Content...Not for me!

Recently I took advantage of an opportunity to speak at our churches Saturday night service. The Sunday before I had made the comment that I didn't think "We (Christians) were created to be content." Now before you start posting scripture in my comments I know all about what the Bible says about being satisfied in the Lord and being content with what you have. As a matter of fact I shared several verses on both and I agree 100% with both concepts. What I meant when I said "we weren't created to be content" was....I don't think we were created to be quite pew warmers. God created us to be His hands and feet to do the things He did and "even greater". I don't know about you but I want to love on people and show them every thing that a relationship with the our Daddy above has to offer. I quoted our pastors wife when she said "we are intended to move from glory to glory" or from one experience with God onto the next. I don't want just a taste of what God has to offer (you know the I got my ticket I'm good way of thinking) I want more and more over and over flowing in me through me out to the world. No I don't think we were created to be content He created us to be in relationship with Him and relationships grow and change getting better and better. He wants us to be like Him!

This song really speaks to me. It is the theme song from the recently released Courageous titled the same Casting Crowns put to music the "resolution" the fathers of the movie take. But I got to thinking we were created to be courageous and not "watchers on the side lines". I am not content I want to see God move more and to do so I must be Courageous I have to move out of my seat way from my comfort zone and get to work. I pray that my relationship never grows stale and I never be content but always moving from "glory to glory."

We were created to be courageous...let's take back the fight. Let's be the warriors we were created to be.

Dare2Share

On Friday my friend Lindsey posted this on her blog and I thought it was GREAT and I had to also borrow and share. No words no explanations just listen and you will see why we think it is GREAT!

Music Therapy Thursday

When I am getting ready to speak as I am this weekend I always listen to tons of Christian music. It gets me fired up and most of the time I hear God speaking to me best while I am listening to music and/or worshipping. This song speaks so much to me. Considering how under attack I have felt lately I feel like I have to "claim victory" almost every day. The realization that I have the power to shut Satan out makes facing this "world" so much easier. God loved us so much He already fought the fight and paid our debt. Listen enjoy and remember "what the cross has done."

Friendship and Fall

It is no secret I have some of the most amazing friends. I don't have tons of friends swooning to meet for lunch and shopping but what I do have are the best friends a woman could ask for. I like to think of it as quality over quantity! I have been a little down lately and it takes a real friend to notice that in me. And notice is just what my sweet friend "T" did and she made plans for a girls day just me and her. It was wonderful she took care of all the details and at the last minute when I was going to have to cancle due to no sitter she even worked that out. We had a blast walked around the most wonderful and HUGE craft fair EVER "Christmas Village" then we had a nice quite lunch at a great Mexican Restaurant we found on our way home. I am so lucky to have friends like this that will as dramatic as it sounds come to my rescue. After that day I was recharged and felt so much better about myself. I thank her so much for showing me that taking that time to myself was worth it because sometimes all the preaching in the world doesn't get through to me:) While we were at lunch this was our view!

Isn't it wonderful? As I looked at the view I was reminded how much joy this time of year actually brings to me no matter the pain it also bears. This season of fall reminds me that God's mercies are new every morning just like the leaves we change, we fall, we are bare but then we blossom and come back better than ever. I love the cool temps that make me want to send hours outside with my family enjoying God's beauty. And this view also made me think about how beautiful those close friendships are to me and just how they really do nurture my heart and soul. I love my "girls" and you know who you are...I have the best friends anyone could ask for!

November 1st

I can't believe it today is November 1st! Yikes what is that like 53 days to Christmas...who's counting?!?! Now that October has been put to bed and the Halloween candy is being consumed we move into my favorite time of year. Oh wait who am I kidding aside from celebrating my saviors birth and spending time with family reflecting on what we are thankful for I HATE this time of year. I use to be full of Christmas cheer decorating long before the turkey was in the oven never mind eaten. But 8 years ago my mother pasted right in the middle of this "holiday season" after a very short by horrible battle with leukemia. November 12 to be exact. It seems that every year on October 23 my nephew's birthday (he was born just days after my mom was readmitted to battle her leukemia relapse and only 3 days after she was put in a medical coma and onto the ventilator) a black cloud comes over me that I can't shake...said cloud remain on through Nov 12 her death anniversary, 14th my little sisters b-day, Thanksgiving, Dec 15 moms own b-day, Christmas and then my birthday Jan 8. It seems like once my birthday is over the cloud leaves and for a while the pain is pushed aside.

I can't decided what it is about all of this that gets me so down. First of all I know she is in a much better place one from which she would never willing chose to leave and I know that in death as crazy as it sounds she received her ultimate healing all of which I am ok with. This is where I would normally say " I miss her for my kids!" But I am starting to realize that is a lie I miss her for me. I just plain old miss her like crazy. I honestly as selfish as I am going to sound want her back. And there are times when I my need for her is overwhelming. In the middle of all that is going on in my life at this very moment I just wish I had to call and chat with, her advice, her inspiration and her help. I am trying hard this year to let this cloud go! I want to be in a good mood this time of year for my kids and the others around me. I am just having a harder time then usual shaking the cloud.

God is and has been so good to me and my family. And I know the only real way to get through all of this is with Him and the love and support of friends and family. This time I am giving it all to God and not picking it back up He has gotten me through so much and He will get me through this. Anyone else have something that gets them down during this time of year? We can pray for each other!