The Survival Race

Well Friends,

It’s been some time since I’ve Blogged. And to be honest, I’ve had so much say, but every time I sat down to write I just end up crying thinking about the Goodness of God. And I’ve got so much to write about, but…… Today, its about The Race. This Race we call Life!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..” Hebrews 12:1-3

I read this scripture over and over again the other day and you know what stuck out to me?? Endurance. And if you know me… you know I had to look up the definition. Endurance: the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.

Lately it seems everywhere I turn people are talking about racing, running, stress, fatique. And looking at pics this morning for the Survival Race I recently participated in with my friend, I was reminded of something I read before the race, thought I would share. ”If you trip and fall in the race, you are not disqualified. You are only out of the race if you don’t get back up and carry on.” This is what happens to us isn’t it? The enemy would love for us to think that just because we’ve falling down that we are no longer “fit” to finish the race. And that’s what he tries to convince us of friends. Its not the stress or “adverse conditions” that keep us from finishing. It’s we let these things get our eyes off of Jesus and we Give up! The enemy is not just out to make us fall, sometimes it’s our own fault we fall! Uh Oh, we don’t like to hear that. Sometimes all he has to do is convince us we are “too hurt” to get back up and finish the race. He wants us to think that we are disqualified for FALLING! That’s is a One Strike Your Out kinda life! That’s a Lie! And what we need to remember is that falling down during the race, may be our own mistake, but not getting up is the Biggest Mistake! God is reminding me and maybe someone out there today. Quite focusing on falling down and what YOU did to get there, and get back up and Run! Keep your EYES on HIM! He knows you’re not perfect! (even if you think you are) Running is not easy! This Life isn’t easy!

And on Saturday when I was stuck in the mud….(because I slowed down and didn’t run straight through it…There’s a message!) I had a choice to make right there. Was I going to give up?? Or dig out and keep going? And it wasn’t easy, and I was a mess! And the mud was sticking and drying to my hands! YUK! But I knew in order to finish the race I had to Get Out! As quick as possible~! Because the longer I stayed in the mud…it was going to dry on me and be harder to get out! Friends, can I tell you something? The minute you see the enemy trying to get a hold in your life….GET OUT! RUN! FAST! Don’t just stand there! Ever heard the saying, “give em an inch and they will take a mile?" Well, that’s the Devil for ya! So, what did I do??? I screamed for Help!! Its okay friends to scream for Help! As women…ok Superwomen, we sometimes think we can’t ask for help. That can be what Hinders us. Call out to HIM! In our weakness He is Strong.

And God has reminded me….”"You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 5:7 Isn’t that what happens to us when we are running this race??…somewhere along the line someone said something or did something to us, and we LET it hinder us. If your going to run a race…You’ve got to Prepare, stretch, drink plenty of water. The same way we have to spend time in Prayer and in The Word, His LIVING WATER to prepare ourselves for this Life. And when running, you’re going to start to hurt, but because you prepared, you will be able to Finish the Race. Will it be easy? No. Is it going to be Worth it? YES! And listening to so many people lately talk about the struggles of this “Life”, I see the part we play in all this. We let falling down Hinder us from following Gods plan for our life. We let the adverse conditions Hinder us from His Plan.

And what is His plan??? NO matter who you are or what you’ve done His plan is the same for You, for me…for All of Us! Jermiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you….plans to give you hope and a future” We all have that in Him. Hope and A Future. His plans are far more than you could ever imagine. And this Race, as long as we keep running with Him, we know the outcome! We Win In Christ! It may be hard, and we may get dirty, we may Fall Down, but the ONLY thing that will keep us from finishing, is if WE give up! God is reminding me today to NOT GIVE UP! Whatever it is you are going through today, whatever the enemy is telling you are not “qualified”for, whatever he is telling you is Too Hard and your too Hurt. DON’T GIVE UP! GOD IS SPEAKING TO SOMEONE… You are qualified~! You are fit enough to Finish! You just have to TRUST IN HIM! TRUST IN HIS STRENGTH AND NOT YOUR OWN! Prepare yourself for this race. Pray, Study the Word, Be in His Presence. So that when you start to see the signs of Detour ahead, you will be prepared. Stay straight and don’t Slow Down!


I am proud to be running this Race with each of you!




I Love ya friends….


Too blessed to be stressed……….




Michelle

Recently while watching TV I saw an ad for a "Motivational" speaker that was coming to Dallas. When I saw it, I stopped and thought for a moment. Why do people pay money to go listen to somebody they don’t even know motivate them??? Let me first say, I’m all about Encouraging People, Motivating them….but from where??? The Word of God. Nothing that someone else can say, or I say means squat if it doesn’t come from The Word of God. He is the Best, the Only Motivational Speaker we need. As a matter of fact….He was the First Motivational Speaker! Why are people searching and willing to pay large amounts of money for someone to Motivate them? When all they have to do is pull out their Bible and Be Encouraged in the Word! I think there is only one self help book that people need. The Bible! Imagine if all the people that tried all the self help books and seminars out there, turned their attention to the Word of God and actually sought their answers from there! I don’t ask many people their opinion on things. Maybe that’s good, maybe that bad. But the way I look at it, the only opinion that really matters to me is One. The Bible is the best instructional book on how to have a Great Life. And it doesn’t promise a million dollars in the bank, or fancy houses, as a matter of fact, it says trials will come. But it gives you the tools to use when they do. And if you don’t believe me….here is a step program on how to be successful in life from God……(just a few)If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to your mountain, "MOVE!" and it WILL move... and NOTHING will be impossible for YOU!
　 - Matthew 17:20

In the Lord, put your trust. - Psalms 11:1

The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land. You will be like a spring whose waters never fail. - Isaiah 58:11

If you can believe, All things are possible to him who believeth. - Mark 9:23

Thou shall decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and a light shall shine upon thy ways. - Job 22:28

Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say on the Lord. - Psalms 27:14

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5,6

Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest. - Genesis 28:15

And I am sure that He who began a good work in you will complete it. - Philippians 1:6

With God all things are possible. - Matthew 19:26

Fear thou not . . . I will strengthen thee. . . I will help thee. - Isaiah 41:10

Your Father knoweth what things you have need of before you ask Him. - Matthew 6:8

Come unto me, ye who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - Mark 13:31

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. - Proverbs 30:5

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. - 1 John 5:14-15

For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. - Philippians 4:13

Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. - Amos 5:7

Wow! There is your motivation for the day! And God is showing us that He is For us! So, whatever it is you are going through today, whatever you are seeking. Don’t look to other people for the answers. (This is where we all struggle) Don’t look to the left or the right. Look to Him, The answers you are seeking are in His Word. Be encouraged today….Not By Me….But by Him, the author and finisher of You. Have A Great Day!
Love You All……
Too blessed to be stressed……..
Michelle

Praying for our Husbands

Alright Ladies...This Blog is for the Married Women out there...Or soon to be married (Stacy!),

A few years back, someone shared with me the information below from the "Revive Our Hearts" Website regarding praying for your husband. I read it and it really touched my heart. I pray for my husband daily (continually...hehe) and I know you pray for yours as well,  and these specific prayers really hit home with me in regards to what I and God want for my husband. I did the 31 day prayers and I know God heard my prayers and I saw my prayers working in my husband. This morning in prayer....God lead me back to this website, and said Do It again...and this time...YOU share it with your friends and Do It Together! The enemy is out to destroy marriages...and We as the Women of God in our homes, this Is Our Protection from the Devil. Guard your husband up with prayers! And this is a great way to start. I encourage you to join me on Feb 1st and start praying these specific prayers over your husbands. I know God will honor our commitment and Lets bombard Heaven with prayers for Our Husbands! I stand in agreement for your prayers for your husbands and I am believing God for HIS hedge of protection around our marriages! Love you all~!

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a)
Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18). This includes wives’ responsibility and privilege to pray for their husbands. Earnest prayer for your husband is good for him, for you and the spiritual health of your home (Proverbs 31:11-12).
Satan desires to destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care.

Day 1 Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)
Day 2 Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)
Day 3 Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)
Day 4Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)
Day 5Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)
Day 6Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)
Day 7Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)
Day 8Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)
Day 9Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)
Day 10Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)
Day 11Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)
Day 12Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)
Day 13Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)
Day 14Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)
Day 15Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)
Day 16Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)
Day 17Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)
Day 18Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)
Day 19Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)
Day 20Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)
Day 21Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)
Day 22Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)
Day 23Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Day 24Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)
Day 25Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)
Day 26Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Day 27Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)
Day 28Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)
Day 29Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)
Day 30Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)
Day 31Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

 

too blessed to be stressed..........

Michelle

A New Thing in 2012!

Happy 2012!

Well my friends, its here! And like a mighty rushing wind, we are already in full swing of things this year. Consecration has begun at our church, and my family is standing on the Word of God Isaiah 43:19 "Behold, I will do a new thing". New things all around The Sullivan House. Mind, Body, and Spirit for Jesus in 2012! That’s our goal! And as a FAMILY we are doing this! And in reading in Isaiah, and in reading a Commentary on this passage it mentioned: It shall spring up as the grass does from the earth. And this got me to thinking…a seed is planted…watered….and then it has to breakthrough the earth to begin to flourish. And it isnt until the seed breaksthroughs the earth that it can be seen with the human eye. Friends…..there is breaking in any New Thing. And the breaking isnt easy, its hard…and it takes strength and power. (Lord help us!) But once it breaks thru….ahhhhh. It can be seen! And humor me for a minute….I began to see that even a bud of grass has a testimony. It has been planted….watered….and broke through the ground. It has to go through the breakthrough process to grow! And even when it breaksthrough the ground, it still has to grow to be Fully Matured! And if its not continued to be watered and nourished it will not grow to full maturity. The breakthrough isnt pretty. I like things all packaged up with a pretty bow. A Pink One! But Life isnt always that way, packaged and pretty. But there is One who will take you thru the breakthrough. One that is perfect! Because in the breakthrough process He can have His way. And there are times when the breaking is almost unbearable. And we may think we cant do it or its not even possible to breakthrough the hard ground above us. But with Him! He is God of the BreakThrough! And its in these times of unbearable "growing", that we offer up a sacrifice of Praise.

Sometimes the Breaking Through process doesn’t happen on a Sunday morning in the alters, sometimes it doesn’t happen when we want it to, Sometimes it happens in the midnight hour when we are alone with Him and our circumstances have brought us to our knees. Oh, do I know this feeling. When you’ve gone to the alter time after time and told God you wanted to give this to Him, and you’ve turned around and walked back to your pew and reached out and said…"But this little piece God…I just want to hold onto this for a little while longer." Ive been there. Sometimes it happens in spite of the fact you’ve asked God to wait or your just not ready yet….Not ready to give that up, or put that down, or Walk away, or Begin A Fresh. He knows when your ready and He will bring you through, even if it hurts. Even if the ground is hard. Even if you are too weak..He will be your strength and Power. Trust Him that He knows when your ready.

And this is something Ive learned, and I hope this helps someone today. Sometimes, we can share openly with others our cirmcumstances, and allow others to be His hands and Feet. And other times, we cant share the grief, sorrow, or pain and hold that things have on us and it may seem like we are walking completely alone. Let me encourage you, whatever you are going through today, public or private, He is With You. You are not alone. Call His Name… He will Answer. Trust Him! He will meet you right where you are. And He will bring you Through the BreakThrough!

New Things…that’s what we are focusing on this year, and I pray that God does a New Thing in each of you. I pray that every good and perfect gift be released to you and your family, pressed down, shaken together and running over in the year to come. Remember when things seem unbearable….that the BreakThrough must be right around the corner, get on your knees, and Pray! With every New Thing comes growing and maturing and its not going to be easy…..but Oh Friends….Its Gonna Be Worth It!


Love You All!
Too blessed to be stressed………
Michelle

The Peace of Christ

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

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.....

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