“I don’t need easy, I just need possible."

“I don’t need easy, I just need possible."

One of my favorite quotes from the movie, Soul Surfer. Bethany’s journey after her accident didn’t make her weak, it made her stronger, not only in her strength, but in her faith as well. 

“…It’s your life—what you gonna do? The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who your heart beats for It’s an open door It’s your life…”
(Francesca Battistelli)

Soul Surfer

The true and inspiring story of a young girl who through her encounter with a shark, had a life changing experience. Through it all, she didn’t let anything stand in her way.  The process was difficult and the work was hard but through persistence and dedication, she overcame the odds and pushed through her fear to become even better than before. When Bethany learned to trust the process of her healing and rely on God’s strength instead of her own, she was able to do so much more.

Through these challenges, trials, and even wanting to quit Bethany kept right on doing what she was being called to do.  She had an amazing support system with her family, friends, and church family who stood by her side and was there for her through the good and bad times.
When it comes down to these tough moments it’s our relationship and faith in Christ that gives us all the strength in the world to make it through anything we are facing.

Have you ever been through something you thought would change your entire world completely and your life would never be the same again?

Have you ever quit something because you kept failing at it?

What gives you the strength and motivation to keep going even when life’s circumstances get difficult and hard to manage?


Through out all of this Bethany was given the incredible opportunity to minister with World Vision in Thailand, she was able to reach out to a young child who was afraid to get back in the water after the tidal wave hit their country.  When Bethany was afraid that she wasn’t going to be able to surf the same again, she eventually got back up again and again after falling. Then after several attempts she was able to stand back up on her board and ride out the waves of the ocean.  Bethany followed her dreams and she wasn’t going to let anything get in her way.  

As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “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.”

I love the Bible story in 1 Samuel 17 of a boy who wasn’t very big, he wasn’t very strong, he was always picked last, and he wasn’t chosen first for anything.  He was often overlooked by people in this world.  Nothing stopped him from doing what God had called him to do. David persisted, he kept going, now his life was far from easy and he had tremendous challenges that tested his faith in God, he was far from perfect but when he stood strong with God by his side he was able to accomplish far more than he could ever do by himself.  Even when I’m sure he stood against this giant, this Goliath, trembling at what was in front of him, David stood against his giant, facing his fears, and conquering what was set before him.


God is writing our story and our plans are in his hands, He knows what we are and who we are to be. 




“I've learned life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you need to get right back up, because you never know what's over the next wave...…and if you have faith, anything is possible, anything at all.” Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer.

What’s over the next wave for you? What do you need to conquer? Knowing that God is there beside you in all you do, how can you strengthen your faith?Father God, Thank you for standing beside me. Thank you for loving me and always being there, providing a team around me of loved ones who are my biggest fans. When  afraid, I put my trust in You! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

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!

I don’t need easy, just possible!

I just love the movie ‘Soul Surfer’ and being able to watch how Bethany Hamilton works through her struggles and accomplished what she set out to do.  I was listening to an inspirational message the other day by Kali Deblander Brigham and she was talking about the movie Soul Surfer and how she finally was able to watch it and about how motivational and inspirational it was.  She had talked about an anagram for POSSIBLE that she came up with from watching the movie, and I loved this so much I just had to share it.
                                                      
Practice – being consistent in good days and bad, staying on track.
Others – focusing on other people takes your mind off of your own struggles, and places it on someone else.
Support – by having people around us who challenge us and push us to move forward, because they see our potential.
Seeing the Big Picture – by Bethany challenging herself she was taken around the world to Thailand to help people there.  She was meant for more, she was stepping out of her comfort zone and seeing more.
Innovative – Learning and learning a new way to do things.  You have to keep learning and sometimes re-learn.  Bethany had to learn again how to duck dive so she can get to the waves faster and more efficiently.  She had to keep trying no matter how difficult it was for her.
Believe – she believed in what she was doing by believing and having faith that ‘with God, all things are possible!’
Love – what you do. Love the Lord with all your heart with all your mind and with all your strength.  With all the talk about the Passion 2012 conferences, you can really see (or hear about) people coming back from there with a greater love and passion!
Embrace – what makes you different, unique and special!!!  Where is your passion?


Bethany’s passion for LOVING her Heavenly Father with all her heart, mind and soul allowed her to fulfill her passion of surfing.  Even only having one arm she was able to BELIEVE  and EMBRACE what made her different from other people and pull from the SUPPORT of OTHER people around her.  She was able to PRACTICE until she was able to get up on her board and duck dive.  She was able to SEE the big picture as she traveled to Thailand with World Vision.  And, she was able to be INNOVATIVE in how she was learning all over again to surf on a whole new level.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

In the Message Bible it reads from verses 10-14, “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. “

This past summer a  couple of us did a skit at a church where we had to ‘learn to surf.’  We had to rely on others to help us and guide us in the proper procedures so we weren’t injured.  Just how we learn to rely on Christ to get us through difficult situations in our lives. 

Learning to Surf in a VBS skit this past summer! :)

                                                                                         
                                                                                       

Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

Well, it’s that time again!  It’s Christmas time and time to start a brand new year!  As we say good-bye to another year gone by we said a warm wintery Hello to the new year 2011!  Wow! To think about everything that has happened in this century so far and how much we have learned in the past 10 years! 
The memories we have made with old friends and even new ones that we may have just met this year.  We’ve accomplished goals and maybe even created new ones.  We’ve started new careers and made new plans for ourselves.  I’ve had many friends who have become engaged and have been recently married and some who have had their first child.
Though being approximatly 2,000 miles away from those college and post college friends  that I left behind in Indiana, it’s great knowing that I can stay in contact with them over the phone/Facebook/email.  Even though looking at pictures of everyone sometimes brings me to tears as I think about all the good times we’ve had, and how much I miss them!
Even thinking about the new friendships I have made with the friends that I’ve been blessed with working on this new church planting ministry.  We’ve been able to reach so many different people through music and drama and just by being able to create relationships around us and spread the good news about how wonderful a relationship with Christ is!  I look forward to the many adventures we have together through what God has plan for our lives.  It’s going to be such a great adventure!
Starting new career paths is always a scary thing to do.  But starting a business with MaryKay has been a huge challenge for me!  But it as been extremely worthwhile for me every step of the day.  It’s allowing me to get out there and meet new people and try new things.  I’ve met so many new friends that I have been blessed to work with through this new business endeavor.  They have helped me overcome my fears and accomplish my goals.  I am so blessed to be about to work with these wonderful people that I can call friends! 
I could not have accomplished anything with out the love of God with me!  He is always there in my good days and my bad ones.  When I am feeling lonely, I can run to his arms and just feel comforted.  Whether I am in my quiet time or worshiping in our Sunday service.  For as Philippians 4:13 says, for I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.  And God gives me daily strength to make it through each and everyday.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, 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.  And as I look at this verse over and over again I am reminded that God knows what is best for me, he knows where my career path leads and he knows who that “future husband” is for me.  So as I continue to study God’s word and dig deeper into the scriptures and live out the word of God by telling people, performing dramas or maybe just by helping people.  I can be assured that I am still growing and learning more day by day.

Second Chance

Second ChanceBy:  Tami Gregor

Have you ever felt like the Samaritan woman in the Bible?  Asking yourself why would Jesus talk to me?  And why would he ask me to get a drink of water for him?  Jesus answers the Samaritan woman by telling her of the Gift that God has for her.  “Where can I get this gift?”  Asked the Samaritan woman.  She asks again, please sir…give me some of that water!  Then I will never be thirsty again. 

John 4:1-30 is where Jesus talks to the Samaritan woman.  See before, the Samaritan woman lived with five different men, the Jews looked down upon her, she was a woman and she didn’t have the cleanest reputation.

When the Samaritan woman met Jesus, she was then offered a safe, healthy and empowered life, unexpectedly.

After she met Jesus, she saw the love and mercy that Jesus offered her that she had never seen before and certainly didn’t deserve.  She left her water by the well and went and told everyone what Jesus had done.

Sometimes its hard when you think you have just totally messed up your life and no one can love you.  You have done so much wrong and your faith has just slipped away little by little.  But something happens and you see the life you have led flash before your eyes, and suddenly right where you are, you bow your head and pray, for maybe the first time, or for the first time in a long time.  You ask God to take control of this life you are leading and change it.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or what you have done.  Salvation is there for one and all.  Embrace the relationship that Christ has for you!

As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, God knows the plans He has set forth for your life .  Embrace Him.

God is a God of second chances.  Take that chance.

Grace and Peace to you all!