I have survived another crazy weekend where I again, thought I was "superwoman"! I am thankful to be at home today catching up on some MUCH NEEDED housework. I thought I would take a break and blog a bit!
I guess I consider today to be "down time" sort of. Even though I am home doing housework, it is quiet (my kids are at my Mom and Dad's) and I have some time to let my mind slip into neutral (as opposed to overdrive most days) (and I keep adding parenthesis because I am thinking and typing my interjections at the same time which could get REALLY dangerous)! And if you don't know me very well, if I don't write something down, it may not recycle in my brain for another 6 months or longer! Anyway, on to my pondering of the morning!
I'm so thankful God DOESN'T answer every prayer I have! I am thankful He knows what is best for me at the time because I would surely of made an embarrassment of myself had I plowed right on with MY desires! Several years ago, I thought I might enjoy speaking in church. I was very involved in church, Sunday school, women's Bible study and other ministries. I thought I had what it took to "deliver a message" but looking back now, I realize I didn't! It is un-telling what might have come out of my mouth because at that time, my walk with God was not mature enough to deliver a message to others. Yes, I was studying, praying, talking, etc., but I wasn't LISTENING to Him! I was too busy with MY plans. I hadn't made Him a priority in my life at that time. Yes, I loved Him, but I think I was just going through the motions of "being a Christian". I was living out Hebrews 5:12 and needing milk because I wasn't ready to "chew the meat"!
I'm not where I want to be in my faith journey, but I'm thankful I'm not where I use to be. I think so many times we get complacent with our faith and study of God's Word but there is so much more that He wants to reveal to us! I think it's neat how we can read a piece of scripture one time and jot down what God is speaking to us and then the next time we stumble across it, we get a new revelation! He is just cool like that!
Anyway, it has taken much time with God to build my knowledge and understanding of Him. And just this morning, I was thinking back over the last couple of years how He has led me to speak to others through speaking engagements, small group Bible study, social networks and even blogs! I was "speaking" without even really realizing I was speaking. You see, He gives us our hearts desires, not in OUR time, but His time!
So if there is something you have been desiring or praying for, don't think God isn't going to answer it, for He knows best. It might take some time for Him to develop you so you can handle His plan! And, if it is something that will do you harm, He might not answer it but thank Him for looking out for your best interests!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Goosebumps...the REAL ones
No, I'm not talking about the series of books and movies by R. L. Stine, I'm talking about the kind that pop up on your arms & legs when something extraordinary happens!
Last night, I was at dress rehearsal for Come Back To God America and could have almost turned into one BIG goosebump! No, it wasn't because the stage in the auditorium was freezing (it's was hot as blazes up there), it was because the presence of the Lord coming through those who were performing! I even remember watching one soloist that has goosebumps on her arms while she was singing! I'm just here to tell you, there is some talent up there on that stage!
Come Back To God America is a production by Dogwood Productions in Fayette, AL that is a somewhat patriotic but is ALL about God. My family has been a part of the Dogwood family for several years now and we have been so blessed by it! You can check out their website at www.dogwoodproductions.org for more information! And if you have some free time on your hands TODAY, you should really consider watching a show! Show times are at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. today and there are tickets still available at The Fayette Civic Center! I feel certain you wouldn't be disappointed!
I have to run and get the ball rolling today...we have hair appointments and makeup to do before the first show so I will catch you all a little later! Here's hoping you have some "goosebumps" with the Lord today!!!
Last night, I was at dress rehearsal for Come Back To God America and could have almost turned into one BIG goosebump! No, it wasn't because the stage in the auditorium was freezing (it's was hot as blazes up there), it was because the presence of the Lord coming through those who were performing! I even remember watching one soloist that has goosebumps on her arms while she was singing! I'm just here to tell you, there is some talent up there on that stage!
Come Back To God America is a production by Dogwood Productions in Fayette, AL that is a somewhat patriotic but is ALL about God. My family has been a part of the Dogwood family for several years now and we have been so blessed by it! You can check out their website at www.dogwoodproductions.org for more information! And if you have some free time on your hands TODAY, you should really consider watching a show! Show times are at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. today and there are tickets still available at The Fayette Civic Center! I feel certain you wouldn't be disappointed!
I have to run and get the ball rolling today...we have hair appointments and makeup to do before the first show so I will catch you all a little later! Here's hoping you have some "goosebumps" with the Lord today!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Long Time, No Hear
I am a total slacker when it comes to blogging I guess! I noticed when I logged in this morning it has been over a month since I last posted and I AM SORRY! My life has been a wee bit busy lately with church stuff so I've been kind of flying under the radar.
Anyway, last week was our youth mission trip to Knox County, Tennessee with Appalachia Service Project and we had an adventure! Our accommodations were not what we had hoped for but we survived and have some great stories to tell! I enjoy road trips with the youth because you get to see their everyday life outside the walls of the church and I have to say, I am blessed with an amazing group of young people!
During our trip, our group was responsible for a morning devotional two mornings and I thought I would share one of the devos with you that I shared with the teams that were housed in Knox County.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about some things she was dealing with in her life. She didn't know how to handle some of the things and she just felt like giving up. To her, it seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three kettles with water and put them on the burners on the stove and turned the burners on high. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first, she placed carrots. In the second, she placed an egg and in the third, she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
After about 20 minutes, she turned the burners off. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. Next, she pulled out the eggs and placed them in a separate bowl. Last, but not least, she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a separate bowl also. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs and coffee," the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted they were soft. Then her mother asked her daughter to take and egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed a hard-boiled egg. Finally, her mother asked her to take a sip of the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "what does all this mean?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened.
The coffee beans were unique though. After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.
James 1:12 ESV reads: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
I know each of us have faced trials this week, We've been cooled down by cold showers and heated up by no air conditioning. Some of our projects haven't went as we had planned and there is probably a board or two that didn't fit exactly how we thought it would. Yes, trials come in all size packages and we've all received them but the question is this: How did you stand the test?
Are we the carrot? We seem strong but with pain and adversity, we wilt and become soft and lose our strength? Maybe we are like the egg. We start with a malleable heart but change with the heat. We have a fluid spirit but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship, the disappointment from a loved one or some other trial, we have become hardened and stiff. Does our shell look the same, but on the inside, are we bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or are we like the coffee beans? The beans actually change the hot water; the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases fragrance and flavor. If we are like the coffee beans, when things are at their worst, we get better and change the situation around us. When the hour is the darkest and trials are at their greatest, do we elevate our self to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee beans? May we ALL be coffee beans!
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy!
Anyway, last week was our youth mission trip to Knox County, Tennessee with Appalachia Service Project and we had an adventure! Our accommodations were not what we had hoped for but we survived and have some great stories to tell! I enjoy road trips with the youth because you get to see their everyday life outside the walls of the church and I have to say, I am blessed with an amazing group of young people!
During our trip, our group was responsible for a morning devotional two mornings and I thought I would share one of the devos with you that I shared with the teams that were housed in Knox County.
A young woman went to her mother and told her about some things she was dealing with in her life. She didn't know how to handle some of the things and she just felt like giving up. To her, it seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three kettles with water and put them on the burners on the stove and turned the burners on high. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first, she placed carrots. In the second, she placed an egg and in the third, she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.
After about 20 minutes, she turned the burners off. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. Next, she pulled out the eggs and placed them in a separate bowl. Last, but not least, she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a separate bowl also. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs and coffee," the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted they were soft. Then her mother asked her daughter to take and egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed a hard-boiled egg. Finally, her mother asked her to take a sip of the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "what does all this mean?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its insides became hardened.
The coffee beans were unique though. After they were in the boiling water, they changed the water.
James 1:12 ESV reads: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
I know each of us have faced trials this week, We've been cooled down by cold showers and heated up by no air conditioning. Some of our projects haven't went as we had planned and there is probably a board or two that didn't fit exactly how we thought it would. Yes, trials come in all size packages and we've all received them but the question is this: How did you stand the test?
Are we the carrot? We seem strong but with pain and adversity, we wilt and become soft and lose our strength? Maybe we are like the egg. We start with a malleable heart but change with the heat. We have a fluid spirit but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship, the disappointment from a loved one or some other trial, we have become hardened and stiff. Does our shell look the same, but on the inside, are we bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or are we like the coffee beans? The beans actually change the hot water; the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases fragrance and flavor. If we are like the coffee beans, when things are at their worst, we get better and change the situation around us. When the hour is the darkest and trials are at their greatest, do we elevate our self to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee beans? May we ALL be coffee beans!
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy!
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