Market Analysis

Have you ever House shopped? “It will be fun” they say! Fun? It’s crazy!

Buyers Market, Sellers Market. All I know is that if no one is buying, then you’re not selling!

Home warranties, inspections, earnest money, down payment, closing costs, market analysis, etc. - it’s exhausting!

Market Analysis: “Studies the attractiveness and dynamics of a special market within a special industry.” Wikipedia

“A phase of research conducted to determine factors, conditions and characteristics of a market.” Dictionary

I’m so thankful my life doesn’t depend on all these things!

I’m reminded of an old hymn.
“Jesus Paid It All” by Elvina Hall.

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe; ...

For nothing good have I ...

My ransomed soul shall rise,
Jesus died my soul to save, ...”

Ransom: The sum or price paid or demanded.

In the housing market, a house price can go up or down, houses can go into a bidding war if multiple people want the same place.

Jesus paid the ultimate, highest price for us! For my sin and yours!

Mark 10:45 (NLT) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Timothy 2:6a (TPT) “He gave himself as ransom-payment for everyone.”

Wherever you find yourself in this market—

New - not sure if your worth the purchase
Price Drop - devalued, uncertain
Price Increase - He will pay the highest price!
Pending - undecided, unresolved
Sold - bought by the blood of Jesus!

I pray that you will see that you are loved where you are at.

Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭(TPT) ‬‬“But Christ proved God’s passionate love for us by dying in our place while we were still lost and ungodly!”

New Norm ... Who’s Norm?

It’s so crazy how fast and how slow five years feels. 

It’s been said that cancer “cannot cripple love.” I was diagnosed seven months after our 20th anniversary. Ron has been rock solid! He loves me, encourages me and tells me I am beautiful! I have so many scars, my weight has gone up and down, I’ve been tired and had sleepless nights. He even buzzed my hair when I started to lose it after I started chemo, I am so thankful for him! He told me the other day, he’s glad I am still here! #Blessed

Cancer “cannot shatter hope.” “Hope is the anchor for the soul” Hebrews 6:19 

I believe you just have to have hope in the faith. They really go hand in hand. 

Cancer “cannot corrode faith.” My faith was the strongest it had ever been during this darkest hour. God gave me strength, and determination and grit! Don’t get me wrong, there were days that I cried, slept all day, and just didn’t want to do this anymore, but I knew I was going to get through it and that God would use my story. I knew that God was with me!

Cancer “cannot eat away peace.” The day of my bilateral mastectomy I had such peace. “God’s wonderful peace transcends human understanding” Philippians 4:7 I woke up that morning and did not have a worry about the surgery, the healing process or anything else. It was such a blessing to know that people around the globe were praying for me!

Cancer “cannot destroy confidence.” Not sure about this one ... You have to dig deep when you are a woman and completely bald. I gained confidence in some areas and struggled in others. I would say “rock what you got!”

Cancer “cannot kill friendship.” Oh man...am I thankful for Edie and Michelle! I have known Edie for over 30 years. She came and spent a week with me after surgery, called to check on me, sent cards, etc. I have known Michelle for over 20 years and she is my nurse friend (everyone needs one). She came to all my appointments (along with Ron), explained things, let me ask questions, was my advocate and sat with me during chemo. I am blessed by these two and many more that were in my corner during this journey.

Cancer “cannot shut out memories.” Hmmmm I have memories, some clearer than others. After chemo & chemo brain I couldn’t remember why I went downstairs or names of things or people, but I can remember each cancer date like its a loved ones birthday.

Cancer “cannot silence courage.” I was silent for about a year. I didn’t want to talk about it. I wanted my life back. I wanted to be “normal”. Fact is I am not the same. Cancer isn’t who I am, It’s what I went through. It doesn’t define me, but it has changed me.

Cancer “cannot reduce eternal life.” Thank you Jesus! He is the one that holds the key to my life everlasting! 

Cancer “cannot quench the Spirit.” Ha Thankful for this! Sometimes people are shocked that I can laugh at some of the things that happened or that I went through. That’s who I am ... Always have ... and always will be!

One of my favorite verses in this season and now is Isaiah 43:2MSG

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God...”

I am thankful for the people that I have met, and the things I have learned. I have seen the faithfulness of God, I am blessed by my family and friends. I am grateful that I am alive!

Joy ~ Unspeakable

Joy: “The emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation” 

~Webster

When diagnosed with breast cancer we made a conscious effort and bold declaration to laugh at hard things. We didn’t do this as a mockery or to be offensive, but to decide to find humor and joy even during our trial. 

It’s an Unspeakable joy. One others don’t understand. 

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

1 Peter 1:8 KJV

To me this is part of faith. We have faith and believe that God exists even though we can’t see him in the flesh. With this in mind we choose to rejoice in and through our hardships believing that God is in control! 

This is not always easy...life is hard and trials seem to come and go like the waves in the ocean. There are days when I literally sat out loud “God if you love me ...” or “God do you hear me? Or even care?” I have to remember what the Bible says and some of my favorite verses. 

“I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Isaiah 41:10 MSG

“I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.””

Matthew 28:20 MSG

When you choose joy in spite of what your going through it makes life bearable. Being negative, sad or wallowing in your trial takes more time and energy. When you choose joy, people want to know why. This is a perfect opportunity to point them to Christ! 

My prayer for 2018 is that we continue to find joy in all things! My prayer for you is that no matter what you are going through that you would be able to find joy. Joy comes from remembering what you have been brought through, and understanding what can come out of what your going through. God is able to get you through your biggest trial and give you joy for the journey. 

DIY ~ RIFY (DO It Yourself ~ Read It For Yourself)

DIY ~ RIFY

(DO It Yourself ~ Read It For Yourself)

There are so many shows that are DIY "Do It Yourself", but really God calls us to do life together. 

“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.” 

Ecclesiastes 4:12 MSG

With thirty people a whole backyard is crashed and transformed in just two days!

"Do you have the guts to take on a Fixer Upper?"

“God does both the making and saving." 

Ephesians 2:10a MSG

"You don't have to be rich to live in paradise!"

“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

Psalms 37:11 ESV

"Stone House Revival"

“And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.”

Matthew 16:18 MSG

"Flip Or Flop"

“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

ISAIAH 43:19 AMP

"My Lottery Dream Home"

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:2 KJV

"Do You Want To Run In The Rat Race? Or Chase Your Dreams?"

“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got..”

1 Corinthians 9:24-26 MSG

"Rehab Addict"

"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”

Philippians 1:6 MSG

My prayer for you is that as you navigate this life, with all the ebbs and flows that you would remember the promises of God! May you find encouragement knowing how much He loves you and that His plans for you are for good!

"Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love."

Ephesians 1:4 MSG

Survival Is Not For The Weak

Survivor: A person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardships or setbacks.

"Continues to function" this pretty much sums it all up! This July will be four years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I have been through surgeries, chemo and countless doctors appointments. 

Surviving comes with a lot of mixed emotions that no one prepares you for. 

I am beyond grateful that God has allowed me another day. I have met so many people that have walked this road and are in varying stages of diagnosis, decisions, fighting or surviving cancer (or other diseases). I also have had survivors guilt. Although grateful that I am cancer free I have seen others continue to battle on as their cancer has metastasized. Some are single moms, some still have young kids at home or both. Some are young children with parents having to make choices no parent should have to make for the health, and life of their child. Others have regular scans and daily chemo regimens they are have to partake in. 

I have held my head high, and stayed confident in my God. I have had some great triumphs, been tired beyond belief and had some set backs. One of the things that I have to do to survive is take a monthly chemo shot that reduces the amount of estrogen my body produces to lower the chances of reoccurrence of cancer in my body. It has caused many sleepless nights, neuropathy in my hands and a few other side effects to boot.   

In just a few weeks I will have a (TAH-BSO) total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. This surgery will reduce the amount of estrogen that my body produces and then I will not have to take the monthly chemo shot. 

I have really tried to keep forward momentum, make better health choices, loose weight, and embrace my hair cowlicks with a fun hair style! I've learned to rest and take care of myself. I also get frustrated that I don't have the energy to do more and plan naps along with having fun.

In my moments of not being able to sleep I get lost in thought and realize that God knew all of these things and has big plans for my life!

“The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life!”

Job 33:4

"You gave me life itself, and incredible love. You watched and guarded every breath I took.” Job 10:8-12 

My prayer for you is that if you are healthy, sick, injured, lonely, sad, surviving, fighting or just hanging on that you would see what God has for you in the season you are in. How you navigate what you are going through can put your faith into action. God is with you every step of the way. 

“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10

Encouragement

The dictionary defines the word encourage as follows: 

"to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence" 

When I think of the word encourage I think about physically, mentally and spiritually coming alongside someone on their journey.  This is not a job that requires a resume, a degree or a ton of life experience, what it does require is empathy. Sometimes we do have life experiences that validate our words, sometimes we have no words, but we need to validate their feelings. 

"BE KIND. For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about."

We usually feel compelled to say something or offer help when a friend is in need. Sometimes people say the dumbest things. They mean well, but just don't know what to say.  

I am so thankful for a whole book that says all the right things!

"Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10 MSG

“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NLT

“I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 MSG

“Your GOD is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 MSG

“but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32b NKJV

“And with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53:5b AMP

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls." Hebrews 6:19a NLT

“Still, I know that God lives—the One who gives me back my life— 

Job 19:26a MSG

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God"

Isaiah 43:2-3 MSG

Here are some other quotes that I found captivating:

"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared to death" Omar Bradley

"Courage is the mastery of fear not the absence of fear" Mark Twain

"Be fabulous - God spared no enthusiasm when He created you!" Author Unknown

"I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb." Mandela 

"In family life, love is the oil that eases the friction, the cement that binds closer together and the music that brings harmony" Eva Burrows

My prayer is as you read and re-read these verses they will attach to your spirit and when trouble comes your way, or you have a friend in need you will remember what God says! We don't have to have the right words, God does! Listen to his voice. Whatever you are facing - God IS: Our healer, our provider, our strength, our banner (feeling of hope; a focus point), our peace, our shepherd, our righteousness, and our friend. 

And if not, God is still good!

“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered the king. They said, “Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you. You can throw us into the blazing furnace. The God we serve is able to save us from the furnace and your power. If he does this, it is good. But even if God does not save us, we want you, our king, to know this: We will not serve your gods. We will not worship the gold statue you have set up.”" Daniel 3:16-18

What amazing resolve these young men had when faced with such adversity. They believed in God and knew that he is true to his word. They knew that God was to be worshipped and not the golden image set before them by the king. 

They trusted God and did not waiver. Everyone around them buckled under pressure, they did not! They remained standing, strong, together. They weren't concerned about the consequences of an earthly King, they were servants of the Most High God.

I had this similar state of resolve as I walked through my cancer journey. I totally trusted God. I knew He could heal me (He did), but even if he didn't I knew that He is still good! There are other areas in life I don't seem to have this same sense of a resolve in. I get sidetracked by the problem. I bow to the pressure. 

We have to remember who we serve and what he is capable of. Trials will come, health and marriages fail, finances come and go, BUT the God whom I serve is with us every step!

“Do not be afraid — I will save you. I have called you by name — you are mine. When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you.” Isaiah 43:1b-3a

My prayer for you is that as you face your "Nebuchadnezzar" you would stand strong, with great resolve knowing that God is with you, He is for you, and He loves you! We can get caught up, distracted, and bow to the pressures of this life, don't get discouraged, stand back up! 

“See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children" 1 John 3:1a