I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations the other day when a mom shared this thoughtful story. Her two year old son wa acting up and was getting into everything. She was busy tring to get things done. So she took the toddler and put him in a highchair. Of course he was not happy about his circumstances and began to throw a fit. After a few moments, he stopped mid-cry placed his hands on top of the tray, looked at his mom and calmly said, "Since I have to be here, can I at least have a cookie."
It is a funny story, but it also got me to thinking. Ya know sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we are not happy with. Most of the time we have caused ourselves to be where we are. We can either sit down and throw a fit hoping that someone will hear us and do something for us, or we can stop long enough to ask for a cookie.
Our cookies are the small things that we have to be thankful for. For example, our children (however cranky they may be) or our house (no matter how much you have to clean it) our new roof (even though there are still shingles on the ground that haven't been picked up yet). "In everything give thanks." I am truly thankful for all my cookies.
This world is hurting and needs to see Jesus. So quit throwing your fit, find your cookie, and maybe even share it with a friend.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Happy Independence Day
So, here it is a day before the 4th of July and a company I do business with made a montage for the 4th of July and sent it out. I am listening to the age old song "God bless the USA" also called "Proud to be an American" crying my eyes out. Mark it down for pregnancy harmones but there is so much I am thinking right now - that's why I am writing becuase my heart is overflowing and I need to let it all out.
First, there are so many many things that I am thankful for. God I thank you for my children. Even when they act like me and it gets on my nerves. Thank you that they are free! Thank you for my husband that loves someone else more than me - and that the someone is you. So many women don't have the peaceful home that I have. Thank you so very much. I know that my flesh doesn't deserve any of this but becuase you love me you gave it all to me. Thank you! Thank you for my extended family both physical and spiritual. So many times in my life I couldn't get through today without their help. Thank you that I have ears to hear the sounds around me and sight to see your many glories. Thank you for my tomorrows and my yesterdays.
Lord, my heart goes out to the families of the men and women who are defending this country right now. Warm their hearts with the love and peace only you can give. Thank you for the many sons and daughters that are overseas for a country that can't even agree on if they should be there or not. Lord, for those men and women that are serving right now - I pray you will cover them with such love and peace they know that it came directly from heaven above.
You want it is like to give a son to ungrateful people. Let an ungrateful America see that men and women are serving right now and losing their lives that they are serving for even them.
First, there are so many many things that I am thankful for. God I thank you for my children. Even when they act like me and it gets on my nerves. Thank you that they are free! Thank you for my husband that loves someone else more than me - and that the someone is you. So many women don't have the peaceful home that I have. Thank you so very much. I know that my flesh doesn't deserve any of this but becuase you love me you gave it all to me. Thank you! Thank you for my extended family both physical and spiritual. So many times in my life I couldn't get through today without their help. Thank you that I have ears to hear the sounds around me and sight to see your many glories. Thank you for my tomorrows and my yesterdays.
Lord, my heart goes out to the families of the men and women who are defending this country right now. Warm their hearts with the love and peace only you can give. Thank you for the many sons and daughters that are overseas for a country that can't even agree on if they should be there or not. Lord, for those men and women that are serving right now - I pray you will cover them with such love and peace they know that it came directly from heaven above.
You want it is like to give a son to ungrateful people. Let an ungrateful America see that men and women are serving right now and losing their lives that they are serving for even them.
Monday, May 12, 2008
What's in a Name
God has so many names! There is a song out by a not-so-well-known artist that just brings all of this into one song. It is incredible. I truly believe that there is a almighty power that is called forth by calling God his full name(s). It is like being in a room full of people and you are callling your children but without response, but then you add that middle name and they immediately turn around.
The next time you need that peace that passes all human understanding try calling out to Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is my Peace! I can't really explain it in words. It is just more powerful!
Oh by the way the song I am talking about is "I love to say Your name" by John Waller.
There is so much power in the names of God. I have already posted one blog about my Jehovah Nissi. I am working on one about My Jehovah Rapha - The Lord my Healer. I am not posting it yet because I am not happy with the structure of it yet. I hope to post it soon.
The next time you need that peace that passes all human understanding try calling out to Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is my Peace! I can't really explain it in words. It is just more powerful!
Oh by the way the song I am talking about is "I love to say Your name" by John Waller.
There is so much power in the names of God. I have already posted one blog about my Jehovah Nissi. I am working on one about My Jehovah Rapha - The Lord my Healer. I am not posting it yet because I am not happy with the structure of it yet. I hope to post it soon.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Jer 29:11 - In a New Light
11 For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD, plans for welfare (peace) and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
You this is a scripture that I have heard all my life to encourage me through a rough time, to lift me up when I was dicouraged, or just to help me through a velly season. But last night as I was praying for a friend I realized something. This was spoken from the heart of God to me, and in the same way my husband, my children, and my friends should know that I feel the same way about them.
I want my husband to let me know that even when we disagree, or he feels differently about something than I do, that his plans for me are for peace and hope. He should feel the same way about me. My everyday actions should let him know that I want our future to be happy. That if I confront him about something that it is becuase I want our future to be better.
My children should see that even when I have to discipline them that it is becuase I love them and it is going to make the future more peaceful.
All in all, it goes along with doing everything in love. Maybe it is just seeing it in a diiferent light. It makes me examine my motives and actions more closely.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Who is God? My Jehovah Nissi
Recently, during worship God simply asked me who he was to me and I heard the question, "How can you worship someone without knowing who they are?" So I began going through the small list of names of God that I knew and what they meant to me. So now I am going to go through and spend a little time on each one of them as I am led and dig a little deeper into what they mean and the scriptures attached to the name.
My favorite is Jehovah Nissi. It simply means The Lord Our Banner.
The only reference to this is in Exodus 17:15. Moses had sent Joshua to war with Amalek. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up on the mountain overlooking the battlefield. If Moses' hands were up the army was winning, if not they were losing. So Aaron and Hur stood on either side and held up his hands for him. After the batlle was won Moses built an alter to The Lord Our Banner.
I find it strange that this is the only place where it is mentioned. However you can find many references to banners in battle. The banner is what identified your family, your army, whatever group you were in. The people carrying the banner were the first ones to the battle field.
Pslams 60:4 says: Then you planted a flag to rally your people, an unfurled flag to look to for courage. (the message) Other versions say a banner.
Song of Soloman 2:4 says: He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Whenever I think of God being my Jehovah Nissi I see a majestic banner that goes before me into battle and everyday life. This banner is so majestic that it alone demands respect. The enemy fears this banner because it is a banner that never falls during battle. I see Aslan from the movie standing on the rock with a majestic beautiful flowing banner behind him.
The banner over each and every one of us is LOVE. He loves us more than we will ever be able to grasp. He stands over us even when we battle. All we have to do is look to him in that battle and He will give us courage.
My favorite is Jehovah Nissi. It simply means The Lord Our Banner.
The only reference to this is in Exodus 17:15. Moses had sent Joshua to war with Amalek. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up on the mountain overlooking the battlefield. If Moses' hands were up the army was winning, if not they were losing. So Aaron and Hur stood on either side and held up his hands for him. After the batlle was won Moses built an alter to The Lord Our Banner.
I find it strange that this is the only place where it is mentioned. However you can find many references to banners in battle. The banner is what identified your family, your army, whatever group you were in. The people carrying the banner were the first ones to the battle field.
Pslams 60:4 says: Then you planted a flag to rally your people, an unfurled flag to look to for courage. (the message) Other versions say a banner.
Song of Soloman 2:4 says: He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Whenever I think of God being my Jehovah Nissi I see a majestic banner that goes before me into battle and everyday life. This banner is so majestic that it alone demands respect. The enemy fears this banner because it is a banner that never falls during battle. I see Aslan from the movie standing on the rock with a majestic beautiful flowing banner behind him.
The banner over each and every one of us is LOVE. He loves us more than we will ever be able to grasp. He stands over us even when we battle. All we have to do is look to him in that battle and He will give us courage.
Monday, March 31, 2008
pink impact 08
The drums and the heartbeat of God
During worship one session, God told me, “Listen to the drums.” I don’t even know what song was being sung but the drums were strong and resonated in my chest. I could get pass the strong deep base drum. Then he said, “That’s my heartbeat.” All weekend during worship I kept hearing the drums and found myself sitting down closing my eyes and focusing just on the driving force of the drums. I was also driven to listen to the song “little Drummer Boy.” I couldn’t shake the feeling. I tried to go into the bathroom and listen to it but I couldn’t focus on the song because of too many distractions. Later that night I got to sit down and listen to the song. So far I have gotten that God wants me to walk to a different beat and he doesn’t want me to just hear it, he wants me to feel the heartbeat of God and be able to respond to it in an instant. The beat is strong and deep and is a driving force. But, it is not a beat that I am creating, I am only following it.
The beat is the heartbeat of God. I just have to be close enough to feel it. I pictured the scene in Dirty Dancing where he and Babe are starting to practice and she has her hand on his chest on his hand on hers tapping the rhythm of the song on her hand with his fingers. Then when she gets the rhythm they start dancing. But instead God was standing behind me with his arms around me. My hand was on my chest over my heart on his hand was covering mine. I could feel his chest pressed close to my back and could feel his pulse. He was tapping his fingers against my hand wanting my heartbeat to match his. Of course God is no human – so it was not just a steady pulse. It was more like the beat of a drum in a song.
(These are the notes I made in the hotel that night as I listened to “The little drummer boy” over and over.) Heartbeat, God wants me to feel, know, and even anticipate His heartbeat. Like a drum it can change timing, rhythm, and intensity at any moment. It fills the music around it. It supports the music, the song, the lyrics. Without it the music sounds empty or even lifeless. The drums are the heartbeat of the song. The drums often drive the dance. Drummers are different. Drummers must be in sync with each other. There is a team. I must surround myself with other drummers, others of a different breed. We flow with each other knowing when it is our turn as lead and when we support.
· All of this must be done to bring Him honor
· I have to come. Move. Let’s roll!
· I can’t let the “finest gifts” of the “other kings” intimidate me
· Drummers have a different language
· I have no gift that I THINK is honorable enough
· God will bless what is in my hand – I have so much more than I can see with my physical eyes
· Mary nodded – I have permission
· When I play “my drum” praise will be lifted to honor the king
· I WILL play my best for Him – that is what I have been called to do. He is always listening to me
· I already have a smile from him
Me in a box
God also showed me something about myself this weekend. Growing up I was always taught not to put God in a box. Well, I haven’t. I know God is big enough to do anything. He can heal, he will provide, he is I AM. BUT – I have put myself in a box. I have told God, “Yeah you are big enough to do whatever you want. There is nothing you can’t do. But not using me. I am always just going to be here and I am not big enough to really change the world. Yeah, I can impact a few close friends but I am not going to be doing anything much bigger than I am right now.” I have put myself in a box. Not expecting to ever get out.
Something bigger than me
That same night God birthed something in my spirit. I am still not sure what it is. I know it is bigger than anything I have ever expected. The size of what it is going end up as truly scares me. It is bigger than me. I don’t know exactly what it is, but God showed me that I was going to start something very large. Larger than myself. I don’t know what it is or what I should do with this feeling that I have. It is just a God seed right now. I feel a stirring in my spirit though. A feeling that there is a seed of something in my spirit that is powerful, life-changing, and bigger than me. I just get this feeling that I am not going to do it alone but that I am going to spark it off. I am going to have a large part of getting it started but God is going to bring the expansion. It is HUGE! And I have no idea of what “it” is. It is ministry but to who, or how, or why, I don’t know. It will change lives and bring Him honor. I see myself with leaders organizing and putting this together with great anticipation and urgency. But I don’t know what “it” is yet.
It goes back to the heartbeat thing. I feel that the next season in my life is going to be very different than anything I know right now. I have been called to find the heartbeat of God. To feel it, anticipate it, learn it, and then there will come a time when I will be called upon to play and I am going to have to be ready.
While one of the speakers was talking God quicken this in my spirit, “Stop. Drop. Roll.” I asked why. And he simply said, “When on fire – Stop, Drop, Roll.” While I was praying about this, I saw that when I was in the awesome anointing fire of God I needed to stop drop and roll. Stop and be still to hear the voice of God. Drop the things of life that just make us “busy” and notice, really notice what was going on in that moment. Roll with what action I need to take in that very moment.
What does a sparkplug do? It fires. I am God’s sparkplug. There will be divine moments where God cuase me to fire and I must be ready to Stop, drop and roll in that moment. One of those moments God is going to start something that is divine and bigger than myself and it will cause a movement in the body of Christ to bring his bride closer to him. I just have to be ready. That is my only responsibility. Thank you for showing me that God. THANK YOU THANK YOU TAHNK YOU!
During worship one session, God told me, “Listen to the drums.” I don’t even know what song was being sung but the drums were strong and resonated in my chest. I could get pass the strong deep base drum. Then he said, “That’s my heartbeat.” All weekend during worship I kept hearing the drums and found myself sitting down closing my eyes and focusing just on the driving force of the drums. I was also driven to listen to the song “little Drummer Boy.” I couldn’t shake the feeling. I tried to go into the bathroom and listen to it but I couldn’t focus on the song because of too many distractions. Later that night I got to sit down and listen to the song. So far I have gotten that God wants me to walk to a different beat and he doesn’t want me to just hear it, he wants me to feel the heartbeat of God and be able to respond to it in an instant. The beat is strong and deep and is a driving force. But, it is not a beat that I am creating, I am only following it.
The beat is the heartbeat of God. I just have to be close enough to feel it. I pictured the scene in Dirty Dancing where he and Babe are starting to practice and she has her hand on his chest on his hand on hers tapping the rhythm of the song on her hand with his fingers. Then when she gets the rhythm they start dancing. But instead God was standing behind me with his arms around me. My hand was on my chest over my heart on his hand was covering mine. I could feel his chest pressed close to my back and could feel his pulse. He was tapping his fingers against my hand wanting my heartbeat to match his. Of course God is no human – so it was not just a steady pulse. It was more like the beat of a drum in a song.
(These are the notes I made in the hotel that night as I listened to “The little drummer boy” over and over.) Heartbeat, God wants me to feel, know, and even anticipate His heartbeat. Like a drum it can change timing, rhythm, and intensity at any moment. It fills the music around it. It supports the music, the song, the lyrics. Without it the music sounds empty or even lifeless. The drums are the heartbeat of the song. The drums often drive the dance. Drummers are different. Drummers must be in sync with each other. There is a team. I must surround myself with other drummers, others of a different breed. We flow with each other knowing when it is our turn as lead and when we support.
· All of this must be done to bring Him honor
· I have to come. Move. Let’s roll!
· I can’t let the “finest gifts” of the “other kings” intimidate me
· Drummers have a different language
· I have no gift that I THINK is honorable enough
· God will bless what is in my hand – I have so much more than I can see with my physical eyes
· Mary nodded – I have permission
· When I play “my drum” praise will be lifted to honor the king
· I WILL play my best for Him – that is what I have been called to do. He is always listening to me
· I already have a smile from him
Me in a box
God also showed me something about myself this weekend. Growing up I was always taught not to put God in a box. Well, I haven’t. I know God is big enough to do anything. He can heal, he will provide, he is I AM. BUT – I have put myself in a box. I have told God, “Yeah you are big enough to do whatever you want. There is nothing you can’t do. But not using me. I am always just going to be here and I am not big enough to really change the world. Yeah, I can impact a few close friends but I am not going to be doing anything much bigger than I am right now.” I have put myself in a box. Not expecting to ever get out.
Something bigger than me
That same night God birthed something in my spirit. I am still not sure what it is. I know it is bigger than anything I have ever expected. The size of what it is going end up as truly scares me. It is bigger than me. I don’t know exactly what it is, but God showed me that I was going to start something very large. Larger than myself. I don’t know what it is or what I should do with this feeling that I have. It is just a God seed right now. I feel a stirring in my spirit though. A feeling that there is a seed of something in my spirit that is powerful, life-changing, and bigger than me. I just get this feeling that I am not going to do it alone but that I am going to spark it off. I am going to have a large part of getting it started but God is going to bring the expansion. It is HUGE! And I have no idea of what “it” is. It is ministry but to who, or how, or why, I don’t know. It will change lives and bring Him honor. I see myself with leaders organizing and putting this together with great anticipation and urgency. But I don’t know what “it” is yet.
It goes back to the heartbeat thing. I feel that the next season in my life is going to be very different than anything I know right now. I have been called to find the heartbeat of God. To feel it, anticipate it, learn it, and then there will come a time when I will be called upon to play and I am going to have to be ready.
While one of the speakers was talking God quicken this in my spirit, “Stop. Drop. Roll.” I asked why. And he simply said, “When on fire – Stop, Drop, Roll.” While I was praying about this, I saw that when I was in the awesome anointing fire of God I needed to stop drop and roll. Stop and be still to hear the voice of God. Drop the things of life that just make us “busy” and notice, really notice what was going on in that moment. Roll with what action I need to take in that very moment.
What does a sparkplug do? It fires. I am God’s sparkplug. There will be divine moments where God cuase me to fire and I must be ready to Stop, drop and roll in that moment. One of those moments God is going to start something that is divine and bigger than myself and it will cause a movement in the body of Christ to bring his bride closer to him. I just have to be ready. That is my only responsibility. Thank you for showing me that God. THANK YOU THANK YOU TAHNK YOU!
Monday, March 10, 2008
I'M PREGNANT!!!
So, for those who don't know I am pregnant. I wanted to wait until I went to the doctor until I posted anything. God's timing is AWESOME!! Anyway - the doctor did an ultrasound and according to him I am right around 5 weeks. My due date is Nov. 8th. I am really excited! I am REALLY hoping for a girl this time. We haven't fully picked a name or anything yet.
Okay, well I have to go clean now - BOO! But I can use my birthday present. (A shark steam mop) We'll see how good it works.
Okay, well I have to go clean now - BOO! But I can use my birthday present. (A shark steam mop) We'll see how good it works.
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