Living My Life On Purpose

Come on over

2010-10-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family I am super happy to invite you to come on over!

Because of the talent of some super smart computer guys I now am located in one convenient location!

My website:
www.livingmylifeonpurpose.com

The super smart computer guys were able to combine it all into one nice package!

Thank you super smart computer guys!

Can I just mention that they also spent time via email and the phone 'trying' to train me?!

Which means they were trying to 'install' some computer guru stuff into this chocolate loving, shoe wearin' girlie mind of mine...not easy stuff.

Anyway the applause goes out to them, the guys at Five Talent.

So I will be officially over there now.

www.livingmylifeonpurpose.com

So if you have been installed with some computer guru stuff and you know how to get over there...great come visit me!

A Visitor

2010-10-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! There are so many times I wish I could remove this screen and spend time with you face to face...especially over some super yummy Oregon Chai and maybe some chocolate chip banana bread!! Yum! Oh and especially right now boy do I need some company...if you haven't heard I am out here in this place called the wilderness...I know some of you are truly tired of hearing about it...imagine living it my friends?!?!

So if there are undertones of me whining in this post...well then have a sympathy moment for me and then move on. (Smiling and thanking you across the screen!)

So out here in the wilderness I am truly soaking in some student -teacher time. Me being the student and my Creator teaching some most amazing details. I am hearing Him, seeing Him and experiencing Him. He is all over this wilderness...shouldn't surprise me since He is the Creator of this place. As I find myself months into 'this place', that's what I am calling it, 'this place'. Some call it a season. So you can if you like, but all I know is I am NOT calling it home. For I am passing through. I am purposefully going through it. Learning, hearing, changing, shifting, renewing, resting, growing, repenting, all of the above I will do and more in 'this place', but I am not calling it home!

Being here gets lonely, especially for me, a people person like no other. I enjoy people. I enjoy seeing them, hearing about their stories, living vicariously through them as they go on vacations, I truly enjoy people. So being out here in 'this place' gets lonely. Now don't get me wrong and please hear my heart on this, I know God is with me, for He truly is the air I am breathing out here, and it is of NO disrespect or am I in anyway dishonoring Him. But in my humanness I am lonely.

Being very small in comparison I have personally been able to experience what Jesus must have felt like in the Garden as He prayed for His Father to take this whole dying on the cross thing away from Him. Loneliness is loneliness.

Last night I had a visitor. Someone who has known me for many years. He has had a front row seat to view some serious life shifts within this shoe loving girl! But he hasn't only been an observer. Rather he has been an investor into my life in many ways.

Last night God allowed me to have a visitor out here in the wilderness. And the visitor came, he stayed and he prayed with me. I am praising Him for an Engineer who will trek out and meet a girl out here for a visit!

As I remain in Him I am trusting that He knows just what and who I need, and just why and when.

And now Go Home!

2010-09-28T07:07:00.000-07:00

If you read the blog yesterday then today’s blog will make a little more sense to you, I hope!

I thought I would clarify a few things from yesterday. Not necessarily for you, most likely for me. I tend to think things over…its not always a positive thing…my thoughts can go on and on! (Engineering nodding in agreement)

So yesterday my heart was filled with the realization that God has called each one of us home.

Home being a personal grace and love filled relationship with Him.

Now one day I know we will be going to eternity to live with Him, but that’s not what yesterday was about.

This relationship is about living today with Him.

This is more than religion, more than church going, more than a Christian checklist.

This is relationship.

And if you haven’t gone home, I am praying He is speaking to you and that your heart is hearing Him.

It truly is why we were created. It’s our purpose.

God wanted us. He wanted us so He created us. He loves us and wants us to know that, see that and experience that. And for that to be we need to be in a grace and love filled relationship with Him.

There is something truly amazing when you get things in the order of right design.

When you go and meet with your Creator and you commit to being in a grace and loved filled relationship with Him life has a way of working itself into a rhythm. A divine design.

Does that all make sense up to this point?

Once you are there living in relationship with Him, your starting point, He will then direct you in the next steps. But friends you can’t jump into the middle of this thing called life and expect anything to flow, work out or run smoothly unless you start with Him.

He has to be the starting point of your journey.

You have to ‘go home’ first.

When I truly sensed I was getting this deep in the core of myself. A realignment of my priorities. Which I truly feel He is so graceful to help us do I heard Him speak again.

“And now go home!”

And in the midst of doing life. Making breakfast, filling the washing machine, feeding the dog, delivering my oldest to school, it hit me. I am to be home!

God had my attention.

If I wanted the marriage He designed for me to have:

I was to be there 100% for the Engineer. I was to be all in for him. To be his listening ear, to be his encourager, to be everything he needed his wife to be.

If I wanted to be the mom that our boys needed:

I was be fully devoted to the boys. To be available, ready, and willing.

If I wanted my family to know and experience Jesus:

I was to serve my family.

And I can I just say that I know myself pretty darn good to say I SO would not have been ready for Him to tell me to ‘go home’ if I hadn’t had ‘gone home’ to Him first.

Does that make sense?

Friends it’s just a new deeper level of God reminding me of my priority list.

My relationship with Him.

My marriage.

My role as the momma.

I have the honor and privilege of doing life with one amazing Engineer and two super fun boys…and the joy of that hits me more now than ever.

All because I went home!

Can I ask you a bold question today?

Are you home?

No really, is your mind, heart and soul at home?

How is your marriage?

How are your kids?

How is the health of your family?

Just maybe God is calling you to come home to Him so He can say

“And now Go Home!”

I am praying with and for you friend!

Go Home

2010-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

The whole point of this blog is so that people can come here and experience God.

And these past few days it has been on my heart and mind that the point of my life is so others can experience God.

Does that make sense?

Really the point of me living my life on purpose, is so that others can see that God is real, amazing, holy, perfect and divine.

Now read that correctly…not that Nichole is amazing, holy, perfect and divine. But that God is!

That God can take a real broken girl and work in her and through her to show off his amazing, holy, perfect and divine self.

Sitting with Him in these past few months has overwhelmed me in many ways. One in which I truly think I never want to leave His side again…meaning I don’t ever want to be running so far ahead that I can’t hear His heartbeat, feel His hand upon me, or know His voice!

Sitting with Him has me in a really teachable spot in life, and with that teaching He has opened my eyes and ears. I have been made aware of some areas in my life that needed some work.

All of the above is to prepare your heart and mind for what follows in this post, so please know that I am not ‘preaching’ at you, I am sharing what’s going on in my life and just maybe someone else out there needs to know. Needs to know so they can be encouraged to hear Him, to grab His hand, to allow His grace and love to pour over them.

The other day I heard this come out of the mouth of Beth Moore…

“He wants you home”

And as soon as my ears heard it my heart confirmed it was from my Jesus!

Those four words above are so packed full. Packed on purpose. Packed by His hands, and when you hear them friend know that if they meet your precious heart that they come surrounded in grace and love.

“He wants you home”

We were created for one reason, to be in relationship with Him. That’s what this whole life thing is all about. I know there is a lot competing for your attention, jobs, family, finances, health issues, stress, and more stress. But will you take a few seconds and hear your Creator…

“I want you home”

Like I said above those words moved me when I heard them. They moved me closer to His heart. Because I realized its where I truly desire and need to be.

I am praying right now that if you are done,

Running

Searching

Being lonely

Trying it on your own

That you will join me in hearing His Words to us.

“I want you home”

And because I believe we both need the time to fully process what He is asking of us. I am going to pause right here.

Please join me in thinking about His request, pray it over, I would love to join you in prayer so if you want leave a request!

Know you are loved on purpose!

One in a Million- Part 5 (It's the last one!)

2010-09-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for joining me on the blog to review One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer. Today I will wrap up this little series but I can’t say the packaging and bow will be all pretty, why? Well because things just don’t feel all pretty and well presentable right now.

Life is being lived in the middle of the wilderness. A place that is totally foreign to me. I am not calling the lessons, I know it’s NOT a new concept for some, but for me, it’s a hard walk to walk right now.

There is a lot of change going on inside this girl…and all I can say is that thankfully I am in the wilderness cause it doesn’t look so pretty!

I have shouted and yelled a few times,

‘why in the world do you think I can handle this? And now of all times? Really?’

I have to be totally honest with you, there have been times I want to run so fast out of this wilderness…I have spent time (maybe even wasted some time) looking for the quickest out.

And yet when I see the outs, all of them point back to Egypt and the past and there is just something, something that doesn’t quite fit anymore with that place.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14

Does that mean something is working out here in the wilderness?

Does that mean that just maybe my heart is tuning into I was meant for something different?

A Promised Land.

Even though I am experiencing a ‘feeling’ of loneliness out here in this wilderness I know I am not alone.

For out here I am sensing His presence in ways that I haven’t before.

I am tasting a food that I have never tasted. Food that was hidden out here in the wilderness for me all along.

The presence, the teaching, the food it’s all good.

But again I would be fooling you and myself to say that the wilderness is a vacation.

You see out here I am also more aware of the enemies workings. The enemy has tried yanking on emotions, messing with my mind, tweeking with my health, oh and the list goes on…the enemy must know how great the Promised Land is because he is trying to keep me from it.

Journal Entry while reading One in a Million:

Lord help me not rush through this season of sitting with You. As I was reading One in a Million yesterday the message that is sticking with me, is to NOT want the Promised Land more than I want You. Lord I want to learn a lot in this season. I want to know Your Word more, I want to build faith, I want to strengthen my perseverance, I want to trust You more, I want to learn to continually pray w/out ceasing, I want my thoughts to be pure, I want self- control, and many more things. But Lord MORE than anything I want You. I want to know You more. I want to learn who You are. I want to know Your characteristics as my God because I experience them. Lord as I type this I know with this wanting comes ‘a need to live it out’. Help me know this is not about earning, striving or doing it myself. Rather a life that is fully surrendered to allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to carry me! Please Lord!

Friends this has been a great book! I highly recommend it. But more than the book I recommend time with your Creator. A God who loves you more than anything. He wants to spend time with you. Please may I encourage you not to be afraid of the wilderness.

Journal Entry while reading One in a Million:

As I finished the book, One in a Million last night there were so many times I felt You loving on me. Speaking right to my heart. Whispers of encouragement, confirmation, assurance. Reminding me to stand strong and hold on tight to Your hand. Thank You Lord. I praise You for the peace You have filled my mind and heart with. A peace that speaks and says God knows and it’s all right. Everything is all right. This season of life is all right. Because You see and know and You are working. I pray Lord for the continued over powering of the Holy Spirit to flood my mind and heart, and remind me its not where this is taking me, or what’s happening next, or where I need to be going, but that I am with You. You! It’s about being with You, hearing from You, listening to You, applying what You are telling me, living in relationship with You. I pray Father God for a strong focus on what truly matters. A renewal of what You have called me to. Being in relationship with You.

A Prayer:

Lord we want to see You… to hear Your voice, the voice that has called us to abundant life. Lord I pray hard right now, a passion burning inside me, more than anything I want others to find You, fall in love with You and decide to run after You with everything they’ve got. Lord that the world would grow dim to us all. That we would know deep in our hearts a love that is like nothing we could ever understand, a love that truly gives us each breath, and a love that carries us to each moment. Your love. I know I don’t deserve it, can’t earn it, and will never truly wrap my little head around the why You give it, but Father God, thank You. Thank You for loving me. Purely, passionately, intimately. Loving me in moments that change my heart for the next. I love You, because You enable me too. Thank You Jesus for being the mediator, for standing in my place, to make this moment with You all possible. I love You, Amen

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

One in a Million- Part 4

2010-09-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Thank you for joining me on this soul reaching look at the book, One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer. It’s a great read! And I am so thankful my sweet and precious friend returned it to my doorstep when she was finished with it so I could continue on from page 88!

We have established from last time that everyone starts in Egypt. And maybe some of us even left a foot in because of comfort.

We were created for a breath taking relationship with our Creator and yet many settle just this side of it.

Why?

To truly experience and live the life we were designed for, we have to leave.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

We have to leave and walk into the wilderness.

I am grateful for a love so amazing that not only does He want to deliver us from Egypt He want to bring us through the wilderness to develop our character, the very character He created us to have.

And when He develops our character He brings us fully to Him, our destiny. Our abundant life, an intimate grace and love filled relationship with Him our Creator.

I am praying for the power of the Holy Spirit to tug on our hearts, to move us to take the steps and to carry us on the journey.

Friends this is more than religion.

Many Israelites walking around in the wilderness had religion mastered.

But two had a relationship

A relationship that made them one in a million.

I have spent some hours in this wilderness and friends there are long minutes. There are long hours…that eventually lead to long days.

Some long lonely hard times. I know I am trying to sell you on this whole idea to leave Egypt and encourage you to walk into the wilderness…but I am being completely honest…it’s not a trip many are willing to make. And frankly you will be considered weird by many.

“I must admit, it’s been quite a surprising journey. But once my appetite had been whet, there was no turning back. I was ruined. Mundane Christian living would no longer suffice. Not then, not now and by God’s grace, not ever again.” (One in a Million, Priscilla Shirer)

And your wilderness journey will not look like another. Because it was plotted out specifically for you. Details all put in place for you to experience God. And when those details start to be lived out, you will find yourself in the middle of the wilderness…

And it will hit you that you are NOT in the wilderness to identify all the tree species. You are NOT in the wilderness to create the best over the campfire dinner. You are NOT in the wilderness to critique the journey of all the other wilderness travelers.

The purpose of the wilderness is:

To hear Him.

To experience Him.

To fall more in love with Him.

It’s all about Him.

It’s not about pitchin’ a tent or fit for that matter.

It’s not about when you will get out.

And really it’s not about what is next.

It’s about the now, being in the now with Him.

The wilderness is not our design. We don’t get to draw the map, or call the turns. We don’t know the timeline. And we really need to be okay with that.

When we purposefully allow His grace to bring us completely out of Egypt, and allow Him to wrap us in His love, trust that He has great things for us; we will walk peacefully with Him through the wilderness. We will be intent on reaching the Promised Land.

And friends that’s living life on purpose!

“The magnificent obsession of the Jew was to experience the Messiah, to witness the ushering in of the kingdom of God with all its promised benefits.” (Jesus Christ Disciplemaker, Bill Hull)

Please join me next time as we gaze ahead on the Promised Land.

One in a Million- Part 3

2010-09-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

I had just tucked one of my little ones into bed, the Engineer was finishing with the other. I found my book, my quilt and my oversized chair. I turned on the lamp that sat next to the chair and I started reading. Reading a book in which I knew I would find my Jesus. And boy did I. I was enjoying this book so much that I felt the ‘need’ to highlight some lines, some quotes, and some words that would need to be re-read. And yet I also felt the importance not to highlight. Why?

Not only was He to be found in the pages of this book, but more importantly He was to do some most divine work. As I read page after page I could hear Him whispering about how my friend needed this book. And I could hear myself too, yep she sure does it will be a great book for her to read, and I will pass it on when I am done! You see I might look old enough and mature enough on the outside but I struggle with sharing. I don’t like to share my oldest boy with his school for 6 ½ hrs a day…and in this moment I really didn’t want to share my really great book!

So I kept on reading and Jesus kept being right there. As I was reading I was learning so much about how I had to leave Egypt, not just one foot, but both. Both had to go. Both feet had to journey. And my eyes had to be fixed on Him, and my hand had to hold tight to His. For leaving Egypt meant I was headed into the wilderness. To sit with Him. I had to leave my way of doing things. I was very comfortable doing it all my way. Now hear my heart on this. Yes I am a Jesus loving girl and I do follow hard after Him, but I had ever let Him have me completely. Why? Because I was busy running. Running for Him…I know you will start to see all the craziness of me mixed in here. It was for Him…but not fully fueled by Him. Silly how a pride control issue girl can get in the way but it happens. Leaving Egypt meant I would be leaving my way of doing things, marriage, motherhood, being a neighbor and friend, and ministry.

Marriage would be different.

Motherhood would be different.

Church would be different.

Nichole would be different.

I stopped reading on page 88.
I go to bed that night with my book resting comfy on the nightstand. I turn off my light, talk with my Jesus and rest. When I wake in the morning I head out to the back porch to let my Ellie girl outside (the dog) and as I step onto the back porch it smelled different. Different good.

I had walked into something different. I had taken steps. And there was something inside me that felt so good about it. Felt right.

As I stood in my kitchen making breakfast for the boys again I heard my Jesus. And again He was telling me to share. Share the book.

You see I truly believe that I had to leave Egypt.

I truly believe my friend had to leave Egypt. Not in a judgmental way as I thought anything bad of her. No not at all. Rather because I truly love her so much and want to cheer her on to ALL that God has designed for her.

I took the book to her. Stood on her front porch, hugged her neck, told her I love her and handed over the book.

The book that I hadn’t even finished yet. A journey I had just started myself. And yet I knew it was all worth it. So worth it that I want others to come.

Today I have the honor and privilege of introducing you to Sabin. My friend. A friend who truly lives life. She has read the book and below is sharing a piece of her heart with you all. Please all Jesus to meet you in these words below. Allow it to encourage you to leave Egypt and come on this journey.

"Have you ever dreamed BIG? I mean really BIG? Let your mind wander, fantasize about the possibilities, become giddy with anticipation, kind of BIG? My husband and I have. We have dreamt just in that way about having more children. We have one incredible little boy and would desperately like to add to our family. Therein lies the problem. With desperation comes skewed thinking. Somehow worship of the Lord falls way down the ladder of priorities only to be replaced by worship of conceiving. In the amazing book, One in a Million, we learn the Lord will come and claim back His rightful place.

Our dream of having more children seemed so close. Then the heavenly whispering of a Father to His child began, "Do you trust Me?" and "Are you willing to submit to My will even if your dream isn't part of it?" Over and over again I heard these questions asked of me, and over and over again I responded with anger and fear, "If You love me so much WHERE IS MY BABY???" Hot tears streamed down my face most days. Indignation that He wasn't "fair" clouded my view. I was so close to the situation I couldn't see straight, I couldn't hear, or perhaps I wasn't willing to listen.

My dear beloved friend Nichole knew of this journey and this pain and brought me One in a Million at the exact moment God told her to. The moment He knew I was ready to hear, listen and obey. One in a Million is a story of courage. It is YOURS and my story of being claimed by Christ for freedom and abundant living. To journey to the Promised Land that HE has chosen for us. It is a story about the journey He walks with us to get to the Promised Land of our lives.

I choose to follow God irregardless of whether my dream of having more children comes true. I choose Him. I choose His perfect Will, perfect knowledge, perfect guidance, perfect love, and perfect desire to create me into His perfect image. It will be a journey, with great highs and great lows, but He will be there with us the entire way.

Dare to dream and live BIG! He is waiting for you."

Sabin

Meet me back here next time when we talk a little bit more about the wilderness!

One in a Million- Part 2

2010-09-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

I come here today to type and share my heart. Which if you know me is always full. Full of emotion. Full of questions. Full of concerns. Full of life. Full of ‘stuff’ that always needs her Jesus to wrap around it and present it to you. So please know that this presentation today is just that. My heart, that I am praying He presents to you. Because in all my humanness I will mess it up. I will not type the sentence with the proper structure (sorry Engineer), I will not use all the right and fancy words (sorry to my writer friends), and I might not make sense.

We all start in Egypt. We are all born slaves. We get used to Egypt. We are comfortable with its smells and sounds. May I dare to say we like what we found, well maybe not like but we know what to expect. The routine, the pattern, the consistency, the lack of change.

And yet Egypt is very personal to each one of us. It’s different, just as different as our DNA. Yes there are chains and bondage. But my chains have a little bit different ‘clink’ sound to them. Not better, prettier, easier…nope chains in Egypt are chains.

Chains that when move call out the sounds of,

Fear.

Mistrust.

Pride.

Selfishness.

Guilt.

Addiction.

Religion.

We were made to live free. We were created to live without the chains. And yet something keeps us in Egypt.

Afraid of the wilderness.

Too tired to walk the journey.

Embarrassed of standing out.

Worried we won’t know which way to go.

Comfortable with the smell, taste and view of our little lot in Egypt.

Making the decision to allow Him to deliver you is big, it’s huge. Allowing Him to remove the chains, grab your hand and lead you out of Egypt is huge.

So where do you find yourself right now?

Are you still in Egypt?

Are you allowing the culture of false beliefs and lies to keep you in chains? Do you have a white knuckle grip on your life plan? Are you depending on a person, place or thing? Are you bound in debt or a career?

Do you believe that He is standing there right now ready to free you? Free you so that you can walk with Him. Walk purposefully towards the Promised Land. A land you were created to live in. A land that will look nothing like Egypt, on purpose.

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 (The Message)

Will you join me next as I share what happened when I found myself on page 88 of this book?

One in a Million- Part 1

2010-09-08T13:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had times where you just think that it couldn’t possibly get any better? Stay with me for a few here…seriously if you came and parked yourself with in the little house we call home you would see that life is not simple, easy, normal, but rather chaotic, unknown, confusing, and hard at times. And yet I truly am standing on a rooftop right now shouting loud...

Woo-hoo!!!

Why?

Because the God of the universe reached down and worked out some most amazing details.

Why?

To show me that He loved me.

A love that had been there all along.

But you see now that I have sat down, purposefully allowed Him to quiet me I am experiencing this love, His love in a whole new way.

A love that feels different. A love that is all consuming, for no matter what the world has going on, I am feeling peace.

A love that smells different. Fresh, new, making me want to breathe it in deeper.

So what are these little details that He worked out?

I found myself coming home from She Speaks at the beginning of August to a book that had arrived while I was gone. A book titled One in a million by Priscilla Shirer. How this book got to my doorstep is all God. I had no idea this book existed, let alone what words filled the pages.

So I started to read this book… a book that was written for such a time as this. A book that would remind me of who God was, why He created me, and what I was supposed to be doing about it.

The full title of the book…

One in a Million journey to your promised land.

You see I have a God who knew He was going to call me to sit. He knew I had to leave Egypt. All of my attachment to Egypt had to be left behind. No phone lists, no scrapbooks, no nothing. I had to leave! He knew I was to come sit with Him in the wilderness. He knew I had to be prepared for the journey.

For there is abundant life to be living out…and He need this time to remind that’s what living life on purpose is all about!

Friends I am excited to share the next few blog posts with you about this book. I will be sharing also about a super awesome friend who is on this journey to the promised land with me, and how when God gets a girl in a certain spot He takes her addictive personality and points it in the right direction and then watch out!!!

Seriously!

If there is abundant life to be had, I am going after it!

Will you join me?

Come join me here for One in a Million- Part 2 next!

Til next time, it is my honor to introduce you to Priscilla Shirer, please watch this video as she talks about her book, One in a million.

11 Years has done it

2010-09-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

So what exactly can 11 years do?

Well it has taught and shown me quite a bit, but today I share a just a few of the highlights!

That we both have a fetish with shoes. Mine is to accumulate as many as possible, his is to find just the right pair and stick it with until eternity.

That one of us a thinker, the other is a doer.

Has showed me it’s not where you start, but where you end up.

One of us talks, one of us listens.

That when you buy a certain brand of vacuum that you will end up fighting over who vacuums the floor, because it’s just that much fun.

That submission truly means allowing the other to have a coffee pot inside the house, even though the other one can NOT stand the smell of coffee.

That when you mix our DNA you get such a mix of interesting personality and character traits that show up in the form of two amazing little boys.

That it’s not always what you are eating for dinner it’s the company across the table that matters.

That when you stick a girl who likes do more playing than working in a room with a guy who likes to get the job done it can make for an intense time of some room painting.

It’s taught that jobs, people, houses, cars, clothes, tv shows, churches, finances, and hair color can all change.

That there are seasons when one steps up while the other takes a breath.

It’s shown that one of us is good at checkers once she knows the rules.

Has revealed that he is just wild at heart and is leaving a great path for two little boys to follow in.

The main thing 11 years has done, it has shown that you can take an emotional shoe loving girl who lives live a little chaotic and pair her with an Engineer who is solid, dependable, amazing and knows how to run stress analysis tests and get a marriage.

A marriage that when lived out on purpose is done centered in His grace and love. A marriage that could only be, because of Him.

For what He brought together, He makes possible!

11 years has done it, it has made me MORE in love with my husband. And knowing that it has brought me to this place, this spot next to him, I would do it all over again.

Happy 11 years Babe, I love you!

Different Colored Prayers

2010-09-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Update: Thank you for your prayers! My father-in-laws surgery went well. And he is healing up! Know that I am praising Him for the amazing prayer people you are!!!

Thank you so much friends and family for joining in and lifting prayers yesterday for Elaine.

Today I come again to request some more prayers...these ones are of a different color...as I know my father-in-law is truly strong in his manhood...he doesn't tend to sport pink to often. But he does believe in the power of prayer, and so do I. So please join us in praying today. My father-in-law is having surgery today for his heart. I am praising God, the Creator of his heart this morning knowing that He has everything taken care of. I am praying for peace for my father and mother-in-law. Praying for doctors, nurses, hospital staff. Praying and knowing God has all of this in His Mighty Hands!

Thank you for being a praying people. Thank you for living life in the everyday moments!

Knowing God hears your prayers, and praising Him for you today.

On Purpose!

Some Pink Prayers for Elaine

2010-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family I come this morning wearing pink and praying! I would like to ask for you to join me...okay men you don't have to wear the pink but please join me in praying for Elaine and her family. She is a beautiful woman of our God. And she needs a rally of prayers lifted to continue to carry her on in peace. Today will be a hard day. A day of not fun earthly moments. But I believe God and all that He is, will be with her and her family, and these earthly moments will be showered in peace, love, grace and comfort.

Thank you my friends for praying on purpose!

Come on Mom!

2010-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a moment in which you experienced your mind was in one spot and your heart in another?

I find myself in many of these spots, and a lot of them have to do with being a mom.

Yesterday was my last day of the summer with the boys.

Us three together. Sleeping in. Eating breakfast. Taking our time in the morning.

We went down to the greenway, a path that goes along the river. The boys rode ahead of me on their bikes.

And as I walked behind them. I saw a picture of where my mind is, up there watching them ahead of me living life. And I felt my heart. Way back behind them not quite caught up.

Every once in awhile the boys would stop on the path and holler back at me,

Come on Mom!

Cheering me on to catch up to them.

This morning I do another year of sharing my oldest little boy for 6 ½ hours a day. Yeah I kindly call it sharing. Because that’s what I am learning how to do. Any maybe you would think that after a year in Kindergarten last year I would be much better with this whole sharing thing, but nope, I’m not.

One six year old little boy is ready to do 1st grade.

He’s the one being brave and courageous.

He’s hollering back at me,

Come on Mom!

Cheering me on to catch up.

Do I feel odd about this?

Nope, I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be. Living life, learning each step how to be his momma. And praising my God for a most amazing little boy whose heart is filled with more grace and love than I will ever understand could possibly fit into his 40 pound body.

You see my mind knows I am to cheer him on to the life he was created to live out. And I will.

Because I am his mom.

And I hear a greater voice cheering me on from above,

Come on Mom!

And I know God will catch my heart up if and when it needs to happen.

It's the same girl

2010-08-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

"Momma look at me." as a she twirled around in her fluffy dress and her princess high heeled shoes.

"Hey dad did you see that?" as she swung the bat as hard as she could.

"Maybe, just maybe he will ask me to dance." as she waited at the 8th grade dance for him to ask.

"Are they out there?" as she scanned the audience for a few fans from the high school stage.

A college diploma, a wedding ringed finger, a career, a house, a baby, and another baby, still the same questions, still the same dance, still scanning the audience.

It's the same girl.

There came a moment in her heart when she realized that He saw her, He knew she was out there, and He had been asking her to dance for a very long time.

So she is dancing with Him.

But her heart can still find itself straining to hear, see and notice what others are thinking and saying.

So she asks Him today, turn up the music, please, drown all of the rest out.

The same girl needs to be overtaken by Him.

Him leading this dance.

The same girl needs to know that His love is what she was created for.

Something's Changing

2010-08-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

My location, my height, my blood pressure, and my perspective is all changing.

For I am no longer running full speed ahead but rather sitting at His feet, and trying to allow His peace and calmness to surround me.

I am sitting and so my height has been shortened, this is truly a God thing, I would like to say I put myself here because wouldn't that be a good Christian girl answer, well I didn't. But I can say this morning I am SO thankful He has humbled me. No not punished me, humbled me, and sat me down so I can listen and learn.

And as the days go on I can sense that my rhythm and heart beats are slowing for there is balance being sought.

And in the short amount of time that I have been here I am truly seeing things differently.

For I was choosing to strive over serve.

I was trying to make things happen instead of join Him.

I was avoiding instead of obeying.

Not healing is truly staying captive and remaining in Egypt.

Taking steps to healing is walking towards the Promised Land. Its not the speed at which you are traveling, but the direction.

Did you know that the Bible is filled with real people who lived in relationship with God?

And friends it's their relationship with Him that allowed Him to work in them and through them.

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Genesis 6:8-9

Noah didn't go off and build a boat and then come back and ask God to use it. Noah was in relationship with God and God was able to use him.

In Exodus 3 and 4 we see God choose Moses to be the leader of His people. Moses didn't prepare for years on how to be leader. I believe Moses in all his humanness said yes to God and then allowed God to work through him.

Then there is David, not even his own family thought him worthy of being a king. (1 Samuel 16) But God, God knew David was a man after His heart. (Acts 13:22)

I don't think Esther knew all that her title as queen of Persia would entail. But she trusted and loved her God. The book of Esther shares a beautiful story of a woman who was obedient and allowed her God to use her, and that is just what He did, in His perfect timing and way.

Oh and if we dare think that we have to get this whole relationship with Him mastered before He chooses us or uses us, think again.

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

I don't think Matthew was sitting there preparing for Jesus to walk by. But I do believe that Matthew's getting up and saying yes was the best decision he ever made.

And Mary, another one of God's girls.

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30

How did she find favor with God? Just being, being in relationship with Him.

And because of that relationship He was able to find her willing to be used by Him.

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38.

Something is changing for me.

A whole new focus, smell and place of being.

For I find myself not somewhere I would have taken myself, but truly enjoying being here.

While I am sitting

2010-08-11T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, thank you so much for your precious prayers and words of encouragement.

Something my Pastor said the other night, well actually lots of what he said the other night is sticking with me, but one thing I will share this morning,

This really does sound like a God thing Nichole.

You see people who I live life with know me, they know I am not a 'sitter'. And people who know God realize that many times He asks us to do things that are not in our girly red shoe wearing nature to do on our own.

But friends it SO tickles me to say that I have already in this 'short', but what truly feels like a very LONG season of sitting...ha...I know I am just getting started but I have to be honest with you all! I am seeing and experiencing God in new ways.

The week or so before I left to go to She Speaks I was contacted and asked if I would like to read a copy of Priscilla Shirers newest book, One in a million and I found myself sitting the other day and picked it up and started to read. There could NOT be a better time for me to have started this book. Oh friends, it is the book that God has used to again confirm my reservation for this season with sitting with Him.

I want to share a little excerpt from this book;

It's easier to remain in the safety of where we've always been, doing the things we always done. When the heavens open, when the wind of God's Spirit and the rain of His presence shower down upon us, we're uncomfortable beneath the torrent of the unfamiliar. And so we run for cover-back to the comfort zone that has kept us from really experiencing God as He now wants to be experienced.

With His word stirring conviction within me, I prayed, "Lord, let it rain, and give me the courage to stand under the heavens when it does. Cause me to be willing to go where You take me, even if the path is unfamiliar. Tear down any man-made religious walls that may keep me from seeing You fully. Forgive me for always running back home." I knew He was preparing me for a new path. I needed to be open to receiving it. (One in a Million, by Priscilla Shirer, page 42)

Friends God has a promised land for each one of us. Are you willing to step out and say yes to Him? Oh please know that I totally understand the courage this takes.

Are you willing to take the journey that leads straight to His heart?

I would love to pray with you and for you today. Please either leave a comment or email me.

May you know today that He has called your name, He desires to hold your hand, and He will lead you to the promised land, but He needs your answer.

You are are loved on purpose!

Reservation Confirmed

2010-08-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I heard God calling me to sit. And at first it was Him just politely asking me. Truly out of love for me He knew I was not balanced and needed this time.

You see I am a runner. And running comes easy for me. I run passionately, sometimes so passionately I am up ahead of God. Not a good place to be!

Well in my ‘not’ pretty fashion I fought Him on it. I whined and complained. “Why do I have to sit, while everyone else around me gets to run?” I argued and stubbornly kept running.

I defended my running. I was still running for God. All the things I was ‘doing’ and running about were for Him. Justified running.

And yet my running was not what He wanted.

There will be times in our lives when He pulls us aside so we can listen.

He pulled me aside alright…He took me over 2000 miles from my comfortable home and surroundings. He knew what it would take for me to be still enough, quiet enough and maybe even readied enough to hear more about this whole sitting season.

Why was I fighting this whole sitting thing?

One because I am a runner, running is comfortable for me. It involves movement, other people, it’s fast paced and it’s not quiet.

I pictured this sitting as more of a punishment. It was a timeout. It was away from people, away from the action, it was too quiet and it would be lonely.

And boy did I find it WAY ODD that I was at a Speaker’s Conference…and to be even more honest I found it kind of humiliating and mocking.

Why am I here then if all I am going home to do is sit?

But God.

He kept pushing on my heart. He kept interrupting my thoughts. He kept pouring His grace and love on me.

And You know what I finally heard on Saturday…Saturday July 31st 2010?

Nichole I am here with You. I will be with You during this sitting season. I have reserved this time for You. It’s going to be Me and you together. I have some things I want to tell you, to teach you, and you have some healing to do. I will be with You every minute. This is all good, I promise.

Oh friends I know that maybe some of you reading this or even those who have heard this in person were totally able to see this coming. And I thank you for your patience and grace…it takes me longer to get most places…something called pride gets in the way!

Can you just picture the scene, tears running down my face, cute little red shoes, standing the hall of a very beautiful hotel in North Carolina, with a dedicated woman of prayer, Luann Prater with her arms around me, truly interceding, and me knowing for the first time…

He has asked me to come sit with Him.

I get to sit with Him!

This is not a punishment. This is a God reservation.

One that He planned. One that He set-up and reserved for us.

And it was in that hotel hall that my heart truly shouted,

Reservation confirmed.

Who would have thought?

2010-08-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

So seven days ago I heard these words....

"Your reaction determines your reach"

These words came from a very motivating Lysa TerKeurst...but more than motivation...came the nudge to actually live them out.

And friends today I find myself...seven days later needing to do just that.

Live them out.

My Jesus knows that it will take all whole lotta Him to keep this girly from throwing down a fit, pouting, and trying to do it her way.

My Jesus also knows whose watching, waiting and wanting to know if He really works.

So I am begging Him today to take over my way...and do it His way!

Last Thursday

2010-08-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

So its been a week since the whole She Speaks experience started. I have unpacked the suitcases...but my heart is still so full I am not sure I will ever be able to put into words what He has done in me, and for me...I just hope and pray it comes out through me!

Last Thursday morning my boys and the Engineer got up super duper early and took my little self to the airport...and just maybe they had to practice grace when I forgot something at home and the Engineer had to turn the car back to home to go get it.

So up in the air I go...and it was in the middle of the super busy Seattle airport that God started my heart journey with Him for this specific trip. He and I found ourselves together in Luke 13. Now that chapter has some great stuff...but one verse that truly loved on my heart in such a girlie way and helped set the stage for a most amazing weekend...

Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Luke 13:13 (emphasis mine)

You see my Jesus had to take my red shoe wearing self over 2000 miles to truly get ahold of my heart. To pause me to listen, and to remind, repair and renew some stuff!

He has most definitely put His hands on me!

Thursday night in an answer to prayer and a wish, hope and dream that I held tightly to in my heart...I got the honor and privilege of hugging Miss Cindy in person. She is one of the most beautiful and Jesus shining girls I know. In the moment of hugging her neck standing outside the Charlotte airport, I felt our Jesus laying His hands on us and in that moment love was felt, hope was experienced and praises lifted.

I would have traveled over 2000 miles just for that moment with Cindy...but God have even MORE for me.

I will be back to show how over the course of a weekend His hands were on me!

May you know today in this very moment He thinks of you and love you immensely.

Have a great day, on purpose!

Exhausted

2010-08-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah that's what will happen when you take your Northwest residing self all the way across the country to a state in which things are sticky and wet, sweet tea is served at EVERY meal, and sweet women are speaking in a way in which life seems much sweeter and calm! There was so much packed into this past weekend at She Speaks. I met so most amazing women face to face...and that in itself was a huge gift from my Jesus above. There is so much to process and unpack...great conversations late at night with a roommate, meeting some women who have truly not followed all the rules...just a Jesus, sessions packed full of great wisdom and insight on how to balance this whole ministry thing, and being that I am truly a little tired, or rather Exhausted...it will take me a few days to let it all make sense.

And just maybe one of the many pairs of shoes I hauled clear across the country has left its mark on sore blistered left foot! Say nothing Engineer...say nothing!

So today I am saying thank you to the women (and sweet and precious Miss Zoie, Miss Alexa, Miss Savannah, and Miss Madison too)who hugged my neck in person...you are all beautiful and I feel honored and blessed to have lived a weekend with you!

Thank you to all who made this possible, airline tickets, prayers, financial assistance, encouragement, yard sales, words of wisdom, clothing and jewelry, and time! You have invested in the work He is doing, and I am forever grateful and thankful!

I will be back...once I have processed and unpacked...and once my eyes are open for longer periods of time...and once the blister is less painful.

For now...I am off to live life with an amazing Engineer and two little boys, whom I love and adore!

On Purpose,
Nichole

She Goes

2010-07-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here in red shoes typing in the comfort of the airport...on my way to She Speaks...woo-hoo! Me and my little red shoes are MORE than excited. Excited to experience and see God in some huge ways in the next few days. Excited to hug the necks of some most amazing women. Women who I have been very fond of from a distance...and now I get to love on them in person! Yeah. Part of my heart is still at home with one Engineer and two adorable little boys...so will you join me in praying for them. Praying for them to bond, have super fun times, eat boy food, and to know that I love them. Thank you friends for living life with me. I love you, and am praying that you have a super duper day!

On Purpose,
Nichole

ps. Just so you know TSA (airport security) does NOT count how many pairs of shoes you pack! That I am sure qualifies as a form of grace!

What do you want?

2010-07-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the blog. Friends thank you for stopping in. I have to warn you that life anywhere around me is a tad bit chaotic these days. So first you can lift praise that you are not the Engineer and his two adorable little prodigies. For I am truly lifting praise to God for them. For they are dealing (or rather coping) in such amazing ways with this momma who is very low on patience and high on tears, emotions, and stress of all sorts! The Engineer and the boys have been helping, encouraging, and praying me through this, and I can’t thank them enough.

This morning something the Engineer said right before he left for work led me into a conversation with God.

The Engineer:

“Nichole I see you wanting this so bad, and you are trying so hard, and I think that’s why it’s not happening.”

Stay with me for a few here and this will all make sense…or I hope so!

So after the Engineer heads off to work I sit on top of my bed with my Bible on my lap and I begin to read Psalm 141

O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1-2

And I hear God reply;

“What do you want?”

And I respond:

Well I don’t want to be so stressed and overwhelmed. I don’t want to be making my family suffer through this. They weren’t called into ministry, why should they have to sacrifice?

And God asks again;

“What do you want?”

And I respond:

I want a 3 minute and a 5 minute talk for She Speaks. God you remember its next Friday night right?

And He responds;

“Nichole do I need to remind you that I created the entire world in 6 days!"

And to be perfectly honest now I am getting a little upset and thinking 'God can’t you not see the stress, the chaos, the un fun times that I am having and my family is going through. I am lacking in patience, kindness, niceness and any or all other good girl qualities right now! '

And then He asks real quietly again;

“What do you want?”

And from deep inside my heart I scream out:

You God I want You. I want more of You.

And it is these next few moments that I realize that more of Him is all and everything I need. More of Him will push aside the stress, the chaos, and the ickiness that surrounds me!

I am praying this morning and asking for more of Him to wash over my heart. For I want my prayer to be;

But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign LORD; in You I take refuge. Psalm 141:8

Part of me wishes I could say that in these moments of working on my heart that He also wrote a 3 minute and a 5 minute talk and zipped them to me Air Mail from Heaven, nope.
—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

I am just a girl, desiring to live life so close to Him that all the world can say is at least she knew and breathed her Jesus.

May the work of His hands continue!

Are we there yet?

2010-07-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

“Are we there yet?”

Do you remember asking that question as a little kid?

Or maybe now you have been on the receiving end of that question as a parent or grandparent. I have answered that question a few times in my journey of motherhood. I am blessed to be able to say now to my little guys…

“Boys only two more Backyardigans and we will be at Nana’s house.”

**Backyardigans are little cartoons and are usually 20 minutes in length.

Most of you here reading today did not have the privilege and blessing of such a distraction on a road trip. We toughed it out…right?

Lately I have been asking God this question,

“Are we there yet?”

When I ask this question it truly is loaded with a whole lot, I am a woman and wired completely so that truly shouldn’t shock you, well maybe the shocking part is that I am bold enough to ask God a loaded question!

Anyway I have been asking Him this question and its meaning is packed with,

“Have I arrived at the point where I will not struggle with pride?”

“Haven’t I made it to the destination of not trying to tap dance for You and get Your stamp of approval?”

“Did I miss the stop points on how to do this whole relationship thing? Because I still don’t have all these earthly relationships mastered, nor the one with You?”

“I must have missed a turn off or exit somewhere, I feel like I am going the hard way.”

“Is the road closed that is leading to the ministry You have called me to, why are we going a different way?”

This morning as I read 2 Corinthians 3 I am reminded of the major distances between the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament people traveled on roads focused on rules, rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices. While the people of the New Testament had some new paved roads to travel on. The signs along these new roads shined with grace, love, relationship, and freedom.

God whispered to me this morning in 2 Corinthians 3. As I am reading of the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament. I hear Him say…

Nichole you are performing, trying, doing and going all in the old ways. You are back there driving on those roads. You are caught up in the old way of doing it, there is a new way. A new way in which I have made for you, a way that is surrounded with freedom, grace and love. A new way that focuses on being in relationship with Me.

Friends I have found myself with a veil of pride wrapped so tightly around my eyes that I can’t even see where we are going.
I have removed the veil for you Nichole, that’s what Jesus did for you. You don’t have to do anything! Just be with me, enjoy the ride and know that when we get there, it will be on time.

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

P.M.S.

2010-07-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

P.M.S.

Pretty. Much. Stressed.

My head is a whirlwind of thoughts, and chaos these days!

Why you might ask?

I am prepping for a conference next week, making lists, lists of what to pack, lists of what needs to be done before I leave, lists of what to buy for food for the boys while I am gone, weeding the yard, scrubbing toilets, cleaning floors, trying on outfits, prepping my talks, feeding the dog, trying to be a momma to two energy filled boys, making meals, remembering to brush my teeth, trying to get enough sleep, trying not to procrastinate, prepping for the oldest little guys birthday, trying not to forget back to school is just around the corner, checking the mail which leads to stress when envelopes get opened and bills appear from out of nowhere, thinking about whether my eyebrows need to be tamed, still working on being the supportive, loving submissive Engineers wife, oh and did I mention it’s the week in which hormones are in a bouncy house having a hay day?

So there you asked!

Oh wait that’s right you didn’t ask, so why in the world share all of it…especially in such a public forum?

Because as I re-read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 this morning, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

I am reminded it’s not about me and my story. It’s not about me being worried about being misunderstood, embarrassed, or ashamed. It’s all about Him and His story. I am trusting and believing Him this morning. He has some love and grace to give. And maybe, just maybe that person clicks on today and gets loved on…now that will make this all worth it!

For what we go through in this world cannot separate us from the love of God.

Nothing can.

Not hormones.

Not our own agenda.

Not our sleep deprived minds.

Not our dogs, toilets, weeds in our yard.

Not our lack of parenting skills.

Not our bills, money, and credit cards.

Not even our out of control eyebrows.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

Nothing can.

Friends that is a promise that is filled with God, back by God and will be fulfilled by God.

May you hold tight and know that today.

May you know that in the Pretty Much Stressed times of your life you are still surrounded by a God who loves and adores you and that this is part of the story and He will tell it when and how He needs too!

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Same Place

2010-07-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Do you have a favorite place?

A place that you go to that just works for you?

I think in my life I have tried many of 'places'.

But there is truly one place that when I am there I find the most joy, the most peace, the most love and grace.

That place never moves.

That place is the same place.

A place to do life.

A place to work things out.

A place to celebrate.

At His feet surrounded by His Presence.

A place filled with love and grace.

Not me...but Him

2010-07-14T07:43:00.000-07:00

There have been some minutes, moments, days lately that I have been a little overwhelmed and stressed. There is alot going on...and doing life purposefully takes energy and commitment. And sometimes I get lost and the focus gets blurred. I get lost in pride, emotions, and selfishness. I find it hard to see the ultimate purpose. I want to just not play anymore...the game is too big. Leading takes courage. Listening takes patience. Obedience takes trust. Being strong takes strength. All of these things are not in me.

So the other day God in all His love and grace reminded me. Its about Him. Its about loving His people. Loving on them for Him.

I know He asked me...but without Him it won't happen!

Friends He has asked you too! He needs all of us to love, love the lost right into His arms. But will you join me today, listen to this song, and remember what it takes to love all comes from Him!

Better late than never

2010-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Well I come to say thank you for extending grace and waiting so patiently. I have found myself enjoying and celebrating life with the Engineer, our T- Squad, friends and family members. This celebrating has had me in the parks, by the pool, and traveling out of town.

I also come to announce the winners...better late than never right?

The winner of the signed copy of Joyce Meyers book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes is Kati M!!!

Congrats Kati! I trust and know Jesus will love on you through this book.

And the winner of the $10 ecard for Zappos.com is Cindy!!!

Congrats Cindy...have fun picking out some cute shoes for your feet!

Again thank you for your grace and patience!

May your day be filled with some great summer moments!

Discipline Yourself to Celebrate

2010-07-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am singing, “I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah Another day of living, I just want to celebrate another day of life” ( lyrics by Rare Earth)

Hello! Welcome to the blog! I am SO glad you are here today. We are celebrating!

We are on the last Chapter Discipline Yourself to Celebrate of the Joyce Meyers book Eat the cookie…buy the shoes.

And I want you to do just what the title of this last chapter says…and join in the fun today! Oh and spread the celebration...invite your friends to join in!

This book has been all about learning how to lighten up and not be so strict with ourselves, seeking true balance, celebrating and learning how to reward ourselves for progress.

I am a real girl and I realize first hand there are unexpected and unpleasant things in the day to day life. An unexpected bill comes in the mail, something breaks, the car needs to go to the mechanic, a 4 year old tries to demonstrate he has the same DNA as me when it comes to stubbornness.

Day to day life my friends is why we need to celebrate. And when we learn the fine art and balance of celebrating it will help us not to feel so overwhelmed with all the unfun stuff we have to deal with.

It is NO coincidence that we are celebrating today…why you might ask? Well being a girl who chooses to believe God is purposeful and intentional…He has us here today celebrating…and He purposefully planned it on a weekend that is all about celebrating freedom.

Friends there are things that cause us to be sad, mournful, disappointed, upset, frustrated, mad, angry, overwhelmed…did I cover them all? But our focus shouldn’t stay there.

God sent His Son to die on a cross for us. For us to experience true freedom. Our focus should not remain on the sadness and death that was displayed on the cross, aware of it, yes, but rather we should go on…move on to celebrate the freedom we have and celebrate it and live in it each day!

The last chapter of Eat the cookie…buy the shoes is packed full of some super great encouraging and motivating advice on learning how to discipline yourself to celebrate.

So being a girl who lives on purpose…we are celebrating today!

The Book

First of all there is a signed copy, yep by Joyce Meyer herself, Eat the cookie…buy the shoes. A huge thank you to Joyce Meyer Ministries and the very generous heart they have!

The Shoes

Second of all there is a Zappos.com $10 ecard to be given away!!

This is a fun picture of my Red, White and Blue shoes!

And the great news is that everyone wins this:

The Cookie

Third here is a recipe for “double doozie” cookies. Now I am not sure that this is the exact recipe for the ones Joyce refers to celebrating with at the end of the book. But by reading the recipe and seeing this picture…its looks and sounds worth of celebrating with in my book. The boys and I will be making these today and eating them up! Yum!

"Double-Doozie" Cookie Recipe

FOR THE COOKIES:

1 cup softened margarine
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
12 ounces chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup M&M's
FOR THE ICING:
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons hot water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix together margarine, baking soda, granulated sugar, brown sugars, vanilla extract and pudding mix. Add eggs. Gradually add flour (may need to add a little more as dough needs to be stiff, but not too stiff). When mixed well, add chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheet. After cookies have taken their form, place the M&M's on top and edges.
Total bake time is 8 to 10 minutes. Cool.

While cookies are baking, make icing:
Mix together confectioners' sugar, butter, shortening, milk, hot water, salt, vanilla and almond extract.

Apply a layer of icing between two cooled cookies to form a sandwich.

These freeze well!

Join in the celebrating…leave a comment and share your favorite pair of shoes…your favorite cookie! There will be two winners, one for the book Eat the cookie…buy the shoes and one for the Zappos.com ecard. I will draw the lucky winners next week and announce!

The only thing that would make this celebrating even MORE fun…is eating these cookies in person while wearing our favorite shoes!

Friends doing life with you is always great and amazing. Thank you for walking alongside and seeking balance and celebrating.

Choose to celebrate with me and sing along…

“Celebrate good times, come on!
Celebrate good times, come on!
There’s a party goin’ on right here.
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you!” (lyrics from Kool and the Gang)

Celebrate Discipline

2010-06-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

So if you are here reading this blog with a title Celebrate Discipline first of all I applaud you and second know I am praying for both of us. I am praying we will hear His message for us today.

"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!" Revelation 3:19 (MSG)

Celebrate Discipline is the title of chapter 16 in Joyce Meyer’s book Eat the cookie…buy the shoes.

We need to have discipline in our thoughts. our emotions, and our willingness to allow Gods will to become our will.

Now before you write off discipline as a naughty word…go with me for a few minutes here.

There needs to be balance between discipline and celebration.

“Discipline helps us to be what we say we want to be and have what we say we want to have, but never will have without it.” (pg 163)

Celebrating discipline has to be learned.

Discipline should be a tool, not a master over our lives. Again there is balance and swinging too far to one side makes discipline to heavy.

Just as having no discipline makes for a mess.

The enemy has deceived many of us by allowing us to think we can never live in balance by celebrating and be disciplined all at the same time.

• Have you ever thrown a pity party stating you can never eat dessert but everyone else can?

• Have you ever called yourself an all or nothing kind of person?

• If you open the bag of chips can you stop at one?

• Can you walk into the bakery section of the store?

• Do you bypass the shoe section of Macy’s?

• Have you ever felt like you will never be able to stick to a healthy eating plan? A workout routine?

• Do you set goals for yourself? Do you achieve them?

• Have you ever defended your choices as habits that you can’t break?

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (emphasis mine)

God created us to seek balance and then live in it.

How do you see yourself?

Do you have self-control?

Have you ever felt like a pin ball bouncing around allowing emotions, the number on the scale, the check book balance, or current circumstances to move you?

“If you will see yourself the way He sees you (finished) then you will become what He says you are….He calls us disciplined and self-controlled and we must have that godly image if we want a life of freedom.” (pg 166)

Do you believe discipline is freedom?

I am truly living in a season of life right now where God is teaching me about balance. And seeking it in all areas of my life. I even believe God is using the Engineer to shout the mantra…’balance Nichole’…and He has this phrase on repeat for me!

“Jesus challenged His disciples to come out into the deep to find what they truly desired. (see Luke 5:4)" (pg 169)

I love the image of coming out in the deep!!

Going out into the deep with God means you are wanting more of God in your life and that you are willing to experience Him!

The purpose of discipline is to make us more like Jesus.

Jesus is an amazing role model of balance.

“True spiritual disciplines should make us more like Jesus, Who is humble, gentle, meek, and lowly, and yet at the same time is mighty, powerful, and a victorious warrior.” (pg 171)

Balance is not about oppression or manipulation. Balance was created so we could truly experience the freedom of a grace and love filled relationship with our Creator.

Discipline should always be a self-ish thing. Discipline is a one on one thing with God. It is NOT my job, role, or purpose to discipline anyone else. My convictions are not everyone else’s.

Self control should always focus on self!

The power for discipline and self-control is fueled by God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things )there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 (NASB) (emphasis mine)

May we come to see that when we allow His power to work in us and through us there will be many great moments to celebrate!

***We will be finishing this book on Friday. I have so enjoyed this seeking balance journey with you. I am thankful God used Joyce Meyer to speak love and wisdom to my heart. Please join me on Friday for some celebrating. And there just might be some cookies and shoes involved!

Give God Your All

2010-06-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

I am a stubborn girl. And I often find myself sitting in a time out chair hearing from a gracious and loving God about how if I would sit still, listen, truly hear and then go out and do it His way, life would be a little less, okay way less crazy and chaotic.

We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. Colossians 1:15-20 MSG

I found myself in Chapter 14, Give God Your All of Joyce Meyers book, Eat the cookie…buy the shoes realizing that I still am trying to do some stuff my way. And that I have to let go and give up some things in order to live completely in the freedom He has for me.

Did you know that living in this peaceful place of freedom, surrounded with grace and love is so not where the enemy wants us residing? No rather, the enemy wants life to be crazy filled with worry, doubts, and fears. The enemy loves to see us on an emotional roller coaster. The enemy desires to see us fighting for our own way, and resisting Gods way.

Living here on earth is not easy. For we can see the people around us which I think makes giving God our all that much more difficult. Give God our all truly is a sacrifice. A learning to truly be submissive to Him and not this world. You see we are surrounded by people who will okay us, praise us, approve us, and applaud us. But what if what we are doing is okay for them but not God? I know this is a very deep question, especially for a Monday, but I am going there my friends. There are times when we cannot be a God pleaser and people pleaser at the same time. That giving our all to God needs to trump the things of this world every time!

Have you given God your all?

Does God have all of you?

You see the amazing thing about God is that even if we don’t give our all, He will still accomplish His will. Yep thats right! Our refusal or disobedience or fear of trusting Him doesn’t keep Him from working. Rather the truth of the matter is, we will miss out on God’s best for us. Friends this is big right here! God didn’t stop at just saving you on the cross, He went on and designed a personal and intimate grace and loved filled relationship for you. And He wants you to experience!

When God designs and creates it is never just okay, or average. Everything God does is perfect, excellent and amazing.

Do you hunger for the very best? Are you driven to go for the excellent? Do you desire to keep going after more?

“People’s possessions end up between them and God, and, sadly, their possessions are more important to them than they should be. Those people stubbornly hang onto their ways and willfulness, refusing to submit to God; they end up sad, depressed, angry and unable to maintain good relationships. They are forever looking for something to fill the void in their souls.” (Pg 161)

We were created to hunger, to be driven and desire. It’s what we are going after that makes all the difference.

There is a decision we each have to make. And when we choose to make our all about giving Him our all there is a peace filled soul vacation waiting for us!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

My All in All

2010-06-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

All.

A little word with just three letters.

A little word that has me truly wondering if I believe all is all.

Do you believe all is all?

Does all continue on?

Is all completely inclusive?

Chapter 13 of Eat the cookie…buy the shoes is titled My All in All. In this chapter Joyce talks about Jesus being the Lord of All. God being Al-Mighty, all sufficient, that all comes from Him, and that He is all we need.

But friends please join me here today and truly ask yourself some questions.

Have we stopped to understand that little word, all?

For all leaves nothing outside God’s control.

As long as we believe some things are out of God’s control we cannot have a proper soul vacation because there will be something for us to worry about, try to figure out, be upset about, or try to control and change. (pg 139-140)

Something for us to worry about

Health. Finances.

Something for us to try to figure out

Ministry.

Something to be upset about

A broken fence, car or relationship.

Something to try to control and change

A church, a relationship, a ministry.

God knows all things.
If I truly trust and believe that statement above, then I need to be living life to the fullest and celebrating the way He intended me too.

God knows all things.

For this includes the big and the small.

The Subaru needing to go the mechanic. That brothers can only spend so many minutes in the back of a hot car before they need to ‘reach out’ and touch each other. That a momma driving a hot car is full of hormones, emotions, headache and can only take so much before she needs a nap!

God knows all that came into yesterday. He knows all that will come into today. Nothing surprises Him. We need to find peace in knowing He knows all. And when we find that peace, we need to live there.

There is such beauty in finding out that we are nothing and He is all. For when we truly find it, we see just how amazing He is. We come to see Him work in us and through us.
For when we find Him, and know that He is all, then everything else become so les important. Our focus changes. All becomes bigger and worry becomes less.

There is a place of rest designed for each of us. It’s found in knowing that
He knows all.
He hears all.
He sees all.

He is all.
May we seek this all. May it become all inclusive. Our minds, hearts and actions all wrapped up in Him.

Our All in All.

Priorities

2010-06-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

Is it easy for you to keep things in order?

Do you find yourself stressed? Overwhelmed?

Have you ever felt like you just didn't know what you were supposed to be doing?

Have you ever lost track of your purpose?

Confused?

Well as I found myself reading Chapter 12 last night in Eat the cookie...buy the shoes. I am hearing God whisper to my heart how easily we can get things out of order.

Priorities. Its a big word packed full of a lot of meaning.

It won't take you long to look around you and be able to identify the priorities of this world.

The priorities of this world are greatly different then the ones God has.

And I have found myself many times 'out of order'. And last night I was reminded that there is purpose and beauty in His priorities.

Joyce calls the priorities:

Sit
Stand
Walk
Run

Sit. Here is where we find ourselves seated with Jesus. A place of relationship. Peace. Rest. A place to be loved on. Learn from our teacher. A place to be protected. Refueled. Energized.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

If you believe in what Jesus has done for you, and you have accepted His gift for you, then you are seated with Him right now!

Have you learned to sit and enter into God's rest?

"Faith allows us to rest mentally and emotionally. Even our will gets a rest when we have faith in God." (pg 133)

When we sit, we experience a place of power.

A power that will make us ready to stand.

Stand. Strength. Commitment. Courage. We choose to stand firm in faith, knowing and trusting God is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. Knowing, trusting, believing.

We will have the energy and strength to stand, when we have learned the art of sitting.

Walk. Each step we take is a choice. Steady. Set pace. Rhythm. This is active. Moving forward. Faith, trust, and obedience needed to make healthy choices will lead to steps taken.

"Knowing is not enough; we must do and the doing is called our walk with God." (pg 136)

And when you have trained. When you are ready. You then will run.

Run. Intentional. Motivated. Goal. Hard.

"If you have learned to sit, stand, and walk in God, it is time to start running in and with God." (pg 138)

Personally after reading this chapter I have found myself a little 'out of order' here with these priorities. I am praying, trusting and knowing that my place right now is to sit. In all of my flesh I want to be running. However I can hear God whispering to my heart how I am not ready. To say that was an easy whisper to hear would be not truthful...but I trust God to know better than me...His way has never led me down the wrong path. So I will find myself sitting, resting and learning in Him...it really is a great place!

Give Your Soul a Vacation

2010-06-16T07:34:00.000-07:00

Good Day Friends! Hope this Wednesday finds you surrounded by some most amazing things...if you aren't seeing them...then I pray that the distractions can be wiped away and you will find them...they are there!

As we move into Chapter 11 Give Your Soul a Vacation in Joyce Meyers book, Eat the cookie...buy the shoes I would have to say this chapter was packed full of some great stuff.

First, have you ever given your soul a vacation?

Now if you are like me I was wondering what that meant, how does that look exactly?

Joyce defines your soul as that which is 'comprised of your mind, will and emotions'. (pg 113)

Now you might be able to hear the Engineer shouting in the background..."Yep we need one of those around here...the emotions and hormones are on their next flight out of here!" Ha!

As I got into this chapter I realized that I know how to have a 'physical vacation'. Physically I rest my body...if you remember I have NO problem taking breaks...playing...going for walks, taking a nap, etc!

Taking a soul vacation involves learning how to live life like Jesus. And if we don't undesrtand that our souls we won't be a whole and healthy person.

If worry, doubt, fear, shame, anxiety, depression, stress and a mix of other emotions fill us...then our souls are not at rest, we are not at peace and not fully living out what God has for us!

Like I said above this chapter is packed full of some great stuff...so much as I would really recommend the book for even just this chapter alone.

Are you weary? Tired? Worn out?

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:28-30 (Amplified Bible)

I have always loved these verses above. The first thing we need to do when we feel weary, tired and worn out...is come to Jesus!

And I struggle with this...its hard for me...its my stubbornness and pride issues. Because for some silly reason its ingrained in me to think that asking for help or showing signs of needing help is weak! I know crazy...but its an issue for me!

"Asking is the first rule to receiving, so don't be too prideful to ask for help." (pg 116)

It's as if Joyce is writing this chapter for me!

The enemy wants us to feel weak and worn out. He wants to push us until we have no strength left. The enemy wants us hearing lies, thinking foolish thoughts, saying silly things...why? Because then we won't be enjoying life and we certainly won't be living out the joy of Jesus for others to see.

The rest we find in God is for our mind, our will and our emotions. It is a complete rest.

When we 'yoke' with Jesus, which literally means to come together with Him, we get very close to Jesus. So close that then He can help us balance out the things in our life...and because we are so close to Him we can then learn how He responds to every situation.

That last little bit is a very key point. Life is messy, not always fair, difficult at times, and full of challenges, issues, hormones, obstacles and more! But friends if you will, think back to what the life of Jesus looked like as He walked and lived it out on this earth.

For Jesus it wasn't a matter of asking for a change in circumstances...though I am sure He would have loved that at times...it was a matter of attitude.

And friends He wants to teach us that we are to have a right, proper and good attitude about what God's purposed for us.

Hard to type...even harder to live out!

"We can change our quality of life by changing our attitude toward the small and big things that usually irritate or anger us." (pg 125)

I think those words above need to be tattooed on to my arm!

How do we get rest for our souls?

Come to Jesus.

Pray and invite Him into the situation.

He will provide rest for your mind, will and emotions as well as your body!

Learn When to Stop

2010-06-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hello and Happy Monday! Welcome to the blog.

Do you have struggle with knowing when to stop? Are you a work-a-holic? Or maybe like me you tend to find yourself on the other end of the spectrum...wanting to have fun and play all the time?

When the Engineer and I first married we struggled with this. The weekends would come and we would have different ideas of what we wanted to do...I would want to spend the entire weekend just relaxing, having fun, playing...and he would want to get chores done and work on his to-do list. But let me make sure to include that he finds these things 'fun'...well maybe fun is a stretch...he likes to be productive! So over the years of our marriage I have truly learned we have to compromise...work some......play some.

Chapter 10 of Joyce Meyers new book, Eat the cookie...buy the shoes is about learning the balance and truly enjoying life.

For when we work too much life can become stressful and unhealthy, and when we play too much we can become undisciplined.

Knowing when to stop is something we need help with.

In this chapter Joyce reminds us of some things we can do in the everyday to help seek and find the balance.

Learning to stop and laugh. I love this one. I love to laugh. And thankfully I am married to the Engineer who truly is moments away from switchin careers...okay not really. But truly he is just naturally everyday funny. And the even cooler thing is he knows when his wife needs to lighten up and laugh...and it works great!

Laughing helps us lighten up. It is mood improving. And it keeps us healthier.

You don't have to tell me life is unfun and hard at times...I sit here typing this morning with two separate sets of stitches running along my back and bottom (I know more information than you were looking for in blog land today!) I had two different moles removed and the punch biopsies came back precancerous so the Dr had to excise more! I could focus on the unfun parts of this...or I can choose to find humor and laugh to get myself through. Being that the bandages are in spots I cannot reach myself I am humbled to allow the Engineer to help...and in comes his humor! So lets just say I am laughing and trying not to pop my stitches!

It's hard to do some moments...but try today to get yourself to laugh.

Learn to Play more. I believe having my boys helps me with this. The boys can make any situation fun and we always find ourselves laughing. They are truly little humor prodigies!! The other night we were in the front driveway kicking a soccer ball around and the Engineer and I were talking and we accidentally missed the ball and my youngest little guy shouts out.'Hey mom and dad quit doing all that married stuff and pay attention to the ball'. We shared a great laugh!

Learn to Stop and Rest. If you find your energy running low, sit down for a few minutes and take a break. Read a book. Go for a walk get some fresh air. Take a nap...this is my favorite one! And make sure you are getting 8 hours of sleep..I am no Dr but I do agree with this bit of advice. Our bodies need time to heal and restore themselves and this happens when we are sleeping...I did pay attention in my college anatomy and physiology class! Vacation. Be creative with vacations. Use your time and money wisely.

What are you doing today?

May we choose to believe we are to enjoy life.

Celebrate You

2010-06-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday friends!

Today on the blog I want to spend some time using Chapter 9 of Eat the cookie…buy the shoes to pray, ask some questions, and truly hear from God.

I am sensing that this will be hard for some of us today. Please know I am praying. I believe that to be set free and truly live in the abundant life He has for us we have to allow Him to renew our minds.

Chapter 9 is titled Celebrate You.

When was the last time you celebrated yourself?

Now some of you might already be getting ready to click off this blog because you are thinking how in the world is this biblical…this sounds a little too selfish!

Well if you are courageous keep reading my friend…

Let’s start in Genesis.

So God created man (and woman) in His own image. (Genesis 1:27) (emphasis mine)

God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31) (emphasis mine)

Okay are you with me so far? You were created in the image of God and when He looks at you, He smiles and is pleased with what He made.

Maybe you grew up never hearing just how amazing you are. But please take a few seconds to think on this, think to a point where it gets in to your heart today.

The Creator of the universe made you…He did so on purpose. He loves you. He thinks you are worth it! He thinks you are amazing.

Until we truly grasp who He has created, we cannot appreciate ourselves and thus not love ourselves.

Now please know there is a healthy God designed balance between thinking too highly of ourselves and thinking too poorly of ourselves.

For we need to keep this balance. And when we do we honor good with our thoughts.

So what do you think of yourself?

Is it God honoring?

We have been created on purpose. The purpose is to be in a love and grace filled relationship with God. A relationship made possible by Jesus.

Without Jesus we are nothing in ourselves, but with Jesus we are everything!

And once we are in this love and grace filled relationship with God, He can work in us and through us to accomplish His purpose on earth.

What your life amounts to is directly connected to what you think of yourself. We need to learn to think like God thinks. (pg 94)

God views us the way He knows we can be.

Beautiful, worthy, holy, perfect, righteous, redeemed, renewed, pure and filled with grace and love!

How do you see yourself?

What side of the cross are you living on?

Are your thoughts of yourself in agreement with Gods?

How would our lives look if we actually believed God loves us and smiles upon us?

May we know who God is, what He thinks of us, and may we celebrate what we have in Jesus!

Celebrate Who You Are and What You Have

2010-06-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the blog. We are in the middle of going through Joyce Meyers new book, Eat the cookie…buy the shoes and I am really enjoying the positive focus this book has helped me have. I am also encouraged by the balance I can sense is coming into my life.

Yesterday as I sat in worship service our church recognized the graduates. As I looked at this group of ‘kids’ standing up there…I thought about how God sees them. He sees them how He created them. In His image. Packed full of purpose and plans. And in those moments I was reminded that our world is full of distractions that cause us to not celebrate who we are and what we have. We live in a world that tends to focus on flaws, mistakes, and pasts. We live in a world that advertises the need for more. A more that truly will never be attained here in this world, with what this world has to offer.

As I sat out and looked at this ‘line’ of graduates along the front of the church I wondered…do they know who they are? How do they see themselves?

I remember a ‘few’ years back (okay quite a few years back) celebrating my own graduation. I had no clue who I was, and what I had. Really I was just a girl who was celebrating the end of one thing and the beginning of another…college!

I know how easy it is to get lost in this world. And while lost, our vision is not clear. We don’t know who we are what our purpose is and we have no true understanding of who God is.

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2:10)

The verse above was spoken by the angel to the Shepherds who were out in their fields with their sheep. The ‘good news’ was that Jesus had been born!

Why are we lost? Why do we not see ourselves for who we are? Why do we not celebrate what we have?

I believe it starts by not seeing God clearly.

Some of us might know about the ‘good news’. Others of us might need a reminder of the ‘good news’.

Friends we have Jesus.

Joyce points out in Chapter 8 that there are some important truths that are needed for a strong foundation.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. The power is like the working of His mighty strength. Eph 1:17-19 (emphasis mine)

** We need to know God

There is more than just knowing the Christmas and Easter stories. We need to know the God who wrote these stories. We need to be in a daily relationship with Him. One in which we are communicating; talking with, hearing and responding to.

When we know God and are in a progressive grace and love filled relationship with Him, nothing can take it away.

We no longer need evidence to protect our faith. We trust God just as much if He does not give us what we want as we would if He did. (pg 76)

There is a difference in knowing God mentally and spiritually. One changes you from the inside out!

** We need to know how we personally fit into God’s story.

Friends this is a very important truth that needs to be written deepen into our hearts. We are Gods children, adopted into the family by the love of Jesus Christ. We are His now…not once we arrive in heaven…we are in that family now. And we need to be living like we are. Not earning our spot in the family, that’s already been done. But rather living like you have inherited new free grace and love filled life…because friends that’s what it is! But yet I think we are not truly living in it how our God intended us to.

We must understand what we have right now, otherwise we will spend our lives struggling to obtain something that has been ours all along. (pg 78)

Now that’s all about grace!

** We need to know God’s power is available to us.

Is this something we truly need to know? To experience? I don’t know about you, but I sure do! I need the power it takes to live in this world. I need the power to overcome the temptation of staying comfortable. I need the power to be a wife; it takes power to be submissive when by all human fleshy desire I want to speak my mind! I need the power to raise two little boys God’s way in a world that so doesn’t help. I need the power to love my family, friends and neighbors how God loves them. And friends as much as I would like to say and think I am a nice and loving person…there are days when hormones, emotions and feelings get in the way…and the only thing that will override them…is the power…His power. And the more I am learning about this power, the power of the Holy Spirit I am realizing we need daily doses. It’s not good enough to have a one time filling…we need to be filled up frequently…daily. How? By spending time with Him each day. Speaking with; praying. Hearing from Him; reading His Word. And then living it out!

We cannot celebrate who we are if we don’t know who we are!

We cannot celebrate what we have if we don’t know what we have!

May we know Jesus and then celebrate!

All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life. Philippians 3:10-11 (CEV)

A Time to Remember

2010-06-02T13:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after I dropped off the Kindergartner, little guy and I headed to the church. I met two other women there, and we stood in the kitchen and cut up fruit, veggies, and hamburger fixins. We prepped this food for the Upward Soccer Appreciation Dinner. A dinner that was to celebrate a most awesome soccer season. A dinner that was to say thank you to the coaches, assistant coaches, referees, and concession workers. A dinner that was taking place that evening.

As I stood in the kitchen cutting up fruit and veggies, the number 150 kept running through my head. That was the estimated, best guess of how many people would be coming to the dinner. There was no official head count, no RSVP. Just a guess. A number. And I will be perfectly honest...I was a little overwhelmed with this whole thing. What if there were more people, and not enough food? Being a girl who likes to always make sure there is MORE than enough...I was having some issues with the unknown.

So fast forward to 5:30pm last night and we are now putting out the food. A nice hamburger bbq with all the yummy fixins to go on top. As I am bringing stuff outside to set on the food tables I am getting a little anxious...I am seeing 'the people'. The ones who are coming to eat. So I keep bringing the food out...oh and the desserts...there was enough brownies...cookies...and yummy sweets to cause our whole city to max out their dental insurance this year! At one point I was wondering if we should have switched it to "Upward Soccer Appreciation Dessert"...that way then we would know for sure there would be enough! So as I am watching more and more people show up...and I am glancing over the tables of food...I am just beside myself with the nervous energy of truly doubting we can feed all these people. You see I can't count heads very fast...and just maybe I tend to exaggerate...but it truly looked like a mass amount of people! So I put my head down and focused on getting the condiments organized properly...one ketchup, one mayo, one mustard per side of the food table...oh and the pickles right in the middle...and then it hits me...people are going to go hungry, they are going to starve...we don't have enough food! So I get to praying...you know the Jesus please show up...here and now...crazy frantic prayer!

And as my head lifts and people start going through the food line and loading up their plates...I keep to praying!

People came, they ate, they chatted. It was a GREAT time!

I am MORE than thrilled to report that there was MORE than enough food. People had seconds...some thirds...oh and people were taking some home in baggies!!!

During clean-up it was when my Jesus whispered to my heart...

"remember that whole thing about me feeding thousands of people with a boys lunch?"

In those moments last night and into today I am reminded that our God is a God who can do it all!

He can take a frightened shepherd boy and equip him to lead His people.

He can fill a little boy with the courage to bring down a giant.

He can take an simple ordinary young girl and make her extraordinary.

He can take a Man and fill Him with the perseverance to see it through.

He can take fisherman, prostitutes, liars, cheaters, adulterers, the dead, sinners, you and me and make us MORE.

He is the Master of take nothing and making it something.

Chapter 7 in Eat the cookie...buy the shoes is about taking the time to remember. Remember what God has done for you.

Remember what He has brought you out of.

Remember what He has brought you through.

Remember what He has brought you to.

Our mind, hearts and souls need this. We need to remember who He is.

He is God. And what He says He will do...He will do!

This morning I found myself in Ezekiel 17.
" 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

" 'I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it.' "

Ezekiel 17:22-24 (emphasis mine)
His precious Word!

Friends, I don't know your situation at this moment. But I do know God does. And in this moment I find peace in that. Peace knowing that NO MATTER the situation, He has the answer.

I am praying and knowing He will speak to our hearts. He will remind us of His love, His promises, His eternity for us.

And during this time of remembering who He is, He is also filling us with what we need to get us there!

May we know in this moment He remembers us, He loves us, and He adores us, on purpose!

Remembering to Celebrate

2010-06-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

Celebrate through Giving

2010-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday friends! So the ark building has been put on hold...the rain has let up a little...so I sent the Engineer back off in the direction of airplanes...he's a happy camper! But my hair...there is a steadfast focus and count down til next Wednesday....

As we are journeying through this book together we are talking about truly enjoying life, lightening up, and purposefully celebrating all that God has for us! All this talk about celebrating has me truly wishing we could get together and celebrate together..that is a feature I miss from blogging...personal in face interacting with you precious friends! So instead of getting us all together to drink Oregon Chai and cookies with totally cute shoes on...I will do the next best thing....read on...

Chapter 6 is titled Celebrate through Giving and the chapter can be summed up in this paragraph below;

"We would quickly add a lot of celebration time to our lives if we would take the time to give thanks and perhaps some other type of offering when God does amazing things for us. An attitude of gratitude shows a lot about the character of a person. We should never have an attitude of entitlement, but we should have one that says, 'I know I don't deserve God's goodness, but I am sure grateful for it'." (pg 53-54)

The Bible is jam packed full of people celebrating. There are recorded stories of people building memorials, altars...all to thank God and remember what He has done for them.

Noah celebrated coming off the ark.

Abram celebrated his progress as he journeyed with God.

Our lives are full of things to celebrate if we look for them.

There are many opportunities to be celebrating. Small things as well as big things.

The Israelites celebrated getting crossing the Red Sea.

Nehemiah and the Jews were commanded to celebrate when they finished rebuilding the wall.

"Celebration is part of our recovery. It revives us for the next project or job we have to do. Do you take time to celebrate when you finish a project, or do you merely begin the next one?" (pg 57)

If the Designer and Maker of the universe worked 6 days and celebrated, recovered and rested (even though He didn't NEED to) on the 7th day...I think its only appropriate we follow in His foot steps and do the same. Take time to enjoy, to see what God has done in you and through you!

There are many ways to celebrate. God is the ultimate Giver and we will never be able to out give Him. I truly believe what He pours into us is intended to be poured out. Because again He never just 'fills us up', He pours until we are over flowing. And truly a God glorifying and honoring way to celebrate is to GIVE!

We need to be very careful here, and get this in the heart...right to where He wants us to hear it. We are to give out of the overflow and blessings He has lavished on us. Out of a heart full of thanks and blessing the cycle can continue to flow, its a most beautiful thing when lived out in His design.

Joyce writes:

"What we give to others as a result of obedience to God is never lost. It leaves our hands temporarily, but it never leaves our life. We give it, God uses it to bless someone else, and then He returns it multiplied." (pg 59)

I love that!

I am thinking on that today...to live my life as a Giver...giving of my energy, time, commitment, love. As a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend.

Friends giving isn't just a money thing. Please allow Him to speak to your heart on this today. I am open to hearing Him, and I really think my giving needs to be from a pure heart, a heart that ultimately is celebrating all He has done for me!

There are many ways to celebrate and remember all He has done for us!

Again a girlie can dream about us all having chai, cookies and cute shoes...however today we celebrate this way...

Today I am passing on the blessing of Eat the cookie....buy the shoes, that was given to me by giving a copy away! If you would like to have a copy for yourself leave a comment stating a way you can celebrate what He has done for you and I will enter your name in! I will draw a name on Monday night and announce Tuesday morning! Happy weekend everyone...remember to celebrate!

Celebrate Your Progress

2010-05-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well the Engineer is busy building an ark today...I am not sure that I have seen this much rain ever...its just a coming down. So while he is busy building an ark I am calling the hair salon...because all this humidity in the air has made my curls flare up and its more than this girly can take today! But the appointment is not til next week...and by then I will be sailing away on the ark...living amongst the wild beasts of the earth and none of them will probably bat an eye at the curly mop on my head!

And for the regulars who are following my 'book review' of Eat the Cookie...buy the shoes you are wondering how in the world that is going to tie into to chapter 5...well most likely its not...unless it just happens to by the end of this post!

So chapter 5 is all about celebrating your progress.

One thing that has filled my mind and heart as I read and re-read this chapter again...is the question 'how have I progressed in my 33 years?'

To sum it all up there was a few moments that added up in my twenties that made me realize I was truly missing out on something. I was tired of going through the motions, being the good girl, just following the rules.

I discovered there was more than religion. There was a most amazing grace and love filled relationship with Jesus to be lived out daily!

How is that for some progress?!?!?

Friends it can be said of most of us...we are a work in progress.

There is purpose for celebrating progress. Celebrating strengthens us.

I can celebrate my progress with my thoughts. After completing the Me, Myself and Lies Bible study I am more aware of my thoughts...ones that are time wasters, ones that are not pure and right, ones that are not God honoring, ones in which the enemy is trying to trash talk a daughter of the Most High!

How is that for some progress?!?!?

I have room to continue to grow in this area.

"God isn't keeping a record of each time we fall, but He is excited about our progress, and we should be excited, too!" (pg 40)

There are moments in which I find myself being humbled at the feet of Jesus much faster than in the past. And I praise God for that change and progress...because its a sign that God is working in me!

Do you recognize the areas in which you have grown, changed?

Do you rejoice over your progress and change?

Living life with Jesus is a journey in which life will be 'shining ever brighter til the full light of day' (Proverbs 4:18)

Look over this past year of your life, can you see progress?

Here is a plug for journaling. For me I need to keep a written record of what I am hearing, learning and going through...then I can look back and see where I was and where He has brought me! There is a beautiful trend in progress while in relationship with Jesus, its all purposefully living at His feet and it always brings us closer to His heart!

Now be careful if you think you have made no progress, because that most likely means the enemy is lying to you. The enemies purpose is to bring you down, he does NOT want you celebrating your progress.

Celebrating strengthens us, while condemnation weakens us.

When we choose to celebrate we are looking for God in our life, and that is thanking Him for what He has done, is doing and will continue to do!

"As children of God we need to be committed to change. Throughout our journey here on earth God's Spirit will be working with and in us, helping us change for the better." (pg 47)

Friends if there is something today that brings you encouragement...and a reason to celebrate I hope it is this:

we are not asked to do this in our own strength..we are not to change on our own...its not as if God has asked us to clean ourselves up and then come back and present ourselves before the Throne. No my friends...we sit the entire time at His feet in His Holy presence and the One He purposefully sent will work in us...as a comforter, healer, adviser, teacher, coach, an intercessor! (John 16:7-13)

And as I strive to daily remember its not perfection in my human understanding, for Gods definition of perfect means that I am willing, cooperating and growing!

My prayer,

Lord I pray that this will go into my heart by the power and working of the Holy Spirit. That my mind, thoughts, words, actions, and living will be honoring to You, and when its not that I will be made aware and correct it. Lord I love You and living my life on purpose is only possible because of Your love and grace for me. I pray that even though I know with my head that I am a work in progress and not complete until You bring me home to eternity, my heart feels the pain and struggle of the continual shifting and changing. It is unsettling and uncomfortable and purposeful and right all at the same time. I praise You Lord for Your mighty hand and presence in my life. May I continue to become less and You More. Amen

May we desire to live in such a way that the progress we make is celebrated because we keep getting deeper in relationship with our Maker.

God Likes a Party

2010-05-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family, welcome to the blog today!

Do you like parties?

Well Chapter 4 in Eat the cookie...buy the shoes...Joyce shares about how God is all about parties. She helps us remember all the times of celebration and ways people partied in the Bible.

She opens this chapter up with the first party that Jesus attended...not only was he in attendance...he helped keep the party going by turning water into wine!

Now don't get off course by focusing on the wrong things...try to keep in tune with what God might have us know and the purpose for including this in His Word.

Jesus attended the party, He had nothing against the party, and He wanted the people to enjoy the party.

Now calling myself a 'party girl' might get some people to raise their eyebrows here today...but in all reality I truly am. I am a girl who loves to party...aka celebrate life. Whether it be a Christmas party, a birthday party and anniversary party...and you know parties usually include yummy treats...so yeah!

You are invited to God's party! Have you accepted the invite...and have you showed up?

Are you in attendance at His party?

"God loves us and all that He has is ours as long as we belong to Him. He appreciates our work and effort to please Him, but if we refuse to enjoy the benefits of being a child of God this is our fault, not His. We can have a party anytime we want one. Every day can be a party if we learn the art of celebration." (pg 35)

Friends today I am really in party mode...as I just finished the Bible study, Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. I am so deserving of a celebration..that Bible study was a hard one...hard in a really good life changing way...but as I finished today I can truly hear my Creator clapping...and that calls for a celebration...right?!?!

I am living life with Him and when I stop and think on that...that is worth celebrating.

May we not take one second of our freedom in grace for granted...but rather party like we truly mean it!

You are worth a little waste

2010-05-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

Now if that is not a chapter title that is hard to swallow I am not sure what it is!!

Before we dive into the third chapter of this book adventure I do want to make sure everyone knows my heart...I am a Jesus loving girl...and also a firm believer that His word is the ultimate source of truth...but I have heard from Him in many different sources...other books...secular and religious...movies...tv commercials...friends...other blogs...so please know I don't put this book that we are journeying through together before the Word...or in any means deem it my only spiritual food at this moment in life.

Which so conveniently brings me to the first 'highlighted' point in chapter 3. And Joyce writes,

"God often works through unlikely vessels and in unusual ways to give us courage and strength" (pg 20)

Friends not to weird you out but this actually happened to me today...yep! I check the mail everyday before youngest little guy and I go get the oldest little guy from school. And in the mailbox was a manila envelope from a blog friend...and inside was a beautiful sun catcher...a card filled with love, encouragement and such sweet words...and a VERY generous gift to be used towards She Speaks! Friends the highlight for me is that through a person I have never met in person...never seen face to face...never talked with even over the phone...but would love to...God brought strength and encouragement. He loved all over me!

I share this 'mailbox Jesus loving on me moment' with you tonight because it helps me understand this whole chapter 3 a bit better.

In chapter 3 Joyce helps us understand there are times for extravagance. Joyce reminds us of the story found in the book of Matthew of the woman who pours a very expensive perfume all over Jesus' head. It was her way of showing Him her love. While everyone around Him saw this as wasteful and silly, some even claimed it was down right irresponsible. Jesus saw her heart!

"But religious legalism leaves no room to be led by the Holy Spirit." (pg 20)

Where is our focus? What is our focus?

Do we look at what is going on with our minds or with our hearts?

I will be completely honest there were moments this afternoon after opening that gift that was in my mailbox that I stated 'I don't deserve this', 'I am sure this was a sacrifice for my friend', 'I am sure this could have went to someone more worthy'?!?!

"When we look at things with the eyes of our heart we are more likely to see from God's view" (pg 21)

Me analyzing this gift was denying and not choosing to recognize it as what it was a gift. Given by a sweet and precious daughter of God...who truly allows our Maker to work in her and through her. And because of her sweet and precious Jesus filled heart...love flowed out of her onto me!

Joyce encourages us in this chapter to remember we have to work and then enjoy the fruit of our labor.

I tend to be too busy working most of the time...to stop and truly enjoy. I am reminded that even the God of the universe who with the mighty works of His hands...worked 6 days and rested!

And then I got to page 23 and there was a chorus of angels singing loudly and applauding as I read these words...

"God gave us our emotions, and it is not wrong to do what is needed to keep them strong and healthy. We must not allow our emotions to rule us, but denying their existence is equally dangerous."

Why the whole angel chorus singing?...Because they are already celebrating the moments when my heart will truly grasp those two above statements. As in this moment I am still processing. I know I was created like this...the emotional leading with the heart kinda girlie I am...now its onto how to live in a healthy balance and all Him to direct the emotions!

Joyce also spends some time in this chapter addressing how we go through different seasons in our life, ones in which He has us follow different guidelines. Ones in which there are no shoes and no cookies until we truly learn that all we NEED is Him.

I am encouraged tonight to seek Him and ask Him for the strength to live life with the right heart attitude. Knowing nothing is wasted if used for the right purpose.

"When people have a right heart toward God they do things in balance and are always concerned about representing God in a proper way." (pg 28)

And my sweet and precious blogging friend...Cindy...you nailed that one from above...your heart has sure touched mine today. For you allowed Jesus to work through you...to bless and encourage me...and for that I am grateful and sending a very heart felt thank you right to ya! I love you Cindy!

Before we go on

2010-05-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog. There are a few things...okay a lot of things racing around in my mind this morning on this day of rest. And so it is my hearts intent as I type this morning on the day of rest to seek rest in Him. Rest for a heart that is grieving over a choice made with the wrong intention.

For some of you who have 'journeyed' with me for a while on this blog I am praying this morning that you will know this blog is never about playing it safe, putting on a show, or even being comfortable. But rather living my life on purpose is about being real, honest and truly living each day being teachable; a work in progress!

When I started reading the book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes, I was scared of what I would find in the pages. Without ever opening the cover...my mind raced over all the what ifs? And I truly questioned...honestly...was this the book that would give me 'permission' to go back to eating my brownies and buying shoes when I wanted to.

However it is my hearts desire to be a girl who seeks her Jesus in everything. And I am not sure I started this book with that purposeful intent. You see normally I struggle just watching a movie, reading a book, or being in relationship with someone without seeking what He has for me in it. Trust me this is a tiring process...and probably one that is way hard to explain as I type. I tend to look at life in all areas...'what does Jesus have for me to learn, see or do?' So where did I go wrong with this book...well I think as I am typing this morning I can honestly say...I was focused on a the cookie and the shoes...and NOT Jesus! As hard as that is to type...I do so to seek rest!

As I type I am very aware of my humanness.

I am a girl who tends to be either on or off.

I live out of emotions.

I need to find balance.

I desperately need Him.

So as I read this book I know He will continue to reveal what has to go so I can be balanced.

For Friday was one of those lessons for me.

The cookie for me is still not okay. I know why I ate it. I know my thoughts before, during and after.

Dear Jesus my hearts desire is to not void fill with the things of this world. But only with You. I know the enemy desires to see me lose, I have victory in You. 'Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours' (Psalm 128:1-2) Thank You Jesus for loving me, picking me up and bringing me through. May I know You more, I love You, Amen!

Can you over celebrate?

2010-05-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hey friends...just so you know I have come to confess...yep publicly! Think I am struggling already at this whole balance thing...like memories of the Dairy Queen blizzard from last night are being chased by the cookie I just stuffed in and the crumbs are still visible!

And funny thing is there is NO surprise at how I find myself celebrating...eating yummy chocolaty treats and visiting the shoe store...but I will say I left with not one single pair!!! And there was a sale my friends!

So Chapter 2 was on celebrating. Well let me tell you I have NO problem finding reasons to celebrate...

Reasons to celebrate this week...our family schedule is easing up a little, the weather has been great, the fix for my laptop was way less than I thought it would be, watched friends adopt their new little girls, I have kept two children, one Engineer and one dog fed this week, oh and it's Friday!

Who knows I just might be getting celebrating and coping confused...HA!

Seriously I just ate the last cookie that was in our house...why? Because I am celebrating that there is a child napping. I am one mommy who is begging...I mean praying for enough strength and energy to get through this day!

God knows I have been begging...I mean praying for His strength to do this momma job lately...I am NOT equipped...I am tired...and very overwhelmed that He would ask me to raise two little guys. Seriously?

Not equipped but riding a sugar buzz from that cookie.

Yikes!

So I will continue on celebrating life...and seek celebrating with less sugar...I know it can be done...its all about balance for me!

I will celebrate the much happier 4 year old who will wake up from his nap in a much better mood (please Jesus!)

I will celebrate the pick up of my very tired Kindergartner in thirty minutes.

I will celebrate that I get to make my family dinner.

I will celebrate that daddy will be coming home around 5ish to help me tag team.

I will celebrate changing into comfy clothes and relaxing with an Engineer on a Friday night in the comfort of our own home!

May your weekend be filled with a whole lotta celebrating!

Join me back here on Monday and we will review Chapter 3 together...You are Worth a Little Waste.

Happy Birthday

2010-05-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the blog! We are going through the book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes by Joyce Meyer. And today we are talking about celebrating!

Do you celebrate?

Do you enjoy celebrating?

Do you have the spirit of celebration in your heart?

Do you celebrate your birthday?

Do you enjoy celebrating your birthday?

I know that last question might seem a little silly. But truly think about it.

Do you just brush it off as another day? "I'm just getting a another year older, what does it matter anyway" "It's just another day on the calendar" "It's too selfish to celebrate my birthday"

Is this is wrong attitude? Are we missing the chance to celebrate another year of our life?

Joyce states;

Perhaps part of the reason why we don't feel the need to celebrate is that we lack understanding on how truly awesome we are. (pg 12)

Are you ready to truly claim these verses as truth;

You are the one

who put me together

inside my mother's body,

and I praise you

because of

the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvelous!

Of this I have no doubt.

Psalm 139:13-14 (Contemporary English Version)

I think when God spent such time creating us, He poured His creativity and life into us, He wants us to celebrate that!

Our birthdays are a remembrance of His time spent on us...another year in shaping us and molding us. Oh friends this NEEDS to be celebrated!

When we truly celebrate from our hearts our lives we are bringing Him glory and honor, we are appreciating and recognizing who He is and what He has done!

And if we truly seek to bring Him glory and honor then we don't have to wait and do it once a year. We can live daily celebrating life!

Do you celebrate daily?

Do you celebrate the ordinary?

Or are you stuck in the martyr syndrome as Joyce refers to it, where you go through life doing all the work feeling like no one truly appreciates you, while everyone else goes on enjoying life without ever realizing how much you sacrifice.

Ouch!

How do we not continue living in the 'martyr syndrome'?

Celebrate.

Living life on purpose calls for celebrating.

Creatively find reasons to celebrate.

The purpose of Jesus coming was for us to enjoy life to the fullest. (John 10:10)

May we truly know that everyday is worth celebrating and that we need to choose to celebrate and experience joy!

The Cookie

2010-05-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends...I am back to get into this book. We are going to journey together through the pages of Eat the Cookie...buy the shoes. This is Joyce Meyer's new book about 'giving yourself permission to lighten up.'

So if you are feeling now is a good time to take a breather...please join us!

So chapter 1 of the book is titled The Cookie.

If you don't have a copy of the book please link over here to visit this video. Start the video from 6:05 minutes in and watch until the end. It is about 3 minutes. Where Joyce shares her 'cookie' story. It will give you the foundation for the first chapter. After you watch come back over and join in reading my highlights from the chapter, and please lets make this a discussion by leaving your comments and questions. Thank you!

She points out that her husband was truly trying to help her because he loves her. I have a pretty significant memory of when the Engineer so freely shared with our OB/GYN on one of our Dr's visit when I was pregnant with Tyler. The Engineer felt at liberty to ask the Dr..."is it normal for a pregnant woman to eat an entire pan of chocolate brownies?" Yes he got a pretty good glare! Anyway, truly our friends and family most of the time comment out of love for us. But Joyce points out,

Sadly, if we are not confident about our choices, we can easily let other peoples' comments make us feel guilty and ruin the joy we need to experience in life through doing the little things that mean a lot to us. (pg 4)

In the first chapter Joyce wants us to go away with this...

We're Not Built for Guilt

God will convict us of wrong choices and actions, but He never tries to make us feel guilty. Guilt presses us down and weakens us, but godly conviction brings awareness of wrong, and an opportunity to change and progress. (pg 4-5)

As I read that I prayed that God would truly help me to make healthy and right choices. And maybe if you are like me, but probably not...right?? Is there anyone else out there that struggles with balance? I want Him to truly help me to discern when, why and how much! I don't want to eat or buy to fill a void. I want to do it because its been approved and okayed by Him. I want to make the decision knowing I am fully living in my freedom from Him.

Had God wanted us to feel guilty, He would not have sent Jesus to redeem us from guilt. (pg 5)

Guilt is not from Him. It is from the enemy.

To be living in relationship with Jesus means we need to be living fully in the grace and love He has for us. This is true freedom, the purpose and reason for the cross.

Our journey with God toward right behavior and holiness is progressive, and if we have to drag the guilt from past mistakes along with us, we'll never make progress toward true freedom and joy. Perhaps this is the main reason why so few people actually enter into and enjoy the inheritance promised through relationship with Jesus Christ. (pg 5)

To be living in the present in relationship with our Jesus means not dragging our past around with us.

And Joyce asks us,

How much time do you waste feeling guilty?

Our energy is better purposed focusing on the future and eternity. (See Philippians 3:12-14)

So I found myself reading this next sentence and felt myself truly inhaling a new dose of grace,

We may drive ourselves to finish, but somewhere along the way we will probably become bitter and get a chip on our shoulder if we don't lighten up and take time to celebrate the journey. (pg 7)

Go back and read that again!

Friends we need to be focused on and living out the purpose He has called us to. But what do others see when the see you living this out?

Rules?

Regulations?

Laws?

Stinky Attitude?

Bondage?

Or just maybe they should be seeing,

Grace, love, joy, peace, freedom!

Joyce shares why she had difficult enjoying herself, it was because she felt like she didn't deserve it.

I can relate. Can you?

I was out of balance in almost everything and I did not yet realize that celebration and enjoyment are necessary in our lives and we cannot be healthy spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically without them. (pg 8)

Will you join me in praying,

Dear Jesus we start this journey holding tight to Your amazing hand. You are the giver of grace, love, and freedom. I pray if there are things that we need to let go of today, like guilt that is holding us back from truly experiencing You to the fullest, please lead us through this. Thank You Lord for loving us so much. It is our hearts desire to seek You, to know You and to live lives that bring glory and honor to You, why? so that others can meet You too! We love You Lord Jesus, Amen

Thank you for joining me for chapter 1...we will keep going on this journey!

You can change the entire atmosphere of your home simply by giving yourself permission to lighten up. (pg 9)

A Gift that just might possibly have an agenda!?!

2010-05-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family. Thank you SO much for the huge honor and blessing to get to pray with you and for you. I know God...and He will answer!

So some of you might recall I had the awesome privilege of facilitating the Women's Bible study at my church through Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl. And what an honor and privilege that was. You see when I read that book the first time I fell in love even MORE with my Jesus...and if there is one purpose I have on this earth..it's to share that Jesus with all I come in contact with. And this book was a great resource at doing just that. Well over the weeks of facilitating the Bible study I had shared some of my personal struggles, and issues with my obsessions, addictions, indulgences...or whatever they may be called with both chocolate brownies and shoes! And at the end of the study one of the women comes up and hands me a wrapped gift and card. She presented it to me with a verbal, 'thank you'. It wasn't until later when I was driving in the car and stopped at a light with my 4 year old 'demanded' or requested that I open the gift...a wrapped gift and a little 4 year old curious mind don't stay in the same arena very long! So I tore open the gift...and here is what greeted me...

Joyce Meyers new book, Eat the Cookie...buy the shoes. Giving Yourself Permission to Lighten Up.

I started laughing out loud in my car...and of course the 4 year old was not quite as impressed with the gift..'a book'

But being that I am a girlie who loves to read...I usually have about 2-3 books going at the same time. I can be found in the kitchen at around 5ish...cooking dinner,playing referee, coaching homework, greeting husband, answering the phone,feeding the dog and reading me a book!

So I have read the back cover, the introduction..and I am a few pages into...and I am thinking that I really want to share this journey with you.

I think this gift just might have an agenda...not one planned by the giver of the gift...but rather by my Creator.

So because I need someone to journey with me...cause I am a little nervous of what I might meet...am I truly ready for freedom and guilt free living?

Who knows what could happen...I might just be found in the middle of the shoe section at Macy's eating a 9x13 pan of brownies...with book in hand!

So if you want to join me...I would love it. Either with the book...or not.

I will be back in a day or two to get us going.

What comes in most go out!

2010-05-12T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, welcome to the blog! I am glad you are visiting today..because I just have to share with you!

God is amazing...He is full of great things...and wants to pour them down on you!

I have been very blessed by friends and family that encourage me, love on me, pray for me and inspire me.

Today I want to give back!

So I am going with the mantra...What comes in most go out!

Would you bless me with the amazing opportunity to pray with you and for you today?

I would love to!

You can either leave it in the comments...or email it to me!

May you know your Creator loves you, adores you, and has great things to pour down on you!

A Recharged Momma

2010-05-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

So into this Monday I have arrived recharged and renewed. Nothing like a little spoiling from one amazing man and two amazing little guys to get this momma refueled and focused again.

Thank you Engineer and T-Squad for living life on purpose with me!

It also helped that message from the stage yesterday at church was filled with a whole lotta Jesus' love for this girlies heart.

Do you ever feel as if society really could care less about the job title you carry from day to day?

I know I have!

But lets just say as of yesterday and going into today...I am recharged...on purpose!

To live out what the Creator of the universe has asked me to do...

1. Be in relationship with Him
2. Be wife to the Engineer
3. Be mom to the T Squad
4. Be leading others to God

May we know that our job titles as woman, wives, and moms are given on purpose from a Creator who knows what He is doing!

And I encourage you to:

Continue on

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life. She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother. She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. “Is it worth it?" she often wondered. "Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?"

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

“You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be."

Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise for me. What you invest in them is an offering to me.

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before me. Continue on. Remember you are my servant. Do all to please me."

By Roy Lessin

I call her mom

2010-05-09T06:44:00.001-07:00

There is a woman who was created in the very image of God. And in that image is displayed many characteristics that make her unique and beautiful. She is full of unconditional love. She fills a room with joy and fun. She takes the simple and makes it grand. She can bring laughter. She comforts. She stands beside and encourages. She lives in grace and thus gives grace. She believes in second chances and thus not only takes them offers them. She is teachable. She is quirky in a neat away; you know the one that makes you ask her opinion. She knows when a hot bath, warm cup of tea, or a hug is needed. She would sit next to you, stand next to you, stand in for you and hold onto you. She would take the time, the minute, the hour, the day, the years. She is committed. She represents selfishness. She has taught submission. She has exercised endurance. She gets the meaning of patience. She is her heart. She loves. She prays. She experiences Jesus moments. She has been changed inside and out. She knows relationship. She has followed, lead and come back to walk alongside. She has real tears, genuine hugs, and sincere compliments. She has guided, taught and also able to be guided and teachable. She sees others. She has left a legacy. She has made this world a better place.

She has a name.

I call her mom.

2 Mirrors

2010-05-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a 'day'. One in which I found myself in one of those funky mirror houses...you know the kind that you can go through at the fair. One mirror will show you all scrunched up and 2 feet tall...while the next mirror shows you tall and lean. Okay so its my analogy for the day...I wasn't really in the mirror house...but hang in there with me....

Yesterday I was cranky, tired, overwhelmed, being pulled in a million different directions...and on top of it all I felt like my head was going to explode. Seriously going outside right now in this wind and pollen infested climate is really startin' to do this girlie in. So I truly limit my time out there!

So it gets to be around 5pm and I am in the kitchen...and I am not quite sure why this is, but 5pm and the kitchen can always...and I am serious here...bring out some uglies in me. Yikes! The uglies were a flying out.

I was angry.

I was frustrated.

I was grumbling.

I was jealous.

I was pouting.

I was complaining.

Oh and I had excuses for each ugly coming out...

I am tired.

I am too busy.

I am a girl whose head is going to explode with this pollen allergy induced sinus pressure!

Lets just say the Engineer and the boys...stayed pretty clear of the kitchen vicinity. Oh and its as if every corner of the kitchen had a mirror...so when I turned...I could see the ugly. It was a bunch of ugly scenes.

Have you ever been right where you are supposed to be and it's not very comfortable?

After clearly seeing my ugly...I was in survival mode and ready to just make it to bed time.

So we get the boys in bed and I can clearly hear God saying...'time for you to do your Bible study'.

What? I am in NO frame of mind to be doing any Bible studying...I am ready to be putting my head on my pillow and looking forward to a new day! Out of some Jesus inspired obedience I grab my Bible, and my Bible study book I am currently doing...titled...Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild and head out to the family room to sit in my over sized comfy chair with my quilt. I open my Bible study book...I am on week five (friends it has taken me MUCH longer than five weeks to get here...this book is HARD...like serious life changing HARD...don't take my word for it...get the Bible study and do it yourself to find out!)...anyway...I open to:

Week Five Day 3: Grumbles In The Thought Closet

Seriously...this had been my thought closet all day! It was upon reading that title that I knew Jesus and I were about to have a talk!

I get to this paragraph:

"Complaining always reveals a lack of humility and plenty of self-centeredness. Complaining doesn't flow from a thought closet where God is central. Our grumbles show our self-focus..."

In a matter of a few seconds I was sitting there looking at myself in the mirror...and it was NOT pretty, it was rather ugly.

And in the next few seconds I hear Jesus whisper...

"Nichole I wanted you to see all that ugly tonight and remind you I can't sit next to that."

As uncomfortable as it was to look in that mirror and see the ugly..its where I needed to be.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. James 1:22-23 (MSG)

Ugly is not looking like Jesus.

For Jesus to be fully residing in my heart He needs to clean house!

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing. Philippians 2:14-15 (MSG)

When Jesus is fully residing in my heart, what comes out of me will be pretty.

Thankful for a Jesus who loves me so much to not allow be to be ugly. But in all His grace to show me His mirror and to encourage me to allow Him to make me pretty!

Choosing to look into His mirror!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NASB)

You are either a Bridge or a Barrier

2010-05-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

Hey thanks for visiting today. Today I write from a sequestered much sheltered area within the protection and comfort of my home...its crazy windy here in my neck of the woods which means its blowing pollen all around like crazy which has me SO stuffed up...its lovely my friends...you don't take breathing for granted until you just can't get air through your precious nostrils!

Okay really the whole post today is not about me and my lack of breathing issues...but thanks for listening!

Now onto much deeper thoughts...which don't you kinda of wonder how I can go there since my brain is lacking the full amount of oxygen...anyway...

Pastor Mike has been preaching himself a super amazing sermon series on Bridges these past few weeks.

On Sunday Pastor Mike shared some scripture with us from Mark 10:35-45...he reminded us of Jesus' purpose

the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

And if my oxygen supplementation is what it should be...aren't we as Christ followers to be like Christ?

Intentionally finding the lost.

Purposefully helping to heal.

Seriously serving.

Making sacrifices.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

This morning as I am reading the Word, I found myself in the pages of Mark 11. God makes a pretty large point to me...

You are either a bridge or a barrier.

Now try this out for me...

Jesus came to be a bridge to God. It was the purpose of the cross. To restore a broken relationship with our Creator. Jesus was intentional on seeking and saving the lost. He made it His lifestyle to lead others to the heart of God.

If we are called to follow in His footsteps we are to be a bridge for others. A bridge that leads them to the heart of God.

If your words, actions, and lifestyle do not lead others to see God then you are a barrier. You are not serving as a bridge.

May we truly seek to be a bridge in all we say and do and not keep others from seeing the amazing Creator!

Firsts

2010-05-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Nothing like your first video blog and your face is stuck like that...well my mouth is stuck open what can I say...HA!

Still Celebrating...

2010-04-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the blog! Yes I am still celebrating...I am a girl who likes to have fun!

Last week I remember praying out to Jesus and asking Him...

Please Lord help me to truly soak in all of this...help me to truly get it down to the heart of the matter that You are good all the time!

I struggle celebrating Him being good all the time when things feel not so easy, fun and good!

Do you?

For today the celebrating has a whole new meaning to me!

Friends as I sit on the eve of a speaking engagement for tomorrow night...

I am weak.

I am tired.

I am empty.

I am not perfectly prepared. (Its a pride thing my friends!)

I am not needed by God!

Its that last one that really tends to step on my pretty pride shoes. I know some of you are yelling right along with the celebration...

Yeah she is finally getting it!

Getting it?

Maybe not fully.

Celebrating?

Yes, I am celebrating a God who is graceful and loving and gentle enough to remind me today...my purpose!

To be in relationship with Him.

That's it!

And that's MORE than enough.

And that purpose I am still celebrating!

Celebrate good times...come on!

2010-04-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

Do you like to celebrate?

Are parties your thing?

Do you find it hard to celebate when life seems way too much?

Well this morning I am here to say that God has truly out done Himself on this one, truly!

Today is a braggin on my Jesus day! Woo-hoo!

So back on April 12th I took a HUGEMONGOUS (sorry for any talented and gifted English peoples, but its a word that truly describes the step I took) and got my girlie self all registered for She Speaks. Now I attended the conference back in the summer of 2008 and thats what truly helped me step out in faith and get started on the speaking ministry God has called me too. And let me just tell you honestly...this girlie went in her cute shoes expecting one thing...and truly ended up with a whole lotta Jesus moments...YEAH! Great stuff my friends...great stuff...and just typing about it gets me all excited again!

So back to the whole HUGEMONGOUS thing...why was it such a big step your asking? Obviously I have been before so that part shouldn't scare me...well to here it is...

** Jesus was asking me to face the speaker evaluation group again, He wanted my skin to get tougher...again!

** Jesus was asking me to 'take it up a notch', grow some more, (really I am truly pretty comfortable where I am....thanks for asking!)

** Oh and the major detail that SO sticks out in black, white and RED on paper is the whole cost factor...so NOT a little detail in my book. Yes I know that God has a whole different 'swiss' bank account but seriously I like to see it add up in black and white first...even though red is a favorite color for me...but not when it comes to finances! Oh and I kept reminded my Jesus..."you know there is the whole plane ticket from this neck of the woods to get me down south...oh and not to mention the cost of the conference, just reminding You Jesus...just reminding You!"

So it was that last big little detail that would then lead me to have others join me in praying for this whole thing.

And just so you know this girlie got herself all mis-aligned. I was still trying to work out the details, figure things out, stressing, worrying, doubting, asking...

"Why in the world did I take that HUGEMONGOUS step, seriously!??!"

So I was throwing 'me, myself and I' a pretty nice pitty party...really...and a whole lot of ugly thoughts were accompanied as side dishes...and NO they didn't taste good!

And so in the middle of this pretty pathetic pity party I heard a whisper...

"Nichole just so you know I am the one who asked you to take that HUGEMONGOUS step, and what awaits for you on the other side is me, and I am way worth it!"

Okay I am not really sure what got me more excited...that my Jesus was talking my language or that I was going to get MORE of Him...something that SO gets my heart beating faster...MORE of my Jesus!

So in the midst of all this partying I was doing.

My Jesus was working.

Behind the 'Seens'.

Yep I wasn't seeing it...but He was so all over it.

Last night after tucking my sweet precious boys into bed...I sat down and checked the email and there are plane tickets in my inbox.

The plane tickets that will get this girlie from her neck of the woods down south!

Jesus chose to use a most amazing women that He placed in my life back in 2000. The very first dentist I ever worked for. A woman who has truly invested in something, the work of Jesus!

To say that tears flowed...my heart beat faster...and a MOST amazing feeling filled my heart...would that describe true Jesus joy?

So I am celebrating Jesus this morning...choosing to live fully in this Joy! And I am also choosing to trust that He is working out all the other details too...because it is the way He works!

I love you Karen!

On Purpose

Do you have regrets?

2010-04-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

Not that this blog is always used for my confessions...but I am here in the middle of this Monday morning with some regrets from my weekend!

Oh me and regret are not just 'new friends'...its not like I just discovered regret...nope we have a history! One I actually regret!

I have regrets from dying my hair the summer before my senior year of highschool...friends let me just tell you blonde hair does not work well with some dye from a box colors...and over the years and much to the Engineers painful eyewitnessing..I have proved this many of times...so I have regrets over trusting a $10 box of hair color.

I have regrets that I returned those shoes a few weeks ago...usually the regret hits when I am feeling weak and want something new to adorn my feet!

I can list a bunch of regrets...eating chocolate cake needing it to fill the void, buying a house before the other one is sold, hoping it will all work out, there were days when Miss Ellie would create dog art on the carpet that I regretted being a dog momma, and I have regrets that I didn't find and marry the Engineer first. You see I have regrets over decisions I have made.

Yesterday morning I regret speaking out of emotion and frustration...to a member of Jesus' team.

Oh and just so you know regrets can be little and they can be big.
Some regrets weigh a little and some regrets weigh a ton!

Even though there is the motto...

"Live with no regrets"

Do you have regrets?

Do you regret a missed opportunity?

Do you regret a spoken word?

Do you regret not making a different decision?

Do you ever regret obedience?

I am pretty positive living in sorrow and remorse is NOT what Gods design intended.

In the ripe age of 33 I am SO a student in this life...for there were hours spent last night with a teacher...an Engineer and some tears.

Living on purpose is about intention...and yes I want to not be living in regret.

I want to be slowing down, thinking it through, and fixing my eyes on Jesus...so that the only thing that can be said of me...'is her heart was totally in beat with her Creator'.

For the antonyms of regret are REJOICE and JOY

And that is the desire of my heart. Purposefully living in joy...and I know its not a place I can take myself...so I reach out and grab tight to His hand!

"You are good, and what You do is good" Psalm 119:68

Holding His hand and living fully in His grace and love. In relationship with Him...a place I know I won't regret!

I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress. Psalm 71:1

Give and Take

2010-04-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Do you feel like something has been taken away from you?

Or maybe...

Do you feel like you are waiting for God to give you something?

Is it too much to say we can probably find ourselves in one of these positions?

Dealing with the missing.

Or maybe...

Waiting to get.

Do we believe there is blessing in both positions?

I want to encourage you to join me today...I am listening to this song...and lifting my eyes to the One who I believe does Give and Take Away.

On Purpose!

Quit Licking

2010-04-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have those days were you just seem to focus on the irritants...the little annoyances? Is there really such thing as a 'little' annoyance? If something is annoying its annoying..right?

I want to caution you today that if you are in the process of making a decision to bring home a dog...this blog might not be the place for you today.

Seriously!

I have had my Ellie girl since she was 7 weeks old. We have bonded. We get each other. We love each other.

So about a month ago her shampoo ran out...a special sensitive skin type shampoo..that we purchased in the previous city...well being in a little bit of a time crunch...okay mainly the crunch had to do that the Miss Ellie was stinkin' up the house and the boys were starting to complain...I know shocking...boys complain about smell...anyway...I snagged some 'make do' shampoo...and it has left Miss Ellie a mess. She is all itchy, annoyed and now has a licking obsession...its what dogs do...for those of you who are not first hand experienced dog people...when something is bothering them they lick. Okay some dogs scratch...not Miss Ellie. Lick...lick...lick!

Now because I consider you all my friends I have NOT included audio in this blog...

Becuase all you would hear is a dog with an OCD licking obsession...and a

girlie who is high on hormones and low on chocolate and shoes...yelling...

"Quit Licking"

We are in the process of switching back to her 'preferred' shampoo...but it takes time people...and so the licking is still present...

And really if you are considering bringing home a dog...not all 8years have been 'licking' years...there are other issues...but for the sake of me wanting you to bring home a 'new family member' I will let you experience those for yourselves!

Life is kinda of like that...you take the good with the bad!

You intervene when you must.

You monitor.

You use repetition.

And you yell

"Quit Licking"

When appropriate!

Failure

2010-04-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hey thanks for clicking open the blog…with a title like that it can be kind of overwhelming!

In the state I grew up in, you could go and get your drivers license at the age of 16.First I took the behind the wheel test, passed and then it was on to the written portion of the test…which if my memory serves me correctly was actually done on a computer. I took the test and afterward went up to the DMV lady behind the counter for my results…”failed”.

I would have to come back and re-take the test.

I attended college to earn a degree in dental hygiene. I took two years of pre-req’s and then applied for the dental hygiene program. I was accepted into the program and worked very hard for two years. My senior year of hygiene school was very intense, I was taking 20+ credits a term, seeing patients in clinic, senior project, working part time, pursuing my “potential husband”, and studying for boards. To obtain my dental hygienist license I had to take a written and clinical anesthesia board, a national written exam, graduate and take clinical boards.

I took my clinical boards and then had to wait for the results to come in the mail.

I was going out to the mailbox everyday in anticipation. One day my results came in the mail. I ran back into my apartment tore open the big envelope and the only word that stood out on the page was “FAILED”…it was in big black bold letters…and the text seemed to get bigger and bolder the longer I stood there.

I would have to wait a period of time and re-take the clinical board exam.

If it is one thing this prideful, perfectionist, stubborn, needing to be in control girlie doesn’t do well with it is failure!

I think I could list things I haven’t tried in my life because I was too afraid of failing. Maybe you can relate and maybe you can’t. To continue on the whole honesty and bearing my heart here on the blog today…I was truly afraid of being a mom…its why I told myself and others for awhile “I just don’t think I will be a mom” .I was quite alright with it…I didn’t want to fail!

But God.

He has other plans for us. I am a mom…and just so you know…I don’t drive a car pool…in case you are still concerned about me failing the whole drivers test…oh and currently the only teeth cleaning I do…is my dogs!

In just these past few days…I have been presented with a different aspect of the fear of failing.

Failing in my faith.

Now please hear my heart on this…and keep with me. I am not ready to cash in the whole thing…my relationship with my Jesus is my purpose for living…I am sure of that!

But I fear if I don’t stretch my faith…walk out in faith…leap in faith…grab on to my Jesus’ hand and just go for it…

Then I could be failing the whole faith thing.

I have been reading in Mark chapters 4-6 these past few days. And there is a bunch of faith examples.

At the end of Mark 4…the disciples find themselves in a storm and Jesus asks them…

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have not faith?” Mark 4:40

Fear and faith.

In Mark chapter 5 we see Jairus come to Jesus in faith.

“My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live” Mark 5:22

And a women who had suffered many years, reaches out in faith and touches His robe.

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34

Faith takes the place of fear. Faith heals. Faith gives life.

Yesterday as I sat and listened to Pastor Mike preach an amazing sermon, there was one verse and question that has stuck with me.

This is Jesus speaking…

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

Do I believe Jesus? Really ‘greater things’ then Him? Do I have that kind of faith?

Jesus is the truth. What He says is!

So this morning as I was asking God to make the connection between what I know in my head and catch my heart up…I read this in Mark 6…

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. And He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:5-6

Jesus wanted to do greater things. He had greater things to do…but the people let their pride and unbelief get in the way!

I am afraid to fail. That’s the honest to goodness truth.

But I hear my Jesus on this one…and I know in Him all things are possible.

This faith thing is not something I will get right every time…or even be able to perfect…He perfects our faith! Amen!

I find myself on this Monday hearing His voice, listening and obeying.

Am I scared? You bet!

But faith requires action.

And in my action I am choosing to believe Jesus is faithful to fulfill His promises!

The End Has Come

2010-04-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

This morning I found myself in Ezekiel 7 in my Life Application Study Bible and the title for the chapter is,

The End Has Come

In this chapter Ezekiel is revealing what God has told him. The complete destruction of Judah. The end. God has had enough, and it is finished. Wow what a way to start the morning, a little heavy hearted...a pretty strong message.

But being the bold girl I am...I truly do appreciate how bold God can be. No fluff...just get down to business.

So I started to think about ends.

The end of a line.

The end of the day.

The end of the pregnancy.

The end of a meal.

The end of a game.

The end of a book.

The end of the school year.

The end of a life.

I truly think 'ends' can be both easy and hard. Some ends we look forward to and enjoy, while others we would rather not address, like the end of a chocolate and shoe addiction...I am so fighting it!

But I think God has called us to look at in the light of His truth.

As I personally watch some 'ends' in these days of my life, I am praying

"then you will know that I am the LORD" Ezekiel 7:4

So that I may know,

That all the days are ordained by a Creator on purpose. (Psalm 139:16)

That truly God is patient, graceful and loving.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

So I join in praying with a man who I love and look up to in so many ways, my daddy. Praying with our whole hearts for his parents. I join him in lifting these two who were created in the very image of our God, knowing that grace and love abounds for them. Praying and trusting that the Creators purpose is to be in relationship with them.

"Then they will know that I am the LORD" Ezekiel 7:27

Praying and knowing that Gods perfect will has a time and a purpose.

Jesus thank You for my daddy who is boldly and courageously taking steps. Love on him in ways only You can do. Thank You! Amen

My Heart Needed This

2010-04-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hello friends...I just went and read this and boy did Jesus ever speak to my heart!

Nicki at "Three Girly Girlz" is sharing some Jesus today...well she does every time she writes but I am really moved by what she is sharing today!

Please go check it out here!

I am praying and knowing that this post will speak and move in the hearts of His people!

Thank you Nicki for speaking His truth so boldly!

A Woman Watched

2010-04-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a woman...a woman who inspires you to be MORE?

A woman who leads you to love more. A woman who helps pace your breathing. A woman whose heart gives grace. A woman whose smile is pure.

A woman who is living her faith each day.

I have the amazing opportunity right now to see such a woman. For she is within view. She is a woman who is being watched by many.

Not watched with a critical eye. Watched with eyes and hearts that are wondering 'how is she?' 'Could I do that?'

Watching and wanting to do something. Watching and desiring to help.

The words she spoke last night stayed with me through the night and into today.

"I have spent much time crying"

She is a mom.

She is watching her sons body be hit hard with cancer, chemo, pain, sores, aches, and hours of yuck!

As I am praying today for this beautiful woman, God has whispered for me to share,

Shari I love you, but MORE importantly your Creator loves you and adores you! He knows this is hard, overwhelming, and SO not fun. He is catching each one of those tears, and He wants them to keep coming.

As I watch, I can see Him. I can see her breathing Him in and breathing Him out. As I watch I am encouraged and reminded that God is real and He is present. I am reminded He works. Not in ways that we will always understand.

As I watch, I am inspired to know that true grace, love and beauty is REAL, because as I watch I see it in her.

A woman watched.

The exchange

2010-04-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

My biggest little guys feet keep growing...I am sure if you are a parent...you probably have dealt with this too!

So to the shoe store we went. Well for you this might be kinda of hard to imagine...but me and shoe stores have 'issues'. Not very healthy ones to say the least.

And being a girl who has tried...not in my own strength mind you...to let the sugar and chocolate not rule my days...I have tried not using them to deal with hormones and emotions. I have tried to not classify chocolate as a need. Tried!

So not having a chocolate crutch has just maybe left me needing a nother crutch...one in which I exchanged one crutch for another?!

So I find myself on Friday in a shoe store...we find two pairs of shoes for the biggest little guy...and it just so happens that I find two pairs of shoes for the momma. Needed?...nope! Wanted and desired?...yep!

Void fillers?...yes!

I won't go into all the details my friends...you have a Monday to live out...but lets just say there was OVER 24 hours of me trying to justify them!

My mind...and thoughts were totally consumed with these shoes!

Oh and maybe there were some hours even trying...begging...pleading the Engineer to justify them...or maybe even a girlie who was trying to have the Engineer tell me to take them back...cause then it would be all his fault and he would be the bad guy.

To wrap this up...

This girl was returning those shoes on Saturday...tears...madness...frustration all went into that store.

A whole lot of self talk...not healthy self talk was going on...and I am sure the lady at the return counter wondered what was going on?!?!

But I am happy to say the shoes are back sitting on the shelf in the store...NOT in my closet.

The exchange as hard as it was will be worth it..because the void can now be filled with more of my Jesus!

And even though I don't have the complete connection...He's making it for me...

The exchange on Friday...the one where He went to the cross in my place

And then on Sunday was raised with a whole lot of power...

Just maybe that power will fill that void...who knows...

May we trust that when He asks us to lay it down, give it up, take it back, make the exchange, He has something MUCH better to replace it with!

Needing a Miracle?

2010-03-30T06:59:00.001-07:00

If you are breathing and walking on this beautiful sphere called earth...there will be times in your life that you will need a miracle. And maybe you have actually expressed that exact statement and said the words...

"I need a miracle"

And if you haven't got there...well friends I'm not trying to scare you...but life is such that it happens and there are times we need miracles!

Today I am praying for miracles, some that are needed in my own life, and some in the lives of my family members, and some that have been shared by friends who trust enough to share them.

Are you needing a miracle today?

From dictionary.com:

mir·a·cle /ˈmɪrəkəl/–noun
1.an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.

Are you wondering how to save your house, pay the power bill, keep your family fed?

Is your marriage a matter of survival?

Is the weight of the dark cloud of depression unmovable?

Are you fighting a disease that is raging war in your body?

Do you desire to conceive?

Sitting in secret with an addiction?

Carrying the baggage of divorce?

Lost yet running at full speed in an unknown direction?

Overwhelmed from a responsibility you didn't sign up for?

Scared of the diagnosis?

Confused?

Deeply desiring the restoration of a relationship?

Desperately seeking freedom from the role as victim?

Have a voice but it seems muted?

Many years ago, God looked upon this beautiful sphere and it grieved His huge graceful and loving heart. His people were not peaceful and content.

There was a weekend many years ago in which God performed the greatest miracle.

I know God sees each one of us, personally and intimately. There are things that grieve His heart.

Pain.

Disease.

Debt.

Broken Relationships.

His children who are scared.

Our choices.

I know that the miracle that He performed many years ago when He sent His Son to the cross, was the greatest life changing miracle we will ever experience.

Its a miracle.

Its a miracle that renews, restores and makes things right.

Are you needing a miracle?

May I encourage you to take it the cross, trust and know He is there, and He will make it right!

If you need me, I will be kneeling too because I am a girl in need of a God who has an extraordinary effect on a physical world that only He can have.

What's your week look like?

2010-03-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have your week planned out?

For us its a week filled with firsts...our first official Spring break for Mr. Kindergartner, to say he is excited is an understatement!

It's a week filled with breaks...sleeping in...eating breakfast a little less rushed...more flexibility in the schedule and not having to make it into bed exactly at 7:30pm for school the next day.

A week in which a Kindergartner, his little brother and his momma get to go on a trip to see Nana and Papa.

A week in which we get to spend quality time together, momma and the boys...reading stories, having picnic lunches, playing at the park, going on bike rides, having play dates, eating snacks together...living in each moment and having fun!

As I sat on my bed this morning reading His Word and praying...I was reminded what this week looked like for Jesus so many years ago.

A week that was filled with a lot of firsts, lasts and huge purposeful moments.

And then it went even deeper for me...

It was a week in which Jesus was fully God...He knew each and everything that would happen. Every detail...and yet He still chose to go through the week.

It was a week in which Jesus was fully human...He heard, felt and lived out each detail.

Remembering this made me remember it's a week filled with a whole lot of love.

Purposeful love.

Perfect love.

Not only a week changing love.

But Life changing love.

My prayer this morning is that no matter what our week looks like is that there will be moments in which we experience this love. The purposeful, perfect, life changing love Jesus has for us!

She Speaks

2010-03-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

I will never forget all the amazing moments I experienced from She Speaks in 2008.

I am a girl who is purposefully committed to her Jesus to hear Him, see Him and experience Him to the fullest. Call it an addiction...but its true. And to be perfectly honest if it gets me from 9x13 brownie pans and shoes that are taking a toll on the bank account...than its all good!

So the purpose of today is that I want to share with you. I want to share She Speaks. I am praying for you today. I am praying that Jesus meets you right where you are...sitting in your cubicle at work...or on your comfy over sized chair with your laptop, or at your home office, or maybe you are reading blogs on your iphone while standing in line at the grocery store, but I know my Jesus will meet you there.

I had the awesome privilege of attending She Speaks in 2008. I went with a 'personal agenda' and came home with MORE of Jesus. Oh friends...its such an awesome weekend. Really if you are sitting in a place of needing to hear Jesus, desiring for Him to speak to you...then I am praying and knowing He will lead you.

I know the title of the whole conference is She Speaks...but friends don't let that fool you...its really something way MORE than that...its some time with Jesus!

And really nothing gets better than that!

Oh and friends Lysa TerKeurst the sweet southern princess she is, is offering multiple scholarships to get yourself there...so no excuses...go over and visit her here and check it out!

So being the girl that I am...I am begging my Jesus to truly love on you today, get your attention and lay it on your heart...because I believe He has a divine appointment waiting for you.

One that will happen in a weekend while attending She Speaks!

Shoes or wisdom...its a hard choice?

2010-03-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

Hello! Happy Spring to all of you my friends and family. Its a beautiful day here in my neck of the woods!

The older I get the more I learn about myself. Like how when I am emotional or when the hormones are bouncing off the chart I tend to want to cope somehow...and to be honest I really think the Engineer likes for me to find a way to cope...or else he has to cope...if you know what I mean.

Now I have tried my hardest to steer myself away from emotional 9x13 brownie pan eating.

You see I find myself needing to cope with 'feelings'. Feelings that I know should not dictate my words, or actions...but because I am one 5'4" all girlie girl...sometimes they do my friends...they just do...and I am NOT proud of it.

So what else can I find to help cope with the 'feelings'.

Oh I would love it to be shoes. Shoes. But that also takes a toll...a pricey little toll!

So is there another way?

Maybe a God way of coping?

In the past week or so there is this little verse that just keeps popping up...

For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

The verse above has showed up in the Bible study class...its been on the Upwards Soccer poster for the boys...its been in the Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild book that I am reading.

And today I think I am making a connection...or at least maybe a connection is starting to be made.

God has a way for me to cope. To deal with all things.

His way...is seeking Him. Asking for His wisdom.

Oh...maybe that why as I type this my feet are bare...

For I might just be standing in His presence and He might just be about to dump some serious wisdom all over this girlie.

A Constant Reminder

2010-03-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

This morning I found myself in Romans 7. This chapter is packed full of a whole lot! Full of love, grace, corrections... I heard in my heart as 'reminders'!

Things I think I know in my head...but things I NEED to know in my heart...the place that I desire to live from!

Now Romans 7 has guided me so much already today...and unless you have the time to get yourselves over to my house...sit in a comfy chair and drink some Oregon Chai tea with me...I just want to share one here with you today...

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code Romans 7:6

I am a girl who seems to be in a constant struggle with pride, self-control issues, and stubbornness. You see I know in my head that I can NOT earn my salvation...and I know that my relationship with my Jesus is not about me 'performing' for Him. I know that my behavior perfect or not doesn't control what Jesus thinks of me.

I know that Jesus has 'released me from the law'.

I need to allow the new way of the Spirit to over take my heart.

I need to let the Holy Spirit turn my eyes away from my own performance and toward Jesus.

Yeah this girlie needs a constant reminder.

I am so thankful for a constant God...who loves me enough to keep reminding me!

Isn't grace amazing?

Self Control Chair

2010-03-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday Friends!

It is sunshiney here today...life smells good, feels good, and is good! I am claiming the truth today...even if my mind is still swirling around up there!

So have you had time to think about thinking from yesterday?

Well as I was putting the receipt in my wallet...the receipt that shows I purchased my new running shoes...woo-hoo...I look up and there is one of my beautiful girlfriends checking out in line with her two sweet children...and I decide to do what I do best...be spontaneous and ask her to come out of her comfort zone...she is SO not spontaneous..and I guess thats one of the many reasons I love her so much...she is WAY more peaceful, calm, organized, collected...did I mention she can keep her cool...in the two years I have known her I have never seen her lose it...or even come close to it...maybe because losing it is a little too spontaneous?!?!

Oh how I love my friend...and she said yes...to 'rearranging' her day...and we took the kids out to lunch...so we could eat...chat...and the kids could play!

As we are sitting there eating and chatting away, she shares a little story that involves her son, the preschool he attends, and the Self Control Chair. Now before my sweet friend could even share the rest of the story...at the mention of the name of the chair...I knew my Jesus was speaking to me...oh yes He was...loud and very clear!!

Remember 1 Peter 1:13 from yesterday...

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (emphasis mine)

For my mind to be peaceful, settled, calm, sorted out, cleaned out, collected, for things to be held captive...

I need some time in the Self Control Chair

I need some time being still sitting with my Jesus!

Call it a time out...call it morning devotions...call it time in the dark walk-in closet...call it a

Self Control Chair

But all of us need this!

May we know how much He loves us today in this moment!

May we know that we will never arrive at a time in our earthly lives that we don't need time in the Self Control Chair.

Whatcha Thinkin'?

2010-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the blog! I hope you had a terrific weekend.

I sure did...you know there are perks to being the only girlie in the house and having a birthday! It was most definitely princess day yesterday. Thanks to the Engineer,two adorable little boys, family and friends...I had an amazing day!

The past few weeks have been super full for me...especially in my head!

Have you ever stopped to analyze...or think about what you are thinking?

No really...stop for just a second...and whats going on up there in that mind of yours?

Oh friends mine is so full....

"The laundry is spilling out onto the floor out of the laundry basket and I can see it out of my 'left peripheral vision spot'

"What am I going to fix to go with the roast that is in the crock pot?'

"Can't wait til the neighbor finishes the 'project' and the neighborhood is less noisy...hammer...hammer....hammer"

"I am totally bummed I didn't find a new pair of running shoes this morning"

The thoughts go on and on my friend...and as I read back through that list above...those are pretty okay and healthy thoughts...consuming none the less.

But I know there are some thoughts rumbling around in my head that are not so healthy...

"The boys have been acting out more lately and thus you are not being the best mom, and you are failing"

"You are really not the one who should be leading Women's Bible study, their are women way more articulate, professional, classy, obedient, graceful, humble...."

"Chocolate will help in this moment"

If there has been one statement that I have said over and over in the past week or so...

I want to be able to turn my thoughts off!

Yes I have said it...I have prayed for it...I have even started reading a Bible study by Jennifer Rothschild to help with this whole thinkin' issue....Me, Myself and Lies. Great study so far...but it has not quieted down my thinkin'.

I think.

I analyze.

And then I think some more.

Do you struggle with this at all?

If so...now you know you are not alone...I am right there with you!

I am seeking Jesus in all of this. I need Him to help me sort out the thoughts...keep certain ones captive...get rid of some...and help me to move certain ones to the front!

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Whatcha thinkin'?

Shall we seek Jesus and have Him clean up, organize and sort through our thoughts?

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13

I know He created us to have a peaceful mind...not one that is so packed full of stuff...and just think in the peace we will be able to hear His voice a little better!

Cindy's Hope Chest

2010-03-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

Oh its with such excitement that I share this with you this morning. Many of you who have been around this blog for awhile have had the awesome privilege of meeting Cindy and praying for her.

Cindy has fought a very hard journey...and to see Jesus take that journey and make it into this...wow!

This is what Jesus can do...He can take the hard, not so fun, really stinkin' tough times in our lives and turn them into...

Beautiful Butterflies!

Oh Cindy...to think that we get the opportunity to stand next to you and your Jesus in this season is just as honoring as it was to be praying you through as you fought like a girl with Breast Cancer.

Friends...know that our commitment to pray was a part of His work!

Please visit her blog...please continue to pray...and please let Jesus speak to you through this!

I love you Cindy!

On Purpose

A girls gotta laugh

2010-03-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

Life is busy and the calendar is full.

Have you ever had one of those days that has just left you feeling like you are going to explode? Your head hurts?

Or maybe you are having one of those weeks that you are tired, tired of fighting the battles? Tired of being the one? Tired?

Or maybe it’s been a month where things are falling apart in your house, the water faucet under the sink in the kitchen decides to mop the kitchen tile floor for you?

We have all been there. We have all experienced a time when life seems a little too hard, unfair, and overwhelming.

Well the past few days have been some of those days for me. In all of my humanness I was trying to keep going, because I knew in my head that’s what I was ‘supposed’ to be doing, but friends in my heart I felt like taking myself into my walk-in closet, shutting the door, turning out the lights and hiding out…until…Jesus came back?!?!

I was truly calling out….the Engineer would say ‘yelling’ but that sounds a bit loud doesn’t it?

So to be the honest girl that I am I was ‘yelling’ out for God to ‘do something’!

What I was really wanting was a break…some relief…a breather!!!

And then God went and provided…yes He did!

So I am waiting outside my oldest little guys elementary school yesterday afternoon, with a collection of other moms, one being a ‘special’ friend of mine.

‘Special’ in that we truly have a unique bond…God has used her many times to straighten me right up and bring me closer to Him, all of it ‘kingdom building Jesus girl training’…and I truly thank Jesus for her.

Sabin is a beautiful, real Jesus girl. Living life to show that Jesus is real and that He works!

So we are standing there chit chatting away and up walks a mutual friend. When I say she walks up…she walks up the path in front of us…still a distance away…distance enough that Sabin has to speaker much louder for her to hear.

Sabin says loudly….”Megan I really miss you on Facebook!”

Note: Megan decided to give up Facebook for Lent.

Sabin continues in a loud voice…well actually at this point it’s as if someone gave her a megaphone…”so when is Lent over?”

And being the sweet friend I immediately start cracking up. You know the laughing that takes you in half and you are holding your stomach and just letting every ounce of you let go laughter….oh the laughter didn’t stop either…well long enough for me to hear…

Sweet precious Megan say in a very calm quiet and collected manner…”Easter”

And for a brief second before the laughter started again…I look to my ‘special’ friend Sabin and she is red, embarrassed, and she is loving on me all in the name of Jesus!

Okay friends so it’s the last few words of that sentence above that I claimed to be true in the name of Jesus.

I am choosing to believe that my Jesus knew…

A girls gotta laugh

And He provided that through my ‘special’ friend Sabin!

What I am praying and hoping you are going to take away from the visit to this blog today…

Is that Jesus loves and adores you to pieces…and He wants to love on you today too!

***Yes I have person from my ‘special’ friend to share this!

“He will yet fill your mouths with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” Job 8:21

Care to join us at the Breakfast table?

2010-03-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Breakfast to me is the yummiest of all the meals, and I sit between two most adorable boys. Eating breakfast with the "T Squad" is one of my most favorite things to do each day.

Now to catch you up to speed, well actually being the only girl in this house of boys I am not sure I am up to speed...so how I could catch you up is beyond me...anyway...the Engineer did it last night...yes he did my friends.

He showed two scenes from Star Wars.

First scene the light saber battle between Yoda and the 'bad guy'.

The first scene above was viewed before dinner...which then provided MORE than enough questions for the entire dining experience.

Second scene was played right before bed....the pod race.

Friends if I could just send you a mental picture of what two little boys, whose names start with "T" and one proud Engineer look like after viewing, bonding and truly uniting in the force after these viewings.

Seriously?!?!

Have I mentioned I am the only girl in this house?

Well back to the breakfast table this morning...

One momma and two boys sit down to eat warm oatmeal, crispy buttery toast and some pineapple/orange juice...we lift up our thanks for the food...and then it starts...

T2 asks...'Mom are light sabers real?'

'no honey they are not real they are just in the movie'

T2 'it would hurt if you got hit with one, huh mom?'

'I suppose it would babe'

T1 asks...'Mom how did Jesus get to earth?'

'God sent Him in Marys belly to be born as a baby.'

T2 asks...'what is the bad guys name?'

T1 answers...'Satan or Darth Vader?'

T2 asks...'Do life savers hurt?'

T1..."LIGHT SABERS...not life savers'

T1 asks...'Why did Jesus die on the cross if He didn't sin?'

'because God loves us and wanted us to live in heaven with Him, and Jesus was the only one that could make that happen.'

T2 'God is a boy'

T2 'Whats spy?'

T2 'How do you play spy?'

T1 '2 good guys and 2 bad guys and you have to chase and find each other'

And this few minutes at the breakfast table was used to rhyme words!

T2 'Can I have some more berry oatmeal?'

'when you finish what you have'

T2 'I'm going to be Yoda'

T2 'Can brother be Darth Vader?'

I ask...'do you want to be the bad guy?'

T1 'yeah as the grown-up'

And this few minutes was our devotion time together...still sitting at the breakfast table.

'serve one another in love' Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

T2 'When I'm grown up to 45 will daddy be in heaven?'

'I don't know'

T2 'God knows, He knows everything'

T1 'no we will have children before they go to heaven'

And this is the point in which Ellie (the dog) groans from under the table.

Care to join us at the Breakfast table tomorrow?

We do have a seat open at our breakfast table every morning, the Engineer is off to work before we eat breakfast...so feel free to sit in his spot!

And know that I will serve you some yummy food with a whole lotta love and entertaining conversation!

But it's really more than that

2010-03-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

Have you ever struggled reading your Bible?

Have you ever wondered how to ‘fit’ God into the busyness of the day?

Have you ever wanted to make devotion time truly become applicable, more than words on a page?

Have you ever limited God to only speaking, and meeting with you during your quote…’devotion time’.

I wonder, why we do this?

“God You’ve got 15 minutes this morning, start speaking, I need something that is going to carry me through this day…it’s a busy day You know, lots to do, people to take care of, laundry, groceries, car pool, soccer practice, dinner to make, PTA meeting, so speak now God give me something good”

We read the Bible. Close the Bible. Pray. And get up and start our day.

Do we actually think we leave our Jesus there? Sitting right there in that ‘devotion spot’.

Are we limiting our experiencing Jesus to just devotion time?

Are you fulfilled?

“Fulfillment means to be completely satisfied. How might our lives look if we were so filled with God’s truths we could let go of the pain of our past, not get tripped up by the troubles of today, or consumed by worries about tomorrow? Sound impossible? It is impossible when we try to make it happen on our own by doing more good Bible study girl things. Praying, reading the Bible, doing another Bible study, going to church, and being nice are wonderful and necessary. But just going through the motions of these activities will not fill our souls. They must be done with the great expectation and heart cry for God to lead us into a deeper and more life-changing connection with Him.” (pg 25, Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst)

Experiencing Jesus is not what we make it. It’s not limited to the 15 minutes we spend in the Bible. Or the prayers we lift up. It’s not limited to the 1 hour we sit in worship service each week.

Experiencing Jesus is really more than that.

So what is it exactly?

Experiencing Jesus is living each moment with Him.

It’s being brave and bold enough to remember He is with us wherever we go.

I’m just a girl, but I do believe my Jesus is with me right now as I sit on a comfy oversized chair with a handmade quilt draped over my lap with my laptop balanced on top, typing words that I lift up in praise and adoration of a Jesus who I know loves me to pieces.

But really its more than that, I know Jesus is with you right where you are.

At work.

At school getting ready to take that test.

Sitting in the hospital receiving a round of chemo.

In your car waiting in traffic.

In the quiet of your home.

While you wait.

He is with you.

Are you experiencing Him in the everyday?

I’m not asking friends if you have read your Bible today, rather I want you to know it’s more than that…

Do you know that Jesus loves you? Do you know He desires more than anything for you to experience Him today, in a new way?

I am praying that we truly let this sink deep into our hearts today.

May we not just go through the motions without the experience!

Because really it’s more than that!

Are You Flossing?

2010-03-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

How often do you workout?

How often do you change the sheets on your bed?

How often do you take a shower?

How often do you grocery shop?

How often do you change the oil in your car?

How often do you floss?

How often do you eat?

How often do you read the Bible?

How often do you talk with God?

How often do you experience God?

Now I will admit some of these questions are a bit personal. Some are more serious than others. And some really do have a critical impact to your day. As a girlie who cannot spend too many hours between meals…food is definitely not something I just ‘forget’ often.

It’s that last little question on the list…

How often do you experience God?

Is it daily?

Or rather is our experience of God a past memory. A memory of a salvation moment many years ago?

Or maybe we can think back to a time a few years, weeks, months, days ago?

May we know that experiencing God is meant to be daily.

If we are in a purposeful relationship with Jesus, we are experiencing Him daily.

If we are purposefully praying for what we need…

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

We need to know that God is purposeful in supplying our need…

Jesus responded, "The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world."
They jumped at that: "Master, give us this bread, now and forever!"
Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me. John 6:32-38 (The Message)

For Jesus fulfills every need, purposefully and perfectly!

Oh, and the purpose of this relationship with Jesus…its meant to be a daily thing.

May we be encouraged that He has an experience for us everyday…that means today too!

GOD, your God, is with you every step you take. Joshua 1:9 (The Message)

May we be passionate about experiencing our Jesus today.

***Oh and just so you know…I am dental hygienist on an extended sabbatical so don’t go admitting to me you are not flossing on a daily basis!

He takes my breath away!

2010-03-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy busy couple of days and I have a few more to go! All great-super-fun stuff to be involved in...but busy and crazy none the less!

And I came home this afternoon to this in my email inbox!

"Your blog was chosen this year in the category of: “Cup of the Day”."

Thank you friends, family, and my sweet Jesus! This is such a gift!

Here's to more purposeful living days and sharing my Jesus out here in blog land!

I love you!

On Purpose

Do you know who you are talking to?

2010-03-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

Now being a girl who likes to talk...yeah I know that just shocks many of you, I have done a whole lot of talking to God.

Talking at Him.

Talking to Him.

Talking with Him.

You see there are days in which I don't have it all put together. There are days in which for me to truly get to the point where we are communicating...mainly to the point where I am listening I have to let some stuff go.

There are days when the angry, bitter, frustration, worry, fear, doubt, pride...has to be laid down...emptied...so that then I can truly communicate with God.

You see I believe our God, the One in which we are communicating is big enough to take what we have for Him. I believe we have to lay it down and hand it over to Him, because if we don't then its still there...and still in the way of truly communicating with Him.

Spend a few minutes thinking about who you are talking to.

The God who created all. Yes all. He created you. He designed you. He knows you.

He knows you right now. He loves you right now.

He isn't shocked by anything you say....He knew it was coming!

You see I believe He is big enough to take what needs to be let go of in us...the stuff in the way...so that we can truly communicate with Him.

So will you join me today and allow Him to take it?

Dear Jesus there is so much noise in my mind and heart right now. I bring the worry that I have as a wife that I am respectful in all things and that the words of my mouth are to lift up my husband not tear him down, I come to bring the worry that I am not being everything I am supposed to be as a mom because I feel pulled in so many directions, I come to bring the the doubt and fear that I have that I will 'do an okay job' tomorrow as I lead our new Bible study j, I bring the over booked schedule and ask You to clear what needs cleared. I bring the pride that sticks so close please continue to peel it off, on my mind and in my heart are so many friends and family members who are hurting, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I know all of this is noise and chaos, and is in the way of You Lord! Lord will You take all this and replace it with more of You? Please Jesus, I love You-Amen

"Our God says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God!" Psalm 46:10 (CEV)

I believe with that stuff gone...things will be a little quieter in our minds and hearts and we will hear His voice.

We will be communicating with Him.

YARP

2010-03-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to you! Thank you for coming by and visiting the blog. There is such joy in living life with people.

There is one big factor in all relationships. Do you know what it is?

Its the one thing that can truly set the tone of the relationship.

Communication.

How we communicate is very important. I believe we learn to communicate from our environment. Watching our two little guys learn to communicate has been such lesson for me. They are so eager to learn new words, try out words, use sentences, share stories.

Where are they getting these words? How are they learning how to communicate?

Their environment. What makes up their environment?

The people they are around. The books they are reading. The things they are listening too, which include, music and tv.

Our boys are learning to communicate. They are learning how to relate with the people around them.

Our boys are learning to communicate, by listening and speaking.

There was one common purpose for which we were all created.

To be in relationship with our Creator.

For this to be a relationship we need communication. We need to be listening and speaking.

Why does talking with God scare us?

Why are we afraid we don't have the 'right' words to say?

Why do we feel we get it all wrong? Backwards?

Can we learn what to say? Is there a 'right' way to say it?

When we talk to God...we pray.

So how do we do it?

If you have ever felt like its way overwhelming and you just can't get it right, and that you are all backwards...

YARP!!!

Then guess what friends...you are SO not alone. Communication is a super hard thing. But the good news is...Jesus wants to help us.

"Pray continually" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

One thing this girlie is learning is that if He asks us to do something, He will supply all it takes to help us do it!

He loves us so much and wants to be in relationship with us so bad...that He wants to teach us how to communicate with Him.

He wants to turn our

YARP

into

PRAY

Over the next little while lets learn together, how to better communicate with the one who thinks we are most amazing!!

May you know today you are loved...a love that will make you live life on purpose!

Friday Fill-in

2010-02-26T06:55:00.000-08:00

Joy is...

A Kindergartner Needs His Lunch

2010-02-23T13:04:00.000-08:00

So not that you are asking...but do you want a peek into a day in which again I have SO missed becoming "Mom of the Year"?

...maybe its NOT a coincidence that I speaking at a MOPs group next month, and sharing my session titled, "Even Mommies Make Mistakes"...and the God up above does have a great sense of humor and desires more than anything to keep me teachable, humble and knowing I am not a momma without Him!

You see I think I have been SO concerned about my plate, whats on my plate, stuffing my face from my plate, balancing my plate, keeping my face clean, oh lets just say alot of my life these days has to do with the plate and whats on it...yikes...and maybe, just maybe a so called momma with a full plate forgot to feed her most adorable kindergartner a lunch....

So said momma opens the refrigerator today at 11:43 to figure out what said momma and younger brother are going to have...and sure enough right there top shelf magnified times 100 is the grey and black lunch pail that should be sitting ever so nicely in front of Mr. Kindergartner at his school...it should already be opened and Mr. Kindergartner should have his straw in his juice box...and he should be crunchin' his carrots...because Mr. Kindergartners lunch started at 11:30...13 minutes ago...

So like any good momma that forgot their child's lunch...I pick up the phone and speed dial the school (lets just say I have had to call for 'other' mommy mistakes...but not the forgotten lunch...this is the first time)...

"Hello Denise (Denise is the very helpful and nice school secretary) I just found my little guys lunch in the refrigerator. And I know lunch is started and so I need to check and see if he got a hot lunch."

Denise responds,"ok, who is your 'little guy' (see when a momma is in panic mode she forgets that the Elementary School that her son attends has 388 other children attending and she might need to offer some helpful information to track down said child without a lunch, cause we all know, no other mother would forget to feed their child!)

"Oh, I am 'Mr. Kindergartners' mom and he is in Mrs. A's class"

Denise puts me on hold. Then gets back on the phone.

"Your son has a hot lunch."

"Thank you Denise."

So I hang up the phone. I inhale. I exhale.

Just another day in which a momma needs to remember its a mistake...and that truly there are some MOST amazing people, like Mrs. A a kindergarten teacher with a huge heart who helps take care of adorable Mr. Kindergartner.

My friends this is what Grace looks like!

Inhale. Exhale.

Whose Plate?

2010-02-22T14:05:00.001-08:00

Have you heard these terms before?

My plate is full?

I have cleared my plate?

My plate is empty?

Well today I sit here with my plate before me...and its full...actually its spilling over, and my mouth is full, so full I am having a hard time chewing it fast enough before the next bite comes in. There is some yummy stuff on my plate, and there is some stuff that is healthy and filling. But is it too full? Oh and I don't think I actually remember even making all the selections that are on this plate...like maybe somebody else took my plate through the buffet line and dished me up!

So today I have glanced over and seen whats on some Girlfriends plates. Oh does it ever look super yummy!

And yet there is a call from the kitchen that says,

"eat off your own plate, its whats been dished up for you!"

And you know what this girl is silly enough to holler back?

"if I eat whats on my plate, do I get dessert?"

Just a girl on a Monday who is trying to stay focused on her plate, and not the girls next to me!

Just keep talkin' Jesus

2010-02-17T07:22:00.001-08:00

Thank you friends and family for your love, encouragement, prayers and phone calls! You are just amazing..and I am thanking Jesus for you!

Truly at the heart I am just a girlie who wants to be in a love relationship with her Jesus...and sometimes life gets me all out of order...it happens right?

But I know too that God offers a peace, Shalom, that no matter the circumstances, Him and His peace keep us safe and secure!

So last night before I headed off to my bed...oh and what sweet rest it was! So sweet that I didn't hear my little guy calling for me...but his amazing daddy did and he got up with him...thank you Engineer, you are husband and daddy of the year 10+ years in a row!

Okay back to the gettin' in bed...I was re-reading Becoming More Than A Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst, which if you haven't read...seriously...its better than chocolate my friends...or maybe that just my opinion since I have been a little MORE than chocolate deprived these days...well I am re-reading the book because I get the AWESOME privilege of leading it as Women's Bible study this Spring, starting on March 4th a Thursday morning session and Thursday evening session...I am so excited to share this book and discussion with a group of Girlfriends!! Anyway it seems today is a day for tangents for me...back to me re-reading the book..and Jesus speakin' to my heart...

So right at the top of page 202 this is where my Jesus met me...

"Nancy Gunthrie once wrote an article entitled, "Prayers That Move the Heart of God." In this fascinating piece she says,

There's so much to want-healed bodies, restored relationships, changed circumstances. But asking, seeking, and knocking aren't secret formulas for getting what we want from God; they're ways to get more of God. As I listen to God speak to me through his Word, he gives me more of himself in fuller, newer ways. Then, if healing doesn't come, if the relationship remains broken, or if the pressures increase, I have the opportunity to discover for myself he is enough. His presence is enough. His purpose is enough."

Just maybe reading that and hearing my Jesus talkin' to my heart is what gave me a great and peaceful nights sleep!

I am praying this morning for you! Know that Jesus loves you, He cares deeply about whats going on in your life, and He has something to say about it! I am praying for a stillness and peace for you too...one that's better than you have ever imagined.

Shalom to you my friends and family!

Big Girls Do Cry!

2010-02-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the blog.

Call it "welcome back to town, a Monday disguised like a Tuesday, hormone filled, gray hair finding, jeans and sweatshirt, no hair doing kinda day!

Yes friends I might be a big girl on the outside...but it is the heart today that so feels like a little girl who wants to just sit in the corner...or hey maybe even the closet...as there is power in our little walk-in closet...HA!...and just cry!

I know that others have these days...and there are multiple ways to cope...and persevere and get through. My old way would have been me sitting in my jammie pants with an 9x13 pan of brownies and letting the chocolate wisk me away. But being that I am a girlie who has stepped out and is trying this whole obedience and self-control thing...there are no brownies...just tears!

You see for me its realizing I attempted to do it Gods way. I attempted to be obedient. I attempted to love and give grace. I attempted to listen. I attempted to keep my mouth shut.

And for the most part even myself would declare I did pretty darn good. But this girlie starts to break and simple words from a heart that I know was created by a most amazing God, still hurt. Yep they hurt over 24 hours later. Words that I am not sure where meant to cause such yuck inside me...but they do. Maybe its because I am a girl who struggles with wanting to please everyone and the equation of these words equaled something not being liked about me.

Now really if I am grounded and having me a really strong Jesus moment I can go to the place where those words don't bother...but right now...they bother.

Maybe its because I wanted to come through this challenge...this experience being truly triumphant and proving my obedience. Maybe I wanted a Gold Medal in accomplishment of facing the fire head on and coming out un-burned. Isn't that how the three guys in the fiery furnace did it? So how come I feel totally burned, and completely like I bombed this challenge! Just maybe I wanted this challenge off my to-do list?!

Knowing I will head back to the fire again...as this experience and challenge will come up again!

With tears streaming, rather running, and collecting in big huge pools around my pillows...I have no strength to pray or even know what to say...I read these words:

"Work of My Hands, I know that sometimes My sculpting hurts. Sometimes you feel as though you are looking less like Me rather than more like Me. Don't worry. It's just a stage in the sculpting process. There are intervals in the work of precisely shaping you during which you look like a shapeless, formless lump of clay. Your old shape has been destroyed, but your new shape has not yet emerged. Don't give up. I am the Master Artist. Those are My hands you feel squeezing you and pushing you. I know exactly what I am doing. Blessed one, part of the shaping is done by fire. But it is not a destroying fire; it is a cleansing fire. When you walk through it, it will not burn you. It will refine you. I am in the fire. It is going to burn away the earth stuff still clinging to you. It is going to set the work I have finished so the shape is stable" (Set Apart by Jennifer Kennedy Dean, pg 156-157)

There are still tears, but there is relief coming, I know I can sense it. For I choose to trust that even in this, His purpose, is perfect!

Did you know?

2010-02-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

So as I am sittin' on my bed this morning reading His amazing book...I had this moment in which I felt total security in knowing...

He was before me. He stands behind me. He was in my past. He has forgiven the parts of my past. He has brought me to today.

He stands on each side of me. He holds me up. He provides for the present.

He has gone before me. He stands in front of me. He knows what the future holds. He has prepared the way for me to get there.

Just a girl who is so amazed at how His presence is behind, next too and in front of me!

Did you know He's all that for you too?

Confessions from the girl in the closet

2010-02-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

Now if you have come to read a truly inspiring uplifting and encouraging post...I am not sure what to tell you...you might not find it here!

I have just come to 'journal' if you will some thoughts and some pieces of my heart!

I had one of 'those' Sundays yesterday. Now if you are male and reading this...this might go right past you so fast you can't even see it...but if your female...oh boy am I hoping there is one other female out there on planet earth that has had one of 'those' Sundays. (Oh and just so you know...I have had many of them...thats why they are officially called 'those' Sundays because its now a category...a group of them if you will!) Anyway.

I wake up in a GREAT mood...ready to start the Sunday...I go in and greet the boys and tell them good morning and they are both so excited that its "Super Bowl SNACK Sunday"...the day where there is a table full of snacks and they get to pick whatever they want! The morning is going just dandy...okay...lets back up...once I walk into the kitchen I am hit with the thought and feeling all of a sudden of being the only female in this house...now its something I live with everyday so really why is it bothering me so much? From that moment on its like my brain...aka all my thoughts are out of whack...from too many cracker boxes being open in the pantry, to being called out to look at some 'spots' on someones head, to sitting at the table surrounded by boys all excited about the "snacks"...while inside this girlie is feeling so lonely...oh and getting a little overwhelmed at the thought have having to make all the snacks.

After breakfast I head off to get dressed and ready for church. As I am standing in my closet having one of the infamous "those" Sundays attacks with what to wear...the tears...and the emotions are at an all time high...oh and even the most amazing Engineer enters the closest at one point to 'help' with the outfit...friends it didn't go so well for him...the closest is small and the hormones were too large!

I eventually find something to wear...which unforunately does not make me 'feel' any better...but at least I am legal and can leave the house and enter to the public format of church!

Praying and hoping that 'church' will solve my mental frame of mind.

Lets just say...I was called in to the boys Sunday School class...one brother decided that his brother needed to 'feel' how upset he was by using his teeth.

And again the male readers might not relate with this one...but girls you have all been in a women's restroom...and heard conversations...well one particular conversation left me feeling so overwhelmed...I couldn't and didn't know how to solve it! Why I took it so personally...is just as goofy as why I was so consumed with too many cracker boxes being open in the pantry!?!

I walked in to the worship center and the Engineer knew I was still not in the right frame of mind. Yeah I have always been so discreet with my emotions...HA!

You know what God did though for this girlie who just couldn't pull out of the funk?

He delivered an amazing message...through his servant, who just happens to be our new pastor!

God whispered to my heart...

You are carrying too much! Come lay it down.

And so I did. I walked up to an altar and laid it down.

To think that I can be all things to all people is living in the yuck of pride.

I can't.

Thats Gods job!

So back home in that closet of mine...I changed out of my church clothes. Put on some comfy clothes and decided to make the choice to just do my job...

be in relationship with Him.

And let Him do His job!

And friends that choice in the closet yesterday afternoon...has helped me to breathe a little deeper today.

Friday is already challening without adding...

2010-02-05T13:29:00.001-08:00

Hello Friends,

Well in recent weeks I have been bringing back the good ole' Friday Challenge...but however this morning I was greeted by a 'blue screen' on our home computer...and after delivering it to a computer guru this morning...it appears its needing some new guts...so because of being in an overwhlemed frame of mind...I am deciding to not add to this challenging day...

So the Friday Challenge for all of us...

Do Not Fret!

Deciding to be thankful for:

The computer guru...and what he was able to retrieve from the hard drive.

A laptop that has some 'backup' stuff on it.

(Note to self...this is a good time to 'clean-up' all my stuff and organize it and back it up!) Oh just wait until the Engineer reads that...he will be one happy camper...he's been begging me to do that for a long time!

A Engineer who has 'connections' with a computer guru!

A God who is not stopped by a 'blue screen'.

Friends...whatever is happening in your life today...please know that God sees all and knows all, and that He will work it all out for the good!

Just maybe He wanted me to go take a break....curl up on the couch with my Francine Rivers book, Leota's Garden...and relax...and let Him clear up the 'blue screen' problems!

Have a great weekend!

It Works!

2010-02-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! Thank you so much for sharing your hearts and your prayer requests. You have blessed me with such an awesome privelege of praying with you and for you.

Prayer works!

"This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him." 1 John 5:14-15

When we pray we join in the works that God has going. I don't know about you, but that excites this girl! To join in the work that God has going on in this world. Call me a 'groupie' but I love me a seat in the front row to see the mighty works of our God! I desire in my heart to be His follower with everything I have.

I want to encourage you today that wherever you find yourself...an overwhelmed stay-at-home mom, a single parent, with an illness that has changed your daily life, a financial mess, lonely heart, a confused teen, or lost, that the one thing that works is prayer!

It's not about doing the right thing, or even saying the right words. Friends our Creator, just wants to hear you and speak with you.

"Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12

Do you have questions? Concerns? Heartache? Stress? Doubts? Fears?

Then pray.

"Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

You are not going to catch our God off guard. There won't be something too big or overwhelming for Him. You won't present Him with anything He doesn't already have an answer for! He is prepared. Not only is His prepared, He is waiting. He is waiting to hear you, and love on you!

Did you catch the words in Jeremiah 33:3?

"I will tell you great and mighty things"

Friends...the I in that verse is God Himself...He has GREAT and MIGHTY things to tell you!

Can you only imagine?

Do you want to hear from Him? Do you want to know what He has for you?

Pray.

It works!

May you meet with Him today!

Friday Challenge

2010-01-28T07:05:00.001-08:00

Update: Oops...now you all know how left-handed, blonde, hormonal, emotional and female I can be. Hey I was excited about Friday...so excited I celebrated a day early by posting the Friday Challenge on Thursday...thanks to my friend Kimberly for so gracefully participating..and loving me!

Happy Friday everyone! Thank you for stopping by the blog. It's always a treat for me to read your comments...I learn so much from you! It also gives me a 'link' back to your blog and I get to come check out your lives...much fun!

Today's challenge will actually be easy for some and hard for others.

Friday Challenge leave your prayer request(s) in the comments.

Please know that I will lift up each one and take them to our Jesus. Trusting and knowing He will work out all the details to bring glory and honor to the situation! He is amazing friends, and He cares deeply about you. He sees your heart and He knows what concerns you. Please feel free to leave them anonymously.

It is such an honor and privelege to get to pray with and for you. Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity.

May you truly know deep in your heart that you are loved by the Creator!

Where

2010-01-26T13:25:00.000-08:00

Where are you?

Where are you physically?

Where are you emotionally?

Where are you spiritually?

I was driving down the street this morning with my little guy in the back...in his car seat pretending to be Spider Man shooting webs...and God and I had this amazing moment.

A moment in which He so graciously reminded me that no matter where I am, He is there.

Where are you?

Overwhelmed at the length of the to-do list?

Stressed at trying to figure out how to make ends meet this month?

Questioning your purpose?

Tired of playing the roles you have been assigned?

In a lot of physical pain?

Worn out?

Lost?

Confused?

Anxious?

Jealous?

He reminded me this morning in the car that He has been there, is here and will be there.

Where has He been?

He was there at the beginning. He was there to lead His people through the desert. He was there when His people needed delivered. He was there when the Sea needed parted. He was there when His people walked into the promised land.

Where has He been?

On a cross.

Where is He now?

Standing beside you. Holding your hand. Lifting your chin. Wiping the tears from your eyes. Breathing life into you. Filling you. Restoring you.

He SO desires to be where you are. He loves you!

Are you aware of His where?

May we know that where He is, is truly where we need to be.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV, emphasis added)

Friday Challenge

2010-01-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome! I hope you have had a great week.

This morning I read 1 John 5 and I would love to invite you to read it, as it is some much needed encouragement and foundation in answering today's question.

Our Friday Challenge this week comes in the form of a question.

The Friday Challenge is to answer, who do you say Jesus Christ is?

Now friends we have been talking about questions all week on the blog...and this is a question that will change your life.

I would encourage you to write out your answer either on a piece of paper and save it somewhere, or maybe like me you keep a journal on your compuer. But record it somewhere! Date it and write out your answer and spend a few minutes today praying and thinking on this.

For the answer truly is of eternal importance.

Only He is the Answer

2010-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

Thank you for joining me today...as today follows yesterday and my heart is still hearing Him!

My questions come from a heart that desires to know Him more.

Understand? No!

Know? Yes!

A knowing that is not of me but rather a filling of Him.

An asking of my questions.

Asking the questions, so as to empty myself.

An emptying of myself.

Empty. Nothing. So He can fill. Fill with more of Himself.

More of His love. More of His peace. More of His patience. More of His self-control.

It is in our relationship, a relationship in which I desire to be a child. His child. I have nothing to give my Father. I come, fully dependant on Him. Dependant on Him for everything. I learn by asking and experiencing.

Only He is the answer.

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7 (CEV)

Unsettled

2010-01-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

The question was asked yesterday.

What does it mean that God is Sovereign?

And answers were given. And even more questions were asked.

Well I could type these words;

God is Sovereign...means that He sees all, knows all and controls all.

Right?

I can hear the question that was asked in that room yesterday, a bunch of His children sitting around, 'then why did the earth quake in Haiti happen?'

Someone elses question...has led this girl straight to her Father's feet.

A girls heart is completely unsettled.

Yet I know His Sovereignty is NOT.

So I will continue to listen, hear and apply, His truth.

Friends I believe as I sit here and type this at 2:48 in the afternoon, the answer will not be found in seeking the answer to the 'why did this happen' question, but I believe it will be found in seeking Him.

As I sit here I am praying. For I believe I am NOT alone. For others, maybe even you this afternoon have a 'question' and you need your Creator to hear, and answer.

Will you join me in asking?

Lord please prepare our hearts and minds for the out of the box answer You are preparing for us. Amen

Just maybe our hearts will remain unsettled so as to not let us depart our place of settled security, at our Fathers feet.

Friday Challenge

2010-01-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

Hello! Thanks for visiting the blog!

We haven't had a Friday Challenge for a super long time...I checked and the last one was back in May of 2009...yikes!

I don't know about what life is like for you right now, or how hard your week has been, or the storms that are going on all around you.

But I do know that our brothers and sisters in Haiti have been hit very hard.

Friday Challenge will you take a few minutes today and pray for the people of Haiti? The people who are working to save lives? The military men and women who are there?

Friends there is power in prayer.

May we know that He is there. He will provide healing, restoration and renewal.

It's a yes or no question

2010-01-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends! Thanks for visiting the blog.

Thank you to all of you who have gone through this latest series with me. We started a series titled

What Happens When Women Say No

back at the end of November. We have been presented with many questions and asked

What Happens When Women Say No

To living in bondage.

To trying to earn salvation.

To overscheduling.

To spot filling.

To being common.

To the bottled water of this world.

To playing games.

To self.

May we know today that He loves us, and in the beauty of His design created us on purpose!

May we draw upon His strength to say no to the thing(s) that are keeping us from answering the most important question.

Friends, He wants to know if you will enter into a grace and love filled relationship with Him?

It's a yes or no question.

May you know that His grace is more than able to back your yes.

Thank you, I love you and I am joining you in praying!

So Long Self

2010-01-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the blog! Now I don't know about you but have you ever felt like others have so arrived and you are back somewhere in their dust just trying to pick yourself up off the ground and see clearly?

Well friends its been a week! A week in which this real Jesus seeking girl has had some knee scraping lessons!

Monday I had to take my oldest little guy back to school. Taking him back to school was so stinkin hard for me! Oh if I could just put into words how my mommy heart was grieving. I really do think it’s a grieving on some level. It was big yucky not fun hurt. I missed him greatly. And the grief was not easily escaped with distraction...and unfortunately my youngest little guy had to 'put up' with a grieving momma.

I got to the end of Monday and I didn’t want to do anymore for anyone! I had nothing to give. I even was ugly enough to tell a friend when she asked how I was doing, ‘not good I am empty and tired of doing and giving to everyone else’ It sounded just as yucky coming out as it did inside me.

The week rolled on and on Tuesday I picked my oldest little guy up from school he told me it had been a terrible day and his little eyes were just ready to burst. I grabbed ahold of his hand and said 'lets go home babe'. He told me a little bit about how a friend and him did not get along that day. I listened but felt he didn’t really want to talk to me. So I served snack and started getting ready for dinner.

The minute the Engineer got home my oldest little guy grabs his hand and tells him…’we need to talk’. What? I about popped I was so immediately mad and angry…it was ugly when the Engineer came back in the kitchen. I was making dinner as if I was a mad woman slamming things down on the counters. I was all huffed up about 'not being the one who gets any good parts of parenting I work and work and don’t reap any benefits'. It was very much an ugly monologue which could have been easily just replaced with the words. What About Me? The Engineer was so gracious and listened so amazingly…he let me vent it all out. My heart hurt so bad.

I went to bed with an aching heart!

A heart that was aching, not rejoicing not living in joy, not content.

Wednesday morning when I woke up I read 1 John 2:1-14. And there was two verses that grabbed my heart;

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6

Jesus used these two verses to grab my heart and ask me a very personal questions,

Nichole are you obeying? Are you living in My love?

It was in these moments with Jesus on Wednesday morning I heard Him speak to my heart. The word He spoke, Selfishness. I have a lot of selfishness in me. I am thinking about how I am feeling, what I want, what I need, what about me? And its not pretty. If I was truly loving my oldest little guy with the love of Jesus than I would be praising God that he has a daddy who is so amazing, a daddy he can talk to, trust, and go to with all things. I wouldn’t be so stinking ugly and selfish and throwing a fit about it not being me that gets that opportunity. But rather the Engineer who is created in His image to be ethical, full of integrity, honest, loving, graceful, caring, and most awesome!

Friends from the deepest part of my heart I come today asking,

What Happens When Women Say No

To self?

God.

God Happens.

And His love is made complete.

And it looks amazing.

Friends I am on a mission to say no to self and let God happen!

Hey Girlfriend how's your pinball game?

2010-01-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year friends! It is going to be a great year filled with a whole lot of great stuff!

I am so glad you are here today visiting with me. I have just been filled with a whole lotta love from my Jesus and I hope to just scatter it on you while you are here visiting. And if you lived close enough I would have you over for a warm cup of Oregon Chai tea and we would just scatter the love and joy back and forth.

Have you ever played pinball?

You know that big machine game that lights up and makes a whole lot of hoots and hollars, and bells are ringing and points are racking up as the pinball is just bouncing and flying off everything it can run into, and its going as fast as it can?!

Can you relate to the little pinball inside that game?

I know there are times in my life that I sure can.

How do things look in your life right now?

Are you bouncing from relationship to relationship?

Are you racking up points with God?

Are you going from church to church to see which one is more entertaining and exciting?

How are your emotions, on a roller coaster?

Are you committed to anything?

What are you doing with all the stuff, points and prizes you are earning?

Is your job your job, or where you are suppose to be on purpose?

Can you keep up with all the trends?

You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "He's a fiercely jealous lover.” And what He gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."
So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:6-10 (The Message) (emphasis mine)

What Happens When Women Say No

To playing games.

To being a pinball just bouncing around.

What if we stopped bouncing around long enough to seek peace?

Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:10

May you know that He loves you. He loves you with a love that covers you in grace and peace. A grace and peace that will still you still you long enough to hear His voice and to be filled with all you need to go and be living life on purpose.

How did we get here from there?

2009-12-31T07:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Jesus,

As I sit down to write this letter to You, not because You need a letter to know everything that is on my heart, but rather I give it as an offering of praise and thanks. Thanks to You my Lord for all that You have gracefully and lovingly went through and endured with me this last year. I know that truthfully You didn’t endure because You are bigger than that, but from my point of view I can imagine working with this prideful stubborn girl there were moments You felt Your temper rising and You endured.

I come at the end of this year to ask a question,

How did we get here from there?

This year has been a journey. A journey that I did NOT think I could endure. Stops that lasted too long for me. Visits that I was not mature enough to make. Times that I just knew my heart would break.

How did we get here from there?

I don’t know. I don’t know how I am sitting at Your precious feet right now in this moment.

Some might call it religion. Not me.

Some might call it obedience. Not me.

No rather my heart is whispering,

Nichole its grace and love. You don’t have to know understand it, just live in it my daughter.

How did we get here from there?

Your grace has brought me into this location.

Sitting here in a relationship with You.

Now that my Lord is one place I want to stay.

So when all of me wants to know where I am going this next year,

I can honestly say, I don’t know.

As I am here with You, I hear You ask,

Are you ready for this next year?

Ready? No most likely not.

But I do want to go there.

There with You Jesus.

I love you!

On Purpose,
Nichole

Bottled Water

2009-12-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Good Morning and welcome to the blog. We are in the middle of a series titled:

What Happens When Women Say No

Together we have visited quite a few things that we need to say no to in order to keep focused on our purpose for being here.

This morning as I was reading and spending time with Jesus. He so graciously and loving me led me to a place that I just have to share with you.

I was reading John 4. Jesus visits the woman at the well. A very thirsty woman. Very much like me! He goes on to share with her about how He has some water that will take care of her thirst.

This morning I revisited some of the ways that I have tried to quench my thirst.

I have tried to fill that thirst with so many things over the years, my parents approval, shoes, buying stuff, food, chocolate, friends, relationships, achievements, accomplishments, getting atta girls. The list goes on and on.

Friends will you join me on this Monday morning; this week that leads us into a New Year.

Will you join me in finding out

What Happens When Woman Say No

To bottled water.

The bottled water of this world.

Friends I know and believe that our God cannot be contained. No rather He is an out of the ‘bottle’ if you will God. Who wants to not only quench our thirst, He wants to over fill us so that we are overflowing on to those around us.

May we know in this moment on this Monday morning the truth of His word:

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Girlfriends have you thirsted this past year?

Do you need something more than what this world can give you?

Is the bottled water just not working?

Let’s go to Him. Let’s be serious about allowing him to fill us up, what better way to start a New Year!

I am praying friends, trusting and knowing He sees and is there to meet us at the well.

That Kinda Woman

2009-12-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said something and wished within seconds you could snag the very words out of the air and box them right back up and go bury them out back?

Have you ever reacted impulsively and later wished you would have waited?

Have you ever spread the news of a story that wasn’t yours to share?

Have you ever pouted?

Have you ever competed with the girl next to you when she wasn’t competing with you?

Have you ever been so caught up in your own life that the world around you was falling apart and you didn’t even notice?

Oh friends I wish I could come here today and say that those questions above are just that ‘questions’ I created with some creative thinking on my part. But rather they are all things I have lived out in my life.

There is a place He wants to take us. It’s somewhere we only get to, because He takes us there.

He comes and meets us right where we are at. The common ordinary everyday moment and ushers us into an extraordinary living life on purpose moment.

What Happens When Women Say No

To being common?

Girls we can’t there on our own. But the first step to getting there is saying no to being the common woman. And saying yes to God. Saying yes to Him creating us to be the uncommon woman, the extraordinary woman He has created us to be.

How would this change the world?

Oh girls just imagine with me.

What if our words were all ran through the filter He has given us?

Is it true? Necessary? Kind?

Just what if we truly trusted in Him to provide everything we need. And not trying to accomplish, accumulate and acquire everything our way and in our timeline.

What if we refrained from conversations that involved someone else’s story to share? Refrained from listening and taking part.

What if we refused to waste His kingdom building time pouting, sulking and complaining, and got to work for Him!

And what if we truly started living for Him and only being concerned about what He had for us, and not her.

Just what if we got so enthralled in what He was doing that we had the time of our lives?

You see I wanna be that kinda of woman.

Uncommon.

Extraordinary.

Not because of who I am. Not because of what I am doing. But because of who He is.

Mary, a young Jewish virgin girl, most likely poor, all characteristics that would make her seem completely unusable by God, especially in her day, but God chose Mary for the most important acts of obedience. Everything about God choosing Mary was purposeful. Mary was not qualified. It was God who saw her heart and knew Mary was willing to be used in His story.

Until Gabriel visited Mary her everyday life was pretty ordinary, comfortable, and safe.

Because of Mary’s obedience and submission, God was able to restore a relationship with His people.

He is.

He is able to take a young Jewish virgin girl and change the world in an instant with a baby being born on a dark night in a smelly dirty stable.

You see it’s not about the who, or the where or the what, it’s all about who He is.

He is able to take this 5’4” blonde, left-handed, girl who is ordinary and make her the extraordinary He needs her to be.

He is.

I have been blessed by the book, the Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson. I highly recommend this most amazing book. Susie helps usher you into our most amazing Creators presence for a very personal and intimate look at the extraordinary place He has for you.

He is not able to do this just with Mary, or me, He is able, more than able to make it happen in your life too.

What do you have to do?

Say no to the common, grab hold of His hand and allow Him to lead you to the uncommon and extraordinary place!

Thank you friends for joining me on this series. I am more than blessed by your presence. A presence that assures me, we journey together on purpose, He meets us each where we are not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time this week knowing He is with you, on purpose!

Hey Girlfriends is that your spot?

2009-12-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! How are you today? I hope from Monday’s blog we all have taken some time to slow down and truly think about what we are doing and why. I would like to ‘piggy back’ onto the blog post from Monday and ask,

Hey Girlfriend is that your spot?

Think about all the different things you are doing?

Seriously make a list if you need to.

Your job, (now for some of us its not something we can submit a resignation to…that whole mom/wife thing isn’t up for quitting, sorry Girlfriends!)

President of the PTO.

Sunday School Teacher.

Water Aerobics Teacher.

Book Club Leader.

Small Group Facilitator.

Women’s Ministries Leader.

Soccer Coach.

Speaker/Writer.

Girl Scout Leader.

Classroom Aid.

Volunteer of Everything!

Now look back over the list you just made. Make some notes right next to what you listed and answer the questions below. Please know friends I am doing this right along with you!

Why are you doing what you are doing?

How is your attitude when doing said task/job/position?

Do you enjoy it?

Now please don’t get me wrong, we all have things we need to do, or sometimes have to do because we are supposed to be “mature” girls, but I really want us to think about this. I am asking these same questions of myself,

Are you spot filling?

Are you doing it ‘because no one else is doing it, and it won’t get done if I don’t do it’?

Am I taking someone else’s spot?

Have you been guilted into filling that spot?

Are you a people pleaser?

Is it on your good girl Christian checklist?

Are you trying to earn yourself some extra credit Jesus points?

Girlfriends just what if some of the things, or maybe all of the things on our list are keeping us from something?

What Happens When Women Say No

To spot filling?

I have recently read Cure for the Common Life: Living in your Sweet Spot by Max Lucado, this is a terrific book. I highly recommend it…it will help to cure you of spot filling and direct you right to the purpose He has for you!

Do you know your strengths? Weaknesses? What do you like to do? What has always been your passion?

Are you living in your sweet spot?

The very place God created you to live.

My sweet spot doesn’t look like yours, and that’s okay. This right here girlfriends would help us all quit playing the comparison game!

Friends will you join me today in trusting that He doesn’t just have a spot for you, no rather He has a very purposeful hand picked sweet spot with your name on it.

May we grab His hand and know He will lead us to it!

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)