Mom Tell Me Some Miracles...

Last night my son asked me, "Mom, can you tell me some miracles in my life." He caught me off guard.  I wasn't expecting that to be the topic of our before bedtime prayer.  Nor was I expecting my ten year old to ask me to prove to him that God was working in His life.

I believe we sell God short of His miracles. We have grown so accustomed to technology and factual print that we forget the very presence of Him is a miracle.  We look past that He designed our very intricate being to operate in such a manner that our very breathe and heart beat is one miracle after another.  It slips our memory that it was He that gave us the brain cells to conjure the idea of building a space ship, an airplane, a car, a building or medicines. It is He that sustains us through each day and provides for our every need yet we believe WE do all of that for ourselves.  We set our goals, we worked hard, we paid our dues, We Did It!  WRONG!!  Every good and perfect thing comes from the Lord.  Oh God, forgive us, that our heads have become puffed with pride and arrogance that we have forgotten the everyday miracles you bless us with!

Our sermon this last week was on faith.  I have never had an issue of whether the Bible is Truth.  I just believed.  I have a tendency to lean towards the gullible side.  If you tell me something I will believe you. Yes, I know that can get you in trouble sometimes and can also make you the object of many jokes and I have had my fair share.  I was described this week as having the gift of faith.  And maybe that is rightfully so but, I can also testify to the awesome betterment of faith.  It starts with just a mustard seed; that minute seed of faith requires no spiritual gift just a small sliver of belief that HE IS, HE CAN, or HE WILL!

Witnessing God's miracles is what pushes us to have more faith.  And not one of us can say we haven't witnessed His miraculous ways.  I bet even at this moment you are being prompted to recall that special miracle of healing, or life, or provision, or restoration, or deliverance.  That special time when you knew God had done something great, like when my newhew, Taylor, was born weighing only 2lbs, or when a kidney donor came along for Charleigh Ray, or when my child cried out to Him and his prayers were answered, or even the moment of my salvation!  Realizing His greatness and our unworthiness should drive us to trust Him more because we know that we are nothing without Him.  So why is it so difficult for us to see His miracles in our everyday lives??  WE AREN'T LOOKING!!  As my son reminded me, we wait for someone to slap mud in our eyes so our blindness can be healed. Miracle, right?  Maybe asking God to remove the mud might not be a bad idea.  Maybe you have lived in your puffed up box of self sufficiency for too long you have lost sight of His supernatural occurrences all around you.

I realized last night I have failed to affirm to my children just how miraculous our God is.  I began last night sharing with my son all the many things that God had done in his life that had proven to be miracles from the Lord, starting with his birth.  Of course there were a few things I mentioned that he tried to revert back and say well "I" worked hard for that one but I quickly reminded him of his many prayers asking God to help him in that situation and the Lord was faithful!

Where are you today?  Is the mud still over your eyes and your self righteousness still walking around fighting your battles?  Are you ready to let God reveal a new sight, a miracle, a sight that is breathtaking each and every moment?  The faith of a mustard seed can produce a tree of rest for you and for those around you. Trust Him with your life, trust Him to provide, trust Him for answers, let Him show you the many miracles He wants you to see that are happening all around you each and every day!! 

"Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in it's branches." Matthew 13:32

We, as Christians, are the light for all to see His Glory. Your mustard seed of faith just might be the miracle that someone else needs to see!!  Share your miracles with those around you this season!  Everyone needs the miracle of Jesus!

Clean Underwear?

A few Saturday's ago we were preparing to go to the boys baseball games. They didn't take a bath the night before and insisted on not taking one that morning since they were about to be outside getting filthy dirty playing ball. I relinquished but demanded they put on clean underwear. One of the boys commented, "Mom, why do we have to put on clean underwear? It's not like they will grow mold in them." As I am desperately trying not to roll out of my seat laughing I still made them put on clean underwear.

The Lord is always good about revealing sin in my life; and like it or not it's a lot like dirty underwear. For those of you that are OCD like myself, putting on clean undergarments or clothes each day or a few times a day is just a given. There are no questions about whether we will do it, we just do. So, let's think about this spiritually. Many times we as Christians can go many moons without "fessing up" to our sin. And even if we do seek forgiveness from the Lord, nine times out of ten we are right back in the middle of that sin within weeks, days, or even minutes. It's like taking those filthy clothes out of the dirty clothes and putting them back on again. There is definitely no logic to that but it is evident this is an every day occurrence. And honestly, the mold may not grow on our clothes but it will grow in our hearts.

So, let me give you some more examples to get your mind going on how this works. You have gone to the store knowing you have a budget but that outfit is calling your name, you feed the monster (credit card), and then feed it again, and again, putting that budget out of your mind until that bill is out of control several months later. Let's say your husband isn't meeting your needs, you bash him at home, in front of the kids, and in public in front of friends, and then expect him to "poof" into prince charming. How about this, our job is taking a toll on us so we take it out on all in sight, especially our loved ones and seek vengeance on the ones we work with. Or this is the ultimate, we feel our child has been treated unjustly, so we immediately ridicule the teacher, blame the "so called" friend, and start a war with the parents of that friend. We jump on the train of negativity, gossip, bad attitudes, yelling at out kids, and so on...Are you catching my drift? We know these things are dirty yet we put them on as if to say they smell good!! All I can say is this is....WHACK!! I'm guilty! How and why have we let the world switch the price tags on the value of righteousness, on the value of living a holy and blameless life???

Now, don't misunderstand me because I am not stupid to think that these are just lil' ole struggles and they shouldn't be any problem to fix. Fighting the flesh is never easy! The easy choice for my boys was to leave those "stanky" undies on, the easy choice for us would be to go along with the world and do as they do. We ask forgiveness yet never turn from our sin, then wonder why our lives are in turmoil and nothing seems to work out.

Paul writes, "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, sin is living inside of me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I do not carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. Now, if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: when I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 7:14-25

If you got through that and understood it all you are awesome. I sometimes laugh at Paul's grammar...I do what I do, but I don't want to do but I still do. Lol! That's a lot of "do's"!! I'll explain a bit. Our flesh desires sin, we can't help it, it is in our being (just blame it on Eve, she started this mess, Lol). The only way to conquer sin is to have an intimate relationship with Christ, but even then our desires will sometimes outweigh our love for Him. The key is knowing this...

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor 10:12

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to even me. When I am in a right relationship with Him I no longer have to worry if I can reject sin, I know that I can because He has promised to provide a way out. The next time life confronts you with feelings of anger, bitterness, jealousy, greediness, and frustration you have a choice. Listen to the Holy Spirit that is nudging you to put on clean garments. He desires for you to be clean, even your underwear, lest you grow mold!! ;-)

New Vision

Today my son had an eye doctor appointment. On my calendar, I had the appointment scheduled for 10:30. Upon arriving at the office I was quickly informed that our appointment was actually at 8:30. Bummer!!! That is just typical of my days here lately. I'm always behind and a bit mixed up. They ended up letting us stay which was a complete blessing considering this Dr only comes to Longview once a week and we have had this appointment for over a year. This doctor is not easy to get in to see.

Mackenson, had been looking forward to this appointment for quiet some time. He has had glasses since he started the 2nd grade and is now in the 5th grade. He is desperately wanting to get contacts and feels this is the best option for him. I love how kids can look at a situation and think they know everything. Lol! As I picked him up from school the whole ride to the office was to tell me how much contacts were a great idea for him. He talked of a commercial he had seen that said they could last a month and then you could throw them away. He thought that was waaaayyy cool! He also proceeded to tell me that since they didn't dilate his eyes last year that he knew they would be doing so this year. 

They called us back to the room to examine his eyes and all we can hear is a child screaming bloody murder for at least five minutes. He looks at me and says "Mom, I hope I don't do that." Of course my sarcastic reply with a smile was "that will be you in about 10 minutes." He laughs halfheartedly but with a scared look on his face. Exam happens, the spraying occurs and he succeeds with flying colors. NO screams! NO moans! NO crying! Just a little amazement on his part that he didn't die! Lol! We go back to the waiting room to allow time for his eyes to go to the "hardly can see" mode. He sits there and the Lord gives me some perspective.

I have never had trouble with my physical eyes nor has my husband so this living and learning with my child through this has sometimes been difficult. My heart has hurt numerous times from the fear that my child would stand out in an awkward manner and that the crossing of his eyes were a little less than perfect and needed help being able to function properly. I guess all parents have these fears with their children. My fears God has had to conquer.

I sat in the waiting area as my sons vision became blurred and realized even those of us with perfect vision have blurred vision at times. Our problem may not be that we need glasses, bifocals, trifocals, or contacts it may be that we need to see through His eyes and not our own. It may be that we need His Word to clear things up for us. It may be that though our physical eyes are 20/20 our spiritual eyes are dried up and are in major need of the living water to nurture us to site.

When life seems the hardest it is Him who carries us. The hard part is letting Him put that spray in to dilate. You see God does allow storms in our lives, we are to decide how we will handle them. Will we scream with fear and hurt like the little boy in the optometrist office? Will we throw our fit and pout for a while until someone hears us and feels sorry for us? Or will we sit knowing the storm is coming, endure the pain, notice the blur of the storm and be aware that God is working? My son knew that in order to come out on the other end with contacts, clear vision, he was going to have to endure some pain and discomfort. He knew it was then that they could see the problem and help him to get what He needed in order to see correctly. It's the same for us. God uses everyday struggles, battles, and even major catastrophes and devastation in our lives to blur our physical eyes so that our spiritual eyes can be refocused on Him.  It is the process of getting rid of what isn't needed and enhancing what is needed. So though our eyes may be a blur in all that we are going through, His eyes are perfect and able to guide us along the way.  In turn, we come out with what we really need...new eyes...NEW VISION!!

Be A Friend

School is back in full swing and everyone in our house just about has a different schedule.  Of course, my hubby is still busy at work and now helping coach a fall baseball team; which means for the boys and him two practices each week with two games on Saturdays.  Madison has a laundry list of things that she is involved in this year which includes before school practices and after school practices, and after practice practices...shew!! And that leaves me as the taxi and gofer to make certain that all is on the calendar prepared for and taken care of.  I truly wonder how all you full time working moms do it? You are a hero to me for sure! 

A new year always has its new challenges and we have endured many over the last couple of weeks.  I praise God for seeing us through and loving me despite my flesh.  It is so very humbling to know He loves me that much! 

My son came home from school after the first day a little lonely not having any of his guy friends in his class.  I had asked who he sat with at lunch and he began to tell me about the boys that he is friends with that passed by 4 empty seats next to him at his table.  Of course I asked him if he invited them to sit with him and He said no.  I then had to explain to my son that in order to have a friend we must be a friend.  

I believe that is sometimes a hard lesson for us to learn.  We see someone we know and expect them to make the first move of conversation or be the one to invite us to lunch or an event and when it doesn't happen we assume they don't like us or don't want to be friends with us.  Sounds silly or a bit petty but how many times have you gone to church or a community function and you felt like you were not really there, invisible to all present. We leave telling our spouse, "I know she saw me but she just walked right past me." Or as we sit on the back pew of the church and there is meet and greet time, we stay still in our pew, we don't cross the Jordan, we don't look to our left or right or three rows over, we expect them to come to us.  And why is that? Is it from our own insecurities? Do we have an attitude of selfishness and think everyone should do for us first? Is it because we are just a visitor and feel it isn't our place to make the first move?  Why is it that even as a 10 year old boy, our mind and body is stuck in a seat watching opportunity pass by?

Again in order to have a friend we must be a friend.  A relationship requires work and sometimes it will require more work on one person's part until establishment is made.  

We had a stray dog show up on Saturday at our house.  I was not happy at all! You see we have four dogs already another one is NOT needed.  Our male dog was extremely happy to see this sexy female come into his life and boy did he want to let her know how excited he was to see her.  Lol!  We tried to shew her away and send her down the road but she kept coming back.  And why was that?  My male dog made her feel welcome (so did my children, of course!)  

This is a perfect picture of friendship, someone walks by and our job is to get excited that they are in our presence.  Of course, we don't have to act like a male dog chasing a female dog but you get my picture! Lol!  Relentless, never giving up until we know we have made that person welcome.  I have shared a million times with my Sunday School girls and my kids, imagine everyone with a sign around their neck that says "Make me feel special!" I can say when I was younger this was an important part of my everyday life and for some reason after having all my kids and dealing with my own insecurities I have fallen from this. I can see where I have missed out on friendships and opportunities to share Christ because I have not been a friend to begin with.  Oh God forgive me, that I have not loved my neighbor as you have loved them.  

Many times in the Bible the Lord instructs us to love our neighbor as our self.  “You, my brothers, were called to be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:13-15

God is good to warn us not to sit on the opportunity to love someone else. He is gracious to remind us over and over again in His Word and to express to us the importance of loving those that are around us.  Yes we are free but with freedom comes responsibility, a responsibility to be a friend! And lest we take heed there will be consequences.

Encouraging you today that as you meet new people or just mingle with the same ole ones...be a friend, make them feel special, love them as you love yourself, as Christ loves you!!

Anyone want a DOG??????????

Trusting Him with Them...

Summer has come and gone and I am getting back on the wagon to tell my life experiences with God.  I have been back and forth on how personal I should be and what is too much information to share about my family with out making any one of us vulnerable.  This has been a rather hard decision as I have written a couple of devotions but have not shared them in reluctance of them being too personal.  So today I sit with my heart and mind full.  I am not at all sure what will come out but letting Him lead and to Him be the Glory!!

At the end of last year my daughter had to choose what classes she would take for her first year at the Junior High.  Wow, Junior High...it blows me away to think I have a child that old.  She brought home a paper with several choices for electives and also choices of advanced or regular classes.  There had been a parent meeting describing what courses were important for your child to take and taking those advanced classes were contingent upon there success through high school and college.  She made her elective choices of choir, athletics, art, and career investigations and then we encouraged her to select a few advanced courses.  She was super excited about her choices and ready to conquer the 7^th grade.  

A couple weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon, we went to register and pick up schedules for all my kids.  The Junior High campus was our last stop and as soon as we received our schedule a horrible look of disappointment fell upon my daughter’s face.  She pointed to the office and said “I don’t have any advanced classes, mom, there is the office.” I didn’t spend any time looking at teachers or electives just glanced to see there were no ADV written in front of English, Math, or History.  We went to the office and were told to fill out a “request to change form” and that they would let us know something by Wednesday. 

Now let me tell you that Madison is an A student with an occasional B.  She is not the smartest kid ever but definitely not stupid.  She however, did not obtain a "commended performance” on her TAKS test but did score very well.  That being said you can imagine a momma’s anger, especially when her child had anticipated with excitement on getting these courses.  Here’s where the drama came in.

Each year I have been skeptical of at least one set of teachers my children have had, but each year God has been faithful in seeing them through.  Last year however for Madison it was a rough year. One in which we had to really choose to trust God in. 

Please don’t misunderstand I am not a parent that likes to blame teachers for a child’s mistakes but I do feel that a lack of desire on a teachers part, or a dislike of a student can contribute to that students academic success and emotional state. Granted, I went to school to be a teacher and have subbed over the last several years and realize the huge responsibility that teachers have to meet. It is almost impossible to meet the many needs of students on so very many different levels emotionally, socially, and academically, not to mention the requirements that the district and state give them to teach students basically to excel on ONE test. Yes, it is a messed up world we live in. 

I had prayed God would show mercy on Madison this year and put her in classes with students that cared about learning, that cared about their grades, that cared about being respectful to teachers, that cared about the things they were involved in, and to have teachers that cared about her, etc.  We thought being placed in some advanced courses would alleviate some of the issues we struggled with the year before. We waited for a response after putting our request to change in and meanwhile my blood began to boil.  I had thought to myself, why on earth should a child that made A’s not be allowed in an advanced class? Why is it always my child that has to endure hardship? Why is it I volunteer so much of my time to the school district and no one hears my voice when I am upset? Why once again will my child be left out and have to endure being placed with kids that could serve as a bad influence on her? Why? Why? Why? (whine, whine, whine!)

Now it’s Friday night and my daughter has been invited to a back to school sleep over with a few friends. Upon dropping her off I find one other of Madison’s friends has also been denied...one out of 15 probably. Ugh! We get to talking with another mom whose child did get into the courses and we are all just a griping!  You can imagine the conversation.  It went from bad to worse and by the time I left I was boiling even more.  I went to sleep that night mad that God would allow this to happen. Why Lord could you not show mercy upon my child?  Well, here it goes, that’s when God slapped me over the head. (I think He must enjoy that, LOL, jk!)  I woke early Saturday morning and this verse popped into my head.

”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 
Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” Matthew 6:34

So, God was telling me my worries should not be my own.  Conviction set in and I
immediately had to text the two moms I had been griping with to apologize for my behavior and share with them what God had shared with me.  The Lord had also voiced to me that He had not failed me yet and that where ever Madison was placed it was for His Glory.  Ugh!  That was not an easy pill to swallow.  As a matter of fact my pride almost got the best of me.  God has been teaching me over and over to deal with confrontation.  I like to just shy away from it because to me not facing it makes it so much easier.  Although, I know God was not telling me to not pursue what I felt was best for my child BUT to be content with His decision.  As a parent we always feel we know best but ultimately my Father in heaven is the master at plan making!!

The next Friday rolled around and the school officials had met to look over grades and TAKS scores and had made their final decisions.  I went to pick up my daughter’s schedule and the inevitable had occurred.  She did not get put in any advance courses after they had encouraged students of her type to apply, and after we had asked for a schedule change.  Ok, here was the real test...was I going to throw a fit and demand a change or would I trust God and let it go.....wait for it....wait for it...I waited to speak to someone in that office thinking again surely this is not for real.  Twenty minutes passed as I sat in a chair and my heart melted.  I was holding back tears as I knew I would have to go to break the news to my daughter they didn’t feel she was smart enough for the challenge.  I was finally greeted to meet with someone in the office and I could barely speak as my emotions consumed me.  My heart felt plea had fallen on deaf ears and their decisions were final.  I left that office feeling defeated, misunderstood, unwelcome, and just plane awful!  What would I tell my daughter that had told me the night before, “Mom, I really want to learn this year and do the very best I can, I don’t want it to be like last year.” 

For an entire week God had reminded me over and over His plan is perfect.  Psalm
73:23-24 “You hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you take me into glory.” God wanted me to know that with every difficult or complicated decision or circumstance that I faced I must turn to Him and not my emotions or my own plan.  That meant that I must admit my perspective is limited!!!  Oh so very limited!!  We can’t know what tomorrow will bring but He is the one that can see around the bend in the road that overwhelms us. 

I went home that day to explain to my daughter a plan that God had, that I wasn’t sure I understood.  No, regular classes are not the end of the world!  And I surely do NOT feel all teachers and kids are bad that have these classes.  This may be for Madison to carry a light for some that may never see it.  It may be because she really can’t handle advanced classes.  It may be for me to learn I can’t always have my way and I must learn to stand but also learn to endure.  It may be for Madison to learn that if she truly desires something she must learn to work harder for it.  There could be a million reasons why God chose this path.  But I know my job is to stand on His firm foundation and trust that all things work for the good of those that love Him.  (Rom 8:28)

What about you today, what is it that you are battling God about? Do your plans match with His?  Do you trust that He can see past the bend in your road that you are trying to conquer?  What will you do now? Will you trust Him?  Will you seek His counsel or will you throw a fit to get your way? 

Encouraging you today that even though you may not see the bigger picture, that you will see just how much He loves you, desires to lead you, and that his plan is perfect!!!

Tuesdays Truth on Wednesday: Who will love me for me

He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night, “Dear God won’t you please
Could you send someone here who will love me?”

Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day
She’s the woman whose husband has run away
She’ll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would’ve stayed
And she says…

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone
He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
“Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home”

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
“I know you’ve murdered and I know you’ve lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you’ll listen, I’ll tell you that I...”

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew


Here returning is my theme of LOVE!  God keeps pounding it in my head and in my heart!

Listening to the radio on the way to meet my friend Kristi and realized we were both listening to the same station and same song. We met in the parking lot and both got out of our cars and the first thing she says is "wow, I never really listened to the words of that song before." I too was thinking the same exact thing. Love how God shows up when you least expect Him too. :)

This song is a sad picture of not showing love to those in need but also how God shows up and loves despite our pitiful attempts. So many hurting, so many that will never know what love is truly all about.

I pray we never forget the young boy that is searching, the women that is hurting, or the man on deaths row. We are no different from them. Our outer appearance may be different, our problems may not be the same, we may have a caring family and a faithful partner, and we may not have a criminal record but there are those out there that have these scars that can't be taken away. Are they any less of people?? Are they any less deserving than we are.  No they are NO less. They are the ones we need to "Love More". 

Just a reminder that we are all in need of love.  No matter the color of our skin, the drama that circles our lives, the rain that pours around us, or the scars that will forever mark us.  WE ALL NEED HIS LOVE.  Love someone else today!  Love them for who they are!

Tuesdays Truth: Love Them More

You may have already realized this but the reoccurring theme to my post lately has been...LOVE! Well, I am slow and I guess that is why it takes God telling me and showing me in a million different ways a lesson that needs to be learned.

Our new motto...Love Them More!! I shared with my kids that I had not been such a great example of this but I was vowing to be better with His strength. I wanted them to be on the same page and asked them to vow to do the same.

This new motto may sound a bit selfish but my purpose is not to love more by out doing; a top that attitude is not at all what I am going for. My goal is to love them more than myself, to love them the way Jesus would. That will require dying to self and not giving into the temptation of the "it's all about me" world we live in.  And "them", that encompases all that I come into contact with and even those that I don't.  I would say that is quiet a tall order, but none the less what God would have us to do.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:2

Wow!! We can't top that! But His command says that should be our goal. That should be what we strive for. Intentions just won't cut it. We have to live on purpose! Live with a goal in mind, looking for those opportunities that await and those people that are right in front of us to love more! To love more than ourselves! 

The sad part is we can't do this unless we have the love of the Father living in us!  We can't share what we don't have.  If we are not living daily in His presence then we can not share His love.  Oh, that we may know Him personally and walk with Him daily.

Challenging you today to "Love Them More"!! Encouraging you that with Him all things are possible! Live with purpose!!  Live loving them more!!

Responding in Love

God has been teaching me through the struggles of my preteen just how sinful I am. Man, that stinks! I always thought that it was my job to teach my child not for them to teach me! A typical day is for God to show me just one more sin that needs to be removed from my life.  So thankful He is molding me!

I am learning so much on how my reaction or response to a problem or life in general affects the learning of my children. So, last night after a fish fry dinner we went to the Yogurt Bar to celebrate our dear friend Ryker graduating from college.  Our goal was to spend some quality time with him chatting it up.  He has been an amazing example and friend to my kids.  We all filled up our bowls while I kept reminding the boys they would be eating every bite of what was put in that bowl and to not get so much that they couldn't eat it. We sat down to enjoy some chat time and of course here is where the drama began.  My middle child, oldest, and myself all crammed in on one side of the table.  Seating was tight and the kids were not happy they had to sit so close. We are to the point that my preteen is thinking she is a little too cool to sit by her pesky brother.  And yes, he pestered her by putting his legs as far apart as he could to make less room. It quickly turned to a lil push, a lil shove, and a lil punch, and a lil grab! OMGoodness I think my children have lost their minds and their love some days.  Fight, Fight, Fight, were the words I thought I heard people yelling!!  (just kidding not really, but it sure felt like all eyes were on us)  Here comes "Mom Referee" to the rescue in the middle of Yogurt bar!  A stern word ended the brawl but the attitudes had now settled in.

This morning doing our "God time" I was talking to them of their behavior and pointed out that our responses to others are important and that our love is shown through those responses. I told them that even though sometimes someone makes us angry or we really want to retaliate because of their meanness that doesn't make it right. Putting others before ourselves is key. My lovely preteen says, "well you would have responded the same way mom, if he would have done that to you!" Yikes!! I denied that completely but when they all got out of the car the Lord spoke to my heart and said "they have learned those responses from you, Kim."  Maybe not the pushing and shoving part, I think I have out grown that, but I think I still inhabit the "I want my way attitude."

My mind goes back to My Savior and all the ridicule, the beatings, the burdens of others, the gruesome road to Calvary that he endured!! YET...HE..DID..NOT...retaliate!!!! He kept his cool, He didn't try to defend His point of view, His didn't proclaim the people were wrong over and over to make Himself right, He didn't push or shove, or punch, or say a harsh word!! He didn't run the other way because this was not what he wanted!  He put all of us before that!! Before Himself!! Why oh why is it so difficult for us to not see that His example of love is perfect and blameless. Why can we not love as He loves??

"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in darkness; he does not know where he is going , because the darkness has blinded him." 1 John 2:9-11

God I pray for the blinders to fall from my eyes, for my response to others to be in love, for 'my way' to not be important any longer, for you to be glorified and honored by the way that I respond, for your name to be lifted high.  Oh God that others may see You in the way that I love them.

Be encouraged today that though we all make a mess of life sometimes, He forgives, He still loves, and He is still ready to walk with us.  Loving someone else without having to be right, without saying a harsh word when they have hurt us, without wanting our way, is not an easy task.  But if we are walking in His light we will be victorious!  Praying today that we will not hate but LOVE!!

Tuesdays Truth-Distractions to Motivation

Distraction...a person or thing that prevents concentration. How many times have you been cruising along in life and BAMMM, a snake bites? It hurts so bad you can hardly stand it and you know you are about to die at any moment. You feel the pain to the very core and the actual bite marks are so sensitive you can hear the flesh screaming at you. What ever you were thinking or doing before has long escaped any shred of your memory and the newness of the attack has seized your mind. What once was an agenda is now a forgotten to do. What once was your heart felt passion is now a picture in the distant clouds. No plan, no vision, no where to go just a heart so deeply wounded with pain.

Many of us have had this experience. Some of us have these experiences each and every day. Our boss comes in to tell us our work load is now doubled, the school calls to inform us of behavioral problems with our child, our close friend informs us she is moving away, our mom has been diagnosed with cancer, and the list could go on. It's those things in life that stop us dead in our tracts and can sometimes paralyze us from life. We go into zombie mode, where we simply walk about doing something but really doing nothing. Our faith driven life that should be motivated by our desire and love for the Lord turns into a mere donut; running in circles is the picture of our walk. We consume ourselves with ourselves and our hurt, and that forbidden path of destruction awaits. These distraction become so weight bearing upon our souls that every ounce of joy is ripped from within us.

So what do we do? How do we over come? Let me first preface by saying God may allow those distractions to come into our lives to draw us closer to Him or draw some one else that is watching closer to Him. I believe God can use those distractions and make something very beautiful out of something horrific. The Bible say that He can work ALL things for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)  Sad thing is I have seen this ring true in so many lives of those around me and even in my own life but when distractions come I sometimes fail to believe those truths for myself. I quickly let the pain take over and turn to worry and heartbreak. Like Peter, I turn my eyes to the storm and forget to look to Him. Lord, forgive me!

What about you? What do you do when distractions strike? How do your respond? Does Zombie mode settle in? Do you forget your passion? Do you forget your purpose?

Now, I am not saying that life isn't going to catch us off guard or that we will never have disappointment, or trials, or terrible things that happen. What I am trying to get us to see is that when those things happen our response is crucial.  We must recognize that even though God may use those distractions for good, Satan is battling for them to reek havoc in our lives, to steer us off course, to DISTRACT us from what once was our mission.  Recognizing Satan's agenda is the first step in conquering him.  It will require much courage but the One who requires it will supply it.  We must prevent zombie mode and let the distractions in our lives turn to our motivation to love and serve Him more.  There will always be that lady at work that rubs you the wrong way, the problem at home whether it be with your spouse, kids, or money, there will always be a flat tire when you least expect it, or a broken drier; Satan can use any means to push you off course.  Remember at those very moments that God can also be calling you to move a step closer to Him.  Use those distractions in your life and make them your eternal motivation!

OCD, Selfishness, or Brotherly Love, That Is The Question?

We had set out at the beginning of the year to learn a verse a week. I have been extremely convicted that just having heard God's Word is not enough for me or my children. We need to memorize it and practice it. 

More than a fair share of times I have talked about and told my kids to love others before themselves. We have had the verse from Romans on our dry erase board for longer than a couple months. We have practiced saying it and talked about what it means and how we can live it out loud for others to see.  I refused to move on until fruit had come from this verse...

Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

My initial purpose in choosing this verse was so that my children would love each other and think of each other before themselves. I had grown very weary of listening to them bicker over who had the remote first, or who had been playing the iPad too long, or who was going to sit in which seat in the car, or who could put their foot in the extra bar stool...really?? Really??  It was these little things that had been driving me crazy and I wanted my children to know God had a Word for them. Little, did I know God also had a Word for me. I guess I should know by now that when I want God to teach someone else He always teaches me first. Uggghh!!

So in my desire for my children to love each other more than themselves I have learned something about me. I am a tinge OCD in some matters, okay maybe more than a tinge but I am working on it. LOL! I like to have my way a lot and I believe my children have definitely picked up on this rotten habit of mine and turned it into their own. Sometimes I may have no explanation for my rhyme or reason other than I just want my way. For example, my kids have several chores. Among them they are expected to clean their bathrooms and their rooms. I'm talking toilet, tubs, floors, dust, vacuum...the works.  I can't tell you how many times I have ranted and raved over how they were not doing their job to my satisfaction or how I would have done it differently and more efficiently.  I get angry and lots of times have gone behind them and done the job over. This has not been beneficial in teaching my kids anything except a poor sense of value. It has also taught them to only be satisfied with their own way, just as I was only satisfied with my way. It hasn't taught them to love and be devoted to anyone but themselves just as I have done. Oh, Lord, why must you keep showing me where I mess up?

On a sweeter note, I recieved confirmation that my desire to teach them Truth has not turned void.

Yesterday I picked up the boys from school and began to talk to them about their day. They told me of the fun stuff they had going on and the big kickball game that is so poplular this time of year at school. My mind was prompted to remind them to pray for one of their friends whose baby sister had been very sick. I wasn't even sure if they were really listening. I never miss an opportunity to spew Jesus on my kids. I talk non stop about Him. So it wasn't this serious conversation where I was sitting them down to give them instruction of the word and prayer. It was just one of those moments I remembered of someone else besides myself and was intent on putting precious baby, Scarlett, in our prayers. We quickly moved on to another subject and was gearing up for baseball practice and gymnastics with Madi. I dropped the boys off at my husbands office for him to take to ball practice and Madi and I went on to run errands and to the gym.

Later that night I received a FB notification that someone had posted on my wall. I read that post and tears came to my eyes. My son, Mackenson, had gone to practice and purposefully went to Scarlett's mom to tell her he hoped she was better soon.

HE WAS LISTENING! He put in to practice all on his own something we have been talking about for months. Loving someone else, thinking of them before thinking of self! Praise the Lord that even tho I have messed up many times my son has seen and heard the Truth and is living out loud what he has learned.

My encouragement today is for all you moms and dads that are diligently trying to teach your children of His Ways.  Even if you have OCD tendencies like myslef about matters and mess up a lot there is still hope. God can use our mess ups and make the best fixer upper in the world.  Yes, those little ones are listening!  Someone else is watching! And our example is worth weight in gold!  But we must not let our failures determine our reactions for the next go around.  We must make those failures our determination to walk a better path.  Will we let our OCD tendencies and selfish ways strike out our love for others?  Or will we think first of someone else's needs and wants before our own? 

Praying today that we love as He loves!

Tuesdays Truth...Not One Minute Wasted

The world will not stop and our true God-ordained ministries will not end when
we take time to let God make us healthier and better equipped...Beth Moore

This quote has been one that I have often come back to in the last several years
of my life.  It helps me to remember that God is still working on me and that He
is preparing for me something far more grand than I can fathom.  He is using a
chipping away method, that although painful at times, rushing the process will
only make it worse; I will not be adequately equipped nor responsible enough to
handle the task at hand.  Yes I do wonder at times all of what His plans are and
what all I will have to endure or trudge through to get to the place where I am
ready for His next step.  What I am learning of the process, this method, is
that our beauty is NOT just in the finished product.  It isn't just at the end
of our lives when we have completed our purpose or conquered our goals.  It
isn't just in the next step He has for me.  It's more than a bucket list and
sculpture formed.  It is in the process that God is seen by others and
during the chipping away that we can shine for Him. 

Us parents tend to go nuts over every stage of our child's learning and life. 
We love it when they smile for the first time, when they say their first word,
take their first step, read their first book, complete their first year of
school, play their first sport, and so on.  Its beauty to us to watch our kids
grow.  It is the same for the Lord.  He loves to see us mature in Him.  And He
knows with that maturity there will come more responsibility. More
responsibility for His ministry to be done.

Yes there will be certain things that we are not ready to see or handle at
different points of our walk.  But the appropriate time will come just like the
appropriate time to drive, vote, or even marry.  Sometimes we try to jump ahead
of ourselves, we try to grow up too fast.  It seems that's our culture, always
wanting more of what we aren't ready for or we don't need.  Instead of living in
the moment where God placed us, we tend to want something different, something
more.  Sometimes the learning process for us may not be fun.  But, each step is
important and requires the one before.  All pieces of the puzzle are necessary
to be complete.  The more we allow God to grow us the more opportunities we will
have to be used by Him.

Just wanted to encourage you today that even though you may not see the finished
product or know His Big Plan or Purpose for your life; as you are going along is
when He truly desires for you to shine your light for Him.  Not one minute is wasted when you let Him mold you and make you into what He desires you to be.  In this you will be more equipped for
what lies ahead and your God-ordained ministry will be living proof of the life
you live in Him.

Tuesdays Truth....on Wednesday

I love to learn new things about the Lord! I wouldn't say I like to learn them the hard way as when in the midst of a sticky situation but I do love reading His Word and having those "Ah-ha" moments!

Have you ever thought about "planning" to stay faithful? When I think of the word PLAN I think there must be a sequence of steps or an outline. And to be honest I had never thought that I should have a sequence of steps in order to stay faithful. In my mind it has always just been a decision; to be faithful or not to be faithful-to do it or not to do it. So reading this morning (Acts 11) I was amazed that Barnabas, not only was an encouragement to the people of Antioch, but he desired for them to plan their action of faith in advance. Wow! Pre-destine! Foreordain, predetermine, to destine in advance that in hard times you will remain faithful!! That to me was amazing!

So what does that look like? How do we remain faithful when tempted or when trials come our way? I can say I have this opportunity quiet often. I believe this is where our outline comes in; our list of steps that will steer us back to Him. I challenge you to make this personal. Get your pen and paper out and jot down the steps that will help you to remain faithful in advance. It's something about a plan on paper that draws us to action. For me it will be calling on Him first and picking up His Word instead of calling a friend. I tend to like to run and whine to my accountability partners, while it is great having them, instead of running to my Savior first. Praying and reading His Word should be at the top of your list, but there may be a few more things you need to add to complete your plan of faithfulness. Maybe you have a particular verse that God has given you or a particular person to pray with, or maybe even a list of questions to ask yourself. Make your plan personal and create your action steps to faithfulness. This plan is worth your time so that when you find yourself in a mess you can look at your outline and know which way to go and what to do next.

Planning to stay faithful can greatly enhance victory in your life. And we all desire to be victorious. Let's ensure that our struggles will not lead us to doubt or despair but to daring deeds for the Lord!! Praying today for you to plan to be faithful in advance!!!

It's Not In Vain

Can I just tell you in all my years of celebrating Easter this one has been the most moving!! I guess it started on Friday really taking in the fact that on that one particular Friday many years ago my Savior died a very gruesome death!  One that I could possibly NOT fathom! Pondering over His death for even me for two days made me very uneasy!  But I quickly wanted to look on the bright side and I knew Sunday was coming!  I woke Sunday morning and the first thing to pop into my mind was, He's ALIVE!  He's ALIVE and I am forgiven!! Heavens gates are open wide!! Praise the Lord He is ALIVE!! Wow!!  I hope yesterday was a day of great joy for you as if was for me!!  My kids thought I was a little crazy with excitement on the way to church....A little Hallelujah, Amen!  Lol!!

I took the kids to see "Soul Surfer" on Friday night.  They had been wanting to see it since it came out.  It was an incredible movie.  Many life lessons and a movie that was credited to Christ! I am very thankful that there are some people out there that want to make movies that reflect on Him.  Of course, I cried a few times in the movie, and was overwhelmed with this girl's determination and humble attitude.  If you haven't seen the movie I don't want to give too much away but there was a shark attack and the surfer girl lost her arm.  As we were leaving the theater, my sweet son looks at me and says, "and that's why, I will NEVER be a surfer!"  I laughed when he first said it and immediately told my friend that was with me but I feared my child might have missed the point.

We sometimes can't help our circumstances and we may never know why we have to endure certain hardships but that isn't for us to dwell on.  God gives each of us our own story.  We can write that story so that it will resonate the magnificent King that lives in our hearts or we can trash His very existence by laying down in the pit of our misery!  This young lady in the movie chose with one arm to not be defeated but to shine.  We must do the same thing.

As a parent, in the last few weeks I have had countless experiences where I have wanted to just lay down and quit.  Whether it has been from sheer exhaustion from dealing with disobedient kids or the apathy and attitudes from my kids.  Maybe you can relate if you have school age kids.  Maybe for you it has been the stress of not having a job or not knowing if you will have one in the near future.  Maybe it is that you are in a seemingly hopeless marriage that no matter which way you turn there is turmoil.  Maybe your experience is just defeat being all around you or the lurking consequences from past mistakes.  I don't know what your story is but we all deal with wanting to give in and give up on life and situations at hand.  I came to a realization before watching the movie that I refused to give up on the basis that I did NOT want to teach my children that when life is hard we should throw in the towel.  I wanted to teach them to fight with His Word and to never give up or give in.  I have showered them with scripture over the last several weeks from putting it in their lunch boxes, writing it in cards, or laminating it to hang in their rooms.  I don't want them to lose sight of Him in the midst of hard times.  I hope that is a mind set that you have always had but if not it is never too late to change.  I don't know if my desire to not give up for my kid’s sake was exactly the most Biblical but I do believe that the Lord knows my heart is to never lead any astray including my children!  And I have been clinging to the fact that my labor for Him is NOT in vain!

1 Corinthians 15:58 "therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

We are all in this together.  Yes some of us will have more visible battles.  We may have to fight one armed but we all have a battle to fight.  I guess you could say my son was being smart in his comment of never wanting to be a surfer, Ha!!  In his little mind he is avoiding danger! Lol!  Sometimes it may not be so simple; God may allow danger in your life or may even call you into it.  It's up to us to decide if we will lay down in our pity or if we will stand on His Word!  God didn't promise a life of ease but He does promise eternal life in Him if we have accepted Him as our Savior.  That's where the resurrection comes in.  We can be overflowing with joy because He has CONQUERED the greatest pit there is.....death!!  In Him we have victory!!  Victory is ours for the taking!!! Our momentary struggles pale in comparison to His resurrection power! Oh how exciting that is to me!!! Hallelujah, praise the King!! He is risen!! He is risen indeed!!

Praying today that you focus on the battle Won, that you rise out of misery and into His power, and you surround yourself with His Word of Truth!  A life for Him is NEVER in vain!!  Never give up or give in!!

Tuesdays Truth

Praising God for second chances in my life because Lord knows I need them! (more like a bazillion chances if there is such a thing). There are countless examples in the Bible when God spoke one more time, He called one more time, He forgave one more time!! We can't outrun his grace or over step the boundaries of His mercy.  It is always available!!  Our part is simple....child like faith.  There isn't any complex formula or hidious ritual that we must go through; just coming humbly before Him, confessing our sin and turning from it, and then letting Him lead us.   Lots of prayer, praise, and reading of His Word will keep us in that right relationship.  Service and doing good deeds comes as an after effect and is a result of our full devotion and love for our Savior.  He doesn't need our good deeds...He just wants our WHOLE heart!

Praying today you will accept His second chance and give Him your whole heart!

You're Beautiful!

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful

I'm praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful


[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/beautiful-lyrics-mercy-me.html ]


Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skys above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to die

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His


Listened to the radio on my way to work and heard this song today and my heart was overwhelmed. I've heard the song a hundred times but today I am guessing I really needed the words. God is so good and always on time!! So many times we go about our day and feel major insecurities from the sin we have in our lives and the lies that Satan has filled our minds with. The Truths we once clung to or maybe have never clung to no longer hold value. Our mind has been so clouded by all the negatives that we can't see which way is up. And why is that? What part of us makes us no longer trust the Lord? Why is it that we can't see that ALL things the Lord created are beautiful??? Even us!! And that forgiveness is always ours for the taking! Our slate can be wiped clean upon our confession and turning from our sin. Regardless, we are beautiful to HIM! He created our inmost being! He knit us together in our mother's womb! Before we were formed He set us apart! He numbered the hairs on our heads! He has a perfect plan for us! He loves us so much He gave His son to die in our place!!! Why would he not love and have pride for what He has made and sacrificed for?!?! But a lot of the times we would rather choose to believe we are worthless! Of no value! Pitiful in His sight! Oh God help us!!

People it's a choice! God not only blessed us all with His beauty by creating us, he also gave us free will! Choose this day whom you will serve! We get to choose to believe the lies of satan that will only bring harm to us or choose to believe the perfect Father that created us in His image, gives us mercy a fresh and anew each moment of the day, and loves us beyond all measure! Which makes more sense to you??

Praying today you will bask in the beauty that the Lord has bestowed upon you! You are BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Tuesdays Truth

This morning God spoke to me as I was studying the lives of Peter and Paul. Both were called to go where they hadn't planned to go. Both were hill bent on a different direction than the Lord's. God spoke to their hearts and both were able to use their zealousness for the Almighty! PTL! But when we are completely focused on our own agenda seeing God's agenda is somewhat difficult. Having our minds pried open is rarely easy,and vision is rarely given to those who refuse to see. Where are you today? Are your plans His plans or are you making your own plans expecting Him to bless them? Are you so closed minded that you are missing out on the vision He has for you? Be encouraged He does have a vision just for you! Open your heart, mind, and eyes to SEE where He is leading!!! :) Praying today you are filled with visions from Him!

Be Changed!

I have been doing a study over Jonah for a while now.  And God has been speaking to me about the changes that need to be made in my life.  I don't like change!!! I don't want to change!! I like things just like they are!! Have you been there??? Can I get an AMEN??  The only change I like is the jingle jangle in your pockets or on top of your dresser or the bottom of your purse!! Or the change of weathering seasons because I am usually tired of the one I am in!!  This changing habits or lifestyles or spiritual levels of growth.....uggghhh!!!  Its for the birds!!  Enough already God, it's hard!!

Jonah heard from God and he took off in the opposite direction.  He knew that his mission was to go to Ninevah but he didn't want to battle opposition.  When I first went through a few of the weeks of my study, my initial response was "oh I don't do that, I listen and obey God." (patting myself on the back....woe is me!)  Well did you know that delayed obedience is disobedience?!?!  I will say it again...delayed obedience is disobedience!!  The more I have read about Jonah I have understood myself to be so very much like him.  Pretty scary thought when you think of the drastic measures God allowed to get Jonah's attention.  He traveled endlessly to escape his calling, he endured a huge storm, he was thrown off a ship, eaten by a whale, lived inside of a whale for three days (can u imagine how nasty that would be, the stintch?? Eww!), and then was spit up on the shore.  And after all that, now he decides to obey and I am sure the smell of sour fish remained his aroma while walking the streets of Ninevah proclaiming Gods message to them.  A little humble pie is all I can say to that!  How long do we wait until we say yes to The Lord?  Do we wait until consequences from our delay have already arrived?  And is the aroma of our hearts pleasing to God or any others at that point?

Evaluating my own life God has revealed a few Ninevites that I have been extremely leery of sharing Christ with.  Just like Jonah my thoughts have been, why should I share with people who are so mean?  Why should I be the one to spread your news to them Lord?  They will only reject me Lord, why me?  Ask someone else, because I don't want to do it!  Again, like Jonah I have gone the other way, running from the change that needs to happen in my life and in my heart!!

I have been sitting on this word from the Lord inch by inch giving way to His will.   Noticing that inch by inch isn't IMMEDIATE obedience!  It definitely became even more evident a few days ago when I saw my daughter struggling with just the same issues.  Not standing for the Lord immediately when He calls and instead running the opposite direction.  My heart broke as I realized the example I have set for her is now becoming her sinful response to the Lord! Oh God forgive me!!

I believe we fail to realize accepting God's call for change in our lives is not something that affects only us.  Like Jonah, his decisions affected ALL those around him.  To the point that those around him wanted him gone.  The poor men in the boat had to endure a terrifying storm all because Jonah was not ready to change his heart.  These men didn't even know God but they knew Jonah had been disobedient to his God and that scared the heeby geebies out of them.  So overboard he went.  The whale I am sure had an upset stomach with a man "LIVING"  inside him that wouldn't die and be digested!  The sleeplessness, the tossing and turning that whale must have done to settle the pain of a parasite not cooperating.  Last but not least, the lost people of Ninevah were wandering blindly with out the Lord because Jonah did not want to love them as Christ loved them, despite their evil doings.  My decisions to not act immediately have also affected those around me.  My daughter has obviously been watching and following in my footsteps.  Whoa!!  We need to take heart to what God is calling us to do, lest we cause another to stumble!!  (1Cor. 10:32 "Do not cause anyone to stumble")

Change is hard!!  But obedience is better!!  What is it that God is calling you to change in your life today?  Is it that He is calling you to love the unlovables around you?  Is he asking you to trust Him instead of yourself?  Is he asking you to change occupations?  Is he calling you over seas to missions?  Is he calling you to lead a small group Bible study or be a Sunday School teacher?  Is He calling you next door to share Him with that neighbor that really gets on your nerves??  Is He calling you to walk with Him daily?  What is He asking you to do today?  Let me say, if you don't hear Him asking you to change something or do something BE CONCERNED!  If you are still breathing you have a calling and a purpose and should be changing.  Being stagnate is trouble in the making!  And the odor will come!!  God loves us just the way we are but doesn't want us to stay that way!!  He wants our aroma to be sweet to all those we come in contact with.

Encouraging you today to find the changes that need to be made and make them!!  Go where He is calling!!  If He calls, He will equip!!  BE CHANGED!! (and not into the jingle jangle kind!  Lol!!)  Change is good; are you ready for it?  

Encouraging you,
Kim Bobo

Things that make u go hummmmm.......

Word from the book Radical....."We are, by nature, recievers.  Even if we have a desire to learn God's Word, we still listen from a default self-centered mind-set that is always asking, What can I get out of this?  But as we have seen, this is unbiblical Christianity.  What if we changed the question whenever we gathered to learn God's Word?  What if we began to think, How can I listen to his Word so that I am equipped to teach his Word to others?"
Praying today that we would not be selfish, but that we will study and pray as to be ready for the opportunity to share with others His love and mercy!
 

New Dryer, New Me!

Oh I can't tell you how excited the little things make me. I have been without a dryer for six days!!! Wow!!! Can I just say that is torture to a mother of three and two of those being boys, and in baseball season mind you!! The little things in life that make it convenient...I think we may just take them for granted. I know I do!

My son asked me a few days ago, my almost nine year old, "mom, did they even have dryers in the olden' days? Like when you were little?" Well, if he wasn't so darn cute with his dimples and sweet smile I might have had to ground him, send him to his room, or something. Geeesh! Olden days, smolden days! Nothing like the comment of a sweet child to make you feel real good!! And I am not even that old, at least I like to tell myself that anyway!

I have been over the last several days washing and hanging dry all of our clothes. Oh what joy it is to hang all your laundry, including your undergarments for all to see. I am sure this morning when the delivery guys brought in the dryer there minds were somewhat disgusted by the clothes hanging everywhere, I mean everywhere, and the dust piled a mile high behind my old dryer! How did all that get there anyway??

God whispered a few things as I watched my fourteen year old dryer being wheeled away. Sometimes we must get rid of the old to make room for the new. Sometimes it may be broken or in need of major repair but sometimes God is ready for you to write a new chapter. He is ready for you to completely trust Him. We may have to do some clean up, just as I have diligently swept, vacuumed, and mopped my laundry room floor. In our lives we may need to do the same. Throwing out the dryer that is serving no purpose but to take up space. We may need to ask the Lord is this a good thing or a GOD THING in my life?

Now as I sit typing away on my iPad (instead of my computer this morning) oh how thankful I am. You see I had started a load of laundry so excited and ready to use my dryer and what do you know the electricity goes out....go figure!! Satan always tries to throw a kink in our chain. My point being, if we aren't careful we may just miss the message. If we get caught up in the negatives, of what we don't have and want, then we may not see the new that is coming right in front of us. I almost got side tracked with the laundry everywhere and the dust piled high and the mess I had to clean up and the saying good bye to a dryer that had been in my life for over a decade ( I am sentimental, LOL) and then no electricity....goodness! When does it end!?!? The crazy may never end.....BUT, God is working and we must keep our eyes open to see Him moving!

I pray today as the Lord is making way for new things in your life that you won't get hung up on the old, or the obstacles that may come your way! He loves you so very much!! He just wants to make the most of you!! Be encouraged that He is not finished with you yet!!

Phil 1:6 "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Thank you Lord for still working on me!!

The Journey of Speaking Out

I am officially starting to blog today. I am not even sure what that means but it seems to be the next step on my journey. I have been listening to God's calling for several years now of stepping out with Him when He presents the opportunity.

I will be quiet frank with you....I don't like to talk to people. If you are my friend reading this, you are questioning every letter in that sentence but that is the way I feel. I, however, can talk your ear off, if and only if, I feel very comfortable with you. Writing, on the other hand, is a little different. I can usually express myself without feelings of insecurities of needing to say more or less. I don't have to look at your face when I write and feel awkward for my thoughts. I am sure that sounds rather strange but getting to know me better will explain many of my thoughts.

I was raised in a Christian home with wonderful parents that led me to the Lord at an early age. My two sisters and I were at the church EVERY time the doors opened. Sometimes I wondered why we didn't just build a room there. LOL!! My parents were actively involved in every avenue of our church so us girls got to experience loads of things. My dad eventually started a mission church from our church home and pastored it for several years. Growing up I was not always happy with the RULES we had to live by but oh how thankful I am for my upbringing and see now more than ever the protection they provided for me.

About seven years ago, God began to speak to my heart on a level He had not spoken before. I was at a low in my life and searching for answers and a glimpse of hope. He very loudly told me while sitting at my breakfast table in our newly built home that I needed to get out of my comfort zone and start using the gifts He had given me. What Lord????? Are you talking to me???? Me, Lord??? These were the only thoughts that could come to mind. I didn't like what He was saying and didn't really want to move from my comfortable spot at all.  As many of us, we get into a rut of the same ole, same ole, and later don't want to move from it because it is familiar and known. Moving to unknown is scary!! We want a fresh breath of Him but sometimes just want Him to do all the work while we just sit and soak. Well, that is where I was on that cloudy November day. I wanted to hear from the Lord but I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear and DO what He was requiring.

Time passed, God was still moving and presenting opportunities and reluctantly, kicking and screaming I was going along. A dear friend of mine, a few months later, shared a scripture with me and I have claimed it as my life verse, knowing this is what God's calling is on my life.

Jeremiah 1:4-10
"The word of the Lord came to me saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child. But the Lord said to me, Do not say I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

I read that and still get chills. I knew when the scriptures were shared they were God's words to me. One day I will explain more of just how relevant those words were to me. But like I said before, I don't like to talk to people and God asking me to speak out just about made me want to throw up....still does!!

You see I believe that we are sometimes best used by God in our weaknesses. For me, that is exactly true and I can take NO absolute credit for God supplying my words. I honestly can not speak nor write apart from Him. It is something that He supplies completely. And I absolutely LOVE what He can use to minister to someone else.

So, I had to quit giving excuses as to why I couldn't move and I had to start moving. No longer could I be a boat potato. If I wanted to walk on water with Him, I had to jump ship!! Jump from being comfortable to being uncomfortable for Him. Speaking Out!

My prayer through blogging is to jump ship everyday and walk on water with Him so that you can see just how magnificent He is!! I also pray that this blog will be an encouragement to you to jump ship and follow after Him each and every day of your life!!

Stay tuned and be encouraged!!!