WHY BLOG?

October 28th Reading

Blogging seems to be a trend these days. I visit many different blog sites weekly and they all seem to create a community based around a core theme or message. Back in the bible times they met in all kinds of places to hear a message, ask questions or discuss topics. Blogging is a great tool to partner with media and friends from all over to listen, reflect and consider truths together while offering a forum to post comments and bounce ideas back and forth.

I love having my coffee in the early mornings while spending time with God and discovering the truths God wants me to ponder and consider. I then take the message and put it to paper, then paper to computer! My Blog is really like my journal.

In today's reading, a verse jumped out to me that reminded me of  WHY I BLOG.

                                            2 Timothy 2:7
 "CONSIDER WHAT I SAY, AND MAY THE LORD
   GIVE YOU UNDERSTANDING IN ALL THINGS."

Paul was speaking to his friend Timothy in this portion of scripture. He expressed the importance of considering and reflecting on what he says. Paul was always encouraging and exhorting Timothy in his daily walk. Paul would give him points to ponder, questions to consider and promises to embrace. Timothy had challenging tasks ahead of him and Paul pointed him to a core message of truth.

WOW, I think we all face daily challenges just like Paul and Timothy? I most certainly need a point to ponder, a question to consider and a promise to embrace as I stay committed and steadfast to the journey God has for me!

I remember my life when I did not see from God's view.
                  How I was defining my life was determining my DESTINY!

Decisions, attitudes and perspectives can greatly influence how you reflect and consider your daily life.

Character is both developed and revealed.

My greatest desire and passion is for us all to reflect and consider together then allow God to give you the understanding from HIS POINT OF VIEW. Remember my destiny changed when I removed my view and replaced it with HIS view.

How does the blog work?
In each blog we are given a portion of truth to read daily. (Click on the date at the top of post and it will take you directly to the best book ever written)

I pick a portion of truth out of the reading that spoke to me and then I formulate that into a principle of truth that we can reflect and consider throughout the day.

If you want to step it up a notch then memorize the scripture. I encourage you to write it down and and stick it in your purse or in a place you will come across it throughout the day.

At the end of each DAILY DEVO a question will be presented. This question helps us all think about what we have just read and how it applies to you personally. Remember, Paul asked his friend Timothy to REFLECT AND CONSIDER.

I strongly urge you to get others involved in reading the DAILY DEVO'S. A journey is better when shared!  I received an email from a lady a few  months back that was taking the DEVO'S to her jail ministry to share, discuss and bounce ideas off each other. That blessed me so much and I pray today that God is opening up their understanding! He has a destiny and a new perspective for their lives!

Our spiritual growth is molded through Godly friendship and fellowship.

In 2011, only a few months away, I will begin to follow God in a speaking ministry. I know God will open more doors to grow the community of HIS blog. I am also planning to start an on line study mid 2011 called "RUN LIKE YOU MEAN IT" this will be an 8 week course with content for us to CONSIDER and REFLECT  daily followed by the ability to interact in a community chat. The course will also have a 15 minute power video from me that will target a main verse.

I am diligently seeking God daily for his plans in 2011. I have been spending many days training with God on the middle school track across the street! The neighbors must think I am nuts because I often just sit on the bleachers staring up into the sky.

I pray and believe that 2011 will bring a NEW sense of hope, energy and joy that comes from discovery oor personal doors to destiny.

*Your life is worth taking the time to REFLECT AND CONSIDER. God has a purpose for you friend.

* How do you see your life?     From HIS view or your view?

*Will you begin to open your heart and personalize the daily truth?

REMEMBER in order to discover the door to your destiny you must not rush through the truths but CONSIDER AND REFLECT.

VERSE TO REMEMBER: 2 Timothy 2:7 "Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things"

This is why I blog,

MY SCOOP OF OATMEAL

October 27th Reading

OK I had to laugh at myself this morning because my goofy mistake reminded me of today's devotional!
I was making oatmeal this morning and I was in a hurry and  had to microwave my oats. Now I know some people cringe at the thought of using a microwave....especially my dad, it's a sin to heat anything in the microwave within his presence.
Well, I put the oats in for 3 minutes and upon my return the "little" scoop of oatmeal was rising up all around the microwave. The warmth of the microwave spun my oatmeal around until it was running over, swelling in size and bubbling with heat!

That little scoop of oatmeal reminded me of my beginning journey in Faith.

I want to share a couple factors that touched my life unknowingly and pushed me towards my door to destiny. That "little" scoop of oatmeal(my faith) is now running over , bubbling with joy and swelling in the spirit!  OK, I know I am getting a little silly but hey I am a visual so bare with me friends!

What couple factors touched my life?

Have you ever received a letter or card from a friend that encouraged you to live a continued "consistent" Christ centered life in the midst of difficulties, trials or change?

Have you ever received a letter or a card from a friend that just wanted to remind you of a "clear message"  that a constant, consistent good lifestyle was only possible in the strength of Christ?

Have you ever received a card from a friend reminding you that God was gonna do BIG things in your life?

I have a treasure box sitting above my office desk full of cards and letters from friends that have nurtured my faith (or bowl of oatmeal) all along my journey. These cards have helped mold my life. Each card was specific in a season and has touched my life unknowingly and has prepared me for God's call to salvation and full time ministry.

I did not grow up in a family that was grounded solid in the Word of God and kept by the Holy spirits promptings. I did grow up going to church but there's a difference. I do not blame my parents because they did the best of what they knew. When I look at my grandparents they also did not reflect a life molded in consistent, constant faith. My parents along with my personal family are learning now what a family "striving" in their purpose and holy calling from God looks like.  Still a work in progress!

My notes, letters and cards all helped me learn and then stay in pattern with a heart before God! In many of my letters my friends encouraged me in my calling from God. Its funny how friends can see things in you that you don't see!

In 1 Timothy 1:9 it states "Who has saved us and "called us" with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began."

I was exhorted as a young woman through friends and still today to continue fanning into flame the gift for ministry that the spirit imputed in me. My cards would simply remind me to stay focused and pursue my calling.

1 Timothy 1:6 "Therefore I remind you to STIR up the gift of God which was in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given you (Heather) a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and a SOUND MIND"

These are powerful words and they can come as reminders from friends. In 1 Timothy we see a relationship between the apostle Paul and a young man named Timothy. Paul would write letters from prison encouraging his friend to stand steadfast and stay committed. Paul outlined a pattern for Timothy and explained to Him from prison that sometimes ministry includes the possibility of suffering while  still the promising of something great. Paul from his jail cell remembered Gods goodness to him and he wanted to consistently remind Timothy to stay grounded and kept by the Holy Spirit and not to be easily swayed.
Timothy was stirred up in His faith to utilize the abilities and skills God has given him.

A note from a friend can enlarge and develop your calling in so many ways.

I just received a note from a friend recently reminding me that she is praying for God to do BIG things.
Her exhortation was a blessing in my time of change. Sometimes you can feel STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR DREAMS and these cards come just in time!

Are you a little scoop of oatmeal left in a bowl and feeling dry and half full with life?
Then I encourage you to step out and get involved in a local bible believing church or start in a small group within your church home. God will work through the people he places around you in life. Do not stay on your personal Island friends!

Do you know of someone you can send a note to today?
That note may be the stirring a friend needs to simply walk through her door of destiny!

Thank God today for what He is doing and will do in your walk of Faith!

Have a great day, I am off to the track to continue training for my upcoming race!

BFF

October 26th Reading

I love that God’s word is so consistent. I still amazes me, that you can take two completely separate books in the Bible, like today’s reading, and find so much commonality. It is comforting to worship a God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul is warning Timothy and his church of the evil that is spreading through the people around them. In Jeremiah, God is warning the prophet about the growing wickedness that surrounds him. God tells Jeremiah, be careful of everyone around you. In both cases, the questionable people, had turned from God and were seeking the wrong things. They claimed to be good and yet they were going from sin to sin. They loved money and were seeking it more than anything else. They craved material things that would show their status. They sought success according to what others defined as successful.

These warnings came thousands of years ago, and yet they are still true today. It is so easy to listen to the worldly people and messages that surround us.

“You will be happy when...”

“To be a success...”

“If you owned...”

With only this little bit of information, it would be easy to start analyzing all of our

relationships, identify the “bad eggs” and toss them out of our lives. But, this is not God’s way. We will never learn to be victorious in a fallen world if we are trying to get rid of our problems instead of learning to overcome them.

So, what are we to do? The answer is simple: B.F.F.

1.  Boast- Do not boast of your riches, your successes, or your wisdom. Boast in the fact that you know the Lord, who is kind, just and righteous. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

2.  Flee- I found humor in the fact that Paul says, “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). All of the material things that the world tells us we “need” to make us happy will still be here when we are gone. These things don’t really matter. “Flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness”.

3.  Fight- In a dark world, we have to fight to hold on to truth. “Fight the good fight of faith take hold of the eternal life to which you were called”. (1 Timothy 6:12) We need to know God’s way and hold tight to it.

My husband is a good judge of character. Within the first few moments of meeting someone, he has a fairly good idea of who they are and what they are about. I on the other hand, am not. It takes me a while to know someone and even after being around someone, I am often surprised that they turn out to be completely different than I first thought. It is so hard for me to know who to trust, who to believe and who is truly a person of good character (not just good at acting).

It is hard to find someone who is always a good influence on our lives. But, there is someone we can trust every time, who we can turn to for answers, who will guide us and teach us the right way. God only wants the best for us. He wants to bless us and give us good things, but He will not do it if the cost is our relationship with Him. He wants to be our best friend! He wants to be the first one we reach out to. He wants us to follow Him because He knows what is best for us. The bonus is that the more time we spend with Him, the better women we become.

Lord, I thank you for always wanting the best for me. I don’t want to be a rebellious child. I don’t want to go after the things of this world, but I know at times I do. Please forgive me for the times that I did not seek you first. Please teach me your ways. Change my heart, so that I will pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness rather than the material things that do not last. I want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. I want to seek you first today and everyday. I love you and I thank you for loving me so completely, just as I am. Amen.

Who is your B.F.F? He is calling you right now.

Hugs,

Lynnette

Fast, Fit or Fun?

October 25th Reading

I have been concerned about a silly question that I was asked when registering for the annual Turkey Trot this past week. The Turkey Trot is a 10k (6mile) race in downtown Detroit, thanksgiving morning. My family all takes part in this event. However this is the first year they asked the question are you FAST, FIT or FUN. When you register you will receive a numbered bib on race day and a color according to one of the three categories. The categories are based on your running pace so if you're FAST you run about 7 minute miles, FIT is 7-10 min miles and FUN is 10 minute miles and over.

I struggle because I fall under FUN and I want to be FIT!
I run about 10 minute or 11 minute miles, especially in a 6 mile run. Well all week long this has bothered and concerned me. I have a bit of a competitive attitude especially when the rest of my family including my `13 year old son all registered under FIT! I registered everyone but myself for right now because I am determined to push myself in the next 5 weeks and train to run with a faster pace. I will wear the bib that says FIT and not FUN! I know this is so silly but I want to be FIT!

I downloaded a personal trainer this past week for my I pod that will help me run a 10k at a great pace!- It is a 8 week training period however I only have 5 weeks left so I have to skip the first 3 training weeks and go directly to week 3-6 this morning!  I have ran this particular race for several years and never cared about my pace until they came out with the TITLES. This really struck me and made me decide to up my performance and get more serious! I want to be FIT!

Today I did the daily reading and found an amazing comparison. Just as this race has labels of Fast, Fit and Fun. I believe we as humans will all fall under a category with God on judgment day. Some of us are running the race of faith under FAST, meaning they are doing all the requirements and traditions as they move through life at a fast pace. Others are FIT, they truly have crossed the line of faith and have been saved walking in a real relationship with Jesus. But Most live under FUN, claiming to know Jesus but live life the way they want with no concern about their performance or real heart condition.

The end of the race and the return of Jesus is coming soon. I believe we all will face a day in which we stand before God with a certain colored bib on, if I may say.... In the light of this fact I want to draw attention to a verse from today's reading..

Jeremiah 8:20, the verse says...

"THE HARVEST HAS PASSED

THE SUMMER HAS ENDED

AND WE ARE NOT SAVED"

This is the conclusion of these passages. Jeremiah, otherwise known as the "weeping prophet" was hurt over Israels spiritual state. Jeremiah knew Gods judgment would consume them. When summer is ended, the crops have been raised and the harvest taken in. There is no more grain to combine, no more corn to husk, the first frost has come and there are no more tomatoes to pick! The garden is bare. Whatever seeds didn't sprout up, aren't going to. The time is at hand. A time will come when the doors of heaven will shut and many will stand on the other side crying to the Lord but the opportunity is gone.

NOT SAVED

These are words of lost opportunity...

I remember a time that these words seemed so foreign to me and a bit religious. But I decided to chase after an opportunity that presented itself in a season in my life and now I understand that being saved is about being FIT spiritually and running the race with a different pace full of purpose.

In today's reading we have a picture of Israel, which is to act like a picture of us. They were in captivity because of their sin. Sin is rebellion towards God or just simply to busy to FIT him in. We are able to sow seed of success, raise a cute family, go to work every morning, earn a living, go into old age, have a retirement, have grandchildren. Doing everything but no concern about your soul being FIT spiritually. What will it look like the day you cross the finish line. Whether you know it or not we are all running in a race.

I wish my blog today was a floury, puffy-up pastry type of writing but as I sit and actually see the summer come to an end an the harvest almost gone the question remains standing this morning...


ARE YOU SAVED?     

Are you concerned about your race and crossing the line of faith?

Have you thought about where you will wake up in eternity?

Have you passed up opportunities through the seasons cycles?

We do not want to be concerned when it's to late. My deepest concern this morning after the reading is for those that are not concerned and when the summer past and harvest ends and you are not saved. A time will come when the cycles of the seasons of life will be done because this life on earth will be over. Jesus has returned!

Get this.... WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING TO END UP IN HELL we do not have to lift a finger or have any concerns.

God today is still pursuing and presenting opportunities till the day of salvation draws to a close, when the Lord comes. Friend, there may be NO hope then but there's hope now. You can't go back in time to your opportunities but you can take them now!

What is your destiny? We all have a day of opportunity but all our spiritual summers will pass and harvests will come to an end. Are you saved my friend?

Lord Jesus, I know you died for me and I put my trust in you. I turn from my Independence and turn to you. Save me and make me your own. In the name of the savior I ask, AMEN.

Remember, it is not the prayer that saves you but the relationship you are pursuing.

How do you want to run your race? Just as I went to register this past week for my upcoming race, It was all in the way the opportunity presented itself that made me concerned in how I was going to run this race. I am making a choice to run FIT.

Did you make any choices today through this divine opportunity?

Love ya friends!

Becoming submissive

October 22nd Reading

I am pretty sure the title alone will irritate some women.  For a long time it was a term that infuriated me, how could some man expect me to be submissive to him, doesn't that mean my independence, originality, opinions and whatever else is lost forever???  No it does not.

Learning to be submissive has been extra hard for me, I never thought that it would ever become clear for me, but it has.  I am no where near perfect, but I am really trying to get it right.

So many people just go through life doing as they see fit and never doing what they are supposed to do, just doing as they so choose.  These types of people are not following very basic instructions. My pastor said last week that if we all worried about how our actions and choices were affecting those around us then we might not make the choices we do.  That is a profound statement.  If parents thought about them cheating on their spouse as a family decision, maybe so many people wouldn't commit adultery.  If children thought about their choices as a family decision, maybe they wouldn't be so quick to do drugs or drink or commit crimes.

There are so many children out there with out their other parent because of selfish choices.  So many children have not had their other parent around to teach them the right or wrong things to do or not do.  It is really quite sad when you think about it.  You might be thinking what does that have to do with being submissive?  Well actually, it has a lot to do with it.  If you look at the umbrella picture it tells you how we are supposed to be doing things.  If Christ is at the top of our life, then our husbands should love his wife as Christ loves him.  If a man is going to do this then he must provide for his family, protect his family and make sure that his wife's only job is to take care of home and the children. 

Now what about the households where the parents were never married?  Well if we were all waiting until we were married to begin a physical relationship with our mate, then we wouldn't have children to worry about on our own anyways.  I am guilty of this as well, so I am definitely not pointing any fingers, but the real truth is had I waited to be physical with my husband then I would not be going through much of what I have.  My choices put me in a bad place, it was a place where I felt cornered and that I had to do things to protect my children.

My pastor also told me one time, how do you ever expect your husband to be the man that God called him to be, if you are always taking care of everything?  That was a punch in the gut!  In my mind, I was thinking how do I let go and let him take over?  Everything will fall apart if he doesn't do it quick enough.  I was scared to death, but I let go and he has held the same job (he has always worked, just at different jobs) for two and a half years now, takes more initiative around the house and he feels a sense of pride for being the one to take care of us.  I knew that my going to jail was a sign that I needed to settle down and stop trying to take God's matters into my own hands.  I stepped back and stopped trying to be the provider and just became the mother.  It feels so good!   
1 Timothy 2:11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission

I hope that the wives out there can understand the huge importance of being submissive to your husband.  It doesn't mean that you can't be you, it just means that you must put him first, even if he is acting silly!  That is the most important time to put him first, God is waiting to see what choice you are going to make.  My husband gets on my last nerve almost every day, but I love him and I have to push through to the next day. We are both in the hands of the potter.

Keep striving to be the person that God wants you to be, it will pay off!

-Kari

THE WEB OF INSANITY

October 21st Reading                       

Hello Bloggy friends! If you did not get a chance to read yesterdays post on YOUR PERSONAL SPIDER WEB, I encourage you to take a quick look. Today I feel very lead to follow up on that post. I received many personal emails yesterday from dear friends that are STUCK in that web. I have to say my heart hurts so bad because I understand what it feels like to be helpless and hopeless. All along you know what is right but you're not able to be set free from the detailed web of Bondage!

I woke several times last night thinking of several of you. The weather took a crazy turn late in the night and it became very windy, cold and rainy. As I laid in my bed looking out the window I visualized my friends out in the damp, windy cold looking in at me. I imagined myself rolling open my window and bringing them into my warm cozy room then placing a blanket around them. No more wind, soaking wet rain and damp chills.

Being STUCK in the web of sin is miserable. Especially when you know what you need to do and yet you cannot seem to crawl out. Sin is so sticky that once you get sucked in it's hard to get out. When stuck after sometime we realize that we messed up and made few wrong turns. The thought of untangling ourselves in overwhelming. Then enemy has completely worn you out and you feel blown all around, damp and cold inside and soaking wet in misery.


In todays reading ISAIAH 62-64

We see a picture like I described above. God is looking out the window at his beautiful daughters that are being tossed in the whirl wind of life, shivering, chilled and drenched ,feeling stuck in the web of sin and no way out. God will carry us in these helpless times but we choose to respond with rebellion. God then needs to just watch us through a closed window and let us suffer the consequences of our sin, which separates us from the presence of the Lord. He is waiting to open that window and help you out of the web of sin.

JOHN 8:32 You shall Know the truth and the Truth shall SET YOU FREE

Do you want to be set FREE?

FREE to do what God wants to do?

FREE to overcome the traps the enemy sets before you?

In today's reading Isaiah Chapter 63 and 64 goes along with our illustration of a beautiful women being trapped in the windy cold looking up at the window in which God sits. When She looks up into the closed window she is asking, "God is your mercy and strength restrained from me?" This precious women wants to be rescued she is ready to take hold of the hand of God.

Friends I have one important step I want to share with you today. Picture God looking down from the windows of heaven asking you this question.

"ARE YOU READY TO FULLY FOLLOW ME AND TURN OVER YOUR LIFE TO ME SO I MAY DIRECT YOUR LIVES?"

The decision to follow is not a destination its the beginning of a journey of being SET FREE.

I came to this decision when I realized how sin was affecting my life. I was tired of and the pain was becoming greater. My strength was sapped and bones wasting away as I stood shivering in the cold damp windy rains.

We can go to church, pray, show up to counseling, go to small groups and support groups BUT none of that will matter if you have not come to a DECISION to willingly desire GODS priorities as our priorities. When our goal is to LOVE God and have a relationship with Him, He will give us Peace and happiness as a by product. God's Desires must become our desires.

Taking a personal MORAL inventory of ourselves is important. When you come to the point of feeling stuck and trapped in the WEB of sin you will notice all the details and traps that wove that web together. This is the time we need to examine and PROBE our ways and return to GOD.

Sure life on the run and having fun is exciting....OR IS IT SATANS NUMBER ONE TRAP?

God is not harsh and demanding, He is loving, merciful and full of compassion. He loves us with an everlasting love. He wants to restore us to SANITY, a life that is FREE.

My husband said to me not long ago that "INSANITY, is doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results." We need to break that cycle, the choice is yours and the strength will come from God. When he begins to open the window after you call out with the RIGHT HEART you will all of a sudden feel the warmth coming from the opened window.

Jesus greatest concern is for those hurting and stuck in the web of SIN.

Do you believe Jesus can restore you to sanity?

Make a decision today sisters to face your powerlessness and admit that your self-sufficiency is an illusion. Stop allowing satan to handle you like a puppet on a string being jerked from here and there.

Have you decided to turn your life over to God?

Think about how your-self will has damaged your life?

Take a moral inventory  but do not feel guilty or shameful, just be willing to allow God to open the window and save you from sin and yourself!

Love and prayers for your decisions today friends!

PERSONAL SPIDER WEB

October 20th Reading                       

After this mornings reading, I was able to use the verses to reflect back upon my journey. As I glanced at the large mirror above my fireplace decorated in a large spider web I was reminded of my personal web and the journey of getting out. It helped me to see all the promises God has already provided and brought comfort to my anxieties. I tend to get anxious when I think about the big dream and desires God placed in my heart. The past few months I have felt caught in the middle of the dreams. God has brought much CHANGE into my life over the past several years. Do you ever feel as you are going through change like you are going down a wicked water slide in the dark and your head is up at the top where you started? Well, that's how I feel most days.  It is thrilling and exciting journey, however its hard to make out the details. I wonder daily what God is up to. The good thing is I can look back over the many years and see the PATTERN of God in my life. This really helps me refocus and know God is in control and I should just enjoy the ride!

Today's reading which is located at the top of every post,  if you "CLICK" the date it will take you directly to the word of God for that days reading. If you get a moment go  http://wowdailybible.com/ This site was created by Brooke Darling and her daughter Claire. I worked with them in ministry in the church I just relocated from. I was honored when they asked me to continue as the Blog writer for The Word Daily. Accountability is very important when you are in the middle of a dream.

Today's reading in Isaiah 59-60 gives a picture of a life being lived out separated from God.
God has a goal for our lives and when we miss the target it leaves us falling behind every time. I never considered the dreams God had for me. I was walking in such darkness, tangled in my own personal web of mistakes and misery. I actually enjoyed working on my web of chaos and spinning from here to there. I had so much disillusionment in life and this put flame to my fear, anger, anxieties and REBELLION. I never thought I would amount to anything. I remember my grandma Rose saying to me "Heather, you better be careful and slow down." My family knew I was making crooked decisions, especially in my college years. My world really fell apart when my parents divorced after 27 years.
(Now Dad, if you are reading this do not feel bad because we know God has done so much and I am grateful for what God is up to now in both you and moms life)

I think its funny that my blog says drawing women closer to the heart of God, because my dad is my number one Follower! Thanks dad!

Anyway....I did depart further from the truth after that crisis and multiplied my sins before me.  I also was keeping many sins a secret! OUCH, that makes things so much worse.

MY WEB BECAME MY GARMENT AND KEPT ME COVERED FROM EVERY GOOD THING GOD HAD FOR ME

Have you or do you feel like you are wearing your own personal web?

Do you ever feel covered in misery and trying to get out of the mess you spun yourself into?

This is the good part...


......I want you to know God is working all around you this very second friends!  

If and when you begin to ACKNOWLEDGE the tangled up mess and identify that you are STUCK, just LOOK UP and God will come!

If you try to set a butterfly free when it emerges from the cocoon, which it often gets stuck when making its way out you can damage the wings of that butterfly forever. God so badly just wants us to LOOK UP. He will then guide you and strengthen you in the setting free process. I love that God teaches us to come out of the mess. If God would have reached down and just grabbed me out I would have missed most of my story which is now all part of HIS dreams for me!

Allow the light to come upon you. The Lord wants to fall upon you as it is written perfectly in Isaiah chapter 60. The glory of the Lord will rise you up sister!

You will no longer fight the "THINGS" in your life. God will speak purpose and you will hear my friend.  This purpose will IGNITE passion and a fire will be started creating a focus for you to achieve new dreams and goals. This passion helps you crawl out of your own personal web!

God wants others to gather others from afar and see the JOY.

ISAIAH 60:5
Then you shall become radiant and your heart shall "SWELL WITH JOY"

WOW!  A swelled heart because of joy and not pain!

My desire and prayer today is for the Lord to personally direct each readers heart into the light of God and into the patience of Christ!

Do not grow weary in doing good....  When I do get weary I like to pretend I have a Polaroid picture from God and I pull it out and look at it.  When I am STUCK IN THE MIDDLE  of my dream it reminds me that God has begun a good work and will complete it!

You bless me friends!

YOU ARE INVITED!

October 18th

This past week I have been really into invitations. I was filling out several the other night for our annual harvest/halloween party on october 31. I also have been looking around the past week for a great looking Christmas invitation for our large family gathering we will be having in December. So in one week I have looked at and filled out several invitations.

Every invitation is built around its theme.

I was reminded this morning when I opened up to Isaiah 55 of the Invitation to Abundant Life!

The theme of God's invite is abundant life. About three years ago I wrote a message that I was speaking on called "Your Invited." Thankfully I found the message in my files this morning.

Today you can find invitations for just about any theme. An Oscar party, girls night out, purse parties, jewelery parties and much more! Our pet dogs, Bella and Buddy  just received an invitation to a costume party at Pet Smart for this Saturday offering treat bags, Halloween parade and costume contest. Yes, my girls are bugging me to take the lab and chihuahua in full costume. I have not responded with an answer yet!

The theme of God's invite is Abundant Life! He is having a party for everyone to feast on His rich, delicious dishes that delight our taste buds and fill our stomachs. It is also free and ALL YOU CAN EAT!

Gods invitation reads "ABUNDANT LIFE PARTY", the host is very gracious.
So who is invited and on His guest list?

In the text from Isaiah 55:1- 5 it states..
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."
In the text Isaiah was speaking to the exiled Israelites who were carried away from there homes to Babylon about 600 years before Jesus. Isaiah had strong words for those people. The exiles are people looking for a message of hope and promises to speak into their empty lives.

WE are much like the Isrealites living in our own Babylon. We are people carried away looking for a message of hope and a promise to speak to a certain area of our life.  We are thirsty people, we work so hard in this life leaving us only more dehydrated. We shop to bring contentment, we work for promotions promising success, we longed to be loved ending up used. We strive to be affirmed and accepted only to be rejected.

Isaiah's writing speaks to us today... "Everyone who thirst, come to me."  God's question to us is "Why do you spend money for what is not bread"? God is wanting to offer us everything freely to give His people abundant life. The products and things of this world will never satisfy. We all were wired to only be satisfied in Jesus. I am a very strong willed person and took me a long time to realize that I could not make things right no matter how hard I tried. I needed to respond to God in obedience and enjoy the good life He had waiting for me.

In Isaiah 55: 8-9 it states... "For my thoughts are not your thoughts nor your ways My ways," Says the Lord, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." 

The Lord is reminding me this very morning that His ways are so much better! Not one person can help you with your past and future. Only God has the understanding and eternal perspective that is beyond our personal comprehension. The concept of God is knowable and even communicable to men the key is whether or not we are responding.

The final part of an invitation is the most important part of the invite. Usually at the bottom in bold it will say RSVP. Respond Please

God is asking us to Respond to His invitation. He has perfect salvation for us all. The free gift of God's righteousness is available to us all through the salvation He alone provides. The invitation is open to all willing to come. In today's text it indicates that this world will be a waste of our time when we are feeling empty and lost. It will never satisfy our souls. It's so easy to get caught up in the material blessings of life and miss the whole purposes of why we where created.

Eternal life on earth lies at the door of death. Your personal struggles or let me please say your personal death can be a discovery that leads to the door of your DESTINY!

Respond please and open that Door. Make a decision. Your entrance into His presence is not based on your worthiness but on the worthiness of Jesus Christ.

Open that Door friends and Respond Please! You will never know what is waiting behind your door to destiny.

I would love to share the first prayer I ever prayed on my knees when I was ready to fully respond

Dear Jesus,

I know of you but I do not think I really KNOW YOU!
Please for give me, I know that I am a sinner and I believe Jesus came to me and took my sins to the cross and died in my place. He paid it all for me. I am willing but do not know how to turn and change. I invite Jesus to come into my life and into my heart. I am willing to follow and learn to obey. Jesus is higher than all my ways.
Amen

If this was your first time willingly responding to the invitation please email me at
heather@hbministries.com , I would love to pray

Blessings friends,

It feels so good to be loved by you...

October 15th Reading

Do you have someone in your life that is absolutely the hardest person you have known to love?  It is inevitable, we all have some hard headed person that we must love.  It might be a family member, it might be a friend, it might be a neighbor, but we all have one of those people.  I have been reminded twice this week of the hard job, almost impossible job of loving your spouse.  My marriage has been a roller coaster (and that is being nice about it) for quite a few years, we have  finally hit a good spot and it feels great!  We have joked with many people said we had a love/hate relationship, we loved hating each other and we hated loving each other.  It is kind of funny so chuckle if you want to, I won't be mad.  I will just blame him!  LOL  Just kidding!

I was encourage yesterday talking with someone that had the exact same problems of getting along with her husband that I do.  I am not alone in this battle, and yet again God has put the right people in my life for me to be honest and real with.  Marriage may be the biggest adventure God ever puts you in, that would really stink if you just gave up on your marriage without trying your hardest and putting forth your best effort.  My sister in law blessed me greatly this week as well.  Her and my brother in law have been struggling just finding time for them, they have 4 kids so need I say more?  I told her to love on him and never give up trying and she was just tired.  However, on Tuesday they popped over our house and the four of us carved pumpkins and just had a great time.  I was so very blessed to see that she didn't give up and that you could truly tell that even though bills and the kids and whatever else was going on, they had found time to love on each other and just be happy for a day.  I had prayed about them that morning and God became very real to me in seeing their interactions that evening. 

God is so real, He loves us so very much, we are all very hard headed but yet He still loves us!  Can you even begin to imagine how hard it is to love all of us everyday???  Oh my goodness!  I would probably slap myself around a few times a day, I know that I am a difficult person to deal with, there is no sense in lying to anyone of you!  Even in BSF this week, one of our questions was how does your heart and your words/actions compare?  Of course the teacher just had to call on me, and my answer that was written down was, "I am jerk sometimes."  Yes everyone laughed, but it is the truth!  I am jerk, you are a jerk, we are all jerks from time to time.  Some more than others, like myself. 

We all need to try and learn to be as loving as possible.  This is a harsh cruel world and we all need to lean to each other and use the people that God has placed in our lives.  I don't bash my husband to Heather or anyone else, I do vent on occasion but I am very careful as to who I talk to about our relationship.  My children get on my nerves, anyone that is honest would tell you the same.  I still love them, but some days it is hard to deal with them and him, and life.  I have to pray and find strength.  God is so loving that even if you don't call out to Him directly, he will still help you.


Isaiah 45:5 says, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.  I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me."  You will learn though that it is by God, and nothing else that we all make it through each day.  You will want to sing Gods praises when you see just how much love He bestows upon you.  I know full well I could not get through some things on a day to day basis if I didn't sit back and say, "God, this person is working my last nerve, you better get em!"  While I may be the person that needs to get got, He still guides me through the situation.  Our God is so awesome that He has everything all figured out, how to love, how to live, how to do everything.  But yet we are still out here trying to do things our own way.  We need to let go and let the love God and our love for God guide us in life.

So in ending, 1 Thessalonians 3:13 says, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

Try to love on someone today!

Much love,
Kari

You Make A Differance

Well, its 6:20am and my crock pot is packed full with comfort food. Not sure how this will turn out but I did hear it makes the house smell nice on a fall day! I got the receipe from a great lady I met at "She Speaks" through the proverbs 31 ministry. As a matter of fact, she is the Executive coordinator of almost everything that goes on behind the scenes of Proverbs 31 ministries. She also has her own blog and mission and it is called "SHE COOKS"!

Please take a minute a visit her, this is a new dream that she has unfolded! I love her sense of humor and sweetness. I chose to try her pork and apples receipe. Now listen to what my crock pot is packed with and tell me if this sounds good? 2 Pork roasts, 10 peeled granny smith apples, 2 frozen concentrate apple juices, 2bags of sauerkraut, 1 whole clove of garlic diced up, brown sugar on top and then 1 bottle of corona beer poured over the top! . I know the beer sounds odd but it does some trick in the flavoring! You serve it with patato and cheese perogies!

Yes this is a POLISH meal! I am 50% polish so any time I can enjoy my heritage, I cook it up!
I will let you know what the family thinks! So what do ya think? Sound good?

This morning I also did my reading, which again you will find listed at the top of everydays post.
In today's 1 Thessalonians 2:11 Jumped out at me! It says.... "As you know how we exorted, comforted,and charged everyone of you, as a father does to his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

I have to admit, I love having friends in my life that exhort, comfort and charge me! I know that because of my caring and charging friends I found the dreams God had for me all along! In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. The insights of of other women have helped me recognize how all the pieces in my life come together! I also love how my girlfriends share their best receipes and decorating advice!

In part of this verse it mentions the example of how a father exhorts, comforts and charges his children. I want us to realize that not all of us had the same upbringing. I am grateful for my father, he embraced every one of my dreams and encouraged me. However, that is not true for most woman. The father relationship left them broken, hurt and wounded. This has allowed a wall to be put up in their heart, not allowing them to open up or step out into new relationships. But I want to encourage my girlfriends that have been hurt. God may have a deposit of healing that is going to come from another friend and you are missing it when you allow past relationships to control your future.Allow God to walk you through this process, He is waiting for you to willinging want to take down those walls. 

I have to make an effort to get out with girlfriends. I usually perfer to just stay home with my family and see my girlfriends on occasion. I am reminded that is is important to invest in each other. God makes small deposits through personal encounters. I should just plan on going bankrupt if I stay to myself. Friends exhort, comfort and charge!

Do you have friends that share the same values?

Do you have friends that energize you in lifes weakest moments?

Are you investing in someones life by exhorting, comforting and charging?

I know we have full lives but it is important to make time for friends and family. I am asking God to help me also in this area. On thursday nights I take my son to guitar lessons for an hour and my daughter and I decided to make this our Panera Bread pumpkin Latte night Out! So I have a date with a girlfriend tonight! Make a point to meet with a friend or take your son or daughter out!  In these moments of time God charges, exhorts and energizes!

Blessings

WHAT IS A SERVANT?

October 13th Reading

This morning I was reminded by God what a servant constantly needs to look like. God has been keeping a close eye on me lately. I feel that ever since He gave me more pieces to my dream puzzle, He also needed to include MUCH instruction.

I am honored that God called me out and put a passion in me to publicly speak and write so that I may share my faith and your purpose in Christ .  God has been shaping me for several years to serve him in this capacity. I am fully excited for the things ahead in 2011.
However God reminded me of something VERY important today. I hope this blesses other servants in ministry as it did for me.

Isaiah 41 is all about being a servant for the Lord. We were put on earth to make a contribution. We weren't created to just consume resources, to eat and breath and take up space! God designed you to make a difference with your life. He could have made it that the second we accepted Christ as our savior we immediately go to heaven. But He chose to leave us in the fallen world to fulfill His purposes.

God has goals and your ministry is part of His mission.

Being called by God is not for missionaries, pastors, nuns or the "holy people". It is a calling to everyone!  At the end of all of our lives we will stand before God, and he is going to evaluate how well you served. The bible tells us that each of us will have to give a personal account to God. Oh boy! God will actually be able to compare how much time and energy we spent on ourselves compared with how we invested in others.

God reminded me this morning that my calling is significant. However it is important for me personally to remember that this public ministry that God is entrusting to me is not a service to self-serve. Sometimes people in ministry or large public platforms serve to be admire, to achieve goals or get others to like them. This is NOT ministry this is manipulation. The ministry God gives us is not a service to be used as a bargaining tool with God. Real servants do not use God for their purposes. I was reminded to always stay sensitive and listen for how God wants to use me.

Thinking like a servant can be hard for me. I tend to sometimes by nature, think most about me and what God is doing in my life. I have come a long way and I tend to get excited about what God has done and is doing in my life, I can slip away from time to time and get busy in the details of the personal ministry.

Pursuing a dream does come with much business, the bible tells us so! However, we need to keep this in check. I am writing this message for me friends! Gods word tells us that He UPHOLDS his servants and put His spirit upon them. He equips us for the ministry and puts a spirit of knowledge, wisdom and discernment upon us.

Remember, you were made for a mission. No matter what you think about yourself, God is not limited by your restrictions! He puts His ordinary powers inside of you and me.

Are you more concerned with being served or finding ways of serving others?

Are you plugged into a growing, exciting church that helps you find your mission?

How to you feel when you think about the day that you will give an account to Jesus? will you be excited to see how you have done or will you be afraid to be next in line?

Its never to late friends, one step forward and God will meet you. He is so excited to take your willingness to do His will!

Peace and Grace,

Withering Grass and Fading Flowers

The grass is withering and the flowers are fading.


Autumn brings colder nights and shorter days along with fading flowers and grass that is slowly turning to straw. I no longer see my bright, blooming flowers as I look out my windows. I love spending each new morning drinking my coffee and watering my flowers as I watch them grow.
Each new fall day steals the day light away faster and faster. The season of fall is such a fading and withering time. Even the beautiful backdrop of changing leaves and their color last but a few days then fall.

This brisk morning I sip on my coffee and read Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fade BUT the Word of God stands forever"

All flesh is like grass and all its loveliness is like a flower in the field. Life and the things of life will pass by. The things of this world will not last. But God word will stand forever.

Gods promises are secure, what He says, He will do. Thus we can put our trust in God's Word having confidence that it will always  be there to guide our lives.

Financial security can bring uncertainty as we may see our investments and accounts withering.

Good health of loved ones or even ourselves, will ultimately fade away.

What we love most in this world at this moment will not last, no matter how good it might be. Yet God will always be there for us. His word will never let us down.

Have you recently experienced the withering or fading in life?

Are you tempted to put your confidence in things that will not last?

Have you ever trusted in God's Word?

May we personally be reminded and encouraged to put our trust in the bright, green grass of the Word. Ask God to teach you to put your confidence in the word. He will help you know His word and give you the desire learn His word. We must remember that the great things we may have now in this world will fade and wither away.

Thank you God that your Word will never fade.

Believe and Be Strong,

BE CAREFUL OF THIS BOOKFAIR SCARE!

Pretty scary cover, wouldn't you agree?
 I am not excited to share this personal story but I feel lead to share. I believe God opened a door for me to speak and teach His word when I noticed a sincere request from my son to pray with him.
I was grateful to have this opportunity and the attention of my son. However, I was rip roaring angry at the devil!  Yes moms he is real and we need to keep an extra eye on the ways of our households and children.

Ben's school had a book fair a couple weeks ago and he was curious when he seen the cover of the book above.

CURIOSITY, what a clever, sneaky way for the enemy to find his way into our lives and create a foothold.

Last night before bed Ben began to ask me several weird questions, I had to ask him were all this was coming from. He began to explain and admit he purchased a book because it looked interesting and sparked interests. Once he began reading the deep details that kept him coming back to explore more of the strange and supernatural, he began to feel stressed, mixed with anxiety and fear.

I began to talk to him about Ephesians 6:12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." In other words PARANORMAL ACTIVITY!


The spirit world is very powerful. We should not hunt for them or open ourselves up to the demons or bad spirits. The devil knows how to grab our attention.

I reminded Ben last night that he was a child of Gods and a believer.
However, it is our responsibility to put on Christ daily. We need to invite Christs presence and activity in our life on a daily basis. We can decide daily who we are going to communicate with. I told Ben that he can be surrounded by the Lords presence but if he is curious and opens his mind up to those things then Satan can torment him. Satan will never be able to possess Ben because he is a believer, but he can torment.

Ben has authority and the ability to act and respond in the name of Jesus and take back any territory he many have given to Satan. I had my sons sincere attention last night and I know God was able to teach him in this humble state. God works all things for his good even if we wonder down the path of curiosity. I pray daily for my children and I know my prayers where heard. I ask God to show me any areas the the enemy is trying to sneak in so that I can fight back! Believe me I had my sleeves rolled up last night!

Ben said this book is in his locker at school because he did not want to bring it home. He knew if mama got a hold of this before he was broken and scared, I would have hit the roof.  Ben hid his secret and curiosity from me however God exposed it. I hate what the world has become. I am sad to think how many other children may be exposed to the information in this book and no parents to discern the principalities and powers of darkness.

Before we prayed and went to sleep last night, Ben said he was throwing the book in the garbage as soon as he got to school. He decided to destroy and get rid of the negative influence. Ben was raised in Christ and he is learning how real it is to seek the things which are above.

Colossians 3:1 " If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of this earth." 


It is so important for us to be in Christ daily. The outside influence of this world continually lures us through curiosity, desires and or lusts. Ben responded sincerely when I reminded him of his responsibilities in Christ.

I would like to share the prayer that I prayed over my son, I hope it will be a blessing in your time of battle.

"Lord, we invite your presence here and the power of the Holy Spirit into this prayer time and into Benjamin's life. In the name of Jesus, I rebuke you, (name the demon), from this persons heart and life. I command you to leave this person and go where Jesus is telling you to go. You do not belong here and Benjamin belongs to Jesus. You have no place here and no power. You must flee right now in the name of Jesus. Lord, I pray that you will surround Benjamin with your protection. Guard his heart, mind and soul, and protect him from the enemy and his schemes. He is a child of God. He belongs to you. Surround him with your presence right now. We pray all these things in the name and power of Jesus Christ. Amen." 

Moms I encourage you to pray for your children, we will never know everything that they will be exposed to throughout the day but God does. He will make it known to you mom if you ask. Look for the doors of opportunity to share the word. Somehow in God's wonderful order, He uses the prayers of his people to restrain satans activity.

Moms we need to recognize what we are dealing with in today's world, satan used an innocent book fair to grab my son. Satan used the curiosity of spirits,warlocks, paranormal acivity and fortunetellers to lure my son.

God will give all us moms wisdom, knowledge and discernment if we ask.

So whats a mama to do? realize that raising kids is an ongoing opportunity to invest beyond ourselves! Pray for them faithfully and talk to them regularly. The book titled "YOU CAN'T SCARE ME." certainly scared my son. Thank you Lord for joining us last night in the most amazing way!

Blessings,
Heather

Wow, praying would make life easier!

October 8th Reading

Good morning everyone and I hope that today finds you blessed.  The reading for today, wow!  My life as I once knew it was a virtual image of these verses.  Can you imagine someone that, maybe you know someone, that thinks that because they prayed about something and they are trying to figure out what they think God wants them to do that they end up doing the worst possible thing to alleviate the situation?  Well, if you know me then you know someone that did this.  I have pretty much tried to figure out God's will in every situation of my life, jumped to my OWN conclusions and then failed miserably.  Yes, I fully realize that I wrote about this very same topic last week, but evidently God is trying to tell me again to be still and know that He is God!  Maybe these verses are not for me, maybe He just realizes how hard headed I am and is using my dumb choices to teach someone else to, shhhhhh, be still and know that God is God.

If any of you are my friends on Facebook, then you know that I have been up and down over the last year or two, or three or let us be honest here, 29 years!  It has been a long hard battle for me, being controlled is not my thing!  I have a very hard time with that.  I think, well I know so and so that could help me do xxxxxxx and then there is also so and so that could do xxxxxx.  I figure well if God put that person in my life path, then I should utilize them, right?  WRONG!  Just because a person or group or whatever is in your life does not mean that that is the path for you.  It could be, but it could not be too.

People think networking is great, and it is, but sometimes we get caught up in it and that is what our life is revolved around.  Having the best car, biggest house, jewelry and other "stuff" can hinder us so much that we totally snuff out the light in front of us.  


Isaiah 30:1-3 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge. But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace. 

It is easy to get caught up in our own desires and wants, but if those things are not part of God's will for our lives, I guarantee you that they will be taken away and your life will be in shambles before it is everything is all said and done.  Don't get me wrong, I know that God puts certain people in your life to be able to help you along.  Everyone should pray about how God wants that person to work within your life.  I thought Heather was a little crazy when I first met her, honestly!  She was not someone that I would have ever imagined being friends with, but I do not know what I would do without her now.  She is a huge rock for me, she gets me through, sometimes I do not want to hear what she is telling me because it means that I was wrong, and that is not cool!  Ha ha.  I know that God put her in my life to be able to guide me along, sure we do not see eye to eye on everything, but she has never told me anything wrong and if I listen then my life is easier.  She backs everything up to me with scripture and I know that it is not really her saying these things, so much as it is God telling me these things through her.  Sometimes I need a real life voice to settle me down and for me to hear the logic, and that voice comes in from her.  I am a rough abrasive person, some would say I have a great sense of humor, but not everyone gets me, she does.  I am thankful for that.  I had to pray about my life many times, I am a work in progress, but I am trying to get there.

Still trying,
Kari

PRESS ON

Yesterday my son had a cross country track meet. He is an amazing runner it must be those long legs that  he did not get them from me! I have just developed a passion for running the past three years and my husband was my motivator. My daughter Brittni is also running in a program called "Girls on the Run." So running has become the family sport. We will all be taking part in the Turkey Trot 6 mile race on Thanksgiving morning. This should be interesting as we run against each other toward the finish line!

Running helps me with LIFE, it helps me in the area of discipline and training. I have a dream to complete a full marathon and hope to be prepared for next years Chicago Marathon! Oh by the way good luck to all the runners this weekend at the 2010 Chicago marathon!
Press toward the Mark you can do it!

Ben had a 2 mile race yesterday, I was trying to position myself in different spots on the course so when he passed me I could yell "PRESS ON BEN" as he was coming toward the finish line I could see he was pressing toward the mark with all his strength.

Last night my husband and I decided to go run that 2  mile course that Ben had to run. I must say running two miles at a very fast pace is difficult. I love to run and can run 10 miles at a nice slow pace. However, pressing really hard and picking up the pace a notch can really push you. I was now understanding what my son felt when I was saying "PRESS ON BEN" he was fighting it out till he hit the mark.

When I woke up this morning and read the daily reading I smiled. God is so perfect when he speaks to us.

Philippians 3:14 says "One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I PRESS TOWARD the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"


We are all pressing towards something, God has wired us to be pursuers and press toward a mark or goal. The goal is your public victory. In order to have a public victory you must train and fight for it! We will have private battles but we must learn to fight the good fight.

I am fighting for my children, marriage, ministry  and my personal goals. Being a runner I have learned that its all about the training and discipline. God is always stretching me and some days I am pressing with all I have to fight for the mark and public victory in several areas of my life. When we have a victory is all about sharing the trophy with others. Some of my personal victories became a reality because I made a choice to listen to the right coach! Coach Jesus!
I know this is strange for some people but we have to understand that one day WE ALL will stand face to face with Jesus.
I really want to know my coach personally when I meet Him, I know he will talk to me about some of my races here on earth. I will also have an opportunity to lay my crowns (trophies) down at the feet of Jesus, my personal trainer. I cannot imagine what it would be like to enter heaven empty handed. The bible tells us we will lay down our crowns (trophies) at the feet of Jesus.

The Lord has predetermined WINS for our life on earth.

 I needed to decide to RUN and REACH forward and stop looking behind. I heard the coaches yesterday encouraging the runners not to look behind them. This slows a runner down.

Forget those things behind you and reach forward to the things ahead. We have all failed but failure should not be what dictates your life. God has prizes for you to win and victories to experience.

Get up sister and get back on course, you can do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST!

Will you have crowns to lay at the feet of Jesus?
Remember we will all one day meet the coach face to face, what will that day be like for you? I have some personal evaluation to do myself, so as I run my course this week I wanted to encourage my fellow teammates!

Keep running,