Well Friends…
Thinking on the past week …and the word that stands out today is Thanksgiving. Not the feast we had, but the emotion of Thanksgiving. I have been a mess, the tears have flowed so easily the past week and I have been overcome with Gods Goodness to me and my family in such a real way. I am pretty sure I've not lived my life always embracing His goodness. But….this past week….ahhhhh. I have embraced it. If it was waking up with both my babies snuggled up to Shane and I in bed, or watching my babies laugh at The Muppets…….I found myself overcome….and the tears flowed. I stopped this past week….and just took in His Goodness. Sometimes….you just gotta stop and see it….Its There Always. And as I was taking in the smiles and laughter of my home, God has been revealing to me more about this time in my life. More about what matters most. More about the importance of Giving, Honesty, Trust, Faithfulness. More about Living and Loving Real. And as I thought about that Wednesday night and saw people who had come to a church for a Thanksgiving meal….I couldn’t control the tears as I thought of their lives.....and I thought of my baby girl serving food to people who that night would return to a homeless shelter, I have prayed….God I want her to embrace your goodness always. I don’t want her to get caught up in the world….and the mess that I have…I want her to see Your Goodness in Everything. Every blessing….every trial….every Victory….I want her to See You, Seek You, and Love Like You. And as we sat in a theater preparing to watch The Muppets....and the preview was a commercial for St Jude Hospital, and someone said...."These kids dont want the latest toy...or the name brand clothes....they want to be healthy and home with their familes this Thanksgiving". Ugh...I lost it then too. And Thursday as we prayed together as a family, I looked around and thought….my cup runneth over. All that I have….I owe to Him. And through Him, This is what Thanksgiving is.
And there are many scriptures of Thanks that people spoke about across this world on Thanksgiving. But this is the one that God put on my heart. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. The peace of Christ. I know in the back of all our heads were the ones that werent there with us this year. But there was peace. Their was an attitude of gratitude. Grateful for who was there….in that moment. I glanced around the room and saw the smiles and the hugs of my loved ones…and I was grateful. No issues….no junk….just grateful. The past year for our families has been filled with many tops…and many valleys….okay..lets just say it…. trenches. Can we actually say?? Its been the best year and the worst year too? But through it all…I can say…God has never left us. And because of that….we are still standing. We didn’t stay in the valleys…because of Him….the dark trenches didn’t close up around us….Because of Him. And there were smiles and happiness…pain and sorrow. But now….today….we have peace by the Grace of God. And as I sat and listened to a family member tell me of a friend of theirs that they lost this past weekend…not the way most of us think of losing a friend….but lost because they stood on the side of right. I couldn’t help be reminded. We cant change the past, we cant change people…or their hearts….but we can trust in God. We can let go, pray, trust in Him and learn to be better and more loving people because of the valleys. That’s what Thanksgiving is about. Letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts….and be Thankful….for one body. Not only for our physical church body…..but The Body of Christ that we have been called into. HIS BODY. Not yours, not mine…but His.
So today….Just a friendly reminder (to maybe just me)….Not only to Be Thankful….Not just know the Peace of Christ…......but let it RULE our hearts.
You can make the difference
Love you all…..
Too blessed to be stressed…….
Michelle
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Necessary
Friends, it is here!
Not a few months away anymore, its here! Thanksgiving and right before us Christmas. Ahhh, the Christmas Season. I Love it! And We as Christians we celebrate Jesus and his birth all year. But this is the time....that whether they know it or not....The Entire World Celebrates His Birth! HAHA! And every year I say (doesnt always work but I try) I am going to Enjoy this Season. To not be caught up in the hustle and bustle of this world, and just remember what this season is about. Christ! His Birth!
And today, I was reading someone’s comment about what the word Busy means. And this is the word that I sometimes refer this season to: Busy. Webster defines busy as: engaged in action : (Yep that’s me! Engaged in Action…sounds a lot better than busy, huh? ) Occupied : being in use : (Me too! Being in use, that’s a good thing, right? ) Full of activity, (Hah! Got me there too, lots of activity going on here). And then I read the next definition busy…. And I felt the conviction…. Bustling : foolishly or intrusively active : meddling : full of distracting detail…… Ugh! Full of distracting detail. Wow, I think busy might sound better than that. Foolishly or intrusively active…. yea, been there. So, the question came to my mind…How do I be "engaged in action…..In use…..and full of activity….without???? being foolishly or intrusively active, or full of distracting detail???? Anyone got the Million Dollar Answer? I sure don’t….But then I read this scripture…
Now as they were on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."Luke 10:38-42
And when I read this….I thought ..... See….even Martha was busy serving…doing the things she thought was of importance, and Jesus had to show her….One Thing is Necessary. Ahhhh…Necessary - required: important in order to achieve a specific result, or desired by authority. Jesus told her yes you are busy serving, but one thing is Required. And Mary chose that, the one thing that couldn’t be taken away from her. Now Martha…she could serve everyone, that was her position……that is what she took on as importance….run the errands, cook the food, try to please them all, and somewhere…sometime…. That could be taken from her. But Mary….Oh Mary….she chose the one requirement that No One….No time…No Place…..could be taken from her……Blessing Jesus at His Feet. That was the requirement.
That is my goal this Christmas Season…not to just enjoy the season….but to Remain at the Feet of Jesus. That is what Jesus says is the requirement. Not to be so busy serving everyone else that we are foolishly active….but engaged….engaged in Him. Active…Being used….by Him. So this is me today…..Praying for my mind to be fixed on Staying at his feet. And this is my prayer for you. There are many that can say that they have been at His feet….laid their troubles at His feet….laid their insecurities at His feet…….laid their addictions at His feet. But He is reminding me today to lay my Praises….my Love….my Devotion….at His Feet. Daily. Oh friends….when I get so wrapped up in this world….this season….let me be reminded "To pour my oil upon His feet"….that is what is Necessary. That is how We Celebrate Christ's Birth. Daily.
Im praying for you....your families....your marriages....your children.....All that God has in store for you...May you be blessed....and May you Stay at His Feet not only this season...but Daily.
Love you all.....
Not a few months away anymore, its here! Thanksgiving and right before us Christmas. Ahhh, the Christmas Season. I Love it! And We as Christians we celebrate Jesus and his birth all year. But this is the time....that whether they know it or not....The Entire World Celebrates His Birth! HAHA! And every year I say (doesnt always work but I try) I am going to Enjoy this Season. To not be caught up in the hustle and bustle of this world, and just remember what this season is about. Christ! His Birth!
And today, I was reading someone’s comment about what the word Busy means. And this is the word that I sometimes refer this season to: Busy. Webster defines busy as: engaged in action : (Yep that’s me! Engaged in Action…sounds a lot better than busy, huh? ) Occupied : being in use : (Me too! Being in use, that’s a good thing, right? ) Full of activity, (Hah! Got me there too, lots of activity going on here). And then I read the next definition busy…. And I felt the conviction…. Bustling : foolishly or intrusively active : meddling : full of distracting detail…… Ugh! Full of distracting detail. Wow, I think busy might sound better than that. Foolishly or intrusively active…. yea, been there. So, the question came to my mind…How do I be "engaged in action…..In use…..and full of activity….without???? being foolishly or intrusively active, or full of distracting detail???? Anyone got the Million Dollar Answer? I sure don’t….But then I read this scripture…
Now as they were on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."Luke 10:38-42
And when I read this….I thought ..... See….even Martha was busy serving…doing the things she thought was of importance, and Jesus had to show her….One Thing is Necessary. Ahhhh…Necessary - required: important in order to achieve a specific result, or desired by authority. Jesus told her yes you are busy serving, but one thing is Required. And Mary chose that, the one thing that couldn’t be taken away from her. Now Martha…she could serve everyone, that was her position……that is what she took on as importance….run the errands, cook the food, try to please them all, and somewhere…sometime…. That could be taken from her. But Mary….Oh Mary….she chose the one requirement that No One….No time…No Place…..could be taken from her……Blessing Jesus at His Feet. That was the requirement.
That is my goal this Christmas Season…not to just enjoy the season….but to Remain at the Feet of Jesus. That is what Jesus says is the requirement. Not to be so busy serving everyone else that we are foolishly active….but engaged….engaged in Him. Active…Being used….by Him. So this is me today…..Praying for my mind to be fixed on Staying at his feet. And this is my prayer for you. There are many that can say that they have been at His feet….laid their troubles at His feet….laid their insecurities at His feet…….laid their addictions at His feet. But He is reminding me today to lay my Praises….my Love….my Devotion….at His Feet. Daily. Oh friends….when I get so wrapped up in this world….this season….let me be reminded "To pour my oil upon His feet"….that is what is Necessary. That is how We Celebrate Christ's Birth. Daily.
Im praying for you....your families....your marriages....your children.....All that God has in store for you...May you be blessed....and May you Stay at His Feet not only this season...but Daily.
Love you all.....
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Running This Race.........
Friends....I read today about a guy that was in a marathon. And he was talking about the point in the race where he felt like he just couldn’t do it anymore, his body, his mind, it was all telling him to quit. He said at one point he thinks he may have blacked out…he was still running, but the sweat, the pain, it was all too much. He said he was about to close his eyes and tell his body to stop when he heard someone on the side of the road yell "You can do it!" Don’t stop! Your doing great!!!!" Great? He thought….I’m doing miserably…about to give up! I can’t do this! And then he heard from the other side " KEEP GOING! YOUR ALMOST THERE!" And he snapped out of it and began to run faster…one foot in front of the other…..and the more cheers he heard….he picked up the pace. And when he got to the end of the race….all he could think of was those people…those "cheerleaders" on the side of the road cheering him on. Friends…sometimes…we all need someone cheering us on. Someone else to say…."You can do it! Don’t stop!" And thinking on this…..I thought of what part people can play in others races. Yes, there are the "cheerleaders", but there are also the ones that line the roads just to see you not finish. Just to yell at you "Your doing it wrong!, "Your never gonna make it" "I would run differently than you!" "I can do it better!" Ugh…haven’t we all been there? On both sides? Sometimes….we aren’t running the race well….sometimes we aren’t running this Christian race well. And that’s where we need our cheerleaders to yell "You can do it! Don’t give up!" Not…"your not doing it right! You might as well give up!" Not only are we all called to be "runners"…we are all called to be "Cheerleaders" too. You never know that the one thing you might say to someone might make their day….or be the one thing that makes them give up.So, I asked myself today….Am I a critic….or an encourager??? Now, I know there is a place for critics….but me….what am I? Today. What has God called me to be??? To my husband, to my children, to my family,,my friends, my coworkers…what is my place? And this is where God lead me…." I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" Ephesians 4:1-3. Ahhhh….doesn’t that just give you the feel goods…..its peaceful, all humility, gentleness, patience, Love, unity…..Sounds good…huh? And you know what the enemy came right in and said to me when I read this……."Really? What about when you were running the race…and you were just about to give up…and their was a person standing on the side and you reached for that cup they were holding out to you…and when you drank it….you realized it was SPOILED MILK! YUK! That’s unity isn’t it!" And I shook myself and said…."So what Devil!!!! Right past that person was someone else that reached out and handed me a COLD CUP OF WATER!!!!!!! And it was REFRESHING! And it made me forget all about the SPOILED MILK!!!" Who are you going to be today??? The one handing out spoiled milk…because they aren’t running the way you would….or because they may be running a little faster than you….or maybe too slow for you??? How about the one that has ran this race so many times…and given up before?? How about the ones that you know really didn’t train well for this race??? Or are you going to hand every single one of the runners in this race today….a cold cup of refreshing water…..HIS LIVING WATER!!!! Friends…..there are enough critics in the world….and there is a time and a place for everything….but Can I encourage you??? Today….Be an Encourager. Today….just make it a point to encourage instead of criticize. You could be the one that turns that persons day around. Encourage them with the Word! Show them the Love of God! You know….that unfailing….Love of God! No matter what they did yesterday…no matter what they did 5 minutes ago…..Show Them The Love of God. Ohhh its hard! I know!!! And if the way you have to encourage them….is by encouraging them to turn away from their sin…..Do It! WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS US! I know this is for someone out there, and I hope you always know that every blog I write is out of Love.
We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect World, Together Serving a Perfect God.
I Love You Friends….Be Blessed!
Too blessed to be stressed……
Michelle
We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect World, Together Serving a Perfect God.
I Love You Friends….Be Blessed!
Too blessed to be stressed……
Michelle
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thank You For Doing That!
Happy Friday Friends.....
Been thinking on this the past few days and thought I would share. The other day after church I was collecting the trash from the offices and bathrooms, and one of the members of our church stopped me and said "Thank You for Doing That!". He kinda took me off guard. And I looked down at the trash bags in my hands and thought....Well, Ok, this isnt your trash, But...."No Problem". (And let me first say...this isnt about someone having to tell me Thank You or they appreciate me, because thats not why I do what I do, so bare with me) After I walked away and stood in the ladies restroom collecting the trash in there, I thought to myself: No one (other than Pastoral staff) has ever thanked me for taking out the trash?? And then as quick as I thought it...God said...."Have you ever thanked anyone else for doing what they do????" And thats where it came..... Conviction. And I started thinking of all the people that do things for the church, for My church....that I have never Thanked. Their faces started showing in my head and I asked myself.....Why havent I? And me being honest here...thought....well I guess Ive always thought of what they were doing as their job....just like I think of what I do as my Job at the church. And then I cringed, and thought....well no....thats not what I mean.... I mean "Job" sounds kinda cold, and "Serving" at the church isnt a job. Right? But then...I thought...that is what people (me) sometimes think it is. Thats where the problem is. Thats where MY problem is. Dont get me wrong...Ive always thought it was a priveledge to "Serv" in any area of the church....but then Ive never understood people that complain about Serving. And when I thought about people thinking their Serving was a job....I thought....thats why people complain about it. They dont look at it as a sacrifice to God, they dont look at it as a worship...(because it is folks....whether its sweeping the floors, or throwing out the trash it can be Worship). And I say Can...because it all depends on how you do it and the attitude its done in.
And maybe Im the only selfish person who has ever thought of Serving as a Job, but God is changing my thoughts.
Ive been listening to a song lately that says: Do everything You Do To the Glory of Him that Saved You by Steven Curtis Chapman,
http://youtu.be/d3YLJCOKOzM
Ahhhh. Love this song. And as up beat and fun as this song is.....I was singing along in my car (jamming)when I said this part.....God swept into my car...and I started to cry.
"Tell the Story of Grace, with every Move that you make". And when I sang this part....God Said..."Thats what Your doing!". With everything I do..... Working....Playing...Taking out the trash.....Sending Emails (hehe).....Im telling the Story of HIS Grace! Thank You God for your Grace. Im only here today...Im only singing in the choir...only taking out the trash....only giving my Tithe.....Living My life...Only Because of HIS GRACE! My actions are telling others the story of HIS GRACE!
Friends, like this song says....
whatever you do...whether its disciplining your kids, folding laundry, teaching someone elses kids, directing adults, changing diapers, greeting people, answering phones....you get the picture....DO It Unto HIM that Saved You! Dont do it for people...because can I tell you something not so secret??? People will fail you, and if your doing it for them...Listen to Me from Experience Here....If You are doing it for Them....then when They fail you.....You will be Bitter. But, IF you are doing it for HIM who saved you...you will look at HIM and say....."Their All Yours God" and Keep On Going! And God just showed me that this can apply to our marriages too..... Your Marriage is a Worship to GOD! It is Ordained by God! And if You do your marriage unto HIM, then it doesnt matter what your husband or wife does....You Keep doing it UNTO HIM! THE ONE WHO SAVED YOU! It doesnt matter what they do....You Do EVERTHING Unto Him!
I Love You Friends, and I hope you know that I never send these emails out thinking I know or have it all together. Because I DONT! But Ive learned to listen to Gods voice, and to know that what He says to me.....is not just for Me sometimes.
Have a Great Weekend and Remember.....
Do Everything You Do to The Glory of Him Who Saved You!!!
And if I havent told you.............
THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO FOR HIM!
too blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle Sullivan
Been thinking on this the past few days and thought I would share. The other day after church I was collecting the trash from the offices and bathrooms, and one of the members of our church stopped me and said "Thank You for Doing That!". He kinda took me off guard. And I looked down at the trash bags in my hands and thought....Well, Ok, this isnt your trash, But...."No Problem". (And let me first say...this isnt about someone having to tell me Thank You or they appreciate me, because thats not why I do what I do, so bare with me) After I walked away and stood in the ladies restroom collecting the trash in there, I thought to myself: No one (other than Pastoral staff) has ever thanked me for taking out the trash?? And then as quick as I thought it...God said...."Have you ever thanked anyone else for doing what they do????" And thats where it came..... Conviction. And I started thinking of all the people that do things for the church, for My church....that I have never Thanked. Their faces started showing in my head and I asked myself.....Why havent I? And me being honest here...thought....well I guess Ive always thought of what they were doing as their job....just like I think of what I do as my Job at the church. And then I cringed, and thought....well no....thats not what I mean.... I mean "Job" sounds kinda cold, and "Serving" at the church isnt a job. Right? But then...I thought...that is what people (me) sometimes think it is. Thats where the problem is. Thats where MY problem is. Dont get me wrong...Ive always thought it was a priveledge to "Serv" in any area of the church....but then Ive never understood people that complain about Serving. And when I thought about people thinking their Serving was a job....I thought....thats why people complain about it. They dont look at it as a sacrifice to God, they dont look at it as a worship...(because it is folks....whether its sweeping the floors, or throwing out the trash it can be Worship). And I say Can...because it all depends on how you do it and the attitude its done in.
And maybe Im the only selfish person who has ever thought of Serving as a Job, but God is changing my thoughts.
Ive been listening to a song lately that says: Do everything You Do To the Glory of Him that Saved You by Steven Curtis Chapman,
http://youtu.be/d3YLJCOKOzM
Ahhhh. Love this song. And as up beat and fun as this song is.....I was singing along in my car (jamming)when I said this part.....God swept into my car...and I started to cry.
"Tell the Story of Grace, with every Move that you make". And when I sang this part....God Said..."Thats what Your doing!". With everything I do..... Working....Playing...Taking out the trash.....Sending Emails (hehe).....Im telling the Story of HIS Grace! Thank You God for your Grace. Im only here today...Im only singing in the choir...only taking out the trash....only giving my Tithe.....Living My life...Only Because of HIS GRACE! My actions are telling others the story of HIS GRACE!
Friends, like this song says....
whatever you do...whether its disciplining your kids, folding laundry, teaching someone elses kids, directing adults, changing diapers, greeting people, answering phones....you get the picture....DO It Unto HIM that Saved You! Dont do it for people...because can I tell you something not so secret??? People will fail you, and if your doing it for them...Listen to Me from Experience Here....If You are doing it for Them....then when They fail you.....You will be Bitter. But, IF you are doing it for HIM who saved you...you will look at HIM and say....."Their All Yours God" and Keep On Going! And God just showed me that this can apply to our marriages too..... Your Marriage is a Worship to GOD! It is Ordained by God! And if You do your marriage unto HIM, then it doesnt matter what your husband or wife does....You Keep doing it UNTO HIM! THE ONE WHO SAVED YOU! It doesnt matter what they do....You Do EVERTHING Unto Him!
I Love You Friends, and I hope you know that I never send these emails out thinking I know or have it all together. Because I DONT! But Ive learned to listen to Gods voice, and to know that what He says to me.....is not just for Me sometimes.
Have a Great Weekend and Remember.....
Do Everything You Do to The Glory of Him Who Saved You!!!
And if I havent told you.............
THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO FOR HIM!
too blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle Sullivan
Friday, September 23, 2011
Kindergarten 101
Hello Friends.....
School is officially underway, and Fall is Here! Yes! The kids are getting used to schedules (somewhat) and our routines are becoming easier. We have the same conversations on the way home each day....How was school? What did yall do today? and Jack is always excited to tell me....."No Color Change Today!" Now, this is a big deal to anyone who has or has had a Kindergarter. One of the first things they teach the kids in school is....If you dont follow the rules...You get your Color Changed. And to a Kindergarter....this is a big deal! And today, while reading a friends blog and seeing a picture she posted of kids lined up in a hallway one behind the other... I was reminded of a comparison between Kindergarten and Christianity. Thought I would share....
Jack was taught the first day of school the rules of the classroom. Rules that included what and how to walk around the school. He was told to, Stay in Line, Follow The Leader, Keep Your Hands to Yourself, No Talking, and Stay with Group, NO WANDERING OFF! Wow..... Novel Concept, huh? Seems alot like what God tells us to do when we follow Him. Galatians 5:25 says to Live by the Spirit, let us Walk in the Spirit. The definition of walk is to move over a surface by taking Steps...one step in front of the other. Moving Forward. Following The Leader. See the Comparison? Rules are in place to keep order in the school. Can you imagine a school of kids running around doing whatever they wanted? Well...you know what you would get? THE WORLD! We have forgotten that God gave us a list of rules....He gave us HELP, Help to keep us in line....Help to Keep Order, Keep us from Wandering Off. He gave us very simple rules to follow....but as hard as is it for 5 year olds to stay in line and keep their hands to themselves....Friends....its hard sometimes to keep us from Wandering Off. Hard to stay in Order.
And what happens when Jack doesnt follow the leader. He gets his color changed. He gets punished. Is he caught off guard? No. Does he not know what is going to happen? Yes, he knows. He was given the rules, he sees and hears them everyday....but still sometimes....He steps Out Of Line. In Psalm 119:10 the Psalmist says..."With My Whole Heart I have Sought Thee....Do not let me wander or Step Aside from your commandments...." With his whole heart.....he wants to do right....and he is pleading....please.....do not let me Wander Off...Do not let me Step Out of Line. Oh, if our children....If We, Could see what an important lesson they are being taught in school. If they will Follow The Leader (Christ), Keep Their Eyes on Him, And Dont Wander off, they will stay out of trouble. Now, does that mean that trouble wont coming looking for them? No. Does that mean the kid in front of them isnt going to turn around and try to talk to them? No...it means....Keep Your Eye on The Leader!
And one day, Jack came home very sad. He had gotten his color changed. And I, his parent, who had gone over all the rules with him, who wanted to see him do good, was disappointed. My heart hurt for him. (And God said....Now you know how I feel when you dont follow my rules.) He came in and we sat down and talked about it, talked about what he did to get his color changed....and what he could have done different. And afterwards....I encouraged him. He knew what he had done, he had been punished... Dont do it again. Learn from this.
Now, there is so much for Kindergarters to learn, and they walk in school the first day and think they will never know it all, and they are scared, and are intimated by the big kids that seem to move with such ease through the school. They think the Big Kids (the kids that have already been there) know Everything. Oh How they want to be like them. Sound familair? You come to church...it all seems overwhelming, you pick up your Bible, and it just seems like so much...and you look around and there are The Big Kids....Christians who seem to move with such ease in life....they seem to have it all together...they seem to know all the rules. And you think....will I ever get there? And what you dont realize is....they have been where you are and they are still moving forward. No one has it all together, Life is full of new places to go. New experiences.
But God gave us Rules to help us along the way. Follow Him, Dont Wander Off, Stay With THE GROUP!
God has showed me today that He is putting us in places that we may not be comfortable with, New Experiences, but He still wants us to Follow The Rules, Seek Him with our Whole Heart. For He is a God of Order. And this is where I had my aha moment..... Every day....Jacks color goes back to Green! And He has A Fresh Start! It doesnt matter what happend yesterday....His teacher takes his color and puts it back on Green. New Mercies Friends....Every Day! Just Like God! Oh, how Thankful I am that I have a fresh start today! We may be punished for wandering off and not following the rules....But New Mercies....EVERYDAY! Thank You Lord!
Dont let the enemy remind you of yesterday friends, Start today Fresh. Follow the Leader Today! And Stay In Order Today! Dont Look Back, Just because you may have wandered off yesterday....Keep Your Eyes on HIM and Follow His Rules. He has your best interest in Heart....HE is teaching You!
Happy Friday Friends....
Love you all....
too blessed to be stressed.........
Michelle
School is officially underway, and Fall is Here! Yes! The kids are getting used to schedules (somewhat) and our routines are becoming easier. We have the same conversations on the way home each day....How was school? What did yall do today? and Jack is always excited to tell me....."No Color Change Today!" Now, this is a big deal to anyone who has or has had a Kindergarter. One of the first things they teach the kids in school is....If you dont follow the rules...You get your Color Changed. And to a Kindergarter....this is a big deal! And today, while reading a friends blog and seeing a picture she posted of kids lined up in a hallway one behind the other... I was reminded of a comparison between Kindergarten and Christianity. Thought I would share....
Jack was taught the first day of school the rules of the classroom. Rules that included what and how to walk around the school. He was told to, Stay in Line, Follow The Leader, Keep Your Hands to Yourself, No Talking, and Stay with Group, NO WANDERING OFF! Wow..... Novel Concept, huh? Seems alot like what God tells us to do when we follow Him. Galatians 5:25 says to Live by the Spirit, let us Walk in the Spirit. The definition of walk is to move over a surface by taking Steps...one step in front of the other. Moving Forward. Following The Leader. See the Comparison? Rules are in place to keep order in the school. Can you imagine a school of kids running around doing whatever they wanted? Well...you know what you would get? THE WORLD! We have forgotten that God gave us a list of rules....He gave us HELP, Help to keep us in line....Help to Keep Order, Keep us from Wandering Off. He gave us very simple rules to follow....but as hard as is it for 5 year olds to stay in line and keep their hands to themselves....Friends....its hard sometimes to keep us from Wandering Off. Hard to stay in Order.
And what happens when Jack doesnt follow the leader. He gets his color changed. He gets punished. Is he caught off guard? No. Does he not know what is going to happen? Yes, he knows. He was given the rules, he sees and hears them everyday....but still sometimes....He steps Out Of Line. In Psalm 119:10 the Psalmist says..."With My Whole Heart I have Sought Thee....Do not let me wander or Step Aside from your commandments...." With his whole heart.....he wants to do right....and he is pleading....please.....do not let me Wander Off...Do not let me Step Out of Line. Oh, if our children....If We, Could see what an important lesson they are being taught in school. If they will Follow The Leader (Christ), Keep Their Eyes on Him, And Dont Wander off, they will stay out of trouble. Now, does that mean that trouble wont coming looking for them? No. Does that mean the kid in front of them isnt going to turn around and try to talk to them? No...it means....Keep Your Eye on The Leader!
And one day, Jack came home very sad. He had gotten his color changed. And I, his parent, who had gone over all the rules with him, who wanted to see him do good, was disappointed. My heart hurt for him. (And God said....Now you know how I feel when you dont follow my rules.) He came in and we sat down and talked about it, talked about what he did to get his color changed....and what he could have done different. And afterwards....I encouraged him. He knew what he had done, he had been punished... Dont do it again. Learn from this.
Now, there is so much for Kindergarters to learn, and they walk in school the first day and think they will never know it all, and they are scared, and are intimated by the big kids that seem to move with such ease through the school. They think the Big Kids (the kids that have already been there) know Everything. Oh How they want to be like them. Sound familair? You come to church...it all seems overwhelming, you pick up your Bible, and it just seems like so much...and you look around and there are The Big Kids....Christians who seem to move with such ease in life....they seem to have it all together...they seem to know all the rules. And you think....will I ever get there? And what you dont realize is....they have been where you are and they are still moving forward. No one has it all together, Life is full of new places to go. New experiences.
But God gave us Rules to help us along the way. Follow Him, Dont Wander Off, Stay With THE GROUP!
God has showed me today that He is putting us in places that we may not be comfortable with, New Experiences, but He still wants us to Follow The Rules, Seek Him with our Whole Heart. For He is a God of Order. And this is where I had my aha moment..... Every day....Jacks color goes back to Green! And He has A Fresh Start! It doesnt matter what happend yesterday....His teacher takes his color and puts it back on Green. New Mercies Friends....Every Day! Just Like God! Oh, how Thankful I am that I have a fresh start today! We may be punished for wandering off and not following the rules....But New Mercies....EVERYDAY! Thank You Lord!
Dont let the enemy remind you of yesterday friends, Start today Fresh. Follow the Leader Today! And Stay In Order Today! Dont Look Back, Just because you may have wandered off yesterday....Keep Your Eyes on HIM and Follow His Rules. He has your best interest in Heart....HE is teaching You!
Happy Friday Friends....
Love you all....
too blessed to be stressed.........
Michelle
Sunday, September 11, 2011
16 years!
This weekend Shane and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary! If you've read many of my blogs, you will know that All Glory and Honor for my life I give to My God. And I believe and Try my best to Live His Word. This weekend, in celebrating our 16th anniversary from the day we stood at an alter in Dallas, Tx and devoted our lives to each other, we snuck away. It was wonderful! I am such a trip planner, and this time....we didnt plan! It was everything I could have hoped it would be! Wonderful!~ A weekend away from everything but each other. Sometimes...You just gotta go there! We went to a hotel in a local Downtown and just......enjoyed being together! And, as busy as we are most days, this way so nice to do. Refreshing! No clocks.....No reservations....No appts! Just us on our own.
Over the past 16 years, we have celebrated with Elaborate Vacations, Fancy Dinners, and do you know what???? SSSHHHHH...dont tell Shane....(because I do like the Elaborate Vacations and Dinners) but I do believe......This was my favorite! For many reasons....but this time....it was different. God has brought us through so much over this 16 years, and so much just over the last few, that I cant help but just throw my arms up and say "THANK YOU JESUS!" And what is exciting is that I know OUR Best Is Yet To Come. And thinking on memories, God brought me to a place of such appreciation and Thankfulness for my husband. And I believe His Word says to give honor where honor is due....So here goes. My Husband is everything I could have ever asked for. And as I sat on a trolley and looked across at him yesterday....I couldnt help but beem with pride and think.... "Thats my husband!" And I am honored and humbled to be his wife. He has been there through so much with me....and there is not much time in life that I dont recall him being there. There to hold me.....to Love me......to comfort me....To sit back and support Me, and To pick me up off the floor and carry me. Literally. He has been so patient, so understanding....many men would have cut their loses and ran when their wife seemed to care more for the dead than someone who was right there. But not him. He carried me. When I couldnt hear God voice, because I had my ears closed.....He was there. And I am so greatful. Im so glad he took our vows to heart....in the good times and bad. Look what we would have missed if we would have given up. I know God has a plan...and I am so thankful and grateful that 20 years ago, he chose for our paths to cross. I cant erase the past, and I dont know I would if I could, but I can cherish today. I know so many people who search their lives looking for that one perfect person to spend their life here with. Maybe not to anyone else....but to me.... He is that One, (Im)perfect for me. Not that I ever questioned it, but God has shown me so much this past year about perfection. And that we lose opportunities sometimes, looking for that perfect thing, that perfect friend, perfect job, perfect Love, and none of us our perfect. And Ive said it before, and I will say it again.....How do expect to have Perfect Relationships with ImPerfect People? And today....Remembering 9/11. Im sure their our wives and husbands out there, that wish they had one more kiss goodnight, or one more hug from their ImPerfect spouses that they lost that day. And I bet they look pretty perfect to them right now. Friends, dont spend your life with one moment that you will regret if someone you love or if You yourself dont have tomorrow. We all could spend our lives bitter because people dont do everything the way we would do it, or today....we could choose to tell our spouses....How Much We Love Them. The Good and the Bad, because whether we like to admit it or not....we all have both. And we should be grateful that they love our Good and Bad too. Remember the Lives Lost Today.....and Cherish Each Day. You never know when you or them will be called home.
Happy Anniversary Babe....Heres to two Imperfect People.....And Many More Years Together!
I Love You ALL,
too blessed to be stressed..........
Michelle
Over the past 16 years, we have celebrated with Elaborate Vacations, Fancy Dinners, and do you know what???? SSSHHHHH...dont tell Shane....(because I do like the Elaborate Vacations and Dinners) but I do believe......This was my favorite! For many reasons....but this time....it was different. God has brought us through so much over this 16 years, and so much just over the last few, that I cant help but just throw my arms up and say "THANK YOU JESUS!" And what is exciting is that I know OUR Best Is Yet To Come. And thinking on memories, God brought me to a place of such appreciation and Thankfulness for my husband. And I believe His Word says to give honor where honor is due....So here goes. My Husband is everything I could have ever asked for. And as I sat on a trolley and looked across at him yesterday....I couldnt help but beem with pride and think.... "Thats my husband!" And I am honored and humbled to be his wife. He has been there through so much with me....and there is not much time in life that I dont recall him being there. There to hold me.....to Love me......to comfort me....To sit back and support Me, and To pick me up off the floor and carry me. Literally. He has been so patient, so understanding....many men would have cut their loses and ran when their wife seemed to care more for the dead than someone who was right there. But not him. He carried me. When I couldnt hear God voice, because I had my ears closed.....He was there. And I am so greatful. Im so glad he took our vows to heart....in the good times and bad. Look what we would have missed if we would have given up. I know God has a plan...and I am so thankful and grateful that 20 years ago, he chose for our paths to cross. I cant erase the past, and I dont know I would if I could, but I can cherish today. I know so many people who search their lives looking for that one perfect person to spend their life here with. Maybe not to anyone else....but to me.... He is that One, (Im)perfect for me. Not that I ever questioned it, but God has shown me so much this past year about perfection. And that we lose opportunities sometimes, looking for that perfect thing, that perfect friend, perfect job, perfect Love, and none of us our perfect. And Ive said it before, and I will say it again.....How do expect to have Perfect Relationships with ImPerfect People? And today....Remembering 9/11. Im sure their our wives and husbands out there, that wish they had one more kiss goodnight, or one more hug from their ImPerfect spouses that they lost that day. And I bet they look pretty perfect to them right now. Friends, dont spend your life with one moment that you will regret if someone you love or if You yourself dont have tomorrow. We all could spend our lives bitter because people dont do everything the way we would do it, or today....we could choose to tell our spouses....How Much We Love Them. The Good and the Bad, because whether we like to admit it or not....we all have both. And we should be grateful that they love our Good and Bad too. Remember the Lives Lost Today.....and Cherish Each Day. You never know when you or them will be called home.
Happy Anniversary Babe....Heres to two Imperfect People.....And Many More Years Together!
I Love You ALL,
too blessed to be stressed..........
Michelle
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Your Not The Same
Friends,
I recently read a blog talking about a scene from the movie The Cinderella Man (which I have never seen), but this scene really stuck out to me and opened my eyes and God impressed on me to share with each of you.
The Cinderella Man was in the boxing ring, fighting up against an opponent that he had battled before and lost to. In the middle the fight the opponent begins to lose, and his manager comes up to him and says "what's the matter? You have fought him Before and Won!" and that's when the other guy said "He's not the same man I fought before".
WOW! This just blew me away! And I began to think about the women in our church and in my life and how Pastor testify's of the Heathen that we all used to be....or still are....lol. But I look around the church and in my life and see so many woman that have awesome testimonies...ALL OF YOU DO! I am reminded of what God has brought each of you through. And it encourages me. I see the woman that you were.... and the woman that you are Today! Stronger, Braver! I think of the times that you thought it was an end, we see now it was Just a Beginning! Some of you are battling real battles of spiritual warfare. And I can just see the demons in hell saying to the Devil "I can't defeat her this time! She's not the same woman!" I believe that we went through some serious battles in our life so that we would be well equipped for the battles that we face today. With the world around us the way that it is, We better be sure that they are fighting with our armor on, otherwise we may not make it.
I'm not who I was a year ago. Gosh, I am not who I was 6 months ago. Sure, my insecurities get in the way at times...but I have learned to trust in Jesus. Ladies, we have seen Him come through for us time and time again. He will not let you go, but you have to hold on. He is doing a Mighty Work in You! Just about the time the devil thinks he has a way in, its then that we need to STEP UP (No, this is not a Steppin advertisement...lol),
and tell the Devil "I AM NOT THE SAME WOMAN I USED TO BE!".
I heard a woman on the radio talking about what a special moment she had with her girlfriends the other night at church. She talked about a point after service where there were 6 or 7 woman standing around hugging each other crying and praying for each other. It really touched me to hear that. We need Each Other Ladies! We need to be there in the battles and be there to Rejoice in the Victories!
I've said all this to say... Ladies I am praying for each one of you today and I hope you are praying for me. The battle doesnt show weakness, it shows that the Devil is Fighting and Hasnt WON! I stand in agreement with you today that whatever you are believing God for in your life, in your home, on your job, in your relationships... that the battle is different than before.... because.......YOU ARE NOT THE SAME WOMAN YOU USED TO ME!
I love you!
too blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle
I recently read a blog talking about a scene from the movie The Cinderella Man (which I have never seen), but this scene really stuck out to me and opened my eyes and God impressed on me to share with each of you.
The Cinderella Man was in the boxing ring, fighting up against an opponent that he had battled before and lost to. In the middle the fight the opponent begins to lose, and his manager comes up to him and says "what's the matter? You have fought him Before and Won!" and that's when the other guy said "He's not the same man I fought before".
WOW! This just blew me away! And I began to think about the women in our church and in my life and how Pastor testify's of the Heathen that we all used to be....or still are....lol. But I look around the church and in my life and see so many woman that have awesome testimonies...ALL OF YOU DO! I am reminded of what God has brought each of you through. And it encourages me. I see the woman that you were.... and the woman that you are Today! Stronger, Braver! I think of the times that you thought it was an end, we see now it was Just a Beginning! Some of you are battling real battles of spiritual warfare. And I can just see the demons in hell saying to the Devil "I can't defeat her this time! She's not the same woman!" I believe that we went through some serious battles in our life so that we would be well equipped for the battles that we face today. With the world around us the way that it is, We better be sure that they are fighting with our armor on, otherwise we may not make it.
I'm not who I was a year ago. Gosh, I am not who I was 6 months ago. Sure, my insecurities get in the way at times...but I have learned to trust in Jesus. Ladies, we have seen Him come through for us time and time again. He will not let you go, but you have to hold on. He is doing a Mighty Work in You! Just about the time the devil thinks he has a way in, its then that we need to STEP UP (No, this is not a Steppin advertisement...lol),
and tell the Devil "I AM NOT THE SAME WOMAN I USED TO BE!".
I heard a woman on the radio talking about what a special moment she had with her girlfriends the other night at church. She talked about a point after service where there were 6 or 7 woman standing around hugging each other crying and praying for each other. It really touched me to hear that. We need Each Other Ladies! We need to be there in the battles and be there to Rejoice in the Victories!
I've said all this to say... Ladies I am praying for each one of you today and I hope you are praying for me. The battle doesnt show weakness, it shows that the Devil is Fighting and Hasnt WON! I stand in agreement with you today that whatever you are believing God for in your life, in your home, on your job, in your relationships... that the battle is different than before.... because.......YOU ARE NOT THE SAME WOMAN YOU USED TO ME!
I love you!
too blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle
Monday, August 8, 2011
Harvest
Alright Friends,
Let me first say Thank You to everyone that responds to my ramblings. I love hearing your words of encouragement and love hearing how God can use this lil blog to speak to you. All Glory goes to Him.
So, today, basking in the moments of our church outreach Saturday.I came across a blog of a woman talking about a friend of hers that had been called to be a missionary. Her family is actually moving to Ghana to spread the Gospel. WOW! . Committing themselves to 2 years there. (Commitment..theres a blog in the making) She has 4 kids, 14 and under. The woman asked her friend what the kids thought about the move...This was her answer..
"We had a family meeting and told them that their daddy and I both heard from the Lord. We told them, 'you all are not going with us as missionary kids.'" She smiled, "'You are going as missionaries.'"
That's where she got me. Right smack in the middle of my chest! WOW!
Let no one despise you because of your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love , in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
She made the comment....Jesus didn't say, "When you turn eighteen, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." He said Go!
I immediately thought of my babies...They Love God with all their heart...and I want them to know..they don't have to wait until they are 18...they are called to spread the Word NOW! I thought of a little boy at our church dancing in the alters before the Lord and that lil boy ministered to people around him.....I thought of other kids handing out water and pizzas at the outreach and how they were sharing the Love of Christ to people. How when my friends daughters feel on her face before the Lord at a Worship concert recently and people around us where Blessed By Her....I thought of my daughter.She has such a sweet spirit, and loves to Serve others. And what she does is share the Love of Christ to others...not always by saying it..but by showing His love. It touches me so to see her make a point to speak to someone or include them when others wont...when she sees a need in someones life and offers to give her own money or possessions to help them..she is so good hearted.I could go on and on about how she blesses me with her unselfish attitude and Love for Others.
In 2 weeks she will be going into the 6th grade and my son will be in Kindergarten. Oh my..how time flies. I want to encourage my kids to show the Love of Christ to everyone they come in contact with...in the hallways, at the library, on the playground, at their lunch table. Its so hard for kids these days..and I want my kids to know that they carry Christ with them everywhere they go..and that School is no different than church. And as respectful and loving as they should be at church..is how they should be at school. Giving, Caring, showing the Love of Christ. I dont want to teach it to them....I want it to BE IN THEM!
Our church has been praying for the Harvest...and I looked around Sunday when all the kids where on the platform dancing for Jesus and singing His Praises and thought....Its right in Front of US! The start of THE Harvest!!!!!!!! Its HERE! It has to start as a sprout..and WE HAVE OUR SPROUTS!!!!!!!!! Our next choir members, next musicians, next praise dancers, next teachers. next PASTORS, next MISSISIONAIRES!!!!! And I got so excited! Praise GOD! Sometimes we expect the Harvest to come all at once. What we need to remember is..We need to thank HIM and nuture and water THE SPROUTS!!! Ive always heard that if we don't take care of the lil things He gives us..then why would we give us even Bigger?
I pray for all the kids going back to school or starting school this year. I pray they go to school each day showing the Love of Christ. I pray they go out and be lil missionaries. I pray our kids be set apart and that others be drawn to them because they will reflect Gods Light. I pray for parents...pray peace..provision..and give them the spirit of encouragement. And Lord, I pray for our teachers....not only at the schools, but in our churches....I pray you feel them with SUCH LOVE that kids see Christ in them. I am so thankful for teachers. Spread the Word my friends...let's lift up teachers all around this country in prayer this week......one of them is going to have my baby in their class.... They will Need IT! Hehe
Love you all!Let me first say Thank You to everyone that responds to my ramblings. I love hearing your words of encouragement and love hearing how God can use this lil blog to speak to you. All Glory goes to Him.
So, today, basking in the moments of our church outreach Saturday.I came across a blog of a woman talking about a friend of hers that had been called to be a missionary. Her family is actually moving to Ghana to spread the Gospel. WOW! . Committing themselves to 2 years there. (Commitment..theres a blog in the making) She has 4 kids, 14 and under. The woman asked her friend what the kids thought about the move...This was her answer..
"We had a family meeting and told them that their daddy and I both heard from the Lord. We told them, 'you all are not going with us as missionary kids.'" She smiled, "'You are going as missionaries.'"
That's where she got me. Right smack in the middle of my chest! WOW!
Let no one despise you because of your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love , in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
She made the comment....Jesus didn't say, "When you turn eighteen, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." He said Go!
I immediately thought of my babies...They Love God with all their heart...and I want them to know..they don't have to wait until they are 18...they are called to spread the Word NOW! I thought of a little boy at our church dancing in the alters before the Lord and that lil boy ministered to people around him.....I thought of other kids handing out water and pizzas at the outreach and how they were sharing the Love of Christ to people. How when my friends daughters feel on her face before the Lord at a Worship concert recently and people around us where Blessed By Her....I thought of my daughter.She has such a sweet spirit, and loves to Serve others. And what she does is share the Love of Christ to others...not always by saying it..but by showing His love. It touches me so to see her make a point to speak to someone or include them when others wont...when she sees a need in someones life and offers to give her own money or possessions to help them..she is so good hearted.I could go on and on about how she blesses me with her unselfish attitude and Love for Others.
In 2 weeks she will be going into the 6th grade and my son will be in Kindergarten. Oh my..how time flies. I want to encourage my kids to show the Love of Christ to everyone they come in contact with...in the hallways, at the library, on the playground, at their lunch table. Its so hard for kids these days..and I want my kids to know that they carry Christ with them everywhere they go..and that School is no different than church. And as respectful and loving as they should be at church..is how they should be at school. Giving, Caring, showing the Love of Christ. I dont want to teach it to them....I want it to BE IN THEM!
Our church has been praying for the Harvest...and I looked around Sunday when all the kids where on the platform dancing for Jesus and singing His Praises and thought....Its right in Front of US! The start of THE Harvest!!!!!!!! Its HERE! It has to start as a sprout..and WE HAVE OUR SPROUTS!!!!!!!!! Our next choir members, next musicians, next praise dancers, next teachers. next PASTORS, next MISSISIONAIRES!!!!! And I got so excited! Praise GOD! Sometimes we expect the Harvest to come all at once. What we need to remember is..We need to thank HIM and nuture and water THE SPROUTS!!! Ive always heard that if we don't take care of the lil things He gives us..then why would we give us even Bigger?
I pray for all the kids going back to school or starting school this year. I pray they go to school each day showing the Love of Christ. I pray they go out and be lil missionaries. I pray our kids be set apart and that others be drawn to them because they will reflect Gods Light. I pray for parents...pray peace..provision..and give them the spirit of encouragement. And Lord, I pray for our teachers....not only at the schools, but in our churches....I pray you feel them with SUCH LOVE that kids see Christ in them. I am so thankful for teachers. Spread the Word my friends...let's lift up teachers all around this country in prayer this week......one of them is going to have my baby in their class.... They will Need IT! Hehe
too blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
All
Friends,
This morning in my prayer time...I was praying for so many of my friends that are going through difficult times in their marriages. My heart is so heavy to hear so many couples saying the same thing....."we are just Not Happy anymore...." Really??? And let me first say....Been there, done that... I dont have a perfect marriage, but who does??? We are Not Perfect People and why In the world would we expect two Unperfect People to have a Perfect Marriage. In the midst of a conversation with a friend who told me her husband said He wasnt Happy Anymore....I felt the Holy Spirit Rise Up Inside of Me...... WHERE IN YOUR VOWS DID YOU SAY.... IN SICKNESS IN HEALTH.....ALWAYS TO BE HAPPY??? Happy.... is a duedad people! (ITS NOT JOY!) Im sorry... I dont know about you....but I am tired of the devil getting in and making people think that marriage is about Emotions. (once again...been there...done that!)
I read a comment about 6 months ago and sent it to my husband that said..... When I stood at the alter the day of my wedding....I could have done it without my spouse.... (what??? stay with me here ).....
Because My Vows Were to God .... Now sit back and think about this......
I Michelle....take thee Shane....to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold....is sickness and in health....for richer or poorer....in good times and in bad....to love, honor, and protect....foresaking all others..... This is my vow.... (or something like that)
Thinking about that day....and thinking about who I was making that vow to..... well....makes you think. When you got married.....you went to the alter for a reason....you went there together for a reason... You both made a vow...not only to each other....(and when your mad and want to stab that person with a fork....okay...maybe thats just me....LOL) you may not care about the vow you made to them.... (or when they break your heart so deeply...you dont think you could ever trust them again....) you may not care...and think they broke that vow...so why should you care??? But...If you think of the Vow you made to GOD.... it may seem a little different....You know God....the one that laid his life down for you....the one that saved you from eternity in Hell...........The one that FORGIVES you for the MESS you are!!! Are you really going to break that vow to HIM????
I think here is where we lose sight friends... In the book The Love Dare....(I highly suggest all couples read....and not just when your going through trials...read it when things are going good...) Kendrick makes this statement....Placing all aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word and prayer is the greatest decision for ultimate success in your marriage. - Kendrick, Dare to Love
You know what really stuck out to me???? One word....One Lil Word....That is so IMPORTANT! The Word....ALL. And my mind went to racing......ALL aspects of marriage.....
Lets think about the aspects of marriage for a minute....
Prayerfully - Praying for your spouse
Emotional - Committed in your heart to this person to Love and Cherish - Loving them
Mentally - Encouraging, Friend, wanting whats best for that person, Being there for them
Physically - Your love life
Financially - Do you work together to provide and make decisions for you household
and the list goes on and on....Aspects of marriage.....Im sure you could name many more.....
But Do We as Married Couples Place ALL Aspects under God's authority???? Gulp... Look at the list.....
Emotional.... When your so mad.....do you give it to GOD????
Mentally...... When you dont agree with their decisions... do you place it under God's authority???
Physically??? Lets just say it....your sex life....have you placed that under God's Authority???
Financially - Placing it under God's Authority, Meaning doing what HIS WORD SAYS. (YES... Tithing)
Now here is the key... (one WE all get lost at times)....
ALL............
When you look at this list....can you check 2 items you feel you have put under God's Authority??
Maybe 3???Maybe 4????
Thats not what This says.... It says ALL... Thats what God wants....ALL OF OUR MARRIAGE!
I cant express enough what God is telling me today... and maybe its just for me.... but I hope you hear HIM today in what he is saying..... ALL!
We are not perfect people....but just imagine the marriages that may not have ended up in divorce court...and the children that may not have carried around hurt.... if Somewhere...Someone...would have stopped and said.....ALL. I know this isnt rocket science....and Im not saying anything you dont already know.... but I think its good to remind each other and for us to open our ears to hear what God is saying..... Yesterday or two weeks ago this might not have meant anything to you.... and today maybe it does.... maybe it doesnt....but the next time (you want to stab your spouse with a fork....sorry...just me again)..... think of this statement....All aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word.....
I Love You Friends........
blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle Sullivan
This morning in my prayer time...I was praying for so many of my friends that are going through difficult times in their marriages. My heart is so heavy to hear so many couples saying the same thing....."we are just Not Happy anymore...." Really??? And let me first say....Been there, done that... I dont have a perfect marriage, but who does??? We are Not Perfect People and why In the world would we expect two Unperfect People to have a Perfect Marriage. In the midst of a conversation with a friend who told me her husband said He wasnt Happy Anymore....I felt the Holy Spirit Rise Up Inside of Me...... WHERE IN YOUR VOWS DID YOU SAY.... IN SICKNESS IN HEALTH.....ALWAYS TO BE HAPPY??? Happy.... is a duedad people! (ITS NOT JOY!) Im sorry... I dont know about you....but I am tired of the devil getting in and making people think that marriage is about Emotions. (once again...been there...done that!)
I read a comment about 6 months ago and sent it to my husband that said..... When I stood at the alter the day of my wedding....I could have done it without my spouse.... (what??? stay with me here ).....
Because My Vows Were to God .... Now sit back and think about this......
I Michelle....take thee Shane....to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold....is sickness and in health....for richer or poorer....in good times and in bad....to love, honor, and protect....foresaking all others..... This is my vow.... (or something like that)
Thinking about that day....and thinking about who I was making that vow to..... well....makes you think. When you got married.....you went to the alter for a reason....you went there together for a reason... You both made a vow...not only to each other....(and when your mad and want to stab that person with a fork....okay...maybe thats just me....LOL) you may not care about the vow you made to them.... (or when they break your heart so deeply...you dont think you could ever trust them again....) you may not care...and think they broke that vow...so why should you care??? But...If you think of the Vow you made to GOD.... it may seem a little different....You know God....the one that laid his life down for you....the one that saved you from eternity in Hell...........The one that FORGIVES you for the MESS you are!!! Are you really going to break that vow to HIM????
I think here is where we lose sight friends... In the book The Love Dare....(I highly suggest all couples read....and not just when your going through trials...read it when things are going good...) Kendrick makes this statement....Placing all aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word and prayer is the greatest decision for ultimate success in your marriage. - Kendrick, Dare to Love
You know what really stuck out to me???? One word....One Lil Word....That is so IMPORTANT! The Word....ALL. And my mind went to racing......ALL aspects of marriage.....
Lets think about the aspects of marriage for a minute....
Prayerfully - Praying for your spouse
Emotional - Committed in your heart to this person to Love and Cherish - Loving them
Mentally - Encouraging, Friend, wanting whats best for that person, Being there for them
Physically - Your love life
Financially - Do you work together to provide and make decisions for you household
and the list goes on and on....Aspects of marriage.....Im sure you could name many more.....
But Do We as Married Couples Place ALL Aspects under God's authority???? Gulp... Look at the list.....
Emotional.... When your so mad.....do you give it to GOD????
Mentally...... When you dont agree with their decisions... do you place it under God's authority???
Physically??? Lets just say it....your sex life....have you placed that under God's Authority???
Financially - Placing it under God's Authority, Meaning doing what HIS WORD SAYS. (YES... Tithing)
Now here is the key... (one WE all get lost at times)....
ALL............
When you look at this list....can you check 2 items you feel you have put under God's Authority??
Maybe 3???Maybe 4????
Thats not what This says.... It says ALL... Thats what God wants....ALL OF OUR MARRIAGE!
I cant express enough what God is telling me today... and maybe its just for me.... but I hope you hear HIM today in what he is saying..... ALL!
We are not perfect people....but just imagine the marriages that may not have ended up in divorce court...and the children that may not have carried around hurt.... if Somewhere...Someone...would have stopped and said.....ALL. I know this isnt rocket science....and Im not saying anything you dont already know.... but I think its good to remind each other and for us to open our ears to hear what God is saying..... Yesterday or two weeks ago this might not have meant anything to you.... and today maybe it does.... maybe it doesnt....but the next time (you want to stab your spouse with a fork....sorry...just me again)..... think of this statement....All aspects of your marriage under the authority of God's Word.....
I Love You Friends........
blessed to be stressed.............
Michelle Sullivan
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
My Prayer Today...
Friends,
So today I’m reading Luke 17. And I read….Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. - Luke 17:15,16
Scripture tells us Ten were standing in the distance, all asking him to "cleanse" heal them. But only one turns back to say Thank You. Now immediately most of you will say….yea…I know the story. Well, today as soon as I read it, I began to think not about their healing….but about what Christ did for each one of us on Calvary….and God showed me a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross……For Us….and a crowd turning and walking away from Him….and just one…not me…but someone else….turning and falling at His feet Thanking Him for what He had done. Oh God, my heart cries out today…..how often have I been the other nine? I pray, cry, fast, and ask you God for cleansing, not just in my body, but relationships, finances, things of this world….and as soon as You do them…….have I been the other nine? Do I not carry that praise and thanksgiving on my lips forever? Thanking you for what you have Already Done. Oh God, have I told you lately Thank You for what you did on the cross for me that day?
I want to be a thankful woman, Lord. I want to wake up each day with a Thankful Heart….for what You have already done...You deserve more Lord. I want to be the thankful one, for everything He has already done, I want to turn back and fall at his feet. Have you done this? Today? Not asked God for your need today….but Thanked God for what he has already done?
The next part of this scripture shows us that Jesus noticed….he noticed that only one turned back…..and it affected him. This is where my Heart Broke....I Felt Shameful. He asked "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" People will argue that it didn’t affect him….but why is it mentioned? Why did he ask the one about the others? He Healed them! How long had some of them had this disease? How long had they suffered? What more did He do for us?
Lord, this morning I’m standing here today waiving my arms in the crowd…..I was one of the nine…..but Lord..I do Thank You! For every prayer that has been answered….for dying for me on the Cross…..for your Word…for your Grace and Mercy, oh God. Thank You for loving ME!.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases- Psalm 103:2 Have we forgotten? That he forgave our sins…and healed our diseases….for no other reason then He Loves Us! Have we become a people that expect Gods Love and forget to Praise Him for it? Scripture shows us over and over how we are to Praise Him, not for what we want…but for what He has Already done.
Let us be reminded today to "forget not his benefits"…when we are looking at all that is wrong in this world, and everything we would pray to be different….."Forget not his benefits…" Psalm 107 says: "He sent forth his Word and healed them: he rescued them from the grave". Its already been done friends. He has already rescued us by dying on the cross for us. He Loves Us! His Love….So Great…So Wide. Bask In It! Enjoy It! Love It! And Friends…..Praise Him for It! No Greater Love….Nothing else that he could do for you today would be greater than what He has already done. What are you waiting for????
Today this is my prayer, (maybe yours too), I want to Be Thankful Lord, Thankful for what You have already done. Help me to see the good and not focus on the bad. Guard my ears from the things of this world and let me be set apart, Help Me TO BE THE ONE!
I Love You!
So today I’m reading Luke 17. And I read….Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. - Luke 17:15,16
Scripture tells us Ten were standing in the distance, all asking him to "cleanse" heal them. But only one turns back to say Thank You. Now immediately most of you will say….yea…I know the story. Well, today as soon as I read it, I began to think not about their healing….but about what Christ did for each one of us on Calvary….and God showed me a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross……For Us….and a crowd turning and walking away from Him….and just one…not me…but someone else….turning and falling at His feet Thanking Him for what He had done. Oh God, my heart cries out today…..how often have I been the other nine? I pray, cry, fast, and ask you God for cleansing, not just in my body, but relationships, finances, things of this world….and as soon as You do them…….have I been the other nine? Do I not carry that praise and thanksgiving on my lips forever? Thanking you for what you have Already Done. Oh God, have I told you lately Thank You for what you did on the cross for me that day?
I want to be a thankful woman, Lord. I want to wake up each day with a Thankful Heart….for what You have already done...You deserve more Lord. I want to be the thankful one, for everything He has already done, I want to turn back and fall at his feet. Have you done this? Today? Not asked God for your need today….but Thanked God for what he has already done?
The next part of this scripture shows us that Jesus noticed….he noticed that only one turned back…..and it affected him. This is where my Heart Broke....I Felt Shameful. He asked "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" People will argue that it didn’t affect him….but why is it mentioned? Why did he ask the one about the others? He Healed them! How long had some of them had this disease? How long had they suffered? What more did He do for us?
Lord, this morning I’m standing here today waiving my arms in the crowd…..I was one of the nine…..but Lord..I do Thank You! For every prayer that has been answered….for dying for me on the Cross…..for your Word…for your Grace and Mercy, oh God. Thank You for loving ME!.
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases- Psalm 103:2 Have we forgotten? That he forgave our sins…and healed our diseases….for no other reason then He Loves Us! Have we become a people that expect Gods Love and forget to Praise Him for it? Scripture shows us over and over how we are to Praise Him, not for what we want…but for what He has Already done.
Let us be reminded today to "forget not his benefits"…when we are looking at all that is wrong in this world, and everything we would pray to be different….."Forget not his benefits…" Psalm 107 says: "He sent forth his Word and healed them: he rescued them from the grave". Its already been done friends. He has already rescued us by dying on the cross for us. He Loves Us! His Love….So Great…So Wide. Bask In It! Enjoy It! Love It! And Friends…..Praise Him for It! No Greater Love….Nothing else that he could do for you today would be greater than what He has already done. What are you waiting for????
Today this is my prayer, (maybe yours too), I want to Be Thankful Lord, Thankful for what You have already done. Help me to see the good and not focus on the bad. Guard my ears from the things of this world and let me be set apart, Help Me TO BE THE ONE!
I Love You!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff (Live)
 | © 2011 WMG This Is The Stuff (Live) [video] 00:03:05 Added on 5/02/11 50,919 views |  |
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Thursday, June 9, 2011
Live A Life Of Love
Friends,
I read a story today of a woman that came home one day to find her kids had drawn her pictures. She looked at the pictures with Love and Appreciation...then she realized the first picture was of her sitting at her computer...the second was her sitting by the pool...Is this what her kids thought of her?? This is what Mom does? So, in reading this I thought to myself...what would my kids draw me doing? And you know what the first thought came to my mind...They would probably draw me: on my cell phone driving down the road, working out, doing laundry, scrapbooking...and then... I cried.
I read a story today of a woman that came home one day to find her kids had drawn her pictures. She looked at the pictures with Love and Appreciation...then she realized the first picture was of her sitting at her computer...the second was her sitting by the pool...Is this what her kids thought of her?? This is what Mom does? So, in reading this I thought to myself...what would my kids draw me doing? And you know what the first thought came to my mind...They would probably draw me: on my cell phone driving down the road, working out, doing laundry, scrapbooking...and then... I cried.
What do my kids think I'm doing? What am I showing them? In my heart, I would hope they draw me: Dancing for Jesus, Hugging and Loving Them and their Daddy, Ministering to other Women...Reading to them from the Bible. Are my kids going to look back and say,"Yea, I remember we were always in the car...going somewhere....doing something..." So, today Lord, I come to you, asking You Lord, for lots of Grace and a whole lot of Balance. Because this what I am afraid my kids are seeing in me...
* Mommy on her cell phone every time we get into the car
* Mommy leaving us to go workout
* Mommy always asking us to "hurry up" because were late
Ugh!
I know God put me in their lives to be an example to them. In 1.Corinthians 11.1 Paul tells the church to follow him as He follows Christ. My children trust me, they observe me, every move I make, they are watching. Looking for me to be that example....and If I don't....trust me....The World will! I want to be that example. But on my own.....I'm not. On my own, in my flesh, I fail. This is why friends, we as wives, mothers, caregivers, must surrender all of ourselves to Christ. If we hold back anything...we take the chance of that being the one thing our children follow. (Dont get me wrong....none of us our perfect) But scripture calls us to be imitators of Him...
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." Ephesians 5:1,2.
Live a Life Of Love - now there's an order. A Life of Love. That is my prayer today....I Pray that the life I live my kids will see... first and foremost my love for Christ, my love for their daddy, my love for them, my Love for my family, my church, and my friends. I want the picture my kids draw of me to be that of me at the altar, with my hands raised, praising God and giving him All of me. Because the only way I can be All to Them....is to give All to Him.
Now friends...this started out me beating myself up for everything Im not.....BUT GOD! In the midst of my pity party God said "I have emptied myself of everything But Love....so You could be Filled!" Jesus....made me jump in the air right there and Praise Him! He is Right! (Of Course), Everything He did....Everything He does....Its All About Love! The wonderful, awesome, never ending....Love He has for US! Oh, How I Love Him! And here I am reminded....Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin.
* Mommy on her cell phone every time we get into the car
* Mommy leaving us to go workout
* Mommy always asking us to "hurry up" because were late
Ugh!
I know God put me in their lives to be an example to them. In 1.Corinthians 11.1 Paul tells the church to follow him as He follows Christ. My children trust me, they observe me, every move I make, they are watching. Looking for me to be that example....and If I don't....trust me....The World will! I want to be that example. But on my own.....I'm not. On my own, in my flesh, I fail. This is why friends, we as wives, mothers, caregivers, must surrender all of ourselves to Christ. If we hold back anything...we take the chance of that being the one thing our children follow. (Dont get me wrong....none of us our perfect) But scripture calls us to be imitators of Him...
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." Ephesians 5:1,2.
Live a Life Of Love - now there's an order. A Life of Love. That is my prayer today....I Pray that the life I live my kids will see... first and foremost my love for Christ, my love for their daddy, my love for them, my Love for my family, my church, and my friends. I want the picture my kids draw of me to be that of me at the altar, with my hands raised, praising God and giving him All of me. Because the only way I can be All to Them....is to give All to Him.
Now friends...this started out me beating myself up for everything Im not.....BUT GOD! In the midst of my pity party God said "I have emptied myself of everything But Love....so You could be Filled!" Jesus....made me jump in the air right there and Praise Him! He is Right! (Of Course), Everything He did....Everything He does....Its All About Love! The wonderful, awesome, never ending....Love He has for US! Oh, How I Love Him! And here I am reminded....Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin.
1 Peter 4:8b. Sin, my failures....got me to thinking.....His Love Covers My Sin, My Failures. Thank You Lord. It Covers Me. I don't have to try and be All things to my kids...I have to Love God and let him do the rest. But the key is.....Love God 1st. Everything I do....I want my kids to see Love...not frustration..(Help Me Jesus).
God is encouraging me today...so I hope this encourages you.... "We Can Do All Things...Through Christ.." He will never give us more than we can take...and Because He has filled us with His Love....He knows that we can do what He has called us to do.......Love.
God is encouraging me today...so I hope this encourages you.... "We Can Do All Things...Through Christ.." He will never give us more than we can take...and Because He has filled us with His Love....He knows that we can do what He has called us to do.......Love.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friends.....
I was driving to work this morning in the pouring rain on the backroads of Crandal listening to the weather report on the radio. Listening to all the warnings, etc, when a woman on the radio said.....if the water looks to high...... "TURN AROUND..... DONT DROWN!" And all at once I heard God say.... "ITS THAT EASY! Turn around.... dont drown". Well, I listened as God reminded me.... with such a sense of urgency... that is exactly how sin is. We see it up ahead.... we know what it is.... and we just keep going towards it.... sometimes.... just testing to see how far... how deep it is!
One foot in....one foot out... and we know that God has set us free from the bondage of that sin, (no matter how small we think it is... fear, anxiety, bitterness....drugs, alcohol, jealousy) we know that we shouldnt be anywhere near it! And we find ourselves.... once again...going towards it. Maybe its not too bad.... we convince ourselves.... its different.... were stronger now, were walking in victory, walking with God... and what we dont see is that the closer and closer we get to the puddle........ God is screaming to TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! What didnt kill us before, could easily be the one thing that KILLS us this time! I got to my office and went straight to my computer to find the scripture about wages of sin....... Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ".
We wonder and question why people can be set free from sin and go right back to it??? Its not because we dont see the warning signs.... its not because God Lets us go........ its because we choose to TEST THE WATERS!
Friends, God has sent a warning today.... (if its only for me!) TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! I dont believe any of us are free from being targets of the devil.... if we are walking with Christ we have a bullseye on us for the devil. He is here to KILL, STILL, and destroy. Dont let him, TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! God is telling us its that easy! All we have to do is turn around..... he will handle the rest.
Love you all.
I was driving to work this morning in the pouring rain on the backroads of Crandal listening to the weather report on the radio. Listening to all the warnings, etc, when a woman on the radio said.....if the water looks to high...... "TURN AROUND..... DONT DROWN!" And all at once I heard God say.... "ITS THAT EASY! Turn around.... dont drown". Well, I listened as God reminded me.... with such a sense of urgency... that is exactly how sin is. We see it up ahead.... we know what it is.... and we just keep going towards it.... sometimes.... just testing to see how far... how deep it is!
One foot in....one foot out... and we know that God has set us free from the bondage of that sin, (no matter how small we think it is... fear, anxiety, bitterness....drugs, alcohol, jealousy) we know that we shouldnt be anywhere near it! And we find ourselves.... once again...going towards it. Maybe its not too bad.... we convince ourselves.... its different.... were stronger now, were walking in victory, walking with God... and what we dont see is that the closer and closer we get to the puddle........ God is screaming to TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! What didnt kill us before, could easily be the one thing that KILLS us this time! I got to my office and went straight to my computer to find the scripture about wages of sin....... Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ".
We wonder and question why people can be set free from sin and go right back to it??? Its not because we dont see the warning signs.... its not because God Lets us go........ its because we choose to TEST THE WATERS!
Friends, God has sent a warning today.... (if its only for me!) TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! I dont believe any of us are free from being targets of the devil.... if we are walking with Christ we have a bullseye on us for the devil. He is here to KILL, STILL, and destroy. Dont let him, TURN AROUND! DONT DROWN! God is telling us its that easy! All we have to do is turn around..... he will handle the rest.
Love you all.
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