Calling all hearts!

Music Video:  Be One
   (Natalie Grant)

“It's time to get our hands dirty
Be love there's a whole lot of hurting
Calling all hearts
Calling all hands
Calling all feet to take a stand
Why sit around and wait for a miracle to come
When we can be one
When we can be one
When we can be one”

Hey there!  Hope everyone is doing great out there!  I just love our coffee chats on here.

I recently attended the movie debut of the Dare to Be movie.  It was amazing and inspirational.  Sitting in the theater and listening to these women share their story and why they do what they are called to do and how they work with God through it all.  Natalie Grant presented some powerful songs from the beginning of the movie.  Then it came time for her to sing the song, Ever Be.  I love this song, "your praise will ever be on my lips"  and that's what it should be...always.  God's praise should be upon our lips.  It's hard though, right.  Circumstances through out our day get us down and it's hard to sing that praise.  God can help us through that, taking our mind off our own circumstances and situations and putting our focus solely on God and his presence in our lives.  
It's not about who we our in our life, it's about whose we are in God's family and what God has called us to do.  

"...Faithful you have been and faithful you will be..."

As I was listening to Charlotte Gambill give a message in the movie, she talked about not letting the misunderstandings of your past claim your future. Isn't that the truth?  So often we feel so dragged down by the past hurts in our lives that we stomp out all the good that is awaiting for us in the future.  Our destiny is far greater than our past. 

I love how Matthew 11:28-30 states this passage in the Message Bible,  "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  (Hand raise in the air) Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. (Amen) I'll show you how to take a real rest.   Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. (YES!)  Learn from unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Have you ever felt like this?  You can work for God, you can work with God and these two are far different from each other.  God tells us to walk with Him.  Walk with Him and He will be with us and help us.  

I love the saying, “all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.  Just literally 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery.  And I promise you, something great will come of it."

What happens when we take that 20 seconds and do something so incredibly brave that our lives could just possibly change forever.  What if we dared to be fearless?  What if we set out to do that one thing that we have been scared to do?  What would happen?  How would you help someone?  What would you do?  How would you feel after it was all over? You may go out there wanting to be able to bless someone, but just maybe you'll find yourself just as blessed by them. 

What would it take for you to get out there and Be One for Someone? To recognize there is a need that you can help out with.  To be able to share the love of Christ with someone else.  What would happen in your 20 seconds of courage? 

Dare to be what God is calling you to be!  What are you daring to be known as?

Here's a little take home. Leave a comment with your dare to be answer.  

I Dare to Be known as __________________.  


Praying for you!


Blessings, 

Greater love....

Today as we reflect on Veteran's Day, we remember those who have served our country in some form or another.  They gave up their lifestyle with their family and friends to defend our rights.  While few have made it home, back to their families, many have lost their life in service.
We are forever grateful for those who have served and have given their lives to serve.  

As we remember those people we are reminded of how much God loves us as well.  To have a Heavenly Father who would give up His Only Son; so that we may be free and forgiven from our sins, so that we may live forever in eternity with Him.  John 3:16 says that, God loved the world so much.  
Can we even fathom how much those words that mean, so much, in this verse?      Someone who loves every part of everyone.   No matter who they are or what they have done.  Sometimes I think we think we know how that feels, but sometimes I think we don't even know the half of how that really feels to love that much.  (The way God loves us).  It's that close, eternal, infinite love that we can come as close to as we can to show that kind of love.  
We strive to be like Christ.  To show love to our fellow people in this world.  We have God's Word to help guide us in that love.  A love letter to us to share with the people we come into contact with in this world.  So because God sent His Son to save us, we have so much freedom and a reason to share our faith with others.
And, we want to thank those who have served and fought for our rights to be able to keep sharing our faith and God's Word.  Because we have these people in our lives we have the freedom to keep sharing openly about our Christ.

I saw this verse earlier today......

John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:11-15 (MSG)  “I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.

Keep on sharing Christ's love with everyone in this world.

Blessings, 

In a single moment…

As we reflect on this day; 13 years ago, we are reminded that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  The past is in the past, the future is unknown and the present is a gift.  Appreciate the gift that is given to you and love on those that you have to share it with.  Never miss the opportunity to show love to someone close to you and around you. 
Everyone out there in this world is fighting a battle of some kind.  Whether it may seem large or small, it is significant to the person engaged in it.  Sometimes all we can do is offer our time to spend with someone.  A hug, a smile or simply ‘I’m thinking about you and I’m praying for you,’ can ease the heart and mind of someone who is hurting. 

Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope.  One single word can bring forth so much joy  and peace in our life.  The fact that we do know that we have hope through our faith in Jesus, that God is on our side and He is always with us. 
In a single moment, everything in our world can be flipped upside down. Even knowing that, we can rest in knowing that with Christ in our life, the best is yet to come.  God gave us His Word.  His love letter to us. To study, to live, to love and to share.  We have that very truth written down right in front of us.  It’s available to us, freely, through-out our country.  Sometimes we tend to take advantage of the freedom we have to worship Our God, Our Father.  Then I stop to think about those in other countries who have been persecuted daily just for carrying a Bible with them.

We have so much available to us, how can we put our resources and capability to use in our life to share with those around us? 
Christ came to Earth not to be served but to serve, our hearts and attitudes need to be reflecting that of Christ.   Christ came so that we may have eternal life by entering into a personal relationship with Him.  That we could be united as one.  Philippians 2:1-5 says that, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves,  Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.  Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus.”

Our attitude.  Those two words are huge right there.  How do we have the attitude of Christ? One, by spending time in the Word of God.  The more we are in the Word, the more we are susceptible to hear God speak to us in our life.  Two, by being around other Christians that can build you up.  Get involved in a Bible believing church, a small group and surround yourself with those who are there for you to build you up, pray for you, answer questions you have.  Be united with those around you so that you can be one as you share the love of Christ to this world.  When we are united with each other, we show the world that we stand strong together in our faith and in all we do.  When one of us hurt, we all hurt.  We are there for each other, because we are apart of a family, an eternal family, a family of God.
Three, Prayer.  Prayer is powerful.  It’s that quiet time that we have one-on-one with Our God.   Prayer is a significant part to our attitude to be like Christ in everything we do.  Being in God’s Word, being apart of a united body of believers and having a dedicated prayer life are essential parts to who we are in Christ and can give us the strength to share with those we meet along our journey. 
Christ showed us His love for us as He laid down His life for us on the cross that day many years ago.  There is no greater love than laying down your life for someone else.  It’s putting others first, it’s sharing, it’s being united as one.  How can you motivate others? How can we motivate the people in this world to know and believe what we hold so tightly to in our heart and soul?

Even though terrible tragedies happen, just as with the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, as well as many others.  We will always remember the ones who lost their lives, and even the ones who came to Christ in the midst of all the tragedies in the world.  We must continue to share the good news of Christ.  You never know who you will come into contact with and who needs to know that there is a life greater than this one when you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Have a blessed day! Be thankful, be grateful and have an attitude of Christ in everything you do.

Blessings,

Don’t just go to church…Be the church!

Music Video: Build Your Kingdom Here!

I’ve been thinking about this blog lately and I really want this to be a place where I can come together in fellowship among friends on here, but I also would love this to be an open fellowship place where we can share thoughts and ideas about sharing the Love of Christ to this world.  The main goal of my blog is to be able to share openly and honestly about what we are feeling and how we can help each other out. So, I would love for you to link up here with me or if you like message me your email and I will add you to my email list here also. 
I love the song that comes on the radio every once in a while, Build Your Kingdom here.  I love how this song reiterates that, We are Your church.  We need Your power in us.  Because honestly speaking, that’s what it is all about.  We are the church!  We are the people that God sent to spread HIS WORD!  We were created for this.  It shouldn’t matter what building we are in, whether it’s a nice, pretty on the inside and out, or typical church building or just an old abandoned warehouse building that needs a lot of tender loving care to keep it up.  If we are all really serious about getting out there and ministering and serving our community…nothing else would matter.  We do this because we love God!  We are humble in what he did for us when He sent His Son to save us from our past and sin.  We are grateful and we want to share this wonderful gift that has been given to us with everyone we come into contact with.John 3:16 says that, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Our question to think about is how can we get these great words from God out to the people of this world?

It’s all ties into us being the church, and having that reminder to us that each one of us have gifts and we don’t all have the same gift.  We all have been given different gifts so we can come together with our gifts and help people as one body of believers.  When we come together as a church, we come together to help and build up each other as one body so that we as one body can go out and reach those lost in the world.  We work together in unity so that others will see that love penetrate from our hearts to theirs. 
In Matthew 28:16-20, (The Great Commission), Christ tells us to go out into the world to share the good news.Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 says, All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.


We are never alone when we talk to people.  Even as we are chatting it up with a random stranger in the grocery store and we have nobody physically by are side; we as followers of Christ, having studied God’s Word, have God with us 24/7 giving us the words to speak and the wisdom to say them to the people that we come into contact with on a daily basis.  Which is why it’s so important to find a daily bible study or devotional to study on your own every day.  Our time with God is the most important time we have available to us and our number 1 priority.  I love starting my day out with God. I find that if I make it a point to wake up just a little bit earlier before my day starts, grab my cup of coffee, my Bible and my journal and spend that time in reading and praying with God, I tend to be in a happier state of mind through out my day.  Now mornings may not work for everyone, some may prefer afternoons, evening or nights.  I’m just saying that we need to make God our #1 in our life. 

I love the last verse to the song, Build Your Kingdom here.  **Build Your kingdom here. Let the darkness fear. Show Your mighty hand. Heal our streets and land!  Set Your church on fire!  Win this nation back.  Change the atmosphere! Build Your kingdom here! We pray!**This verse can really show us that we can go out to the streets and minister to people.  Don’t be afraid of what’s out there because God’s got us.  He can help us share.  He doesn’t call the qualified…He qualifies the called.  He does this through the gifts He gives us that I mentioned earlier.  So let’s go an win this nation back.  Let’s set out to do this work that was set out for us to do and not worry about ‘our circumstances.’  Let’s take US out of the picture and put GOD into the picture. It is not about us, but it is all about HIM and we are building the Kingdom of God!
So let’s get out there and BE THE CHURCH and serve.  I pray that we can have the strength and courage to step out of our building we meet in during our worship times and be the church out on the streets and in this world we live in.

 Grace and Peace to you all,
Blessings!

Wake up.....you've been rescued…

I was reading back over my notes I took from a Women of Faith conference in October; remembering the message from Christine Caine on that Saturday.  I feel so blessed to have been able to attend the two-day conference and to be able to hear from so many inspirational speakers.
Christine Caine, author of the book; Undaunted, started out in Matthew 6, reading the verses where Jesus is feeding the 5,000.  

She addressed us with a few points and questions...

Key Point:  Jesus can not multiply what we don’t recognize!Reflect Point:  Would you give Him what you have?

What would you have done in this situation if you were there?  What would you have been thinking?  Would you give up everything for Jesus, if He asked you to?  Something to ponder, right?  Great thing is what we give up to Him, He just multiplies into more.  I mean, how awesome is that?

Christine also talked about the A21 campaign.  These girls that are being rescued day after day from a life of trafficking are miracles just because they are still alive after suffering as they do.   Same as we were rescued by God in any or whatever situation we've have been through.  Then the wonderful part is that now we have the chance to rescue others, just as we have been rescued.  Even though there are times we may feel broken…it’s through the brokenness that we need the grace of God.  
I love this next quote that she used when we feel like we are too broken or not good enough.  “The devil on his best day, didn’t take you out on your worst day!”  How powerful is that?  God is with us on good days as well as bad ones and He is there when we fall and to help us get back up again. 

The same God that is with you in the storm will get you through it.  Because storms will come in your life.  It doesn't matter what happens in the world we have an eternity with God, sealed to be with Him forever, when we enter into a relationship with Him.

It’s time for the church to grow up and not just exist!  It’s time for us to do something about reaching the people out there in this world and sharing the love of Christ and why it is so important to believe and develop a relationship with Christ.
Also, don’t think that YOU need God any less than you did before.  We need Him just as much now.

The same God that was with you then is with you now! 

Coffee Chat #3

Hello to my readers, I hope everyone has been great!  This past weekend I was so blessed to be able to attend the annual Women of Faith conference. As always I’ve came back to incredibly blessed to be in the presence of God at this conference with these other women.  Singing, praising, worshipping and listening to other women share their faith and story. 
I was able to hear from some incredible speakers such as Lysa TerKeurst, Roma Downey, Anita Renfroe, Kari Jobe, Judah Smith (the one guy speaker there other than MercyMe), Natalie Grant, Christine Caine, Angela Thomas and Mercy Me.  I’m sure that each speaker that shared left a profound impact on each person in the room, I know they did for me.  
Each speaker has their own story to tell about their life experiences they have had.
I’ll take these next few coffee chats to talk a bit about these inspirational speakers I had the pleasure of listening to.   Let’s get to know a little from Lysa TerKeaurst this week, shall we? 

Lysa opened up with 2 Samuel 20. With the title of her message, ‘One Wise Woman.’ 
The first lesson we learn from this section is that, you do not mess with the anointed and appointed.  In the start of this scripture we learn of a troublemaker called Sheba.  (I included the link to the above scripture for you as well).

As we read through the scripture we learn about a Wise Woman.  Here are a couple points we can learn from her.  Her approach and how she had dealt with the situation of ‘the troublemaker.”  We learn that a servant-hearted woman is a wise-hearted woman and because of her willingness to show up in the midst of everything happening, God sees, God notices and God smiles. 
Second, we can learn from her assurance.  She was peaceful and faithful.  She relied on her identity to over shadow her circumstances.  I am a child of God; therefore, …
Her assurance was rooted in reality.
And, third, we can get advice.  Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” See we can use the New Testament through the Old testament.  See how they go together so well. 

Lysa told a story of her daughter who set out to be a pole vaulter.  Every time she would get out on that track she would counter on her 10 fingers, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength, she ran and jumped and fell flat.  Although, at the end of the meet she was still like, I am a pole vaulter, every time!  She did this for, I think 3 years before she finally grabbed her pole, counted on her 10 fingers, ran, jumped and sailed over the bar and broke the school pole vaulting record that year.  Persistence pays off in the end, right? 

She established a pattern of discipline and kept pushing toward her goal.

What pattern of disciple can you establish?  How does this scripture affect you? 


Blessings,

You’re an Overcomer!

Absolutely love this song from Mandisa! “Overcomer.” It seems to come on the radio at just the right time.  Sometimes when you feel things are getting too tough and it’s circumstances are rough, it’s time to remember that, “you’re and overcomer!” With God on your side you can make it through anything that comes your way.  Sometimes it’s hard to –let go— and give God the control of the boat you’re in, but when we do let go of the paddle and quit trying to stir our own direction the waves don’t seem to rough and the water feels a lot smoother and nicer to be on.


Psalm 27:1 -The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? 

When we let Christ in our lives we no longer have to be afraid anymore.  There is always someone there to listen to us and to help us.  Although we are human and though we don’t always see the amazing opportunity we have to come to Jesus with our overwhelming issues, and we attempt to figure things out on our own.  Then when we do realize that we can’t do it by ourselves, we sometimes wonder what took us so long to figure out we can’t do it alone. He is always standing there with open arms just waiting for us, ready to embrace us, when we need it the most.

I love music!  The words to a song can change your mood/spirit in a split second.  I guess that’s why I love listening to positive and encouraging Christian radio stations.  Whether it’s K-Love, Air1 or our local KAMB station.  I know that I can turn on anyone of these station at anytime and hear something uplifting and encouraging. The music just gives my day that extra boost of enthusiasm to get me through and another reason to smile.

     

Blessings to you,

"What if your blessings come through raindrops?"

What if....

Happy Independence Day!

Most likely when you think of the Fourth of July, you think of a day of with family and friends, fun, barbecue picnics and fireworks.  You may also think of this being a day to remember those who fought for and stood up for this countries freedom so long ago and right now today.  This also being a day to remember our freedom to worship Christ whenever we want with out having to hide!  

John 8:36 says, " So if the Son sets you free,you will be free indeed."

As time passes by and years come and go, our jobs as follower's of Christ gets more important day after day.  The harder the times get in this world the more we need to share the love of Christ and why He is so important to our lives as Christians.  In this day and age people tend to take for granted that we have so many churches around in our country, but seriously what's the point of having so many "church buildings" if we're just sitting around talking among ourselves.  If we were really being "the church" we would be stepping out of the building we worship in more often and 'hitting the streets,'  bring church to the one's who have been afraid to step into a church building or traumatized in some way by "so-called Christians."  Even by changing they way we have our worship services by being able to make our services casual enough for people to really feel welcome and comfortable enough to 'walk-in off the street' and sit down have a cup of coffee or glass of ice tea and hear about the love that Christ has to offer them, without feeling judged by their attire or past behavior. 

Acts 20:24 says, "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

I love this verse, we used this verse in my drama group in college for the back of our t-shirts. It was a great reminder to remember what our work is to do here on Earth.

Today is a another great reminder of what Christ did for us in the cross over 2000 years ago. By giving us the freedom to live. Now we can tell others about the same freedom. 

******************************************************************

Side note: Also, it's another great day to bake something fun and different!. Here's a firework cake made! 
:-)  

       

Blessings,

Defying the odds...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my inspirational messages in the mornings, whether I'm reading them or listening to them over the phone.  This one came from one of my Mary Kay hotline phone calls the other day. 

This person based their discussion this morning about the story of the bumblebee.  It's such an incredible life story because the bumblebee was never intended to be able to fly because of its body size and wing span/size, it would be just impossible for this thing to fly through the air. Good thing the bumblebee never "read" that, right?

So what's to stop anyone from doing what they might be able to do if they never tried. If we never try something we will never know.  So..."if you thing you can, you can.....and if you think you can't, you're right!"

Turn the "impossible" into "I'm Possible!" Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."  I love this verse! 

There's so much packed into these words. When we try to do things by ourselves we fail every single time but when we let Christ in and follow His plan instead of our own, things just seem to "flow" better. It may not be easy and and it may be really, really hard but it's extremely possible and always worth it! 

My favorite quote from "Soul Surfer" just happens to be, "I don't need easy, I just need possible!"  

Blessing to all,

Sharing Christ through drama….

Christian Drama has been my passion for several years now.  I’ve loved performing for my whole life, but it was at a Women of Faith conference that I saw sharing skits in a whole new way.  Being able to witness and share with people on so many different levels through each skit that I perform.  It’s so amazing to be able to share my heart to the hearts of other people through stories of laughter, prayer and sometimes even through tears. 

I was able to be apart of the Good News Players (serving as President for a term as well) while I was living in Southern Indiana, where I was able to gain even more of an insight about being able to work with and minister to so many people around me. We not only traveled from church to church, but we attended youth rallies, and youth all-night events, and there were times we came back extremely exhausted but all the while loved what we were able to do. :)  We were able to share at drug/alcohol meetings, and just be there for our community and the communities we were traveling to, where we were able to pray for and with them as well.

It was also such a blessing to be able to share skits with The Remedy (my church while I was in Southern Indiana). To be able to be apart of a great church family while away from home was so amazing and to be apart of sharing Christ to 'the world' with them.

Here is a skit that I shared while I was in the Mid-West….

This is Rocks!…..

              

Tami Gregor (ME) sharing Rocks! (Skit) at a church in Illinois with the Good News Players (Oakland City University)

 

No Secrets!

No Secrets.  I love listening and reading to devotionals and this video devotional is by Rebecca St. James. Where there are no secrets there are no lies.”  Well, what does that really mean? No Secrets.  Have you ever really thought about it? And, what does it mean to ‘live a life with ‘no secrets’’ in this world?' It can mean being openly honest with people.  Allowing the people involved in your life to know what you are really about.  Especially when it comes to our faith and beliefs.  We want to be able to have people really see what we are about in the way that we live.  By living pure lives in how we think, act and speak.  Sometimes we may only be the only Jesus that some people come in contact with, so if we live to be “like Christ”  and let our “God light” shine bright, we can be that positive influence in so many people’s lives in a world that may not be positive all the time. 

What about these words?  Faith, Hope and Love.  What is Faith?  What is hope?  What is Love? What is it that you hope for or find hope in?  What do you put your Faith in?  What do you find Love in?  Is it true love? Is it pure?  Some of the many questions that can go through the minds of people on a daily basis.  So how can you deal with all the questions that fill your mind.  Sometimes…your mind can overwhelm you.   I’ve recently been studying on prayer, it’s kind of therapeutic about how much taking time to pray can keep your mind at ease.  Not only that, but prayer enhances our relationship with Christ.  When we keep God, “clued in” on our lives, we stayed “in touch” to what His plans our for us.  We can’t keep ‘secrets’ from God, He knows us better than we know ourselves.  When we open up and we’re honest, our trust circle develops better and we know who we can go to for help.  Like I’ve read so many times, the five people you surround yourself with the most are the ones whom you will most likely take on a similar likeness/attitudes.  So surround yourself with positive people who are going to lift you up rather than tear you down. People you can talk to, related to and be open and honest with, people who you don’t hold ‘secrets’ from, and you’ll learn so much about yourself and others when you open yourself up to so much more in your life. 

Shine brightly for Christ!

Grace and Peace

Today I Dare to Be….

I love listening to inspirational messages and there happens to be a great daily inspirational message I have found so to be incredibly uplifting and motivational.  This person was talking about the blessings that come from our lives we live.  She refers to a prayer from the Bible in the book of Isaiah, where she talked about how we are to bloom where we are planted and how to prepare ourselves for what is coming up.  We may see ourselves somewhere completely different but we were put in this specific position for a reason, most likely to learn from our experience’s and grow from where we are. If we continue to “bloom” where we are “planted” then we can see we are growing continually.  We can look back at the “blessings” we saw from the circumstances and the challenges we faced.  It’s like the song Blessings says…                              'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
                                       What if Your healing comes through tears
               What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
                                 What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
She moved on to gratitude.  When she was talking about being grateful she reminded me of something I read a few months ago from a "dare to be" challenge. Challenging yourself to dare to be grateful for what you have and where you are in your life. Fits right in with here message.  Love it!  What are you daring to be today, this week, this month?  More grateful, more confident, better listener….we can always think of something we want to be better in our lives.  Something that can help us be more aware of our surroundings and what is happening all around us and not just in our “immediate world.”  Big things are constantly going on and no matter where we are we can do something to help, whether in our small community town or out in the big city or maybe in another country.  If we dare to step out of our comfort zones then we can make a difference.  We can be the voice to the voiceless and help the helpless.

And when you learn what you need to learn things will begin to happen...when your ready! Sometimes we feel we're ready but this is so true "are we really ready?" Have we actually learned everything from our circumstances to be able to help others where we once were, so we can inspire them?  Hmmm...something to really think about, right?  If we’re patient then things will eventually happen.  I know it seems to take forever, right?  I totally agree with that one, patience is defiantly a struggle for me all the time, but when I put my trust in the my Heavenly Father with it all…then I know I can have the strength to make it through anything.  

I love that she referred to Jeremiah 29:11. One of my favorites verses that can get me through so much. Knowing that God has His plans laid out for me. Probably why I have it in my signature in my emails. What a great reminder. :-) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The message ended with this quote, ‘Be thankful and enjoy the ride!’ :-)  I loved this, and it’s totally true, when were being thankful for what we have and what we've been through, whether we’ve gone through the good or the bad, if were thankful for all circumstances we have grown through so much and have learned through it all.  Then we can enjoy the ride without all the worries.

Be Thankful!

Celebrate Life!

Well, I've been thinking about this recent conference I was able to attend back in October of this year, I was incredibly blessed to be able to listen to the hearts of several women of faith while in Sacramento, Ca.  
While each one of them had a completely different life story to tell, they all centered around their undying love for Jesus.  They shared of hardships and trials and even some of the tears and pain that occurred in their lives and how they had been brought through these trials to be able to see the triumphs and victories over these times to believe and see what lies ahead in their brilliant futures.  Each one of their stories ran over several years of their life where they had their ups and downs.  Sometimes just when things started to look up…their world came to a crashing halt! Then, when it seemed as if all they wanted to do was give up, they rose to learn from their past and push on toward their future.
Philippians 3:13-14 -- Now, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

I mean, have you ever felt like that?  Most of us have.  But, in truth, as it says in the scripture, in this life we will face trials….but take heart HE has overcome the world! 


Christine Caine was probably one of my favorites that weekend.  I love how she spoke on ‘a plague of frogs.’ I seen that scripture in a whole new aspect that day.
Christine shared that we are important – each and every one of us --  and God knows and cares from each and every one of His children.  It doesn't matter where we live or where we were born, we are more than just a number in the system, we all have a name and are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Whether we grew up and lived with our birth parents or if you've been adopted or if you live in a child care center somewhere...you are more than just a number in this big world....you have a name and you matter...and you are loved!
It says in Jeremiah 29:11, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord…”  God’s got a plan, a purpose and a destiny for you!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made! 
Ephesians 2:10 -- For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

How are you going to live without your fear?  You don’t have to be defined by your issues?  Christ knows your name and who you are.  I can't wait to dive into Christine's newest book, "Undaunted," and learning more through her writing as well. 

Isaiah 49:1 -- Listen to me, all you in distant lands!  Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.

Psalm 139: 1-24 --  www.biblegateway.com

O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

² You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

³ You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

⁴ You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

⁵ You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

You’re wanted!!!  You were made for more! The truth will make you free!

Galatians 5:1 --So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Angie Smith spoke about fear, and who doesn't have some kind of fear in their life, right?  Angie shared about fears through the voice of Hagar, and how when Hagar was sent off with Ishmael they face trials, their faith was tested but even  where human provision may have run out, the ‘well’ is always there and God was always with them helping with there needs. Hagar
   Genesis 21:8-21


Angie spoke about Psalm 139 today and the impact on this chapter in her life.

Angie told her story about here daughter and each of their births.  She opened with her twin daughters and how she had them figured to be the best babies in the world.  She had no trouble taking these angels to the store and out and about.  Although, her next child came to be the complete opposite.  "She's a negotiator" Angie said.  As she told the story about telling her daughter that if she would quit sucking her thumb for 2 weeks, she would take her to Toys R Us and buy her anything she wanted for not sucking her thumb for 2 weeks!  All in all and to quote "a very funny story" her daughter agreed to the proposition.  Well, 5 minutes later Angie found her daughter in her room sucking her thumb. When she asked her about their deal just earlier, her daughter turned to her saying, "eh...I'll just get it for Christmas."  Kids!

Now Angie told us of her cute little stories of her girls but she left one story for the end.  Her next little baby girl.  A little girl who halfway through her pregnancy, the doctors had advised Angie to 'end her pregnancy.'  They told Angie and Scott that their baby girl wasn't developing like she should be, she didn't have a pancreas, she didn't have 4 chambers in her heart and there were two other organs missing.  Knowing how strong Angie and Scott felt about the human life growing inside of her they trusted God and they continued to full term against the wishes of the doctors.  By their next appointment, the doctors were amazed about how much progress the baby had made.  Her organs had been developing and she had 4 chambers in her heart.  Angie made it to deliver her baby girl.  Although she was weak and small, they were aloud to hold their precious and beautiful baby girl for a couple hours on the day of her birth.  And even through they only had a few hours with her, she said that they would have a lifetime of memories  for as long as she'd lived that day, and they would never have traded that day of anything.  They loved and cherished every moment they had spent with their precious and beautiful daughter.

God sees you different than you see yourself. 

                                                There is hope beyond where you are right now.

Sheila Walsh is always amazing to hear and a blessing her hear her thoughts and teachings.  She spoke from Romans Chapter 12, identifying that there is ‘nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.’  
   
   It’s not about who you are,     
   it’s about whose you are!      

         I am a daughter 
                of the 
                                                           King of Kings!



Shannon Ethridge graced us with her presence as she shared that God is more than sufficient to meet ALL of OUR needs! 



Shannon's life story was incredible to be able to listen to her heart as she  told her story.

I just want to break down some of my favorite quotes spoken by Shannon this day, they pretty much say it all about surrending your life over to God and letting go.  Knowing that we are going to make mistakes and even though we may fail at times, God is there to embrace us and pick us back up and dust us off.  

• Let God woo you and pursue you
  
• Embrace your bridegroom“

• Loving Jesus without limits!”

Even, the one of the few men (Ken Davis) that we there shared a few good points, 

1 – To believe with all of your heart that God is the author of ALL YOUR JOY!  
2 – To believe with all your heart that perfection is not a requirement! AND 
3 – To believe with all your heart that He will NEVER let you down!