Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

I received this "letter" as an email forward a couple days after Christmas last year and thought it was worth sharing this year. Enjoy~

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Lessons from buying an old "fixer upper"

As you may or may not know, my family and I recently moved from a beautiful "newer construction home" (built in 2003) inside city limits of Corpus Christi ...

...to an "older fixer-upper" (70+ years old) out in the country, outside city limits of Corpus, in the middle of acres upon acres of farmland:

Kirk and I are avid watchers of HGTV and DIYnetwork; and for the past couple of years, we have been wanting to have a major renovation project to call our own. This house fulfills that desire as every room... I'm not kidding~ ever square inch~ needs to be renovated or updated in some way.

As we are beginning our 5th month of fixing and updating this older house, I'm being reminded of MANY valuable lessons and learning a few new ones (just what God had intended to happen when we bought this property!). In no particular order, these are some things Kirk and I have learned:

• Most things accomplished take longer than we expect... the key is not to give up! (whether it's with a home renovation project, losing weight/getting in shape, getting your dream job, whatever... you name your goal)
• Things are never as easy as you think they should be- thus taking longer to accomplish! If you plan for a week... triple that time; the reality is it will most likely take three weeks to get done. (that's our experience so far!)
• Be sure to add a "10-15% cushion" to the budget... like time~ it always seems to take more of what is planned.
• Any goal set will involve some level of planning, labor, perseverance, and patience. With out a balance of these, frustration and some insanity will set in.
• We're losing trust in hiring "professional" contractors. (Our carpet guys were great!!!, But we hired window guys to replace all our windows, and air conditioner guys to replace our air conditioner and repair our ducting. Both situations we did a thorough research to hire good, quality service guys. The products installed are great, but the installation was horrible. The guys cut corners and messed up areas of our house that they probably figured we wouldn't notice. We are having to fix things left by these guys and finish up detail work that should have been done by these contractors.)
• If you want something done right, do it yourself. OR get referrals of the person you are wanting to hire. OR BETTER YET~ personally know the person you are hiring!
• Attitude is EVERYTHING!
• A thankful and content heart comes from remembering all the blessings we have. Don't look at what you don't have, look at ALL that you do have! (we are missing our old pool about now with temperatures getting HOT! We are learning to be content without.)
• People are more important than things. (Spending hours and hours on a project shouldn't be at the expense of spending family time together)
• Life is always full of "surprises". Embrace the good "surprises" and the bad "surprises" and learn from them both.
• When ever possible~ renew, reuse, & recycle!
• Corpus Christi has rattle snakes whether you're in the country OR a city sub-division! (I was recently informed the people who bought our previous house found a rattle snake on their property)
• Any neglected house has the potential to be beautiful... it's a matter of how much love you are willing to pour into it. (same goes for our bodies, too.)
• Through it all... the Lord is our source. He is the reason we are who we are, doing what we're doing. He shares in our frustrations; He shares in our victories. When we feel overloaded, he is always there to lift our burdens. What a fun adventure life is with Jesus by our side! He is the Master of restoration and renovations... making that which is broken fixed! Praise the Lord!

Stay tuned...

I will be posting "before" and "after" pictures of the kids' bedrooms at the end of next week, as well as some "before" pictures of the bathroom we're currently in the process of renovating. This bathroom could seriously qualify among "The Ugliest Bathrooms in America Award"! I can't wait for this bathroom to get done!

Siesta Fun & Weigh-in Wednesday!

I'm getting geared up for a fun time in Houston with a group of sister gal pals called SIESTAS and a special Bible teacher we call Mama Siesta! We are thinking that wearing pink feather boas would be a fun way to identify ourselves in airports, hotel lobbies, and where ever!!!
God tells us in His word,

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

What a better way to meet each other and celebrate the beauty of God's word, his faithfulness, and all that he is, than to be adorned with "Girly God Feathers"! I can't wait!

I believe every woman should have at least one or two feather boas in her wardrobe on those days when she needs to be reminded she's special, covered in God's love, protection and faithfulness! This photo below is one I took for my friend back in April 2009. She lives in Florida and since I couldn't spend the day with her in person on her Birthday, I sent her a crown and boa like the one I'm wearing to honor her Birthday. We wore them together miles apart.

Also, today is "Weigh-in Wednesday" with the "Sisterhood" and happily I am down this week by 4 pounds! Praise God. I must humble myself and keep my attitude in check with my weight, always remembering I am not defined by the number on the scale, the size of jeans I wear, or any outward appearances. I am defined by WHOSE I am, by the condition of my heart. I am a daughter of the King and am Born Into Purple. I am royalty because who my father is. If you have accepted Christ, YOU TOO are royalty... Born Into Purple! As far as my weight, I simply want to honor God with my body... taking care of myself as an act or worship. Thank you God for helping me this week.

If you don't know Christ and would like information on how you can meet him and enter into a relationship with Him, click here.

It Works!... and I'm doing it!

With the new year here, I'm geared up for new goals, and fresh ambition... I'm not as much into "resolutions" as I am into "goals".

Since I was young I've always been goal oriented and a huge "list person". For me, it's a great way to stay focused and move forward with what ever I have my thoughts on. Sometime in the mid 1980's, my sweet Grandma Beaudry gave me a book called "Positive Imaging: The Powerful Way to Change Your Life" by Norman Vincent Peale. I read it and applied it to my situations as I was just beginning a career in the Fashion Industry. The concepts in this book took my list making and goals to a new level.

I will never forget not too long after finishing my "Positive Imaging" book for the first time, I became a specialty retail store manager of a pitiful small volume store in Portland, Oregon. I wholeheartedly applied "Positive Imaging" to my personal and store goals. I wrote down each goal on a piece of paper, framed it, hung it in my office where I looked at it almost everyday. I began visualizing each goal- IN DETAIL- getting achieved. With each goal, it was like running a movie in my head. I remember my District and Regional Managers noticing my goals in the frame on the wall and making comments about my list. Most comments were encouraging while a few others were filled with hints of doubt that I could accomplish such high expectations. That didn't bother me, I just stayed focused.

From that list of about 10 goals for that particular year, I recall having achieved all but one of them. Some of the goals where big and some were huge! I experienced victory in achieving these goals and also received promotion within my retail career as a result of my successful goal-oriented positive nature, high expectations, and actually producing results in areas others seemed to struggle.

What exactly is positive imaging? As Mr. Peale describes in his book, it's "the forming of mental pictures or images, based on the principle that there is a deep tendency in human nature to ultimately become precisely like that which we imagine or imagine ourselves as being... Imaging is positive thinking carried one step further. In imaging, one does not merely think about a hoped-for goal; one "sees" or visualizes it with tremendous intensity, reinforced by prayer. " You play out your goal and achieving your goal over and over in your mind so much that your sub conscious believes it to be true.

I read another great book at the end of 2008 called "Turn Your Dreams Into Realities ~ 101 Ways to Make It Happen" by Sue Augustine. AWESOME book! A lot of the same principles as "Positive Imaging", with doable ways to apply daily. The problem was, when I read "Turn Your Dreams Into Realities" I just read it and didn't make any efforts to apply the book to my life; I didn't benefit from all that I could have.

I'm sharing all this because I've been re-charged to re-read "Turn Your Dreams Into Realities ~ 101 Ways to Make It Happen" and "Positive Imaging" being deliberate and faithful in keeping the principals as a driving force to achieving my 2010 Goals and Dreams. I look forward to checking in bloggy world with each achievement!

I know goal setting backed with the power of positive imaging works and I'm doing it! I can't wait to share good reports of achievements.

World AIDS Day

My family and I sponsor a sweet girl from Ghana Africa through Compassion International and we have been blessed by her ever since. "Alice" was 6 when we began our sponsorship and is now 10. We exchange letters, pictures, share the love of Jesus, and pray for each other. We know we are making a difference in Alice's life, but she is also making a difference in ours. Last year, Compassion International asked us if we could help Alice beyond our regular sponsorship ($38.00 a month) and add $8.00 a month addition to provide AIDS preventative treatment for Alice. The risk for Alice getting AIDS is extremely high in South Africa, so we knew immediately God was giving us an opportunity to use the resources he has given us to help Alice and make a contribution to impact the world.

Today, December 1, we celebrate World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day was founded in 1988 by the World Health Organization. Compassion has been able to implement comprehensive and holistic services that allow us to proactively address this widespread disease one child at a time. Join us as we celebrate the global impact and the work our Savior is doing in the lives of children.

THINK ABOUT THIS~ Have you ever considered making a long term, life changing difference in a child's life?... let alone some one who is a complete stranger in a foreign land? Have you ever considered sponsoring a child through Compassion International? To be honest, before we sponsored Alice, I had a hard time with the thought of giving up a chunk of money each month to a complete stranger. But God quickly changed my heart and showed me He blesses us so we can bless others. When we do acts of generosity and kindness we are doing them unto the Lord; we are not to give reluctantly or out of compulsion... He loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

Jesus tells us in Scripture that "Whatever you did for the least of these... you did for me." (Matthew 25:37-40)...

How do you eat an elephant?

I really don't care for this analogy since it has to do with consuming such a large portion (who eats elephants anyway?); God only knows how many calories eating an elephant would be, but you get the point!

I'm struggling these days with a couple frustrations~ first, my feeble attempts to healthy eating and exercise (I'm failing terribly)... I know what to do, I just haven't been faithful in doing it! Next frustration~ not getting a number of goals started that I once was motivated to do at the beginning of the year; I look at the "bigness" of many of my projects, and procrastinate even beginning them because I allow myself to over think them, as well as become distracted and overwhelmed by them. I love to accomplish goals I set for myself and fulfill my dreams and aspirations; that's the kind of person I am. I know that in order to be successful in what I set my mind to, I must break down my big (long-term) goals (like weight loss total or specific projects) into small (short-term) manageable goals.

O.K. That's what I'm committing to do~ break everything down and focus on short term goals and not the big picture. I will also be a better time manager. Woooohoooo! I feel better already now that I've blogged myself a pep talk....

One day at a time...

One hour at a time...

One minute at a time...

One manageable task at a time...

One calorie at a time...

ONE BITE AT A TIME!

OUCH Moments with God

Have you ever had one of those times when you prayed to God for Him to show someone the "error of their ways" and "lead them down the right path"... you pray God will give them a revelation so they would confess their sin, learn from their error, and repent? It's for their own good, after all! It's when God disciplines the sin because he loves us and wants us to learn from our mistakes. I call these times, "OUCH" moments; when we realized we've sinned against God (we then confess, repent, and learn our lesson through God's discipline) and we're better from the OUCH. Here's what recently happened to me regarding some "OUCH" moments.

Last night I could not sleep! I laid in bed an hour pondering my unsettled spirit over a situation where I'd been praying about, for someone "to learn the error of their ways", "to be led on the right path" and to realize they have been sinning before God through pride and wrong motives. To hopefully realize it's been effecting those around them in an ungodly way. This person had frustated me to the point that I struggled to even be in their presence. I would literally pray Scripture in my head just to get through the battle in my mind that was bulilding up. At one point I even thought my memory verse, 2 Timothy 3:16, was God's way of telling me I need to be the person to help "teach, rebuke, correct, and train them in righteousness" using His word to show them the way. The person I'm speaking of is another Christian woman who I felt was in a position to know what she was doing. As I laid in bed, I finally got up and the Lord spoke softly to my spirit to watch some "Wednesday's with Beth" (from the Life Today program) on the computer. I absolutely love these teachings and have watched many of them over the past year, and could watch them endlessly, because they're filled with so much Truth and encouragement straight from God Himself. When I got to the website, I prayed, "which one do you want me to watch, Lord?"... He directed me to a 3 part series I needed to hear! I soaked in all three (it was 2:30 am!)...I was alert and awake... I internalized them. Thank You, God for how you speak Your profound Truth through Beth Moore! and, Thank you, Beth, for being such a servant to the Lord that magnifies God from glory to glory.

As I finished the last of the three part series, I realized it was I that needed to be "shown the error of her ways" and "be led on the right path" .

I had several OUCH moments with God last night.
*FIRST- He showed me that my memory verse for this past week was (and is) for Him to teach, rebuke, correct and train ME in righteousness, not for me to use it on others in self righteousness. I am not her or any one's Holy Spirit.
*SECOND- God also showed me in 1 Peter 5:5 that I am to ...clothe myself with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." OUCH! God, I have been filled with pride these past weeks as much as she has! I'm finally getting it! The verse goes on to say, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7) I knocked MYSELF down by allowing the enemy authority to work through the situation; and only God can lift me up.
*I was casting my anxiety on Him (kept praying Phil 4:6-8), but it was with wrong motives, in the manner of "fix HER, Lord" to be right in my sight, rather than, "FIX ME" to be right in your (God's) sight... a THIRD OUCH! Funny how easy it is to see fault in others and critize what we think their motives are and not as easy to see it in ourselves until we allow God to peal the scales off our eyes.

So here I am, a self righteous, prideful, sinner with messed up motives... OUCH!

As I have gone to the Lord for direction over the past number of weeks, He had given me a number of Scriptures, but I was somewhat hard headed to see the message in them for me; I was too focused on HER wrong doings and the message for her. Now that I feel as though He's shown me a fresh revelation of where my heart and attitude have been, I will back track these verses and pray them out loud so that I will be lined up with God's heart and character and no longer be played by the enemy who was devouring me through this situation (1 Peter 5:8).

I asked God, "should I approach this fellow Christian and tell her what's occured?... " I asked, "Lord, do I say something to her about this?" At this time, I believe God said, "No... (the reason)- He has me in the process of taking the planks out of my own eyes at this time, that trying to take the specks out of another person's eye is wrong and hypocritical (Matthew 7:3-5). Even as I write this, I still know I've got some pride issues He's still emptying me of. God will show her through "OUCH" moments of her own in His time, His way. He is in control. At some point He may lead me to speak the truth in love to her; for now, I will wait for His direct lead.

Prayer: Thank You God for Your Truth. Thank You that you discipline those you love- and by Your Holy Spirit in me, I was able to recognize my sins against You through the "OUCH" moments you allowed me last night and today. Thank You that you give grace to the humble and have brought me to this place to grow me up more in Christ. Please forgive me for my sins against you- in my feelings toward a sister in Christ who I truly don't know very well. You know her heart and motives; and though my feelings were real, only You know if they were "Holy". My heart is deceitful and I ask you to create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. I know that my feelings led to sin, and for that I repent. I lift this Christian woman in prayer that you will continue to wrap her in Your love, and that she has overflowing favor from you. Lord Thank You for the wonderful people you've placed in my life, for the privilege of prayer and for Your love and grace that is never ending. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Born into Purple

This past week I caught a segment on the History Channel about ancient Greece and their royalty. TWO THINGS struck me.

1. As an adult, I LOVE HISTORY! I find it fascinating... when I was a child in high school I nearly failed my History classes and was bored out of my mind! What is up with that?
   
2. The other thing that struck me was at one point the commentator was talking about the lineage of the Kings and how they were... "born into purple".

I can't stop thinking about that phrase, "born into purple"... The color purple represents royalty. As a born again Christian, I am "born into purple"! Anyone who accepts and receives Christ as "King" of their life is "born into purple"... it's such a cool thought, and really helps me see myself as God sees me~ His heir and His beloved.

So, next time I'm feeling worthless, I'll be reminded...

I'm not worthless.
I am royalty.

I am a daughter of the King of the universe.

My Father in Creator of all things!

I am BORN INTO PURPLE!

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans 8:17)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)

Prayer: Thank You my God that Christ died for me... that I am your daughter, born into purple through faith by Your grace alone. Help me bring You glory in all I say and do as Your heir and Your ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

B-O-L-T

When I was a new believer in Christ, I was trying to understand what being a Christian was all about. I had accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior (and through faith by His grace I was saved - Ephesians 2:8); I could see and feel the changes God was doing in my heart (and my life), but was kind of confused as to what I to do now, going forward?

While I was having some prayer and quiet time with God one day, I asked Him "Now that I'm saved, what does it (Christianity) simply come down to... what do I do now?". I love how God answered me by giving this acronym to teach me how simple walking with Him as a Christ follower really is...

B... Believe (God) (Don't just Believe IN God, but BELIEVE GOD and all He says in Scripture- He's got lots of stuff to say!)

O... Obey (God) (Follow Christ's example of righteous living... Obedience is freedom and results in victory.)

L... Love (God & Others) (The Greatest Commandment! Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27 )

T... Trust (God) (God is forever faithful and worthy of our whole hearted trust.)

In order to "B-O-L-T" God, I've learned I must be in his Word (Scripture) and seek Him daily. There are multiple Bible verses re-enforcing "B-O-L-T". I have been blessed beyond measure as I exercise these areas (B-O-L-T). Now and again when I start to get off track (from my Belief, Obedience, demonstrating Love, or Trusting), God reminds me to get back on track -through the visual of a bolt.

As a fun reminder, I have a loose bolt here and there in several drawers around the house and I've hung a bolt from a string on the rear view mirror of my car (since I seem to be in it so often).

Today I B-O-L-T... How about you?

Aspirations, Dreams, and "To-Do" Lists

I have shared it before, and I'll share it again...
I'M A HUGE "LIST PERSON"!

I seem to stay on track with my goals when I write them down. I'm really a scatter brain with out my list and spiral notebooks have become a prized possession around my house! On any given day I have anywhere from 2-4 different lists going...

For example- today, I have my grocery list so I can do my shopping tomorrow; my daily "to do list" - so I remember what needs to be done "today"; I have my monthly calendar hanging on the wall, to I can see at a glance the list of activities penciled in for the whole family; I have my daily list of every food item I put in my mouth so I can journal my food intake and be sure not to go over 1600 calories for the day (need to lose the weight I gained from the holidays!); I have my "Bucket List"; and I have my newest list for 2009... of my yearly aspirations and dreams.

These lists may seem a bit obsessive compulsive, but without them I would live my life stagnant, not moving forward to the best of my ability, or worse, I'd end up going backwards... wasting my time away.

When I write down my needs, passions, dreams, and desires, several things happen for me:

• first- with a list, my natural forgetfulness is spurred with a "reminder" of what I need to do or want to to. I'm able to reflect on my written goals and dreams visualizing what I need to do to accomplish them and visualizing the victory of success throughout the process up to the point of experiencing the actual victory of accomplishment.
  
• second- my list helps me be accountable to myself and help others hold me accountable.


• third- my list allows me to experience visual victory as I'm able to accomplish those things listed by marking them off, celebrating the accomplishment, and moving on.

As I mentioned, my newest list is my 2009 Aspirations and Dreams list! I'm very excited about this list focused around 20 items in 09 different categories regarding ways I plan to INVEST myself for the year. I am a "FAMILY INVESTOR" after all! My 2009 aspirations seems like a big list, but I am determined to stretch myself to make things happen this upcoming year!

I didn't write out my dreams and goals for the year in 2008. Instead, I just kept them in my head thinking about them now and again. As I now reflect back on the year I feel a bit disappointed in myself. Although I did feel some victory with some accomplishments, I know I didn't live to my potential for the year and I wasted a lot of time being distracted (because I didn't have a list to follow!). This year I do have a list- posted publicly-to help me stay "on track".

“Some people make things happen, some watch things happen, while others wonder what has happened”
(Gaelic Proverb...author unknown)

IN 2009, I don't want to "watch things happen", or "wonder what has happened"... I want to be the person that will "make things happen"!

Prayer: Lord I thank you that you have given me the gift of administration and that I can use it in simple ways for your glory in my everyday existence. Thank you that you are my biggest encourager and partner in all my endeavors (even as mundane as victory through my grocery list). I pray you help me experience complete freedom in following my lists and experience victory as items are accomplished on a daily basis, monthly basis, and for 2009. Thank you Lord that you plant passions in my soul, desires in my heart, and you direct my path. I will commit my plans to you that I may have success in all I do as I seek you each day! (Proverbs 16:3) Amen

People in my Life.

I received an email recently that got me thinking about my current and past relationships/friendships... and actually brought me comfort as I thought about the many people who have come in and out of my life and touched my heart; some even for the briefest of moments (who I personally have not met except through the internet).

This email is a reminder that, God, in His sovereignty, brings people in and out of our lives for His specific purposes, and He uses you and me in others' lives in the same way. I am SO THANKFUL for each and every person God has allowed me to cross paths with and connect with no matter the length on time...

Here's the e-mail: (Thanks Milda for sending it!)

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person and appreciate the relationship for what it is.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed (either through prayer to God or from the yearnings of your heart). They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance, support and strength, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They are a Godsend. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then at a point, they are gone; this person is no longer a part of your life. Sometimes they move away with intentions to stay in touch, but they don't; the relationship fades and no longer exists. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. There are many things that happen to disconnect this relationship, but what ever the circumstance, their work is done and they have touched your life for a specific reason or purpose, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON. Your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh in the specific stage of life you're in; you can relate easily to each other because of so many commonalities. They may teach you something you have never known or done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. Lifetime people are the essence of family; these people love and give of themselves from beginning to end. Lifetime people are rooted deep in your life and no "storm of life" or circumstance can uproot your connection with this person. Thank you for being a part of my life. . . whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime, or all three bundled in one!


Prayer: Thank you Jesus for being my LIFETIME person and BFF! Thank you for bringing people in my life that have taught me, challenged me, encouraged me, and touched my heart. As I reflect on each person in my life, past and present, I see your hand prints all over the circumstances of them being in my life. Many of my "reason friends" have turned into "season friends", turning into "lifetime friends"; it is by Your will and doing I have been blessed with the many different relationships I have. As time goes forward, please help me recognize opportunities You present to connect with people, and ways to make a difference in others' lives, reflecting Your Spirit that is in me; whether it's for a "reason", "season", or "lifetime", I want to glorify your name and magnify your love towards the people in my life. In Your precious Name I pray~ Amen.

SPIKE IT!

When you hear the phrase,

"SPIKE IT",

what do you think of?

Do you think of...

...Driving a volleyball over the net into your opponents face?

...Sneaking alcohol in the punch bowl or a soft drink?

...Creating a hair-style that stands straight up in a cool way?

...Maybe you're a guy, and "SPIKE IT" means using the remote control to change to your favorite TV "man channel"...


For me, a gardener, it recently meant pounding fertilizer SPIKES into the ground 2 feet from the trunk area of each tree and shrub in my yard.

This past weekend I SPIKED over 30 fertilizer spikes in my back yard getting my landscape ready for fall/winter. As I slammed my rubber mallet down multiple times with each spike, I pondered how the phrase, "SPIKE IT", means different things to different people. When considering the term SPIKE IT (or any word/term for that matter), a person needs to consider who's saying it, how they're saying it, and what circumstances surround them saying it. The terms' meaning is determined by multiple considerations that need to be thought through.

As I continued in my yardwork, I began to think about how, in the Bible, there's many places that can be misunderstood if factors aren't considered and thought through. There are places in the Old Testament that tells us to "fear the Lord" and people tend to take that phrase in the literal form... to be afraid of the Lord. Many of the Bible references to "fear the Lord" aren't saying to be AFRAID of God, but to RESPECT & HONOR Him in a form of reverence. For a long time, I was guilty myself of hearing the phrase, "fear the Lord", and thinking it meant I must be "fearful" and "afraid" of Him. That mentality kept me from a closer relationship with Him.

Another phrase is, "...I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..." (Exodus 20:5- emphasis mine) Many think that God being a jealous God, means God is "jealous" OF us- he wants what we have; which is far from the actual meaning. The translation is from a Hebrew word meaning God is *focusing his desire for exclusive relationships. God being "a jealous God" means he wants FOR US what He has to give us... NOT He wants FROM US what we have. HUGE DIFFERENCE!

My point in sharing my weekend insights is to encourage you to think and ponder the different words and phrases in your everyday life and also those as you explore Scripture. Sometimes when you read a passage in the Bible that doesn't make sense, ask God to give you wisdom and discernment to understand. He will do this for you as you seek Him. (James 1:5) Also, take the time to look deeper into the who, what, where, when, etc; you'll be blessed for your effort to understand.

The ultimate "SPIKE IT"...

Thank You, Jesus!

* The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance

Mixed Feelings

We have a new president - Barack Obama. I have to admit, I have mixed feelings and I'm a bit bummed since I've been a McCain/Palin supporter. This will be an interesting time for America, for sure. As I reflect on the outcome of the election, I'm reminded that nothing happens that doesn't have a divine purpose; God is always in control. God's thoughts are not my thoughts and my ways are not God's ways... His thoughts and ways are always right.

SO, I go to the Word and find comfort to believe God and his providence.

"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment," Daniel 2:20-21 (MSG) (emphasis mine)

"Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God." Romans 13:1(NLT) (emphasis mine)

"Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say". Proverbs 16:33 (MSG)

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a plan for us, to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and future.

Let's all continue to pray for our country, pray for our military who defend our freedom, and pray for those God has placed in leadership. "In God We TRUST"

Improved Vision

I just read a devotional this morning (by Max Lucado) that included the following statement:

"As we get older, our vision should improve. Not our vision of earth, but our vision of heaven. Those who have spent their life looking for heaven gain a skip in their step as the city comes into view".

I pondered this statement and thought about how my physical eyes have become older, especially after I turned 40! My physical eyes have a hard time reading the small print on the back of a medicine bottle or the back of a food label... I probably need reading glasses. But my spiritual eyes have become much improved with clearer vision toward heaven just like the devotional mentioned. Thank God for that! I can't say I have spent my life "looking" for heaven, but I can say that in the past number of years as I've matured, I've gained new perspective on what is eternally important. Each day I try to keep my eyes focused on my BFF, Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my faith. I try to invest in eternal things such as being the best wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend I can possibly be. How do I invest?... through giving my unconditional love, giving time and attention, through faithfulness, compassion, commitment, and humble service to others' needs. I want to be the person with a "skip" in my step each day as heaven gets closer and closer and I get older and older.

My vision for life is clear and simple: To Know God, Make Him Known, and to Make a Difference in the lives of others.

To know God and make him known, I hang out with him. I make a choice to include him in my day through prayer, his Word, Bible study, and living out my faith unapologetically. As far as making a difference in others' lives, in my current "season of life", my most important purpose is to make a difference in the lives of my children and family members. As time slips, each day melts into the other, I realize how important it is to do the things I am purposed to do with a sense of urgency, with the motivation and power God gave me to do them. My kids are growing so fast and before I know it they'll be all grown up. I must be deliberate each day on how I invest in them and not put off until tomorrow what can be done today to make a difference... oh how time slips by so fast! Will I have made a difference as time passes? I hope so. I don't want to look back on this season of my life and think about "would have, could have, should have"... Once the time is gone, it's gone; my would have could have should have's will be nothing more than missed opportunities.

Prayer: Lord, Help me make the most out of each day. Help me to have "eyes to see and ears to hear" as you give me opportunities to make a difference in other's lives. Help me recognize your will for my life, equip me to be your hands and feet in the lives of those people you have placed around me, and give me the passion to put my faith in action as you direct. Lord, help me be the person you created me to be. Take out of me any self-centeredness I have and replace it with Christ-like qualities to be Christ-centered. Thank you, Lord for hearing my prayer and being Lord of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.