Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Selfless

Selfless

Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish.

Having little concern for one's own interests.

I witnessed a small example of this at our Christmas Eve service and it warmed me to the core. Why it touched me so much I am not all together sure but it did and it got me to thinking. What if we were ALL like this ALL.THE.TIME.

The Miller's are a super sweet couple at my church. To watch them from the outside you would think that they had it all together. They agree on most things and when they don't they just kinda agree to disagree. You would never think that their home would ever hear a raised voice and they would NEVER argue to the point of anger. However, I really know them. I know K enough to know that she has her own opinion and expresses it when she feels strongly about something. I know that she is her father's daughter and can be stubborn and headstrong. I also know J. He is THE man. He is the head of his house. He is strong and just as expressive when it comes to his opinion.

Behind the scenes this couple really isn't PERFECT :) I know it was a shocker to me too.

Anyway, in the middle of a special they were singing during the Christmas Eve service J somehow dropped his guitar. I think maybe his guitar strap came loose. Anyway, with her voice still singing beautifully, K walked right over and fixed the strap for him. He continued to play. He never missed a chord. She never got off key. Truth is, this probably had no impact on either of them. Not like the impact it had on me.
To me, it was the sweetest thing. She didn't care that she was in the middle of singing. She didn't care that the whole church was watching. All she saw was that her fellow human, her husband, a person needed help and she didn't hesitate.

She was selfless.

How many would have stood their oblivious to the need?

How many of us would have been so focused on us that we wouldn't have even noticed?

How many would have worried that if they stepped out of place on stage someone would notice? The song wouldn't be perfect?

How many would have left it up to him to fix it on his own?

Phillipians 2:4 says this "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Who's interest are you looking out for?

Monday, December 17, 2012

Fear

Today at 12:03 I sit at my desk full of mixed emotions about the tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

For the parents of the victims I feel sorrow and grief. I cannot imagine the pain they must be feeling. The anger toward a man they have never met. The confusion about why this happened to their family.

For the parents of the survivors I feel absolute JOY. Joy that they were able to snuggle up to their little ones on Friday night and smell their little kid scent. They were able to brush their hair back from their faces while they slept or while they comforted them after waking from nightmares that remind them of their day. I imagine the relief that they felt when they arrived at the school to find their children alive and well. The overwhelming feeling of LOVE that wrapped around their heart when they picked them up and held them in their arms.

For the surviving students and teachers I am sure there is unspoken guilt because they survived. They have a chance to live their life as God intended but with a cloud of fear. The fear of going back to the place it all happened. The constant wonder of what if's. What if it had been me instead of my brother or sister. What if my teacher had been a coward instead of a hero? Was I saved for a purpose? What if I was given a chance to do great things and fail? The pressure to take this chance at life and make it all that God intended.

Then I think about the rest of America waking up to send their kids into the world today. Parents, like myself, sending my kids into this world of uncertainty, insanity and meanness. A world full of confusion that would prefer to believe in Santa Claus than Jesus.


That world is scary. That world is full of hate. That world is full of derangement, hatred and lies.

That world is also full of love. That world is full of hope. That world was created by our father in heaven. The one that loved the WORLD so much that he sent his son as a sacrifice for it. A sacrifice that could save them all. The ignorant ones that posted this sign in Times Square. A sacrifice that loves the shooter in Sandy Hook. A sacrifice that will live on forever no matter what fearful things this world may hold.

I choose the world full of hope. I refuse to let fear rule my life. I will NOT allow the man that went into Sandy Hook Elementary control my world. My children will know that I love them everyday. Not because they may never come home. Not because my world was shaken due to tragedy but because it is truth and one they need to know daily! My children will go to school and receive the education that they desire. They will not be kept at home out of a fearful gesture. They will walk out the door and into AMS, UHS and SPS with a prayer of protection surrounding them, the holy spirit guiding them and prayers of wisdom. Wisdom to take cover if something should happen. Supernatural wisdom to guide them through anything.

God forbid anyone that I know should have to endure such tragedy. God forbid my children lose their life to something so tragic as a school shooting, car accident or an illness but if they do, I just hope that I can carry on with my life knowing that they are in the presence of their father. They are home and I will be reunited with them someday.

My daughter had a childhood friend that lost her battle with cancer this weekend at 15years old. That is so unfair. She had so much life to live. I am struggling today because her earthly father and stepmother will miss her dearly. However, I found out that her biological mother is in heaven. They are reunited right now. They are together worshipping Jesus. While I still grieve for her earthly parents, it's a little harder now. I mean come on...meeting Jesus and your momma in heaven...what a welcome that was for her.

Don't let fear rule life. Don't let this or any other tragedy cripple you. Let love win this battle. Let good conquer. Never forget that Jesus reigns in this place, this place we live in!




Friday, December 7, 2012

"A man's home is castle"...Let's repurpose that quote!!

I read this quote today from the little lady over at Touch of Serendipity and it made me sit back and think about my own home! The quote was this "Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that at this moment, all you have is all you need." -Sarah Ban Breathnach.

We are moving this week and I get to redecorate. It has been on my mind and creating butterflies for a couple of days. I get to start over. I get a re-do. I am so excited. Just when I thought I LOVED my house; the opportunity to do something different hits me and I am like....YIIIPPPEEEE

A part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside isn't as important as the way my family feels inside my home.

However, a part of me screams that what my house looks like on the inside is a HUGE part of me and is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the way my family feels inside my home. Let's face it, every child wants to bring their friends to a homey, clean, organized house right?

It seems strange to me because the old saying goes "A man's home is his castle" but isn't the woman the one that gets all bent outta shape about decorating the castle? Isn't she the one that gets the "credit" for it being b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.? Isn't she the one that meditates on "Home and Garden", "Martha Stewart Living" or wonders aimlessly around Hobby Lobby searching for just the right picture frame. Isn't she the one that gets her girlfriends together so they can all travel for hours to get to a vintage festival to buy someone else's junk or take a million pictures of things "We can make ourselves"? Clearly, that quote is incorrect :)

I, on the other hand, don't get so much bent outta shape about decorating as I do get giddy, excited, elated and travel around on cloud 9 when I know that I get to decorate. I love it. It is for sure a passion, a stress reliever and a part of me that I have just recently fell in love with.


I just know that Lucy just found out that her and Ethel are headed to Hobby Lobby with Ricky's credit card.

So, friends....my style is Vintage/Rustic/Repurposed Junk :) I love it. I love chalk paint. I love rustic letters. I love repurposed furniture.

Let's redecorate my living room, kitchen and bathroom together!!! I want lots of input. I am going to ask for lots of opinions and when my house is done....


WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

5 Minute Friday: Stay

Let's go...

There were so many things that came to mind when I read the word STAY but what sticks out the most are my two boys.

Christopher is 21 and Jase is 3.



They are both moma's boys. They love their moma. Most boys do don't they? But their love is different.

Their love is sweet. Their love is unconditional. Their love is sappy.

They look at me like the girls don't. When they look at me they see safety. They see shelter.

I remember seeing in Christopher the vulnerablity that I see in Jase today. That heart that is easily broken.

I know that without a doubt they would both fight for their moma and their moma would fight for them.

Noone will ever be good enough for my boys.

I never want them to be anyone's boys but mine.

I want them to stay that way forever.

I want them to stay small at heart.

I want them to stay vulnerable.

I want them to stay open and full of fun.

I want them to stay just the way they are.

I want them to stay!

Time's up!

Monday, November 12, 2012

I met a stranger today...

It is raining outside today. It is cool outside and not the best weather to be meeting people but I did.

I met a stranger today.

The how and why I met this lady today is not important. What is important is the statement that planted a seed in my heart.

"I found your blog. I was only able to read a little bit but it had some inspirational stuff in it. I book marked it so I could read it later."

I didn't know what to say except "Thank You" and "Please keep reading".

It's happening y'all. God is using me to touch lives. It feels good. It's affirmation. It's confirmation. It's refreshing.

Never be afraid to share your story. Never be afraid of what you have to say. Let it out. Say it loud. Don't hold back.

I met a stranger today and it was awesome! She planted a seed in my heart and for that I am grateful.

"There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need them to change your life or you're the one that will change theirs"~unknown

Friday, November 9, 2012

5 Minute Friday: Quiet

March 1, 2012 changed my life. It was the day that my employer of 6 years decided that my services were no longer needed. They decided that my last 6 years of hard work and dedication meant nothing and my sincere adoration of my job was no longer of their concern.

Since that day, I have had lots of days of quiet.

During those quiets days I have learned of so many things. I have learned of love of the father. My heart has been raw in front of the man I call on for help. My emotions have been wishy washy and my pride has been crushed.

During those days of quiet I have found peace. I have found laughter. I have found dancing. I have found refreshment. I have found faith. I have found joy.

I have renewed my mind. I have found my purpose.

I did all of this all alone. I did this with intention. I did this all in the quiet.

I am thankful for this quiet. It changed me.

Time's up :)

...when your having fun


I take these two girls to school EVERY.SINGLE.MORNING. Most mornings the hour long trek to get the girls to school is full of mindless chatter, singing Luke Bryan and arguments about who goes first. Most mornings I dread driving that same ol' route down Hwy 70 to Baxter then back up I-40 to Algood then back down Hwy 70 to my house in between. But some mornings during the conversations I have an A-Ha moment. It's funny because it's always something I know already but it's just a reminder. Maybe I am being reminded so I can share it with others when I finally get back home.

Either way today was one of those mornings! The conversation went like this...

Me: I can't wait until next year when everyone is at ONE school.
Alyssa: Well, we finish this week. Then we have another week minus a vacay day. Then another week. Then Thanksgiving break.
Emilee: Gosh, this school year is flying by.
Alyssa: No it's not. It has been so slow for me. Highschool is so hard sometimes.
Emilee: Well, my 8th year has been so much fun.

Hello??? The old saying goes "Time flys when your having fun!"

Think about this for a minute.

Do you feel like your life is just drudging along. Day to day-same ol' thing-blah, blah, blah? Do you dread tomorrow?

PUT A LITTLE FUN IN IT.

The word says over and over that laughter is good for your soul.

Proverbs 17:22
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 126:2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Proverbs 15:13
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

Notice those words: Joyful, good medicine, laughter, joy, laugh, dance, glad.

Want some medicine to take care of that life that is no fun for you?

DANCE, LAUGH!

I have never in my whole entire life seen a person that is dancing without a smile on their face!

Wanna get some laughing going? Put some music on and dance! Really let yourself go! Let it out! Act silly.

Find some joy in your life. You are BREATHING. You have reason for joy! You think you have it bad??? Go down to the mission and volunteer. Head over to Genesis House and take a look around. Drive up to the NICU at Vandy and get a glimpse of sorrow. Can't drive to Nashville? Head over to CRMC to the pediatric floor and visit with the children that are happy that they woke up one more day.

If you can't find joy and happiness in your life after seeing how bad someone else has it then you are just selfish and you really need to pray about that (too harsh?)

Life is YOURS. Choices are YOURS.

Joyce Meyer said yesterday on Twitter that the holy ghost will move you and guide you but you ultimately have to make the choice.

Wow...WE HAVE THE CHOICE.

You can choose Depression Sadness Sorrow Self-Pity
OR
You can choose FUN Happiness Gladness Joy Laughter Dancing

I choose FUN. I choose GREATNESS.

What about you? What will you choose?

PS.
You can make a different choice every second. So, if you started reading this and you decide that you want to make a different choice...YOU TOTALLY CAN.








Thursday, November 8, 2012

What eats your lunch?

Today is November 8, 2012

I sit here and remember that in November 2011 I realized just how much the little monster called comparison would eat my lunch. Not only did it eat my lunch but it popped the bag it came in.

November/December had always been a tough time of the year for me. My parents living so far away made it hard because I knew in my heart that my mom was decorating for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The last 10-15 years she has really found her inner Martha Stewart. I felt like I was missing out on that with her. That is a really fun thing for me...decorating. I call her on the phone and she is at Lowe's finding cool things for her porch or at Michael's finding some neat tree decor...anyway, I found myself envious. Envious because I wanted to be there to help. Envious because her house was so beautiful. I found myself lacking in the matchy/matchy christmas tree and table centerpieces, etc. I found myself comparing my house to my mom's. I compared...I compared...I compared...I lacked...

I wanted to be able to decorate like this:

But in my mind it really ended up like this:

I spent a lot of time comparing my house with my mom's or my friends. What my house looked like all decorated at Christmas wasn't good enough because it wasn't decorated just like such and such. No matter what I bought or rearranged, it just wasn't good enough.

How many times in our life do we do that? How many times do we compare what we have to someone else?

Our marriage isn't good enough. Our clothes aren't good enough. Our kids don't behave good enough. blah, blah, blah! Men have this issue too but us ladies wear the crown for it most times.

Let's take that crown off.

This is what my christmas tree looks like...

It has mismatched ornaments made with love by 4 children that adore me. It is put together by a man that works hard to provide for his family. It is in a living room in a house full of love, compromise, sacrifice, forgiveness, fun, laughter and hope.

How does anything compare to that?

I hope your christmas tree looks like mine. I hope your living room looks like mine. I take a small amount of pride knowing that someone out there could look into my windows and compare their life with mine and long for it to be theirs :) My life is perfect just the way it is.

Guess what? So is yours. No matter where you are in life, it's ok to be there.

If you are at rock bottom...thank God that you can only go up.

If you are on top of the mountain...give God that shout of triumph for the strength it took to get you to the top.

If you are going around the mountain for the 5,215th time...thank God for the lessons learned each time and wisdom to make this the last one.

More than anything...Don't let the comparison monster eat your lunch. Find what is great in your life and thank God for it.

I read this quote and it is so true “Why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you.”

Love who you are...Love the life you live!

No other life can compare!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Where to go from here...


Where do we go from here?

That is the question most Romney supporters are asking themselves this morning since the election did not go in the direction that we had prayed for. That is the question I asked myself this morning as well. Because of the election?? Maybe but more because at this point in my life I am searching...

I am searching for a direction that has been made clear to me by my God but my pride will not shut up long enough for me to follow the path.

I am searching for this woman in me that loves God more than life and longs to raise Godly children, have Godly friends and make Godly decisions. She is in there but she hides. She hides behind a mask of fear of facing rejection.

I am searching for words to say everyday that may change someone's life, especially mine.

I am searching for my identity in this world.

I am searching for a purpose for this blog in the hopes that it touches someone's heart.

I am searching for a life that will be an example to those around me. An example of hope, triumph, worship and love.

After the shock has worn off, after the smoke clears and real life starts again what are you searching for?

Are you searching for your place of success in life? A career? A dream? A purpose?

What are you searching for?

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 31-What I have learned the past 31 days

Here we are y'all at the end of the 31 days of seeing through God's eyes. I don't know if any of you readers really "got" anything out of it or not but boy did I.

Things I have learned...

I am NOT a quitter!

I know God much better than I thought I did.

Even if I have only touched ONE heart through my 31 day journey, that is ENOUGH.

I AM ENOUGH especially the ORDINARY me.

When God guides the blog it flows much easier.

I am NOT Ruthanne, Kristen, Lisa Jo or Kate. I am Michelle and what I have to offer is amazing. Noone else can offer it but me.

God is my biggest fan.

When you sow, you reap! I am the one that controls what I reap and what I sow.

My small circle of friends are such great supporters of my dreams.

We all wear a mask of some sort at some point or another.

My heart is full of worship and love for God.

God speaks to me ALL THE TIME.

Finally,
God just had to show off last night. I was a little worried about some things and God woke me in the middle of the night. He kept saying to me "Worry crushes worship", "Worry crushes worship". I couldn't sleep because of the worry so instead I turned my worry into worship. I started thanking God for all the great things in my life and drifted back off to sleep. This morning I see this post by Joyce Meyer on facebook. It said "Worry and worship are exact opposites, and we'd all be much happier if we learned to become worshippers instead of worriers"


WHAT? Me and Joyce Meyer on the same page??? That's exciting y'all....

I.DO.HEAR.GOD'S.VOICE and so do YOU.

You just have to listen. The more you hear that voice the more you will start "Seeing Through God's Eyes"!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 30-YOU ARE SEEN

Do you ever feel alone in a room full of people? I sure have and sometimes I still do.


However, one thing I have learned from my experience with the loneliness is this:

Most times, I have created the wall the separates me from the crowd but sometimes it is just a vain imagination. Of course, it could be that everyone in the room is tired of hearing my "junk", listening to me whine and they really ARE ignoring me (LOL).

Either way, I have to remember that if NOONE else in this world ever chooses to sit beside me, if NOONE else ever chooses to invite me to lunch or a dinner party, if NOONE else ever SEES me in my happy times or my times of need GOD SEES ME.

Think about Haggar a minute. She was going along minding her own business working for Abraham and Sarah. Sarah asked something of her and she did it then Sarah turned on her. Because Sarah was so mean to her Haggar fled to the desert(side note: Haggar's name means "Flight", interesting huh?)


Anyway, while out in that desert you know Haggar must have felt invisible. Invisible to everyone around her-especially to God. But then an angel appeared. Another side note: God didn't wait for Haggar to come to him...he met her where she was in her desert. Everyone knows the story. After the angel appeared to her and gave her instruction, Haggar gave God the name "El Roi" the God who sees!! He sees US. He sees YOU and ME. He sees that we are scared. He sees that we need comfort. He sees when we are happy and when we celebrate. He sees everything and CARES about US. That is such an amazing thing.

Remember that no matter where you are...in the desert by no fault of your own or in a room full of people YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

God sees you!

Monday, October 29, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 29-Actions vs. Words

This post has been on my heart for a couple of days now. I haven't posted it yet because I had to check my heart motives for it. Was I going about it to "put people in their place" or was my goal really to help people? Finally, God spoke to me loud and clear! "Michelle", he said, "regardless of YOUR motive behind it MY motive is to set people free!" And with that...I am typing :) It all started at my book club meeting on Thursday night.


A great friend of mine said to me, "I am a human BEing not a human DOing." Which makes perfect sense to me! God didn't create us or require us to DO anything to be more righteous in fact the only thing we have to DO is accept Jesus and BE all the things he calls us. That is good news y'all. That is freedom.

The concept of actually allowing ourselves to be human BEings and doing things for the kingdom out of that fascinates me. In fact, I find myself still mesmorized by it all. When I am BEing all that God calls me; all the things I DO are effortless. I had a constant thought all weekend about things I DO. Am I doing those things because of who I am or am I doing them out of a need to BE someone else.

Fast forward to Sunday morning during praise and worship at my church. The praise and worship team is singing the songs chosen for the morning.

"My chains fell off my heart was free. I'm alive to live for you!"

Immediately, God said to me, "Are you? Do your actions show me that?" Next song:

"My hope is in you God. I am steadfast, I will not be moved. I'm anchored, never shaken. My hope is in you."

Again, God said to me, "Is it? Do your actions show that?" Next song:

"Your Presence is all I need, It’s all I want, all I seek Without it, without it there’s no meaning. Your Presence is the air I breathe The song I sing, the love I need
Without it, without it I’m not living."

Once again, God spoke to me but this time it was different. This time he said, "Look around you. Does this generation believe this? They SAY they do but their actions speak louder than their words."



What I saw was a generation of people that say all the right things about God but I didn't see any worship. I didn't see any response to God. He was there, so present but there were people talking to their neighbor, texting, sitting, biting their nails. God called us to worship and I know we all worship differently but I also know that there was alot of NON worship going on. This same generation of people are called to BE great things and they say all the right words but their life, their actions say something completely different.

James 1:8 says "Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."

So, I ask you this...what do your actions say about your walk?

Do you always SAY that God is good yet you mope about your situation?

Do you SAY that you are a worshipper, yet sit during a praise and worship service or talk to your neighbor?

Do you SAY that God has set you free but you are so tangled up in bondage that you can't lift your hands to the father that loves you?

Do you SAY that God has prospered you yet you hoard everything you can get your hands on?

Sometimes I am guilty of all of these things! Are you?

If you SAID yes, repent (change your mind) about yourself.

Your words create your future! Don't let your actions speak louder than your words!

Friday, October 26, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 26-First Things First

I have had so many FIRSTS this week!


The beginning of the week started with me for the first time trusting God with 100% of my whole self. I was still a little squemish on the inside but God and I...we got this :) I also volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity Cooking on the Square. It was so much fun. Finally, I VOTED TODAY! It was awesome and I almost cried I was so thrilled. Silly? Yes, maybe but it was an experience for me :)




I was so proud of my sticker!!! Check me out!







Of course, thinking about all these firsts in my life got me to thinking about God and how often we put him first. All the following books of the bible have a verse in them referencing firsts: Ezekiel, Proverbs, Nehemiah, Romans, 1 Corinthians, James, Numbers, Leviticus, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Deuteronomy and 2 Kings. I would think that God was trying to tell us something here!

Really think about it...

How often do you put God first?

When you have a problem is God the first one you cry out too?

When you have a celebration do you immediately thank God?

When your feet hit the floor is God the first thing on your mind?

Does God get the first fruits on payday?

Just something to get you thinking tonight...on that priority list of yours where is God?

It's time to put first things first! Happy Friday!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 24/25 (combined)-Revelation after Revelation

Where to start with this...

Our church service last night was amazing! We talked about being vulnerable and what that looks like to us. The first word that came to mind was "weak". Of course, I didn't shout it out because that would require me to be vulnerable! I mean what if everyone thought that my answer was stupid. Speaking out would mean that I had opened up and everyone would know that I thought being open and honest was a weakness. I also believe it takes a strong person to be open and honest. It takes nerves of steel to be vulnerable and it makes everyone else look strong but it makes ME feel weak. My perception of MYSELF when I am vulnerable is that a weakness is being exposed. It's the craziest thing. However, I am learning that through my weakness (vulnerability) HE makes me strong. My weakness (vulnerability) helps shed light on HIM so HE can encourage someone else. When I share from my heart, the honest stuff, others are able to relate and open up their heart to hear God's voice. For that reason alone, I will stay in this "weak" state of being. Even if it is only for the growing process of others. Isn't that what it's about anyway? Encouraging each other? Hearing God's voice in the growth?


That revelation last night led me to this part. You see, I have been dealing with a real heart issue for a couple of months now. It's not a huge deal to some but for me it has been gigantic. I have noticed it all around me and therefore didn't want to address the issue. After examining my own motives I realized that sometimes the tough stuff just needs to be said. Plus I really have a difficult time relaying my heart in this area so bare with me.

A couple of posts ago I talked about you being a farmer. You don't get to choose if you are a farmer or not. You ARE a farmer. You will reap what you sow.

Think about this:
If I plant a seed in my neighbors yard and go over and water it everyday guess what's gonna grow in their yard?? WHATEVER I PLANTED...




Our words are so powerful. My question is this:

what are we saying about each other?

I know there is a very fine line in this. I know that you can't make someone believe something about themselves. What I am talking about is what you tell others about someone. I am talking about planting seeds ABOUT others.

Example:
Susie and Jane are having lunch. The topic of Rosie, a close friend of them both, comes up. Susie simply says "Jane, how is Rosie?" Jane responds with "Well...Rosie just found out that Bob (her husband) has a gambling problem and she is really struggling (Seed #1) but they are going to counseling (seed #2) so they should be fine. Let's just pray for them."

Innocent enough right?

What happens when that counseling is over? What happens when Bob has recovered from this addiction?

More than likely, Susie will NEVER forget that Bob had an addiction. Susie will have that seed in the back of her mind. Susie may have never see Rosie the same. Depending on Susie's heart she could see Rosie as a failure. You just never know. Maybe Bob tries to get a job with someone Susie knows. Because that seed was planted Susie could very likely tell the hiring employer of Bob's incident. Rosie is now the unfortunate friend that deserves pity and blah, blah, blah.

Do you see where I am going? Let's replay this scenario..."Jane, how is Rosie?" Susie should respond with "Jane, Rosie could really use some prayer. Ask God how you could pray and encourage her today."

How would that change this whole story!!

It just seems in today's world nothing is secret anymore. You hear the saying all the time "Secrets don't make friends". That may be the case but in most cases "Secrets keep friends". By that I mean, protect each other. Don't tell each other's stuff even if you are talking to your very best friend. Even if it seems so innocent. Don't help someone create a judgement about someone else.

One more thing...this goes for people's good stuff too. Another lesson I learned recently is that we can judge something good or bad. But here is the deal...just because WE judge something as good and "Shareable" doesn't mean that the person wants it shared. IT'S THEIRS TO TELL. Don't steal their thunder! Let them share their own good news.

I feel like I am on my soap box now so I will just stop and leave you with this...

Ephesians 4:29 says "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Mark 12:31 says "The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Romans 13:10 says "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. "

Do you get the picture?

Don't go planting seeds in your neighbors yard...I would hate for them to have to reap what YOU sow.

PS. This applies to your kids stuff too. Don't go around and tell all their stuff either :)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

31 Days of Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 23-GLORY TO GLORY

Since the 31 day challenge is closing in on 31 days I was getting a little panicked about what I was gonna blog about. But, then grace showed up and reminded me that all things that God shows me is worth sharing even if it doesn't exactly "Fit" with the series. That excited me because I wanted to share this so badly :)

Yesterday I was talking to God about sermons that have been taught over and over. I was thinking about how someone can teach something over and over and over and some people get it immediately but some hear it for 20 years and never really HEAR it.

That's when I posed the question to God.

How is it that some people seem to go Glory to Glory while others just go struggle to struggle?

It's not that the teaching is different. The word isn't different cause it NEVER changes. Grace has been taught so many different ways that if we don't understand it by now we have a learning disorder. God loves us PERIOD. He has given us all things pertaining to LIFE and GODLINESS. We lack NOTHING.

That's when God started talking to me! Side note: this has been such a busy weekend/week for me. My BODY has been so busy but I am learning that even when your body is busy, you can keep your mind and heart at rest and hear from God. It's a good thing. Back to the point:

God revealed to me that EVERYONE goes situation to situation. The difference is the way they see it. For the ones that learn from the situation and get some type of revelation from it, it is Glory to Glory. But for those that just seem to wallow and groan and complain and pity themselves, it is struggle to struggle.

WOW..I will choose Glory to Glory!!

Let me give you a quick example! I am telling off on myself a bit but that's ok...
You see, I have not been a great money manager EVER! My parents spoiled me rotten. I got what I wanted when I wanted it so self deprivation is sparse around here. I digress...I have had my fair share of money problems!! I used to see each one as struggle to struggle because I would moan, groan and gnash my teeth. I would whine "Why God are you doing this to me. You have the power why can't you just fix it" ...pitiful huh?

Then I started seeing these for what they were...learning experiences (trials). I have learned so much about my heart beliefs, about God's promises and his love. These same situations that were previously struggle to struggle are taking me Glory to Glory! Fact is that the situations are fewer and fewer since Glory to Glory has taken over! Thank you Jesus!!

What a revelation!!

I encourage you to learn from your situations! I encourage you to stop complaining! I encourage you to ask God for wisdom, for revelation! When a situation arises GO TO THE THRONE AND NOT THE PHONE. Talk to God FIRST.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit"

The message says it this way:
"Whenever, though, they (us) turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they (we) are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him."

Can you imagine during your situation, God being personally present and you being pitiful? That is absurd. If you are pitiful, you are NOT beholding him as in a mirror!!! The mirror is not reflecting the power in you! It is not reflecting the overcomer that you are!

During your situation (trial) what do you see in the mirror? Powerful or pitiful?

During your situation BEHOLD HIM.

You will learn something about HIM and YOU. You will see that you are finding yourself moving GLORY TO GLORY!

Monday, October 22, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 22-Wisdom, Emotion and Motives

OK Y'all. I did it. I jumped on the Guest Post bandwagon. I think this is normal in blog world I just never thought that anyone would want to guest post on my blog LOL. When I decided that I was going to ask, the first person that came to my mind was Ms. Sallie Arro. I had a chance to spend some time with her recently and let me tell you...that woman has some wisdom!

Here we are ladies...ain't we cute?? She is the one riding solo on the right :)
Enjoy what she has to say about wisdom, emotions and motives! Be prepared...it's a good one!! Take it away Ms. Sallie:

I wish I could remember who said the statement below because I would really like to give them credit. It has changed my thinking about myself and others a lot. It has also helped clarify why I need to keep snuggled up close to Holy Spirit.

“Since the fall, man’s wisdom is faulty, emotions are unreliable, motives are impure, and vision is limited."

The wonderful thing about coming to grips with all humans having faulty wisdom is it keeps me from putting others on too high a pedestal thinking that everything they say or write, is the be all and end all; and from being too hard on myself since I can’t know it all. I can relax and rejoice in what I do know and take advantage of what others have learned from their mistakes so I don’t have to go down the same road and get beat up by you know who. In James 1:5 we are told, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let them ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to them.” How cool is that? I don’t have to depend on the faulty wisdom of men when I’m in a jam, I can go to the God who created the universe and keeps it spinning and He will reveal everything I need to know and He won’t be upset because I asked. In fact, He wants me to.

Because we can’t rely on our emotions to lead us correctly all the time, it is good that God loved us so much He made provision for us to be able move toward the destiny He has planned for us. In Galatians 5:16, Paul admonishes us to, “Walk in the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lusts of the [emotional] flesh. God knows the awful things that lurk within the human heart and how easy it is for them to pop out before we even realize what we are saying. And sometimes when we do recognize it is just our ego [Edging God Out] wanting to prove a point. Holy Spirit knows how to stabilize our emotions so we don’t say or do things that would make the God we say we serve look bad.

For a long time, I tried to convince myself that although I recognized some of my motives were impure, I really did have some good motives once in a while. But the more the Scriptures and Holy Spirit revealed to me about Jesus and God’s love, the more I realized it was just a rationalization that was leakier than a sieve.

And as for limited vision, as I sometimes watched plans I had carefully constructed for success in various areas of my life next week, next year and in the years ahead crumble like sand castles hit by the incoming tide, I came to understand (and sometimes appreciate) I could not see very far past the end of my nose. If I can’t see clearly for my own life, I certainly can’t for others and need to be careful that I don’t fall into the trap of thinking I’m Holy Spirit Jr. and can straighten them out with my faulty wisdom.

Joyce Meyer points out God is not surprised or disturbed by all my failings and shortcomings. He knew what He was getting when He called me. On top of that He has a plan for me that will lead to abundant life now and forever. He has given some instructions about how I am to live, but even with those He reminds me in Philippians 1:6, “be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” and Philippians 2:13, “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

So I can snuggle up with Holy Spirit and rest assured that as long as I keep my focus on the Lord and His Kingdom, He will take care of everything that concerns me. Easy to say, but the world, my flesh and the devil are arrayed against that plan. Yet God wins and so do I.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 21-WHERE ARE YOU?

Before anyone notices it or reminds me, I know I missed Day 18 and Day 20. Sorry folks, life called and I had to answer.

This journey! Where are you on yours?


The particular life incident I am talking about led me to some soul searching myself. My sweet friend and my girls Nana passed away over the weekend after a LONG battle with cancer.

Here she is with her family! Aren't they sweet? They loved her so much!

She loved God with her whole heart. I heard her worship. I heard her pray. I watched her read the word. She believed in the power of healing yet she didn't receive it. Now, I don't have all the answers. I don't want to speculate what her walk with God was like, what type of relationship she had with Jesus or on where she was in her heart. That sure wouldn't be fair but what I do wonder is

WHERE.AM.I?

Where are you on this journey? If you were to get really sick, would your heart yield to the promises? If you experience a life changing situation, would you yield to the power in you to change it?

God gave us all we need the moment you received Jesus. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is in us right now. The power that the lady with the issue of blood felt come from Jesus' garment (not his body, his garment-THAT IS POWER PEOPLE) is in us! The healing power that healed the blind man, YUP we got that too.

All the promises are YES and AMEN.

Find out for yourself what the promises are! Revelation is an amazing thing! Search out the word for the promises then really search your heart and be honest with yourself about where you are! Do you believe they are for YOU and not just for someone else. Do you believe somewhere in your heart that you DESERVE what is happening to you? Really search your heart. Really find out the truth that YOU believe about YOURSELF.

Don't fool yourself into thinking you believe the promises only to find out in your time of need that you don't.

Friday, October 19, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 19-YOU ARE ORDINARY

Listen! Before you get mad and yell at the computer "I AM NOT ORDINARY" let me finish!

It was really hard for me to post this ordinary, make-up free, edit free picture of myself. I wanted to get rid of the wrinkles around the eyes. I wanted to airbrush it a little bit so the blemishes weren't so easily seen but I didn't. You know why?



THIS.IS.ME.

This is the ordinary, everyday me. The me that gets up at 6am to get my 3 great kids ready for school. The me that packs my husbands lunch for work everyday. The me that makes the ONE ENTIRE HOUR round trip school route twice a day! The me that makes supper every night, bakes cookies for daycare, cleans out the garage, goes junkin' with my sister in law, plans events with a passion, listens to John Mayer, The Script and Jack Johnson while cleaning the house! Most importantly, the me that loves God with my whole heart, seeks out a relationship with Jesus and listens attentively to the Holy Spirit.

I have never been asked to guest post on a blog. My blog hasn't gone viral. don't have 100 followers (heck, I think there is just 3 lol). I haven't finished a 5k in less than 30 minutes. I haven't lost 100 pounds in a year. I haven't found my niche for organizing, fashion or hospitality and that is OK.

You see, the things that I have done. The things I do everyday, the ordinary things are more important to me.

I.LOVE.MY.LIFE.

Sometimes I find myself envious of others. Doesn't everyone?

That's when I remember Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you..."

The plans that HE has for me is much better than the plans that I have for me. The plans for me to touch the few that surround me everyday. The plans for me to be a great friend, counselor and confidant. The plans for me to influence my children in a way no one else can. To be a game changer! That's the ordinary me I will be. That's the ordinary me I will proudly be.

What does the ordinary you look like?

I challenge you to find the magical in the ordinary you today. Celebrate her! Celebrate her accomplishments no matter how big or small. Don't compare her to someone else.



Love her for exactly the woman she is because she is extraordinary :)

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 17-YOU ARE A THINKER

I recently read an "Unusual Fact" on Twitter. That unusual fact was this: "You can ALWAYS see your nose! Your brain just chooses to ignore it."



That really messed with me for a while. I mean I would cross my eyes and look at my nose then turn away and look at the TV or the wall and sure enough THERE WAS MY NOSE lol.

But then, I forgot about it. I quit focusing on my nose and my disappeared. I didn't think about it all day long! Guess what happened? Someone re-tweeted it and I saw it again. Because I turn my attention back to it, there was my nose again. In my thoughts, on my mind and ultimately in my way! I couldn't see around it.

Don't we do that sometimes with people? Don't we do that to ourselves? We all have faults and while we do not need to blind to our faults, we also don't need to focus on them so much that we go through our everyday life seeing nothing but the fault.

Genesis 30 contains a story about a man named Jacob. It's a great story and I encourage you to read it. The story ends with Jacob putting completely white cattle in front of striped and speckeled trees when they ate and drank and mated. They focused on these spotted and speckeled trees for what I think was a big majority of a cows day. I mean what else do cows do but eat, drink and make little cows?? Anyway, when these little baby cows were born guess what they were? The EXACT thing the moma and daddy cows meditated (focused) on...They were speckeled and spotted.

Moral of the story is that you will produce what you focus on. And you will notice more what you focus on. Your brain can't help it. If you are constantly reminding yourself that you are fat...when you look in the mirror your brain will see fat. You will produce FAT. This happens with everything. If you only see faults in people and that is what you focus on...Your brain will only remind you of only their faults and you will see every one of them. Know what's gonna happen? You are gonna ruin your relationship with this person.

So, what should you concentrate on????

Phillipians 4:8 tells us...
Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.

Find these things in others and focus on those parts of their personality. Focus on the noble, honorable things they do. If you can't find anything to love or anything positive about a person, simply find good because God loves them. build them up in your mind.

It's hard y'all...but with God's grace it can be done! It makes for a much happier life and healthier relationships.

The benefits of seeing people in a postive and good light is as plain as the nose on your face :)

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 16-YOU ARE TALENTED

Some of my favorite days are the days that I spend the ENTIRE day cleaning, organizing and decorating and redorating then redecorating one more time just to make sure it is right.

For me, my creative juices get flowing by way of home decor.

I.LOVE.DECORATING.MY.HOME.

I love decorating for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fall, Summer, Spring, Birthday Parties, you name it and I wanna decorate.

Today I was wanting to put together something for fall on my porch. Everyone else has a pretty fall porch and I wanted one too. So, I set out to rummage through my stuff and find a few things then added a thing or two from Wally World and the result was this...


Pretty cute if I do say so myself and all for less than 10 bucks!

Did you know that you are creative as well?

Maybe you don't have the same creativity that I do but you have something. You have a talent. What is that talent? Is it painting or singing or dancing? Are you great at making budgets or organizing? Whatever it is, and there is something...do you share it?

Romans 12:5-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

I bet anyone can tell me what they are NOT good at but I dare you, I challenge you to discover what you ARE good at!!!

Then share it...

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 15-HIS MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY DAY!

Funny that I am using this one today (for Yesterday).

You see, I went to bed last night knowing that I didn't blog for Day 15 and was full of guilt. Guilt and condemnation was in my heart and in my head. I went to bed anyway because I had a crazy and hectic day. I didn't feel like I was ANY of those things that God says I am. I knew that someone out there was waiting. Waiting for me to hit that publish/share button but I allowed my circumstances to overwhelm me.

I felt let down by life and angry at my family for some stuff that happened yesterday.

Guess what?

Lamentations 3:22-24 says "God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They (his merciful love) are created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left."

That gives me hope. Hope for a new day. A clean slate. A do over.

Today is my chance for repentance (to change my mind about what I am seeing).

Today, I will take it.

God is just that good to me!


Sunday, October 14, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 14- LET'S RECAP WEEK 2


If you have been following this blog, I really hope that you have been hearing from God about some of these truths I have been sharing. When I first started posting these I had a list of truths that I intended to share but after the first few days I scrapped the list and asked God to inspire me throughout the day. I don't know about you guys but they seem to be better with his inspiration. Go figure!!

One more time for those that might have missed something.

Day 8: YOU ARE GIVEN SECOND CHANCES!
This is one of those truths that I use so often. Let me share a quick story and then I will move on.

In church today I heard God instruct me to do something and I did. It wasn't really hard so I jumped right on it. Well, on into service he instructed me to do something else and I hesitated. I didn't really want to because it really would have pushed me out of my comfort zone. I.SAT.IN.MY.SEAT. and guess what? I looked and someone else was doing what God had instructed me to do. HOW AWESOME IS MY GOD? He is awesome for 2 reasons...when I was disobedient, he chose someone else. When I was disobedient, he didn't condemn me and I will get another chance. That simple!

Day 9: YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!
You know what?? No matter what your story IT IS IMPORTANT. It has significance. Your story makes you who you are and can affect the life of someone else. Don't think it isn't fancy enough. Don't think it's not extraordinary. Trust me, if you were a sinner and you were saved by grace that is extraordinary!! TELL SOMEONE!!

Day 10: YOU ARE SPECIAL!
Noone can do what God created YOU to do. You were created to do something! Period. End of story! Figure out what that is and DO IT.

Day 11: YOU ARE JUDGED!
You are judged through Jesus! You are judged as holy, blameless, righteous, set-apart!! YOU ARE FREE from judgment of sin! Woot!!

Day 12: YOU ARE EMOTIONAL!
You are an emotional being and that is ok! The most important statement from this post is this..."There is no place in the bible where it says emotions are catagorized as right or wrong." That is good news people!!!

Day 13: YOU ARE THE BOSS!
"You are not the boss of him. You are only the boss of you."~Audrey Blaylock
Remember that!! You cannot tell someone else what to do. You control noone but yourself. You cannot make someone else do something and what others do or do not do is no reflection of who you are.


So there it is. The week in review. You can read more details by scrolling on down or pick the topic from the column on the right....

Enjoy yourself and read on...until next week!!

Blessings!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 13-YOU ARE THE BOSS


While reading a blog by a friend of mine about her sweet boy Jack a statement she made sent my belly into butterflies. I didn't finish reading about her sweet boy because I knew day 13 had to come out NOW. Thanks Audrey :)

"You are not the boss of him. You are only the boss of YOU."~Audrey Blaylock

Think about that for a minute. "You are not the boss of him. You are only the boss of YOU."

Sweet Freedom.

Raise your hand if you have children. OK, stand up if you have ANY friends that sometimes make crazy mistakes. Lastly, give me a wave if you are married, have parents, bosses, co-workers or siblings! YUP! I think that covers everyone.

Now repeat after me... "You are not the boss of him. You are only the boss of YOU."

Do you understand what that means?

That means that it is not your responsibilty to correct them. It is not your fault for their actions or reactions. You are not their holy spirit. It is not your place to gently remind them of their failures in an attempt to make them "see their ways".

Matthew 7:3 says "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

The two commandments that Jesus gave is LOVE GOD and LOVE PEOPLE. Not once does he ever say "LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. TELL THEM WHAT TO DO AND HOW WRONG THEY ARE WHEN THEY MESS UP"

If you are loving God and loving people all the rest will work itself out. I know that there are exceptions to this rule. I know that sometimes God will give his children words or directions for others but I have NEVER and I repeat NEVER had a word from anyone that made me feel bad about myself. Never has a word from God felt judgemental, mean, accusatory or made me want to hide in a hole.

If you feel that someone is doing something BAD and God wants you to be the one to tell them, you better make sure it really is God you are hearing and not a version of YOU trying to be BOSS. LOVE NEVER FAILS. Pray about it.

PARENTS: Another nugget from my blogger friend...
If you have children that are going crazy, whether they are little or adult, YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF THEM. YOU ARE ONLY THE BOSS OF YOU. What do you think God thought when Adam botched it all up in garden? Do you think he moped around the heavens and said to himself...wow, I really failed with that one? Sure, he grieved but not because Adam messed up and not because he messed up with Adam but because he would not have that relationship that he originally planned. Guess what happened?? PLAN B :) I can't tell you how happy Plan B makes me sometimes! He provided the fig leaf the consequences and moved on.

You should do the same! If you have some rebellion going on in your house and your kids are doing things that you feel are wacko...PROVIDE A FIG LEAF, THE CONSEQUENCES AND MOVE ON. You are not the boss of them. You are only the boss of you. Understand that I am not talking about hands off parenting here. You gotta be a parent. You gotta have some responsibility for your babies but there is a huge difference in BOSSING to have control and LOVING for obedience. I hope you understand the difference. If not, ask for help!

As you go through your relationship check list, always remember those little words...
"YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF THEM. YOU ARE ONLY THE BOSS OF YOU." Love people. Don't try to be their God. Don't try to be their holy spirit.

Life will be so much easier!

Friday, October 12, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 12-YOU ARE EMOTIONAL


I think I have said with every 31 day post that it resignates with me so much. This one is no exception!

A couple of weeks ago I had a pretty big financial mess that created a lot of chaos in my mind. The guilt was unbearable. The failure I felt was heavy. The tears wouldn't stop. I am not talking a trickly. I am talking a faucet. Snot, swollen eyes, wailing... I didn't like it.

I WAS EMOTIONAL.


The more emotional I got the worse I felt.

You see, I was expecting myself to react a certain way when a trial came. I was expecting to be all unicorns and butterflys when the rubber met the road but that didn't happen. Because that didn't happen, I felt that I let God down. I let my family down.

In my mind, I felt fear which meant I lacked faith. I was nervous about the outcome of this financial situation which meant that I didn't trust God.

These were lies but I still felt that way.

A couple of my best girlfriends really helped talk me down. We all talked about the importance of our emotions. The way they gauge what's going on in our minds. We have actually discussed that God created emotions in us and it is healthy for us to release those. I got it but I didn't really GET it.

But then I read an excerpt from the most amazing, freeing book I have read in a long time!


"Is there a way to be honestly, blamelessly emotional? Is there a way to take off the mask of the fake fine, to speak the truth and not sin? In order to discover that option, I have to confront what I believe about my mood. As a good girl, I tend to think in extremes. Just as decisions are either right or wrong, emotions are either good or bad. Happy? Good. Sad? Bad. Joyful? Good. Disappointed? Bad. Compliant? Good. Confrontational? Bad. There is no place in the bible where it says emotions are catagorized as right or wrong." It goes on to say "Feeling scared meant I needed more faith. Feeling anger meant I needed more control. Feeling confused meant I needed to get it together and figure things out. In theory, I knew I was supposed to cast my fear, anger, and confusion on the Lord. But after "trusting" him with my circumstances, I thought it was MY RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE EMOTIONS AND KEEP MYSELF FROM EXPERIENCING THEM AGAIN" (emphasis and italics mine)

Can you say REVELATION?

You can have emotions and it is OK. It's ok to be scared. It's ok to be happy. It's ok to be angry, confused and even confrontational. At the same time, it's ok to be joyful and to laugh (alot).

Our God created emotions in us. He knows that we have emotions. He knows what type of emotions we will express before we let them out.

If your way of releasing stress is through crying then cry a river! Cry a river with a spirit free of condemnation. Crying doesn't mean you are weak.

If your way of releasing happiness is shouting then shout until your lungs are sore! Shout with spirit free of embarrassment.

YOU ARE EMOTIONAL and it is a good thing :)

Thursday, October 11, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 11-YOU ARE JUDGED


That's right. I said it. YOU ARE JUDGED (ducking down to dodge the rocks you are throwing at me)! Before you JUDGE me let me finish.

IF you are a child of God. If you have accepted Jesus into your heart and realize that you need him as your Lord and Saviour YOU WILL BE JUDGED!

As a child of God you are judged as:

PERFECT

HOLY

RIGHTEOUS

COMPLETE

BLAMELESS

FREE

How does that make you feel on the inside? When I say to you that God sees you as PERFECT, HOLY, COMPLETE, BLAMELESS does that make you wonder how??

The only way God can see us that way is through Jesus! When the Great Exchange was made, Jesus traded his righteousness for our sin, the world as you know it changed. When God looks at a believer all he sees is Jesus! It's kinda hard to judge a man that was perfect as anything but perfect! Jesus was complete and blameless so when God looks at us and sees our spirit man guess what he sees?? Someone that is blameless and perfect.

Are we always perfect? Are we always blameless? HECK NO and ya know what? If we could be Jesus could have stayed with God and never endured the HELL he did for us.

An ongoing joke in my circle is that when someone is doing something "carnal" we will say "THEY NEED JESUS" and we laugh but it is so true.

EVERYONE needs Jesus. Do you know him? You should. It is life-changing! There is freedom. There is power. There is peace.

I don't know about you but I don't wanna be judged by anyone else other than God. I don't want to judge myself through anyone else's eyes but God's because I know what he sees when he sees me. What does he see when he sees you? If you are a believer and didn't respond with some of the above adjectives then get into the word. Find out for yourself the truth.

If you aren't a believer, know this! God is not mad at you! God loves you! He sent his son to die for you so that you could live in freedom. In completeness! In happiness and joy! With a carefree spirit...call on him!

Remember: YOU ARE JUDGED!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

31 Days of Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 10-YOU ARE SPECIAL

Did you ever watch Barney as a kid or have a kid that watched Barney? You know Barney...the big purple dinosaur!!


He had a song that I used to sing with Christopher. The lyrics were:
You are special, you're the only one. You're the only one like you. There isn’t another in the whole wide world who can do the things you do.

I didn't realize at the time how true those words were. These words are true for each person on this earth.

YOU ARE SPECIAL. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN DO WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO DO.

Let's take a look at Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
We are going to discect that scripture so just hold on to your hat. This will be good :P

Have you ever thought this? "God made me to be fearful and wonderful" I know I did until I started studying! :)

I checked out the Strong's Concordance and the word wonderfully in the greek is Palah. Palah means to be distinct. Just to dig a little deeper I looked up distinct too. Distinct means recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type. The word fearfully in the greek is Yare. That word means to stand in awe of, be awed.

So let's read it again...

"I praise you because I am in awe and recognizably different; your works (me) are wonderful (extraordinary). I know that full well."

WOW!! That makes my heart happy people!!

YOU ARE RECOGNIZABLY DIFFERENT.

Noone can do the things God created you to do.

Figure out what that is! Figure out what puts you in your "Sweet Spot". The place where grace and mercy flows. The place where you are effective. The place where you find peace. Are you a stay at home mom? Are you an excellant blogger? Are you a retailer? Are you a pastor? A teacher? Find your place...

However, you will NEVER find you place trying to be someone else. You cannot be yourself if you are mimicing what someone else is doing. You have to find your own way and you will. Most times, it is found in contentment. It is found in prayer. It is found in serving.

God created you in ONE person's image and that image is HIS. With that in mind, don't go around trying to be something your not.

Find your place. Ask God what you were created to do. Then step out and do it.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

31 Days to Seeing Through God's Eyes: Day 9-YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY

Today in my Facebook notifications I have a "Word from God"...No, it wasn't like a real word of God but one of those app thingy's. However, the words spoke to me. They were:

On this day of your life, Michelle, we believe God wants you to know ... that today you can help a thousand people see God's light. Feel God's light shining within you and take a step to inspire someone else to shine. As you share this vision today with just one soul, that reaches ten lives that touch a thousand.

This inspired me to share with you that YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.




Everyone has a story. It may be a story that is filled with turmoil and grief. It may be a story filled with joy and laughter. It may be a thriller. It may be a romance. The ones I like most are the comedies. No matter what the story is; it is YOUR story. It is what makes YOU-YOU.

How many of you ever thought that noone could benefit from YOUR story? If you have then you are wrong.

Don't feel like God has given you nothing to share. I promise you that if you have breathe in your body, God has blessed you. Ask God what you should share. Ask God to reveal to you what part of your story would bless others.

I encourage you to share your story! YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!

Share it with me :) I would love to hear it!