Blessed...

I am in a quest to know more about the Bible. I have a daily reading plan (I'm pretty good M-F) and ask lots of questions to my seminary student husband.

My Sunday reading brought me to Matthew 5, The Beatitudes. I've read it many times before, even sung a version of it, but I never heard it like I did when I read "The Message" version. Here it is:

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.

You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.

You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate insead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

Not only that--count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for confort and they are uncomfortable." Matthew 5:3-11, The Message

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. White Sands
2. family
3. media cards
4. bike riding
5. cats & dogs

Be Still Sunday

Faith Friday's

I live in the desert. Green lawns and trees are rare. Most of what you see in the way of landscaping is xeriscaped. I have grown to love the desert. What we don't have in traditional greenery we have in mountains, mesquite and cactus flowers.

However, I ran across a beautiful sight yesterday. Something that is not "supposed" to bloom in the desert. Something that doesn't "belong".














A breathtaking Wisteria vine.

Someone had an amazing amount of faith to plant those seeds and follow through. I saw what the result was, absolute beauty and a tremendous amount of faith.


Don't you want your faith to be like that? Unwavering, undoubting. I strive for that, fall short often, but know that God's grace is new every morning and I start all over again.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. daily Bible readings
2. scrapbooking
3. a new challenge
4. rubber bands
5. losing another pound!

A Story to Tell

Have you ever been in line at the store and just looked at the person in front of you? I mean really looked. Think about everything that has happened in your life and realize that they, too, have a story to tell.

Gospel singer, Larnelle Harris, has a great song, "A Story to Tell."

So often we get wrapped up in our daily lives and are worried about ourselves and our children, our spouses, that we forget about others. Especially when I get frustrated and the person in line needs a price check or has to put some items back, is when I need to remember, this person has a story and it is as important as mine is.

Take a moment and pray for that person in line, the person next to you at work, your child's teacher...they all have stories.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. the last bit of orange juice
2. lists
3. mechanical pencils
4. a new t-shirt (Hook Em')
5. menus

I'm So Excited!

Last week I submitted a video for consideration to the "A Woman Inspired Conference" and I found out last night that it was selected!

They also offered me a 20 minute spot to share with their audience on April 8th at 8:30 am CST. I am really excited! This is truly God telling me that I am headed in the right direction.

Do you ever need those nudges and bits of confirmation? When they come through it's amazing. You truly know that when you are stepping out in faith and you get that confirmation from God, you are truly doing what He has called you to do. It's an amazing feeling.

By the way, for more information on the conference, visit http://www.awomaninspiredconference.org/. The registration fee is $12.95 through April 1st so sign up soon!

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. opened doors
2. Facebook friends
3. morning quiet time
4. ice packs
5. following my heart

Be Still Sunday

Faith Friday's

It's been a really difficult week at our church. We have had several people go into the hospital, one on life support. She was at my house for a party over the holiday's, full of life and energy, and now she is fighting for her life. I also think about the actress Natasha Richardson and her tragic death this past week. She was beautiful, young and had the world in front of her, but it was her time to go home to the Lord.

Maybe it's my age, but I think about going home to the Lord quite a bit. What are the things I haven't done yet that I need to do? Will I be prepared or will it happen suddenly? What relationships have I not yet mended...will those involved reciprocate?

I realize I have to have faith in Christ where all of this is concerned. I have to give up all my worries about death to Him, because I have faith in Him that all things happen according to His plan.

Remember fear and worry are the flip side of faith.

"According to your faith will it be done to you." Matthew 9:29

I have a tremendous faith in God. Faith that the next right thing will happen in His time.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. breakfast with friends
2. 2nd place in the essay contest (my son)
3. homecooked meals
4. toy cars
5. God's provision - all the time

Ruby

I used to have the "typical" relationship with my mother-in-law, Ruby. We couldn't be in the same room together! At that time my mother would always fuss at me and tell me, "She is going to be around longer than me so you better be nice!"

Well, my mom was right. She went home to the Lord five weeks after my oldest was born. He's now twelve. I miss her. But I heeded her advice and began to mend the relationship I had with Ruby so many years ago.

I don't know what I would do without Ruby. She is an amazing Granny to my boys (my three year old calls her "Gee") and just a great mom to me and my husband.

With my parents both being gone and my sister out of my life, she is all I have in the way of family. Her entire side of the family has taken me in, not as "Joe's wife" but as their niece, couisin, and daughter. Ruby is the oldest of nine brothers and sisters, so it is a large family. In a large family there is always "junk" but they have never allowed the "junk" to get in the way of loving each other.

I've learned alot from my extended family. They have never left me all alone. Love is the most important thing of all.

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Ruby coming in for a visit
2. worn out slippers
3. flash drives
4. courage
5. an old necklace

A Woman Inspired Online Conference

If there is an opportunity to go to a women's conference or hear a women's speaker at a local church, I am first in line. I get inspired by women. Hearing their stories, their struggles, their victories. They are just like me.

Here is an amazing opportunity for you to hear some of the top Christian Women speakers in the country for only $19.95 - $24.95 and you don't have to leave your house!

A Woman Inspired is an online audio conference that uses the internet as its venue. You may either listen to the speakers in real time or download their presentations to listen to at your leisure. The conference will be April 6th - April 9th.

Visit the home page www.awomaninspiredconference.org for more information.

Please take a moment to view my video sumbission for the conference. I may be asked to be their next speaker!

Made

There is a Contemporary Christian song that I simply love. It's "Made" by Caleb Rowden. The words are simple, yet powerful.

Take a listen. Enjoy!


Made - Live from Studio B from Caleb Rowden on Vimeo.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. My friend Jack
2. professionalism
3. my husband's critiques
4. blimps
5. plastic tubs

Be Still Sunday

Faith Friday's

I will admit that I have been walking in a cloud of fear for several days. The fear stemmed from uncertainty about my job. It's absolutely nothing I can control. Does that sound familiar?

Have you walked in fear because you had no control over a situation?

The result is that I had three really bad days. Days I wasn't good to myself or my family. I finally got out of it by relying on my faith in God. (Something I should have been doing all along.) I was weak and the enemy knows where my weaknesses are so he goes right on in and takes advanatage. Unfortuantely, I went right along with him.

"Fear is the flip side of faith."

I have been living in fear of the unknown and you know what? It's exhausting. It also robs you of joy.

The end result, I found out great news concerning my job and was told the team I work on was safe from layoffs! Praise God!

So often we get caught up in the issues of the world. What we need to remember is that God is in control of our lives. Down to every last detail. We need to have faith in Him that everything will turn out for His glory.

When your faith starts to waver ask yourself if your relationship with God is active. Are you talking and praying to Him everyday or just when things are not going well? Move your relationship with Him to another level by keeping in constant contact with Him.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. packages in the mail
2. bookmarks
3. potty training
4. briefcases
5. laundry baskets

Noise

I thought I would get a little writing done last night but there was something just too wonderful going on around me.

It was the noise in my house.

My husband and I rushed home from a meeting a church to get dinner on the table. After dinner it seemed as if the noise in my home was at an all time high.

My oldest practicing his oboe, my husband on the phone, and my little one racing around the living room with the dogs barking and the washer and dryer were churning. It was absolutely beautiful. I stepped away from the computer and felt a warmth consume me.

How blessed am I? More than I ever dreamed. I know there are many people who would do anything in the world to have what I have. Two beautiful children, an amazing husband and two high maintenance Shelties!

So many times we get caught up in trying to do the things we are supposed to do. Keeping up with the laundry, cooking dinner, doing schoolwork, and we get overwhelmed and develop tunnel vision.

Stop and listen. Look at what you have. Aren't you fortunate to have clothes to wash? What about food to cook and schoolwork to finish? Find the blessings around you. Even in the mundane. Make everything special.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Netflix
2. barking dogs
3. peace
4. scotch tape
5. finger paintings

The Lord Provides

Do you ever think you aren't good enough? Or that you don't deserve God's best?

This past week I dealt with some issues that stemmed from my work and they sent me in a tailspin. It was not pretty. I was so upset and out of sorts that I did not take my "cocktail of meds" for my depression for several days. It's not that I didn't want to take them, it's that I felt I didn't deserve to feel good or function well. (I know, it makes no sense.)

I was so doubtful during my little meltdown. I doubted that everything would work out...most of all I doubted that God would take care of me and my family. I feel terrible about having gone there.

I am reading Praying the Names of God, by Ann Spangler, and one of my favorite names is Yahweh Yireh, The Lord Will Provide. Yahweh Yireh, is the God who sees the situation beforehand and is able to provide your needs. I find comfort in this name. The Lord Will Provide.

He has so far, and He is not going to stop now. We cannot second guess what He is up to in our lives, but how are we going to be involved in what He is doing? That is the question we should be asking ourselves.

"What is God up to and how can I be involved?"


Today I Am Thankful For:

1. hiking
2. calendars
3. The Doug Hallock Band
4. highlighters
5. dust

Be Still Sunday

Faith Friday's

Faith is...rejecting the feeling of panic when things seem out of control – His control. Pamela Reeve

I like to be in control. I'm not a big fan of surprises (the occasional one is okay). I like to know what is coming along next. When you live the life of a pastor's wife, that is not the case during this time of year.

In the Methodist Church, pastors move according to the Appointment System. This is the time of year a pastor will know if they are staying at their current church or if they will be moving at the beginning of June.

We are currently up to have a possible appointment this summer. Did you hear me say "possible?" My husband is still in school and at the point where he can get an appointment. We just don't know yet.

Also, my job has alot of uncertainty and there are so many things that have changed and I have no control over them. I can get upset and frustrated, but that is all I can do.

Where is my faith in all of this? Yesterday, it was practically nonexistent. I am praying today will be a better day and that I can see the promises God has put in front for me. I presently have a good job and need to be thankful for the freedom is allows me, and regardless of whether we move or not, we have a great place to live and my husband has a job.

Some days are easier than others to practice our faith. We need to strive and practice it all of the time. Surrender to Him each and every day. He hasn't let us down yet, so why would He start now?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. wet hair
2. cold mornings
3. spreadsheets
4. support groups
5. yellow buses

What to Do Next

Have you ever gone in a direction (answered God's call to do something) and wondered if you did the right thing? I have answered God's call in my speaking ministry, but things are not moving ahead. Have I done the right thing? What is next?

There is something very important I need to remember:

"It's not what God wants me to do, but what is God up to and how can I be involved?"

It' also about timing. My time and God's are not the same. Just because I want something to move forward and I think I'm ready for the next step doesn't mean God agrees. I have to slow down and listen to Him.

I think I move too fast sometimes. Maybe God wants me to slow it down and reflect on what is happening in my life.

I want to be involved in what God is doing in my life, I just need to slow down and listen.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1. emory boards
2. smelly dogs
3. stuffed animals
4. index cards
5. new books

Always Searching

I ran across some old notebooks, you know the kind where you write a few notes from sermons or retreats and you never use the notebook again? I have stacks of them! I decided to tear out those few pages that were here and there and put them in one place. I mean if I wrote it down it must have meant something important to me.

I found a gem.

"God created us with a spirit jump started to find Him. We are not born saved. We are always searching."

I am always searching and it's evident by my office. I have tons of empty notebooks (with the intention of journaling), bible studies (I've yet to do, but will get to), several Bibles, books of prayer, books on encouragement, blogs I've marked as faves on my laptop, the list goes on.

I am on a search. To be in His presence. I do have a relationship with God. A deep one. But I am always looking for ways to strengthen my relationship with Him. I think that is a good thing. When we become complacent in our search, we tend to forget about God until we need to lean on Him in tough times. I definitely don't want to slip into that routine.

Yes, God is there we times are tough, but God is with us always. He delights in our relationship and looks forward to meeting with us everyday.

Have you sat and had your coffee with God this morning? Maybe the two of you visit while you are driving to work, while you are putting on your makeup, or you talk with Him before your feet even touch the ground in the morning. Whenever works best, make sure you make time for Him today and everyday.

Today I Am Thanful For:

1. pretty, spiral notebooks
2. a de cluttered office
3. funky Sketchers
4. old pictures
5. floppy disks

Be Still Sunday