God Has My Back!

For the past few days, Jeremiah 29:11 has been stuck on my mind. I have been singing the song constantly in my car wherever I go.  I love how it is written in the Message Bible. " I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." Doesn't that sound wonderful?

Lately, I have been filled with so much worry. I have been trying very hard to cast all of my cares and not carry these burdens. I truly think that there isn't one more thing that I can bear, but just when I think that I can't handle anything more, God gives me grace and strength to make it through. I don't know why there are seasons in our lives when it seems like it is one struggle after the other, but, I do know through it all I am becoming stronger and drawing closer to the Lord. 

A month ago, I went to the public library in the town that I live in and opened up a library card account. Growing up I never enjoyed reading and it was something my parents had to force me to do. But, within the last number of years, I really enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening reading a great book. On this trip to the library, I checked out two books. Each one had a unique story line and seemed interesting enough. Well...to be honest, I gathered that information only from reading the back of the book. For I never opened it once in the month that it was in my possession.

I returned those books this afternoon, ashamed that I never cracked it open. I went on a hunt for another one with hopes of really getting into my choice. I stumbled upon a book written by a Christian author name Karen Kingsbury.  I've read many of her older work and I am very familiar with her style of writing. I chose her book "Divine", and decided to read the first chapter there at the library. Within the first few chapters, I was amazed and blown away that God was speaking directly to me in this fiction Christian novel. Like it became magnified, bold, and clear just for my eyes to see. "For I know the plans I have for you...." There was that verse again. It was a reminder that no matter what, God has my back! I don't have to worry, analyze, try to create an opportunity, whine, complain, cry, pout, be anxious, or fear. God knows what He is doing and He has everything under control.

So...what are you dealing with today? What is plaguing you mind? Whatever it is be encouraged and know that He has great plans for your life. All you have to do is trust Him and let Him do what He does best! Umm...He is God!

Just a thought!

~M

This Too Shall Pass

I never really liked this phrase. I always wondered if what I was dealing with really would ever pass. It just seemed like it would always be there and never go away. Be encouraged today that the Father knows whatever you are going through and truly "this too shall pass!"

Forever I Will Run...Now You Have My Heart!

I could not get home quick enough from church tonight so that I could jump on this computer and write this blog. This is the first time I have such a huge urgency to write. Someone needs to read this. Someone is in need of encouragement and hope. I know it and believe it with everything within me.

In all honesty, the past couple of months have been a roller coaster. Good days, bad days. Days when I feel like I'm on top of a mountain top, and days where I dwelled in the valley. There is a song that a good friend of mine shared with me. This song for the past 3 days or so has been playing in my car on repeat. Literally. I have not listened to one other thing. It just plays over and over. This song has become my song of deliverance. My anthem!

I truly don't know what you are up against right at this moment, but I have come to share in the hope that I have found. It could be a heavy financial situation, a broken marriage or relationship, depression, sickness, anxiety, fear, anger, or defeat. I declare today that if you purpose in your heart to run after God and hand over your heart, your desires, and needs, he will show up right in the middle of your situation. I don't mean to preach, but I feel so strong about telling someone this. God is ready to meet you right where you are at. He is calling you by name! Nothing but amazing results follow when one pursues the presence of God. Whatever the need, your answer lies in Him. I can't urge you enough....go after Him!

Like I mentioned before, this has been my anthem for the past few days and I would like to share it with you. Listen to the words carefully and I pray that you too will choose to forget about the circumstance, give God your burdens, and run after Him.

Just a thought!

~M

Out of the Mouth of Babes!

This young boy says it all. Please pass along to as many people! This word needs to be abolished!!

~Just a thought

Out With the Old and In With the New!

For the past 5 years, I have been experiencing these crazy dreams and this morning I woke up from one of them. They always leave me in this paralyzed state of fear only to be able to pray my way out of it. 80% of the time, after a few moments, I am able to go back to sleep, but this morning I couldn't. I laid in bed trying to figure out what this dream meant. I tried to remember every detail of what was happening. I focused on people, colors, emotions, the environment, and nothing was really making sense and I couldn't make the connection to my everyday life. So, I laid there and tried to go back to sleep, and I was failing miserably. 

I started to think about what the next few months of my life will look like. I am embarking on a new journey that brings a bit of excitement but also much fear. In the middle of trying to make sense of it all, I was reminded again (I'm sure through His still small voice) that I really need to let some things and some people go that I have held onto far too long. I don't understand why this is such a hard process. If this thing, or person has brought us so much pain, you would think that you would get rid of it immediately. Instead we harbor bitterness and hurt. We let the wound scar over just enough to cover the deep rooted issue, pretending it never existed. 

I decided this morning, in the wee hours of the morning before the sun was even up that there are some familiar things and some familiar people that are soon going to become unfamiliar. Today, I am letting you go!!

What are you holding on to that isn't allowing you to be free? I think its time to be "out with the old, and in with the new." The newness that only God can bring!

Just a thought....

~M

LIVE!

Recently a lady that I knew passed away suddenly. It was a shock to all that knew her and to this day I still can't believe she is gone. I stood at her wake and watched family members shed tears, people kneel as they said a silent prayer towards heaven, and tried so very hard to fight back my own tears. I just couldn't believe that I just saw her, talked to her, and now she is gone.

It really got me thinking. I have always heard and know that it in the Bible it says that tomorrow is not promised to any of us. I don't want to sound so morbid, but none of us know when it will be our time to leave this earth. Sometimes we go through life thinking that we have all the time in the world to accomplish our goals and dreams. Which in some ways we do, but in reality.....you never know. 

So why not live everyday like its your last? Why put off what you can do today, this moment, this second for another day that may never come. If you were told you only had one day left to live and you could do anything you wanted, what would you do? Here are a few ideas. Spend time with your kids everyday in such a way that leaves an everlasting imprint on their hearts. Embrace your husband or wife and love them like you have never loved before. Write the greatest poetry you have ever written so that it can be published one day for generations to come to read. See your children that live in different places and tell them how much you love them. Close the world out and have a day where it is just you and your family making sweet memories. Dance like no one is watching you and write love notes to those you love. If there are people that have impacted your life, tell them face to face, in a letter, or by a gentle embrace. Stand in the rain on a warm summer day and smell the beauty of God. Worship the God with everything within you and throw a huge celebration just to be around friends and family to smile and laugh, love and dream.

Speaking of dream......stop dreaming and start living! Every new day is a perfect opportunity to make it a monumental day! In the stress and chaos of life,  please...don't forget to live!

Just a thought!

~M

*Thank you to all the people that left comments on my facebook status concerning this thought! I pray that as I used your words in this blog it will challenge you not to wait to do the things you mentioned but live everyday to the fullest and with no regret! Love you all!

The Bigger the Battle, the Greater the Victory!

It's been awhile since I have written down my thoughts. The last month has been filled with moving boxes, u-hauls, and rent leasing contracts. A getaway weekend to have an encounter with God, and nights watching old VHS tapes on my 36' TV (yea...haven't up-graded to that flat screen yet. My TV is soooo heavy).  I have experienced the high and lows in life; striving so very hard many days to keep my head above water. I have also dealt with some major blows and disappointments in my personal life and in some relationships and thought I would not make it through. AND to top it off (drum roll please), I spilled vitamin water on my laptop causing it to die a very slow, agonizing, painful death. The only way to resurrect it is to pay over $800 to get it fixed. OUCH....why not just get a new one? So, I am working on it. 

There were many days I seriously thought I would not make it through. This past month has been one of the hardest months in my life. Funny thing is that not many people even knew. It's not that I was trying to hide it, I just knew that I needed to work it out with God. The devil has been throwing one blow after the other. It felt like I was in a boxing match and I was getting slugged left and right. I am filled with sweat and can barely see past the tears that are running down my face. My hair is a mess and my face swollen from hit after hit. With every blow I become even more tired barely being able to stand. I am on my knees, my vision is becoming blurry and I know that I am about to loose. But just at the place of my breaking point I remember a word I was once told. "Melissa, the bigger the battle the greater the victory!" That one sentence was enough strength to get me standing again. It gave me ammunition to fight.

I can across this poem (if  you want to call it that) recently and it reminded me of my college days in cold Minnesota when I told God that I really would give Him my all. When you decide to do that you better believe the enemy will do everything in his power to knock you down. But greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4) Remember, "The bigger the battle, the greater the victory."

Just a thought...

“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”