Break Free

So...maybe it is just me but it feels like one of the biggest battles that we face are right between our two ears. The battle in our minds. Ignoring it would be fine other than the Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:3 to not faint in our minds. As soon as you loose the battle in your mind. You have lost. Our victories are won and lost in the mind.

The Bible tells us to gird up the loins of our minds. Make our minds up. To be free from double minded thoughts. We have to break free from the battle in our minds. So many times in my life I have been hurt by others– so have you– if you haven’t hang on– it’s a coming!

When I have been hurt, I go over the situation several times, replay thee harsh words that were spoken– come up with new snappy comments back to that person– Where? In my mind. That is where the hurt, confusion, and bitterness takes root. I remember times when I have known things that were said of me by others in ministry. I had to literally go into prayer and say God I am not coming out of this time of prayer until I have conquered this with you. Until I have love and compassion for this person again. I have to break free of this right now Lord. I can’t feel this way in my mind.

Life is too short to spend time worrying about what others think of you, how they might not like you, maybe judging you. It matters what HE thinks of you.

The Bible talks about setting your mind on things. When you have a GPS Navigational
System in your In your car– you have to give it directions. It does not decide where to take you. This is the same thing with our minds– Set your mind on what HE desires for you.
The Bible tells us what to think on–
Things that are true, if there is any virtue, Praise, honest, good report. I know that you have heard the phrase Garbage in Garbage out. Mark 4:24 tells us Consider Carefully What you hear. You have to guard what and whom you are listening too.

Meditate on the Word of God. What you are taking in– in your mind will determine if you are going to be a committed up to your eyeballs Christian or a Mealy Mouth one. Is your mind being lead by His word or the word of the world? Who is the influencer in your life?

If you are struggling right now with a particular issue in your life– find HIS solution to it. I remember a time when I was so broke in Bible School I was donating plasma weekly to make it. My Dad found out about it and was not too happy.

of course my Mom found out about it as well. She send me several scriptures that she told me to pray over my life. That I would be blessed in my coming in and going out, Give and it shall be given to you pressed down shaken together running over, that I would be walking down the road and blessings were going to overtake me. I started reading in Malachi 3 about bringing my tithes into the storehouse. In Genesis 12 where the Lord promised he would bless and cause Abraham to be such a blessing that he would dispense good to others– which he did with his nephew Lot.

The More I started praying about this, little blessings would just appear in my life. I remember finding $20.00 one day in the parking lot. One time I was given $100.00 in a blank envelope. All because I was trying to be obedient to my parents and pray HIS WORD over my life.

Now– that is just an illustration. I don’t know what you are going through in your life today– but FILL your MIND up with his promises in that area. BREAK FREE of your negative thought pattern. Out of the abundance of the heart the mind speaketh. HE has great things ahead for you.

May this be the week that you BREAK FREE over every problem you are facing!
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed

The Diary of a Fly

So one of my most favorite books in the WORLD right now (OUTSIDE of the BIBLE) of course is... Diary of a Fly. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. The author also wrote diary of a worm, diary of a spider. I only have Diary of a Fly- Thanks to the Union West Regional Library.

You have to see the pages yourself. Feel them- you may even want to smell the pages- o.k. don't get too carried away. Here is an example of one of her entries:

June 7th-Tomorrow is the first day of school. I'm so nervous. What if I'm the only one who eat's regurgitated food? {She is sitting inside of a bottle cap lid with her hands under her chin- large bow in her hair.}

June 8th- Great news! Everyone eats regurgitated food! {There are 10 flys sitting around a crust toothpaste box for their table. Their chairs are push pins, and they are using cut up straws to enhale their food}

June 12th- My parents left us with a babysitter last night. When they got home, eighty-seven ofus were stuck to a strip of flypaper. Mom says we were a lot easier to watch before we grew heads {Two pages worth of pictures of flies stuck on fly paper, the babysitter is a ladybug with a kickme sign taped to her back, she is yelling and talking to the Mom and Dad fly as they return home} BTW the babysitter comes back the next time with a frog- and sure enough every fly had not moved a tiny bit when their parents returned (these fly parents have more dates that John and I have had in a year)

July 23rd- I visited my Aunt Rita Today. She's been trapped on the wrong side of he screen for a week. (Aunt is saying my word how you've grown girl)

Okay so the book just keeps getting better and better each day. She uses a magnifying glass to look at the things stuck on her which include yogurt, ice cream, rootbear, dirt, egg, gnat juic etc.

But the main thing is eve n as a fly she wanted to fit in with the other flies at flying school. She was so worried about all of the other flies liking her- but really she was not supposed to be like them- she was supposed to be herself.

She wants to be a super hero and doesn't have a lot of faith in herself. She makes a list as to why she would be good
1. She has the most powerful flight muscles on the planet
2. She can land upside down.
3. She can see in all directions at once
4. She realizes that while superheroes bend steel with their bare hands...she could each horse manure with her feet.
5. She can walk on walls
6. She can change directions in flight faster than the blink of a human eye.
7. She has 4,000 lenses in each eye.


Then her friend tells her "Superheroes save the world from out-space villains. Your brain is the size of a sesame seed," She was suddenly discouraged and said- I never thought about it that way....I can never be a superhero.

Then her friend worm and said the best quote for the whole book...

" The world needs all kinds of heroes."

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Do you get it? That's you. You have been doubting yourself for so long, wondering if you were the right person for the task. Comparing yourself with all of the other outstanding "flies" you have met. There is only one you. You were called to do what you are doing. You were put in the spot you were in now to impact it for HIM. No one else can do your work. YOU are amazing!

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Thus says the Lord:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine."
~ Isaiah 43:1 ~

Isaiah 41:9
"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and sent for from its farthest parts, saying to you, You are my servant, whom I have taken for myself, and whom I have not given up."

To all of the Stay at Home Moms!

So if you are a stay at home Mom-

You are the bomb!

You are incredible!

You are to be cheered today!

No one saw when you got snacks out for your little ones –but you are a nurturer.

No one saw you do your 10^th load of laundry for the week- but you are a great caregiver.

No one saw you make up the beds for the 400^th time this month- but you were right on target.

No one thanked you for another well thought out meal- but you are better than any top chef.

No on heard you sign as you heard your name being called for the 1000^th time this past hour- but you were a lifesaver.

You are a woman of virtue- You have the highest calling- You are a Mother.

So today as I felt urged by HIM to write to you- I wanted to tell you that that is your quarterly assessment and you are right on track. We have seen your progress, your work, and we are more than pleased with you.

Every tear you have wiped, every song you sang, every word of encouragement has been noted.

I realize that you might go hours, days, without a break, stimulating conversation, or can go even a month without a preschool reference- but you are still you.

Don’t feel like you are fading away and un-important – You’re not.

The man that thought you were so beautiful that he couldn’t live a day without you and had to marry you- he still feels that way. He does not know how to express it- but he feels it.

He is so proud as he comes home and sees beautiful you, tending to his needs and caring for your little ones. He says a silent Thank You to HIM- but it does not always get said to you.

You are right on track.

You are making a difference

Your life matters

You are shaping the church of tomorrow in your home –

Today.

So stop a second

Pour yourself a cold Diet Coke

Give yourself a hug

And consider this a raise-

Not a financial one (though I wish I could dole out cash)

But I raised your name to HIM TODAY!

You are amazing- A- #1

My hero

According to one of my favorite books “The diary of a fly”

“The World needs all kind of heroes” and you are one of them!

Project #1 Replant the Plant/Tree Fiasco

Since I now work from home- I think I notice things that need to be done AT HOME. #1 I hate clutter #2 I should have ironed the curtains before I hung them #3 My kitchen chairs needed to be re-covered #4 I needed to re-plant this tree thing in the living room.

This past week I took on two (not one) projects. I went to Target (shocker I know) found two bags of dirt (how much does a plant need? I don’t know) found a large pot, and was ready for my project.

My plant was ready to be replanted into larger living quarters. For days when I would walk by it would scream out to me “help- I need help. My roots are coming to the surface. I am in cramped quarters.” I had told the plant to take a number- I’ve got the whole house screaming at me.

The plant was sent to us as a gift after John’s Mom died in November. It is actually a tree I think. I will add a picture so you can visualize.

I had seen people plant flowers in dirt before where they just beautifully plucked the plant out of the container and it moved over in a ball of dirt to the new pot. Very neat, very nice. In looking back- they had dry soil- I did not.

I moved the tree outside (wow heavy tree alert) had the two large bags of soil ready and one pot. I read the bag. Fill up the planter 1/3 of the way with dirt, place in plant, and cover with dirt. This would be a snap. It would have been if I did not have wet soil. I picked it up by the branches after putting 1/3 of the dirt in the container. Splat all of the dirt that was around the plant fell on my feet. I had on my cool black flip flops and I couldn’t even see my feet. The dirt was everywhere.

I thought it was one huge tree. It was not. So now I have dirt all over me, I have the three splitting three ways and falling out of my hands. In looking back…. I don’t know why I didn’t just set it down but I carried it (again stupid move advisory) to the door- rang the bell and called for Seanna- my planter backup plan. She walks up and says you are really dirty. Do you think? I am still holding all three trees. Can you help me?

What do you want me to do clean off your feet she says?

No, I say sharply- hold the trees in place in the pot.

I am not good at math. One third of the pot of dirt ended up being like ½ of the pot – for all of you I am great at math people. It was setting too high. I knelt down- much to the chagrin of my khaki skirt- now covered in black wet soil, and began digging like a beaver around the sides of the tree -to get the soil lower. I dug out too much and had to pull it up start over, and set it down on top of the soil again. Now that this was at the right level….my planting assistant had to hold the trees in place while I put dirt around it.

I began talking to the plant/tree. Don’t you dare die when I get you in this house. YOU have been a lot of work today. I am trying to help you and what have you done? You have covered me in dirt. I think I saw it smile as I pushed its roots deep down in the earth. Then I stopped. This tree had tons of roots. Like a whole lot of them. Everywhere. I was trying to organize the roots when it hit me. This is like me. How many years have I heard I needed to be rooted and grounded in Christ. The songs- I shall not be I shall not be moved etc?

I had a new love for my little tree. It was an illustration of my life and God’s plans right in front of me. As we patted down the final dirt around it I was almost a little sad that my project was over. I bent over to pick it up –wowzer this thing was heavy….I moved it into the living room placed it next to the entertainment center and kissed one of the leaves. Seanna said- did you just kiss that plant? I said I sure did. It’s pretty amazing isn’t it?

She walked off shaking her head. By the way- One bag of dirt would have been perfect. Target does not take dirt back. Just so you know- always trying to be a helper here!

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Proverbs 12:3

A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall never be moved.

Some of you have been going through some pretty rough storms lately. The winds have been blowing, your branches have lost some leaves, you might feel a little tattered, torn, miss-understood, low on sap- but you are STILL ROOTED and GROUNDED in him. You will not be moved. You will come out on top in this battle. This is a season, only a season. You are a mighty oak, your roots go deep. Joy comes in the morning!

Turning 40

So I guess I never was afraid of turning forty. I have friends that thought it was the worst thing in the world. My Grandma was one of the youngest, coolest, hippest people I knew- they had a working dairy farm until they were 68- so there you go. Age is in your mind! She passed away this last year on Christmas day well into her 90s.

I think in my head I am like 33. I don’t know why that age- but I am. The girls think I am super old (as per Seanna). Emma told me I was still pretty for an older lady. That always makes you feel better.

I have the best friends around the world. I had a Birthday party in Africa- celebration dinner, heart shaped brownies etc. I have three friends that I email back and forth that are in the four corners of the world and they made my day amazing with a virtual party- homemade salsa and a game of pin the tail on the donkey.

I found my email box had 40 emails from another great couple- and I was so happy to read all of them!

At lunch I went to pick up My Pastor’s wife who had a surprise luncheon with some of the ladies from church-super nice! Then for dinner went out with My family, Steve, Penny, Zachary- an my Boss and his wife- Stephanie and Alan. We laughed until we cried- that is how I like it – fun, lively, and great food!

Thanks to all of you who made my day amazing. I am just sorry for being so slow 16 days behind in blog-world to express it. J

Love you all-

CMN

The Stapler, The Tape, The Paperclips-Letting Go!

Heloooo……Echo helooooooooooooo

How are you alllll??? Echo returns

Drip drip Drip drip

These are the sounds of things you hear when you work from home :) Kidding.

Many of you have emailed worried that I am not alive since I started working from home- I am indeed alive- I am indeed loving my job. I am indeed working 8 hours a day- Key word WORKING 8 hours a day.

When I worked at Cassis- If I was not on the phone with a client they could have cared less what I did- they made this very clear to me. So I could blog, update MySpace, and work on MK Ministries, ALC Kids etc. Now I really am working 8 hours a day on MK Ministries and I have less blogging, MySpace, calling friends while commuting time. Because I want to give an honest 8 hours or work.

I have been working from the kitchen or breakfast nook table. So this has been a challenge. This weekend John stopped and bought me a desk and a bookshelf (that was my 40^th birthday gift) I love my logical husband who buys me what I need!

Change is good- Change shows what a freak you are. Example number one- when I was at my old desk if a client would come in and touch or use my stapler and leave it in a diff. area- I would have to move it. Example number two- If they used my tape and left that extra piece hanging off the end- I would have to rip it off and then put it back where it BELONGED. Example number three-If I had a new box of paper clips- I had to rip the lid and the two side flaps off the box- place it in the drawer where my paperclips went and then arrange them in a row (okay I did not arrange them in a row- lighten up people).

I guess I never realized how much I was this way until my friend Sandy came for the weekend. She reminded me of this as she asked me for a used Target bag. I said they are rolled up under the sink. She was like rolled up? I said yes. She pulled them out. They are each individually rolled up in a tiny tight circle and placed in a little box. I thought everyone did that. She about wet her pants laughing at me. She said I bet you still also clean up for the waitress after yourself and want your dishes removed as soon as you take your last bite don’t you? I agreed I did. Doesn’t everyone?

My slightly OCD behavior has me thinking today-

#1 I might be a tad bit uptight about things that don’t matter. (nah)

#2 I might be a pattern/list person (confirmed)

#3 How can I be this way AND creative. I thought creative people were messy and not list makers or uptight? (Maybe I AM a combo of my Mom and my Dad)

#4 When can I finish this blog so that I can organize my girls elastic hair bands by color again they are getting out of control (again kidding people)

The scary thing about all of this is it applies to our spiritual lives as well. If we are control freaks in the natural most likely we are that way in the spiritual as well. How many times have you given the Lord a problem to fix and take it out of his hands because he did not fix it to your liking? How is the master of the universe supposed to know how to replace my spiritual stapler?

How can he open the doors of my life when he cut too much of my bad attitude tape off this past time while going through my spiritual grooming?

How can I trust him with the really big issues when I asked him to just let me roll up my Target Bag situation and he told me HE had it under control? Does he really know how I like it?

I have to step back and realize- he is more than just God. He is my Father, He is my friend, he is my confidant, he is my love, and he is my life.

I have never known a situation where he has let me down. He has left a few jagged edges here and there- but those were for my good. I cry as I type- for I am in the midst of letting him handle my “stuff” right now.

I had to lay down my agenda, my date book, my plans, my desires, and place them back in his big capable hands again today. I sit, I type, and I drink icy diet coke all the while he makes HIS PERFECT plans form in my life- and do you know what? I am good with that.

I am not good with chaos in the natural- but HE is teaching me I have to accept it in the spiritual.

Now if you are done with that coffee mug pass it over- I need to place it in the dishwasher where it belongs.

Love you bloggie buddies. Leave me a comment so I know you are real!

CMN

Oreo's Anonymous

Are you kidding me? I have gained 3 pounds? Maybe I should just wait for the next trolley to take me from my dining room table to the restroom. Maybe I should shave off my eyebrows and cut my fingernails and I would be back to my “normal” weight. Was it turning forty that spurred on the extra pounds? Or the 14 boxes of Oreos that did it? Okay Just Kidding about the Oreos-before you report me to Oreos Anonymous.

Maybe I am not drinking enough water- does opening your mouth while showering count? I mixed in ½ cup with the Macaroni and cheese mix! How about the ice that I have in my diet coke glass? Common people work with me.

I laughed today as I dragged my tubby self down the stairs. I was so into Weight Watchers just a month ago and what happened? Life changes direction, priorities get pushed to the side, or let’s just face it – it is called a lack of discipline.

How many times have we been that way in our own life?

We start out right on fire for God right after a great service. We are determined that we will pray and read our Bible daily. Then on Monday- we tell ourselves we will pray before we go to bed. Then at bedtime we promise the Lord that we will pray in the morning- after all we did pray three times over our food. Doesn’t that count?

Reading our Bible? Hmm we read a Christian Based Comic Book today, and then scanned a magazine that may have mentioned the Lord’s name in it somewhere. Does that help?

It is so easy to let life get in the way of our goals. We have to make time for the important things in our lives- God, our families, our friends, our church, our ministry.

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 6:33 (NIV) "But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Once we make him a daily priority everything else in our lives will be balanced out. He will make it work!!How about you? Are you finding time daily to be in prayer and in is word? When was the last time you sat down and made some Godly Goals in your life? Why not start today!

Hide and Seek

I couldn’t believe that they wanted me to play Hide and Seek with them. My brother and his friend never included me. I was 7 years old and just happy that my 11 year old brother realized that I was breathing that day. As they counted I ran to my secret- If they ever ask me to play I will use this – spot.

I heard my brother finally call- “Ready or not here I come.” After the first couple of minutes I was convinced that I had the best spot yet. I could hear our friend Robbie’s dismay as Steve found him. I was still under cover 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes. It finally got to the point that I couldn’t hear their voices anymore. I began to think- I shouldn’t be this hard to find.

Suddenly it hit me- They didn’t want to find me. They really didn’t want me in their game. I was alone. I was never going to be found. I had been abandoned. This was about 33 years ago but I can still remember that pain in the pit of my stomach when the realization hit me.

Romans 11:2-4 reminds us of the story of Elijah who was playing Hide and Seek with God. He had just come off of one the greatest victories of his life and what was he doing? Hiding out! He was feeling abandoned after one of the greatest victories in his life- conquering the prophets of Baal.

2. God did not turn his back on his chosen people. Don't you remember reading in the Scriptures how Elijah complained to God about the people of Israel? ³He said, "Lord, they killed your prophets and destroyed your altars. I am the only one left, and now they want to kill me."
⁴But the Lord told Elijah, "I still have seven thousand followers who have not worshiped Baal."

The first week at my third- yes you read correctly- third Bible College I was frustrated, scared, and feeling alone. I put several quarters in the pay phone and prayed that my Mom or Dad would answer the phone since they were across the world. My Mom was there. Mom- I feel alone- I hate it here, I’ll never fit in, why did I make this decision? I must have missed the voice of God. My Mom quickly told me I was fine. I was not alone- I Just hated change. Sure enough the feeling passed. A couple of days later I began to realize that others probably felt the same way and it was up to me to make the best out of the situation.

How many times in transition and change in our lives have we felt unsure, alone, and hurt?

- The first week of college.

- Moving into a new dorm, apartment, or home.

- Knowing that your parents have just returned to the “field” and you are not with them.

- Starting a new job.

- Leaving your family vacation to face school, your job, and responsibility again.

- Knowing that your parents are no longer missionaries.

- Trying to fit in and find your spot in a new church.

The list could go on and on. We may feel alone- but we are never abandoned. Jesus understands exactly how we feel. The Bible tells us of a time when he felt alone, misplaced and abandoned. He was praying at the garden- literally carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and his best friends were sleeping. How could they not even hang out with him during his last hours? To be there for him? Then later on one of his closest friends denied three times that he even knew him.

So what do we do when we face these times? It just a matter of time and all of us have felt this way before. Here are four things that will help:

1. Grow deeper in your relationship with Him. This sounds like a “no-brainer” but the enemy will use times of aloneness and hurt to attack your walk with the Lord. Concentrate on spending even more time in prayer and in the Word. Become active in the church that the Lord has placed you in.

2. Stay in contact with your family and God-centered friends. Be open with them. Let them know what you are going through and how you feel. Surround yourself with Godly friends that will encourage you to get closer to Him. Don’t underestimate the power of two or three agreeing and praying over matters in your life. Use email, Skype, or other internet tools to be in contact with those “foundational” people in your life.

3. Talk to your local Pastor or MK Ministries team about an accountability partner. Be accountable to someone in your life. Have someone that will be a positive influence and who will be there to ask the “Hard Questions”.

4. Realize that feelings are just that- feelings. How much time are you spending worry over situations that have not even happened? Wasted time spent playing and replaying scenarios in your mind. The Bible tells us to think on things that are true, honest, have virtue, and are praise worthy. Don’t base major life decisions on feelings- but on facts. Feelings change- He does not. Remember that 90% of your worries never come to pass.

Finally remember that our walk with God is a daily one. It may be a hard day today but tomorrow will get better. Reach out to your family, friends, and MK Ministries team are all there for you! . We love you and know that God has great things ahead in your life. Anyone up for a game of Hide and seek?