Michelle Georgiana

I've moved!

2011-03-07T14:02:00.001-05:00

I have decided to move my blog to
www.mgeorgiana.wordpress.com.

Please come join me.
I have an email subscription on my page
and you can sign up to have blogs
delivered right to your inbox!

God Bless
Michelle

Full Potential Use

2011-02-22T07:06:00.002-05:00

by Michelle E. Georgiana

My husband and I recently purchased new phones as our contracts were renewed and our last phones were truly at the end of their life span. As soon as we came home from the store, we spent countless time trying to figure out how to "use" the phone. What are applications that we want, didn't want, how to install, how to uninstall, etc. Honestly, it has been quite an adventure learning how to use the phone. Even a few weeks have past and I realize that I can't even use my phone to its FULL POTENTIAL USE, because I don't even really know what that is! I know that this phone is capable of doing MORE than I can even imagine, but I am momentarily satisfied with the limited use I can do with it.

As I was looking at my phone and thinking about the last few weeks of learning, adjusting, and discovering the capabilities of this phone, I realized that can be what our Christian life is like. When we first entered into a relationship with Jesus, we began to learn new ways of thinking and acting. We tapped into the beginnings of a new life and a transformed understanding of living a life for Jesus. Even as time passed, we would bump into a new teaching or meet a new Christian who's model showed us a new "application" for our life. It was in that moment that we realized that we could do more than we had previously thought. We were content with what we had already gained, but now saw a new way, whether being an improvement of an old way or something new; we could now utilize this in our everyday life.

We have to keep in the forefront of our minds, that we were made for more than just existing. We were created for more than just figuring out the basics. We are bundles of FULL POTENTIAL. If we all could grasp the reality that our potential is greater than we ever thought possible for ourselves and we began to act on that realization by seeking the Lord, seeking his Word, seeking His ways, seeking truths, crucifying the flesh, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, taking dormant talents and awakening them from hibernation.... replacing doubt with belief - can you imagine the fireworks that would rock our world? God's people, created in his image, to max out their potential levels would be explosive.

We are our own worst enemy - mentally. We come to conclusions that we aren't capable, because of our lack of education or socio-economic status, etc. We limit ourselves because we think no one else would care what we have to say or others may deem that idea as not relevant. We allow fear of failure to keep us from moving forward, when the truth is this ---- all your failures lead to your success. Failure has become this idea that if my plan fails, I am a failure. That is a twisted truth! The plan may fail, but that isn't a reflection of who we are...no, my friend, it means that plan didn't work that particular time. It needs refined, rethought and then tried again. That is where full potential, success looms, in the midst of our failures when we buckle up and say I am going to figure this thing (aka: phone) out and realize all that it can do and work to meet it!

We are all phones - in a sense. We all have potential that soars beyond what we have ever thought capable of ourself. We need to start accessing applications in our heart and mind so that we can become a firework, one that isn't just meeting basic use, but full potential. Remember, we were created in the image of God. Do we think him limitless, lacking and not capable of more than we ever imagined? I don't think so.

Do you remember Thomas Edison? The inventor of the light bulb. Listen to this:
As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. When a reporter asked, "How did it feel to fail 1,000 times?" Edison replied, "I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps."

Let's take this mindset that Edison had... it wasn't 1000 failures, rather 1,000 steps. Aren't you glad that he did? Your potential is just as great - all you have to do is try, and try again. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."~ Confucius

Remember, God made you. He knows you inside and out and the number of hairs located on her highlighted head. (Luke 12:7) He knows all that you are capable of doing. Commit your ways to him and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3) He will guide and lead you. Let him have all your ideas and the brainstorms that went into them, then let him give you His ideas so that his purpose may prevail. (Proverbs 19:21) Then take action, be active and seek his word, seek Him so that you aren't just in basic function mode, but are in your full potential zone!

Water

2011-02-14T06:34:00.003-05:00

by Michelle E. Georgiana

Water is significant in our lives. In the first fifteen minutes that you wake up, I am sure you are remotely unaware at how many times you used water. To name a few just to get the gist, when you use the toilet, brush your teeth, make your coffee or tea, wash your dishes, etc. The number of times that we use water is amazing. Water is a vital part of our life - not just to function but to thrive. Jesus even said, "I am the living water, drink this water and you will thirst no more." Water that quenches our thirst not leaving us longing for another drink. Now that is some water!

David refers to water in Psalm 69. However, when he is speaking of water, it is out of distress not for life sustenance! He cries out in Psalm 69:1-2, "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the mirey depths where there is no foothoold. I have come into the deep waters the floods engulf me." Can you hear David's distress as he calls out for help? David is drowning. This isn't a literal drowing in the sense of he is shipwrecked in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and is treading water. No, this is I am drowinig with my life circumstances, with the troubles mounting in my life. He says its up to my neck which leads me to believe he is starting to panic because if it rises much more he will be underwater!

Have you ever been in a moment where you felt as though you were drowning? That all was against you and no matter how hard you paddled, no matter how many strides you took, the water line never seemed to recede, but only to grow or stay at the same current level - at your neck? Boy, I have been there and have thought this is going to do me in. I don't know if I will survive this situation. The circumstances or even the people who rise up against may take my last breath from me - I am up to my neck and my last breath is drawing near. But here's what happens - David cries out to the one and only who can reach down and save him. He cries out to God and says, "Save me!" David realized he couldn't help himself, that as his body grew tired and and mind weak that there was still one hope that was ever present and it was his Lord. At any moment God would put his feet on solid ground and deliver him. David speaks in Psalm 69:17, "Do not hide your face from your servant, answer me quickly, for I am in trouble."

When you are in distress, take heed to the words of David, even when drowning he praised God saying, "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you - I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion." Psalm 71:23-24

Friend, no matter if your up to your waist, your chest or your neck in water, God is able to redeem. Sometimes its a matter of our hearts confession, sometimes its a matter of our waiting on him, sometimes its to see where we put our hope - but always remember he is faithful and just. Righteousness will prevail - whether on Earth or in Heaven. Remember that as you drink your water today, that Jesus is the living water and with him you will thirst no more! Just as water can consume life through drownings, the Living Water can restore and satisfy life. Put your trust in God, your fortress and refuge in times of trouble.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours!

2011-02-13T07:17:00.002-05:00

Almost ten years ago, I had the most delightful, honorable, enjoyable, once in a lifetime opportunity to walk down an aisle as a bride. Arm in arm with my father as we marched down the white runner in anxious anticipation to be joined hand and hand with my soon to be husband and partner in life. That day will forever be written in my heart and mind - when glancing through pictures and watching the video of the wedding, I can still remember the excitement, the happiness and love. Out of everyone in the whole wide word - he chose me! I am not sure there is any other feeling for a gal to feel more special than when a beau says, "of all the others that could be mine, I choose you." It has to be one of the most heart warming, stomach tingling, body melting experiences! Why there are so many others, and I am so flawed, but yet he pointed and he chose me! That my friends, makes you feel like one special person!

After the wedding, the pastor signed the marriage license making this official. We each had rings on our fingers as a symbol of our covenant that we made with each other before God and man. We were "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" to one another! Ten years, 3 children, 1 teenager, 2 dogs, 2 fish later - we are still 100% committed to one another!

While thinking about Valentine's Day and the idea of love - it struck me that Larry (my husband) isn't the only one who pointed and said, "I choose you!" As a matter of fact, whether you are married or single, there is someone who said, "I choose you!" This man loved you so much that his experience on Earth while at times was applauded, truly became one of the most horrific experiences that any man could experience.

God says, "I choose you. I love you so much that I sent my son to walk the Earth, to teach and share divine truths, only to be crucified, to die, to rise again and ascend into heaven. Why, you ask? Because I choose you! I want to be married to you. I want to be with you through every part of your life, both good and bad. To lift you up when you are down, to guide your path, to lead your heart. I want to be the one who hands you answers and delivers you from grief! I want to run in the sunshine with you while all is well and hold you when you hurt. I choose you. Will you choose me?"

Just as I signed a marriage license to my husband here on this Earth. There came a day when I signed in my heart a covenant with the One and Only. I recognized what Jesus did for my life and I accepted his proposal to marry him. I was "Signed, Sealed and Delivered" to the one who laid down his life for me and told me he would be my Living Water, that I would never go thirsty, that he would always have my best interest at heart. I am not alone. You are not alone. Jesus says, "You are my bride. I love you. I choose you. There is no one like you." Jesus isn't just asking, "Be my Valentine. Jesus is asking, won't you marry me? No more dating, rather a full 100% commitment from you that in all areas of your life."

If you have never walked down the aisle and met your Lord and Savior, I would welcome the opportunity for you to do that today! It's not hard, its not complicated. It is a heart transformation -simply saying, "Dear sweet Jesus, today is the day that I say, Yes, to your proposal. Today I say that I choose you, the one who came to this Earth and died for my sins! I recognize that it is what you did on the cross that was the ultimate sacrifice to declare your love for me. I realize that as I have lived, I have sinned and that there is no other name that can wash them clean, but you. Lord, create a clean heart in me and renew a right spirit within me so that I can be the bride prepared and ready for your return. Jesus, today I sign the line that says, our dating is over and I pledge my love to you in marriage, committed, dedicated and relying on you to lead and guide me all the days of my life. Thank you Lord for the most precious gift that anyone could give, yourself. Amen."

If you have recommitted yourself to Jesus or accepted him for the first time, would you send me a note telling me so I can pray for you! Email michelle@shestepsministry.com

What's in Your Can?

2011-02-02T18:44:00.005-05:00

Philippians 4:8 reads, "Finally, brothers and sisters, 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."

The question of today is, "What's in your can?" and by can, I mean, your heart. Your heart is what I am going to relate to a garbage can... I know you are like how can something that sustains life and hold our emotions be like a garbage can - well it's like this: When you lift the lid of the garbage can and you throw stuff away, what are you putting in the can? Hopefully garbage. Things that are broken, old, mildew, ruined, spoiled, not pleasing or tasty. The "stuff" has lost its luster and "bling." When you open the garbage can again, the "yucky stuff" doesn't just magically get put back together and look spic spanking new again... rather, you probably after a few days would have a horrific odor of mixed old rotten food (hence why my garbage goes out daily). We can think of our heart like a garbage can in the sense of whatever you are placing in your heart, is what is going to come out of it when you open your heart.

If we listen to music that talks about having sex, then when emotions are rising and a girl and guy meet up, the heat rises and those lyrics are going through their mind and before she knows it, its playing out in her life. Or if you continue to say negative, nasty things about yourself in your mind, when someone compliments you - out pours those words of negativity. Let's even consider what we are watching... when you are watching sitcoms, videos and programs that are impure, vulgar from what is being done to what is being said, what you are seeing and hearing can become what you are thinking then saying.

I refer back to what the Bible says in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, 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."

What is your moral absolute?
How do you decide it?
How do you measure it?
What's your objective standard to decide what is right and what is wrong?

Do you go by what you are told by other people, your environment, peers, television shows or do you go by what the unchangeable truth is that lies in the Bible? So often we can tell ourselves that what we are watching, saying or doing is okay and can twist the truth to fit how we feel. Our actions then become subjective to what we are feeling rather than reactive to what we know is truth. The one thing that we know - no matter what happens in every circumstance there is an answer that holds the truth and that my friend is in the Bible. God's way will never lead you astray, it won't corrupt your mind or shackle your feet. No, the devil , your enemy, who is roaming like a roaring lion searching for someone to devour has deceived people today (just like Eve way back in the book of Genesis) to think that what they watch and hear doesn't affect their life - but that my friend is a lie. It does! By not filling your life with things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable or excellent , your choices will shackle your feet, hold you back, lead you astray where you may waiver on and off the path that God has laid out before you.

Press forward friends, persevere, work out daily your in your spiritual life to do what is right! Sometimes the hardest choice now makes the rest of your life easy, but the easy choices now can make your life so much more difficult. How do you want to go on? Remember, no matter where you are and what tight spot you are in, there is always a turn called an 180 degree, that you can make and start doing what His Word says is right! God is with you!

Remember: G.I.G.O (Garbage In, Garbage Out)

Feed your spirit man what is good, what is healthy, that which produces life!

All, we, like Sheep!

2011-02-02T18:21:00.001-05:00

Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."

If the Lord is my shepherd, then shepherds lead, care, feed their sheep, I must be a sheep in the Lord's flock. Interesting that God chooses the words to be inked in the Bible as a Shepherd, being Him, and the flock, his children are represented as sheep! How much do you know about sheep? Be warned, you need an open heart and mind to understand what I am about to say!

Sheep are the dumbest animals on the Earth. Sheep will not drink out of water that is moving, they will sit next to the water and die of thirst, because of their fear of moving water. Thankfully, the Shepherd leads them to "still waters" (Psalm 23:2). Sheep will eat in the same pasture until the last grain of grass is eaten and then die of starvation. It would never have dawned to them to walk to new lands, new places to look for new grass. Thankfully, the Shepherd "makes me lie down in green pastures," (Psalm 23:2) A sheep may stray from the flock, and thankfully, because the Shepherd cares so much about each of his sheep, that he goes off and finds the stray sheep (Luke 15:3-7). Now, the Shepherd breaks the leg of the sheep and carries him back on his shoulders, to remind the sheep to not stray again.

Now, you are thinking - wow, I endure enough in life, but I have just been equated to a sheep! Take heed - the analogy is one simplest enough for us to grasp, "We the sheep, God's children, have wondered off the directed path and away from the flock and he comes after us, because he loves us and doesn't want to lose one. While we are with the flock, we sometimes don't know which way to go, so he leads us to paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3) or makes us lie down and rest (Psalm 23:2). God, our Shepherd, has our best in mind. It is his desire to see us walk the path that he has laid out before us."

"He will die for lack of DISCIPLINE, led astray by his own great folly."

Proverbs 5:23

It is vital for this sheep and the sheep reading this that we are not led by how we feel, but by what he says! Sometimes that means disciplining ourselves so that we do not become tempted to be led astray by our own stupdity. Here's an example: God says, "Be a good steward of what I have given to you." Then we are in debt up to our eyeballs! Is that following his plan? No! However, instead of getting back on the path and working through it we find ourselves at the store charging something on the credit card. I know this one pinches - but at one point it was a flaw in my life! Thankfully, there is one trait that is great about sheep! Sheep have a great sense of HEARING! When, the Great Shepherd, began to speak to my heart and mind pointing out what I was doing that was leading me astray by my own stupidity, I was able to place DISCIPLINES in my life to keep me with the flock and the plan because I HEARD and I obeyed.

I pray that as you go through your life this week, that you will allow your best sense of hearing to be open and ready to receive what the Shepherd is saying! Stop and listen. Just sit in a quiet room with christian music playing, your Bible open or simply nothing - just you and God - just listen. He will be speaking - the question is are you listening?

God Bless!

Jesus is Coming back!

2011-01-27T06:38:00.004-05:00

Jesus is coming back! Did you read it? Did you hear it? Did you get it? Jesus is coming back! Jesus is coming back! If that doesn't get your excited and ready to jump up and dance, friend, we need a sit down conversation together! Jesus is coming back! It's going to be better than any prince who has ever ridden a white horse and rescued the princess! Oh, my, Jesus is coming back!

The book of Revelation gives us great insight into the last days. I want to foucs on a few specific words in these few minutes that we have together!

"...Let ys rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready" (Rev 19: 7)

"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of of heaven from God, PREPARED as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." (Rev 21:2)

"Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or decietful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Rev 21:27)

"Let him who does wrong, continue to do wrong; let him who is vile conitnue to be vile; let him who does right conitnue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will giev to everyone according to what he has done."(Rev 22:11-12)

Friends, Jesus is coming soon! What are you doing to be the "bride" (his church) to be ready for the day he comes back? What impurities, blemishes, spots do you need to clean up, wipe out and stain remove from your life so that when he arrives you have made yourself ready? How are you preparing daily to meet your Groom? The time is coming when your Groom will come back - the trumpet will sound announcing his arrival and he will one day ride a white horse! Are you ready? Are you preparing yourself? There won't be time when Jesus comes back to change, the changes need to happen now, so you are PREAPRED for his arrival.

"So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you did not expect him." Matthew 24:44

The Prince finds the Princess

2011-01-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, in an enchanted land, there lived a princess.
The princess lived a comfortable life. The king and queen of her land
found it easier to give the princess what she wanted than to deal
with her nagging requests. The princess spent most of her time and
talent lying around and being served. She expected people to
meet her needs, pay her bills and tidy up her messes. She didn't
even take time to say a mere, "thank you" to her staff.
The princess, however, always wanted more . There was one
particular thing she wanted and she couldn't wait until the day
came that she would meet her prince! She dreamed of how he would sweep her off
her feet and into his arms
and they would dance the rest of their life away together.

Oh, to dance the rest of our life with our prince.
Some of us have found our earthly prince. The
one that we pledged our love to in front of family and friends.
Some of us our still searching for our prince, the one which we
will "dance through life" together.

If I knocked on your door, sent you a text message or email...
what would your answer be to this question?
"Which princess are you?"

Would you be Sleeping Beauty?
Sound asleep not even realizing your prince is drawing near?

Would you be Cinderella?
Having waited for this moment to be with your prince, but allowed someone else's rules to cause you to run and leave your prince at midnight?

Would you be Snow White?
Busy tidying up the house, hiding from someone/something rather than confronting it?

Would you be Aerial?
Willing to give up all that you knew to be with your prince? Leaving behind family and loved ones?

Girlfriend, what type of princess are you? Because there is coming a day when Jesus is going to come back for his bride! "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done." (Revelation 22:12) When Jesus, the groom, comes for you and for me, how will we look? Will we be like a bride on her wedding day, clean, crisp white dress, no wrinkles, freshly pressed, hair done, make up applied, veil neatly in place? Or will we be like the princess at the beginning of this blog, sucking life out of those that give and never giving in return?

We take great measures in this lifetime for a special day to be ready to walk down the aisle. I tell you this, there will be no greater day then the day my Heavenly Father sends his son, Jesus Christ for this bride! It is my heart's desire that when he finds me, I am not a Martha too busy to sit at his feet in my lifetime leading up to our reunion or that I would have allowed fears to keep me back from accomplishing what I needed to prepare myself for his arrival. (Rev 19:7, 21:2)

There is coming a time when a "Once upon a time" story, a fairytale that has replayed in our minds over and over becomes an eternal reality. We will meet our Prince of Ages and he will take our hand and we will dance the rest of time in His presence. Isn't that really what its all about? Preparing ourselves for the day he comes, so that he finds us ready!

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:44

Maybe you are married right now on this Earth and have already planned that special marriage day? Maybe you are still a young lady waiting for the day to come when you are married on this Earth? No matter where you are, married or not, let me say this, there is a greater wedding about to take place that you need to keep your pretty blue, green, or brown eyes focused on... and that day is what the angel spoke in Revelation 19:9, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Everyday when you wake up say, "I am a bride. I must ready myself for my Prince's arrival."

"Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon!" - Jesus , Revelation 22:11-12

True Beauty

2011-01-18T07:08:00.001-05:00

The cool crisp morning air, vividly bright blue sky with white cotton ball puffs sporadically placed in the sky.
Fresh air flowing through my nostrils and beauty through my eyes....
Jolted in a split second by a disgruntled child, hurried husband, and a clock...
I quickly load the car and turn on the ignition.
Driving along the cold, hard black pavement, maneuvering around potholes
I am captured once again by the beauty of the sky, the cleanliness, neatness, and precise
positioning of the clouds.

Beauty.
Captivating.
Intriguing.
Breath taking.
Relieving...

My mind is racing about this word -beauty.
Yes, God made the creation and in my eyes this morning, I was taken back by its beauty.
What then, is beauty, really?

Beauty is defined as the qualities that give pleasure to the senses.

In essence, beauty looks, tastes, smells, sounds and feels pleasurable.
I think for many of us, we limit beauty to some of our senses and we do not open all of our senses. The definition clearly says senses - plural.

We may see something that catches our eye and we think wow that is beautiful (this can be a person or thing).
After it catches our eye, we may pursue it, find out more about it.... only to find that it doesn't taste, smell, feel or sound beautiful!

When we look at our life, we need to think about what our beauty looks like and make sure that it is balanced. We can't take so much time, energy and effort to adorn our outside appearance to look beautiful, that we neglect to groom our words and gestures in loving other people - which can leave us tasting bitter, sour and ugly. What do people that you encounter everyday in all different circumstances take away with their 5 senses? What smell or aroma are you leaving? An inviting perfume that is intriguing (smell), a flavorful taste that makes their appetite church to want to be around you more (taste)? Warm embraces (touch as in hugs, handshakes, pat on the back)? What sounds will they repeat in their mind... did you leave words of encouragement, joy, laughter?

As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is important that I groom myself inwardly and outwardly. As Paul states, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves." 1 Peter3:3-5

Matthew says that we are here to be "salt seasoning" which brings out Godly flavors.... if we lose our saltiness how can people taste godliness? (Matthew 5:13, The Message)

Here's the reality...
What is on the outside doesn't make us beautiful.
The inward beauty is what shows outwardly that makes us beautiful and attractive.

So as you put on your lipstick ask God to help you speak words that will be tasteful, flavorful and encouraging. As you listen to the radio, television or conversations at work, ask God to help you filter out the garbage and take only the treasures and to give you the strength to walk away from unhealthy conversations or turn the channel from music that fills our ears with dirt and filth that clogs that pathway for true beauty.... And may people when they leave our presence have a sweet smell, that resonates with them that makes them think about and lead them closer to Jesus.

Let's give our 5 senses a makeover and by doing so, become the beautiful daughter of the most high king!

Got Oxygen?

2011-01-10T11:05:00.001-05:00

by Michelle E. Georgiana

Do you ever feel like you are drowning? The air in your lungs is fleeting out of your mouth and not returning
to refill and refuel the lungs to keep your body going? It is as if any moment the last breath will escape and there will be no more life left within you? I am talking about emotional drowning. We are so busy with appointments, places to go, people to see. As a mother of 4, a wife to a wonderful man, an employee, a youth leader, to list a few, there are times where I have found MYSELF drowning.

With 6 people in my home, 5 other people's schedules bombarding my life, swamping my mind with details of what needs packed, what slip needs completed, somebody needs money, oh and the refrigerator is empty, food needs bought -wait its 4pm and I don't even know what I am cooking for dinner! My dear hubby will come home and expect a smile and a happy wife, picked up house, while the children are wrestling about, destroying all the labor of "picking up" that occurred while their minds were engaged in learning all day.... Just writing this makes me want to GASP! Air, people, I need air!

A revelation came to my mind a few years back and I was recently reminded again about this concept....

When you board an airplane and take your seat, shortly the plane will begin to move towards the run way for take off. In the mean time, the flight attendants, begin reviewing the procedures for "what if" scenarios and what you need to do! As a parent, the rule has always been, put the oxygen mask on you FIRST! Then put it on your children or others who need help. Seems backwards, right? I mean I would do anything to help my children and the mother instinct in me is to reach out and grab their masks making sure they are nice, neat and presentable, then I will get my mask. Take care of the kids first!

But how backward, my thinking was! See, what good am I to help them if I don't have my own oxygen?
If I put on my oxygen, then I am breathing (not gasping for air) and I am able to appropriately (without panic or hurriedness) put their masks on. I am constant and alive, because I chose to put my mask on first. It is not selfish, it is a priority.

So, how does oxygen masks on an airplane help me today?

In our busy lives, we work diligently as women, as mothers, as wives, as employees to meet everyone's demands... and often we neglect ourselves. We forget to prioritize.

Priority is defined as "precedence: status established in order of importance or urgency..."
If you are gasping for air daily, failing to put on your "oxygen mask" by doing what is necessary to keep you
functioning as the mother, wife, friend, family member, employee that you want to be - then you need to prioritize yourself. (GASP! I know, it seems so selfish, but you can't do what you want to do if you are dying or dead - because it will take everything that you have to just exist!)

My life line is the Word of God. I need it to sustain my life.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

My kids don't define my life.
My husband doesn't define my being.
My ministry isn't my Creator.
But God is my Author.

It is through Him that I am able to do all things, for he is my strength. (Philippians 4:13)
If God isn't on my priority list, but only a thought to be on my priority list, then I will be gasping for air, because he is the breath of my existence. Our minds will say, I will pray once the kids are in bed or I will read my chapters after I handle this - and before we know it, we fell asleep before we could say amen or read more than one chapter! It is vital to our health, wealth and being to read the Word and pray to the one who has all the answers when we are alert. It is actually more selfish to not prioritize God in our life, because when we do not seek his renewed strength, direction and wisdom everyone else in our life suffers. Instead of flourishing, blooming, thriving, we are withering, dying, gasping for fresh breaths. Our lives aren't consistent, stable, and rooted, rather they are wavering, unstable and swaying! What we think is good is not! We need Him to be first, to be our guide so that we can be who our families, friends and employers need us to be!

This, too, applies to our marriages. Many marriages today fall apart, because parents forget to date each other! They forget that before there were kids, there was just the two of them. Kids will not perish for being left with a babysitter, they will not feel neglected nor rejected because their mommy and daddy left them! Rather, they will be loved in even a greater capacity, because the oxygen mask for a good marriage is spending time together alone! When the husband makes the wife a priority and the wife makes the husband a priority, emergency oxygen masks aren't needed, because their lungs are full of air and not gasping.

Where in your life do you need to check priorities?
If you are gasping for air, there is one who is able to keep your tank full,
change the current survival mode you are in, and set your feet on the path he created for you to walk.
Sometimes we just need to cry it out with God and allow him to send the Holy Spirit to show us
what we need to change.

Girlfriend, I have been there - I have tried to be the all in all to everyone, instead of letting him be my all in all. No matter the madness in your life, no matter the discouragement in your life, Jesus is there! Just call out to him and put on your oxygen mask first!

God Bless!

One Word

2011-01-01T14:29:00.000-05:00

Before 2010 came to its almost midnight closure and 2011 struck with the sound of midnight, God laid it on my heart to enter this new year with prayer. It's wonderful how he prepares you in advance for what is to come. Prior to Christmas, my husband and I had multiple conversations about gifts - and how we spend so much time, money and effort finding the right gifts for people. Yet, we spend so little time seeking the right gift to give to Jesus on his birthday. This year, on Christmas Eve, before presents could be open, we sat our family down for the story of Christmas, followed by our family singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, then writing on index cards the gift that we would give him.

Mine read, "This year, I will give Jesus more time to talk as I take more time to listen. Prayer is ESSENTIAL, not OPTIONAL."

And this has sunk into my heart since Christmas.

I have been revising, prioritizing and revamping

to not just give half hearted prayers, to give short time frame

prayers, but to spend quality time in prayer.... listening more than speaking.

Allowing his words to penetrate silence, just as the baby's cry did the night

Jesus was born.

As the new year was dawning, I wrote to several people and asked them if there was any

specific need in their life, that I was spending the last hours of 2010 and hours during the first day

of 2011 to pray for specific requests. With each prayer request I raised them to the one with all the

answers and this word kept reappearing in my listening ...... PREPARATION.

Preparation is defined as the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose.

We, as God's children, cry out in our anguish, we rejoice in deliverance. We expect our God to supernaturally intervene in situations when we can see no way out! We know he holds all the answers,

he holds that miracle we seek, because he is our all in all.

But, I ask this question, have you PREPARED YE THE WAY OF THE LORD?

John the Baptist did - you can read about what he did for the arrival of Jesus in the gospels.

We ask God. We seek God. We pray to God. We cry out to God.

Yet, in our daily lives have we PREPARED ourself, have we set in order our lives to be ready

when God shows up...and not just for the second coming of Jesus, but are we ready for when that

answer comes. What will God find when he shows up to deliver a gift that you have been longing for

the words HEALING, DELIVERED, FREED!

This year, I am not making a resolution. I am making a commitment to prepare daily for the moments when

God shows up that he may find a clean heart, a renewed steadfast spirit, for no man knows the hour of his arrival, but God has appointed times for all things to come to pass. May this be the year where his children are PREPARED, when they are made READY IN ADVANCE

to receive, to give, and to be whatever comes to pass.

May his peace, his love, and his mercy shower over your life as you PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD.

Operation Christmas Clean Up

2010-12-28T11:26:00.000-05:00

all of our hands holding
the most precious gift this Christmas

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Falalalalala
Tis' the season to be jolly,
Falalalalala

Oh, but Christmas Eve came.
Christmas Day arrived.
And then its the next morning - and all the hustle and bustle
all the baking, all the preparations that went into making it the "perfect"
Christmas is over - in less than a 24-36 hour period.

I usually leave my Christmas tree up until New Years Day then take down all the decorations that afternoon and evening. Sadly, packing them away until next year, when all the tubs come back up and the inside of the house
starts twinkling with white lights, the house smelling like Christmas cookies, and carols all day long. Its the time of year I love! However, this year, I woke up the next day and thought, its time to clean up, get organize and get moving! My husband was quite surprise as the roles are usually reversed.. he is ready to pack up and move on and I just want to sit and bask in the last moments of the season. Not this year. Something really hit me. Matter of fact it was words that my husband spoke in his last Sunday's message (Dec.26th/ Click here to listen) He said, "For a Christian, Christmas isn't just a day, Christmas is an experience." Those words tossed to and fro in my mind and jolted in my mouth as I chewed them before swallowing and allowed them to sink into my belly and nestle there. Christmas isn't just a season, either, I thought. While the decorations come down and get tucked into the basement for storage, Christmas goes on day in and day out. See that precious baby came in a time of silence... there had not been a message heard from God in 400 years (the time between the old and new testament), but one night, one appointed night, a virgin woman gave birth to a baby, and the baby's cry broke the silence. There wasn't a parade announcing this birth, there wasn't a banner blinking and tickets being sold, but nonetheless, God doing things in HIS WAY, not ours, sent a baby to be born - to be raised and then crucified- because he LOVED us. Selah.

See, the season of Christmas reigns in our hearts, resides in our soul. He is with us always, never leaving or forsaking.. he gave the ultimate gift, His life. So, while the houses lose their seasonal decorations, while we pack stuff away and put our houses back in order, may the spirit of Christmas continue to be in our hearts and be on our lips so that we can give the gift that keeps on giving... Jesus. He is the perfect gift to re-gift.

I am actually considering leaving my manager scene up all year as a reminder, that Jesus isn't a birthday to celebrate once a year at Christmas, but something that we can celebrate daily. I want to engrave in my heart and mind, my children's hearts and minds that his birth broke the silence, his birth was the beginning of the ultimate love letter that signed off on the cross. May the manger scene remind us he is the reason for all seasons... may God's gift to us always be in the forefront of our minds and the gift in our hearts that we continue to share.

New Year's Resolution

2010-12-20T08:13:00.003-05:00

As the new year approaches, many will begin to make resolutions, a list of things that they want to change.

Maybe its weight loss, maybe it is to quit smoking, to get out of debt....

Whatever it is, just remember that it takes time, perseverance, and commitment.

It reminds me of a time when.....

I was standing in the kitchen, I was preparing my ingredients to cook dinner. Often times, while I am doing house chores (being a Martha),

I will incorporate prayer (being a Mary). This particular day, my heart was heavy -

And for no particular reason. I just felt like something in me was stirring and

it I didn't feel like it was for pleasure?

I began to pray like this, "Lord whatever it is, let it be so. I know that I stand on your

word, that you mean all things for good (Gen 50:20)even when I can't see it. You are the one who foresaw

my birth and who knows my death, you are the one who has directed my steps (Psalm 119:133, Proverbs 16:9), my thoughts aren't yours (Isaiah 55:8) and more times than not, I can't wrap my mind around your thoughts and ways. But I trust you..." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

And as I began to chop my onion, tears streamed.

Tears from just chopping an onion

but also tears from within my heart.

See I am like an onion and so are you.

We are pulled out of our old life (before Christ), and planted into a new life (with Christ.)

And things in my former life, didn't always smell pretty, look pretty or taste good!

As I am planted in my new life, and new nutrients are being poured into my new life (the Word, the Holy Spirit, the grace and mercies of God, etc.) I begin to see that layers of me, need to be changed,

roots from my past life (hurts, rejections, abandonment, lies, anger, etc) need to be peeled away, bad parts cut out and thrown in the garbage, while the good parts of the onion (me) are kept and prepared, made ready, to be sauteed into a delicious, tasteful, appealing person.

This can't all be done in one process.

See, God is good and if he revealed to me how awful I was, well

I, personally, would become discouraged. Since he knows me, since he knitted me together

in the womb of my mother (Psalm 139:13), he knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7), he also knows what I can handle. He knows the amount to reveal to me at one time and says, "Now, child, let's work on this."

As I walk this Christian walk, I am always learning. I am always seeing. I am always striving.

No, not until Heaven will I be made perfect in his sight and sin there will no more be.

But until then, I am taking one layer at a time, and allowing my God to help me

discard the bad, save the good and become a person to his pleasing.

Will you do the same? It's a powerful thing to do, but I challenge you sister to sister (or sister to brother) ask Him, Lord, show me an area that I need to work on, maybe its my spending habits, maybe its my temper or patience, or lack of kindness or selfishness, you name it! And say Lord as you sift me, as you peel a layer, I know its going to hurt, that tears will be shed, that heartache can happen, but in the end, you intend all things for good, to prosper me, not harm me, to give me a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I trust in you. Send those around me who will uphold me, encourage me, spur me on, pray for me and love me -- let thy will be done, in the mighty, magnificent name of Jesus, so I can become the child you intended for me to be. Amen.

Oh, the process isn't always joyful, but the end result after time, work, perseverance is always pleasurable.

Work through it, stay the course, and see the progress will be more apPEALing than before the PEELing... ;)

What Gift Will You Bring?

2010-12-15T07:08:00.004-05:00

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

Oh, Christmas time!

We shop and shop and shop some more!

We wrap, we stress and finance galore!

This first Christmas the shepherd came to the manager and brought themselves,

an act of worship. The first time that Christ is worshiped by the wise man, the magi, they brought him treasures, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. No one had to ask them to bring it, no one set up a list of rules that said you can only see the child if you bring treasures... nope, none of that happened, rather, from in the depths of their hearts they felt drawn to bring a willing sacrifice - to lather the Messiah with gifts.

Gifts of significance at that... gold which represented his kingship, frankincense which foretells of his priesthood, and myrrh which signifies his death.

As I read this story year after year, and retell it to my small children, I can't help but to be marveled in the details of it this year.... I have thought day in and day out... as I come to Christmas this year, what gift shall I give my King? What will I bring to him....

As I meditate and pray over this during the last seven days leading up to Christmas, I wonder, if there is anyone else out there like me.... who would love to give a gift to Jesus this year on Christmas morning.

Have you been holding something back? Have you withheld part of your heart, your time, your treasure, your fruit of the spirit, etc? May the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob allow the Holy Spirit to visit you and speak to you, so that this Christmas you can lay a gift at the manager.

May the little drummer boy in this video speak to your heart! God bless you friends.

The Star that Leads

2010-12-04T08:54:00.001-05:00

There once was a star, that shone so bright
It caught the attention of some wise men one night
They said, "this is it, this is the one"
Then they gathered their belongings, a new journey begun...

Oh that star, how precious it is,
Yet, so many times, we blow it adrift
In our busy lives, time we don't take
Busy, busy, busy, no moment we make.

What is a star?
Something that twinkles.
Something that shines.
Something that gives off radiant light?

Why it says in the Psalm that it was breathed by God - Psalm 33:6
In the beginning, my God created this twinkling gift. - Genesis 1:1

The star led the wise men to a place where they found
a toddler walking, building, and talking
There they lavished this prince of ages
with gifts that would be used in the coming life stages

But what does the star do for me and for you?
Why the Bible being tried and true
Says a light I should shine, because Jesus lives in you
A light, a light, that should shine so bright
Not kept bottled up, but on a stand in everyone's sight - (Matthew 5:14-16)

See just as the Star of Bethlehem did lead
The wise men to the Messiah that day
We are the stars that twinkle on Earth - (Philippians 2:15)
And lead others to their second birth.

So as you go about your days
Keep the grumbling, complaining at bay
And look to the East in your daily walk
and let the love of Jesus shine from your talk. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

May this day and every day, you look for the chance
to be Jesus's loving feet and hands.
Just as once you were led to the cross
by someone who let Jesus's love and light shine from their heart. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Dear friends,

As the Christmas season is approaching, as fast and furious as it does, take time to remember the stars in your life. The someone who took the time to share the love of Christ Jesus with you. Maybe it was people all along the way, but whomever it was, it led you to him one day. And just as a "star" led you, today you too can lead others! In our walk, our talk, our actions, or time, in giving, and being the servant we are called to be... we can share the light that shines so bright from within our heart to someone who is lost, dark, cold and depressed simply by meeting a need, sharing a word of encouragement, inviting them to church or hey, picking them up and taking them, inviting someone who has no one to celebrate Christmas to your home to enjoy a time of fellowship... whatever it is, where it may be, be his light, shine ever so bright! Twinkle, twinkle, my dear friends... Jesus's love never ends. It is always there, never disappears!

So this Christmas season, remember the stars that were in your life, and be the star in someone elses life! And may your Christmas be the merriest and brightest ever!

Much love and many blessings to my sparkling friends.
I love each and everyone of you and pray that this Christmas is different then any other you have experienced!

In His Amazing Name,
Michelle

Run Through the Washer

2010-12-02T06:40:00.000-05:00

As I sat in Sunday morning service, I couldn't help but begin to look at the
miserable person I am... meaning, the person who is inadequate, the person
who has so many inner flaws, the person who feels she can't live up to
anything God would ask her to do.... and then, I was interrupted in thought
and taken immediately (in my thoughts) to an all too familiar place in my home...
THE LAUNDRY ROOM!

I began to see myself putting clothes in the washer, thinking this is a never ending
job (come on ladies, like the clothes needing clean never stop!) As I put each piece
in, I checked for stains, some had them, some did not. I checked the pockets
for unwanted tissues and toys joining the soiled clothes. When it was sorted and
the washer was full, I added something... blue liquid, known as detergent.
And, then I understood.

My thoughts were stained, I need to wash them.
I needed the blue liquid, but not laundry detergent, instead I needed to pick
up the Word of God, and cleanse them with truth.
"You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

I began to weep.
I felt like it was a David moment in my life... a psalm pouring from my mind and heart through my lips.
Lord, WASH me of these ideas that don't align with your word.
Lord, CLEANSE me for I cannot do it on my own.
Lord, whatever needs BLOTTED OUT... let it be so!

And then, I cried, " Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" Psalm 51:10.

I began to confess my fears, my doubts, my feeling of inadequacy...
and one by one they went into the washing machine and I poured the detergent in
and left the service clean.

Maybe your heart isn't facing doubts, maybe its not even fears, but in all of our laundry baskets we have soiled clothes... some not stained, some stained or sour smelling... for some of us it is unconfessed sin and as a result we feel far from God, somewhere under the dirty basket of clothes our joy of salvation has been misplaced, our inner song has disappeared, the praise from our lips has silenced. ... as you do your physical laundry this week (Sheets, kids clothes, your clothes, etc).... may you have a God experience. May it be a time to release, confess, and talk with your Abba Father. Girlfriend, empty your laundry basket and let him wash you with his love and his peace. Much love and blessings to each of you. I am praying for you.

I would love to hear about your "Laundry Experience" email me your testimony at michelle@shestepsministry.com

A Thankful Heart

2010-11-22T06:26:00.000-05:00

"Hear these praises from a thankful heart.

Each time I think of you the praises start.

Love you so much, Jesus,

Love you so much....." - Hillsong, Love you So Much

I love this song!

I just want to stop this week and take moments to reflect on Jesus!
To allow my lips to praise him everyday with the

thankfulness that flows from my heart!

It is so easy to say thank you for all that you "know".... like

Thank you Jesus for keeping us safe, providing food, clothing and shelter!

Thank you for my babies born with all fingers and toes!
Thank you for a church.

Thank you for ________________.

And not that being thankful for those things isn't important!

But what about the things we can't even see happening????
Like the angel that God sent and kept you from being hit by another car?

Or the healing that occurred before a bad diagnosis?

And the list could go on!

Sometimes, and more times than not, we need to have a thankful heart

for the things SEEN and UNSEEN!

I love in the book of Ezra 3:11, "With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: ' He is good, his love for Israel endures forever!' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid!"

Girlfriend, we are Israel today! Won't you join God's people and with praise and thanksgiving sing a song from your heart to God; he is good and his love for YOU endures forever!

The Note

2010-11-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

by Michelle Georgiana

The power in words.

Again, the power in words.

There are many who fail to let their words come out, so they stuff their voice.

There are many who fail to keep their words in, so they fire arrows.

There are some who open mouth and insert foot.

There are some who know exactly what to say at exactly the right time!

And there are some times......

Sometimes, we just need to take a moment and stop

Stop the drying of dishes, folding of towels, cleaning house, staying late at work

and instead take a moment to pick one person, actually,stop and pray for God to show you

one person that could use a note! And not just any note... but one that is

encouraging.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:11

Taking time to tell someone they are special, taking time to say or write a card that only takes 3 minutes of your time - can make a huge difference in their day, their week, their month, their year or life!

Here's a tip: Keep a box of blank cards, postage stamps, and pen in your desk or nightstand so that they are there and ready to go! One note, 3-4 sentences, covered in prayer - a mark in a person's mind and heart... priceless.

Final Instructions, straight from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Be blessed, sister! And may your words lift the soul of one that is downcast, bring a smile to one who just needs a pat on the back, or be soothing lotion that moistens a dry patch in someone's life. Your words have life and death... choose to speak life daily, every step of the way!

Christmas 2010

2010-11-14T06:28:00.001-05:00

Brightly Wrapped Presents Christmas

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View the entire collection of cards.

You Are It!

2010-11-09T12:46:00.000-05:00

I came across a great story, that reads like this:

This is the story about four people named Everybody,

Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody

was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could

have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that, because it was
Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody

could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody

wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody

when Nobody did what Anybody could have done!

Wow - have you ever been the Somebody, Anybody, Nobody or part of Everybody

that knew something needed to be done! That saw a need of a neighbor, but decided that her grown children will come and take care of it; saw a broken down car and an elderly man walking the side of a busy highway and said, "Well its a dangerous world, and instead prayed that Jesus would send someone to help him!" or knew a family was struggling financially around Christmas and Somebody thought for sure that the pastor would be aware and have it handled?" The list of scenarios can go on and on!

Let me say, don't assume that anybody, somebody, or everybody is aware! Sometimes God lays things on our hearts and minds, gives us insight that maybe nobody has - and its to see if we are willing to give beyond what we have, to reach out and love someone by a simple gesture of going to fill up a gas can for a broken down fellow, or handing a gift card to a struggling family with no strings attached other than, "May God bless you."

If more of us could step out of our assumptions that somebody was handling it - and we would step when God lays it on our heart, think about the love that would be shared, the heartaches that could be soothed, the worries that could be put to bed!

This season, reach out to someone in a way you never have. You never know what blessings will be bestowed to both the receiver and the giver. (I will note that caution and wisdom should be executed in all situations, where there is a will there is a way. I don't recommend picking up a stranger, but going to the next gas station and picking up a container of gas and dropping it back off would be safe and relevant. God's word says, "but if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 4:29 You will know if its a God ordained moment- he will be there.)

The Bible says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7 Don't do because someone tells you to do it; do it because God leads you to.

Tag, you are it, girlfriend! Go be a blessing!

I would love to hear your story of how God laid something on your heart and how you took a step to follow him! Email them to me at michelle@shestepsministry.com

Tangled

2010-11-04T10:25:00.000-04:00

Oh, the wondrous joy and complexity of womanhood!

I am a woman.
I am a child.

I am a wife.

I am a mother.

I am a teacher.

I am a friend.
I am a family member.

I am a church member.

I am an employee/employer.

I am a homemaker.
I am a chef.

I am a coach.

I am a cheerleader.

I am a nurse.

I am a ______________. (fill in the blank.)

Yes, the many hats of a woman. From the rising to the setting of the sun,

we take on all these different "I ams ..." sometimes wearing two hats at once.

Like, take a moment girlfriend, finish your sip of coffee so you don't choke,

but think about yourself in the mirror putting on 2 or 3 hats at one time - what words come

to your mind? I look ridiculous? I can't even balance them all on my head? How am I going to put on the next hat, when I can't handle these 3???? You may even be bursting out in laughter accompanied by emotional tears, because of the silliness yet TRUTH of the moment.

But isn't that it - we try so hard to do "all these things" to be "all these things" and we get

TANGLED UP in all the hats we are trying to balance on our head.

There was a gal in the Bible who got caught up in the hats. She always had to have a tidy house, be in the kitchen cooking meals, preparing for guests to arrive, feasts... and her name was Martha.

Luke 10:40, "But Martha was distracted by all the preparation that had to be made...."

Busy. Very busy. And she felt her busyness was justified.

She opened her home to the Messiah, Jesus.
Everything had to be in order.

Everything had to be ready.

Did you ever just get TANGLED UP in all that had to get done?

Its kinda like RAPUNZEL let down her hair and kept trying to walk, but the hair was

so much she couldn't handle it. She kept tripping on it and falling down - it KEPT GETTING IN HER WAY!

Sometimes, to be honest I will read, Proverbs 31:10-31, and quite frankly, knock my

aging knees, crinkle my wrinkles in my forehead, and just, well -become STRESSED OUT.

Thinking, I don't think I can live up to all this - and without realizing it, I just picked up another hat to put on my head!

Here's the reality....

Jesus called us to one thing.

It was the one thing that Martha didn't see.

But it was the one thing, her sister Mary did...

Luke 10:39, "She had a sister Mary, who sat the Lord's feet listening to what he had said..."

Girlfriend, put down the hats.

Wipe your stress from your forehead, put the hats to the side

and take time to sit at your Papa's feet.

He desires your attention.

And when you sit and bask in his presence, waiting on his word, guess what...

he will tell you which hat to put on

and you will glow beautifully.

There will be no burst of anguished tears,

but I can see the single one trickle down your face

because He that loved you said, this is the hat you are to

wear, my beautiful daughter, and I love you. Wheat peace
will wash over you from your highlighted hair to your pedicured toes.

May this Word burn in your ever beating heart,

that you take time and sit with Abba, Father -

God's blessings on you girlfriend, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen.

What's in your wallet?

2010-11-01T11:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, I mentioned wallet? But I am not talking money....

I know, whew! You probably thought I was going to mention

the all familiar words of my husband, "BUDGET!"

But relax your pretty ponytail - I am not going there!

Rather, I went to see the movie, Secretariat (which was fabulous by the way).

There comes a point towards the end of the movie where the horse trainer, Lucien Laurin, pulls out his wallet. And when he opens it up, he doesn't take out money, but instead takes out

old newspaper clippings... do you know what the clippings were? They were all the races that he lost? He carried in his wallet, FAILURES!

I immediately had this thought... how many of us, carry in our wallets (no matter how pretty or what name brand they are) failures? We just always keep them tucked in our back pockets or wedged in the mess of a purse... and not so much physically, like Lucien, but spiritually. You know that envelope of failures - that when a new opportunity arises, we just remember the past, the things that didn't work out so well and even maybe "blew up in our face." And instead of embracing the new opportunity, we high tail past it, because we wouldn't dare want to subject ourselves to another failure... our hearts couldn't handle one more.

And what happens in our spiritual wallet, it just becomes fatter with the failures and what ifs, rather than increasing riches! I have found I have learned more from my failures, and that the cumulative of failures have geared me, prepared me, groomed me for success. That had it not been for the failures in my life, God couldn't have turned them around for the success of an open door I walked though. Do you get what I am saying?

That just as Lucien, carried those failures, there came a point, where he burned them up and in his mind decided, that today was a new day! Girlfriend, today is a new day! God created you not to boot scoot and boogie past the opportunity, but to seek him first (Matthew 6:33) and when he opens a door (Rev 3:8), for you to take your favorite pair of knee high boots and walk straight through that door, knowing this - failure or success, God said go, and you said, "Here I am, send me. (Isaiah 6:8).

This week, take a good look at your spiritual wallet? What's in it?

-List of hurts that keep you from trusting?

-List of failures that keep you from trying?

-List of rejection, that keeps you isolated?

-List of ___________, that keep you from ____________?

I challenge you to empty your wallet, seek God, and when he says it is time, my daughter, my beloved one, to go, I dare you to go, with your head held high and your heart content knowing this, that he who sent you will not forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) - rather, he will be your team mate the whole way. Natalie Grant's song, "Daring to Believe" has a great chorus, it says this:

I'm waving goodbye to my pretty little life

taking your hand and crossing the line

Daring to leave the OLD me

Shout it out loud, I'm NOT ASHAMED!

Diving in now so NOT afraid

Hello to all that you see

And everything that you made me

I'm daring to be!

Commit this verse to memory:

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

That's My King! Do You Know Him?

2010-10-27T07:01:00.003-04:00

Today, I want to just focus on all that Jesus is!

Sometimes, we get so bogged down with worries, fretting, stress, busyness, ministry, work, kids, family, marriage, friendships, bad news, no news, diagnoses, death, etc... and we just need a spark to help us to see all the good, that God is love, that he is good and his mercy endures forever.

I would like to extend a challenge to you, I want you to take a piece of paper, write the letters A through Z down the left column and throughout the next 15-20 minutes, I want you to write one word or phrase that starts with each letter of the alphabet that describes Jesus. Then I want you to tuck this in your purse, wallet, book bag, briefcase, car .. wherever you can, so that at any time today you get stuck in the "muck" of life - you can pull this out and be reminded HOW GREAT OUR GOD IS!

Let me get you started....

A- All powerful

B- Breathtaking

C- Counselor

D- Deliverer

Here is a video that will get you cheering and smiling this morning! May it bless you as you write this list and as you think on what is good today! Be blessed girlfriends!

Trouble viewing? Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upGCMl_b0n4

Expectations

2010-10-27T06:46:00.000-04:00

Every day, we encounter different people, different scenarios, different circumstances, different - well, just different experiences. Usually when we head to school, or to work, to college, to the homestead (wherever) we have an expectation of what that "situation/experience" will be like?

Have you ever had an expectation not met?

The guy you were dating or maybe are married to, didn't do that big birthday surprise you had hoped for? Or maybe, the kids didn't have the house picked up when you got home from work? Or maybe the mother in law didn't offer to help clean up after the big Sunday meal? Or a book did not live up to the recommendation of a friend? There are many scenarios, but one thing consistent - what we thought was, wasn't. It leaves us feeling disappointed, sad and sometimes downright agitated with a side of grumpiness.

Been there, girlfriend, on multiple times in the thirty plus years I have lived.

But, here is something that I began to see, something that God started to show this brown eyed girl. Often times, the expectations that I had were expectations that had no chance of being filled. For example, if I watched a romance movie and saw this strapping man, sweep the girl that he loved off her feet by pouring out his love for her in words that would melt any womans heart, handing her a rose and saying let me whisk you away to a spot where we can relax and just enjoy us. Then after watching that movie (or shall I say, soap opera), expect my husband to possess those same qualities - chances are I will end up disappointed! The movie isn't a realistic expectation of the men walking this Earth (now there are an occasional few, but the reality is - no man can be the guy in the movie everyday). So, something God showed me was that I was putting expectations on people in my life that the reality was only GOD himself could fill in my life. Holes in my heart, voids in my life - things that I thought about and toiled over could never be calmed until I let JESUS come in and say, "Quiet, be still" (Mark 4:39) and the storms in life (inside of me, usually) just stop at his command.

So I challenge you, if you are struggling in areas of your life - my question is this....

what is your expectation of that person/ thing - and why do you have it?

Is it because it’s a realistic expectation (is it a characteristic possible of possessing, such as kindness or patience) or will you end with disappointment, because its really only a void in your life that Jesus himself can fill?

It is a challenge, but I guarantee if you are bold enough to ask, God will allow the Holy Spirit to show up in your life and point out how you are expecting someone to do something only God can do for you. He wants to fill any void or hole in your heart, he is already waiting with an outstretched arm (Psalm 136:12) - he is just waiting for you to grab hold.

Your First Cup of Coffee

2010-10-22T14:19:00.000-04:00

- Give it to God!

So many times I hear, I just don't have enough time in the day!

I mean the words come from other people's mouth along with these

"sugar plum" lipstick coated lips! It seems like I just lay my locks on the pillow

and kiss the hubby good night, before the blaring "BEEP BEEP" of the alarm goes

off and the new day is upon me! Whew - its exhausting!

Through my life I have had hard seasons, green grass seasons, leaves falling seasons, and sweltering of blessings seasons. To each there was a story for the greater good (usually me learning something about "me" that needed refined!) Anyhow, the best seasons in my life have been when I get up in the morning, and my dear hubby faithfully has my coffee pot full of hot coffee (I prefer Dunkin' Donuts -wowzer its good!); I smell that coffee, pick it up in my hand and carry it straight over the the kitchen table, where my coffee, Bible, and my body all have a daily meeting with God.

The neat things is this...

As I sit at the kitchen table, the hair is in shambles, there is no makeup on, my pajamas are still wrinkled against my body from where I slept - I am completely in my "morning makeup!" Pure, messy, but my heart and spirit just can't wait to dive in and read God's word. I look forward to this every morning - opening up his Word and reading it, even if I can't digest every morsel, just reading it and then chatting with God about my discoveries, my heart throbbing questions and laying worries down.

My first cup of coffee is my best cup of coffee -

Its when I walk with God, just like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden.

My place isn't plush and in order and luscious or anything to be envious of...

Oh, but the time I spend right there during that first cup of coffee, the very first thing

I do in the morning - that, my friend, is more beautiful than any words I can type.

So I challenge you girlfriend to girlfriend -

before you go to bed, if you say there just isn't enough time in the day to give a part to God,

wake up tomorrow morning and get a hot cup of coffee (or tea...), break bread (God's word) and dive into a conversation with someone who loves you more than anyone on this Earth could.

May the season that you are in right now in your life be enriched from your CHOICE to make time for Him. The Bible says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I would say that where our heart is will be where we spend our time.... we make time for what we want to make time to do.

Where's your heart? I pray it lays with the hot pot of coffee and the Word of God in the morning. May you be richly blessed in your day as you put God first.