"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

"Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright." Psalm 33:1

June 11, 2012

May 1, 2012

March 15, 2012

When I was growing up, we sang a song in Sunday School that simply stated ... TURN IT OVER TO JESUS!  TURN IT OVER TO JESUS!  TURN IT OVER TO JESUS AND YOU'LL SMILE THE REST OF THE DAY!!  And when I was a child singing that song, it seemed like that should be an easy thing to do.  But it's not!!

The Bible tells us to cast all our cares on Jesus because He cares for us.  We understand the meaning!  We quote the verse!  When we read it on the pages of God's Word, it makes spiritual sense to us!  But our flesh does not always want to cooperate with this 'letting go' concept!  I do not know why our flesh wants to hold on to something that is causing us pain and anxiety.  Why doesn't our flesh just let go of whatever it is that is hurting us?  It's because that action would require absolute TRUST IN GOD and that never comes easily to our flesh, even when it would allow our flesh to experience being pain-free!

I encourage you to TRUST IN THE LORD today!!  Whatever is not working in your life ... TURN IT OVER TO JESUS!  I mean really let go of it!!  And the smile on your face will be the outward indicator of your inner faith that there is no need to worry now!  It's in God's hands!  And He can and will handle it!!!  TURN IT OVER TO JESUS AND YOU'LL SMILE THE REST OF THE DAY!!

Becky

February 17, 2012

This is the day that the Lord has made!! I will rejoice and be glad in it!!  I trust that you are enjoying the journey today!  That you are enjoying God's presence!  That you are enjoying the company of great people that you love!  That you are fulfilling the call of God upon your life!  That you are counting your blessings!  That you are offering incredible praise to our incredible God!  That you are basking in the glory of God!  That your cup is full and running over with God's abundance! 

 Everything that I have just said is in accordance with God's Word!  He said that He wishes above all that we would prosper and be in health even as our souls prosper!  He tells us that He takes pleasure in the prosperity of His saints!  He declares that His eyes are roaming to and fro, looking for someone for which He can show up and show out!  Lord, I volunteer for that position!!!  And I have a feeling that you might want to volunteer for that as well!!  Who does not want God to show up and show out in their lives?!!

Becky

January 19, 2012

October 10, 2011

Praise our living God for the very best Real Treat EVER!  It was EPIC!  God truly did exceeding, abundantly above all that we asked or thought according to the power that works in us!  I give Him all praise ... all honor ... all glory ... everything that He did was marvelous in our eyes! 

I am getting ready to go to our first NMWW Class post Real Treat, so there is really not time to share with you even a smidgen of what God accomplished in us while we were there.  So I'll hit a few high points and then I will try to get back to give you details later!  First of all, at least fifteen ladies received the Holy Spirit in the Friday morning service!  The speakers were incredible ... the testimonies glorified our awesome God and increased our faith to DREAM BIG ... the music ... the singing  ... the dances ... the PRESENCE OF THE LORD ... I do not possess the necessary vocabulary to express what happened in my spirit every day I was there.  The Lord spoke to us through tongues and interpretation on two separate occasions.  Healings ... miracles ... deliverances ... and the list goes on and on and on.

I personally needed the amazing move of the Holy Spirit in my life.  God made up to me everything that I have lost over the past few weeks.  He is so faithful and there is no one like Him!

I must stop now, but I will say this before I go ... the next Real Treat dates are September 27-29, 2012!!  If I were you, I would mark those dates on my calendar and go ahead and bid for vacation days right now!   Could I go ahead and prophesy that 2012 will exceed 2011, as difficult as that is for us to believe?!!  I can't wait to see what God has planned for us over the next few weeks and months!  Exceeding abundantly above whatever I am thinking or asking ... that's for sure!

Be blessed!

Becky

September 12, 2011

September 8, 2011

I am happy in Jesus today!  And I hope you are as well!  It is such a miracle to be surrounded by so much sadness and calamity in this world and still be glad!  The joy of the Lord truly is our strength!  We should never take it for granted that He causes us to rise above situation and circumstance, pressure and problem, fact and fear and makes us sit together with Him in a heavenly place!  Thank You, Jesus!

NO MATTER WHAT WOMAN Real Treat 2011 starts three weeks from today!  And it is going to be awesome ... it will exceed anything we have ever experienced in the 19 years we have been having Real Treats!  There is still time for you to make arrangements to be with us!  The price is so very reasonable for what is provided and I can promise that your life will be changed if you come expecting the GREAT!  I hope with all my heart to see you there!

In the meantime, be blessed today!  Be restored!  Be encouraged!  Be rejuvenated!  Be regenerated!  Be strengthened!  Be empowered!  Be uplifted!  Be enlightened!  And do all of those things in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Becky

 

August 10, 2011

I just have a quick minute, but I wanted to post this information concerning our annual No Matter What Woman Real Treat 2011!!  It is going to be amazing, phenomenal, incredible, astounding, exciting, better than it's ever been!  And it has been awesome in the past!  We would love for you to join us if you can!

This is something that you do not want to miss!  It will change your life forever!

Blessings ...

Becky

"NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN” REAL TREAT 2011
September 29th – October 1st
Lakeview Camp & Conference Center
Waxahachie, TX
www.lakeviewcamp.net
...QUAD (four people per room / 2 queen beds) @ $220 per person
CABIN (up to forty people) @ $190 per person
ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDED IN FEE: registration, meals, housing & transportation
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 11th, 2011See More

July 26, 2011

I've been busy, busy, busy as I'm sure you have been!!  What a summer this has been!  And still is, as a matter of fact!  God is blessing me and my family abundantly and we are grateful, for sure!

Last week, I took my two grandchildren, Tyler (age 7) and Jadyn (age 4) to visit my Dad in Lake Charles, Louisiana ... their great-grandfather!  Road trip for just the three of us!  It was something!  We had a blast!  Lake Charles has certainly changed over the last few years!  I hardly recognized it and I've been going there since I was just a little girl.  We stayed at the L'Auberge ... very nice!

Then on the way home, the three of us stopped by Columbus, Texas, where our son, Brandon, and his wife, Mandy, had taken 300 of our youth to Discovery Camp!  We stayed the night there and hung out with them for a while so they could spend a little time with Tyler and Jadyn.  And then the kids and I came home on Wednesday to be at Livingway for HALFTIME!  Can't miss that!  It's always awesome!

And then my personal assistant (Schartryce), my armor bearer (Tammy) and I went to Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship for their Women's Conference ... I preached and sang on Friday night and again on Saturday morning ... and God moved mightily!  It was phenomenal, powerful and beyond what we had thought or imagined!  God showed up and showed out and we give Him all the glory for the things He did while we were there!

I'm getting ready for choir rehearsal now ... it starts in just a few minutes so I'll have to say goodbye for now!  I trust that you are busy about your Father's business!  There is great reward in working for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God!  Be blessed and stay strong in God!

Becky

June 20, 2011

It is hot in San Antonio, Texas!  No, I mean, really hot ... summer does not even begin until tomorrow and we have already had multiple days with temperatures over 100 degrees!  I'm telling you, it's hot in San Antonio, Texas!!  Of course, I'm blessed to be sitting in a very cool office right now, so I'm feeling alright about the temperature outside!  But for those of you who have to be out and about (unless you are in a swimming pool somewhere), I feel for you!

Now I can tell you that it is also hot at Livingway!!  Not hot in degrees on a thermometer ... hot in the Holy Spirit!  The preaching over the past few months has increased the heat to spontaneous spiritual combustion!  It has been nothing short of amazing!  And I am so happy to go to a church that is ON FIRE!  HOT!  HOT!  HOT!  Visit the church website .... www.livingwaychurch.net ... and listen to some of the preaching that we have been privileged to hear!  The Word has been life-changing for me more than ever!

And I have been teaching the No Matter What Women about being 'pregnant with promise' and bringing forth everything that God designed you to produce.  In the midst of that teaching, the Lord has caused me to break forth and stretch in my personal life like never before!  I will admit that when I observed pastors' wives when I was younger, I had it in my mind that by this time in my life, I would be retired to shop daily at the mall whether I needed anything or not.  NOT SO!  NOT SO AT ALL!

I am busy about my Father's business ... busier than ever before ... getting new ideas, new inspiration, new direction ... AND I'M LOVING IT!  Evidently age really is just a number because it is not over until God is finished with you.  I trust this same rejuvenation, regeneration, renewal is happening in your life as well!  This renewed purpose ... this revitalized dream ... and on top of all that ... brand new vision and preparation for increased productivity! 

Yes, I'm talking to you!  No matter what age you are, there is great and grand purpose for your life!  Study to show yourself approved unto God ... Pray to receive His personal instruction and guidance ... Fast to crucify your flesh and prepare it for greatness ... Praise to bring His awesome presence into your life ... Worship to commune with Him on a deeper level of intimacy so that He can reveal His secrets to you ... and get ready for the BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE!

Can you tell I'm excited?!!!

Becky

May 9, 2011

This year is flying by so quickly that it takes my breath away!  Yesterday was already Mother's Day!  I trust that you had a great day with your Mom ... or your children ... or grandchildren ... or all of the above!  I had a wonderful day yesterday!  I was reminded of just how blessed I am!  God blessed Steve and me with the two best sons in the world ... Sean & Brandon!  And the two sweetest grandchildren in the world ... Tyler & Jadyn!  And the loveliest daughter-in-law one could ever wish for ... Mandy!  And the best church family in the universe ... Livingway!  I am of all women most blessed!

The only bittersweetness I experienced all day was that I missed my Mom.  She has been in heaven for over twenty years now, so a whole lot has happened in my life since she's been gone.  But when I looked at all of the blessings in my life yesterday ... my beautiful family ... I remembered that her prayers live on. There is no doubt in my mind that prayers that she prayed while she was alive are being answered every day of my life.  Thank You, Lord, for my Mom ... for every prayer she prayed over me ... for every time I saw her read Your Word ... for every example she set for me in the things of God ... for giving me a sure and strong foundation ... for never giving up on me ... for always being there for me ... for showing me in so many different ways that it pays great dividends to live wholeheartedly for God.  That was my Mom!  Nobody like her!

And one of the thoughts that crossed my very weary mind last night before I drifted into peaceful sleep was this ... Lord, help me to be this same example to my children and grandchildren.  When I have been in heaven for over twenty years (if the Lord should tarry), please let my children say these same things of me!  I am determined that they will!

Becky

April 14, 2011

Praise God!  Just stopping by to tell you that there is NOBODY GREATER THAN MY GOD!  NOBODY GREATER!  Livingway's choir has learned that wonderful song and it has become my personal anthem!  NOBODY GREATER!!  I don't have enough time today for a long posting, but I always have time to testify that there is NOBODY GREATER THAN MY GOD!

Becky

April 7, 2011

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord ... Serve the Lord with gladness!  Joyful Gladness!  Do those words describe your demeanor?  Your countenance?  Your attitude?  Your overall outlook on your life?  They should!  Oh, I'm sure that everything is not exactly as you would like for it to be!  I'm certain there are things that you would change if given the opportunity!  I'm positive that you would definitely welcome divine intervention in a plethora of situations in your life!  But the way you must respond to all of those things is JOYFUL GLADNESS!

I speak, in Jesus' name, that you will find the spiritual fortitude within yourself to react to life's curve balls with JOY and GLADNESS today!  Caution:  People can sometimes make you happy ... money can make you momentarily happy ... but the only source of real JOY is JESUS!  If people make you happy, then eventually, people can snatch that happiness away and make you sad.  If money makes you happy, your happiness will last only as long as the money lasts and then it will be taken away.  But the JOY that JESUS gives ... the Bible said that the world did not give it to you, so the world cannot take it away from you!  What a testimony of the JOY OF THE LORD!  It is your strength and it cannot be taken away from you!

So whatever you are facing today, I admonish you to go through it with JOYFUL GLADNESS!  Be blessed and prosperous in Jesus!  You are His highly favored son today!

Becky

February 21, 2011

I'm grateful to my Awesome God for His amazing grace, His boundless love, His remarkable mercy, His unfailing compassion ... and the list goes on and on and on and on and on!  At Livingway, we sing a wonderful song that ends with us repeating this line ... "It's so good to know Jesus!"  That is truly my testimony today ... IT'S SO GOOD TO KNOW JESUS!

On January 23rd, Livingway honored us with a huge Anniversary Banquet!  Steve & I celebrated forty years of marriage!  Yes, I said 40!  I can hardly believe it!  God has really been good to us!  We got married at the United Pentecostal Church on Traffic Street in Bossier City, Louisiana in 1971!  What a journey began that night!!  And the journey continues, but it is better than ever! 

To all of you who came to help us celebrate that incredible milestone, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!  We were surrounded by awesome friends and family ... and we received DVD's and letters of congratulations from those of you who were unable to attend.  We are indeed blessed and we certainly do not take it for granted!

To our Livingway Church family ... you are THE BEST!  I bless the day that God added each and every one of you to our journey along the way.  You are the icing on the cake ... you are what makes our world go 'round ... for Steve, you are that wonderfully sweet gooey center in the middle of the beloved Twinkie!  :-) We love you all sooooooo much!

I thought I would share my extreme gratitude with you today!  You just got to 'listen in' on one of my personal praise breaks today!

Blessings ...

Becky

January 17, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And what a year it is and shall be!  The best ever!  I decree it!  I declare it!  I trust that your new year got off to a fantastic start!  If not, by the help of the Holy Ghost, turn it around now!  If so, let the Holy Ghost accelerate the greatness that has already begun!

I don't know if you are big on New Year's Resolutions, but if you are, I hope that your greatest emphasis is being placed upon those things that are eternal!  I trust that your most intense efforts are toward those things that will last forever.  Those are the resolutions that will change you and the world around you today and prepare you for your tomorrow!

For those of you who are on the fast with us at Livingway ... the NMWW, MP, GX and others of Livingway who desired to go on this spiritual journey with us ... today is day #7 and I claim that we are strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might.  Fasting decreases my might and increases His might in me!  In fact, that is the whole focus ... I must decrease and He must increase!

Don't get weary in well doing!  The Word tells us that we will reap if we do not faint!  I have talked to so many of you that have already begun to reap the promised harvest and we are not even one-third of the way through it!  Oh, my!!  What does God have in store for those who endure to the end?  I'll tell you what He has ... a prize that can only come from Him!  Something for which you have been praying and trusting for a long time!

Watch for posts from Livingway on Facebook.  Ladies, visit the NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN page and gather tips and recipes as well as words of encouragement from those who are walking the same path as you!

And to those of you who did not start with us a week ago ... it's not too late!  Start now!  The Lord gave me three things that He will do for me during this fast and I shared them with the NMWW last Monday night before the fast began.  The three things ... CLARITY of vision ... SHARPENED senses and perception ... DETOXIFICATION of the spirit man (getting rid of all the things that are not of God that have attached themselves to us due to just living life).  And those things are happening in my life ... I am enjoying clarity of vision ... I can see clearly!  Things that were foggy ... muddy ... areas where I was 'unsure' of the right thing to do ... I can see the God-prescribed path clearly now!

My spiritual senses are sharpened ... my perception has been fine-tuned during this time of consecration.  I can perceive what is really there ... not just what my flesh comprehends.  I am understanding and comprehending with the mind of Christ.   And everything that has tried to hinder or stop my spirit man from progressing ... He is detoxificating my spirit!  I'm laying aside the spirit of heaviness!  My praise is more intense ... my worship purer ... because I am not weighted down by the things that try to slow me down or stop me altogether.

Like I said ... it's not too late!  Join us!  And as God outdoes Himself in our lives, don't forget to fill out those yellow Miracle Report cards and give our Awesome God the glory that He deserves!  Be strong and do exploits for Him!

Becky

December 28, 2010

November 20, 2010

It's Saturday night and I am getting ready for a huge day tomorrow!  The best services ever!  I hope whoever you are and wherever you are, you are doing the same thing!  Last Sunday was an incredible day at Livingway Church!  Both services were absolutely phenomenal!  So, since we serve the Awesome God who always outdoes Himself, I am expecting great things in both services tomorrow!  If you are anywhere near the San Antonio, Texas area, you should make plans to be with us either at 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. tomorrow!  Or better yet, be there for both!  I can promise you that we are going to have an extraordinary time!

This is the week of Thanksgiving coming up!  The Fender Family will be spending the Thanksgiving holidays together ... yes, I am cooking!  Then the day after Thanksgiving, we will be decorating for the Christmas season!  My shopping is done, so I'm quite excited about the holidays!  Of course, I still have to wrap everything, but at least I can do that at home!

But in this time of Thanksgiving, I trust that you are offering up a little extra gratitude.  I know that every day is Thanksgiving when you are a true worshipper and praiser.  But I think we can dig a little deeper and find a few extra 'thank you's' in our hearts to offer to our Mighty God!

I am thankful that the Lord allowed me to be born to parents who told me about Him and brought me up to love Him with all my heart.  I am thankful for my wonderfully and powerfully anointed husband who loves me and takes such tremendous care of me and our family.  I am thankful for our two sons that love God, live for God and are highly involved in building the Kingdom of God.  I am thankful for our extra-special daughter-in-law who is such a joy to me.  I am thankful for Tyler & Jadyn, the lights of my life, the beat of my heart, the future of my family.  I am thankful for my church family ... what a wonder Livingway is to me!  I'm so thankful for my NMWW ... my choir ... my incredible band!   I am thankful for the health, the wealth, the soul prosperity that I enjoy every day of my life!  But most of all, I'M THANKFUL FOR GOD'S CONTINUAL PRESENCE IN MY LIFE!  I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HIM!

If you really are thankful, I urge you to crucify your flesh in the morning, get up and get to a true House of Worship like Livingway Church and let your God know how very thankful you are for all that He has done and for who He is to you!  It will be worth the sacrifice!

Blessings ...

Becky

November 3, 2010

So ... I blogged exactly one month ago today about how excited I was to be going to NMWW Real Treat!  And you are probably wondering if it turned out to be all that I expected?  Well, the answer to that is a resounding YES!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was all that I anticipated that it would be and so much more!  To God be the glory for everything He did for us while we were there!  It was phenomenal, amazing, magnificent, powerful, glorious, and so on and so on and so on!  I think you get the picture!  WE HAD AN AWESOME TIME IN GOD! 

The dates for next year?  September 29 through October 1, 2011!  You have almost a year to clear your calendar and make plans to be with us!  Even in this present economy, our prices for 2011 are the same as they were for 2010!  That is a blessing!  If you need more information, you can contact my office and they will be happy to get you registered for THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!

I'm going to try to get far enough ahead in my work that I can take some time to post some pictures of us while we were there!  We had fun!  We had fellowship!  We forged friendships!  But most of all, we heard from God, we felt God, we learned more of God!  Oh, it was beyond blessed!  And I was beyond blessed to be there with the most wonderful ladies on the face of the earth!  DON'T MISS THE NEXT ONE!

I would love to write more, but, as always, I am struggling for more time!  Church starts in two hours!  Wednesday night HALF TIME!  There's nothing quite like it!  So it's time to put work away and get ready for a move of the Holy Ghost!  I hope to see you there!

Blessings ...

Becky

October 3, 2010

I'm so excited!  I just can't hide it!  I'm about to lose control and I KNOW I like it!  Why am I excited?!  Real Treat is THIS WEEK!  Yes, I said it!  REAL TREAT IS THIS WEEK!  We have been anticipating it for months now, and it's finally here!   Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be absolutely filled with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God!  I'm thrilled for all the ladies that will be making the trip with us!  It will be life-changing and elevating!

And while you are here with me. I have to tell you about EPIC last weekend!  24 solid hours of praise, prayer and worship ... non-stop ... incredible music ... phenomenal talent ... awesome presence of God from beginning to end!  The Lord helped me to stay awake the entire 24 hours!  Whew hew!  And I loved every minute of it!  We will be doing this again in October of 2011!  If I were you, I would start making plans right now to be with us for EPIC 2011!  No church names were mentioned ... no group names were mentioned ... it was all about Jesus from start to finish!  What an EPIC event of EPIC EPICNESS!  I was so blessed to be a part of it!  Props to Brandon & Mandy and the entire GX staff for a remarkable endeavor that was greatly successful!

We had awesome services at Livingway this morning!  I hope you were here to enjoy them with us!  What a powerful move of the Holy Spirit we had in both services!  What a great precursor to our upcoming Real Treat! 

Speaking of Real Treat, I have many things to prepare for it so I will have to say 'goodbye' for now.  Be blessed and rejuvenated in the Holy Ghost!

Becky

August 30, 2010

Okay, so I am all about Real Treat now!  So if you are not a woman and/or you are not interested in Real Treat, go ahead and click me closed!  There is no need in you staying tuned!  Seriously!

This year's Real Treat will be like no other ladies' meeting you have ever attended!  Oh, there will be fun!  There will be food!  There will be fellowship, for sure!  But, most importantly, THERE WILL BE HOLY GHOST FIRE!   THERE WILL BE SIGNS AND WONDERS FOLLOWING THE BELIEVERS!  THERE WILL BE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT IN OPERATION!  THERE WILL BE PRAYER!  THERE WILL BE PRAISE!  THERE WILL BE WORSHIP!  THERE WILL BE THE WORD OF GOD!  AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS ... THERE IS LIBERTY!

Our theme is THE NO MATTER WHAT WOMAN CELEBRATES JESUS!  And that is what we are going to do from beginning to end!  Celebrate His love!  Celebrate His peace!  Celebrate His joy!  Celebrate Him as Jehovah Rophe ... Jehovah Jireh ... Jehovah Nissi ... Jehovah Shammah ... I think you get the picture!  We are going to celebrate everything He has done ... everything that He is doing ... and everything that He is going to do for us!

Ladies, you have two choices set before you today ... be there or be there!  Which will it be?  We are very quickly approaching the deadline for registration!  You do not want to be left out.  I know that some of you might be faced with financial challenges that are prohibiting your attendance.  You have time to believe God for a miracle!  Maybe your boss has told you that you cannot have the time off.  Believe God for a change of heart!  You still have time for a miracle!

For those of you that are already signed up ... do not let any distractions keep you from going with us!  The Word of God tells us that we are not ignorant of the enemy's devices against us.  See the distractions for what they are and bring them under your feet in the name of Jesus!  Don't be dominated by the devil!   Dominate the devil instead!

Ladies, if you are getting ready to enter into our special time of corporate spiritual preparation for this upcoming Real Treat, please know that you can do all things through Christ which strenghtens you!  The power behind you is far greater than the task that is before you!  I am praying for you!  I know you are praying for me!  But there is a greater intercessor than either of us that is praying that our faith will not fail ... Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding for us!  Praise God!  Let's do this!

Blessings ...

Becky

August 3. 2010

July 3, 2010

Happy Birthday, America!  Land of the free!  Home of the brave!  I praise God for this wonderful nation in which we live.  Even with all of its challenges, it is still the greatest nation on the face of the earth and we are most blessed to live here!  On Sunday, I will rise and go to the house of God IN THE LAND OF THE FREE!  I will be able to lift up holy hands ... clap my hands ... shout unto God with the voice of triumph ... dance before the Lord ... hear the Word of God preached without fear IN THE LAND OF THE FREE!  We are so very privileged to be able to praise and worship our God freely ... to be able to share His Word openly ... to be allowed to witness to our neighbors the love of Jesus.  I praise God for America!  And I pray for America that she will remain free as long as possible, in the name of Jesus!

Okay, I realize that I might be a little 'soap boxey' today, but we are doing a special presentation to honor our military in both services on Sunday morning, so I have all of this very deep in my spirit right now.  We are blessed to live in an extremely military city.  And I am married to what I deem to be the most patriotic Pastor alive today.  And he has raised up a congregation full of people who are very patriotic as well, many of them involved in the military themselves.  So we are all set to obey the Word of God and give honor where honor is due.  If you are in the area, please plan on being with us for at least one of the services ... 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. this Sunday, July 4th.

In addition to thanking the Lord for America, I wanted to give praise to Him for allowing me to know a man by the name of Gerald Mangun.  Other than my mother, he and his wife, Vesta, were the strongest spiritual influence in my life as I grew up.  When I was very young, I admired them from afar.  But when I became a teenager, the Lord allowed me to spend time with them in their home.   They inspired me ... I saw what God was doing in their lives, but I also saw their utter personal devotion to God and to His Kingdom.  They not only showed me the wonderful fruits of their labor ... they showed me how to bring forth such fruit in my own life. 

Brother Mangun went home to be with the Lord week before last.  I was privileged to be able to attend his homegoing service.  And I was reminded of what a gift he was in my life.  I was also blessed to greet Sister Mangun ... what an absolutely awesome woman of God she is!  I just wanted to say how grateful I am for Brother & Sister Mangun's very special place in my heart.

I must close ... I still have some last minute things to wrap up for Sunday's presentation!  Don't forget to be with us in at least one of the services!  We will not only honor our Armed Forces ... we will be giving a War Cry to the soldiers in the Army of the Lord!

Becky

 

June 3, 2010

Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!  No, really, I mean it!  Praise the Lord!  It's not just a greeting!  I want you to praise the Lord with me!

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3

I trust that you are having the same joyous journey with Jesus that I am!   My God just keeps outdoing Himself every day in my life!  That's why I am trying to get you to praise Him with me!  He's so much bigger than just one person's praise!

God is moving at Livingway Church like never before!  And for that, I am so very grateful!  Last night, we had a powerful service ... the Word that went forth was awesome ... talking about the Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus, the name of Jesus and the Word of God!  At the close of service, we were baptizing a line of people.  All of the sudden we lost all electricity in the building (huge storm outside)!  But there was a huge rainfall of the Holy Spirit inside and we kept baptizing ... kept singing ... kept dancing ... kept rejoicing!  It was magnificent!  There is nothing like a sovereign move of God!

I know that the world is reeling and rocking right now ... I know that things look bad, and according to the Word of God, they are going to get worse.  But basking in the presence of God like we have been doing here at Livingway keeps my focus off of the world and its problems and puts me in a frame of mind to walk in the miraculous, supernatural power of God.

Again, with the old songs ... "Turn your eyes upon Jesus ... Look full in His wonderful face ... And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace".  His Word promises PERFECT PEACE to those who keep their minds STAYED on Him!  Peace that will blow your mind!  Peace beyond comprehension!  My goodness, how can I not praise Him?!!  My Prince of Peace!  I speak peace to the readers of this blog, in the name of Jesus!  God's peace is no respecter of persons!

And the next verse that follows the one quoted above ... "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."  Seek the Lord!  Do it!  I promise He will hear you!  I promise He will deliver you!  From ALL YOUR FEARS!

 Love and blessings to each and every one of you! 

Becky

May 11, 2010

My, how time flies when you are working for God!  I cannot believe that the year is already one-third behind us.  And what a grand one-third of the year it has been!  I have so very much for which to be thankful!  I want to brag on my awesome, magnificent God!  He does all things well!  And the things He does are marvelous in my eyes! 

There is a song that we used to sing when I was a child ... "If He keeps on blessing and blessing ... if He keeps on pouring it on ... if His love just keeps getting richer ... if He keeps on giving a song ... if my cup gets fuller and fuller ... if my prayers keep on getting through ... if He keeps on blessing and blessing, oh, Lord, I don't know what I'm gonna do!"  That is how I feel today!  Exciting phone calls with amazing news of God's provision on my behalf!  The Word of God works!  He is Mighty, He is Powerful, He is Awesome!

I was privileged to sing three songs at the Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Austin last week.  Thanks to the Gregorys for inviting me to be there.  I so enjoyed the time spent with them.  It was an honor to be allowed to share!  Thanks!

I appreciate the wonderful attendance last night at NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class!  I started a new teaching series that will last throughout the remainder of 2010.  It is titled "Qualifying for the Hall of Faith" and I believe that the Lord will use it to move us higher and deeper in Him.  I know that sounds contradictory ... how can one go both higher and deeper simultaneously?  Well, it is entirely possible when you walk with the Lord.  The deeper you go into the Word of God and its hidden mysteries, the higher you will soar like the eagle!  Our first qualification that we studied last night is PREPARATION!  So, NMWW, are you PREPARING for the things God has designed specifically for you in 2010? 

Just in case you haven't heard already, our grandson, Tyler, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, April 28th, at our JAM Children's Ministry!  He is six years old and wants to discuss Scripture all the time now!  And if that wasn't enough, he was baptized in water on Sunday, May 9th ... Happy Mother's Day to me!  It was especially moving to me because both Sean and Brandon were baptized in water on a Mother's Day many years ago!  What a sweet tradition!  The Word says that this promise is to me, and my children, and my children's children!  Praise God!  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 John 1:4

I will close for now ... I have to take a praise break!  I have given these testimonies to you and written myself happy!  Until next time ... BLESSINGS!!!!!

Becky

April 22, 2010

April 8, 2010

"For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands." Psalm 92:4

In the dictionary, Webster defines 'glad' as 'experiencing pleasure, joy or delight'.  The Lord has made me GLAD!  I am GLAD today because He has made me GLAD through His work!  My pleasure, my joy, my delight is wrapped up in His work and the works of His hands!  Are you GLAD today? 

David wrote, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122:1)  This must mean that David's pleasure, his joy, his delight came from going to and dwelling in the house of the Lord!  And I can truly say the same today ... I am GLAD when Wednesday comes and I get to go to the house of the Lord!  And Sundays!  Oh, my!  And Monday NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Classes!  And Tuesday LIVING PRAISE CHOIR Rehearsals!  And so on and so forth!

But I am especially GLAD that my relationship with my Creator, my Savior, my Redeemer is not relegated to Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings!  I am privileged to find pleasure, joy and delight in Him every day!  "In His presence is fullness of joy!  At His right hand there are pleasures forevermore!" (Psalm 16:11)

There is an old song that my Mom and I used to sing together when I was a child ... 'Oh, say, but I'm glad, I'm glad!'  That is my testimony today!  I'm GLAD!  Jesus has made me GLAD!

We just completed our 2010 presentation of "I GIVE YOU JESUS".  What an awesome success it was this year!  The very best cast and crew that we have ever had!  The very best crowds we have ever had!  And, most importantly, the absolute strongest anointing that we have ever experienced in each of the performances!  Because of that anointing, wonderfully miraculous things transpired each time we presented it.  Salvations, healings, deliverances ...  TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

If you were in the cast or crew, thank you so very much for your supreme efforts and sacrifices to make this happen!  You are a phenomenal group of people, incredibly talented, for sure, but anointed far beyond your talents!   And if you attended any of the performances, please let me take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your presence there.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I will close with this ... be GLAD in the Lord today!  He is really the only One that can turn your sad to GLAD!  Or your mad to GLAD!  Or even your bad to GLAD!

Becky

 

March 18, 2010

Happy three days before Spring!  The season of new beginnings!  The season of LIFE!  The season of RESURRECTION!  I am excited to spring forward into SPRING!  Of course, in San Antonio, we do not exactly experience four distinct seasons, but we definitely get to enjoy Spring ... take a drive in the hill country and you will see the Texas bluebonnets and the pink Indian paintbrushes!  We are blessed, blessed, blessed!

And spring always brings the Easter Passion Play, "I Give You Jesus".  We have an awesome cast and crew this year.  I trust that you have already made plans to be with us for at least one of the four performances that we are offering this year.  There is not a doubt in my mind that you will be blessed when you attend!  The performance dates are Friday, March 26th, Saturday, March 27th, Friday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 3rd!  And we have made it as simple as possible ... you can order your tickets online from Livingway's website ... www.livingwaychurch.net. 

We have been performing variations of this particular drama since 1992, but it still has the power to move me to tears and then to great joy when I see the visual of what Jesus Christ did for us.  Oh, how He loves you and me!  It's a love beyond comprehension!  It's a love beyond compare!  And if you have friends that you have been witnessing to about the power of the salvation that Jesus Christ made available to us, this would be a perfect opportunity to actually 'show' them what He did for them. 

As you can tell, I'm in full-blown drama mode!  I'm in great anticipation to see what God has in store for us in those four power-packed evenings!  I encourage you to be a part of it with us!

And NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN, have you worshipped your Creator today?  Say it with me ... I AM A WORSHIPPER!  Without fail, no matter what, in spite of it all, come hell or high water ... I AM A WORSHIPPER!  We will continue with our Bible Study on being a worshipper on Monday night!  If you are a lady, join us in the Livingway Family Life Center and find out how to be a worshipper and learn the benefits of becoming a worshipper!

I will close now, but not without giving my God praise for all that He has done.  The Bible says that He has done great things ... and that they are marvelous in our eyes!  Oh, magnify the Lord with me!  And let us exalt His name together!  Our Awesome God is worthy to be praised!

Becky

 

March 3, 2010

February 9, 2010

Roses are red ... violets are blue ... there's no doubt about it ... JESUS LOVES YOU!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Isn't that the most wonderful, reassuring news you have had all day today?!  Jesus loves us!  Not because we are always loveable ... not because we deserve it ... not because we are worthy of it ... He just does!  He loves us!  But I have made this determination in my heart ... His love is not going to be a one-way street in my life!  I'm going to return His love!  Unlike me, He is always loveable, He always deserves it and He is always worthy of it!

"We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

I know we are nearing Valentines Day.  Some of you might not have a special someone in your life at the moment that will be showering you with flowers, candy, cards, affection, etc.  But I felt led to remind all of us that everyone has a Valentine that is full of love for us!  It's Jesus!  And it's not just one day a year!  It's all year long!

If you don't get a card, why not take a few minutes and open up the card that Jesus wrote to you ... look up the word 'love' in your favorite concordance and read, read, read!  Before you know it, His love will permeate the atmosphere all around you.  The Bible is His card to you!

If you need flowers, why don't you read the passages that tell you that Jesus is your Rose of Sharon ... He is your Lily of the Valley!

If you need something sweet, read about Him being sweeter than the honey from the honeycomb!  Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

If you need affection, just begin to pour the oil of praise and worship on Him and let His grace embrace you ... let His peace soothe your soul ... let His joy strengthen you from the inside out ... let His love encompass you and erase every hurt and sorrow!

And if you desire to go out on a date for this special holiday, He is even ready for that!  For in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures!

Do you get the picture?  And this is a good idea for everyone ... even those of us who are blessed to have a special Valentine in our lives!  So Happy Valentines Day to all of you!  Bask in the sweet love of Jesus!  And know that He is rejoicing over you!

Becky

 

January 29, 2010

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you"  Philippians 1:3

I want to say a great big thank you to all of you who have visited this website and ordered product ... especially the new CD "God Is On My Side".  I cannot tell you how very much that means to me.  I trust that whatever you purchased is ministering to you as that was the original intent of everything I do.  And when you write me about a particular song or phrase that ministered to you personally, that in turn encourages and strengthens me.  For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

So how is your new year going?  Mine is absolutely awesome!  I refuse to be distracted by storms, people, circumstances, situations, etc., etc., etc.  I am pressing toward the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus!  I don't want to miss a blessing!  I don't want to miss a miracle!  I don't want to miss an opportunity to rise to the occasion and be what God created me to be ... an overcomer ... more than a conqueror ... a king and a priest ... a praiser and a worshipper!  I want it all!!!

At the very beginning of this year, I taught the choir that wonderful song, "I Give Myself Away" .  What an awesome confession to make to God every day!  I am doing that so that He can use me!  I even had it translated into Spanish as a confession that I am going to give myself to Him in learning to sing in Spanish this year to broaden my sphere of ministry!  I'm so excited at the prospect of being able to reach people with the love of Jesus in the Spanish language.  Pray for me to learn correctly, quickly and to retain everything I learn so that I can execute it faithfully to glorify my magnificent God!  Me entrego a ti ... Me entrego a ti ... Para que me uses!

And we are studying worship in the NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class ... our confession ... I AM A WORSHIPPER!  It is all about relationship with God - a TWO-WAY relationship with God.  The kind of relationship where we take turns speaking and listening ... where He knows my voice and I know His as well.  I know we are so very busy, but I encourage you to work at least as hard at developing and maintaining your eternal relationship with God as you do with your temporary relationships.   Ladies, if you live in the San Antonio area, I encourage you to attend our classes on the second and fourth Mondays of each month as we explore worship, what it means, how to do it and what it brings.

I leave you with this Word ...  "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."  Ephesians 6:10  Yes, it is time for us to be strong!  Not in our own might, but in the Lord and the power of HIS might!

Becky

 

January 6, 2010

Happy New Year!  And what a year it is going to be for the Church of the Living God!  It will be the very best year we have ever had!  How do I know that?  Because the Word of God says that I shall have whatsoever I say if I speak in faith!  And I speak in faith that this will be my best year ever!  As the world gets darker and darker, I will become brighter and brighter as Jesus, the Light of the World, shines through me.

Did I make New Year's Resolutions?  Perhaps not in the sense that the world does.  But two songs that I learned in 2009 best describe the kind of New Year's Resolutions that I personally have made.  The first is "BACK TO EDEN" ... when I sing that third section, I am declaring that my family is blessed, my finances are blessed, my mind and spirit, my body is blessed!  And by the time I get to the chorus, I am rocking it out ... I am LIVING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!  Am I facing challenges?  Of course, I am!  Only a faithless person lives an unchallenged life!  But I am up for the challenge!  I am ready for the battle!  I am a No Matter What Woman of the Word!  I am a worshipper!  I am a praiser!  I am a person of prayer!  Therefore, even in the midst of all those aforementioned challenges, I am still LIVING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

My second resolution is in the song "I GIVE MYSELF AWAY".  It is a declaration to the Lord that I fully recognize that my life does not belong to me; it belongs to Him.  Therefore, I give myself away to Him so that He can freely use me as He sees fit.  Every dream I have, every plan I have made, I put them all in His hands.  I pledge my loyalty to Him ... my obedience to Him  ... my heart, my mind, my soul, my strength ... everything I am ... I give myself away to Him so He can use me.

What are your resolutions?  Losing weight?  Working out regularly?  Great goals!  I would like for both of those things to be strong in my life as well.  I even want to learn to speak Spanish this year.  Yes, I said it ... learning a new language at 57 years of age.  But I want to put first things first.  It has been in my heart to take better care of the eternal man and move the temporal man farther down the list of priorities.  And I truly believe that I will reap a harvest in 2010 unlike anything I have ever seen in my life!  It is harvestime!  Let me make that personal!  It is MY HARVESTIME!

I trust that you and your family are basking in the awesome glow of God's glory today!  Don't just sit and let life happen to you.  Make life bow its knee to God's Will for you!  GIVE YOURSELF AWAY TO HIM!  And then you will be LIVING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

Becky

December 12, 2009

We wish you a Merry Christmas!  We wish you a Merry Christmas!  We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I am having a most difficult time acknowledging that Christmas is less than two weeks away!  Oh, but I am so excited about it!  The Fender Family is going to the Fender Ranch for three whole days of fun, food and fellowship!  We are so looking forward to it!

I want to praise God that He enabled me to finish ALL of my Christmas shopping really early this year!  In fact, everything was even wrapped and paid for by November 28th!  That might not mean much to you, but for me, it is cause for great celebration!  Thank You, Jesus!

And, of course, my birthday is on Christmas Day!  I will be turning the big 57!  Whoo Hoo!  It's not that I'm excited about getting older ... it is that I am excited to still be here to get older!  The alternative to birthdays is not at all attractive to me!  And I am getting ready for the very best year of my life!  I'm believing God for new anointing that will birth new songs, new books, new sermons, breakthroughs and outpourings for not just me, but everyone in my life!  I'm not even waiting for 2010 to arrive ... I have already begun the process.  I'm making the necessary adjustments to propel my vessel to the next level in God!  Anticipation!  Expectation!

I want to say what an honor and privilege it was for me to be able to visit with two very dear friends of mine during this holiday season and minister to their ladies at their holiday events.  Pastor Paulette Blaylock of Porterville, California and Pastor Sue Boss of Austin, Texas.  It was such a joy to get to spend some time with you both and do a little 'catching up' on all that our Awesome God is doing in your churches!  Thank you for inviting me once again!

Well, you know that I could sit here and talk to you all day, but I have things that must be done.  This evening is our final rehearsal for our annual Christmas Program.  In just a little bit, I will have about 300 people here to rehearse and there are still preparations that must be made.  If you are in the San Antonio area, please plan to come to at least one of our performances tomorrow.  The first is at 9:00 a.m.  The second is at 11:00 a.m.  We would love for you to be here to help us celebrate the real meaning of Christmas ... JESUS!

Also, ladies, please do not forget that our last NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class of 2009 is this coming Monday, December 14th.  I know you are so very busy, but I encourage you to take a couple of hours off to come and refresh yourself in the Lord!  It will do you good to be here and it will do me good to see your smiling face!

Enjoy Christmas!  The family and friends that come to visit, the baking, the good food, the fellowship, the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating ... enjoy it all.  When you feel like you are just 'enduring' the holiday, ask God to get you to the place where you can actually enjoy the holiday.  And if you feel yourself heading toward being 'overwhelmed', drop whatever you are doing, lift your hands and begin to worship Jesus.  In just that small praise break, He will refresh your soul and you will regain your focus and remember that, above all, JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!  After all, there is no Christmas without Jesus Christ!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Becky

November 16. 2009

Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, yes, He is good!  This song was on the radio Saturday and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind!  It keeps playing over and over again ... going up a key every time it repeats!  And, oh my goodness, it is true!  God IS good!  Yes, He IS good! 

If you were at Livingway yesterday morning, your testimony is surely the same!  The presence of the Lord was so strong in the room that all we could do was worship Him in all His glory!  His train filled the temple yesterday, so much so that worship is as far as we got.  I want to give God great praise for His presence that was manifested in this place on Sunday.  And I pray that I never get to the place where I take His presence for granted.  I feel truly privileged today that I was allowed to enter in to His glory.  Thank You, Jesus!

So ... Thanksgiving is upon us!  This is the year that Brandon & Mandy and my Tyler & Jadyn spend Thanksgiving with Mandy's family.  My husband is trying to get me to agree to him taking me and Sean out to eat on Thanksgiving.  I'm still thinking I may cook a little something... we will have to wait and see who wins.  Whatever we do, I will be thankful.  I am so blessed and I know that I am.

 And Christmas is just around the corner!  I AM FINISHED WITH MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!  I finished on Saturday, November 14th!  Yes, I really am finished.  Even the stocking stuffers!  The only thing that I left is the candy for the stockings because I want it to be fresh.  I am so excited!  I went to the ranch after church with Steve yesterday to get all my wrapping gear.  The Lord was gracious to me ... good shopping weather ... finding what I was looking for ... great sales ... physical energy and endurance for the shopping ... comfortable shoes that still looked cute ... money to pay for everything (yes, it is all paid for!) ... coupons ... GOD IS ON MY SIDE!  If you are reading this and feeling the least bit jealous of any of the things listed above, I pray them all for you in abundance, in Jesus' name!

And then a brand new year!  2010!!  Or as some are fond of saying ... twenty-ten!  I never thought we would make it to 2001, much less twenty-ten!  But here we are, which means that there is much to do for the Kingdom of God or we would have been long gone.  I don't know about you, but I am busy reaping the harvest God promised me!  Like the song says ... taking back what the devil stole from me!  And rejoicing today because I have no doubt that I will recover it ALL!  EVERYTHING!  Praise God!

Of course, recovering doesn't just 'happen'!  It takes effort!  Ramp up your intake of the Word!  Ramp up your prayer!  Ramp up your praise and worship!  If you want to go to the next level in God, you are the one that decides to move forward in Him!  As you can tell, I have started my new year a little early!  I'm not going to waste the last few days of 2009!  By the time 2010 rolls into town, I will already be enjoying the fruits of my spiritual labor!

As my husband preached yesterday in the 9:00 a.m. service ... ABOVE ALL, take the shield of faith and quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one!  Make it a priority!  ABOVE ALL! 

Becky

October 26, 2009

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!  And let EVERYTHING that has breath, PRAISE THE LORD!  I know it has been almost a month since I updated, but my, my, my, what a month it has been!  I am of all women most blessed!

The last few days of September, I was privileged to spend three whole days with my sister, Barb Keller!  We went to Las Vegas and we had an awesome time!  She and her husband pastor in Lancaster, Ohio, so it is very rare for us to get to spend any time together ... much less just the two of us for three days!  Wow!  We shopped, we swam, we ate, we read, we worked on figuring out our new iphones, we shopped some more, we ate some more!  You get the picture!  And, no, we did not gamble!  Not one penny ... not one minute ... not any!  She and I are living proof that you can have a wonderful time in Vegas and not play the slots!  LOL!

And then when I got home, it was time to take 207 awesome Livingway ladies to our annual Real Treat!  If I were to honestly tell you how great it was, I would have to type in tongues and you would have to operate in the gift of interpretation!  Yes, it was that great!  We have been doing this since 1992 and it gets better and better every year.   The Lakeview Conference Center is an almost five hour drive from San Antonio, so by the time the buses arrived, the ladies were ready to be released!  And God did set us free!  I give Him great praise for every manifestation of His precious presence while we were there!  There is nothing like it!  From daylight on Thursday morning to dark on Saturday evening, we experienced wave after wave of God's power and His love for us!  You should plan to go with us in 2010 (if you are a woman, of course)!

Following Real Treat, I am usually zonked.  Right after church on that following Sunday, I usually crash for the remainder of the day.  But this year?  No!  Why, you ask?  Because all seven Fenders ... Steve, Sean, Brandon, Mandy, Tyler, Jadyn and me ...  went to the airport right after service was over to fly to Orlando, Florida, for a Disney vacation!  Yes, it is true!  I know!  I couldn't believe we did it either!  But we did!  We had not been on a family vacation since Sean & Brandon were teenagers.  And now we have our two precious grandbabies.  So Steve arranged for all of us to go on that Sunday and stay the whole week! 

What a time we had!  Tyler & Jadyn absolutely loved it ... and it gave me such joy to be a part of their excitement and enthusiasm!  By the time we came home Friday night, we had gone to four different Disney parks and enjoyed every minute of them all.  And we stayed in the Grand Floridian on the Disney grounds, so the convenience was outstanding!   I will try to get time to put some of the pictures on this site so you can see what fun we had!

And then we came home for the weekend ... and I actually got to work in my office for a couple of days before Schartryce and I headed to Hamilton, Ohio, that next week.  We were at Princeton Pike for a women's conference ... it was great and we had a really nice time.  The ladies there were lovely, so warm and welcoming, and so very responsive to the Word of God and the move of the Holy Spirit!  I was honored to be there with them!

So now I am actually home for the whole month of November!  Yeah!  I'm catching up with work ... doing a little Christmas shopping when I can ... getting ready to pull 2009 files and get everything ready for 2010!  I might actually be able to blog more than once a month!  Oh, and in the middle of all the travelling, my new CD came in!  I know I told you that already, but I am so excited to have them in my hands!  It has been such a long time since I recorded, so this is a major victory for me!

I will let you go!  I am going to NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class in about forty-five minutes!  I have been teaching about FREEDOM, and it is working in my life while I teach it!  That's what I love about the Word of God ... the knowledge it contains is inexhaustible!  The more you study, the more you need to study!  And the more you WANT to study it!

Be blessed! 

Becky

September 28, 2009

September 1, 2009

August 27, 2009

No more shackles, no more chains, no more bondage, I am free!  I've been teaching about freedom in my No Matter What Women class ... and I cannot get it out of my mind!  I meditate on it day and night!  I speak it out loud for God to hear and rejoice, for my flesh to hear and submit and for the devil to hear and flee!  The person ... the woman that the Son ... Jesus Christ ... sets free is FREE INDEED!  That's me!  FREE INDEED!

What an indescribable move of the Holy Spirit we have been experiencing at Livingway over the past few weeks.  It's always been great!  But we are in a new place right now ... not going to a new place ... IN a new place ... and it is marvelous in our eyes!  If you live anywhere in this area, you should be kind to yourself and join us for every service.  In addition to our phenomenal Sunday morning and Wednesday services, we have a very special gathering coming up this Sunday, August 30th at 6:00 p.m.  It is a Communion & Healing service... we do this about three or four times a year, and we ALWAYS see miracles!  God ALWAYS shows up and shows out.  If you are in need of a healing touch, or you know someone who is, put this on your calendar and do not let anything keep you from being here!

Ladies!  Real Treat is coming up very quickly!  October 1-3!  If you don't know what Real Treat is ... it is our annual trip to refresh, rejuvenate, revitalize, renew, recharge ourselves in the Lord.  We leave early on that Thursday morning and return on Saturday evening around 7 p.m.  If you would like more information, you can call Livingway and someone will be happy to tell you all about it!  It is very cost effective ... and everything is covered in that one price ... lodging, transportation, and meals.  Don't miss this one!  Considering the spiritual level at which we are going into Real Treat this year, there is no way of knowing what will happen while we are there, and how high in God we will be when we return home!  I'm excited!

Before I get back to work ... my new CD is almost finished!  Actually, everything that I can do is finished ... I think they start duplicating and packaging it within the next few days!  I should have it by the first of October, in Jesus' name!  The title of it is GOD IS ON MY SIDE.  It has twelve songs ... I wrote eleven of them and my brother wrote the twelfth.  I'll keep you posted!

And I also want to thank those of you who read this and email me.  I have heard from people that I haven't seen in twenty ... some in thirty years.  It is always such a treat to hear from you and to know that you are doing well ... and to hear about your children ... and grandchildren!  Keep emailing!  And speaking of grandchildren, mine are going to the photography studio today to get pictures made, so you know I'll be posting new pictures as soon as I get them!

Be aware of God's presence in your life today!  Be reminded that God loves you!  Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!  Be blessed!

Becky

 

August 14, 2009

July 31, 2009

It's hot!  Oh, my goodness, it's hot!  We're breaking all kinds of records for heat in Texas ... and it's not even August yet!  The only reason I can stand it is because 95% of my time is spent in the wonderfully conditioned air that is provided for me!  Thank You, Jesus!  I don't know how many unsaved people ever read this blog, but if there are any, let me take this opportunity to admonish you to get saved!  Only Jesus can save ... and His salvation is the only way one can escape an everlasting eternity in hell.  There is no air-conditioning there.  Seriously.  No joke, no kidding.  It is certainly not the only reason one should get saved, but it is on the list.

And we need rain!  Livingway has enjoyed the spiritual rain of the Holy Ghost all year long, but we desperately need the physical rain as well!  Let it rain!  Let it rain!  Let it rain!  Every one that is filled with faith ... speak to the rain and command it to be manifested in Jesus' name!  We need it now and we need lots of it!

Today is the last day of July!  The first seven months of this year have flown by ... it almost takes my breath away.  I was thinking about these past seven months and what I have seen God accomplish around me.  Livingway has grown mightily in every way, numerically, financially and, best of all, spiritually.  Yes, even during these summer months with many people on vacation every weekend, we are still seeing growth!  The individual ministries are experiencing growth as well!  I love that!  And people are stepping into their next levels of faith and seeing God provide miraculously for them even in this current economy! 

I know there is a lot of complaining going on, but I can tell you that I have nothing but praise in my heart for my awesome God!  He is a Wonder!  I know it is difficult not to focus on the things that are causing us pain and anxiety or adding to our daily struggle, but if we can refocus our attention on our all-powerful, mighty God, our faith will increase to the place where we can believe Him to bring us up and out! 

Choose life over death!  Choose blessing over cursing!  Choose praise over complaining!  Choose peace over strife!  Choose love over hatred!  Choose strength over weakness!  Choose freedom over bondage!  Choose prosperity over poverty!  I'm about to preach myself happy!  I'd better close while I can!  Be blessed!

Becky

July 20, 2009

Okay, okay!  I know it has been almost a month since I blogged!  But, oh, what a month it has been!  I went to Dallas twice to work on my new CD ... went to Houston with Steve for a couple of days ... kept Tyler & Jadyn for four days while Brandon & Mandy took 170 to Youth Camp ... went to Corpus Christi to preach at their women's conference (Hi to all the ladies at CCCF!) ... and that is in addition to all the normal stuff that goes on here at Livingway!  Oh, and during that time, both of my personal assistants went on their vacations, so are you feeling like I have properly explained my non-blogging for the past month or so?  If not, sorry ... that's all I've got!

And I must admit something else ... since the last time I blogged, I discovered Facebook.  So when I should have been talking to you, I was reading way too much information about everyone's personal comings and goings.  LOL!  So far about all I have revealed of myself on there is that I love being a grandmother and I love going to sleep at night!  There!  My secrets are out!

Seriously, God has been awesome in my life.  I am constantly amazed at His goodness and mercy that accompanies me every day through every situation.  You cannot live for Him as long as I have without coming to the conclusion that He does what He says.  He watches over His Word to perform it.  He has certainly done that in my life.  And I know that you feel that way, too.  Sometimes we don't understand everything, but if we have to understand it all, it indicates a lack of trust on our part.  I praise God for His strong presence in my life today!

That is what I pray for every person who reads this, no matter what the date of your reading!  I trust that you will enjoy God's presence in your life wherever you are.  For in His presence you will experience fullness of joy!

Becky

June 26, 2009

I'm so glad I know Jesus!  Actually I'm glad about that every day, but I am feeling especially grateful to the Lord for my salvation and for my knowledge of His Word.  This morning, I gave thanks to God for every person He used to bring me to Him ... for the people who taught me about Jesus ... for every prayer my Mom prayed for me that still rise before the Father to this very day ... for every Sunday School teacher ... for every sermon I heard ... for the people who, by example, taught me the value of prayer and a personal relationship with God.

What brought that on?  People of massive fame and fortune have died in the past twenty-four hours.  And I have no idea whether or not they ever met and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  I would never presume to be anyone's judge, but I do know without a doubt that one has to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, receive Him into their hearts and confess Him with their mouths to be saved.  And I just do not know whether or not that ever took place.  Upon hearing of each of these tragedies, the first thing that came to my mind was to pray that someone witnessed to each of them about Jesus and that they received Him as Savior before that last breath was drawn and their life lights were forever extinguished.

I know that it is highly unlikely that anyone who visits my website and reads this blog is not already saved and filled with God's Spirit.  But if perchance you are not saved ... or if you have allowed yourself to be drawn away from God's presence ... please consider this your invitation to renew yourself in the Lord today and make your calling and election sure in Him.  We are living in extreme times ... uncertain times ... and tomorrow is promised to no one ... even wealth and fame does not buy tomorrows.  And you know that you don't have to be in a church service to come to the altar.  You can make an altar right there where you are and allow the Holy Spirit to renew you today.

On a lighter, happier note ... I shared with you that I recorded my new CD last week!  I am so excited about this one.  The Lord gave me eleven new songs for it ... and the twelfth song was written by my brother, David Varnado of "If You Need A Touch" fame.  It has been a long, long time since I had such a pleasant experience in recording.  Randy Adams is such a joy ... and he actually listened to me and followed through on obtaining the kind of musicians that I desired for this project!  Each of the musicians were geniuses in their own rights and it was great just to watch them collaborate on these songs.  As you can tell, I was IMPRESSED!

I think I should have this new project in my hands by October 1st of this year.  Right now, all the 'extras' are being added on.  And the first full week of July I will be going up to work with the background vocals and do my final vocals as well.   I have been busy trying to tie up all the loose ends for it ... the photography for the cover ... the cover design ... arranging for the printing and duplication.  This involves a lot of people and a massive amount of time, but I know that it will be worth it when I hold my miracle in my hand!  The one that was 'just around the corner' ... the one that I said that I would have 'tomorrow about this time' ... the one that I had been praying for, hoping for, trusting for, standing for, believing for!  I'm about to hold it in my hand!  Praise God!

I hope you are enjoying your summer!  And in San Antonio, your extremely hot summer!  I am enjoying mine mainly because I very rarely have to go out in the heat except to walk from the car to the restaurant or the store.  I encourage you to have fun with your family!  Spend time with them ... hug a lot ... say 'I love you' often ... back to what we started with today ... tomorrow is promised to no one.  Make the most of today with the people you love!

Becky

June 22, 2009

Hi!  I can't really write much ... I have NMWW Class tonight!  Praise God!  But I wanted to let you know that I DID RECORD MY NEW CD THIS PAST THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY!  Thank You, Jesus!

Of course, there is still much work to be done ... adding background vocals, acoustic guitar, strings, brass, percussion, and so on and so on and so on!  But the basic tracks for all twelve songs have been finished!  And the musicians playing those tracks are awesome! 

For everyone who has been agreeing with me that this day would finally come ... IT CAME!  My 'just around the next corner ... tomorrow about this time' moment came on Thursday!  I'm so grateful to God for opening this door for me!

I promise that I will write more about it later ... but for now, I've got to get ready for class.  Again, if you agreed with me, thank you so much!  Remember that we live by the principle that whatever we make happen for others, God will bring to pass for us!  That means your's is on its way!

Becky

 

June 10, 2009

I'm just checking in ... I know you are busy so thanks for stopping by to read my ramblings!  Things are really busy for me right now ... more so than usual.  I barely have time to do just the necessities, much less all the other things that make their way to my ever-increasing list.  But I praise God that my life is full and that I have a lot going on!  I'm never lonely -- I'm never bored -- I'm never discombobulated. 

I am going to record twelve brand new songs next Thursday in Dallas!  I am so excited!  It's been years since I made a CD and I am looking forward to this with great anticipation.  Visit my website over the next month ... I will be posting some music minutes from the new CD.   And I will let you know when it is available just in case you would like to have that information. 

And Brother Roland Miller came out to the Sanctuary and took some new pictures for Pastor and me.  I had to have some new ones for my CD cover ... and for my next book cover.  I will be putting some of those on the website as well.  He is quite a photographer!   He has always been good, but he has taken his game to the next level!  If you need photography, go to him!  Metro Image Photography ... 210-775-2178.  Take the time to visit his website (there are pictures of me there - lol) at metroimageheadshots.com.   Seriously, as you will see on his website, he does all kinds of photography and excels in all of them.

For those of you who know my Dad ... speak a prayer of speedy recovery for him, please.  He had knee replacement surgery again this week.  Both knees have to be done, but the doctor would consent to doing only one at a time.  Dad is at home, but he needs to recover quickly or the inactivity will get to him.  He has to be on the move at all times.

Sean turns 31 this Saturday!  It's hard to believe!  The Fender Family will be going out to one of our ranches on Friday night for the requisite Shrimp Fry that Sean always requests for his birthday.  Did I say 'requests'?  I meant 'demands'.  That is so much work that I count that as one of my birthday gifts to him.  But we all love to go out there together ... and you know how thrilled I am when all of us are under the same roof.  So Sean gets his birthday celebration and I get the joy of my family all being together.  Tyler & Jadyn look forward to going, too, so that is an added bonus.

Well, I must close this continuing saga ... church starts in about an hour!  Wednesday Night Half Time!  There is nothing like it!  We are so blessed to be part of a church family that loves the house of God! 

I will visit with you later ... over the next few days and weeks I will have news of the new CD and the new book as well.  Life in God is great!

Becky

 

June 1, 2009

Happy first day of June, 2009!  Can you believe it?!  We are already in the sixth month of this year!  And, yes, we are now less than seven months away from Christmas!  Oh, my!

I trust you had a great Memorial Day weekend!  We did!  On Sunday, right after church, all the Fenders trekked out to the Fender Ranch and had a big meal together!  Yes, I cooked!  I know it's difficult to believe, but it is true!  Fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls ... the whole nine yards!  And strawberry shortcake for dessert!  It was wonderful to have the whole family under one roof for the night.  I miss that so much and there is such a sense of wholeness when we are all together.  But then I have to come back to earth when everyone returns to their own homes.

Tyler & Jadyn love it when we go out to the ranch.  And before we even leave to come back to the city, he is already wanting to make plans for the next trip out there.  So I promised him that sometime this summer, we would all go back out there for a big family shrimp fry thinking that would satisfy him.  Of course, I had no idea that Mandy had been telling him that summer would begin when he got out of school.  So last Friday was his last day of school, and he immediately wanted to know when we are going to have the shrimp fry.  He was pressing for a date!

So we will be going back out in a couple of weeks to celebrate Sean's birthday ... and Sean always requests fried shrimp on his birthday, so it all works out for everyone.

Yes, Tyler is now officially in Kindergarten!  He is so excited about being able to say that, but he really is happy to be out of school for the summer.  Mandy got season passes to Schlitterbahn so they will be able to go quite a bit this summer.  He really loves to go there and Jadyn seems to enjoy it too.  Today I was privileged to accompany Mandy, Tyler and Jadyn to the new Disney movie, "Up!"  Tyler liked it ... but it was sad to me.  I know it is only make believe ... I know that it is animation ... but the story was sad.  I got teary-eyed, but I was able to hide behind Jadyn so no one could see.

What an absolutely awesome day we had yesterday!  Three services and every one of them wonderful!  God is blessing Livingway so abundantly and I am majorly grateful every day of my life to be a part of this church!  I can't let my husband or Sister Carla outdo me!  I love this church, too!

I will let you get back to surfing the web or checking things out on MySpace or Facebook!  Thanks for stopping by!  Be abundantly blessed!  Live in God's overflow!

Becky

May 15, 2009

This is the day that the Lord made!  Thank You, Jesus, for this day!  He did His part ... He made the day!  I am going to do my part ... I am rejoicing in it!

I trust that you had a wonderful Mother's Day with your families this past weekend!  I did ... we went to one of my favorite places to eat.  And then I got to go home and take a nap.  I enjoyed a relaxing evening at home.  It was sooooooooooo nice!  And I got so many beautiful gifts.  I know I keep saying this over and over, but I am an awesomely blessed woman! 

 My husband bought me another Mary Frances purse to add to my ever-increasing collection.  I now have two curio cabinets full of them!  They are works of art and I love them!  This new one is made of red leather with antique ivory lace and black beads.  Keep an eye out for this lovely creation 'cause you know I will be carrying it soon!

Well, this time last week, Sister Schartryce and I were in Williamsburg, Virginia, with the incredible women of the Yahweh Sisterhood out of Faith Landmarks Ministry in Richmond, Virginia!  And we were having a mighty time in God!  If any of our Yahweh Sisters are reading, let me once again say a ginormous THANKS for everything!  The services were off the charts, the response to the Word of God was such a blessing every time we were together!  And ya'll are FUN!  You know how to have a good time in Jesus!  And you know I love that!

Pastor Cherie and I are trying to figure out a way to get the Yahweh Sisterhood of Richmond and the No Matter What Women of San Antonio together for an event!  Although, now that I think about it, that may be a little dangerous!  Talk about supernatural combustion!  I believe we would see holy fireworks!  Seriously, thank you to all of you for making us feel so welcome and so loved!

Today, Sister Schartryce and I are headed to El Paso, Texas, for a women's meeting that is sponsored by the armed forces.  We will be there tonight and tomorrow ... of course, we will be back in time for Sunday!  But we are believing God for a great move of the Holy Spirit in El Paso while we are there!

For all of you prayer warriors out there ... I have two projects that the Lord has given me to complete.  I am writing songs for a new CD that I plan to record next month.  It will contain ten songs.  And the Lord is blessing me to write like never before.  Earlier, the problem was not having ten new songs completed.  Now, the challenge is to get the mind of Christ concerning which ten songs should be on the project!  Praise God!  What a wonderful opportunity to have!  My songs are my babies, so they are all special to me.  But I want to hear from God as to which ones will minister to the most people when they hear them.

Secondly, I am currently about halfway finished with my second book.  I know exactly the direction the Lord would have me take.  Finding the time to devote to it is my challenge.  Please pray for me for better time management and discipline to finish what the Lord has begun in me!  And thank you so much for your prayers for me, for my husband, for my family! 

This Sunday is a busy day for Livingway!  Two great services in the morning and our annual Spring Fest in the evening!  I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us on Sunday.  The longer I serve God, the more I can see that He is always able to outdo Himself.  He amazes me time after time!  And this Sunday will be no different!  If you are in the San Antonio area, you should be with us either at 9 or 11 ... or for both!  Then you'll have just enough time to take a little nap and get ready for FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP at the Spring Fest that night! 

I've got to go ... we have to leave for the airport in about fifteen minutes and I want to post this before I go.  I appreciate you taking the time to check in and find out what is going on in the Fender Family! 

Be blessed ... be strengthened in the Lord ... be encouraged that you are the apple of God's eye ... be fearless ... be faithful ... believe!

Becky

May 8, 2009

April 27, 2009

I know!  I know!  I was going to blog every day ... and then that quickly changed to once a week ... and now I am not even following that guideline!  The term 'time flies' has taken on a whole new meaning in my life these days!

I'm getting ready for the NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class this evening!  We are going to have an awesome time tonight.  At the end of the last class, the Holy Spirit moved through the place and we were all refreshed and uplifted.  And since we know that our awesome God always outdoes Himself, I can only imagine what He has in store for us tonight!

While I am talking about NMWW, ladies, don't forget that we have NMWW Radical Sabbatical coming up this weekend.  We will have church at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and then it will be Spa Day all day long on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  On Saturday, we will break for lunch around noon where we will honor all of the mothers that are present.  It promises to be a relaxing, refreshing day ... hair, manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, etc.  You will go home feeling like a pampered princess!  So make plans to be with us!

I wanted to give glory to God for the trip that Sister Schartryce and I took to Conroe, Texas, this past weekend.  We were blessed to be guests at the Living Word Fresh Fragrance Women's Conference on Friday and Saturday.  We had a wonderful time in the Lord in both services.  The power of God was present and the Holy Spirit moved mightily while we were there.  Both the natural and the spiritual hospitality was excellent and I wanted to give them honor for everything they did for us to make our stay so blessed.  I love to preach and sing to women who are hungry for a move of God and thirsty for His living water!

So what is my Word for today? 

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9

I know it is a well-worn portion of Scripture, but as I see people that were once so strong in God give in to the temptation to excuse themselves from the race or even just sit down and rest, I realize more and more why God included this passage in His Word.

Please don't let the enemy convince you that you are the only one who ever gets tired, who ever feels like their time of reaping will never arrive, who feels like they've gone as far as they can go.  Only those who endure to the end get the prize, but you know the prize is worth the struggle to stay in the race at all cost! 

All of us are coping with weariness and flesh on a regular basis.  The reason that some handle it better than others is because of the level of Word and faith on the inside.  If you are even considering 'sitting down', you need a good dose of the Word of God and the Spirit of God to give you the necessary strength to stand up to your flesh and put it in its place!

Don't quit!  Don't give in!  Don't give up!  Don't stop!  Don't sit down!  Don't drop out!  Don't let the enemy win!  Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!  Hold fast to the profession of your faith!  Encourage yourself in the Lord!  Come to the house of God with an open heart ready to hear from God!

Becky

 

April 15, 2009

Thank You, Jesus!  Thank You, Jesus!  Thank You, Jesus!

What an awesome time we have been having at Livingway the past few days!  I just have to take time to thank my wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ, for all the marvelous, outstanding, magnificent, supernatural things He has done for us!

First of all, this year's drama was the very best we have ever had ... best cast, best crew, best crowds, best 'feeling' ... the very best!  I know we always say that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!  I believe we spoke it into existence for ourselves for this year's drama. 

If you came out to see it, thank you so much for your presence there!  It means so much that you made the choice to spend the evening with us.  It kept building from the first performance all the way to the last one this past Saturday night.  The house was packed with people and we even had people that could not get in! 

In the midst of all the I GIVE YOU JESUS drama, we faced drama of our own when Pastor Brandon (who played the part of Jesus) injured his leg on the Sunday evening between the first performances and the Easter weekend performances.  He could not even walk for the first three days after his injury.  But the Lord supernaturally enabled him to perform this past Friday and Saturday!  We had our own miracle on the stage!  Again, thank You, Jesus!  To God be ALL the glory and honor!

Best of all, there were so many people who testified of their lives being changed ... that they received the Lord Jesus as their Savior ... that they made the decision to live for God so that the work Jesus did on the cross would not be in vain in their lives.  And that is what makes all of those long Sunday rehearsals worth every minute!

And then ... Easter Sunday morning in both the 9 and the 11 a.m. services ... I have no words to describe what happened in our Sanctuary.   All I know is that what transpired in that place transformed the lives of so many people ... only time and eternity will testify of what we saw and felt God do.  I am hoping to be able to put at least one of the services up on the website soon since we were unable to stream live on Sunday due to an accidentally cut cable somewhere in AT&T's vast field. 

Suffice it to say, I've lived for God for fifty some years and this past Sunday will go down in the annals of my personal history as one of the best services I was ever in.  Hundreds of people streamed to the altars ... people gave their lives to Jesus for the first time ... people received the Holy Spirit ... people were baptized ... marriages were restored ... people were healed ... people were delivered.  In other words, God had His way and did what only He can do!

And then ... Monday night's NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class!  Oh, my goodness!  God showed up and showed out!  The ladies filled the main floor of the Family Life Center Sanctuary.  It was Holy Spirit night!  We had declared that it would be when we were together for the last class back in March.  Ladies came fully expecting to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit for their first time!

God did not disappoint!  We ended up with about fifteen ladies receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit for the very first time!  And then the Lord impressed me to make a call for renewal of the Holy Spirit ... for refreshing ... young ladies filled the altar ... teens crying out for the refreshing of the Holy Spirit.  At that point, the Holy Spirit wind took over and blew over the whole crowd of women that were there.  Again, thank You, Jesus!

I had given the choir a night off last night, but looking back, I think we probably should have had rehearsal.  We are on such a holy 'roll' that there is no telling what might have happened in choir rehearsal!  :-)  Hey, maybe that is what 'holy roller' means!  If so, for the past few days, I have definitely been a 'holy roller' because I have been experiencing a holy 'roll'!

Can you tell I'm fired up?!  And guess what?!  It's Wednesday! We have church tonight!  I'm excited!  So I'll see you tonight and together we will see what our awesome God is going to do in our midst!

Becky

April 8, 2009

 

Happy Spring!  Happy Easter!  Happy Resurrection Day!  Happy "I'm just glad to be alive!" Day!

It is a glorious day here in San Antonio!  The sun is shining!  The flowers are in full bloom!  The trees are covered with those brand new, very bright green leaves!  Life is everywhere!  And if you know Jesus, ABUNDANT LIFE is everywhere!

We are in the week between drama performances of our Passion Play, I GIVE YOU JESUS.  What an awesome first weekend we had!  I am blessed to be working with the best cast and crew ever in our history since our first presentation back in 1992!   And the first weekend brought the best crowds we have ever had for an opening weekend!  If you were part of that, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING!

If you haven't seen it yet, there are still two more opportunities to do so.  Friday, April 10th and Saturday, April 11th are coming up!  It's going to be great!  Not only are we going to be portraying miracles that Jesus did when He walked on this earth.  We will also be portraying our own present-day miracle!  Our son, Brandon, who plays the part of Jesus, injured his leg on Sunday evening and has been in a 'boot' and on crutches ever since.  When he stands on that stage and performs this Friday and Saturday, it will be a testimony that Jesus is still in the healing business!  JESUS is still the MIRACLE WORKER!

Usually we do not do any special presentations on Easter Sunday morning due to the fact that over 200 of us are coming off of two weekends of intense performances.  But this year, we are bringing a special presentation to both Sunday services.  You do not want to miss!  What you witness will be such a blessing to you ... it will provoke you to praise and thanksgiving ... and it will increase your faith to believe God for the impossible in your life!  We will present this program in both the 9 and the 11 a.m. services this Sunday.

Be blessed as you look around you today ... and know that Jesus Christ loved you so much that He willingly laid down His life for you.  He came so that you could enjoy ABUNDANT LIFE IN HIM!

Oh, how He loves you and me!

Becky

March 28, 2009

 

March 19, 2009

 

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

I love this passage!  The person who dwells in the secret place of the Most High ... the one who lives there ... abides there ... the one who inhabits!  That is the one that shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Not the one who 'visits' the secret place of the Most High every now and then ... when they get in trouble ... or when they need something ... but the one who moves in and abides!  If I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I am living under, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty.

That means if the enemy wants to reach me, he has to get through the Almighty One!  The Most High God!  Now just what are the chances of that?!  I can tell you, his chances are not looking good!  Not today!  Not tomorrow!  Not ever!  Because I am not leaving my place of dwelling.  In Him, I live, I move, I have my very being!

The Lord gave me a song quite a few years ago now ... the lyrics go like this ...

I'M GOING HIGH, GOING HIGH WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO! 

 I'M GOING HIGH, GOING HIGH WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO!

IF HE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE I AM,

YOU TELL HIM I'M IN THE FATHER'S HAND AND HE CAN'T HAVE ME

'CAUSE I'M GOING HIGH, GOING HIGH WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T GO!

This is exactly what I am talking about ... abiding in the shadow of the Almighty and knowing that, no matter what happens in this world, or even in MY personal world, the enemy cannot pluck me out of my Father's hand!

"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." John 10:29

The past two Wednesday nights, my husband has brought an awesome Word of God to us, using 1 Timothy 1:7 as his text for the message.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 1 Timothy 1:7

If you had to miss one or both of those messages, I urge you to obtain them both!  One of the reasons that I am able to live in 2009 with a sound mind is because I am not out here by myself!  I am dwelling in the secret place of the Most High!  I am abiding under the shadow of the Almighty!  And in Him, there is nothing to fear.  The spirit of fear does not come from Him! 

My power comes from Him!  My love comes from Him!  My sound mind comes from Him!  And praise God, I experience all three every day of my life!  I trust that you do as well!  Aren't we blessed?!!

Before I go I wanted to encourage you to make plans to be with us for our annual Easter Passion Play entitled "I GIVE YOU JESUS".  I know you will be blessed and edified!  And if you have friends and family that need to know what Jesus did for them, this is a wonderful tool of witness!  Bring them to us and let us tell the story of Jesus for you live and in living color!

Call Livingway at 637-5000 for ticket information!  April 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 7:00 p.m.!  You do not want to miss it!

LADIES!!  We have NO MATTER WHAT WOMAN Class this coming Monday!  Mark it on your calendar and make sure you are there!  God has been showing Himself strong on our behalf every time we come together.  This Monday will be no exception!

LIVING PRAISE CHOIR!!  I made an announcement at this past choir rehearsal and moved drama rehearsal from Monday, March 30th to Tuesday, March 31st.  I am reversing that decision.  However, there will be no choir rehearsal on that Tuesday, March 31st.  So if you are not in the drama, you will have that night off.  If you would, please pass this information on to your fellow choir members.  I will make an announcement this Sunday afternoon at rehearsal.  What about your lyrics to the new song?  Have you learned them yet?  Better get busy!

And everyone that reads this ... come to church on Sunday!  Make up your mind today ... no matter what the weather is ... no matter how you feel ... no matter what is going on ... no matter, no matter, no matter!  Claim it as your day for a miracle and come believing that God is going to meet you here!  If you do, you will go home with your miracle!

Be encouraged in the Lord!

Becky

 

March 12, 2009

 

Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!  Our God is the Awesome God!  His mercy endures forever and He reigns!

I have so very much to be thankful for today!  Even though there has been bad news all around me ... and disappointing turns of events in my life ... above and beyond all of that is the knowledge that I am truly blessed!  I appreciate you tuning in to my 'rambling' and I trust that I will never bore you with this ... but I am truly blessed!

On Sunday morning, I opened an email that rendered very disheartening news to me personally.  A project on which I was working diligently seemingly died an untimely death.  This was a project that would have been a phenomenal blessing to me, my family and my church ... and had the potential of being an awesome blessing to many others as well.

The person with which I was working chose not to honor his word.  I am sorry for him because this always presents ramifications ... not for me, but for him.  But I am thankful that God will not hold me hostage because of someone else's inability to follow through on promises made.

True to His Word, God is already showing me alternative doors to replace that closed door.  And you know what I believe in all of this ... THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

When I briefly experienced the dismay that always attacks at the advent of bad news, I quickly reminded myself that I cannot get bogged down in something like this when I have soooooooooooooo much for which to be thankful.

A couple that got married the same year that Steve & I did ... he was born the same year as my husband ... our two children grew up with their two children ... last Friday the man went to be with the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly.  As I sat in the homegoing service and held my husband's hand, I was so grateful to God that he was sitting there beside me.

I know that most news is not good news.  Not only is the television inundated with tragedy and horror on an hourly basis.  People that we actually know are being bombarded with pain and suffering.  If you are like me, you are getting phone calls almost daily of someone you know personally that has been diagnosed with a disease ... or in some sort of accident ... or experiencing problems in their homes with either marriages or children or both ... or finances that are totally out of hand and bordering on hopelessness.  And because you do know these people personally, it brings the sorrow that much stronger to your flesh.

But in the face of all of that, it is absolutely necessary to maintain the JOY OF THE LORD in our lives.  After all, in order to deal with such sorrowful news about those we love, we need massive amounts of strength ... not human strength ... supernatural strength that comes from God and God alone.  How does that strength come?  Through the JOY OF THE LORD!

So I speak JOY to you today!  Get your eyes off the problems and begin to operate in the JOY OF THE LORD!  Praise!  Worship!  Dance!  Sing!  Clap your hands!  Shout!  Leap! Glorify God!  If you do this ... you will be able to not only handle anything ... you will be able to overcome anything!

And if you do it right, you won't just be a conqueror ... you'll be MORE THAN A CONQUEROR through Him!

Be Blessed and Walk By Faith!

Becky

March 6. 2009

So how is your day going so far?  Mine is great because it is the day that God made!  And if God made the day for me, how can I not rejoice in it?!  I trust that you are rejoicing in this day, too!

Earlier this week, Tyler, Jadyn and I were on our way to lunch ... you know, they are our grandbabies ... and Tyler asked me this question: "Grandma, do you ever feel like your life is not fair?"

As you can imagine, that question coming from my five-year-old grandson took me aback to say the least.  And since he is intelligent enough to ask that question, I tried to weigh my words carefully in response to him.

I told him that I had sometimes felt like life was not fair to me, but that there had always been so much good in my life that I was able to recognize that the good had always outweighed the bad things.  I even told him what the Word of God says about it raining on both the just and the unjust.  I explained that when rain falls out of the sky, the wet drops hit both the good people and the bad people just the same.

And I shared with him that when the unfairness of life tries to get me down, I begin to praise God for all the good things in my life.  When I praise, I enter the presence of the Lord and there is always joy in His presence!  And the joy trumps problems every time.  I come out feeling joyful rather than sad!

Then I decided to try to gain insight on why he would ask such a question since his life is blessed like it is.  We talked about him being born to parents who love him, grandparents who think he hung the moon, a church family who adores him, all the material possession with which he has been blessed, etc. 

And he said, "Grandma, I'm not talking about me ... I'm talking about one of my friends that is having a hard time."  He went on to tell me that he was concerned that life was not fair for one of his friends.  I looked in the rear view mirror and tears were streaming down his face as he talked about it.

I was so moved at this show of compassion for others from this little boy that has everything that I could hardly swallow over the lump in my throat.  Even now as I write about it, it is difficult to keep the tears at bay.  I'm thankful that Tyler is so much like Jesus ... he is touched with the feeling of someone else's infirmity.  Once again, the Lord used Tyler to show me His ways.  A little child shall lead them all.

I just felt led to share that today ... there is someone that will read this that needs to know that Jesus is touched with the feeling of your infirmity.  And you might feel like your life is unfair today, but you need to know that if you will praise God through the unfairness of life, you will find joy in His presence.  And that joy will bring you strength to face unfairness and defeat it in your life!

I didn't mean to preach (smile), but Jesus cares about you and I just wanted to remind you of His great and matchless love for you today!

And if you need someone to hug you and tangibly show you God's love, come to Livingway on Sunday!  This past Sunday was absolutely awesome, and since we know that God always outdoes Himself, this Sunday promises to be phenomenal!  You do not want to miss it!

Don't forget to spring forward time-wise!  I know we lose an hour of sleep, but the Lord will more than make up for it if you will go ahead, roll out of bed and come to His house!  I'll see you on Sunday at CHURCH!  On Monday at NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class!  On Tuesday at LIVING PRAISE CHOIR Rehearsal!  On Wednesday at WORD & WORSHIP! 

Be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord today!

Becky

February 26, 2009

February 19, 2009

 

Praise God, I am healed!  To those of you that prayed for me, thank you, thank you, thank you!  And to my Awesome God, my Jehovah Rophe, the God that healeth me, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 

By no means am I thanking God for the virus that attacked me because He had absolutely nothing to do with it!  But while I was 'in' the middle of the viral attack, I did my best to thank God because I wanted to fulfill God's will in my life.  And, lest I make it sound like an easy thing to do, let me quickly tell you that my flesh found it extremely difficult to do.

But praise God, my spirit man won the victory over my flesh, and I am healed today!  Thank You, Jesus!  To God be the glory for the things that He has done!

And one of the treats of receiving my healing was that I was able to take care of Tyler & Jadyn (our grandbabies) while Brandon & Mandy went to Las Vegas for their sixth wedding anniversary!   Ty & Jade moved in with us on Monday of this week and stayed for a couple of days.  What amazing children they are!  And, no, I am NOT prejudiced!  Just stating facts!

One of the neatest things that we do when they come to stay with us is to go and spend time in the Choir Rehearsal Room.  These two are praisers and worshippers extraordinaire!  We turn every instrument on in the room .... every microphone ... and play and sing to the tops of our lungs!  Then Tyler preaches and Jadyn sings a solo.   And I get lightheaded from all of the dancing and jumping they want me to do with them.  That's my contribution!  We have such fun!

But then when I tuck them into bed for the night, sometimes I am overwhelmed when I consider what powerful people of God they will be in their adult lives because of the seeds that have been planted in them by their parents, by both sets of grandparents, by the wonderful family of God here at Livingway.  We are so blessed!

I know it's just Thursday, but I wanted to remind you that NO MATTER WHAT WOMEN Class is coming up this Monday, February 23rd!  Don't miss it!  We are continuing to talk about how important the confessions that we make with our mouths are to the success of our overall lives!  The Word tells us that we can create the kind of environment and atmosphere that we want to prevail in our lives by the Word of God!  I know I have heard from God concerning this lesson, so I have no doubt that you will be blessed when you receive the Word!

And, of course, Sunday comes before Monday!  Services are at 9 and 11 on Sunday morning!  Don't let your flesh win the battle on Sunday morning.  When it tries to talk you into sleeping in, take control and command your flesh to get up, get dressed, and make your way to the house of God!  As the song says ... There's healing in the house!  There's deliverance in the house!  There's joy in the house!  There's peace in the house!  There's love in the house!   And best of all ... There's salvation in the house!

Be blessed and know that God is God ... He is good and His mercy endures forever!

Becky

February 13, 2009

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Praise God!  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!  The day the nation celebrates LOVE!  Do not even try to rain on my parade.  I know some might be spooked because today is Friday, the 13th, but not me!  It's just another wonderful chance to give great praise to my great God!

And some might want to bring up something about a Valentine Day massacre?  Not me!  To me it is a stellar opportunity to renew my love for God, for my husband, my family, my friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, lost souls ... and on and on and on.  Notice that I said 'renew', because we as Christians try to walk in love all the time ... not just on Valentine's Day.

But sometimes that is not really easy ... some people make that determination very difficult to carry out!  No one you know, I'm sure!  So my quest to always walk in love has to be renewed just like everything else that is good in my life.  And Valentine's Day is a good day to do that!

As I watched a little of the coverage on the commuter plane that crashed in Buffalo, NY, I thought about the people on board.  They had no idea when they bought their airline ticket, they were making arrangements for their final earthly trip.  Is there time in such an instance to fret over words either said or unsaid?  Was there a husband that wished he had told his wife and children how much he loved them?  Was there a wife that was sorry she was short-tempered with her family before she rushed out the door to the airport?

I know it is an old clique', but it is a good one ... our kind words and compliments should be given out freely while both the giver and the receiver are alive and can fully appreciate the sentiment behind them.  I am not admonishing you to be super mushy 24/7 and get on your family's last nerve.  I am just suggesting that we remember to say the good stuff now!  And the by-product of doing so will be a greatly improved relationship with that person right now!

Roses may be expensive ... I know they don't give jewelry away ... a nice meal at a restaurant can cost some money before the evening is over.  If you can do any or even all of those things, by all means, do them all!  You are blessed to be a blessing! 

But saying, "I love you" doesn't cost a penny.  A hug is absolutely free and what a bargain!  A kind word, a pat on the shoulder, even a little bit of a back rub ... free, free, free.  So don't even try to use the economic recession as an excuse for the lack of a Valentine expression!  It won't work! 

Now that I have said all of that ... I have to go and change clothes!  My husband is taking me out for the evening!  I believe it will be dinner and a movie, if I am not mistaken!  I'm looking forward to it!

I love you in Jesus!  Have a blessed Happy Valentine's Day with someone you love!

Becky

February 7, 2009

January 27, 2009

 

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness." Psalm 48:1

Did you see that Scripture?!  Our God ... the Awesome God ... is GREAT!  And GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!  Have you acknowledged His greatness today?  And have you praised Him greatly?  I have!  Because He has been so very good to me! 

We had our second No Matter What Women Class of 2009 last night!  Oh, my goodness!  The main floor of the Sanctuary in the Family Life Center was full of women hungry for the Word of God!  And of course, that inspires me to teach until I pass out!  But I didn't!  I was faithful to my promise of being finished by 8:15 p.m.! 

However, just because we were through for the evening by 8:15 did not mean that God was finished.  Just as we were dismissing, a lady came forward to be filled with the Holy Spirit!  Before the evening was over, seven ladies had been filled with the Holy Spirit!  It was an awesome thing to see God move in the lives of these women!  Praise God!

Now do you see why I acknowledge that my God is indeed great and that He is greatly to be praised?  His Spirit drew those ladies to Him last night and when they said, "Yes" to Him, He baptized them all with His precious Holy Spirit!  What a testimony of His greatness!

And now I am getting ready for a big choir rehearsal tonight!  The weather is cold and rainy, but there will be a room full of people ready to sing and play unto the Lord who reigns forever!  Last week we learned a song titled "Created To Worship" ... what a wonderful song!  It's got the kind of tune that stays with you and plays over and over in your head ... which is a great thing when you hear the right kind of song!

Since last week, I cannot tell you the times that I have heard myself singing ... "I was created ... I was created to worship You!"  I wasn't created to drift ... I wasn't created to fail ... I wasn't created to worry ... I wasn't created to be famous ... I wasn't created to just exist and never really live .... I WAS CREATED TO WORSHIP MY GOD IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS!

So it's time for me to get everything ready to go to the Choir Room!  If you were in the choir or band, I would be getting ready to see you in just a little while.  Are you praying about that?

Oh, and one more thing!  Tomorrow is Wednesday Word & Worship!  Halftime!  Be sure to be with us at 7:00 p.m.!  Bring your children so they can attend Jesus And Me (JAM) Children's Ministry in the Family Life Center!  We will have a wonderful time of Praise and Worship ... Living Praise Choir will be singing ... Pastor will be preaching!  You don't want to miss it!  Something great is going to happen and it could happen to you!

Blessings ...

Becky

January 24, 2009

Praise God!  I'm headed over to keep my little ones for the next couple of hours.  Thanks to my co-grandparents, I was able to finish a little bit more on the website tonight.  I appreciate Brother Ron & Sister Mona for giving me that unexpected, but blessed opportunity!  But I did not totally relinquish my time with Tyler & Jadyn ... I still get at least two hours with them if I hurry!

If it is still Saturday evening when you read this, let's run down the Saturday night check list ... you do have your church clothes laid out ... for you and for all of your children ... and maybe even your spouse?  And you already have a quick breakfast in mind so that you do not miss a moment of Praise & Worship?  And have you called someone to encourage them to come to church in the morning as well?  Did you offer to pick them up?  

Oh, I am aware that it takes a massive amount of effort to do all of these things.  But these are eternal things!  And they are most important and deserve great attention to detail!  You may be ever so weary in your body and mind, but as you begin to make preparation for tomorrow, you will feel a sense of anticipation and expectancy come over you just thinking about the possibilities of miracles!

We are blessed to live in a country where we can freely come to church and openly, unabashedly worship the one true living God, the Holy One of Israel!  So I will see you in the morning!  We will have a blessed time in Jesus!

Blessings ...

Becky

Praise God!  I finally got my website up and running earlier today!  Parts of it were a real challenge for me!  And those of you who know what you are doing with websites can probably see all kinds of opportunites.  But I will get it eventually! 

So here we are ... 23 days into the New Year!  I hope things are going well for you and that you are enjoying the presence of the Lord in your life.  And we have a new president ... I hope you are praying for him every day. 

This is a big week for me ... our little grandson, Tyler, turned five years old on Wednesday ... today Steve and I celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary ... oh, and I published my first website!  Wow!

Yes, 38 years ago, Steve & I were married in Bossier City, Louisiana, in a little church on Traffic Street.  I remember when I first saw him.  We were both at a Youth Camp in Westphalia, Missouri ... he had on a blue suit ... I had on a lavender dress.  That first meeting turned out to be a momentous occasion.  I didn't know it at the time, but Jeremiah 29:11 was unfolding in my life that very day!

I had no idea how much God would use Steve to change my life and cause me to grow spiritually so I could be prepared for all the things I do today.  He has pushed me ... encouraged me ... supported me ... loved me, and I am so very grateful.  God brought us together and it is God that has kept us together.  Praise God for 38 years with the love of my life!

I'm going to sign off now ... I have a big weekend planned!  Tonight I have a date with that love of my life that I have been talking about for the big anniversary.  Then tomorrow I get to keep Tyler & Jadyn for the evening!  And then Sunday!  Two great services on the horizon!  Sunday afternoon I get to audition people for parts in "I GIVE YOU JESUS", our Easter Passion Play!  Then I'm off to Tyler's big birthday party #5!

By the way, if you live in the San Antonio area, I will see you in church on Sunday!  Right?  9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. or BOTH?!  And if you have teenagers in your house, make sure that they get to GX Youth on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.!

Be strong!  Be encouraged!  Be blessed!

God's part was to make the day!  He did!  Now my part is to rejoice in it!  I am!  You might be tempted to say that there is nothing worthy of rejoicing in your life, but I must strongly disagree!

You see, I have found it to be true that God's worthiness of praise and worship is never affected by the things that I am experiencing that are less than wonderful.  God is just as worthy and holy when I am down as when I am up.  He is just as praise-worthy when I am battling sickness as He is when I am enjoying divine health!

You are alive!  You are privileged to know who Jesus is!  You evidently have access to a computer or you wouldn't be reading this!  Your computer is probably in a room in your dwelling place which means that you have a roof over your head!  You have someone who cares for you and loves you unconditionally ... Jesus Christ!  Oh, if you look hard enough, you will find a whole plethora of things for which to praise!

There's an old song ... "He woke me up this morning, and started me on my way!  He's the joy of my salvation, yes, He is!"  Well, the song may be old, but the meaning is as fresh as it ever was.  I could not have gotten out of bed this morning if He had not awakened me and got me started for the day!  JESUS IS THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION!

So give yourself a treat today!  Take at least one five-minute break to offer your praise and worship to your worthy, holy and righteous God!  Do not get distracted by the negatives that are happening in your life that you forget to do the one positive thing that will transform your very circumstance!  Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS and again ... yes, again ... I say REJOICE!

Now ... I have to stop or I will preach an entire sermon!  As you can see, I have no idea of the meaning of the word 'blogging' or how to carry it out.  If this is truly a 'blog', it happened by accident, believe me!  The only reason I used the word 'blog' is because it begins with a 'b' like my name ... I always did love alliteration! 

I have an exciting evening planned!  I will gather with a large group of No Matter What Women and officially kick off our classes for 2009!  We meet in the Livingway Family Life Center every second and fourth Monday night of the month at 7:00 p.m.  If you are in our area, please make plans to be with us!  We always have an awesome time in the Lord when we get together!

Stay tuned ... more to come in the next few days!

Becky