Limits...

What's the first thing u think of when I say limits? 

Some words that come to mind are boundaries, walls, barricades... What about u? What do u think? 

So... we all know that there are limits on everything! Cell phone plans, the speed that we drive, having one too many drinks... how about on relationships... love? When u say u love someone? Do u secretly place limits on your love that u show towards them? Or that they show you? Did u know that u are the one that places limits on a lot of things u do? 

You know how people say "the sky's the limit" -- so what happens when you reach the sky? Then what? 

What about when you're in a situation where you have done ll you can do... you are at your limit. Again, I ask... then what?

Just when you think you've reached your limit... remember that there is no limit with God and His love!!! Whatever the situation or circumstance-- God is there- He is with you guiding you, leading you, LOVING YOU. 

God's love has no limits. --PERIOD--

When you are in the middle of the dark tunnel, walking in the rain on a muddy road, holding your head in your hands-- He's there. He's the one taking care of you. It's hard to hear this-- because we want the tunnel to end- we want the rain to stop & the mud to dry up- we want to be able to hold our head up high- it's so hard to hear that God's there, because deep deep deep down--- we can see the end... we can see the light... but it's still far-- and we want to just finish already. But as we weep for the end... God says oh sweet child, it's going to be okay I promise. 

Take care of you :)

Are you in the line of fire?

How about this-- you think you are super close with someone only to find out that you couldn't be farther from them? You've listened to them, never ask for anything in return, always go out of your way to help them, you bend backwards and go out of your way to be there for them... In return...you get treated like scum, never receive any gratitude from them, they talk to you like you are a nasty bug, don't show up when you're suppose to meet up-- when is enough ENOUGH???!!!

You forgive and forgive and forgive-- as the bible instructs you to do, and as a servant of God- you try your hardest and forgive them over and over and OVER again. So just because you forgive this person or people... does that mean that you have to hang out with them all the time? Have them over your home? Let them babysit your kids? Nope. Simple as that. NO. You can forgive- you can love them- and none of this says you must forgive and have them over for dinner every week. LOL It also gives you permission to step away from them- fade them out. "What about if its a family member" you ask? Same thing babe... fade away... there is nothing that says you have to let them walk all over you. There is nothing that says you have to put yourself out there in the line of fire and let them shoot you. 

STOP PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE IN THE LINE OF FIRE! 

Try to distance yourself from the person/ and or situation- whatever your situation may be. If you don't... you are the one that will be burned over and over again-- think about it... they don't feel anything now because they are ones hurting you... to them it's like getting something off their chest... for you its oh holy cow WOW. 

Even though you feel like "Man, I am right in this situation, I know I am - they are so wrong for making me feel like this-- " You very well may be in the right... but it's not something they will see-- it's their way or the highway. The sooner you learn that, the better you will be. & on that note too-- you cannot change them. Let me repeat that... YOU CANNOT CHANGE THEM. Only God can change the way they are. So, what can you do? As hard as it is... lift them up to God. Ask God to help them- to help their heart- to have their eyes opened, for them to see what their words and actions do to the people around them. 

Not that this is an excuse in ANY WAY at all... but sometimes family, friends, co-workers don't realize their actions towards us. You are shaking your head... "I don't deserve this" -- you are absolutely right! YOU DO NOT DESERVE THIS. Like some things seem pre-meditated-- like as if they knew they were going to strike us before they did-- WHAM! WHAM again... and maybe that was the planned action-- but only God knows that for sure. This DOES NOT MAKE IT OKAY. Again, go back to God. This is a situation only He Himself can fix. 

So where can i get that special sparkle strength that I need to get through the tough times? I get mine from God-- it's hard--it hurts and there are a lot of tears... but He carries me though it every time-- He not only walks with me- but He carries me. He sees every single action that person makes towards you, He sees every action YOU make towards that person. It's not just a one way street here. Let Him hold you. Cry on His shoulder. He loves you. 

Take care of you :)

I think I can... or Can't

Something occurred to me the other day- while I was talking to someone, I said "I can't"- after I said it I noticed that I immediately felt like... saddened, let down, depressed, punished... have you ever felt that way? Have you taken that moment right after you speak... to really see how the statement made you feel? You might hear people saying "don't pay attention to your feelings"... or something like "live beyond your feelings"-- yeah that can make real sense- but if you take that really to a not good level-- you could turn that into suppressing feelings-- like packing them deep deep down... NOT a good thing.

You remember the story about the train that said "I think I can... I think I can..." you read that story and feel pumped up... if you are like me.. you think of the story, and you are like "YEAH... come on... you can totally do it!!!!!" You feel good & positive!! Can you imagine if the train was like "I think I can... I think I can... well, actually it's too hard... I can't do this... I can't do this at all." OUCH-- even as I wrote that I felt saddened. It amazes me how little things can make your emotions sway one way or the other- and how FAST that happens too... I mean like seconds man!!

Life is full of disappointments and let downs-- but it's how you deal with them-- there should be some kind of a life balance.

Here's an example of something I'm dealing with... So, we all know about me getting sick a couple of months ago- and we all know that the medicine I was on induced type 2 diabetes... and we all know that I am totally working on controlling my blood sugar to (crossing fingers) reverse it.  *If you are just joining us-- I encourage you to go back and read some of my earlier blogs-- especially the testimony one* Well- let me tell you all that this "controlling blood sugar" thing and pricking my fingers twice a day is driving me NUTS-- some days I am okay with it and others-- well, lets just say are NOT good days... finger wont give me enough blood... fingers sore (whether you test on the side or not)... sugar too high... feeling SUPER sick and nauseated... the list goes on and on. Especially annoying when my hubby is home for 24 hrs and I haven't seen him all week- only to feel extremely sick. GRRRRRRR!!!!! All this leads me to say... when I speak "I can't do this... I can't seem to feel better... I can't have this or that..." it makes me feel punished... sad... upset... angry. When I realize exactly what I am speaking and how it makes me feel... I want to turn it around next time. Today, I caught myself saying "I can't have this" at the grocery store-- and then I was like "no no don't say that..." I may not be able to have this but I can have that.

A balance. I've noticed that there is a balance to everything-- life, health, finances... good/bad balance. Do you have balance in your life? I mean, is there a balance- like everyday is not going to be a happy day- bad things happen- but do you have a balance of happiness to make the scale close to even?



So, when I was feeling punished, sad, and discouraged... I was like thinking- God really doesn't want me feeling this way. He loves me and gave me breath- why should I feel this way? It doesn't add anything to my life- worry, stress, anger-- none of these are good things- He doesn't want me feeling this way- and I can make the choice to turn around and give those feelings to Him. It's not a fancy process- it's quite simple.

God, I'm feeling bogged down by my life and circumstances around me- help me not be weighed down- I feel like I have cement shoes on- take the cement shoes off- help me make good choices, help me get healthy, help me deal with the health issues I am battling-- let me see your glory through all of this and be Your light shining for others to see your light through me. In Jesus Name I ask and pray. Amen.

You make your prayer say what your heart feels- or pray what it says above- either way- ask Him for help. He will come to your rescue- Don't stay in the dark and twisty place-- come into the sunshine-- it's a lot better... I promise. 

So, the next time you are in a "I can't" spot... try to remember...

Take care of you :)

* 5 Sides *

There are 5 sides to this starfish-- This white starfish is actually one of my favorite kinds! We have more than a few in the house... :) 

I was thinking of different ideas to write about tonight when I looked up at the wall and saw my starfish hanging out. I thought of some things that might help me through my days and I think that it will help you too... 5 sides, 5 different meaning...

Side 1:: ASK-- It's a funny thing... running around from day to day scrambling everywhere to get things done-- kids to school, work on time, tiny lunch breaks, grocery shopping, car maintenance... etc. Well, how many times in your chaos of a day do you "ASK"for God's help? A simple "God help me" can make all the difference. 

Side 2:: SEEK-- I chose "SEEK" because I am guilty of it too-- I don't really seek God's face as much as I should. I ask... What does it really mean to "seek" something? I personally define seeking as looking hard-- like concentrating on something that I want to find.. you know, like the game Hide and Seek? God wants us to find (seek) Him-- not just when we are having a bad day- but in the good ones too- Find Him/ Seek Him and say thank you. Say thank you for the bad times and good times-- everything God brings you too-- there is joy in it somewhere.

Side 3:: PRAY-- Prayer is commonly misunderstood in my opinion. A lot of people seem to think that you are SUPPOSE TO pray at certain times- See, the key word I used was "suppose to"-- Pray is something that should come out of your heart- pure and offered before God... not a "work". It's like saying as a Christian you must do this.... you have to do that... Whatever your "must do" and "have to" is... (ex: you must work in children's church.... or you have to be an usher today) these are all works-- see you don't have to DO anything-- these should be done with a pure heart-- not a heart that is burdened and bogged down. You shouldn't have to let out a deep burdened sigh before doing these things. Same with prayer... prayer is a communication between you and God-- your relationship builds as you speak to Him- Prayer is a fancy word for having a conversation with your Beloved. So what am I saying? Pray/ talk to God all day... at night... in the morning... before a meal... right now... Doesn't have to be all formal-- He just wants your pure heart.

Side 4:: LOVE-- Jesus loves you so much that He died for you!! There are a lot of different scriptures that point to salvation-- but I really love Romans 5. It starts to summarize what Jesus did for us. Here, let me share...

 ¹ Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have^[a] peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² who through our faith^[b] has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory. ³ We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience.⁴ And patience produces character, and character produces hope.⁵ And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.

 ⁶ When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. ⁷ Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die.⁸ But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

 ⁹ So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death. ¹⁰ While we were God's enemies, he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Surely, now that we are his friends, he will save us through his Son's life. ¹¹ And not only that, but now we are also very happy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we are now God's friends again.

Lots of good nuggets in there hua?! See how it says Jesus died for you and me even when we were still sinners? I mean who does that?!! HE DID!!! 

Side 5:: WALK-- Your walk is YOUR walk-- and is like no one else's. Please please do not let others tell you how your personal walk with Jesus should be. Don't let them influence you. Let Jesus influence you. If you are having a problem- its difficult (i know because im guilty) try going to God first. Let Him take over the situation. The more you seek Him, the more you love Him, the more you pray/talk with Him... the closer you will become with Him. He longs to have a long long relationship with you because Jesus --- well, He loves you so stinkin much!!!!! lol 

You can totally come up with what your 5 sides mean-- I just chose some that meant something to me. 

Take care of you :)

Recovery is a learning process

Have the flu? What do you do to get better? Drink liquids, lots of rest, take your medicine, stay in bed... why? Why do we do these things? So that we can "recover" and get better.



*chuckling* The question is... do you allow yourself time to recover?


Be honest...

Day 1 of being sick... "ugh, I feel like a truck hit me!!" and you go to the doctor & get meds and then you sleep and sleep and sleep some more- through days 2 and 3.

On day 4 you realize you are feeling better (but really are not 100% yet) and want to do EVERYTHING!! You think "oh, I can go grocery shopping now... I need to do the dishes... the laundry needs washed... ewww the bathroom needs to be torched and built back from scratch (lol)" ... you start to do these things... and realize 1/2 way through the FIRST task... BIG MISTAKE... HUGE... BIG... HUGE!!! Do you know why even starting was a mistake?

YOU ARE IN RECOVERY!!!!! 

Recovery is a learning process... learning what it means to take it easy, to take care of yourself...to (as hard as it is) BE STILL. Why? Because recovery is the key essential to getting well. You've heard people say "They made a full recovery!" Think about it... recovering is a key part that is played into your sickness.

Does your sickness necessarily need to be the flu, stomach virus, sinus infection, surgery, etc... NO! Your "sickness" can be anything you personally need to "recover" from. Examples:: Break-up/ divorce, a friendship relationship, family issues, drinking, smoking, any addiction...

You are trying to get well... there are steps to take... you are in recovery. You are on your way to "making a full recovery".

Im gonna use my illness as an example for you... I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy in June... although my muscles in my face are not 100% YET... we are working on it each and everyday... I AM IN RECOVERY. I also am battling Type 2 Diabetes (because of the medicine I was on, it induced diabetes) The doctors say that there is a chance it will go away... I am hopeful... right now I am on medicine that makes me feel like crap, but I am believing it is working along with my diet and exercise... I AM IN RECOVERY.

Now that was just 2 examples of recovery... what ever your personal recovery story is... know that God has it covered! He is by your side even when you can't see the light at the end of the LONG DARK tunnel- and believe me... sometimes it can seem as if there is noooooo end! But there is an end!!! God has it all planned out- I mean, it's life guys... what would life be without the messy bits?

Trust God and call out to Him happy or sad... He's there for you. Believe that He has your best interest in mind. Believe that he will bring you through whatever it is... because He ultimately will. I mean... His plans are to prosper you and give you a hope and a future!!!! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Like I said... recovery is a learning process- let God mold you and shape you through the recovery-- learn to draw close to Him-- learn to be patient-- learn to calm down and rest-- to be still-- (it's not easy... but TRY...) and when you make that full recovery... you will be stronger, and know that with God you overcame!! And when something comes along that you need to recover from again, you will know from your "last recovery" that it will be okay and that you will make it... it's going to be okay.

May this blog touch your heart and may you know that you will make a full recovery... just you wait and see!!!




Take care of you :)

It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving...

We all go through the day to day life --running around like chickens with our heads cut off-- picking up kids, cooking, shopping, driving from here to there, working... etc.

How many times in the day do you stop, take a deep breath and think about things you are thankful for? I mean really stop,breathe and thank. If you are like most of us-- you don't really... well do any of those things... ha ha.

Did you know that it really doesn't add any moments to your life by running running running??? It might get you wherever you are going a few minutes faster-- but was it REALLY worth the few minutes? This is the life you were given-- don't run through your days so fast running--- enjoy them- enjoy the journey.



If you take a moment and really just think about all the blessings-- it makes you happy, a smile appears on that beautiful face of yours... and a deep sigh is let out... "awww i am so blessed!!...sigh" I know I don't always stop & breathe... but the times I do are so worth it. Like now... so many things that are going on causing stress-- and then I make the decision to STOP & BREATHE-- this leads me to look beside me and see my cute pug & my amazing husband both snoozing together-- it makes me sigh and sweetly smile. I am so thankful for them both!

What are some of your blessings?
What are you thankful for?
What makes you smile?
What makes your heart SO happy?
It can be anything... a memory, a certain person, a place, a specific something that you hold dear to your heart?
Whatever your blessings may be-- make sure that you thank the One above for each and every one. :) Because it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to be thankful!!

Everyday is a gift from God... (James 1:17) and I am thankful for that!!


Take care of you :)

Sorry for the delay...

Ever been on an airplane? You're sitting in your seat, luggage is in the overhead compartment and you are excited to get to your destination. All of a sudden-- the pilot comes on the overhead speakers and says "sorry for the delay folks, but there are two planes in front of us- we will take off soon"

or how about... you are planning on cooking dinner and you forgot to pre-heat the oven... oops!! You say "sorry for the delay guys... dinner is coming"

or standing in line at Walmart and the cashiers are changing out shifts - the lady looks up at you and says "sorry for the delay- we have to change our drawers out"

Sometimes... I feel like the "delay button" is pushed down on my day. Ever feel this way?

it's like some things that I really want to happen like... now... as little as waiting in line at Walmart to as big as a desire of your heart that you feel like you've been waiting forever for...know that God has better plans. You know, I would really rather have it His way and not mine-- but gosh... it can take way longer than I expected!

For another instance... I was on that toxic medicine for what seemed like FOREVER and it caused bad side effects... swelling-- AHHH I'm so so so done with the swelling!!! Im really ready for "my face and neck" to be back, ~DELAY~ and to make matters worse...I had to go on another medicine for my blood sugar...~DELAY~ and now have to check my blood sugar twice daily-- ouch-- ~DELAY~and here I was thinking "oh just come off the toxic medicine and wa la-- I'm done" yeah... apparently that's not what was in the plans.

~D E L A Y~ Hmmm notice a common word here?? lol 

What's your "DELAY"? Small or Big... it's all the same in God's eyes... because nothing is too small or big for Him.

The God joy must be in this journey somewhere... maybe it's the testimony of the adventure... maybe it's talking to a random person... I have no clue... but I do know that somewhere in what I call "this mess" it's really... "His mess".

He has come through SO many times before and even bunches lately... it's hard not to believe in what He is doing. I don't have to know... I may never know... but as long as HE knows... I'm okay with that.

Lately with so many different things going on in the world-- it seems to me that everyone is operating on a microwave brain-- no one wants to wait on the regular oven anymore-- takes too long... it's gotta pre-heat and that takes 10-15 minutes and then you can put in your food. Where as a microwave you pop it in and ta da-- food done faster.

FASTER... do we all move too fast? Do we stop and take a breather...taking time to rest and refresh ourselves? I mean think about walking in NY-- people move around like ants in a pack marching forward...

You've heard the saying "stop and smell the roses" -- for real... STOP and smell them-- slow down and take a breath. I hate saying "maybe this and maybe that..." but you know something? Maybe (lol) the delays are His way of telling us to slow down.

Sit with someone you love...Go get your nails done, go eat out at a restaurant with a friend or just yourself, turn on some relaxing music and read a book or the bible, call up a friend just for a chat... do something nice for yourself and "smell the roses".

Take care of you :)

Who's getting married?

Andy and I said the big "I DO" almost 10 years ago this September. What an fabulous memorable day that was! Let's see... It was raining, once I was in my dress and we were about to leave the house, I decided I had to pee... lol, our limo driver FORGOT to fill up with gas- so we had to stop ON THE WAY;oh... did I mention I was LATE?!!, and my sister tripped on the way up the isle, and Andy and I said our vows TWICE!! LOL 

"Saying our vows twice" LOL

To have and to hold from this day forward,

for better or for worse, 

in sickness and in health,

for richer, for poorer,

to love and to cherish

in sickness and in health,

I DO.

Wow-- two little words.. "I DO" -- and what a BIG.. HUGE deal they are too! If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I'd be where I am today... ummm no. LOL But you know what? I am SO beyond happy that I spoke those two words and married my best friend that day. I love you Andy. xoxox

A few months ago, I had decided to paint this canvas that I had in the art room. I painted it a beautiful aqua-green color and was inspired to write out wedding vows on it. I left the bottom empty because I had the thought of somehow attaching a picture of andy and me there. Well, I decided to hang it anyways-- as is in our bathroom. Our bathroom has a beach theme to it and I thought that it went well. So, I was getting out of the shower and looked up at the painting and thought "You know, that vow doesn't just have to be between andy and me... it's kinda like between husband and wife-- like Jesus and me-- He is my groom and I am His bride." And if you think about it... and read it from a "Jesus perspective" it reads so true... so lets look at this vow::

"I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish you, to take care of you, to comfort you, encourage you, and to stay with you for all eternity."

Now... read it like this...

JESUS will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph.

HE promises to cherish you, to take care of you, to comfort you, encourage you, and to stay with you for all eternity."

COOL RIGHT?! 

There are a few verses in the bible that I absolutely LOVE that I want to share.


Isaiah 62:5 niv "...as a *bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."  *bridegroom is Jesus


John 3:29 niv "The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice..."

Questioning if you are in fact "HIS" bride? 

"How do I know Michelle?" 

Okay, simple answer here-- you must be born again/ saved ... in english... accept Jesus into your heart. Ask Him... say you are sorry for your sinful living and tell Him you want to live for Him. Ask Him to come inside your heart and help you live an awesome life with Him. 


Your rebuttal... "I don't need Jesus in my heart... I believe in God that'd be enough. I know of God... I say thanks at dinner time, I don't sin... I go to church every Sunday- I even help out. "


Jesus says that you cannot see the kingdom of God unless you are in fact born again/saved. This is not me telling you you can't go to heaven unless you repent for your sins and ask Jesus into your heart... this is Jesus saying this. 


John 3:3-8 niv

³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]”
⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”


John 3:16-20 ncv
¹⁶ "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. ¹⁷God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.¹⁸ People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God's one and only Son.¹⁹ They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things.²⁰All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. ²¹ But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God."


Once you make the decision to make Jesus your Lord and Savior of your life- He becomes your Bridegroom-- and YOU become His Bride!!! YOU ARE HIS AND HE IS YOURS!!! HE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, CARE FOR YOU, SUPPORT YOU, ENCOURAGE YOU, LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY, BE THERE IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, RICHER OR POORER-HE IS YOUR HUSBAND!!! 


Just as your earthly husband made these promises-- and you made these promises your husband-- when you accepted Jesus- he made these promises with you. 
If you are reading this and #1 say you are not married yet (hang in there) or #2 your husband doesn't act on the above promises... Jesus is your ultimate husband- He is your bridegroom-& He will love you forever.

If you already are born again/saved... awesome!! Please share this with someone-- don't "bullhorn" it - (meaning get on your personal soapbox in the middle of the street and yell at random people)- be gentle- one at a time- share with someone gently... Jesus saved your life, wiped your dirty, mucky, moldy slate clean- whiter than snow-- don't you want others to experience Jesus' grace & love too? 

The ultimate question of the evening... 

Are you HIS bride?

Take care of you :)

AIM HIGH

Do you have a goal? Have something you are working towards? A better relationship with your husband/wife? A better job... something you love doing--that actually pays? (lol) A bigger home? A newer car? A healthy lifestyle? A stronger relationship with God? Whatever you are striving toward... good news... it's totally achievable.


Did you know that God has called you to set out and do great things? In one of my all time favorite books of the bible- Philippians- Paul talks about so many amazing topics- He constantly talks about the importance of Christ and the importance of relying on Him. Philippians 3:13-14 talks about moving forward. 


I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead,¹⁴ I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. ~Philippians 3:13-14 ncv


When I was younger, I remember my parents had a wooden rocking chair in the living room. It had an orange seat cushion on it. It was a beautiful chair- the headpiece a had this really pretty design carved into it and the arm rest were curved under-- it was heavy too (lol) I know because somehow I always had the chore of vacuuming the dining room and the living room. Whenever I read the different stories in the bible, and they talk about "moving forward" or "pressing toward the goal" -- it makes me think of this chair; It reminds me that I can't just rock back and forth in my wooden rocking chair-I have to press forward and strive toward the goal that I have set out before me. To remember that God Himself called ME-- He called ME-- to do His glorious work. WOW-- I mean who am I?!!! WOW- amazing!!

You know something? God just didn't call ME-- He called YOU too- Keep moving forward!!!

Remember that the next time a task seems to big-- know that The Big Man upstairs breathed your life into motion and wants you to something big for Him!! You may never know or understand what exactly it is that God has called you to do in this life... sometimes it's for Him to know and you to never find out... but isn't it awesome knowing that you are here MOVING FORWARD for Him?!


I challenge you to keep moving forward- even when life is messy, when you feel like you just can't go on anymore- you're tired and weak-- but you know what? God is there to give you His strength- the bible says when we are weak- it is God who makes us strong!!! Be encouraged :)

Make a list of your goals, things you'd like to see happen... write them out-- cross them off when they are completed :) You may never see your greatest goal achieved-- but why not try? I had a teacher that used to tell me "Michelle, even if it looks like you can't reach the stars, aim high as if you can reach them."

May you "aim high" and not forget to invite God along for the ride.

Take care of you :)

Both sides of the story

"Forget it... I GIVE UP" - you say as you are completely finished with whatever problem it is that you are fighting with...

2 words... Give Up. 2 words, one HUGE deal. It's so easy to do-- isn't it?! 

AHHHHHH--- BUT.... did you know that there are 2 sides to every story? YES!!!!!

The Negative Story of giving up-- "side 1"::

You are fighting for something you need-- your family, your job, finances, your home-- more importantly... your faith. You've been fighting and fighting trying your best to be the best because that's what you thought you had to do to make "this" (whatever your need is) work. Guess what? It's not happening... family is falling apart & it's taking a toll on you emotionally/physically, promotion that you deserved was given to someone else, can't afford the bills- not to mention the groceries; rent is going to be late...and you feel God is not coming through and you start to question if He cares about you and the situation you are fighting. Oh here it comes... you scream "That's it!!! I quit!!!" 

...YOU GIVE UP. 

The Positive Story of giving up-- "side 2"::

Sometimes life stinks; Life hurts. Did you notice common words in the Negative Story above? I kept saying.... "you are fighting" a lot didn't I? Yup... sure did. So, here's the deal-- 

• Family falling apart & it's weighing you down: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

• Promotion not given to you & you feel treated unfairly:The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. Psalm 103:6

• Finances:And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

• When you feel like God isn't fast enough for you: It is not yet time for the message to come true, but that time is coming soon; the message will come true. It may seem like a long time, but be patient and wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3

Still wanna give up? I hope you do. 

WAIT! "Michelle, did you just say I hope you DO?! OKAY- Confused?!"

Yes, I said I hope you still want to give up-- GIVE UP IT ALL TO GOD'S HANDS... and not fight the fight yourself. Trust me... it does you absolutely no good to fight a fight you are NOT suppose to be fighting. TRUST ME!! The only fight you should be fighting is the fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12- Fight the good fight of faith, grabbing hold of the life that continues forever. You were called to have that life when you confessed the good confession before many witnesses.


Try it... I know as you are reading this you are harboring all the thoughts of everything in life you have wanted to throw in the towel on- close your eyes and with all of those thoughts in mind, say OUT LOUD... I GIVE UP. I GIVE UP GOD-- HELP ME-- I KNOW YOU ARE WHO YOU SAY YOU ARE-- I BELIEVE IN YOU AND I TRUST YOU-- HELP ME. 


The next time you wanna "give up" may this be a sweet reminder to you that giving up doesn't always mean to quit- but a release- a surrender to God- to let Him handle whatever it is you are facing.



Take care of you :)

411

We are all guilty of it... we've all done it at some point in our life... It's not something we are proud of... or are we? 


Can anyone guess what I am talking about? It's only one word- and it can cause mounds and mounds of damage. 


Still no clue? Ok ok.. I'll tell you... 

G O S S I P

This simple to spell six letter word is poison. 

We've heard it from our parents, teachers, friends-- etc "If you don't have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself" & "It doesn't concern you... mind your own business"

Did you know that in the bible it actually in one translation says "Mind your own business"?! Yup!!! No kidding!!! LOOK...


⁹ Now about your love for one another... for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you. ~1 Thessalonians 4:9,11 niv


I don't know about you, but the first time I read this verse... I literally stopped and looked up and laughed! "Mind your own business" I said out loud! lol Wow- God really did think of everything!! lol I've heard this verse referred to as the "411" verse. Funny right? hahaha


Wondering why people refer to it as "411?" Well, one reason would be... back before there were smartphones-- we had to dial 411 when we needed information. Another reason... The scripture "address" is 1 Thes. 4:11-- get it "411" lol I thought that was really funny too!


"This isn't for me" you say... You say "Oh, I'm not spreading gossip..." 


Well, let me ask you a couple of questions... 

• Are you repeating something that someone said to you to someone else?
• Are you playing telephone?- You know, like the game telephone? The game we play with the kids... sit them in a circle, whisper in the person sitting beside you ear and they whisper in the next person and so on, so on... until they get to the final person and the final person blurts out what they think they heard. Is what they say ever the EXACT SAME thing that the original person whispered? Usually... no. This is also know as the game of gossip.

If you are talking to another person about someone- are you saying anything that you wouldn't say directly to that other person's face? Example: You are out shopping with your friend- and you say "Have you seen Barb lately?! Wow she's gotten really fat!" --~Okay, don't deny that you've never said anything like this~ Stop and think about this. Would you say what you just said to Barb's face? ummmm-- I hear you saying NO!! Of course you wouldn't speak that to Barb. So why would you speak it to someone else? Why speak negative things into Barb's life? Life and death are in the power of the tongue peeps.


So, what happens if the tables are turned? What if you are not the person spreading the gossip- but the person with the ear... the listener... the friend? Eeek... what do you do? What do you say to the person speaking the negative? This can be sticky... first I would say not to speak any negative into the situation. Something like this happened to me earlier this week- I responded with speaking positive into the situation. 


Example of some conversations: 


Gossip:"I went to see Barb and she was like.... and then she said... and I was like... Oh my goodness right? Well Michelle, what do you think?!!!"
Non-Gossip: (speaking positive words) Well, I think Barb is complement & I enjoy being around her. 
          -The person will (or should) get the hint that you don't want to gossip

Gossip:"I went to see Barb and she was like.... and then she said... and I was like... Oh my goodness right? Well Michelle, what do you think?!!!"

Non-Gossip: Have you ever read 1 Thessalonians? And share with them the wisdom you know.

Gossip: "I went to see Barb and she was like.... and then she said... and I was like... Oh my goodness right? Well Michelle, what do you think?!!!"
Non- Gossip: Ummm, person's name I don't really care for you talking behind Barb's back. 
Gossip response to you: Oh i'm not talking behind her back...
Non- Gossip response: Well, it seemed like you were to me and I don't like people talking behind my back, so I don't want to do it. 


~If you are thinking that the person you hang out with gossips a lot- and you are in one of these conversations... you might want to say something to them about it. If you are thinking you can't do that because they are your friend and you don't want to hurt their feelings-- um sista-- (hard for me to say...mainly because I've hard to do it) start distancing yourself from them... that relationship is not a healthy one and I mean- it even says it in the bible to mind your own business. 


So, the next time that you go to speak up to someone about someone else-- think about it first... would you say what you are saying to that "somebody's" face?


Take care of you :)

It only takes a whisper

Say it with me...

Man has this been difficult for me to do lately. I personally have so much going on in my head at the moment- in my life. They are simply things that I cannot control myself and boy can I say how hard it is to give up total control?!! I need to remember to give my worries to God because that's His job to take care of them- & not my job. 

I'm really not going to go into detail this time- but we will just call the problems "life challenges"- you all know them-- money, family, marriage, car, job, health... etc. 

I have actually had two different friends tell me to take a deep breath over the past few weeks-- what can I say... it's been a difficult few weeks, and my stress level is rising. 

I have to remember that God is on my side and that He is carrying me through this nasty mess- He's restoring me- He's giving me His strength!!  

Have ya'll ever heard of the Serenity prayer? It's one of my favorite prayers actually. It goes like this...

God, 

Grant me the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

the wisdom to know the difference.

Oh, so true!! Why is it so hard to meditate on good & positive things- why do we always seem to go for the negative approach first? 

1 Peter 5:8 says::Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

So, see- we have to be on alert! We have to be in the right frame of mind- being positive- that stupid devil is just waiting for us to have our negative hat on so that he can slither in...Noooo!!! Just whisper His name JESUS!!!! & He will run to you and rescue you.

You are all I need Jesus- thank You for running to me!!!

Remember to take deep breaths, BREATHE, & whisper His Name...

Take care of you :)