The List

I don’t know about you but I can’t seem to remember anything these days unless I write it down. If it’s not on the calendar I won’t remember its happening, and if it’s not on the grocery list it won’t be purchased.

If we run out of something, it doesn’t work to just shout…”we are out of toothpaste”

It has to go on the list.

It can be heard in our home…”Put it on the list!”

It occurred to me in between the hours of last night and this morning that I have another special list I keep. A ”List” for God. Yep and because I want this blog post to ‘go there’, I am, out of obedience and a lesson in pride going to share that list. This list is a visual for what is currently on my heart, concerns, issues, circumstances, ‘stuff’ that I have been thinking about and talking to God about.

Nichole’s Prayer List

The Engineer and his stressful job.
Praise that the Engineer has a job.
Family sick with colds and/or flu.
Friends who are sick, or their children.
Our church in the middle of a pastor transition, health of our church.
Tyler in kindergarten, and my momma heart that is grieving.
Car troubles with both of our vehicles.
Praise for Girlfriends Unlimited, the new women’s ministry at church.
My sister, haven’t heard from her in a few months.
My mom who is in a whole lot of pain, needing relief from pain, and surgery soon.
My Father-in-laws health.
My dads job.
Bitterness, pride, jealousy, loneliness in my heart.
Many people who are without jobs, or who are having major stress at work.
Marriages, friends and family who are struggling.
Friends and family who are desperately seeking to start or expand their families with babies.
Friends who found out they are pregnant again.
Living My Life On Purpose, the ministry.
A friend in her new marriage and being a step-mom.
Praise for a healthy recovery and healing for a Cindy, who lived through breast cancer.
Finances.
My hearts desire to be less and Him MORE.
A friends daughter who was recently diagnosed with a hormone imbalance.
A friend whose little boy struggles with health issues.
Friends who went from a family of 3 to 6 recently as they adopted 3 kids at one time.
A friend who was admitted to the hospital because labor started too early.
Many friends who are pastors wives.
A friends whose husband is awaiting surgery on his knee.
Our economy.
Praise for a friends dad who got to go home.
The moral health of our world.
Friends who are traveling.
Health of co-workers of my husband.
Moms, as our jobs are hard.
Praise for such amazing family and friends!


Yesterday when I came and asked you to pray it was a hard thing for me to do. You see I am a girl who likes to hold hands with pride so often, and unfortunately it keeps me from humbling myself and asking for help…more importantly prayer.

Thank you so much for praying. For there is power in your prayers. I know that’s such a crazy term…and for years I thought so too…there is NO power in my prayers…I am just a girl! But friends hear me out on this one. And go there with me. There is power in our prayers…you see our Jesus hears them! He hears the whispers of our hearts, He hears the cries, the shouts…and He sees the ‘lists’. He is the power! When they land on Him…and He is the power…something most amazing happens! Yep! Things start happening. Peace starts flowing, love comes down, graces blankets!

Just so you know…your prayers where answered and felt yesterday! Thank you!

He whispered to my heart yesterday over and over again….

Nichole it’s not for you to figure out ‘how’ to take care of all those things on your list, your job is to be obedient.

Woo-hoo! Yeah I don’t have to the do the ‘how’…but friends can I just say His whisper still left me a little lost…you see obedience and I have been on a journey for a VERY long time…and I still have a ways to go!

Right now in this moment as I type up this blog…my obedience is relinquishing the list, knowing that He is in complete control, He is not withholding anything from me, and that He loves and adores me, and He is working it all out!

”Ah Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

Do you have a list?

Friends would you be so bold as to join me?

Would you turn over your list?

Would you go there?

Would you trust Him and hear what He has for you?

Would you allow Him to speak to you?

He loves you. He adores you.

He wants to be in complete control of your life.

Again thank you for joining me yesterday in prayer, please know I take this whole team thing, and prayer very seriously, and because of that I want to join you in praying, praying with you for the things that are on your list. Leave a comment, make it anonymous, or send me an email, either way know that there is power in prayer!

Please Pray

Hello Friends and Family, I come humbly to ask for prayer. I come not to share why, which for some might be hard...but will you please join me in trusting and knowing that He knows and He's in charge and He is working...so please just join me in praying...knowing that it will come to be as He has planned it. For He knows what He is doing!

Thank you for praying on purpose!

Let The Games Begin!

I am so excited to announce Girlfriends Unlimited

Friday October 23rd...tomorrow night we are having our kick-off event:

"Let the Games Begin!"

Would you Girlfriends and 'guys' too please lift up this in prayer! This has been in the works for a long time and I am so excited to see what God is going to do tomorrow night! There has been a most amazing team of women working on this for quite a few months now.

Our purpose:

To have fun on purpose!

Thank you so much for your prayers!

I can't wait to come back and share pictures of the fun with you!

Have a great weekend!

Help Received

Thank you so much friends and family for your feedback yesterday. I did follow one of the links and go and read an article, an article that helped me see what was missing.

I will forever need to seek balance in all things. I know crazy that a little moment of vanity in front of my mirror could lead to something a little deeper...stick around it gets interesting!

Over this past year I have had a HUGE lesson on balance. Which totally fits in nicely with living life on purpose.

My lesson on balance looks like this:

Relationship with Jesus

Relationship with the Engineer

Relationships with the boys

Relationships with family and friends

Relationship with myself


All of the above areas come with more specific lessons.

The relationship with myself is about taking care of myself. Balancing. Listening to my body. Spending time feeding my soul, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting plenty of rest, and managing/limiting stress.

So here is where this all ties together...thanks for your patience!

Monday I get this call from a Girlfriend who is 'checking' on me making sure I am NOT stressing (I will soon be revealing a big huge fun thing...come back Friday), she wants to make sure I am staying 'healthy'.

Tuesday I notice my eyes, no not for the first time, but long enough to really notice.

Many times on Tuesday I had family, friends, and the Engineer,say the words, 'relax',
'don't stress', 'make sure you are taking care of yourself'.

Last night I purge prayed...ever done that, where you just empty everything that is on your heart to your Jesus! Woo-wee...it felt amazing!

Friends I am truly seeking balance.

I know He is balance for me.

Thank you SO much for being a part of this "On the surface eye journey that led me to a deeper level of balance into my Jesus' arms"

May we know that when we seek help we will receive it!

Can ya help this Girlfriend out?

Hey friends...good day and welcome to the blog!

Now if your here for some laughs...GREAT...cause I am really trying to find some humor in this one!

Have you ever said something in the past that comes back to get ya' and then you have to end up eatin' your words?

Or maybe the thought never exited via your mouth, but it still leaves you feelin' guilty?

Well I am here to confess that many of times while someone was 'sharing' how they were lookin' older whether it was because of grey hair, saggin' somethin', I was thinkin'...oh yeah and sometimes even shouting out Just age gracefully!

Yep that was my response! It happens to all of us...we get older and so we might as well accept it! Right?

Just age gracefully!

As I stood in front of my mirror this morning that little phrase above is comin' back to get me...and now I am eatin' those words!

So here is where you come in...I have these eyes!

Eyes that are looking older...yep it happens friends! And really in the big picture I am really okay with it. But it's the little picture...the moments in which I stand in front of my mirror!

So can ya help this Girlfriend out?

Any ideas, suggestions, pointers, tips, recommendations?

My eyes are gettin' older!

Which I so know means wisdom on the inside...HA!

But on the outside...they are saggin' dark circles!

Help!


***And just to warn ya...I will have another help out a Girlfriend post! See you soon!

More

Have you ever asked the question:

Is there more to life than this?

I have found myself asking that question...especially on the 'ground hog' days of life. Remember that silly movie, where each day the actor woke up and it was the same day?

Well friends life can seem to appear that way for each of us. The same drive to work, same job, same household chores, the same routine, same menu each week.

This morning as I was running, in the comfort of my own home...its raining outside today and this girly doesn't too much care for running in the rain...it takes all my coordination to run on dry pavement!

I asked God for more.

And you know what He had the nerve to respond with?

Then Obey!

No wait I was speaking of more to life, you know the exciting, life changing stuff, you know I want more of You God!

Then Obey!

Seriously?

Yeah obey in all things.

So as I ran in the comfort of my own home I became a little uncomfortable, for I could hear Him whisper:


Submit all your worldly desires to me. The ones that have a financial price tag attached.

Submit your eating to me. Quit eating for comfort reasons.

Choose joy every time.

Quit being bitter, forgive the past, go on and love.

Set your mind on Me.

Trust me and Obey!

Wow now that's some stuff, can I just have one to work on for today?

But friends, I can't, you see I want MORE of Him, I want to experience ALL of what He has for me. And there are things in the way of that MORE.

"As much as my flesh wanted relief, I knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling than served myself all the way to meaninglessness. I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life. "(Beth Moore)

Can you relate? Do you want More out of this life?

Is there something in the way of your More?

Selfishness?

Pride?

Avoidance?

Religion?

Addiction?

Fear?

God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways! Psalm 119:33-40 (The Message)

To get More we are asked to obey. What does it mean to obey?

Do what God wants and trust Him for the outcome.

"Beloved in the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what's at stake" (Beth Moore)

May we trust Him today, He has More for us!

A girl. A dream. A Wednesday.

With every ounce of my being I want to remain real selfish on this one. I don’t want to share.
In the background somewhere between my heart and my mind I know these words said via Beth Moore yesterday are asking, encouraging and rather insisting I share.

"One of the most important parts of fulfilling our destiny will be transparency" Beth Moore

Yeah proclaiming to be a girl who lives on purpose…a girl who desires to be real…the real He created me to be…knows in her mind that this needs to be backed up with some actions…so I come tonight to share my heart…and am asking Him, rather begging Him to connect the two.

Asking Him to connect my mind and heart.

So picture with me if you will my visual, one that until tonight I have only fully experienced with my Jesus.

Here I am, with a beautiful gift packaged all pretty and tied nicely with a big beautiful bow, I stand before my God with hands reached out and present it to Him. Inside this beautiful wrapped package is a dream, a girls dream. A dream that is so intimate and personal. Knowing that it will only be sacred within His hands and He is the only one who will truly be able to see it for what it truly is, because only He can see the heart that presents this dream.

The dream, to be 100% fully submitted to Him, so that I can be used by Him to bring others to His heart.

The dream, to be a Speaker, one who shares her everyday relationship with her Jesus, in hopes to bring Him all the glory and honor!

So Wednesday morning comes and in my inbox is an email inviting me to come and speak at a conference. To which instantly I am excited and elated! As I continued to read on I instantly start to ask questions, as the information presented in the invite does not fully seem true, reliable and even possible.

"Is this the enemy mocking me?"

"How could the enemy pick something I hold so precious and dear to my heart and go there?"

Was this a God divine moment or the enemy pursing a very personal attack?

Ever been there?

I also started to question if I couldn’t fully believe that God could work divinely.

Trusting and knowing in my mind that His ways are not mine.

So within seconds, and minutes I am one big mixed up, emotional mess, that desperately is looking to eat my weight in chocolate and crawl back in bed and not be momma, or wife, or anything else for that matter!

The only thing I could do in my messed up emotional mess was to ask The Engineer who ALWAYS functions under very solid and stable emotions…so unlike his wife…to help me figure out what this email was all about. I also had a girlfriend who listened, hugged, loved on me, and then went to bat for a girlfriend, she truly stood in the gap for me!

The email was not legitimate. It was a scam. Someone who is seeking out speakers and trying to mess with them.

I was hurt. I felt mocked, teased.

I felt as if my very dream was put on display, torn apart, picked through, and mocked.

Something I held so dear to my heart was now not feeling so precious and sacred.

I took myself to Him, to seek His face.

His words were comforting:

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

"Presently you may not be receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry. Let God’s love for you and His intimate knowledge of your service for Him bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth". (Life Application Study Bible, NIV Commentary)

When God speaks He does so on purpose!

And so there is a sense inside of me today that part of the Wednesday ties into the Friday.

Again it’s all for a purpose, and on purpose!

I know from history that death comes on a Friday and resurrection is next!

I can honestly say as of today, Friday it feels as if something has died.

My dream?

No.

Maybe fear? Pride? Selfishness?

But there is something that has been let go of.

But who know’s it could just be on purpose, His purpose of bringing me closer to His heart.

For He is adjusting my direction.

What do you hold so intimately?

Jesus tonight I come seeking to hold Your hand, to be brought closer to You, in the intimate relationship You have for me! Will You continue to change me, and make it more about You? For I desire to be useful! Use me! I love You!-Amen

What does dolphin poop look like?

For there are some that are more than elated that the 'heaviness' of our last series is now over, there are some like myself that still desire to seek purpose...purpose in the everyday.

And today, adding to yesterday and hopefully tomorrow...I desire with all that is in me to seek Him, know Him and experience Him more. Selfish? Yes maybe, but from the mouth of a most amazing man who was placed in my life on purpose:

"You can never be selfish with God!" Brent Hofen, Lead Pastor for Mission Church, Bend Oregon

I have been so filled, filled to an overflowing that as I type today I can't get it all out, so I invite you to join me, in the everyday to seek, know and experience Him more.

Why?

Oh because there is purpose!

Will you join me in this journey?

The name of the journey:

Life.

Will you invite your Creator to live in the everyday moments?

The ones that take place every second, every minute of everyday.

The ones that happen when a little boy and his mommy are sitting at a table for lunch and the little boys asks:

"Mommy what does dolphin poop look like?"

For this everyday moment has changed me, yep I am not the same girl I was before lunch!

I have been enlightened, encouraged and feel rather elated as of this moment in which I type.

For a question from a little boy, one who is created in the very image of his Creator, has caused this mommas heart to stop, pause and listen.

May we know that God is in our everyday!

And more than anything, selfish like I am, I don't want to miss one second of Him!

Resources on Sex

Welcome to the blog!



Thank you to everyone who participated in this series on Sex. All levels of participation were needed and much appreciated. Thank you for your words of encouragement, prayers, comments, emails, questions, and for those of you who shared personal revealations and successes!



I know God has done some great and amazing work through this series...and it is He who gets all the applause!



When we started back in August on this series it was a stepping out in obedience for me. And thats just what I did, grabbed my Jesus' hand, kept praying, trusting and knowing that He would use it to bring His people closer to His heart.



I feel so honored and privileged to get to see God work in the everyday!



Today as the series comes to an end I want to share some resources that have been very helpful to me.



A book titled Intimate Issues. I have participated in 2 small groups while reading this book and highly recommend it to all of my girlfriends! If you click on the link it will take you to Amazon to take a peek at the book!



Another book I think is great in dealing with all issues including Sex in marriage is Love and Respect.



When seeking out a lot of questions on Sex I have found the Focus on the Family website to be very helpful. Here you have also find out how to talk to your children about Sex. They have some great resources on purity.



May I also encourage you to read Song of Songs. A beautiful book in the Bible that Gods very hand is all over. A book that displays His beauty and design for His very people in regards to Sex.



I would love to challenge you to continue to seek His purpose for you...as I am committed to doing the same! I will continue to lift you up in prayer as I know the enemy does NOT want to see us living free in this area!



Thank you so much for joining me!



I am so looking forward to living on purpose with you!