I love Christmas time. It's a time to celebrate the birth of my Christ. As a Christian, this is the focus for us during the season. In our home we try to do all we can to center all that Christmas is, around Christ and the thankfulness we have in our hearts for the GIFT God so graciously gave to us.
It's fun to buy and receive presents at Christmas. And in our house, our kids 3 and 2, know that the reason we receive presents is to represent the gifts that Jesus was brought on the night of his birth. Santa loves to be a part of celebrating Jesus' birthday too, so in our house, he brings one gift to help celebrate and then the other 3 gifts represent the 3 wise men gifts to Jesus and those are from Mom and Dad.
The season is about so much more than just gimme, gimme, and "what can I get." If we are being honest with ourselves, most of us, we need nothing at all! I bet if each of us, took something from around the house, wrapped it up for someone else in our house, and gave it as a gift, we have so much stuff, that we may or may not even remember we already had that! There is nothing wrong with giving and receiving, but when the focus comes off what it's truly all about, that's when there's a problem.
How many people have you heard COMPLAIN about their families in the last 3 weeks. COMPLAIN that they have to drive here, go there, and do this, and do that? Well, that was me too, in fact, up until recently, like REAL recently, like in the last HOUR recently, I hit a wall. I heard these words, "well, at least you have a family to spend this special time with!" Wow. How many of us are going through grieving the loss of a loved one this Christmas? How many of us have a mom or dad we don't even know, because they were NEVER a part of our lives? How many have a family member over seas fighting for our country, and it's another Christmas that they aren't home for? I mean, we could really go on and on, couldn't we. I am sure there is a "fill-in the blank" here for you too...
If you have family to COMPLAIN about, consider yourself VERY blessed, and then SHUT UP! If you don't want to drive here and there, then DON'T go, if you don't want to do this and that, then DON'T DO IT! I mean, no one is twisting your arm, and if you are doing it out of pure guilt, then your heart isn't in it anyway. I know this might sound harsh, but my heart at this time of year ALWAYS goes out to those who are hurting and if we think TRUE hurt is when we can't figure out how to get to Grandmas and then to Aunt Jane's all on Christmas, well then we need to look again. So this year for me and my family, we are going to embrace every given minute with each and every member of our family and treat it as tho it may be the last, because in all actuality, we never do know.
And my last point I need to address... Money! Really?! Why, is it all about QUANTITY instead of QUALITY?! What happened to buying something for someone because you KNEW they would love it. Who cares what the cost is (meaning, it doesn't need to be $100 gift to put a smile on someones face). Sometimes the SIMPLEST gifts, in fact most the time the simplest gifts, ones from the heart are what mean the very most!! I think we need to stop stressing out on what we spend each year and get REAL creative with how we spend our resources on the ones we love. I hate to think that people go into debt, and stress out about having to buy me and my family anything, honestly, the time with our family is so important, we'd rather just that! Do you think at my funeral ANYONE will talk about the gifts they bought for me? No. But my hope is, they will talk about the memories we made! That's important - make memories your priority #1 and then the gift will come...
Done with my rant. I was getting really fed up with ME and others around me, TV, and radio... why does it have to be a "STRESSFUL" time of year? It doesn't, not if we can see it in another light! I am filled with JOY, that I have a warm home to spend this very COLD season in, I have a vehicle to help get us to see all our family, we have food in our fridge that we would GLADLY share with anyone in need, and we all have clothes on our back. I know it's real basic, and maybe even a little clique, but if we started counting our blessings, instead of all we DON'T have, it might just show us that we already are VERY rich and have all that we already need.
Merry Christmas! I hope that you will go out and spread the JOY of the season!!
Remember the greatest gift of all the birth of our Savior, who came to this earth, and then died, so that you, and I could have eternal life in heaven for evermore, if we so choose to be believe, and follow.
Jesus is the REAL reason for the SEASON. If we can get that right this Christmas and the rest will fall into place.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Clear Conscience
Sorry, it's been a LONG while since I have posted. I honestly wanted to only post when God prompted, and maybe I missed a prompting of his before now, but, I wasn't going to miss this. This is a very personal post, but I keep feeling God tugging away on my heart to share what is happening in my life. I think that when we share what God is doing in our lives, we never know how he will use that to reach others. So here goes... It's long, so hang in there...
Clear Conscience - 1st Tim 1:19 "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."
For a long time now, maybe even a year or two, I have struggled with depression. I never felt it was a chemical imbalance in my brain, but that it was more physical. I went on a very low dose of meds for depression, because I was reaching a point of feeling like "SOMETHING has to take away what I am feeling!!" Of course, it didn't help, and I think that's because there are two forms of depression and the chemical imbalance that people have, is usually what the meds will help with.
I had visited a family doctor earlier in the year, and discussed the weight gain I have had in the last two years. After having my daughter in December 2011, I lost very minimal weight and struggled with heavy depression and ZERO motivation to take the weight off. My doctor looked worried and scared for me, literally, and told me I needed to see someone immediately. She first suggested a therapist, but then mentioned, you may even need to see a psychiatrist. I remember thinking, what? really? Well, I called the number she had given to me, and instead of going that route, I had decided that if I was going to see someone, I needed to see a Christian therapist who could really funnel in all that God was trying to speak to me.
Thankfully, through a friend who had trusted and confided in me, I knew just who to call. I contacted her immediately and scheduled my first appointment. I was thrilled to find out that she had an opening!! I remember being nervous. I had done this before a couple years back, for different reasons, and it didn't go so well. After 6 months, I didn't feel like any progress was being made at all, and pulled away. So would this time be the same? Nope, not a chance. I was meant to make that call, I was meant to find this particular therapist, and this time WOULD be different. I met a women who was completely anointed by God himself, the presence of him, was THINK, he filled every nook of that room. Even in the first visit, I knew that through God, she would be able to help me.
(Laughing), sometimes, we really need to be careful what we wish for, (laughing again)... I seriously thought that we would be discussing my eating habits, what I like about food, why do I think I eat, my activity and so on... which would help lead to what is causing me so much pain, right? Wrong. Instead, by our second meeting, she was already telling me that deep seeded sin was the cause of all my problems. Huh? WHAT? Sin???
If I am being HONEST, I can say truthfully, that my "conscience" had not been clear for a very long time!! That had taken a hold of me in different ways, for me, I could see it in my weight gain, my depression... Let's be real, we are the ones who know ourselves best (outside of God), we know what it is that needs to be cleaned up and what really is holding us back from having the most awesome amazing relationship we possibly can have with him. The constant reminder from the enemy that we are a mess, a wreck held in deep bondage!!! We sing about being "set free" but are we really "FREE" when sin is so clearly taking over our life and day to day? The enemy wants me to feel like my load is TOO HEAVY, TOO BIG to unload - But I have GREAT NEWS FOR ALL WHO ARE READING... My God is BIGGER than ALL of that. In fact he even says in Romans 8:28 that he will work ALL things to the good of those who love him. So even my deep dark sin, that separates me from him, he is working that to good! Isn't that just amazing, only our God would take something that he despises and work it to the good in our life and to bring HIM glory!!! He promises that he CAN free me from it all!!!
I know that living a completely sin free life is nearly impossible, we are sinful beings. But I love that I am learning how to identify and be completely aware of the sin in my life and praying to God that he shows me and holds my hand through how to overcome it. Thank GOD that he knows my heart, so even if I catch myself 10x in a day and repent with a sorrowful heart, I know I am forgiven. And I am only going to get better at NOT sinning!!! As long as I ask and go to my father in heaven, I AM FORGIVEN.
I am working on trying to live a life with a CLEAR CONSCIENCE. I don't want the weight of my sin to hold me down anymore; God will and can free me 100% as long as I am willing to put forth the effort to be healed and freed from my bondage.
Thank GOD that my God is bigger than any obstacle I will ever face. Thank GOD that his love is UNconditional - to love someone regardless of the loved one's qualities or actions!!! Grateful and thankful that I am made in the image of the One-True God!!
The Question isn't "Can I get away with it?" it's "Can I live with it afterwards? Will it prevent or promote HIS blessings in my life? How will it affect my confidence before God? How does he feel about it?"
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sweet Surrender
As a Christian, as a "Christ FOLLOWER" we are called to surrender it ALL to him! ALL - that is a big, huge word, and if I am being totally honest, it's really hard to let go. Do we honestly think that WE can do better than what God would do in our lives? When we still hold onto things, it means we are still depending on ourselves to help deliver us, but when we let it go, and give it to him, that means that we are completely trusting that no matter what the outcome, God is in CONTROL and that HE will deliver us!!
I had a situation that started last May, and it was a big, life changing situation. See, 8 years ago, I would have had NO problem doing what we did, and I would have never prayed over it with a prayerful heart and I would have NEVER surrendered it, ever. But, because I have come to know the Lord, and have come to TRUST in him, he has been showing me more and more!
I was very prayerful about this situation, and had found out that we would need to do somethings that go against what I believe in order for it to workout - this was how the system worked (sounded way too backward to me). I prayed and prayed; asking God what I was to do. I heard him say "surrender... surrender what you have and I will take hold."
I remember when we had made that decision - the decision to LET GO - it was a sweet moment. And I can tell you, from that point, to today, when it all ended, I never once was caught up in a worry moment. I was at complete peace that God was in control, COMPLETE control. There were quite a few hiccups along the way and I felt satan come in, and TRY hard to get me scared, worried and nervous. But you know what, I stopped, and would pray, "God you have had this from the start - I have put my complete faith and trust in you over this, whatever the outcome, I am prepared for it and I know that no matter the outcome, the outcome came from you!!"
It was as tho, this wasn't my problem anymore, I was just here as a representative, (laugh) does that make sense. I was completely delivered from any worry or fear. As everything came to a close today, I stood in awe, "that's it, we are done? it was really soooooo smooth". I know I said there were hiccups, but that was to be expected, it could have gone SO MUCH WORSE - this was a dream compared to how it COULD have been. Had I done this on my own, without the complete surrender, it would have been a nightmare and I am MOST certain of that!!!!
I really can not THANK God enough for all that his hand was on in the last 9 months - This is the second time now, that I have surrendered two MAJOR issues to him and the outcome was just SWEET! SO I have to call this "sweet surrender". If there is something holding you down, if there is something you haven't given him, stop right now, and pray for it - pray for the complete surrender. He wants to take that from you, he wants to ease your load!!! Pray for God's will to be done, no matter what, and it HONESTLY will be done.
Really, I don't want to stope typing, I am just so over joyed with what he is doing in my life, run after your Sweet Surrender today, it's really that SWEET!
I had a situation that started last May, and it was a big, life changing situation. See, 8 years ago, I would have had NO problem doing what we did, and I would have never prayed over it with a prayerful heart and I would have NEVER surrendered it, ever. But, because I have come to know the Lord, and have come to TRUST in him, he has been showing me more and more!
I was very prayerful about this situation, and had found out that we would need to do somethings that go against what I believe in order for it to workout - this was how the system worked (sounded way too backward to me). I prayed and prayed; asking God what I was to do. I heard him say "surrender... surrender what you have and I will take hold."
I remember when we had made that decision - the decision to LET GO - it was a sweet moment. And I can tell you, from that point, to today, when it all ended, I never once was caught up in a worry moment. I was at complete peace that God was in control, COMPLETE control. There were quite a few hiccups along the way and I felt satan come in, and TRY hard to get me scared, worried and nervous. But you know what, I stopped, and would pray, "God you have had this from the start - I have put my complete faith and trust in you over this, whatever the outcome, I am prepared for it and I know that no matter the outcome, the outcome came from you!!"
It was as tho, this wasn't my problem anymore, I was just here as a representative, (laugh) does that make sense. I was completely delivered from any worry or fear. As everything came to a close today, I stood in awe, "that's it, we are done? it was really soooooo smooth". I know I said there were hiccups, but that was to be expected, it could have gone SO MUCH WORSE - this was a dream compared to how it COULD have been. Had I done this on my own, without the complete surrender, it would have been a nightmare and I am MOST certain of that!!!!
I really can not THANK God enough for all that his hand was on in the last 9 months - This is the second time now, that I have surrendered two MAJOR issues to him and the outcome was just SWEET! SO I have to call this "sweet surrender". If there is something holding you down, if there is something you haven't given him, stop right now, and pray for it - pray for the complete surrender. He wants to take that from you, he wants to ease your load!!! Pray for God's will to be done, no matter what, and it HONESTLY will be done.
Really, I don't want to stope typing, I am just so over joyed with what he is doing in my life, run after your Sweet Surrender today, it's really that SWEET!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
For granted.
Did you get up this morning, turn off your alarm clock, that woke you up with music playing? Then head off to the shower, turning on the water, letting it run so it can warm up. Did you get in and wash up your body, your hair, with wonderful smelling soaps and shampoos. Only to get out, and wrap yourself in a plush, comfortable towel. Then headed off to your closet to look through what seems like an endless amount of shirts, then over to the drawer to find the right color pair of pants to go with that shirt. Making your way over to sit down and put on socks and shoes.
Then, did you maybe head downstairs to the kitchen, where you looked through a fridge that had MANY items, but you thought to yourself "there is nothing here to eat"? Only to wind up stopping for fast food on your way to work, in your heated car?
Well, this is just a small fraction of what one of my days typically looks like. I wonder how similar it is to yours?
How many things can you point out in this short little story, that we take for granted? I can count the following:
1.) the electricity that powers the alarm clock
2.) a bed to sleep in
3.) running water (clean)
4.) soaps and shampoos
5.) towels
6.) over abundance of clothes
7.) socks
8.) SHOES (probably more than 1 pair too)
9.) frige
10.) food in the fridge
11.) money to get fast food
12.) a car
13.) if you are driving there must be gas
14.) a house
OK so you get the picture right? We, you and I, have SO much to be thankful for. Seriously. Even if you are living paycheck to paycheck like most americans, you have SO MUCH to be thankful for.
I am really trying to turn a new leaf. I am sick to my stomach over thinking about ALL I take for granted. But I am going to start working on being truly THANKFUL and THANKING GOD for specific things he has given and blessed me with daily.
I am going to shoot for 5 different things everyday, to THANK GOD for. I am starting today!
God, I am so thankful for my salvation, my husband, my two miracle babies, my house and my beautiful van. And then tomorrow, I will come up with 5 more things I am thankful for... I am going to start recording all these in my "Thankful Notebook".
Then, when I feel like the world around me is crashing down, and nothing is going right, everything is flipped upside down. I can grab that book, and start reading. I can start reading about ALL that I DO HAVE to smile about. I am really hopeful that this will help me change my attitude toward things.
When I think about ALL the people who live in POVERTY, and have so LITTLE, or NOTHING... and then I get upset when I can't go out and buy a new pair of pants, because I am bored with the ones I have? UGH, really? I want to lose this behavior, I would like for it to be gone forever :)
Toby Mac has a song, probably a favorite of mine - "I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul..." I do not want to be so consumed with the things of this world, that I miss the bigger picture!
I AM blessed, and I AM thankful!!!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Regret, ever have it?
In May 2002, on the 15th, I lost one of my brothers at the age of 20. It's sort of a numbing feeling... we weren't always the closest, and I think once we lose a close relative, like a sibling, we want to make believe we were a lot closer than we really were. But there are still lots of regrets...
Growing up, Jesse was always the goof ball. He was always well liked, had lots of girlfriends and was the class clown. As a brother tho, he was a little different. He was always picking on me, and at times, would hurt my feelings, which I guess is what brothers and sisters do?! LOL, but he was still my brother and we did have some things that we bonded over, like sports.
While he would never pick me for a sports team, because I was a "girl" I knew that he thought I could hold my own, by the things he would do and say. When going to college, I wanted to become a sports journalist (broadcaster) and I remember when he saw my demo tape, he thought that was just the coolest thing!!! He couldn't believe that his sister was going to be a sports broadcaster... I remember him telling his friends about it, lol, it was really sweet. (I am not a sports broadcaster, that dream died with college). I have another fun memory, I remember that for a couple years in a row, we were starting to make a little tradition out of watching the home run derby together every year, it was something we really enjoyed doing :)
Jesse and I, while very different, we were a lot of the same and I think in many ways we suffered from the same things. Jesse up until around the age of 13-14, was a premier athlete, good student and really popular. And while a whole lot didn't change after 14, he started to get mixed up in other things, and all of the great things Jesse had going started to fall away. He started to become a kid who was always getting into trouble, he was mixed up with the wrong things... I think that most of my anger toward Jesse came from his bad behavior, and the attention that was taken from the rest of us, and always given to him. It was really frustrating... (I can't go into a lot of detail here, we'd be here for hours) but I think that I started to build up this wall of anger toward Jesse, and the anger turned into resentment. To the point that when I would drive him back home to my moms, after he would come stay the weekend, we would say nothing to one another on the 15 minute car ride, he would say "bye" as he got out, and that was it.
I remember one day tho, that I was driving him home, I could tell he was really trying to talk to me, and I wasn't really having anything to do with it, showing VERY little interest in what he was saying. We pulled up in front of my moms, and he said, "hey, you know Denzel Washington has that new movie out, John Q, do you think you might want to go see that with me sometime?" I remember saying, with sort of a surprise, "yeah, that's cool. I will call you and let you know what my work schedule is and we can plan something." He said "OK, love you Megan.."
Well, as the story goes, this was the last time I really remember talking to my brother. This was a couple months before he died... we never saw the movie, I never called him, because I was TOO BUSY! I won't tell you that I think about this EVERY day, but I think about it all too OFTEN, and it hurts me deeply that I would brush him off like that. I have such REGRET over this, I have such PAIN over this, I have never seen the movie and every time I even see that it's on, I replay the whole conversation over again. I am crying as I write this, but it pains me to think that I couldn't carve out 2.5 hours to go and see a movie with my brother, a brother who is no longer here for me to make it up too.
It hurts me when I try really hard to get family together, see people and the effort isn't returned. I think that I try so hard, because I don't want to have that regret feeling if something happens! I have a busy life too, and I think that we all do, but there are some things that shouldn't pass us by. I think I needed to write this to help me heal after almost 11 years, but I am really going to make a HUGE effort to stop and MAKE the time for people that are important. I think honestly, it's too important not too. Jesse's death was a HUGE shock to all of us, it was not something we had been anticipating and that can be any one of us at any time.
So Jesse, if you can hear me, I am sorry, I am sorry I didn't take 2.5 hours out of my busy schedule to go with you to the movies. I am sorry we couldn't have spent that time together, it makes me sad and I am hopeful that I will see you again in heaven and when I get there, there will be a giant, huge hug with your name on it. I miss you brother. I am glad tho, that this memory has inspired me to step up my game! Love, Megan
Growing up, Jesse was always the goof ball. He was always well liked, had lots of girlfriends and was the class clown. As a brother tho, he was a little different. He was always picking on me, and at times, would hurt my feelings, which I guess is what brothers and sisters do?! LOL, but he was still my brother and we did have some things that we bonded over, like sports.
While he would never pick me for a sports team, because I was a "girl" I knew that he thought I could hold my own, by the things he would do and say. When going to college, I wanted to become a sports journalist (broadcaster) and I remember when he saw my demo tape, he thought that was just the coolest thing!!! He couldn't believe that his sister was going to be a sports broadcaster... I remember him telling his friends about it, lol, it was really sweet. (I am not a sports broadcaster, that dream died with college). I have another fun memory, I remember that for a couple years in a row, we were starting to make a little tradition out of watching the home run derby together every year, it was something we really enjoyed doing :)
Jesse and I, while very different, we were a lot of the same and I think in many ways we suffered from the same things. Jesse up until around the age of 13-14, was a premier athlete, good student and really popular. And while a whole lot didn't change after 14, he started to get mixed up in other things, and all of the great things Jesse had going started to fall away. He started to become a kid who was always getting into trouble, he was mixed up with the wrong things... I think that most of my anger toward Jesse came from his bad behavior, and the attention that was taken from the rest of us, and always given to him. It was really frustrating... (I can't go into a lot of detail here, we'd be here for hours) but I think that I started to build up this wall of anger toward Jesse, and the anger turned into resentment. To the point that when I would drive him back home to my moms, after he would come stay the weekend, we would say nothing to one another on the 15 minute car ride, he would say "bye" as he got out, and that was it.
I remember one day tho, that I was driving him home, I could tell he was really trying to talk to me, and I wasn't really having anything to do with it, showing VERY little interest in what he was saying. We pulled up in front of my moms, and he said, "hey, you know Denzel Washington has that new movie out, John Q, do you think you might want to go see that with me sometime?" I remember saying, with sort of a surprise, "yeah, that's cool. I will call you and let you know what my work schedule is and we can plan something." He said "OK, love you Megan.."
Well, as the story goes, this was the last time I really remember talking to my brother. This was a couple months before he died... we never saw the movie, I never called him, because I was TOO BUSY! I won't tell you that I think about this EVERY day, but I think about it all too OFTEN, and it hurts me deeply that I would brush him off like that. I have such REGRET over this, I have such PAIN over this, I have never seen the movie and every time I even see that it's on, I replay the whole conversation over again. I am crying as I write this, but it pains me to think that I couldn't carve out 2.5 hours to go and see a movie with my brother, a brother who is no longer here for me to make it up too.
It hurts me when I try really hard to get family together, see people and the effort isn't returned. I think that I try so hard, because I don't want to have that regret feeling if something happens! I have a busy life too, and I think that we all do, but there are some things that shouldn't pass us by. I think I needed to write this to help me heal after almost 11 years, but I am really going to make a HUGE effort to stop and MAKE the time for people that are important. I think honestly, it's too important not too. Jesse's death was a HUGE shock to all of us, it was not something we had been anticipating and that can be any one of us at any time.
So Jesse, if you can hear me, I am sorry, I am sorry I didn't take 2.5 hours out of my busy schedule to go with you to the movies. I am sorry we couldn't have spent that time together, it makes me sad and I am hopeful that I will see you again in heaven and when I get there, there will be a giant, huge hug with your name on it. I miss you brother. I am glad tho, that this memory has inspired me to step up my game! Love, Megan
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Challenge! Will you take it?
You have heard of goals, right, who hasn't. At times, goals can seem so OVERWHELMING, and can end up leaving you feel like a loser, if you don't accomplish them. Or at least that's how I have seen them and that's how they have made me feel in the past. I know, new year, usually brings about NEW goals/resolutions.. only to set them and then fail. Well, I am doing it yet again, but I REFUSE to fail. Here's how.
Usually I have a ton of "NEW" things I want to accomplish for the year. And by February, I have failed most of them, or forgot them, or don't care anymore. But I wanted to take the pressure off a little, so here is what I came up with, take a look.
1.) I want to LEARN something new.
I am only learning 1 thing new, and I am taking guitar lessons, it's something I have always wanted to do, and I am not getting any younger. So I have a lesson, once a week. My teacher and lesson, is holding me accountable.
2.) I want to try 12 NEW foods.
You say, OK, fail, that's hard, how and the heck you going to do that? And Stick with it??? Well, my GOAL is to buy 1 new item EVERY time I grocery shop. Now, that will be way more than 12 if I stick to it EVERY time. But if I forget here and there, I am still not setting myself up for failure. This month, we have tried Star Fruit, Fuyu (fruit) and Asparagus (not NEW, but I have never tried it). We went 2 for 3 in our house, Star fruit +, Asparagus + and Fuyu - (not so much), but we TRIED them all!! And so did the kids!!! The 12 comes from wanting to try at least 1 new food per month.
3.) I want to do some form of exercise everyday.
This has been tough, but I am NOT giving up. I bought this workout DVD program called 10-Minute trainer. OM Goodness!! It's amazing what you can do in 10 minutes and how hard you are working. This way, I have NO excuse. The plan is to do 2-3, 10 min workouts daily, BUT here's the beauty, if I only have 10 minutes to workout, I can do a video that is literally 10 minutes, I LOVE IT!!!! It's the guy who did the P90X videos, so you know he's good. I can do it all in the comfort of my home :) NO real accountability, except feeling better and looking better. I have had NO MOTIVATION to get back in shape, so for me, I had to start small, and this is what I need.
4.) I wanted to get into my bible and prayer on a regular daily basis.
So this has been hard for me on many levels. I am not a reader and comprehending what I read is really hard for me, but the HS is working on me :) I am sticking with it and not giving up, and I got an ACCOUNTABILITY partner. She checks in with me every other day to see how my reading is going!! It's really such a HUGE improvement from where I was before
- For prayer, well, I pray before and after I read. PLUS, I joined a prayer fasting group, there are 5 of us in the group. Every Saturday, from 8-12Noon, I fast. Then at 9AM, we all pray together (in our own homes), for the 5 prayer requests submitted by the group members :) It's been going GREAT, and God is really answering our prayers, amazing to see how faithful he is to us, when we are faithful to him.
5.) Focus on God's new plans for me.
There is a lot going on over here, and God is really preparing me for some amazing things. I am writing, and working on speaking, and I am SAVING for a mission trip next year. He is preparing me for big things, and I have been praying for this. So I am excited to see how God will USE me!!!!
So these are my goals, and if you see, I didn't set that bar SO high that I couldn't obtain it. AND if you notice for all of them, I sort of have a fail proof approach to it! The guitar, I am taking lessons, so that will HOLD me to it. New foods, I am already grocery shopping, all I need to do is throw one NEW food in my cart. The exercise, come on, who doesn't have 10 minutes to do SOMETHING! The bible and prayer, I have my accountability partner and then my prayer group. Now focusing on God's plans, this is the hardest, but there are certain people who know all about these things and they are in a sense holding me accountable for what I am striving for :)
I think we can do this!! May you would take a look at what has been hanging over you and you would take a couple minutes and set out 3-5 goals. Heck start with one goal for February, and once you accomplish that, keep doing it, but then set another one for March, and so on... I think if we don't continue to challenge ourselves, and learn new things, and strive to be all we truly can be.... one day we will wake up, 89 years old, and look back and think, "God, what did I do with ALL you gave me?" It's so hard and we seem to get caught up in the business of life!! Don't let the "busy" hold you back!! Baby steps, and you can accomplish anything!!!
Post here - I would love to hear what your goals are and if you will take this challenge!!
Usually I have a ton of "NEW" things I want to accomplish for the year. And by February, I have failed most of them, or forgot them, or don't care anymore. But I wanted to take the pressure off a little, so here is what I came up with, take a look.
1.) I want to LEARN something new.
I am only learning 1 thing new, and I am taking guitar lessons, it's something I have always wanted to do, and I am not getting any younger. So I have a lesson, once a week. My teacher and lesson, is holding me accountable.
2.) I want to try 12 NEW foods.
You say, OK, fail, that's hard, how and the heck you going to do that? And Stick with it??? Well, my GOAL is to buy 1 new item EVERY time I grocery shop. Now, that will be way more than 12 if I stick to it EVERY time. But if I forget here and there, I am still not setting myself up for failure. This month, we have tried Star Fruit, Fuyu (fruit) and Asparagus (not NEW, but I have never tried it). We went 2 for 3 in our house, Star fruit +, Asparagus + and Fuyu - (not so much), but we TRIED them all!! And so did the kids!!! The 12 comes from wanting to try at least 1 new food per month.
3.) I want to do some form of exercise everyday.
This has been tough, but I am NOT giving up. I bought this workout DVD program called 10-Minute trainer. OM Goodness!! It's amazing what you can do in 10 minutes and how hard you are working. This way, I have NO excuse. The plan is to do 2-3, 10 min workouts daily, BUT here's the beauty, if I only have 10 minutes to workout, I can do a video that is literally 10 minutes, I LOVE IT!!!! It's the guy who did the P90X videos, so you know he's good. I can do it all in the comfort of my home :) NO real accountability, except feeling better and looking better. I have had NO MOTIVATION to get back in shape, so for me, I had to start small, and this is what I need.
4.) I wanted to get into my bible and prayer on a regular daily basis.
So this has been hard for me on many levels. I am not a reader and comprehending what I read is really hard for me, but the HS is working on me :) I am sticking with it and not giving up, and I got an ACCOUNTABILITY partner. She checks in with me every other day to see how my reading is going!! It's really such a HUGE improvement from where I was before
- For prayer, well, I pray before and after I read. PLUS, I joined a prayer fasting group, there are 5 of us in the group. Every Saturday, from 8-12Noon, I fast. Then at 9AM, we all pray together (in our own homes), for the 5 prayer requests submitted by the group members :) It's been going GREAT, and God is really answering our prayers, amazing to see how faithful he is to us, when we are faithful to him.
5.) Focus on God's new plans for me.
There is a lot going on over here, and God is really preparing me for some amazing things. I am writing, and working on speaking, and I am SAVING for a mission trip next year. He is preparing me for big things, and I have been praying for this. So I am excited to see how God will USE me!!!!
So these are my goals, and if you see, I didn't set that bar SO high that I couldn't obtain it. AND if you notice for all of them, I sort of have a fail proof approach to it! The guitar, I am taking lessons, so that will HOLD me to it. New foods, I am already grocery shopping, all I need to do is throw one NEW food in my cart. The exercise, come on, who doesn't have 10 minutes to do SOMETHING! The bible and prayer, I have my accountability partner and then my prayer group. Now focusing on God's plans, this is the hardest, but there are certain people who know all about these things and they are in a sense holding me accountable for what I am striving for :)
I think we can do this!! May you would take a look at what has been hanging over you and you would take a couple minutes and set out 3-5 goals. Heck start with one goal for February, and once you accomplish that, keep doing it, but then set another one for March, and so on... I think if we don't continue to challenge ourselves, and learn new things, and strive to be all we truly can be.... one day we will wake up, 89 years old, and look back and think, "God, what did I do with ALL you gave me?" It's so hard and we seem to get caught up in the business of life!! Don't let the "busy" hold you back!! Baby steps, and you can accomplish anything!!!
Post here - I would love to hear what your goals are and if you will take this challenge!!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Missing piece...
It's been a while since I have posted. Life really seems to be getting in the way of me sitting down to write for a little bit (smile). I'm hear now. I heard a service today at church that I have never heard spoke before, at least not this particular way. The gist of the service was that we NEED to serve as part of the body of Christ. God has given us all gifts, and talents, and if we don't use what he has given us, to help further his kingdom then you have what is called the "Jenga Effect" (where one piece, can ruin and crumble the whole tower). This is the same as you and I not using what God has given us, to help further his kingdom.
Our youth pastor Adam Dorband did the service this weekend and it was wonderful. I would encourage you to watch and listen to it (Metro South Church, Taylor, MI). But I just want to talk a little on what I heard today and how it really spoke to me.
God has blessed me with a couple amazing gifts, two of them, one of which is being a leader, and the other compassion/giving. I grew up learning that it was always better to give than to receive, and to this day, it has stayed with me. When I was young, even as young as 5/6 years old, I remember going down to the streets of Detroit, and literally passing out hot dogs to the homeless men and women on the streets. I wouldn't just hand out food, but I would try talking with them, and would sing, and just carry on in ways I knew how... I loved their company, and still do. Some people have a REALLY hard time with homeless. Some think that they CHOOSE to live like that, or that they act ENTITLED when you are giving them a handout. In my experience, I can say yes, you will come across the person or two who feel entitled. You may even come across someone who seems to have a lot of potential, but just won't try, and use it. But honestly, most of the time, these men and women are SO completely grateful for what you are doing, whether it's a hot dog or a hat, they smile, and say thank you, with the BIGGEST smile they have! They seriously appreciate the LITTLE things. I was downtown yesterday with some friends and we were feeding them and passing out clothes. I saw a man look to heaven when he had a NEW pair of WARM gloves to put on, he was just so thrilled to have this one pair of gloves!! Thank you GOD, he was saying... over GLOVES!!! I have like 4-5 pair of gloves, that I RARELY use, and I'm pretty sure I never thanked GOD over them.... Anyway, I am getting off track, but these "homeless" people, 9.5 times out of 10, they end up BLESSING me when I serve instead of the other way around.
For the last 6 years at our church I was using these two gifts to direct a little group called Reach: Local. This group of 15-20 people would go out once a month and serve in the surrounding communities, for roughly 3 hours or so on a Saturday. If you would have asked me 4 years ago, what I saw myself doing in 4 years into the future, I would have said, "directing reach local and serving those, who serve others". But in 2012, God started working on me in different ways. I know that I have briefly mentioned here and there on other posts, but God was calling me AWAY from Reach: Local and into other areas of ministry, like speaking and writing.
Now I'm sure you can tell I need some help with the writing; I tend to babel too much, my grammar isn't exactly on target and I use ALL CAPS a lot... lol. But I feel that this is what God IS calling me too... so I am going to run after it, and use what HE has given me, and put my faith in him to accomplish it. See, if I was to just sit by, on the sideline, and not do what I know he is calling me too... then I too could be that missing Jenga piece that causes the tower to come crashing down.
You might be thinking, "well, that's awfully bold of you to say, that YOU could cause the whole tower to come crashing down, just by not doing your part?" HOW is that possible. If you were to read through Ephesians 4:1-16, I think you would know EXACTLY what I am talking about - When we serve and use what God has given us we are doing GODS work, and we are most like Jesus when we serve and are his HANDS AND FEET.
Adam said it like this, imagine you are really dehydrated, I mean really dehydrated, you would do just about ANYTHING to have even 1 drink of water... and when you get that drink of water, it's like nothing you ever tasted before, you are in "heaven", you take that drink and sigh with relief! Well, when we get plugged in and realize what you were made to do, it's like drinking that water, it's an amazing feeling to know that God has given you "this" and you are using "it" to help further the kingdom and bring GLORY to his name!
So get up, off the bench and jump in. If you don't know what your gifts are, it's OK, once you start serving and seeking, GOD is BOUND to show you. He created you for HUGE things, you have no idea. So don't be the MISSING piece, instead of falling to ground, jump in with both feet... he will never leave you. I am excited to see how God is going to use my speaking and writing to help further his kingdom... with man everything is impossible, but with God, ALL things are possible - even me writing and finishing a BOOK :) He has given me a story, and only the devil himself, doesn't want me sharing it. It brings ALL the glory to the one and only TRUE God.. and for that, I am forever grateful for. I am THRILLED that God has painted this story for me to share, what's our story? What did God give you to share? Don't wait. Every minute could be our last.
Our youth pastor Adam Dorband did the service this weekend and it was wonderful. I would encourage you to watch and listen to it (Metro South Church, Taylor, MI). But I just want to talk a little on what I heard today and how it really spoke to me.
God has blessed me with a couple amazing gifts, two of them, one of which is being a leader, and the other compassion/giving. I grew up learning that it was always better to give than to receive, and to this day, it has stayed with me. When I was young, even as young as 5/6 years old, I remember going down to the streets of Detroit, and literally passing out hot dogs to the homeless men and women on the streets. I wouldn't just hand out food, but I would try talking with them, and would sing, and just carry on in ways I knew how... I loved their company, and still do. Some people have a REALLY hard time with homeless. Some think that they CHOOSE to live like that, or that they act ENTITLED when you are giving them a handout. In my experience, I can say yes, you will come across the person or two who feel entitled. You may even come across someone who seems to have a lot of potential, but just won't try, and use it. But honestly, most of the time, these men and women are SO completely grateful for what you are doing, whether it's a hot dog or a hat, they smile, and say thank you, with the BIGGEST smile they have! They seriously appreciate the LITTLE things. I was downtown yesterday with some friends and we were feeding them and passing out clothes. I saw a man look to heaven when he had a NEW pair of WARM gloves to put on, he was just so thrilled to have this one pair of gloves!! Thank you GOD, he was saying... over GLOVES!!! I have like 4-5 pair of gloves, that I RARELY use, and I'm pretty sure I never thanked GOD over them.... Anyway, I am getting off track, but these "homeless" people, 9.5 times out of 10, they end up BLESSING me when I serve instead of the other way around.
For the last 6 years at our church I was using these two gifts to direct a little group called Reach: Local. This group of 15-20 people would go out once a month and serve in the surrounding communities, for roughly 3 hours or so on a Saturday. If you would have asked me 4 years ago, what I saw myself doing in 4 years into the future, I would have said, "directing reach local and serving those, who serve others". But in 2012, God started working on me in different ways. I know that I have briefly mentioned here and there on other posts, but God was calling me AWAY from Reach: Local and into other areas of ministry, like speaking and writing.
Now I'm sure you can tell I need some help with the writing; I tend to babel too much, my grammar isn't exactly on target and I use ALL CAPS a lot... lol. But I feel that this is what God IS calling me too... so I am going to run after it, and use what HE has given me, and put my faith in him to accomplish it. See, if I was to just sit by, on the sideline, and not do what I know he is calling me too... then I too could be that missing Jenga piece that causes the tower to come crashing down.
You might be thinking, "well, that's awfully bold of you to say, that YOU could cause the whole tower to come crashing down, just by not doing your part?" HOW is that possible. If you were to read through Ephesians 4:1-16, I think you would know EXACTLY what I am talking about - When we serve and use what God has given us we are doing GODS work, and we are most like Jesus when we serve and are his HANDS AND FEET.
Adam said it like this, imagine you are really dehydrated, I mean really dehydrated, you would do just about ANYTHING to have even 1 drink of water... and when you get that drink of water, it's like nothing you ever tasted before, you are in "heaven", you take that drink and sigh with relief! Well, when we get plugged in and realize what you were made to do, it's like drinking that water, it's an amazing feeling to know that God has given you "this" and you are using "it" to help further the kingdom and bring GLORY to his name!
So get up, off the bench and jump in. If you don't know what your gifts are, it's OK, once you start serving and seeking, GOD is BOUND to show you. He created you for HUGE things, you have no idea. So don't be the MISSING piece, instead of falling to ground, jump in with both feet... he will never leave you. I am excited to see how God is going to use my speaking and writing to help further his kingdom... with man everything is impossible, but with God, ALL things are possible - even me writing and finishing a BOOK :) He has given me a story, and only the devil himself, doesn't want me sharing it. It brings ALL the glory to the one and only TRUE God.. and for that, I am forever grateful for. I am THRILLED that God has painted this story for me to share, what's our story? What did God give you to share? Don't wait. Every minute could be our last.
Friday, January 18, 2013
To Succeed in life...
I was reading today in a NEW devotional book that I received from my mom. She said to me, "if you read nothing else in this book, you need to read this one" and she pointed it out. And, she was right, it was great!
Do you ever wake up and think, "ugh, here we go same old same old, all over again... Man I wish my life was more fun, or had more of a meaning!" I have a wonderful and I do mean WONDERFUL husband that I love more than I can put into words. I have two BEAUTIFUL miracle babies that God has gifted me. We are blessed with way more than we deserve, two cars, a beautiful warm home, food on our table, nice clothes... Let's face it, when we start to make a list, it's sort of endless for all we are thankful for.
But besides the physical gifts God gives us, he also blesses us with other gifts; leadership, compassion, faith, teaching, communication, giving... again, the list here is endless. Wouldn't it be great, to wake up one day and feel like you are using ALL God has given you? Kind of hard to imagine for me - I think he has given me so much and I don't come close to using in all! God gave us these gifts so that we would use them to serve him and others. (1Peter 4:10-11)
In the devotional I am reading, it says you need these three things "to succeed in life"- you ready, here goes:
1.) You must refuse to settle for yesterday's accomplishments. If what you did yesterday still looks big to you today, you probably haven't done enough today.
2.) You must refuse to sit around waiting for tomorrow's opportunities. Between the great things we can't do and the little things we won't do, the danger is that we'll do nothing. The world is blessed most by those who do things, not by those who merely talk about doing them.
3.) You must refuse to let your beginning dictate your end. You may have a rough start, but you with God, you can have a beautiful finish.
(All taken from Daily Devotional - The word for you today, Bob Gass Ministries)
If you knew you were going to leave this world in one month, what would you do from now until then? I would bet that your day to day, would look a whole lot different. Now I know realistically we can't live exactly as if we had only one month left to live... I know if that was my case, I would no longer be spending hours working, those hours would be with my family and loved ones... I know we can't all get up and quit our jobs for a month to do all we want to do. But maybe your prayer, as mine will be, God, would you open my eyes, so that I may see - Ps 119:18 God would you open my eyes to see all that you want for me. God will you help guide and direct me, show me lord what I can do here on earth to bring glory to your name!! God, I want to make EACH and EVERY day count.
Many of us, myself COMPLETELY included here, will pray and pray and pray for something. And we think just because God isn't answering that one prayer, he isn't hearing us, or he doesn't care. Well, my eyes have been opened a little to this, maybe if I keep praying for GOD'S work to be done in my life, and not for my OWN, then, maybe he will reveal the plans he has for me, in the "Bigger Picture".
I guess it just goes back to not wanting to wake up one day and wonder where my life went. Wonder who was I really living for? Was I more worried about the new latest and greatest "thing" or was I more concerned about using my resources to help move the kingdom of God further. For me, you can keep the fancy this, that and the other, I think for me and my family, we will chose to live within our means which God has provided, and we will choose to follow what God has for our lives. I can only hope as a parent that I will bring my children up with this as their hearts passion.
I use to care what other people thought, now I just care about what God thinks. He's really all that matters in the "bigger picture".
***For some encouraging reading, read the life story about George Washington Carver (I'm sure you can get the big picture of his life on Wikipedia) and if you have kids, even if you don't, I recommend this book, it's a kids book, not a chapter book, called "The boy who changed the world" - it was a book gifted to my son, from a dear friend, and probably will be one of the best gifts he has received.***
Do you ever wake up and think, "ugh, here we go same old same old, all over again... Man I wish my life was more fun, or had more of a meaning!" I have a wonderful and I do mean WONDERFUL husband that I love more than I can put into words. I have two BEAUTIFUL miracle babies that God has gifted me. We are blessed with way more than we deserve, two cars, a beautiful warm home, food on our table, nice clothes... Let's face it, when we start to make a list, it's sort of endless for all we are thankful for.
But besides the physical gifts God gives us, he also blesses us with other gifts; leadership, compassion, faith, teaching, communication, giving... again, the list here is endless. Wouldn't it be great, to wake up one day and feel like you are using ALL God has given you? Kind of hard to imagine for me - I think he has given me so much and I don't come close to using in all! God gave us these gifts so that we would use them to serve him and others. (1Peter 4:10-11)
In the devotional I am reading, it says you need these three things "to succeed in life"- you ready, here goes:
1.) You must refuse to settle for yesterday's accomplishments. If what you did yesterday still looks big to you today, you probably haven't done enough today.
2.) You must refuse to sit around waiting for tomorrow's opportunities. Between the great things we can't do and the little things we won't do, the danger is that we'll do nothing. The world is blessed most by those who do things, not by those who merely talk about doing them.
3.) You must refuse to let your beginning dictate your end. You may have a rough start, but you with God, you can have a beautiful finish.
(All taken from Daily Devotional - The word for you today, Bob Gass Ministries)
If you knew you were going to leave this world in one month, what would you do from now until then? I would bet that your day to day, would look a whole lot different. Now I know realistically we can't live exactly as if we had only one month left to live... I know if that was my case, I would no longer be spending hours working, those hours would be with my family and loved ones... I know we can't all get up and quit our jobs for a month to do all we want to do. But maybe your prayer, as mine will be, God, would you open my eyes, so that I may see - Ps 119:18 God would you open my eyes to see all that you want for me. God will you help guide and direct me, show me lord what I can do here on earth to bring glory to your name!! God, I want to make EACH and EVERY day count.
Many of us, myself COMPLETELY included here, will pray and pray and pray for something. And we think just because God isn't answering that one prayer, he isn't hearing us, or he doesn't care. Well, my eyes have been opened a little to this, maybe if I keep praying for GOD'S work to be done in my life, and not for my OWN, then, maybe he will reveal the plans he has for me, in the "Bigger Picture".
I guess it just goes back to not wanting to wake up one day and wonder where my life went. Wonder who was I really living for? Was I more worried about the new latest and greatest "thing" or was I more concerned about using my resources to help move the kingdom of God further. For me, you can keep the fancy this, that and the other, I think for me and my family, we will chose to live within our means which God has provided, and we will choose to follow what God has for our lives. I can only hope as a parent that I will bring my children up with this as their hearts passion.
I use to care what other people thought, now I just care about what God thinks. He's really all that matters in the "bigger picture".
"God open my eyes, that I may see"
Psalm 119:18
***For some encouraging reading, read the life story about George Washington Carver (I'm sure you can get the big picture of his life on Wikipedia) and if you have kids, even if you don't, I recommend this book, it's a kids book, not a chapter book, called "The boy who changed the world" - it was a book gifted to my son, from a dear friend, and probably will be one of the best gifts he has received.***
Great Reminder!
This is so simple and so true. I think EVERY person should read this, whether Christian or not. Christians aren't perfect, so when you look at a Christian, and you see their flaws, know one thing, they are COVERED in God's grace, and you can be too! I think the person who wrote this, wrote it from their heart and hit the nail right on the head, over and over again. So pick up your cross, even if that means that it's a daily task, stay faithful to God; he IS and WILL remain faithful to you.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Different direction....
Everything happens for a reason. It's funny isn't it, we can say this to other people... we can even think it when bad things happen, but when it comes to your own life, we don't want it to apply. Or at least I don't.
Last night I had an eye opening experience happen. I don't want to go into detail about what it was exactly, because it's not going to happen now, and it's one of those things that people definitely have their opinions about and I really don't want to hear the opinions. The point of this post is to talk about the different directions our lives can take in a matter of seconds.
I had been praying and planning on something for a little while now. And last night, I was going to see if what I thought, could really be a reality. I was really excited, I felt that this WAS the path I was suppose to be taking. But then, to my surprise, God had a different plan.
With all my heart, I do believe that ALL things happen for a reason. I have too. But when it comes to my own immediate life, I find myself making excuses for it. "No, this can't mean that" and "there has to be another way around this, I can still get it!" I am not a patient person, or at least I didn't use to be, I am much better now. But I feel like God is still teaching me a lot on patience and last night I got another lesson :(
There was something I thought I was going to get, and after looking through all the red tape, I realized it was never going to happen for me. The "what" isn't important here and you're probably sitting there letting the "what is it" take your focus off the main point. When God redirects something in our life, it's not because he doesn't care, or doesn't love us, it's because he can see the BIG picture. It is because he loves and cares so much for us, and maybe the outcome after what we are desiring, won't be so desirable.
As I sat in my car last night crying and pouring out to my husband some personal emotions, he reminded me that this wasn't suppose to happen and that everything does happen for a reason. So we have two paths, we can wallow in self pity because we didn't get OUR way, or we can pick our head up and pray about what it is GOD would have us do. We can pray for his direction instead of ours.
This is really hard for me, because all last night and even today, I have been moping around here like a person who has nothing. LOL, well, that is the FURTHEST from the truth, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I am going to turn a new page here, and I am going to try really hard here to seek what God has, because I don't want to miss it! I do know that his plan is best, he is my father who loves me, and wants nothing but wonderful things for me. So rather than push the matter and try and make MY way work, I am going to pray and ask him to show me HIS way instead.
Can you relate to this?
Last night I had an eye opening experience happen. I don't want to go into detail about what it was exactly, because it's not going to happen now, and it's one of those things that people definitely have their opinions about and I really don't want to hear the opinions. The point of this post is to talk about the different directions our lives can take in a matter of seconds.
I had been praying and planning on something for a little while now. And last night, I was going to see if what I thought, could really be a reality. I was really excited, I felt that this WAS the path I was suppose to be taking. But then, to my surprise, God had a different plan.
With all my heart, I do believe that ALL things happen for a reason. I have too. But when it comes to my own immediate life, I find myself making excuses for it. "No, this can't mean that" and "there has to be another way around this, I can still get it!" I am not a patient person, or at least I didn't use to be, I am much better now. But I feel like God is still teaching me a lot on patience and last night I got another lesson :(
There was something I thought I was going to get, and after looking through all the red tape, I realized it was never going to happen for me. The "what" isn't important here and you're probably sitting there letting the "what is it" take your focus off the main point. When God redirects something in our life, it's not because he doesn't care, or doesn't love us, it's because he can see the BIG picture. It is because he loves and cares so much for us, and maybe the outcome after what we are desiring, won't be so desirable.
As I sat in my car last night crying and pouring out to my husband some personal emotions, he reminded me that this wasn't suppose to happen and that everything does happen for a reason. So we have two paths, we can wallow in self pity because we didn't get OUR way, or we can pick our head up and pray about what it is GOD would have us do. We can pray for his direction instead of ours.
This is really hard for me, because all last night and even today, I have been moping around here like a person who has nothing. LOL, well, that is the FURTHEST from the truth, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I am going to turn a new page here, and I am going to try really hard here to seek what God has, because I don't want to miss it! I do know that his plan is best, he is my father who loves me, and wants nothing but wonderful things for me. So rather than push the matter and try and make MY way work, I am going to pray and ask him to show me HIS way instead.
Can you relate to this?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Very personal.. stepping out in faith.
I want to share something here, that is really personal and dear to my heart. Last summer (2012), I was asked if I would be interested in going on an all expense paid mission trip to Columbia! Yes, you heard me correctly, I said Columbia.
Now I know what you are thinking, Columbia is like the drug-lord capital of the WORLD, there is violence and kid-napping and the cartels own it all - NO WHERE is safe! Why on earth would you ever consider going to Columbia? Let me tell you...
Back in Mar/Apr 2012, my prayer became to God that I wanted him to USE me. I wanted him to show me what he wanted me to do, how I could use the gifts he has given me, and I wanted to step out and walk in faith and GO to what he had called me too.
Now I won't go into a ton of details... but serving on a mission trip is a hearts cry of mine. However, I had no idea that an opportunity like the one that was presented to me would come so soon! As I said, this had been my prayer, and when this opportunity came, I felt immediately torn - I had all of the natural, human feelings: What about my kids, I mean my daughter wasn't even a year old, I have two small children, a husband, a job, could I just pick up and seriously leave in 6 weeks to go to Columbia? I forgot to mention that earlier, I was asked to go 7 weeks before the trip was suppose to take place. OK, getting back, so could I do this? Then the spiritual feelings came out - I felt prompted by the holy spirit, I felt God speaking in to me, "when you ask me to use you, did you expect it would be easy? Do you not trust that I have great things in store for you? Will you not GO now that I have called you to GO?" These are some pretty intense responses when praying about what you are to do in a certain situation.
I knew the only decision, and the decision was to go! I so excited, it seemed as though God literally gift wrapped and handed this trip to me. In the couple weeks to come, wow, there was a lot I was faced with. Mostly, the negative people that couldn't understand for even a moment why I would be "called" to go to Columbia! I remember telling someone who had many negative things to say, that "I believed whole heartily that this was Gods calling in my life" and I remember the response, "We must hear what we want from God, because her God wouldn't call a mother with two young children, with a husband at home to go to such a dangerous place such as Columbia". I remember responding with, "then who should go?" and she said "other people will go, certainly shouldn't be you".
This sort of thing went on a couple times - I finally decided to stop telling people, because I didn't feel that it was my place to have to explain ALL that God was doing in my life at this point. My decision, was between me and God. All while the negatives were coming at me, I felt complete peace, that the decision I was making, was completely GOD led. I just had this feeling that GOD, was going to do something GREAT with this trip.
Well, shortly after making the decision to go, the trip was canceled, lol. OK, so maybe I wasn't meant to go to Columbia at that time :) But God STILL did something AMAZING with that trip, even tho I never packed a bag.... God called me to something, something BIG, and I had been praying and I was seeking him, and when I heard him calling me loud and clear to leave on this trip, I didn't back down, no, I decided to run full force. I didn't look back, I didn't get scared. I knew that no matter what, this was what I was suppose to do.
Today in church, our service was amazing and this whole experience for me was revisited and I felt God speak to me, "continue to be faithful!" And that is what I will continue to do, I will continue to be faithful - I "SAY" that I believe in GOD, and I "SAY" that I believe in the bible, then I need to live dangerously for GOD. We can all live sewn up, safe little lives... never leaving our comfort zone, but for me, I need to walk where he calls me to walk! Even if that means the streets of Columbia. I do not fear, for I know that I am not alone - the Lord God who created me so that I could do all that he has planned for me to do, will keep me! God is not finished with me yet, greater things are yet to come, so stay tuned here, for I plan on keeping you all informed and taking you with me on the ride.
Is God calling you to live outside your comfort zone? Would you pray for him to show to you what that is, if you don't already know? Will you be BOLD for the one who created you and gave you the gifts you have? If you pray, and ask God to USE you, he most certainly will!!!!
God, I am faithfully and forever yours.
- Megan
Now I know what you are thinking, Columbia is like the drug-lord capital of the WORLD, there is violence and kid-napping and the cartels own it all - NO WHERE is safe! Why on earth would you ever consider going to Columbia? Let me tell you...
Back in Mar/Apr 2012, my prayer became to God that I wanted him to USE me. I wanted him to show me what he wanted me to do, how I could use the gifts he has given me, and I wanted to step out and walk in faith and GO to what he had called me too.
Now I won't go into a ton of details... but serving on a mission trip is a hearts cry of mine. However, I had no idea that an opportunity like the one that was presented to me would come so soon! As I said, this had been my prayer, and when this opportunity came, I felt immediately torn - I had all of the natural, human feelings: What about my kids, I mean my daughter wasn't even a year old, I have two small children, a husband, a job, could I just pick up and seriously leave in 6 weeks to go to Columbia? I forgot to mention that earlier, I was asked to go 7 weeks before the trip was suppose to take place. OK, getting back, so could I do this? Then the spiritual feelings came out - I felt prompted by the holy spirit, I felt God speaking in to me, "when you ask me to use you, did you expect it would be easy? Do you not trust that I have great things in store for you? Will you not GO now that I have called you to GO?" These are some pretty intense responses when praying about what you are to do in a certain situation.
I knew the only decision, and the decision was to go! I so excited, it seemed as though God literally gift wrapped and handed this trip to me. In the couple weeks to come, wow, there was a lot I was faced with. Mostly, the negative people that couldn't understand for even a moment why I would be "called" to go to Columbia! I remember telling someone who had many negative things to say, that "I believed whole heartily that this was Gods calling in my life" and I remember the response, "We must hear what we want from God, because her God wouldn't call a mother with two young children, with a husband at home to go to such a dangerous place such as Columbia". I remember responding with, "then who should go?" and she said "other people will go, certainly shouldn't be you".
This sort of thing went on a couple times - I finally decided to stop telling people, because I didn't feel that it was my place to have to explain ALL that God was doing in my life at this point. My decision, was between me and God. All while the negatives were coming at me, I felt complete peace, that the decision I was making, was completely GOD led. I just had this feeling that GOD, was going to do something GREAT with this trip.
Well, shortly after making the decision to go, the trip was canceled, lol. OK, so maybe I wasn't meant to go to Columbia at that time :) But God STILL did something AMAZING with that trip, even tho I never packed a bag.... God called me to something, something BIG, and I had been praying and I was seeking him, and when I heard him calling me loud and clear to leave on this trip, I didn't back down, no, I decided to run full force. I didn't look back, I didn't get scared. I knew that no matter what, this was what I was suppose to do.
Today in church, our service was amazing and this whole experience for me was revisited and I felt God speak to me, "continue to be faithful!" And that is what I will continue to do, I will continue to be faithful - I "SAY" that I believe in GOD, and I "SAY" that I believe in the bible, then I need to live dangerously for GOD. We can all live sewn up, safe little lives... never leaving our comfort zone, but for me, I need to walk where he calls me to walk! Even if that means the streets of Columbia. I do not fear, for I know that I am not alone - the Lord God who created me so that I could do all that he has planned for me to do, will keep me! God is not finished with me yet, greater things are yet to come, so stay tuned here, for I plan on keeping you all informed and taking you with me on the ride.
Is God calling you to live outside your comfort zone? Would you pray for him to show to you what that is, if you don't already know? Will you be BOLD for the one who created you and gave you the gifts you have? If you pray, and ask God to USE you, he most certainly will!!!!
God, I am faithfully and forever yours.
- Megan
Friday, January 11, 2013
What's the big deal?
What kind of music do you listen too? What TV shows or movies do you watch? Do you think these things can effect your perspective on your life or life in general? What about affecting how you feel about yourself? I think it can.
We have all heard it said and we know it to be true, the models you see in those magazines at the grocery check out, are all air brushed to make them look beyond perfect. I get it. But the fact is, they do look BEYOND perfect. Huge newsflash NO ONE is perfect, not one of us. Even that perfect "looking" model feels imperfect in some way. But again, this perception can effect how we feel about ourselves. It effected me for a LONG time!!! I finally had to stop buying them and get passed it.
I wondered for a long time, GOD, why, why can't I stop my swearing? Lord I love you, and I am following you, why does this tongue still want to drop F-bombs? Well, when we surround our self with rated R movies and music that is filled with filthy lyrics, we are bound to stay in our ways. It's hard to change that about ourselves when we are wrapped up in it.
Some things that I have certainly changed in the last couple years that have REALLY effected me in such a POSITIVE way, I changed the TV shows I watch and the types of movies I see. If it's rated R, I typically try to stay away from seeing it. I know that rated R usually means F this and F that, and the F word in a movie 100 different times is just ridiculous to me. You think I am kidding, next time you sit down to a rated R movie, have a notebook and pen, and tally how many swear words they use, it's rather insane. Then pop in PG-13 movie where they use 10 swear words and it's just as good :) My point is, I don't need any ADDED junk in my life, I have enough! SO by cutting out pointless magazine reading, cutting out the filthy language in movies, and questionable scenes and topics in certain TV shows, and music, I really feel a load has lifted from me.
I have replaced the little bit of reading I would do to bible reading, I have switched most all my music listening to christian, uplifting music (before you judge it, ask me for some recommendations, it's come a LONG way), and now, I stay within in the PG-13 ratings for movies. I know I am an adult, but I also know where I struggle and what I need to eliminate!
Now with my body image, while I know I need to work on that, now I know it's for me, and not for everyone else. I feel like I was stuck in this prideful mindset for so long about my body image, and for so long I was so INTO reading the check out magazines. Little changes make a big difference. I changed what I was watching and listening too, and what do you know, I don't see myself having a problem with swearing anymore.
NOW, let's not forget, I did not do this alone. I was in prayer over these things and still am, and I know that GOD has been my strength all along the way. That's what is so absolutely amazing about walking with GOD, you are NEVER walking alone. HE wants to fight for you, he wants you to be free from what holds you back from having a close relationship with him. Isn't that refreshing and beautiful? I think so.
We have all heard it said and we know it to be true, the models you see in those magazines at the grocery check out, are all air brushed to make them look beyond perfect. I get it. But the fact is, they do look BEYOND perfect. Huge newsflash NO ONE is perfect, not one of us. Even that perfect "looking" model feels imperfect in some way. But again, this perception can effect how we feel about ourselves. It effected me for a LONG time!!! I finally had to stop buying them and get passed it.
I wondered for a long time, GOD, why, why can't I stop my swearing? Lord I love you, and I am following you, why does this tongue still want to drop F-bombs? Well, when we surround our self with rated R movies and music that is filled with filthy lyrics, we are bound to stay in our ways. It's hard to change that about ourselves when we are wrapped up in it.
Some things that I have certainly changed in the last couple years that have REALLY effected me in such a POSITIVE way, I changed the TV shows I watch and the types of movies I see. If it's rated R, I typically try to stay away from seeing it. I know that rated R usually means F this and F that, and the F word in a movie 100 different times is just ridiculous to me. You think I am kidding, next time you sit down to a rated R movie, have a notebook and pen, and tally how many swear words they use, it's rather insane. Then pop in PG-13 movie where they use 10 swear words and it's just as good :) My point is, I don't need any ADDED junk in my life, I have enough! SO by cutting out pointless magazine reading, cutting out the filthy language in movies, and questionable scenes and topics in certain TV shows, and music, I really feel a load has lifted from me.
I have replaced the little bit of reading I would do to bible reading, I have switched most all my music listening to christian, uplifting music (before you judge it, ask me for some recommendations, it's come a LONG way), and now, I stay within in the PG-13 ratings for movies. I know I am an adult, but I also know where I struggle and what I need to eliminate!
Now with my body image, while I know I need to work on that, now I know it's for me, and not for everyone else. I feel like I was stuck in this prideful mindset for so long about my body image, and for so long I was so INTO reading the check out magazines. Little changes make a big difference. I changed what I was watching and listening too, and what do you know, I don't see myself having a problem with swearing anymore.
NOW, let's not forget, I did not do this alone. I was in prayer over these things and still am, and I know that GOD has been my strength all along the way. That's what is so absolutely amazing about walking with GOD, you are NEVER walking alone. HE wants to fight for you, he wants you to be free from what holds you back from having a close relationship with him. Isn't that refreshing and beautiful? I think so.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
What's the purpose?
Have you ever stopped to think about why we face the little details that make up our life? Why did it take me 3 years to conceive our son? Why was there a time in my life when I walked far from the heart of God? Why did I marry who I married? Why am I at the job I am at? I could really go on and on...
Well, I believe with all my heart, that it all has a purpose. I feel like my life is this giant, massive jigsaw puzzle and everything in my life is another little piece to that puzzle. Without that piece, my puzzle would be incomplete, and God wouldn't be able to finish his masterpiece. The pieces include the good, bad and the ugly. Without the ugly, God wouldn't be able to come in and make our lives beautiful.
Even when it's hard to fathom why God would want us to go through such heartache, the pain of losing someone near and dear... there is a reason. God doesn't make mistakes, he is a just God and all that he does is with purpose. Doesn't that make you smile? Your life has purpose! No matter what is going on around you; your kids don't speak to you, your husband left you, your jobless, and you are losing your home, all sounds pretty crappy, but your LIFE, it has a purpose. God created us, each of us with a different purpose in mind.
It's up to US to seek God and find out what that purpose is. Be patient. He may not reveal things to you in a quick minute, but if you pray, and you ask God to show you how he wants to use you. I promise, in his time, he will show you. Now, his time, may not be our time, so be ready, and be ready to be used. You may think you'll start slow, but he says no, I want you to come out running - you need to be prepared for whatever it is.
Laying in bed at night and meditating on that fact that this PERFECT God, created me so that he could LOVE me, and use me to bring glory to his name... me? Of all people, what could I possibly do that would help bring glory to the name of the almighty? Well, seek and you shall find.
So today, go around with a smile on your face. Wear it proud no matter what you are going through. Your FATHER in heaven loves you and your father in heaven wants to use you. Will you let him?
Well, I believe with all my heart, that it all has a purpose. I feel like my life is this giant, massive jigsaw puzzle and everything in my life is another little piece to that puzzle. Without that piece, my puzzle would be incomplete, and God wouldn't be able to finish his masterpiece. The pieces include the good, bad and the ugly. Without the ugly, God wouldn't be able to come in and make our lives beautiful.
Even when it's hard to fathom why God would want us to go through such heartache, the pain of losing someone near and dear... there is a reason. God doesn't make mistakes, he is a just God and all that he does is with purpose. Doesn't that make you smile? Your life has purpose! No matter what is going on around you; your kids don't speak to you, your husband left you, your jobless, and you are losing your home, all sounds pretty crappy, but your LIFE, it has a purpose. God created us, each of us with a different purpose in mind.
It's up to US to seek God and find out what that purpose is. Be patient. He may not reveal things to you in a quick minute, but if you pray, and you ask God to show you how he wants to use you. I promise, in his time, he will show you. Now, his time, may not be our time, so be ready, and be ready to be used. You may think you'll start slow, but he says no, I want you to come out running - you need to be prepared for whatever it is.
Laying in bed at night and meditating on that fact that this PERFECT God, created me so that he could LOVE me, and use me to bring glory to his name... me? Of all people, what could I possibly do that would help bring glory to the name of the almighty? Well, seek and you shall find.
So today, go around with a smile on your face. Wear it proud no matter what you are going through. Your FATHER in heaven loves you and your father in heaven wants to use you. Will you let him?
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