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!!


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.

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".
                                                        "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?

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

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.

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?