Reminders

Without my iPhone I would be terribly lost.  I set alarms and reminders to keep my day moving...when to pick up the boys, when it's time for a conference call, appointments, lists of items to pick up at the store...it never ends!

Today I received a reminder that was not electronic and it made me stop for a moment.

One of dear friends took a moment out of her day to send me a card and the inside read,

"I'm praying for you…

             and trusting with you…
             and reminding you you're loved and cared for more than you know."

At that moment I felt God's arms around me.  He knows the struggles I am having.  He knows how I have been feeling defeated.  And He used a friend to pass along that reminder that the Creator of the Universe loves me more than I can imagine.

So many of us are good at helping others.  We tend to be the "strong" ones who keep things together or we use the practical side of our minds to make things happen.  We don't always allow ourselves to be on the receiving end and let people know we struggle and need a little help.

But God knows what we need.  He never leaves us and is always closer than we think.

Today He showed off in a big way by using one of his faithful servants to reach out and remind me that I was loved.

          You may be the next person He uses in a way bigger than you could ever imagine. 
          It doesn't take much to follow through and listen to what God is telling us to do. 

If you feel that nudge on your heart to reach out to someone, don't hesitate. 

 

You may just be the reminder someone needs.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."  Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

 

 

Today I Am Thankful For:

 

1.  ice packs

2.  clean floors

3.  barking dogs

4.  candles

5.   Easter candy

A Bad Attitude

I had such a yucky day on Tuesday.  I wasn't feeling good, I had to work and I had zero energy.  And to top everything off I had to teach Bible Study in the evening.

The absolute last thing I felt like doing was teaching Bible Study. I mean I was in the kind of mood where I was ready to pick a fight with someone!

I had no one to call in at the last minute to teach for me and I had to get it together.  How in the world could God use me when I felt so crummy and I didn't want to even be present?

The Word of God just does something to you.  You read it, you speak it, you share with others and you can be transformed.  That evening of Bible Study brought laughter to a soul who needed a lift, a new scripture to a woman who needed something to hold on to and a bond to a group of women that are looking for connection.

Beloved, God uses you in ways you can't even imagine...in places you would never dream and even by doing things you consider routine.  If you live your life to serve others as if you are serving Christ, you just can't go wrong. 

"Oozing" is a way of life.  It doesn't always happen when you feel great, but if you step out in faith and do the next right thing...especially when you don't feel like it.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24  (NIV)

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  A stack of new magazines

2.  Blow dryers

3.  iPad's

4.  Missed appointments

5.  Dinner at church on Wednesday's

Having The Right Words...when my Facebook Chimed

Have you ever been in a situation when someone needed your help and you just did not have the words?

I have an amazing friend who lives in a neighboring state.  To say she has difficulties in her life is an understatement.  She has a husband, kids, job, and tons of responsibilities and I have never seen her get angry with God or run away from what she believes to be true.  She is a solid example of what a woman of faith looks like. 

I have to admit that I ran away from her.  She confided in me regarding a terribly difficult situation and I just absolutely had no idea what to say.  I didn't know how to comfort her or help her make sense of anything.  And I have not talked to her since...until my Facebook chimed in tonight.  I know that we don't always have the right words, and sometimes just being a presence for someone, even on a telephone line, or the other side of a Facebook chat is all someone needs.

But what about those times where you can't spit out the words fast enough?  As I was sitting in the hospital last weekwith my little one, my Facebook chat chimed again.  It was a very dear friend of mine from High School!  I haven't talked to her since our 10 year reunion (in 1996) :)

She was my "Baptist" friend who was always at church.  She always went to "youth group" or VBS.  In my Catholic upbringing (not everyone's Catholic upbringing), religion was not discussed.  We just "went to Mass" and my mom never let me go to her church even after I pleaded with her time after time.  I think I was always searching, even at that young age. 

 

"Gina" had some questions about being "Methodist" as she and her husband just joined a wonderful Methodist church.  I told her, "Call me anytime!"  And my phone rang five minutes later.  Hearing the twang of her Southern accent warmed my heart and when she asked me questions I had the words.  She even said, "Cazandra, isn't it funny that all those years ago God knew we would come together talking about faith even though we didn't back then?"
 

Yes, Gina, He did know that.  And I will continue to pray to God to give me the strength and wisdom to have the words when needed and the wisdom to know when my presence is enough.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  Discharge papers from the hospital

2.  Pretty boxes

3.  Friends who trust you

4.  Extension cords

5.  chimes

Breathe

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse."

                                                                    2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (The Message)

When was the last time you took a good, deep breath?

• I went horseback riding this past weekend and stopped to smell the air on the trail.

• As I was playing my oboe in church, I had to be very exact in my breathing so that the music would make sense.

• I stopped on the main floor of our home and caught a scent unfamiliar to me...I had been too busy to notice the smell of our Christmas tree.

• And I even took a moment to take a deep breath outside in the cold as a few snowflakes began to fall.

As "oozers", we should be working to live lives pleasing to Christ.  When our words or actions cause others to experience Christ, not only are we shining the light of Christ through our being, but the fragrance of Christ lingers after our encounter is over.

Let the holiday season take over and fill you with the Spirit of Christ.  The joy that the baby in a manger brought to our world.  Enjoy the reason we celebrate the season...breathe deeply.

 

Today I Am Thankful For:
1.  Hugs

2.  Play therapy

3.  Ice cream on a cold day

4.  Plastic containers

5.  My iPod dock

 

 

Great Things

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love spending the day in the kitchen creating our "feast".  My family does not like the occasional Thanksgiving that we are not at home simply because there will not be any leftovers :)  I love that they love my cooking.  Cooking is something I do with my whole heart for my family.  It is a pleasure.

Thanksgiving is a very special time and what I try to share in my ministry, my writing, my witness is that Thanksgiving is a year round practice.  We should be giving thanks not only through the good times, but through the bad times as well.  So often we get going in a good place in our lives and we forget to keep that conversation with God going and telling Him we are thankful for all of the many blessings in our lives.  Every day we should be doing this. 

And what about the bad times?  The truth is that things can always be worse.  The hard part about giving thanks to God during those dark times is remembering to send up words of praise to Him.  That is probably one of the hardest things to do.  Praising during the storm is a true test of faith.

How are you going to keep this season of thanks going throughout the year?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  Lamps

2.  The scrapbook store

3.  Page protectors

4.  Receipts

5.  The smell of a clean head of hair

Rest for My Soul

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV)

I just returned from San Diego.  My family attended an educational summit on hemophilia and inhibitors.  It was a great time of meeting new friends, learning about new treatments and just being able to get away and enjoy each other.  Sometimes it takes a "meeting" or special event to get our families away from the daily grind.

Work, school, cooking, cleaning, hemophilia...the list goes on.  We all have burdens to carry.  Some are heavier than others.  But the best part of burden carrying is when you are able to find rest for your soul.  Finding rest for my soul has been in not just finding God in the walls of my church on Sunday mornings, but in seeing the calm waters of the San Diego bay, watching my husband's excitement over fresh seafood, our tired feet from all of the walking, and just breathing in another, hot New Mexico day.

 Letting go and experiencing rest for my soul is a treasure.  It can come at the most unexpected times and places, we just have to acknowledge the gift so that we can continue to carry our loads.

 Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Clean sheets

2. Shuttle buses

3. Peaches and plums

4. Great pictures from a getaway

5. Lotion on tired feet

The Best Relationship

I've written pretty openly about my devotional time.  There are times in my life where I have been extremely devout and some seasons of life where my devotional time is non-existent.  Right now is a pretty good time.  I've been spending time in prayer and reading Lysa Terkurst's "Made to Crave."  A great book!

I have added a new dimension to my time.  My dear friend "J" came in from out of town and we were able to spend some time together (work related) but we were in a very casual atmosphere at my home in meetings.  It was great :)  She brought me a present...a "ClingingCross."  It is just beautiful.  It fits perfectly in your hand.  She told me that her father had one and it brought him great comfort in his last days.  I was very touched that she thought of me.

I have been holding it while I pray and read in my devotional time and it is amazing how it has heightened the depth of my time. 

My relationship with Christ is top of my list and this small cross is helping me to connect on a deeper level.  I want this relationship to be the deepest, most satisfying relationship that I can have.  It will not only help me as I grow spiritually, but help to deepen the relationships that are closest to me.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.      Thoughtful gifts

2.      Books

3.      6 am

4.      Colored pens

5.      Prayer journals

The Perpetual Cookie Jar

I have a very difficult time buying gifts for my husband.  There's not much that he wants or needs, so getting creative with gifts for birthday's and holiday's keeps me busy.  Last Christmas I gave him a pretty clever gift (if I do say so myself).  He loves my homemade sugar free cookies, so I decided to give him the gift of cookies!  I bought him a cookie jar for his office at the church and I keep it filled with my homemade treats.   

What I like about the gift is that it gives throughout the year.  Every day.  Just like Christ gives His love freely to us...non stop, all year long.

There is never a moment where we are alone.  Yes, we may be physically alone, maybe even for hours or days at a time, but God is with us always.  That little voice in our minds and hearts is being heard by God.  He knows our deepest desires and greatest fears.  But He also knows how we love and share and spread the Good News.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.      A new showerhead

2.      DVR's

3.      Chunky pens

4.      Seeing long distance friends in the flesh

5.      A great manicure

A Spark

Sunday morning I finally stepped out into what I know.  My passion.  My ministry.  My calling to lead women.

I held a meeting for those interested in beginning a women's ministry at our church. There are so many possibilities...so many people to be ministered to …...and so many women that can touch the lives of others. 

The group of women that showed up were spunky and filled with ideas and most importantly desire.  There was a spark in the room.  Like when you first light a sparkler...you see one spark start and then all of a sudden they ignite and go crazy!  One spark feeds on another and before you know it, you have something beautiful.

That's what happened yesterday.  We all fed off of each other's energy and something beautiful happened...God was in the room and the sparks flew!

It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.      My peach trees

2.      Trying a new recipe

3.      Ice, cold water

4.      Naps

5.      A good haircut

The Only Bible

How many Bibles do you own?  Personally, I've lost count, but I will admit that I do have a nice collection.  Different sizes, different translations….all very handy.  But the truth is that I always go back to my favorite.  It's my Life Application Study Bible.  I've had it for at least 10 years and it is the one that I go to first. 

I recently read about a great gift idea.  Giving a Bible.  Not just a new Bible with the person's name embossed on the cover, but your personal Bible with all of the highlighting and notes written in the margins.  It was even suggested to buy a new Bible, use it for a year, then give it as a present to maybe your teenager, or in preparation for a graduation or birthday.

Great idea!

Having a Bible is great, but the truth is, "we" may be the only Bible someone ever sees or hears. 

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

Our words and actions are so important.  The "oozing" we are challenged to do (yes, as much of the time as possible) is a huge commitment.  But Christ wants us to live the best life we can live and at the same time, be an example of His love to others.

Are you up to oozing?

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  Volunteers
2.  The smell of rain

3.  Bookshelves

4.  Company at my house

5.  Wholesale clubs (Sam's)

Having Skin

"The miracle is not to walk on water but on the Earth."  Thich Nhat Hanh

When I first saw this quote, I wasn't sure how to take it.  Did it mean Christ was not the miracle?  The more I thought about it, I came to an understanding.  We are not intended to walk on water. We are His miracles living in the flesh, on Earth.  We are to be the hands, the feet and yes, the skin of Christ. 

It can be as simple as smiling at a stranger who may have had a difficult day.

Giving the gift of a listening ear to someone who wants to talk about their grandchildren.

Volunteering for work in the community or at church.

 Sometimes it's simply listening to what God is telling us to do even if we don’t have the desire.

I liken it to what I believe "oozing" to be.  Trying to be the best person we can be in this world.  Everyday we are given, is one more than we deserve.  So how are we going to spend this day? 

 Today I Am Thankful For:

1. Diet Cokes
2. Ribbon bookmarkers for my Bible
3. Payday
4. Weeds
5. Rain

Have You Prayed About It?

So often I get going in my daily routine and by the end of the day some things are laying heavy on me.  "If only I had given this issue some serious prayer…."  I have been establishing my morning routine of prayer and devotion but sometimes, I feel as if I am skipping through prayer.  I fumble and am not sure what I am praying for each day.  I think there is a lot to be said for keeping a small notebook with your Bible and daily readings to jot down those prayers you want to lift up to God.  It is something I am going to get better at with my prayer life.

 This spin on Matthew 21:22 stuck out to me.

Matthew 21:22 in the NIV says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  That's trick.  This scripture makes it sound like whatever we ask for, we will receive.  If I ask for a million dollars, will I get it?  Probably, but not necessarily in cold, hard cash.

When I think of my family and the opportunities I have had and continue to have since our recent move, they equal well more than a million dollars.  I can't put a dollar amount on the things I have been blessed with in my life.  Those blessings have sometimes come with a heavy price, but nonetheless, have amounted to riches beyond my wildest dreams.

God's timing is not our timing.  When we pray, we are establishing that relationship with Christ.  We are developing a bond that gets stronger over time (as long as we nurture the relationship). 

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  Playgrounds

2.   Scaffolds

3.  White boards

4.  A spotless house

5.  paperweights

Are you sure, God?

I know that God has me on this Earth for many reasons.  I think one of them is so that He can have a good laugh :)  When I think about where I have come from and where I am at this moment, it is nothing but through God's grace that I am alive and thriving.  I am so incredibly grateful.

But lately, I have had something brewing inside of me.  I could not put words to it until now.  I feel as if the next part of my ministry needs to be helping to develop a Women's ministry at our church.  That I have accepted and am excited about, but there is one other thing.  I am feeling led to write more than my blog.  I believe God is putting it on my heart to write a Bible Study. 

Then my first question is, "Are you sure, God?  I don't have a seminary degree (yet) and my Bible knowledge is not the best, so are you really sure?"

Do you ever have those moments when you question God.

Just like Moses, Gideon and Jeremiah.  They did not think they were the appointed persons to lead but God sure showed them the way. 

I don't know anything about writing a study, but I am going to give it a try.  I would appreciate your prayers as I continue to discern God's voice.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.      Blue skies

2.      Friendly neighbors

3.      Ink cartridges

4.      Paper bags with handles

5.      Shipping tape

Who you want to meet

I am an introvert.  Now, if I know you very well, you may not think that is true.  But I tend to be very quiet and have a difficult time reaching out and developing new relationships.  So as a pastor's wife, you can see how that may be a struggle :)

There are a few people I have met in my life that are the epitome of what my message in ministry is all about….oozing.  The people who you can hardly even look at because the light of Christ shines through them and the fact that they are living their life by following Christ in every way is what I call an oozer.  That's what I want to be.  I want to be a person that gives off that light.  In order for me to do that, I have to work through the introvert problem that I have.

I want to be the kind of person I want to meet.  I recently met a woman at our church who is an oozer through and through.  I truly had to step back when I met her because she was so "bright!"  Our meeting reignited my desire to show the world, truly through everything that I do, what oozing is all about.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.      3 ring hole punchers

2.      Collapsible coolers

3.      Hope

4.      Clean towels

5.      Bananas

Our Motto

When your immediate family lives hundreds of miles away, you need to be prepared in the event of an emergency. I have put together a Household Binder, and it needs some major updating.  Once a year, I update our emergency contact numbers, doctor's numbers, schedules, insurance information, etc.  And when your church family is physically closest to you, you have spare keys and instructions readily available to leave to a trusted person.

On the cover of our Household Binder is our family motto.  I haven't looked at our motto in quite some time, and it has made me rethink several things.

"Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God."

I think I now know what has been making me so unsettled. When you live in a rural, small town, living simply is easier to do than when you are in the big city. You aren't as close to major department stores, big grocery stores, etc. Yes,online shopping brings the best to you, but I have found it's just not the same. Now that we are living back in the big city, temptation is all around.  I can get to anything I need at a moment's notice!Yes, that is a good thing medically, but I can act on impulse and shop easily. The "Live Simply" component of our motto is at risk.

I want to seriously pay attention to the tenets of our motto:

• Live Simply: having more "stuff" is not priority (we don't need the latest video game)
• Love Generously: the core of who I want to be is a loving person and to be able to nurture the loving hearts of my children
• Care Deeply: when we care for others,God's light shines through everything we do….oozing at work
• Speak Kindly: our words are impacting...they can't be taken back.
• Leave the rest to God: this is the one that can bring you to your knees...leaving it up to God and not worrying about things that are out of your control.

Does your family have a motto?

Today I Am Thankful For:

• A fresh manicure 
• RAIN! 
• A new recipe that was successful 
• A cookie jar filled with homemade cookies 
• My new, office chair - leopard, of course :)

The Big City

I lived in Houston for over 30 years.  It was a big city.  Huge.  But when you grow up in a big town, it's just part of who you are.  You get around despite traffic.  You have a toll tag on your car windshield, and you know what times of day to travel.  Anything and everything you need is within arms reach (if your checkbook allows).

Then we moved to Deming, New Mexico.  It was truly a day and night experience, but we loved it!  We were ready for small town living.  Then off to Truth or Consequences, even smaller.  After six years of "living on the prairie," we have moved back to the big world.  We love it!  But let me tell you, sometimes it's pretty overwhelming.

When I go to the store, I have to concentrate and realize that the store is bustling with activity and lots of people milling around.  Last night we actually had two church members say hello and I was mortified because I had not a clue to what their names were!  Oh my goodness, it is going to take some great effort and many missed names to get to know everyone.  It's just overwhelming.

It's enough to get me to start to spiral down into depression.  But I've not given in and have been fighting it for quite a while.

God has blessed us abundantly.  The blessings in  my life never cease to amaze me.  I just want to go out and ooze the Holy Spirit so that people know Christ is alive at the church on the hill!  It is what we are called to do.

Let's get on the same page and ooze together and touch the lives of those in Rio Rancho in a supernatural way!  You just never know what will happen.

Today I Am Thankful For:
1. Joe

2. Julian

3. Caeleb

4. Good coffee
5. routine

Where I Needed to Be

Yesterday afternoon I was struggling with work.  I just wanted it to be 5:00 pm on Friday!  Then, my cell phone rang.  It was a dear friend of mine who I worked with for many, many years.  I miss her terribly.  Her passion and spirit are contagious.  She is the kind of person children (and adults) gravitate to.  They just want to be in her presence.  I absolutely adore her.

She is struggling because her mother is in the final stages of her life…and my sweet friend called me.  God used me. I was able to relate to her struggle and give her some fresh insights as she tried to make sense of a difficult time.  For someone to reach out to you when they are hurting is humbling.  You learn a lot about yourself when you have to dig deep to help someone else.

Ministry happens at unexpected times.  It’s not always on Sunday mornings within the walls of a church.  It happens during a busy workday, on a weekend with the family, at the store and even late at night on Facebook.

I am honored that God uses me.  When I get complacent about my ministry, He wakes me up in a huge way.

So glad I listened.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.     unexpected phone calls

2.     iced tea

3.     incense

4.     Little Caesars Hot n’ Ready Pizza for $5!

5.     moms

Enough Time Off...

God was present on Sunday morning.  He woke me up.

I've not been pursuing Seminary for a while....I've just felt as if the timing was not right.  There have been so many things that have happened (especially my "Christian's" health being front and center) and I have been very relieved that school was not in the mix, but something happened at church on Sunday.

A new member, who I've really not had contact with, came up to me.  This person is in need of someone being "present" for them as they have recently had a great loss and for some reason, and he felt led to talk to me.  I was quite overwhelmed and pretty surprised. 

Is this God's way of saying that I have had enough "time off" and I need tro begin my active pursuit of Seminary again?  It has really made me think.

I assured this church member that I was not a professional counselor, just a pastor's wife who struggles with depression and has a heart for ministry.  He wants to sit and talk, so I agreed (and today I received my next lay speaker's class book "Lay Pastoral Care Giving" in the mail).

I am stepping out in faith to answer what seems to be God's calling. 

It may not sound like a big thing, but I think God moves in mysterious ways.  Sometimes it's the little things that mean the most.

Today I Am Thankful For:

1.  legal pads
2.  an extremely busy day
3.  an upcoming business trip with a dear friend
4.  a new blouse
5.  beginning a new Bible Study