Debb Houston's Blog

Praising God While In The Storm – Part I

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:40:35 +0000

Have you ever found yourself in the long standing, won’t go away, lingering forever storm? I’m talking about the kind of storm where the rain begins as a little pitter patter in your world and all of a sudden, before you even have time to brace yourself and raise your umbrella, the torrential rains come down while the wind picks up speed, the lightning flashes and the thunder roars so loud that it causes the earth beneath you to shake. And this storm doesn’t quickly pass over, but instead, the sky gets darker and gloomier as the winds begin to swirl around you. Of course, it’s not actual rain or wind, but a place where we find ourselves dealing with a trial unlike any other that we’ve experienced or a temptation where we’re urged to give in rather than fight the good fight of faith.

As a child I used to be afraid of storms. I would huddle down, close my eyes and plug up my ears, hoping that it would pass over as soon as possible. When in the company of my grandmother, and if a storm just so happened to be brewing, upon it’s appearance, she would turn off every light, pull down all of the window shades and have us congregated in one room, daring us to make a sound. She would tell us that we had to hush up because ‘God was at work.’ When in the company of my mother, when the lightning would flash, she would tell me that it was God’s way of taking photographs of His children. Neither of these words eased my fear, but today, I have learned to praise God even while in the midst of the storm. My grandmother was right, for even in the midst of a storm, God is working. He is molding and shaping me for His gloyr. It’s the power of the storm that exhibits God’s power and His protection. It’s while in the midst of the storm that I must surrender what I know, what I think and how I would choose to handle a situation and surrender all to Him, realizing that He was with me before I encountered the storm, as a matter of fact, He sent a tailor made storm, just for me and all the while, He was preparing me for what was to come. He is with me while in the midst of the storm, holding my hand and even picking me up when I don’t have the strength to stand, and then I’m assured that He will continue to be with me after the storm passes. He knows when to start the storm and when to stop it and when that storm has served its’ purpose and accomplished what He called for it to do, He stands with me and says, “Peace Be Still.” And so now, when I find myself going through what could be categorized as a stormy situation, a category five tumultuous tornado of trials or even a hurricane of hellishness, I need not be afraid, for He always knows what’s best and He will bring me through.

One Day At A Time

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:09:27 +0000

Haven’t there been moments when you felt as if there weren’t enough hours in a day? Your schedule is full of deadlines to meet, places to go and things to be done, and as the minutes tick away, it seems as if your ’To Do List’ gets longer instead of shorter. This was one of those days, actually, it’s been that way for quite a while and as I looked at my ’To Do List” this morning, and went about tackling each task, I found my mind wandering about the days and weeks ahead and the things that I had yet to accomplish. I tried to stay on track, but then I’d think of something else that needed to be done, that I forgot to place on my list and then I’d pull myself back to the task at hand before moving forward. And as time ticked away, I began to think of tomorrow’s list of responsibilities while cradling the phone, holding a conversation and typing on the computer. It was after asking the person with whom I was talking to repeat their last statement and concluding the phone call, that I sat back and shut it down. I remembered a part of my prayer every morning, where I ask God, “Please give me the things that I need in order to accomplish what You want me to accompliish today.”

Today, I had to take the time to sit back and focus on the moment. Not tomorrow, not next week or even next month, but where God has me right now. I had to focus on what He had placed before me at that moment and complete that task, realizing that He has and will continue to give me what I need in order to do what He wants me to do - today. That’s all that He has promised. Instead of allowing my mind to wander to days that I may not even see or moments that I may not even experience, I had to be willing to allow Him to work through me for that moment, and as each minute is given I will do what’s expected of me at that time. Of course, we should always do our best to be prepared for our tomorrows, but not to the point that we’re unable to handle what He’s placed in front of us realizing that our tomorrows, just as everything else, are already in His hands.

Our tomorrows are not promised to us, but God gives us what we need for the right now moments and if we focus on Him and and we use what He’s given and what He’s instilled, we need not worry about the other things, God will allow us to handle those things in His time.

Today and everyday - Do All That You Can With God…Then Allow Him To Do The Rest!!!

“Whatever, Whenver, Wherever ~ FATHER KNOWS BEST!!!”

Are You Hungry???

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 03:11:53 +0000

For those who know me or have spent some considerable time around me, they know that I love food. I thank God for it. You have to understand what I’m really saying, it does my heart and my spirit good to sit down and enjoy a great meal. And I’m not talkin’ about a seven course meal, nah, I find great joy in sitting down to a great slice of pizza.

Not very long ago, while visitng Manhattan, NY for some shopping and to see the New Years Eve ball drop, I was blessed to taste the best pizza I’ve ever had. It was from a little place called Amadeus. Hear me when I say, that this pizza was so good that I had to go back again. It wasn’t piled high wtih a bunch of toppings, it was just a plain slice of cheese pizza, but it’s definitely at the top of the list. This place is so good that after ordering and having a seat, it was obvious that a lot of native New Yorkers feel the same way because of the constant stream of folk and the line that went as far as the doorway. Today, I had a craving for that pizza and if I lived close enough, I would’ve hopped right over there for the best cheese pizza I’ve ever had. True, there are plenty of pizza places here in the Roc, but to be quite honest, I have yet to find anything close to the pizza I had in Manhattan,so it would be like settling for second best.

Our hunger for the Word of God should be the same way. We should crave constant communication with our Father, where we’re not just talking to Him, but He’s talking to us. When we wake up in the morning, our daily routine should begin with words of thanks and praise to Him for the blessing of seeing a new day, another chance to serve others and a new opportunity to glorify Him. We should go out of our way to make sure that what we’re doing is pleasing and acceptable to Him and guess what, in our going to Him and in our allowing Him to speak to us through His Word, we don’t even have to stand in line or wait our turn to be heard or to hear what He has to say. He doesn’t make us take a number before prayers are sent up, requests are made or our thanks are expressed. If we would crave our time with God and if we see the importance of spending time with Him, then our lives would be so much easier and our journey would be so much more pleasing to our Father who always knows what’s best. We will never go away empty handed, but we will receive the blessing of conversing with the Creator, learning more of ourselves and learning more of Him.. Today, spend time with the very best, your Father, and you’ll be sure to walk away with a blessing.

“Whatever, Whenever and Wherever…FATHER KNOWS BEST!!!” - Debb Houston

Winter Blues & Snowflake Blessings

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:50:23 +0000

It snowed during the night. Of course, that’s not unusual in the Roc (short for Rochester, NY). As a matter of fact, we usually receive a snowflake or two every day starting in November and lasting until May. Yes, May!!! It has actually snowed on Mother’s Day. However, this year, God has blessed us with a relatively mild winter and I can’t thank Him enough. Wintertime isn’t my favorite season. I prefer the summer sun, as opposed to the wintery blasts of cold that generate through our city and when the snow falls, a groan of dread escapes my lips for having to venture out into it. You have to understand that an inch or two of snow, even three or four inches of snow rarely deters the occupants of the Roc. Our city doesn’t shut down, it’s business as usual and normal everyday tasks and responsibilities are still kept. It takes a blizzard to shut anything down here. This morning, as I looked out of the window at the freshly fallen snow, while standing inside the warmth of my home, I wasn’t smiling when I put my winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf on. I was thinking of the inconvenience of having to warm up my car as I may possibly slip and slide my way to work this morning.
However, upon my journey to work, I received a pleasant blessing. There were still a few snowflakes falling and I just so happened to glance at the trees in our neighborhood. They were beyond beautiful. Each bare branch was covered with snow, giving it the appearance of a true winter wonderland. Before heading out of our subdivision, I stopped my car, looked at the trees again and noticed the snowflakes that were falling. I was in amazed at the awesomeness of God to allow a snowflake, each one unique from all of the others, to fall and clothe the trees. To imagine that during the night, at least a billion, if not more, snowflakes were designed to fall and land at a specific place and at a specific time to remind me of God’s power. Call it selfish, but I believed, while sitting there in my car, that God sent those snowflakes just for me and He allowed me to look at those snow covered trees so that I could see them standing there, not complaining or pouting but standing and adorned with the uniqueness of God’s snowflakes. There’s not an artist that could’ve painted a more glorious picture than what I witnessed this morning and I am beyond blessed to have seen it.
To realize that God designed each snowflake and gave it a path for which to travel should give us comfort that if He could put so much time and detail in those things, then His love for us and the plan that He has for us is greater than anything we could ever imagine. He has and continues to lead us, to guide us, to direct us and to protect us and when we surrender our all to Him, if we stop focusing on those things over which we have no control, refuse to complain about the everyday blessings that He gives and choose to delight in Him and serve one another, then our winter blues will always become snowflake blessings.

Whatever, Whenever Wherever…Father Knows Best!!!

Remembering The Gift

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:47:10 +0000

This past week the world’s conversation has been centered around the tragic passing of, who I considered to be, one of the most gifted voices, Whitney Houston.

News reporters, media outlets, public opinions and worldwide speculations have sought for and offered theories on her gone-too-soon passing. Her voice has flowed through the airwaves and radio waves across the country while long ago interviews and videos remind us of her God given gift.

It would be easy for us to offer should’ve’s and would’ve’s, and perhaps even could’ve’s, however, I choose to remember her gift and her willingness to use her gift to the best of her ability. As with all of us, she made mistakes, but her gift was and is undeniable. What we can learn from her is our commitment to acknowledge what has been given by God and to know that He will supply what is needed in order to accomplish His Will for us and through us, regardless of what life brings, the encounters we experience or the circumstances that await us. For even in the darkest of moments while walking through the valleys of life, or even during our mountain top halelujah moments, we have the assurance that He truly knows what’s best for our lives and that, as Whitney Houston sang to remind us through the childhood hymn that resonates in the hearts of many adults, ‘Jesus Loves Me’

“Whatever, Whenever, Wherever. – FATHER Knows Best”

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:55:57 +0000

Hey, FKB Family,

If your week has been anything like mine, it’s been pretty busy. Though I must admit that busy is best for me - keeps me out of trouble (lol).

I’m a hopeless romantic and next Tuesday many will celebrate and express their love for others because it will be Valentine’s Day. Flowers, particularly roses, will be purchased, heart shaped chocolate candy boxes will be given and even students will swap Valentine’s Day cards. It’s the day when we’re reminded to tell, share and show that we love one another.

Yet, when I think of this holiday, if that’s what it truly is, I’m reminded that a love, unlike any other was expressed and shared as my Savior gave the ultimate sacrifice by shedding His blood for me. When I think of what He went through, the pain He endured, the beating, the crown of thorns, the nails, and that He went through this before I was even thought of and conceived, my heartstrings are pulled and I am at awe at the love that He has for me. To think that He loved me then, He loves me now and He will always love me, causes me to pause and to remember how blessed I am.

On Tuesday, this Valentine’s Day, let’s take the time to remember the unconditional love that our Savior has for us. Let’s think of His grace and mercy that has been shown to us over and over again. As we go throughout this upcoming Valentine’s Day, may we be reminded of the ‘wondrous love I see, freely shown for you and me, by the One who did atone. Just to show His matchless grace, Jesus suffered for the race, in Gethsemane alone…OH WHAT LOVE!!!

Talk to you next week,

Debb

Whatever, Whenever, Wharever…FATHER KNOWS BEST!!!

Father Knows Best ~ Mr. Jace’s Lesson

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:16:03 +0000

Hey, Father Knows Best Family, it’s been a while, and it’s my goal, from this day forward, to communicate on a consistent weekly basis.

A special thank you to my Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; Morristown, NJ; Hernando, MS; Santee Retreat and San Diego, CA Families for your continued support, encouragement and prayers. The fellowship with you the latter part of 2012 was beyond uplifting and I am so thankful for your love for our Father and your commitment in striving to please and glorify Him.

Mr. Jace’s Lesson
My youngest nephew, affectionately known as ‘Mr. Jace’ just celebrated his first birthday earlier this month. I cherish each of my nieces and nephews, but whenever I see this little boy, I’m amazed by his carefree, fearless spirit. His curiosity pushes him to tackle life in a lionhearted way that causes me to shudder at the thought of him getting hurt. For instance, Mr. Jace will take off running down a hallway or reach out to grab anything without wondering if his path or the thing for which he seeks to grab will bring harm to him. When his father picks him up and holds him high above his head, though he’s suspended a few feet above the ground, instead of being afraid, he laughs and squeals with delight.
Mr. Jace teaches us a very powerful lesson. If we could trust God, our Father, without fear or hesitation, imagine the hurdles that we could jump and the mountains we could climb and even move out of our path. Our Father, asks that we trust Him, wholeheartedly and in every area of our lives. He asks that we trust that He knows what’s best and if we would allow Him to guide us, to lead us and to direct us, He will do His part and He will keep His promises. Our Father wants us to trust Him with the curiosity and lionheartedness of a child. It’s a trust in Him that anticipates the blessings that He has in store for us, looking forward to what He’s going to do next in our lives and pushing us to tackle life with a fierceness because wherever He places us, be it a valley, a dark road, a dirt road or yes, even suspended high above the ground, we should be able to squeal with joy and praise Him knowing that wherever we are, He’s holding us in the very palm of His hand.

Whatever, Whenever, Wherever…Father Knows Best

Debb Houston

Newark Book Signing – September 2011

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:06:56 +0000

Hey, FKB Family,

I know I’m doing a little back tracking, but I’m trying to catch up with my thanks and appreciation for all of your prayers, encouragement and support, so you may see quite a few entries within the next few days.

Here’s a shout out to a wonderful friend, professional advisor, dynamic speaker, encourager of women, and my sister in Christ, Mikki Taylor. Thank you so much for the recent book signing at the Newark Church of Christ. It is always such a blessing to be in your presence and I am thankful to our Father for you!!! You’re not just phenomenal, you’re beyond it.

Wherever, whenever & whatever…Father Knows Best!!!

Debb Houston

S2S Shout Out!!!

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:55:08 +0000

Here’s a shout out to Sis. Brenda Gilbert and the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ Women’s Book Club - Sister 2 Sister (S2S) for using “Father Knows Best” as their featured book of discussion. Thank you so much!!! If there are any topics of discussion or questions, please forward them to me at your earliest convenience.

My prayer is that “Father Knows Best” will remind you of the awesome power of God, His love for His children and His promise to always take care of those who are His.

Much Love, FKB Fam.

Debb Houston

The Majesty of the Father

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:04:38 +0000

Hey everyone,
Today while flying to Seattle, WA, I did my usual – continuously thanked God for the safe miles traveled thus far and asked for His continued blessings for my arrival. While I contined to journey to my destination, encased in an aircraft that was suspended between the ground below and the heavens above, my mind began to think of my to do lists, soon to come scheduled events and plans for the yet-to-be next week, when suddenly I saw one of the most beautiful sights imaginable. As the plane began its’ descent into Seattle, my eyes saw the Majesty of the Father in snowcapped mountains, that broke through clouds and appeared close enough for me to reach out and touch. What a blessing to see His handiwork, His glory and His power, that could never truly be captured on any postcard or canvas.
It was in that moment that I thanked Him for the opportunity to behold His magnificence and majesty, for I know that only He could have orchestrated its beauty and only He, my Father, Who Knows Best, could allow me to witness His creation.
HOW GREAT THOU ART!!!