Praise Him!

November 16th Reading

On the radio this morning, I happened to catch a few minutes of the Joyce Meyer broadcast. There was one thing that really stuck out for me. She said we need to fill our spirit. I have heard these words before, but what does it really mean? She went on to explain, that we fill our spirit when we read the word of God. When our spirit is full, we react better to life. When something bad, maybe I should say, when life happens and our spirit is full, we have better responses, use kinder words and we act out of love. When life happens, and our spirit is empty, our flesh speaks loudly! These are the times when we say hurtful things, lose our temper or we are just plain grumpy.

Everyday life is draining! I don’t always find it easy to act the way that I know God wants me to act. There are days that my patience dwindles, everything upsets and irritates me. These are the days that I need God the most! These are the times I need to stop whatever I am doing and turn to Him. Often, these are the hardest times to reach out to Him. I think it is possible that I let myself get so empty that there is nothing left. It is scary how quickly our flesh takes over: you don’t really need God. How is that really going to help you? What has He done for you lately?

The longer that I walk with Him and the more I know about Him, the easier it is for me to recognize these “empty times” in myself and even in my kids. I see the signs. Actually, I usually hear the signs before I see them and I have found a few ways to fight back against the darkness that can so easily take over.

Like every household, our morning routine is pretty rushed. I have one child who happily bounces out of bed and another who would love to sleep until about nine a.m. everyday. One or the other eventually gets upset about the toothpaste, the unequal amount of cereal in their bowl or some other great offense. When I hear the voice levels raise, I know it is time to pull out the praise music! I have stopped trying to solve the disputes or argue about who gets what color juice cup. I invite God into our morning. I have a playlist of songs that we all love. They are fast, uplifting and fun! We often “get our praise on” right in the middle of breakfast. Sometimes there is dancing, sometimes there is silliness, but there are always smiles.

Another way that we have found to fill up our spirit is, our praise jar. I got the idea during one of our Tuesday morning Bible Studies. I don’t really remember how the idea came about, but I was trying to think of ways for my little ones to be more conscious of our day and our faithful Lord. I started with a vase. It is one of those simple ones that comes with a flower arrangement that I never know whether to keep or get rid of. I cut up some pieces of colorful paper and put them in a bowl and then put a pen right there. This collection now sits on a shelf in a high traffic area, right in eye sight. It is an open invitation to praise Him. Sometimes it is one word, sometimes it is a name, sometimes it is something we saw outside, sometimes it is when are spirits are full and sometimes it is when our spirits are empty. I have found that when I am empty, I really need to look at what I have. This praise jar reminds me to focus on Him rather than on me. Physically writing it down and focusing on the good snaps me out of the darkness. I am reminded that I am not really as empty as I may feel.

Ezekiel 3:3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

I love this passage. My NIV study Bible says, “ Ezekiel must ingest the Lord’s message... so that it becomes part of his being. The words of God are sweet to the taste.” The more we fill ourselves with the goodness of His word, the sweeter our life will be. The more we praise, the happier we are. The more we spend time with Him, the more like Jesus we become.

I love looking through our praise jar. My kids are just learning to write. There are a lot of papers that say “Mom”, “Dad”,  “God”. There is even one that says “elephants”. But really, what else do we need?

 Hugs,
Lynnette

A DREAM IN SECRET IS "HOPE"

November 15th Reading

What is that thing you're hoping against hope for? That thing you can hardly pray about because it seems to be so out of reach?

But you have prayed. You have dreamed in secret. And you have thought about it a lot. You have wished for it even if you have not been brave enough to tell anybody about it.

HEBREWS 11: 1 " Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

HOPE=Trusting that what is wanted will happen.

God has created each one of us to HOPE, DREAM and DESIRE things!

God is HOPE, He places a "substance" or dream into our heart and then prepares us to see purpose. He encourages us through all His promises to TRIUMPH. God tells us He will do exceedingly, abundantly and beyond all we can think or imagine!

Hebrews chapter 11 is a favorite book of mine because it lists men and women just like you and me that learned to triumph in faith.
These men and women trained in obedience, allowed their character to be refined, desired to be intimate with their savior, understood the hurts and sufferings of others, became more mature in their faith, persevered in trouble and pain..... all because they had HOPE for the future!

HOPE found each character in Hebrews chapter 11.
Sarah, Noah, Enoch and Abraham all where stopped by a friend named HOPE!

HOPE STOPPED them in their tracks and allowed them to dream bigger. Hope told them everything was about to change.
Is God stopping you in your tracks today? Is HOPE trying to be your friend?
Accept the friend request.

HOPE SENT Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch in "NEW" directions with "NEW" purposes.
Hope helped some rise and stand again. Hope helped many to open their eyes to believe in more then seen.

HOPE STRENGTHENED Abraham. Sarah, Noah and Enoch. They all like you and me had struggles.

                                                   HOPE HELPED THEM COPE!

How do you think Noah felt when He was asked to build an ark that could float in a flood? keeping in mind that Noah and all the people never seen rain before? He struggled with fear and I am sure was made fun of by his peers and family. But HOPE helped him COPE!

HOPE STRETCHED Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch. It sent them past their comfort zones and helped them enter the "unknown"
Hope stretched their minds to see truth without a reason.
Hope challenged them and created an opportunity through a disappointment.

How do you think Sarah felt when she conceived and bore a child when she was past the age! Do ya think God stretched her mind for 9 months to believe without reason. God also gave her the strength to handle the challenge.

HOPE SATISFIED Abraham, Sarah, Enoch and Noah. They learned that obedience was trusting with Faith that God had a bigger plan and destiny for their lives.

I relate most with Abraham right now. He was asked to obey when He was called out of his comfort zone to go to a foreign place. He did not see what God had planned, but God said to "GO."
Abraham knew that obedience would always satisfy him, HE KNEW God had the best for His life!

The lives of Abraham, Sarah, Noah and Enoch set an example of faith for us! God desires to satisfy, stretch and strengthen us on our journey. However He does use HOPE to stop us and send us in NEW DIRECTIONS!

Has HOPE found you?

By Faith,



  
                          

Sacrifice

November 12th Reading

Oooh, the word sacrifice. 
It is a scary word.  No one likes to sacrifice anything, however we must all sacrifice something at some point.  Some of us have to sacrifice more than others, some of us end up sacrificing everything.  There have been quite a few times in my life where I was put in a situation that I would have to make a choice that meant that I had to sacrifice one way or the other.  I absolutely loathe being forced into a corner where there is no "win" it really stinks!

What have you sacrificed lately?
What could you have sacrificed lately?
What will you be sacrificing soon?

Everyone that chooses to serve the Lord and really means it, should know that you will be sacrificing many things.  For one, we will sacrifice our time.  Another thing we will sacrifice is our own self indulged pride.  We as humans, think we are more than what we really are.  I went to a funeral yesterday of a man that I never met, but I know his daughter.  The words I heard about this man were astonishing, to say the least.  He seemed to have the biggest and purest heart.  I am quite sure that he had to sacrifice his pride at times, his own wants or desires, his own happiness.  Who does that???  I know that I don't often enough, and that is just me being real with you.  I have said it before and I will say it a million times more, I am a jerk!  I try very hard to be a good person, to be selfless, but there is always someone, something, some place that just works its way under your skin.

I took another big giant leap of faith today and agreed to do facilitate a small group class in January.  I am so feeling like it is not time for me to do so, but apparently God needs me to do so, so out in obedience I go.  I learned that it is not your ability but your availability to do God's work.  My heart knows that no matter how nervous I am, how worried, how unprepared He will help me make it through.  My own pretty little comfort box is split wide open on this one, however God never leaves me nor forsakes me, so I know that I will be okay.  Just pray for me, will ya?

Another sacrifice that I am making is for Christmas this year.  My husband and I have decided, well actually a few months ago that this year was going to be different.  Our boys are pretty well grounded, they know that Christmas is not all about Santa and all that, but we feel very convicted to really instill the real reason for the season this year.  In one of my WOW(Women of the Word) studies last Spring I heard a lady say that she only gives her children three presents, they are picked specifically for each child based upon their significance and personality for a resemblance to one of the gifts from the wise men.
 I could not even begin to tell you who she was or what she looks like, I just know that God laid that on me to tell my husband about it.  I did and he agreed that we should do the same with our boys.  So this year, our boys will get three and only three presents.

They will get a gift of myrrh, frankincense and gold.  
No, not literally, but they will get something that has the same meaning as those gifts had for baby Jesus.
Myrrth represents your purpose in life, my oldest son Jaelen wants to be a football player so his myrrth gift could be a football and we can talk to him on how he can serve God being a football player.
 frankincense represents personal growth and personal communication with God. His frankincense gift could be a prayer journal, new bible or bible study book.
Lastly, the Gold represents your worth. For a Gold gift he may get a mp3 player, wii video games or new bike! Something that means a great deal to my son!

I have done quite a bit of studying and researching as to what those gifts mean, and got quite the wide array of answers.  My pastor confirmed for me this morning that they are opinions and based on what I told him, I was okay to continue forward.  I love Christmas and we enjoy buying the boys "cool" stuff.
So even though the world tells me to buy, buy, buy, my God tells me to think and then proceed.  I think that this year is going to be extremely difficult financially for many families, and even though we were blessed to not have any job losses, I think that now is as good a time as any to get back to the root of the holiday.  I am actually very excited about it, so the sacrifice is not as painful.  If you ask me that same question in a few weeks after shopping and having to refrain, well I may have a different answer for you! 

I know that this is right for our family.

I know that God is pleased that we desire to show our sons how real God is in our lives and how real He can be in theirs.  Our youngest son is getting baptized the last Sunday of this month, and I am blessed.  He has been asking to do so for quite some time, but I wanted to know that he really understood what he was signing his self up for.  I asked him a couple weeks ago and his answer was rather complete.

I said, "Xavier, why do you want to get baptized?"
He said, "Mommmm, because I have to!"
I said, "Uh no, that is not a good reason."
He said, "I have to because that way God knows I am clean."
I said, "How does baptizing show God you are clean?"
He said, "Duh Mom!  It washes all your sins off and that is all He cares about.  Only you care about my stinky dirty toes."

I mean seriously, how can I even argue with that???  The boy had me!  We have had many conversations about becoming saved and he has been quite aware for some time the meaning of accepting Jesus as his personal savior and knowing his sins are washed clean and he gets to start anew.  His final proclamation of accepting Jesus Christ as his personal savior his a outward public announcement of being baptized.  He is young so he looks at it as he is showing everyone that he has chosen God and is publicly being washed.  I am so proud of him.

I have had to sacrifice many things as a mom: free time, extra money, quiet time with the hubby, a ridiculous amount of money on food feeding these two cows (I mean boys, no I mean cows), my life.  However, I wouldn't change it for the world!  I am so glad that God picked me to be Jaelen and Xavier's mom.  They are the coolest little men in the world.  Yes I may be biased, but you will NEVER prove to me otherwise.  I am so proud to be their mom, they are everything to me and my husband, I do not regret one single leisure activity that I have had to pass up to be with them.  They are my little men.  I feel it is so important to teach them how to be good men, good husbands, good fathers, and most importantly good Christians.
 I am not a perfect mother, far from even being a great mom, but I am their mom and God knew that I am the mother that they needed, so I am trying my hardest to be the best mom I can be for them.

Again I ask you, what have you sacrificed lately, what could you sacrifice and what will you be sacrificing?

 I know that parents sacrifice a great deal, but are there other things that hinder you from being the best parent you could be.  Our God must be first in your life, after that sacrifices must be made to be a good spouse, after that so many sacrifices must be made to be a good parent.  Are you living up to God's expectations for you?  Are you living up to reasonable expectations at all? 
Take a minute and think of the sacrifices made for you!

Sacrificing and loving it,
Kari

p.s. based on today's reading which again is located at the top if you click on the date, I bet you thought I was going some place else with sacrifice...

BETTER, BRIGHTER and BIGGER

November 11th Reading

I was reminded this week to let go of former things and accept the challenge that God has called you to. "Better days" with new levels of life and love before you. You set yourself up for a great future! Begin the renovation today with anticipation of "BETTER, BRIGHTER and BIGGER!


I loved the reminder in Hebrews chapter 8. Jesus was all about making things BETTER for us! That is why He became a BETTER covenant. Jesus said "I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be my people. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more." Heb 8:10-12

God connects with the head and the heart. The NEW COVENANT was a better, brighter and bigger ministry, established by a BETTER Mediator and established on BETTER promises, (Heb 8:6)
God will write the law in the heart, not just on a stone tablet.

Who is your leader? do not put trust in man or priest. Every priest can offer both gifts and sacrifices but Christ is the most Excellent. Christ is superior, His leadership is universal and not national, His leadership is always superior and not mediocre, His leadership is based on righteousness and not selfishness, His leadership was personal and not hereditary, he did not lead because he was born into the right family or had the right genes. His leadership is eternal, not temporary.

We will always rise and fall to the level of who or what we follow. We all follow someone or something.

Jesus is the BIGGEST and BRIGHTEST leader of them all. He is so concerned about your destiny! He talks to God about you all the time. God wants you to know that Something BIGGER, BETTER and BRIGHTER is in your future. Something far greater than your struggle, pain, fear and loneliness.

Make a decision today friends. Your choice will lead to a BETTER, BRIGHTER and BIGGER tomorrow, Now thats CHANGE!

Blessings,

Life

November 9th Reading

This past weekend, I went to a fundraiser for the firefighters who were recently hurt in a Detroit business fire. The fundraiser featured several local rock bands and was held in a bar. This used to be a comfortable place for me, but in the last several years, places and scenes like this have become increasingly more uncomfortable. But, we had friends injured in that fire who are struggling to regain their lives and so, we have made an effort to support them whenever we are able.

I sat on a stool surrounded by my husband and friends and I began to look around and do some people watching. I saw people of many ages and a true mixture of styles. I have been making jewelry since high school, and so this is often one of the first things I look at. I was surprised to note a great number of crosses. It stirred my soul. I began really thinking about it.

What does the cross mean to you?

As my journey progresses, I would answer this question differently now than I would have even a year ago. The more that I understand and live, the more that the cross represents to me.

How has your life changed since accepting Jesus?

Accepting Jesus is the first part of our journey and for most, it is the easiest part. This however, is just the beginning. If we accept Jesus today and then go about our lives the same way we did yesterday, we are missing the point.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity (Hebrews 6:1, NIV)

On the radio this week, the DJ said, “Christian means little Christ”. We are supposed to become more like Christ and be little Christ’s in the world. Everyday, we need to work to be more like Him. For me, this has been the hard part.

Imagine if I gave you a pile of materials like wood, screws, nails and various tools and then I said “I will give you one million dollars if you build a birdhouse”. Piece of cake you think, even without woodworking experience, I can fake my way through this and put together a birdhouse. Even if it is not pretty, it will be functional. “Here is the catch”, I say. “It has to look exactly like mine”. Things just got a little tougher, but bring it on, you think. “Oh, and you don’t get to see mine, and you don’t get any instructions”, I add. At this, your heart might sink. There isn’t much chance that your birdhouse will look exactly like mine, and that million dollars will not be going home with you.

Now, imagine God doing this; “I will give you eternal life if you live a live exactly like I planned for you. But, I’m not going to give you any instructions.” I have lived this way! Struggling with decisions, trying to be a better person through my own strength, wondering what God really wants for me. Life with Him is not supposed to be that difficult.

God gave us the gift of Jesus, some assembly required. The building and assembly, however, is us. God has given us all the instructions and all the tools we need in order to succeed. But, we will never make it if we don’t know what He wants us to do. It is so important to get into His word. Read the instructions that He has given us. Find the tools that He has given us and use them.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us. (Hebrews 6: 18-20, The Message)

Keep your eyes fixed on Him and on His word. The more we use the gifts He has given, the more we hold on to the promises He has made, the more we will be like Him.

There is always another option with a gift. We can choose to return it.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. (Hebrews 6: 4-8)

There are people who have completely rejected the gift of Jesus. They have seen the goodness and the power and have chosen to give it back. Unwanted. It is a scary thought. It leaves me with the same uncomfortable feeling I had this weekend.

Don’t leave this gift in the box. Open it up!

Heavenly Father, I don’t want to waste the gift you have given me. I want to read your instructions, put my life together according to your plan and I want to be more like Jesus. I don’t want to remain unchanged. Please open my eyes, ears, heart and mind to all of your promises. I don’t want them to go unused. Amen.

Hugs,

Lynnette

Is it really all that hard?

November 5th Reading

Why is doing and saying the right thing so hard?  Why can we not admit when we are wrong and just move forward?  Why must we make excuses for when we wrong someone? Why, why, why?

If we all truly desired to serve Christ and really wanted to do right by Him and others, our first step is to admit that we have wronged someone.  Now that could mean a variety of things.  We might have stolen from them, slapped them silly, gossiped about them, spoke rudely/harshly to them, or many other things.

It is quite apparent that usually our mouths are what get us into the most trouble.  This last couple of weeks, God has been on my shoulder watching my every word coming out of my mouth.  I truly have had some serious choices to make.  In an effort to be better and more submissive to God I have had to all but bite the tip of my tongue off.  A few years ago, I would have just cursed some people out and been done with the situation.  However, it is quite evident to me that doing that is not going to do anything to help my current situations. 
I seem to be getting hit from all sides right now, and quite frankly it stinks!  In the last two weeks, I have been lied on, cursed out in the middle of trick or treating, been made to feel as though my presence means absolutely nothing and been called some quite horrible names.
 My usual reaction is to lash out in anger/hurt, but I have chosen a different road this time.  I have chosen to be honest with these people and let them know what they did hurts.  Well let me tell you what, people do not like hearing the truth that they hurt someone!  I have gotten every excuse in the book as to why they did or said what they did.

God has made it very simple for us.  Each and every choice that we make has a blessing or curse attached to it.  If we make the right choice then God has no reason to be angry with us and will bless you in some way for it.  It doesn't mean He is going to send you a check for $10,000, but it does mean that He will make something a little easier in your life.  If we choose to make the wrong choice, then you better believe that He will be upset with us and there will be a curse coming for you with your name on it.  That doesn't mean He is going to strike you down with the bubonic plague and your left leg is going to fall off and then you will get fired the next day.  It just means that he will chasten you so that you understand that there IS accountability for our actions.  The good Lord knows He has chastened me enough in the last few years.  I fully understand that saying, "a hard head makes for a soft behind."

We all have our choices to make, we can choose to be a jerk, we can choose to be nice as pie, we can choose to stuff our foot down our throat.  Whatever your choice is, make sure you are ready to take the consequences of your choice.  I am tired of being rebuked for being a jerk, so I let these certain individuals "get over" on me these last couple weeks, I know that God will bless me for being humble and quite honestly for keeping my mouth shut. 

The people of Judah and Jerusalem in today's reading had their own choices to make, they made them all right.  God gives us an opportunity to make the right choice, if we make the wrong ones then that is on our own heads and we have no one to be mad at except ourselves.  I am not pleased that some people thought that they could talk to me like a dog, or lie on me, or even to exclude me from things.  I am down right hurt, but this time (hopefully every time here after) I will choose to not lash out in anger, but to remain humble and wait for them to either do right by me or to reap the consequences of their actions.  Either way, one or the other is going to come about.

I urge all of you to think about the "point" you are trying to prove, or the way you are making someone feel, the kindness (or lack of) you are showing to others.  If you are really not doing people right, then hold yourself accountable and do right by them.  How are you really going to feel when God looks over you when you need Him the most?  It is going to break your heart, and if you are really the good person you claim to be, then why not humble yourself and show kindness to everyone, not just those that you think are deserving?  I know full well I am a jerk sometimes, I try not to be, but it happens.  I am working on my mouth, and these last couple weeks, well they have been quite the test for me.  I think I passed them.

I pray that all of you make an effort to make the right choices for your life.  We will never make all of the right choices, but even if we make a wrong one, then own up to it and try to make amends for it with the person.  Do not make up excuses why you screwed up.  Say you are sorry, try to fix it if you can and then move forward and try not to do the same silly thing again.

Much love,
Kari

SIGNS AND WONDERS

November 4th Reading

I promise this is a REAL story and it will prove that God still speaks with signs and wonders!

I have been diligently waiting for a good time to share this story. My goal is to explode the realness of God in your life today and convince you that nothing is too hard for God.


We felt a nudge in our spirit to move last year. Now, it is very important to know that when you desire to grow and discover your destiny with God, He sometimes will lead you to do different things. We, out of obedience packed up and moved to the new land God was directing us to.

The verse below became my favorite verse last January. Many of you may remember me speaking about this at the 2010 "DREAM BIG" conference!

In Deuteronomy 11:12 it states "A Land which the Lord your God cares, the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year."

We felt our confirmation to move January 2010. When the Lord begins to move in your life He will always match it up in the word of God, the bible. That is why I  stress the importance for you to read the daily word located at the top of every post. Please don't panic if you feel its hard to read or understand, remember God created you and He sure knows how to help you understand.

God was continually reminding my family that He was taking us to a NEW LAND or in other words a NEW PLACE.

He promised to have His eyes on this new place and lead and guide us into all good things.

Today's bible verse in Jeremiah 32:22 was another promise given to us...
"You have given them this land, of which you swore to their fathers a LAND flowing with milk and honey."


God was reminding us to trust Him because he has better things for us in our NEW LAND.

There is nothing too hard for God. Sometimes we can doubt and fear that God even exists when we run into a crisis. Gods desires are always to move you to a place flowing with goodness. He is always wanting to restore the future. God will always provide and do things beyond our present understanding.

Jeremiah 32:17
"You have made the heavens and the earth by your GREAT power and outstretched arm. There is NOTHING to hard for you."

Yes, God is great in counsel and mighty in His work, nothing is to hard for God. What a great reminder from today's reading. Life can be hard sometimes leaving us profoundly wounded, confused and hopeless.

Are you doubting today my friend?

Do you need Gods help and guidance in a job situation?
Are you stuck in searching and understanding what a relationship with God even looks like?
Do you feel Gods nudge to make a move or change but scared?
Have you lost a loved one this week unexpectedly?
Is your child turning from the instruction that you have taught them?
Has your husband walked away from the marriage vow?
Are you struggling with an overpowering addiction?
Do you have relationships that need to be restored?
Is the financial stress suffocating the life out of you?
Have you been wounded and betrayed by your family?

These are only of a few situations that I have come passed this week ,they all have brought a pinch of doubt and fear to the lives of many.
But Gods word is so powerful, I needed this reminder today...

NOTHING is to hard for Him

God is also reminding us today that our obedience and faith is what stirs his power and ability to perform great things in our lives.

I will admit that I had a little fear when we moved this past year. God did not give any details, I just knew to TRUST and OBEY. I  kept asking God to confirm with me along the way that I was walking in His will. His word reminds us that He can give signs and wonders in our territories to help us know we are heading in the right direction sometimes.

Listen to the SIGN God gave me, it is the greatest experiencing God moment ever!

In August of this past year my doorbell of my new home rang. Now, remember  I have been asking God for confirmation all along during our move and change.

The man at the door wanted to explain to me that THE LAND my home was sitting on was FLOWING with the production of oil and they wanted permission to draw the oil out and agreed to pay us 300.00 at the start and then monthly after the January of 2011.

I have to admit, I stood with my jaw hung open when the man said "YOUR LAND IS FLOWING".
I knew instantly God had directed me to this home and was confirming through this man!  Now for my friends or family that doubt the signs and wonders of God, I would love for you to explain this one!

I had to pinch myself folks to make sure I was not dreaming... My husband did not even believe this at first. What make this story even funnier is that we bought the home I grew up in. Why did they not discover oil back then? God is such an on time God, this was an opportunity He created so He could speak to me!

God has been so good to us in our New Land, He has directed us into new relationships which is building on what he took us from. Everything partners together towards the dreams God has for your life. Nothing is ever wasted or without purpose.

God spoke to Jeremiah and reminded Him by saying "I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything to hard for Me?"

What is to hard for you to handle today?

Will you allow God to show you His mighty Power and strong counsel?

Sweet friends, God is whispering to you today through this blog that "Nothing is to hard for Him"
Please, trust and obey and I promise that you will experience signs and wonders along with a strong hand from God.


For those that may be in woman's leadership contact me if you are interested in hosting a "DREAM BIG" conference this January 2011!  I promise you this will leave women with  a desire to discover the doors to their destiny in 2011! My new website will be up in just a few weeks which has many of my speaking topics. I know its time to plan for January now and I wanted to mention one of my FAVORITE conferences!
Contact me at Heather@hbministries.com
Video Clip from this years DREAM BIG CONFERENCE
Blessings,

A BOLD FRIEND

Before I forget... I want to thank my new friend Lynnette for Her post yesterday. It was so fitting for Election day! Lynnette is a new friend of many that God has placed in my path at my NEW church! Many of you know God uprooted our family the end of last year and told us to "move on." I had a strong call in my spirit that God had NEW plans. However, it was  hard to believe it meant to leave what I had and not know where I was going. As director, teacher, counselor and friend, this was a difficult move. I valued every relationship in that season of ministry.

God said to "leave' and did not spare any other details!


Well today, I am living in obedience and still stuck in the middle of what I had and where I am going! The dream God gave me still beats inside me every day and I see Him shaping me in new ways. The friendships I have made in the past month have been very important to me. I value my first friendships because stepping into my first small group as a "new" facilitator not knowing a single person was a bit RISKY!

The  reality is God created us all for a significant and specific plan and I am most certain that God has predetermined my destiny and has directed me to this new place. So I give a big thank you to my new friendships.

Why is friendships in Christ so valuable?

Today's reading came from a short book in the bible called Philemon.

Paul wrote this short book and in the writings we see Paul help his friend Philemon do the right thing.

If you read the story you will realize that Philemon had some issues with a guy named Onesimus. The two of them had a falling out because Onesimus had done some wrong things to Phil!

Ever had a falling out with someone?
Do you know someone who has done wrong to a friend?
Can you help them?

Paul was the friend who encouraged both his friends to do the right thing. Paul instructed Onesimus to go back to Philemon ans tell him sorry for the things he had done. He also instructed Philemon to welcome Onesimus back with FORGIVENESS. What is forgiveness? Well, if you owed me 2 dollars from buying ice cream last week and I forgave what you owed me, you wouldn't owe me anything anymore. Forgiveness is removing what we owe. How could Philemon forgive all that Onesimus had done to him?

Sometimes we get stuck in the middle of the crisis and need a friend to nudge us in the right direction. Paul nudged Philemon to forgive a fellow believer and accept him back as a brother in Christ. Paul took the time also to commend Philemon for his spiritual growth while expressing the potential he sees for further growth in a specific area. Paul desired for his friends to experience the blessing and promises of God.

Godly friendships are very important. A Godly friendship is one in which your friend gets excited about making you successful in the purposes of God!

God designed the game of life for more then one player. We need friends to support us.

Are you stuck in the middle of a crisis and need a Godly friend?

Do you see a friend that may need a nudge in the right direction?

Philemon 1:8
"Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for loves sake I rather appeal to you--"

Love often compels us to do that which cannot be explained by any other motive!

Forgive today my friend and live free from bitterness...

blessings,

Vote

I have to say I was very excited to see the reading today. One of my very favorite verses is found in Jeremiah 29. I started to write the blog in my mind.

“Oh, this is going to write itself!”

I felt God speaking to me. “Finish reading”.

“But this is it”, I said.

“Finish reading.”

God doesn’t usually want us to go the easy way. There is no chance of growing through the easy route. When I got to Titus 3, I read His message for today.

Praise God for His perfect timing.

What could be more appropriate on election day? Titus 3:1-2, Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

As Christian’s we should be setting a good example for the people around us. We should do our homework, find out who is the best person for the job and make sure we get to the polls and vote for that person. I know it is difficult, because not every candidate is perfect in their views on various subjects and so, there are times when you have to look at the bigger issues and vote according to those. Our local Christian radio station has done their homework on the “big” issues and has been encouraging people to get out and vote. I will admit that I am not good about following the news and what is happening, so this information has been helpful to me.

The part of Titus 3 that really stood out to me, was “slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” It is very common to hear people cutting down our authority figures or elected officials, the choices they make, their character and even their race. I really have a problem with this. I may not agree with all of the choices that our leaders make, but I am a Christian at all times, I need to act accordingly and be respectful. It is one thing to disagree and completely another to tear the person apart.

I like what The Message says, no insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous (Titus 3:1-2, emphasis mine). For me, that is the bottom line. You can’t get much more straightforward than that.

I am one little person in a little town in the middle of nowhere. I won’t be making any big impact on government any time soon. But, God is bigger than anything I can do or even imagine. The most powerful thing I can do is pray. Pray that I make the right choice at the polls. Pray that the right people get into office. Pray that God’s will be done on election day. But, it doesn’t end there. The best thing we can do once the elections are over, is pray for our leaders and officials. Pray that they will make good decisions and follow God. Pray for their strength to do the right thing. Pray for protection and good counsel around them. Prayer is so much more effective than criticism.

I encourage you to vote today. You are only one person, but you have the Creator of the Universe on your side. The Victory is His!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Father, thank you for your word and your perfect timing. I want to vote responsibly today. Please open my ears and my heart so that I can vote for your people, so that your will is accomplished. You know the perfect person for each position on the ballot, use me as your instrument to get those people into office. Please protect each of our representatives from evil and from darkness. Lord, guide them in their decisions, actions and work. Your word says, to support and respect the people you have placed into positions of authority. Help me to build up rather than tear down. Teach me to be constructive rather than cruel. Show me how to be a light in my community and my country. Thank you Lord, for always knowing what is best for me. I know that you are in control today. In Jesus precious name. Amen.

Hugs,

Lynnette

HIDDEN SUCCESS

MONDAY, MONDAY, MONDAY......

I woke up this morning to a messy home but it was well worth it, we had a fabulous gathering with many kids and parents in the neighborhood yesterday! A home full of excitement, food and fun! I have spent the last couple days making jello jigglers, witches fingers, mummy dogs, chili, dirty Q-tips,snot on a stick followed by dried scabs! Sound yummy?

Yes, I visited many great blogs to stir up my created juices. I love blogs that inspire me to cook and decorate for all seasons. The party was a success and left me with a monday mess!

The thing I want to ZOOM in on was the blogs that I visited the past weeks in preparing for this party and the holidays to come. Many of the blogs and websites that I came across all had one thing in common... a person with a desire/passion to use their gifts to stir and inspire others.

A passion can certainly take someone from mediocracy to excellence, power to purpose and failure to future! Most of the women that I have read about the past week on their blogs all had a background, giftedness and desire to share. A desire can take you places and cause you to do things you never would do without it!

What fires you up?       where is your desire?        where is your passion?

 Like I said,i n the past 6 months I have visited many great websites about COUPONS AND HOW TO BARGAIN, RUNNING AND TRAINING, COOKING FOR A HOLIDAY and DECORATING.  Each site was developed from the heart of passion. A single womens passion in a few certain areas stired and equipped me to put on a party that was fun, creative and cheap! I would have never came up with the ideas on my own!
Listen, I will tell ya a funny secret...It took me four tries to make my jello jigglers correctly! I had to revist for some wisdom after try number 3!
See, I even gained wisdom from anothers expertise!

Todays bible reading was really good today my life verse is Jeremiah 29...

                                          JEREMIAH 29
"For I know the plans I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."

God understands our giftedness because HE created us! HE chose you and is calling you to change the world through the passion and purpose burning in your heart. He has placed something within you. Get a hold of that passion and nothing will be impossible.

Before you can step forward and claim that passion God is giving you, you need to understand the HIDDEN SECRET, which is"favor".
 Favor means that God has already prepared things ahead of you so that when you get there, you will walk into them.
Look at the verse above again and notice God is telling us "I know the plans I think towards you".
One reason we tend to fail with our passions is because we do not tap into Gods favor. Favor is the way he makes all things work together for GOOD and not EVIL in your life.
God wants to bless you and prepare you for your dream!

For many years my dreams did not feel favored or blessed  and I didn't expereince fullfilment.

The key to hidden success was when I truely began to adopt the truth of God in my life and His saving grace. Gods favor then began to guide me into handfuls of blessings.

Let God adjust your passion and desires if He needs to. He usually needs to make some changes inside us before we are ready  to pursue a dream.  Sometimes we pursue after dreams that are not really from God!

God knows what He is doing friends. Put your faith in the right place.

I encourage you to memorize todays bible verse Jeremiah 29:11

I also encourage you to think about your giftedness and realize that HIDDEN SUCCESS rooted in God's grace and faithfulness.

Are you expereincing the favor of God in your life and with your dreams?

FOLLOWING YOUR DREAM SHOULD GENUINELY LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS!

peace and love,