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 :)

* 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 :)

For you my love::

 "...I found the one my heart loves." Song of Songs 3:4 niv 

I wanted to tell the world about my amazing hubby- my best friend- he is the greatest man! I love him so much and I am so blessed that God put us together. In March 2002- Andy and I met for the first time and started dating. Decided to get married- and in September we will be celebrating 10 years!!!  "When you find the one your heart loves- you want to start your life with them as soon as possible"- When Harry Met Sally

I LOVE YOU ANDY!! XOXOXOX

He is so charming, uplifting, & honest. He supports me and encourages me- He is my sunshine!!!

No marriage is squeaky clean perfect- but we try :) God is so awesome for putting us together and keeping our relationship strong during the good and bad times- sickness and in healthy times-- 

I love doing little things for him- he smiles and that makes my heart smile!! Whether it be a card or a sticky note, getting him a candy bar- or grabbing his hand-- it's the little things that make those moments so special. 

So, tell your special someone you love them and appreciate them. It will feel so good and make them feel amazing. Do something special for them- this doesn't always mean "spend money"- be creative. Make dinner for them and decorate with what you have to make it a "theme" dinner... Make them a card to tell them you appreciate them, while they are in the shower- take a towel and throw it in the dryer to get it warm and then hang it back up for them-- Do their laundry... the list goes on and on. Just be you- and tell them you love them. 

 Take care of you :)

He's got you covered like a chocolate donut!!

What do these yummy chocolate covered donuts have to do with love? Keep reading
to find out... It's totally worth it!! :)

It was one Sunday at church that Andy was preaching on LOVE- and in the middle of the service, he handed out a piece of paper that was folded in half. When we opened it up- it was a letter from "Dad"- a love letter written from God to us. As he read it aloud- it touched my heart & brought tears to my eyes. All of these are scriptures from the bible. I urge you to read them aloud- not just silently to yourself- but aloud. It's amazing- something about hearing yourself actually SPEAK it-- you know, there is life and death in the tongue-- :)

This below is called "The Father's Love Letter":: ENJOY!!!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad-Almighty God

So... whatcha think?! Amazing right?!! Soooo-- I actually have something else to share with you too. 


Okay, honestly it wasn't until really recent that I was able to actually wrap my entire head and entire heart around this statement & truth... and this is going to sound crazy but... I BELONG TO JESUS! --okay, you are like  "ummm yeah Michelle, we know that..." but REALLY REALLY REALLY I BELONG TO HIM!!! HE LOVES ME!!! I AM HIS!!! I AM HIS BRIDE!!!




Here's a few questions... & I've asked them before, i'm gonna ask them again... 


Do you know Jesus? 
Do you believe He is the Son of God?
Do you know that God sent His Son for YOU- to wash away your sins?
Do you know that Jesus died for YOU?
Have you asked Him to come into your life and live within you?


... He's coming back for you! He's preparing a great and glorious place for you... He WILL BE BACK!!!


SO... what does it mean to answer yes to all these questions? If you have, it means Jesus lives inside you- your heart and He has made you clean. You belong to Him and He intercedes before God for YOU. You are HIS-- You belong to HIM-- NOTHING CAN CHANGE THAT!! HE loves you... He is ALWAYS there for you. 


Just as you get married, and you now are your husbands and he is yours-- Your husband would do anything for you- and if you were in trouble, your husband would say "NO-- she's with me!!" Well, Jesus does that for you!! Jesus says "NO-- SHE'S WITH ME!!"  He is there fighting for you, sticking up for you, giving you encouragement and strength!! 


^{Isaiah 62:5: 5} As a young man marries a woman, so your children will marry your land. As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you. 


I can't stress this enough-- YOU ARE HIS AND YOU BELONG TO HIM FOREVER!!!


So, in the New Testament when it talks about judgement day- where you stand before God-- Jesus is right there interceding-- She is mine and she belongs to me and I love her. I have washed her clean. 


Do not fear about the whole "judgement day"- know that You belong to Jesus and He lives inside you- He's got you covered!! (as we used to say... "got you covered like a chocolate donut") 


Take care of you :)

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Please feel free to copy and paste the text of Father's Love Letter to share with othersproviding you abide by the following conditions...1. You use the Father's Love Letter text in its entirety.2. You do not use it for commercial purposes3. You include the following copyright notice wherever it is displayed...Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

Tangled in chains or "Tangled" in grace?

From the Disney movie "Tangled"

I watched Tangled a while back & loved it! I don't know what reminded me of it today, but I thought that sometimes we get all tangled up in the messiness of everyday life-- I mean it's SO easy to do, am I right?!! lol 

It's so easy to freak out and get upset at things we just simply cannot control- & get tangled up all in it. All up in the rope and chains!! 

Are you a control person? Do you like to be in control? I guess in some weird way we all do at some point- I am one of those people that like it done the way I like it to be done. It's been a really long road for me to just give up the control aspect of my personality. I'm still a work in progress though... :) Jesus helps me & sometimes... I don't know how He puts up with me. LOL - Oh wait... It's His never-ending love, mercy & grace!!

It's a weird thing talking about "control" really because- whenever "I think" I have it all in order; all the way that I think it should be-- all under the way I planed it out to work-- something happens. Ever happen to you? It's like we plan to pay certain things or lets say go on a vacation-- and we're saving and oops there goes a medical bill or a tire... it never ceases to amaze me how "I plan" things and OTHER things pop up and crush them like a bug.

Notice the common ground here-- "I think" "I plan" "I control" hmmm, there sure are a lot of "I's" in here... getting kinda stuffy...

I'm learning to back down off of me, and let God have it. It's been a journey so far-- not an easy one, but I'm hanging in there-- me and God. Hey, He didn't say it would be an easy road- but He did say He would always be there and never leave me or abandon me. "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you." — Deuteronomy 31:6

So, kinda brings me to a question: Am I tangled in the chains or am I tangled in grace?

Like I was saying earlier- it's so easy to be tangled in the chains... but I wonder, is it actually easier to be tangled in grace? Everyday that goes by and something funky happens- like today for instance- I won't go into detail but just personal things that happened- I really did get started to get wrapped in the chains... and then something happened... I asked God for help... suddenly I felt un-tangled. Now, sometimes I can just feel God tugging at my heart speaking softly-- LET GO-- but do I? Nope. Why not you ask? Well, as a human being-- we want to hold on to EVERYTHING-- my determination-- LET GO AND LET GOD HELP ME - so that I can be "tangled" in His grace!!!! Now that's THE PLACE to be!!! 

Jesus is awesome in many ways, but I wanted to share some extra special little goodies with you-- 

Did you know that Jesus said to hand everything over to Him and He will take care of it for us- Matthew 11:28-30 ncv: ²⁸ "Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. ³⁰ The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light."

BUT we must cast our cares upon Him and give Him our burdens- 1 Peter 5:7 ncv: ⁷ Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

Like I've said before, Jesus is a total gentleman... He does not grab your wrist and drag you around like a doll--

He upholds you, strengthens you, supports you, gives you His grace-1 Peter 5:8-10 ncv: ⁸ Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat.⁹ Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.¹⁰ And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever

He gives you His peace, love, grace, gentleness, kindness, patience- Galatians 5:22-23 ncv: ²² But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, self-control. 

He CHOSE ME-- HE CHOSE YOU!!! Ephesians 1:4-8 ncv: ⁴ That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him.⁵Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him,⁶ and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves.⁷ In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God's grace,⁸ which he has given to us so fully and freely.

I hope this uplifted you today and I hope that you become "tangled" in His grace and love.

Take care of you :)

Some quick L- O- V- E-

Love shows up everywhere!! But just as this YUMMY italian ice will melt-- God's Love never "melts"

Remember these scriptures... they will lift you up and lift you out!!

L- LOVE:: Ephesians 3:19 NCV- Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

O- CRY OUT:: Psalm 34:17 NIV- The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles.

V- VICTORY:: 1 Corinthians 15:56 NCV- He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

E- EVERLASTING JOY: Isaiah 61:7 NIV- Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Take care of you :)

Keep Calm &...

~Miss Daisy May Miller~

This is not a serious blog tonight... it's later than normal and I realized I never posted one for Saturday!! OOPS!!


You know the "Keep Calm and..." posters that are out now... most commonly known one is... "Keep Calm and Carry On". Well I thought it would be fun to create some "Keep Calm" sayings to make us all smile :)


Yes, I am THAT dorky!!

• Keep Calm and Smile :)
• Keep Calm and Slow Down
• Keep Calm and Pretend you are at the Beach
• Keep Calm and Hug a Pug
• Keep Calm and know that Jesus has overcome the world
• Keep Calm and know that God loves you
• Keep Calm and Learn to Love
• Keep Calm and Be still and KNOW that He is God
• Keep Calm and eat some Mexican Food
• Keep Calm and listen to some relaxing music
• Keep Calm and be creative
• Keep Calm and wear flip flops
• Keep Calm and Go take a nap!! lol

"Keep Calm and Carry On was the third in a series of World War 2 posters drawn up by the UK Ministry of Information in order to boost the morale of the British people by passing on a message from King George VI. The posters were a stark white text on a red background, with the only image on the poster being the royal crown of George VI." - From http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/guide-to-keep-calm/


Well I hope these made u giggle... let me know your "Keep Calm" creations!! 


Take care of you :)

I am Love?

Today while sitting in the waiting room at the acupuncturist, I was reading 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and had a thought...

Humor me and read the following... 

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.⁵ Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. ⁶Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. ⁷ Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.

Interesting right? One of the most known and common scriptures in the bible- a verse that is used at weddings-- not really thought of being used on a daily basis. But what would this verse be like if used on a daily basis- what would it look like? Where would you even begin?

Try this...

Insert YOUR NAME wherever it says "love" (the blank spots)-- here's what it would look like...

^{4 ___________}is patient, _________ is kind. _________does not envy, _________does not boast, ________is not proud. ^{5 ___________}does not dishonor others, ___________is not self-seeking, _________is not easily angered, ___________keeps no record of wrongs.^{6 ____________}does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ^{7 ___________}always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When you ask Jesus to come into your heart-- His love blossoms inside you- God lives inside you and His love illuminates through you and in you -- therefore Love is God, God is Love, and You are God's Love & He is your Love. YOU ARE LOVE.

~ L O V E ~   L O V E ~ L O V E ~

Hmmmm... takes a different spin now doesn't it?! You could walk that everyday~ who would have thought... 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 not only for the alter. 

Now try it!! Read it out loud... really read it with your name inserted. What an uplifting difference this makes!!

Take care of you :)

~As a side note... I know everyone who reads might not have a relationship with God-- & that's okay-- maybe you have had one and "walked away" or know Him but don't really KNOW Him & love Him as your own. I encourage you to seek Him-- just ask Him to help you live day to day- allow Him to walk beside you, and love on you.~ I'm not preaching at ya-- I just want to lift ya up :)