! I had not seen the movie and was curious if they stayed true to the scripture.

The movie opens with Saul being anointed as King by Samuel. It then goes back to David as a child and then forward through the rest of his life. I can't remember the name of the actor who played David but Lenard Nemoy played the part of Samuel. He did an awesome job bringing this great prophet to life. The movie did indeed stay true to scripture and was done in excellence.

As the life of David unfolds I came to realize something I haven't seen each time I've read this scripture. There is a great difference between Saul and David and God's judgments on them both. Samuel told King Saul that all he had to do was do what God asked of him and God would establish his Kingdom for ever. Saul agreed with great excitement and began his reign has the first King of Israel. Unfortunately, Saul was a very scared and impatient King. He didn't trust that God would hold up his end of the deal. When asked to wait on God Saul would panic at the 12th hour and do what he thought was best. After going down this road with him to many times, Samuel finally lost it! Samuel had to tell Saul that God was not pleased with him. He would lose his Kingdom and David would be crowned King. Saul wasn't prepared for God's Judgment!!

David however chose differently. He loved God and did as God asked him to do. He was anointed King over Israel as a young boy (while Saul was still King) but never told anyone of this until much latter. David fell but not because he was impatient or didn't trust God, he fell because his eyes betrayed him. He looked upon a beautiful woman who was already married and devised a plan to have her. He had her husband killed in battle to hide their unborn child together. David messed up. Because of this he would loose this child and evil would come into his family. David too was facing God's judgment.

Sin was committed by both Kings. Saul rejected God and his ways. David allowed lust to control his mind and flesh. Saul didn't trust God to do what he said he would do. David trusted God and loved Him with all his heart. Saul didn't know God.. David knew Him intimately! Saul went to Samuel to hear from God, David went right to God.

Which one are we? Saul or David? Do we seek God through other people? I want to be like David. The bible says he was a man after God's own heart. He loved God and repented when we realized his sin. He didn't run from God, he ran to Him!! Read below.

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden.I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah Psalm 32:3-7

One more thing... Even though David sinned against God and His laws by having the affair with Bathsheba, God gave them another son. Solomon! Solomon would become King and God's choice to build His Temple. What satan means for evil, God uses for His glory. This is true in our own lives if we will give God the opportunity to show us how much he truly loves us and be honest with him about our sins. He is a faithful God. David teaches us this through his life.

To read more about the lives of Israel's first three Kings go to 1 and 2nd Kings along with Chronicles and Psalms and judge your own relationship with God according to His Word. Is your heart towards God like King Saul's or King Davids?

Pressing towards the prize!!

"One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13–14

We are three days from our Women's retreat "Breaking Free 09" here at Praise AG and I have been asked to speak. As excited as I am, the last two weeks have been rough. Attacks coming from everywhere. Hard stuff, vying for my peace and attention. Stealing my hope for my families future and promises given to me by our Heavenly Father. The enemies purpose, to cripple me.

Apostle Paul is teaching us to forget the past and reach forward to our future. I have to say that I have found it hard at times to press through. Praise the lord for the Godly women God has given me. Women I can trust to share my heart with who will walk with me and always point me right back to Him.

The enemy has designed a pit for us by condemning us of our past and reminding us of where we have failed, but God (don't you just love those two words!!) is our deliverer. Can I encourage you all.. If you have been going through some trials as well, will you press forward with me to the Prize? Our past is just that, the past!! Once forgiven, the enemy can't use it against us nor hold it over our heads unless we let him. We need to stand strong, leave our past behind and look forward, better yet, reach forward to our prize!!

Ladies, It's time to Break Free!! Wooo whooooo!!!

Welcome to my page!

.Hi , my name is Cherie Zack. I am a wife and mother, but most importantly, I am the daughter of the Most High King. I didn't always know this. Because of the things in my childhood I thought I was ugly and a waist of everyone's time. I didn't think I could accomplish anything and was bad at all things. But God felt differently. He saw me as his child. His daughter! The beautiful girl he created from his heart, for his purpose and his blessings. I just needed to see this for myself. But at the age of 31 I was still struggling in my pain, un-forgiveness and bitterness towards God, my family and the world.

A missionary from Kenya, Africa came to our church the summer of 99. He told us about the miracles God had been doing in his church and for his community. He took us to Matthew and talked about salt and the importance of it. He shared that if we were to loose our saltiness we would be "no good" for God or anyone else. He was born in Africa and even though his terms were different from ours I knew just what he was saying. I saw myself as "no good" for God. However, the word "Salt" stayed in my spirit. I began to feel anticipation in my heart. I knew God was doing something just not sure what. Then it came.

A friend had encouraged me to buy the work book "Experiencing God". A few weeks latter God brought healing into my heart. My healing was so real that I began to share with my friends what God had done in me. After a few years had past I began to see why God kept the word Salt before my heart for so long. He was calling me to share my testimony with others for his purpose. God began speaking to me about starting a ministry for women. He said to name it "salt". In August of 2005 SALT Ministry was born. :o)