Why should we serve the kids at church!

If you are like me, then big dreams and goals are just part of who you are.  You want your life to matter and to leave a positive impact on your children  family, friends and people who cross your path. The life I want to live is not just an ordinary life.  I don't want to live a life full of what I want and need.  I don't want to live a life just to please myself or for the approval and pleasing of people.  I want to live a life that glorifies only God.  How do we do that?  What does that look like?  Is that really possible?

If you don't know me, I get excited about all kinds  of stuff.  My mind is always going.  I guess you could say I'm an entrepreneur at heart.  I never have small ideas.  Everything that comes to my mind, I want to do big!  I love to share in other people's dreams too. To encourage them to know how big our God is and that anything with Him is possible.  I truly believe that with all my heart.  If people could just let go and see beyond the barriers and focus their mind on Christ, dreams would come true, families brought back together, marriages healed and experiencing joy, peace, love, forgiveness, like you never have had before. 

With all those big dreams and ideas I have, God had to slow me down and tell me, "none of those things can happen until you prosper where you are planted."  God has called and gifted me with speaking, teaching and a love to encourage and inspire people.  He has placed  a women's ministry in my heart.  Before that can take root and grow God said, " if you can't lead your family,help your husband and prosper with all I have given you how in the world are you going to have a women ministry?"  I've experienced first hand watching people go after their "dreams"  however leaving their family behind.  Killing the very first blessing God had given them.  They had the applause of people, the money and all what  the world calls success but found themselves with broken marriages and  children hurt because of a absent mother or father. This is not what God has called us to do. 

Last year Pastor Jeremy  asked me to serve as a large group teacher for the kids ministry.  I'll be honest, this was the last ministry I really wanted to be a part of!  I home educate my kids all day so teaching more kids just didn't seem all that appealing to me.  Plus I want to big people ministry!  I want to talk about deeper issues and have adult conversations! I have bigger dreams than serving kids! I seriously was throwing a baby fit! It sure sounds kinds of prideful doesn't it!  However, God asked," Is this about you or is this about me." Ouch!  He sure can convict you if you are listening!  Not only did I have to put what I want to the side but also had to face some fears.  I had some reasons or I should say fears of why I didn't want to get involved.  It really had nothing to do with the kids but more of the adults!  What if I said something wrong, what if they don't like me, what if I don't fit in and what if they don't accept me? These were some of the thoughts that kept going around in my head!  Oh the fear of REJECTION!   But God keeps reminding this is not about me nor about everyone else.  It's about being obedient to God.  I'm to stay focused on him and if those things happen then He will deal with it not me!  Fear works like that trying to keep you away from God's biggest blessings.  I knew to trust God and with my hubby and oldest daughter  encouraging me we all  jumped in feet first. 

I'll be honest there are days that I just don't feel like serving. I'm tired and there are a million other things I could do. However,  It is only one day a week and sometimes I can only serve two times a month.  It's not about what we feel. It's not about what we want to do.  It's all about God and he loves his children.  These children mean so much to him. He told me, "If I can't lead and connect with these kids then all those big dreams of leading a women's ministry  are just in vain."  I don't know how long I will be serving in the children's ministry.  The small amount of time I've been serving, they have been more of a blessing to me than I have been to them. I love serving with the team that God has placed in my life.  I love the young kids that work the sound system and serving with them.  I love serving with my husband and my daughter.  Most of all I love looking into those big brown eyes of my two kids that sit at my feet on Saturday nights  listening to me teach the word of God to them and their friends.   When  you have a chance to hear these kids hearts and they trust you enough to poor their fears, troubles and success to you, it's extremely humbling. 

The reason I write this is because Metro Kids really needs some help.  Pray on it and if God is leading you to serve, you will be welcomed with open hands and hearts not just by both the volunteers but by all those kids who show up every week looking for someone to love them!  I believe if we take care of these kids the way God wants us to and not look at them like they are a burden  our church will be more blessed because of it! But we should not be serving these kids in order for God to bless us,we are to do  it because it's what God expects us to do. 

Mark and I  don't serve these kids to please anyone else but our father in heaven.  He cares so much about these kids so we should too.  It shouldn't be a ministry we run from  but to ran after even if it's only for a season.  When we can prosper with what God has already given us, when we can lead our families, be the spouse God has called us to be  and take care of the children first, then my friend the doors to what ever else God has placed on your heart shall be opened! 

Is Education Really Important?

When someone finds out Mark and I home educate our four kids, the first questions that pops out of a persons  mouth are what about testing?  How do you know if your kids are learning something?  What about the act or sat?  Do they have to take the MEAP?  Do they get a diploma or GED?  How do they apply to college?  These are all legitimate questions and are important to some degree but it's not the most important on our list.  I know you are probably saying to yourself, "Has she lost her mind!"  The answer is , "NO, I haven't! Well, I guess it all depends on who you talk to!!!"

I just received a message from a friend on Facebook about someone we knew in high school.  This man was educated ,went to a great private school in the area and had a successful job.  He was married with a son but was found guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend.  He is facing life in prison without parole. For some reason college, ACT scores and  job title doesn't seem that important especially when divorce happens in 40%-50% of marriages and every 13.7 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide and 5 in every 100,00 people are murdered. ( not exactly sure if those  statistic are accurate.)

Should we as parents be so focused on college, test scores and grades?  Should we be more concerned with teaching our kids by example what is means to be a husband and a wife.  What it means to be dedicated to our family.  What it means to sacrifice for the people you love.  Maybe we should be more concerned with their character and teaching them about positive and negative consequences.  Helping them realize that one of the most important decisions in their life will not be a career because those you can change.  It won't be what college you went to or how smart you are because you can always learn something new at any age.   It will be who you decide to spend the rest of your life with.  Sure you can get a divorce but think about all the heart ache that it causes when a family decides to break apart because mom and dad just couldn't get it together.  (I'm not putting down anyone who has gone through a divorce.  You already know how hard it was and what it did to everyone emotionally and spiritually. I'm sure just because you went through a divorce  you would not want your children  to experience the samething in their marriage.  You would want them to break free from the cycle.   Thankfully,  God forgives and can  make all things new again. However, does God really wants divorce part of  our lives. If you are a Christian, marriage is suppose to represent the beauty and love of Christ.  When two people get it right and live a life for God it's the most amazing and incredible witness to our Lord)

What we should be grooming our kids for are successful relationships.  How to be a Godly wife or husband.  How to handle family conflict.  How to forgive, give grace and mercy.  How to respect not only their parents but siblings.  How to lead their siblings and work as a team.  Teaching them people skills.  To learn about themselves and how to relate to others.  They need to learn how to prosper where they are planted.  Their family is a training ground for their future.  How they treat each other is glimpse on how they will work with others, how they will treat their spouse, how dedicated they will be to their family and how successful they will be.  They need to know and understand what the word of God says and why it's so important  to obey God not just because mom and dad said so. It's about helping them develop a deep and loving relationship with God our Father. These kids  need to be loved, nurtured and protected not controlled and dictated. 

What are we doing to help our children succeed in this area?  Are we praying for them personally, for Godly friends and one day a Godly Spouse?  Are we seeking God for wisdom to help teach our kids or are we trying to parent on our own?  Are we living by example or just talking the talk?  Are we teaching our kids to look to God for advice or  from friends and the media?  Are we building our families on the word of God?  The Word of God says, "Unless the lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guard stand watch in vain." psalm 127:1. What ever is not built on the word of God is built in vain.  This does not mean our kids won't mess up.  This does not mean they won't end up in a messed up relationship. They have free will, are human and make mistakes.   Though, I do believe the chances will be smaller and hopefully we will have more men leading their wives and children. More men  and women dedicating themselves to their family instead of their job, not  men and women leaving their children abandoned  while they are stuck behind bars for the rest of their lives.

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

Should this be called Facebook or Fakebook?

Facebook or as I like to call it "fakebook"  can be used as a great tool to stay connected with friends, family, the latest news and follow people you respect for advice, motivation and even encouragement.  But has facebook and other social media  taken away  real love and abiding friendships?  How many people really celebrate the success of other's?  How many people that claim to be your friend has a  heart that aches when faced with disappointment, failure, struggles in marriage, family or children.  How many of these friends we know not only on fb, but at work, mom's groups, and even at church truly want to share in your dreams and goals. Do they really want to encourage and support you or are they patiently waiting for something to go wrong?  Let's be honest, we all struggle, if not now, but at some point with jealously, insecurity, pride and not being content with what we have and it has killed friendships, families and destroyed marriages. 

As I'm studying King David in the Bible, it talks about a friendship that David had with a man named Jonathon.  This man was King Saul's son. Saul intended for Jonathan to become the second king of Israel, but this son of his  has other plans.  In David, Jonathan saw character fit for a king.  He was so determined that the throne be occupied by God's chosen instrument that he offered everything he had.  Jonathan could of had the entire kingdom  but instead he sacrificed himself for his friend and God's plan. In the Bible it talk about how Jonathan removed his robe and tunic and placed it on David, symbolizing that David would be king instead of him!  Jonathon  could of been filled with jealously and claimed what was given to David as his own.  It wasn't like that at all.  Jonathon and David had an instant bond that only could of been brought together by God himself.  Jonathon's commitment to help David was based on Jonathan's love, not David's response. Even though David had a heart for God, he was not perfect.  Jonathon looked beyond his faults. David could say anything and Jonathon never took it personal nor did he judge him. He accepted him for who he was and when David messed up, He didn't turn his back on him.  His motivation was based on pure love not ever wanting anything in return but to see David live God's plan and  purpose He had for his Friend's life.

Every time, I hear the story of David, I pray that I have a heart like his and that I let go of all my fears, to continue to run after God and  live the life he has set before me. However, as I grow closer to Christ, I also pray I can  become more like a friend to others like  Jonathon was to David. If I'm honest,  I know at times I'm not the greatest friend to the people God has placed in my life. I want to be more like a friend like Jonathon  and not a "fakebook" friend that most ( Not ALL) people unfortunately are today. 

"You don't care about anybody only youself"

Has someone you loved, respected or trusted called you such hurtful words as ugly,stupid, dumb, fat, old or dare do I say the words slut or bitch.  Has that same person or group of people called you worthless and not deserving of their love or friendship.  Has someone you cared about pretty much spit in your face and turned their back on you leaving you there broken and hopeless?

Did those words leave a scar?  Where you so angry that you retaliated and said the same words back hoping to leave a wound so big in their heart that it never stops bleeding? 

Life and death are in the tongue and there is no doubt that this tongue is a fierce and wicked part of our body.  It can glorify God in one sentence and kill someones spirit in the next. 

The question here is why do we believe those words when someone lashes out at us.  Maybe it doesn't even have to be in anger.  Someone we know or just respect could say a word or two about your character or appearance not realizing what they are saying and not meaning to hurt you, but the one or two words they used left you feeling depressed in someways.  God has been working on you and you know at least for moments here and there what God says about you, how he loves you. You have been set free in so many ways, let go of the hurt, bondage and the strongholds.  You are so thankful on what and who you are becoming in Christ.  But because of a word or two, it has brought you back to that place you never wanted to go. The place where you begin to believe the lies and think maybe I'm just fooling myself.  Maybe those people are right, maybe I'm not born to be anything more than average. 

God revealed to me years ago, that people can only give what they have.  If they are hurt inside then they cannot give you what you are looking for.  Most importantly, the reason those words crush our hearts and we begin  to believe them is because they are saying words that you believe about yourself deep down in your soul.  If you are comfortable in your own skin, if someone calls you fat.  It doesn't bother you.  But if someone calls you worthless or stupid and it tears you up, maybe it's because you think that about yourself and you just don't want to admit it. 

As we grow in Christ and begin to understand who He is and what He has done for you, When you begin to recognize how he delights in you, those thoughts will begin to dissipate.  You may be walking with him for your entire life, but you are still holding on to hurts, bondage and stronghold.  He wants to break you free from them! 

Christ has taught me to look at the heart of man.  To realize if someone has or will hurt me with their words that I don't have to take it nor believe them because I know who I am in Him.  He has broken me free and it hasn't been easy.  To pray for them and ask God to please forgive them because they know not what they do.  To have grace and mercy for them because Christ has given you the very same thing. You will begin to love not only yourself but the one's who hurt you. 

What are the cravings of our heart???

In my humble opinion, one of the aches of our human heart is the longing and wanting to be accepted.  We crave to feel loved, appreciated and forgiven by the people we love and respect.  For some people that craving may be disguised to  look like a stone wall filled with anger and unforgiveness and a lack of feeling.  They act as if they don't care but deep down inside there is a wounded heart wanting to be seen.  We are blinded or in denial if we reject the idea and act as if  someone's opinions never affected you or that we don't care if someone likes us or not. This is where the heart begins to harden. People want to be loved and noticed.   If this was not true, social media would not be so popular. We create a world to see how many friends we can have and how many likes we can get on a comment we post.   We have grown adults having our self worth depending on tangible things that bring only satisfaction for a moment hoping that someone will recognize us.  Realizing that those hungers of being noticed and accepted are still left empty. 

We yearn for someone to see us not for who we are but for who we strive to be.  We want them to see beyond our mistakes.  The beauty and uniqueness that is buried deep in our soul.  You know it's there even if have given up on life or relationships. If someone else could just recognize it for a brief moment than maybe you could come alive again, start over or be the person you dreamed of becoming. Maybe your relatinships could be healed if someone would just rescue you.   Maybe for just a moment if someone just took the time to notice you that empty whole could be filled, even it's just for a season. 

For years, I struggled with wanting the approval of the world.  Chasing after the wind and never being content on who or where I was not realizing I wanted to be rescued.  Still to this day I can find myself creeping back into those chains.  But as soon as they begin to wrap around my ankles, Christ Love convicts me and reminds me,

"Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Yes, we all would like to hear nice job, your special or even I love you.  But we can't go searching or expecting it.  Because then our focus becomes on man not on Christ.

"For am I know trying to win the favor of people or God?  or am I still striving to please people?  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave to Christ."  Galatians 1:10

If we run after Christ and give others out of the Love and approval we have in Him, it will stop us from wanting or longing for others to fill us up.  It takes the focus off of us and on Christ. 

God shows no favoritism.  He loves us all the same.  The question is do you love him?  His heart is craving yours and when you give it to him, trust him and follow him every ounce of your being will be content in Him. 

The journey will not be easy but your appetite will be for only him and no longer the worlds. 

Get out of the Corner "Baby"

Now, I know this is going to show my age, but do you remember the movie "Dirty Dancing."  Well, if you are in your thirties and forties of course you do.  When Baby ( I pretty sure that was her name in the movie) gets thrown in the corner, Patrick Swayze ( I can't remember his name in the movie at this moment) come over and says, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner." He reaches his hand out, she grabs on to it.  He  lifts her up and   begins to display her beauty.

How many times do we allow people to push us down, put us in the corner, call us names or try to mold you into the person they want you to be especially in the Church.  Now, I'm not putting down the church or my church nor blaming it.  We are human and broken people who make mistakes.  I'm know different and I'm sure I've hurt someone along the way of their spiritual journey as well. 

For me, I've been on fire for Jesus for sometime now. I walk with him every single day. This does not mean I don't screw up because I do, but in the seconds or moments He convicts me, loves me, forgives me  and keeps me going.  However, there was a part of me that was slowly dying inside.  Jesus knew this and so did I.  I began to allow people's opinions especially people who love Jesus bring me down.  I've been accused of being prideful, bragging, selfish and so on.  I may be some of those things at times, I will admit it. But these were from people who did not know where I was in my life nor knew me.  They did not know my heart.  Thankfully, my Lord does.  I began to want to hide the beauty that Jesus had done in my life, because of the criticism and judging of others. 

I do not brag in anything I do.  Let's be honest.  I am a screwed up person and left alone my marriage would be failing and my kids would not be who they are today and I would still be lying in all my filth.  You may be reading this and say, "What are you talking about."  Maybe if you looked at my life from the outside and compared it to other people, it wasn't so bad.  Maybe I haven't been addicted to drugs, murdered someone or on the streets."  But when God looked at me and my sin he was disgusted.  I was slowly dying and was stuck in the pit of Hell.  Mark and I were beginning to drown and the only one who saved us from that Hell was Christ.  Just like Patrick Swayze, He reached His hand out, I grabbed on to it with all my might and He lifted me out of the mess I was in, cleaned me up and displays me for all His Glory.  I only boast in Him because without him I am nothing.

No longer am I going to allow fear of people and the opinions of others get in the way of me and Jesus.  No longer am I going to allow someone put me in the corner and make me into something I was not meant to be and neither should you!  You have been made in the image of God.  Christ died for YOU and ME.  He died to take back what was lost.  His is your redeemer.  He has something for you my friend and it's time you rise up, grab on his hand and allow him to lead you in His beautiful dance so the world can see Him in all your beauty. 

Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:31

 

"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died." Galations 6:14

Can a mom ever take a shower in PEACE?

 It never fails!  Every time I'm in the shower, one if not everyone including my husband needs to have a conversation with me!  I will announce to everyone, I'm taking a shower.  Please let me have at least 15 minutes of PEACE!!!  In the past if  the phone would  ring, Mark would bring the phone to me in while I'm actually in the shower!   REALLY!!! I would have to say, "Please tell who ever is calling, I will call them back!"  or "just don't answer the phone!"  The best one was, when the kids were babies and if they started crying he would bring them in there telling me,"they missed their mom!"  REALLY!!!! Can I please wash my hair and shave my legs alone!!!

Today, was one of those morning!  I sneak in the bathroom to get ready for church and sure enough Marcia barges in with a dilemma!  Now, here dad is in the other room.  But there is nothing like talking to mom when she is behind the shower curtain I guess!!!

She was upset because Marie broke her slimy toy ( I don't know what you call it) that she won at church last night.  Just before she started crying, I wanted to scream GET OUT and SHUT THE DOOR!  Can't this wait until I get out or go find your dad!  Instead I take a deep breath and calmly have this discussion and remind her  about when she was little and how she would do the same thing. How we need to have grace and patients with marie just like we did with her!  She stops and thinks for a second and said you are right mom!  She replied, "Show proper respect for Everyone" 1 Peter 2:17.  Left the bathroom and was happy as can be!

God  reminded me in that moment  of the scripture, Deuteronomy 6:7 "Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Also,  I guess that also means when you are in the shower with soap and shampoo all over your body!  

Whenever we get the opportunity and the door is open to share God with our kids we need to take jump all over it, even if it's an inconvenience for us!   I'm thankful that God is always available to us anytime we need him.  I know I have all kinds of questions and take things to God in the middle of the night, early in the morning and even in the car while I'm driving the kids all over the place.  God never says, "I'm busy right now, go ask someone else!"

As Marcia was leaving the bathroom saying her bible verse, I did also remind her that , "God says Respect everyone, so that means to remember to respect mom's time in the shower next time too and Please shut the door!  She giggled, came back and shut the door!

Abortion. Is it wrong?

6 years ago, I was pro-choice.  The idea of someone telling me women  what they couldn't do with their own bodies, drove me crazy.  Personally, I wouldn't have an abortion myself but  my thoughts were women were going to do in anyway so why not provide a safe place for these procedures instead of some dark dirty alley. I would argue with all my pro-life friends and so arrogantly think I was right and how disconnected they were from reality. My skin would crawl when I would see people holding pro-life signs or the crosses lined up in front of a church representing how many un born babies died due to abortion.  It made me angry.  Pro-choice friends, I understand where you are coming from because I use to think the same way.  I would scream, " you are judging. You have know idea what that women is going through." ( Nobody knows what that women has or is going through.  But God does and turning to him is the only answer.  Having an abortion is not the answer. It may seem like it at the moment but  this will only bring more destruction to somenoe's life.) However, It was I who was being mislead and diseived.  (There are pro-life advocates who do not demonstrate Christ love when talking or standing up on this issue.  How those people choice react to pro-choice advocates I do not support. They allow their emotions take control, which I  know I can do at times to.  We are to stand firm on the word of God but do so in Love.)

Funny, how God can take someone who is willing to give their heart, mind and soul to him, and break it completely for what breaks his.  Every election I voted for Democrats and it never crossed my mind if they were pro-choice.  To think I voted for Obama last election!  CRAZY I know!!! ( I have learned to vote not base on Democrat or Republican but who supports issues that are in line with  God and Scripture.) So, as you read this blog, you can't call me racist or any other hateful names because anyone that knows me  knows how much I love people no matter the sex, race or religion.  However, I LOVE JESUS and listen to what He says not any friend, politician or pastor.  We have become so selfish in the way we think and live our lives.  We think it's all about us and how we want to live are life.  Society may say they love or believe in God but it's a God that they have created in their own minds, not the God of the Bible and the one who created the universe.  Everyone loves God as long as it does not interfere with their life or have to make changes within themselves.  Society wants God to serve us not we serve God. The minute God begins to convict us, we shut him out and run the other way.  Just think if your kids did that everytime you were trying to lovingly discipline them...How would that make you feel? 

What do you think God says about abortion?  Remember, not you nor me but God?  Do we care?  We should.  The world calls on God in great despair wanting Him to help heal their life, but then issues that God deeply cares about we disregard and pretty much laugh in his face.  Our country and many families lives have been affected by abortion.  ( If you have had an abortion or helped someone make the choice to have one, or given one and  asked Jesus to forgive you, he has.  He loves you and it's been forgotten.  Many people still hold on to it not forgiving themselves and in turn have sabotaged their own lives.  It shows up in their relationships, finances, in every part of their life and they way they feel about themselves. Not realizing it's the sin that is separating you from God and all his goodness.  You do not need to live in bodange anymore. Once they seek Jesus it sets them free!  The curse has been broken.)  Until we step up and change our ways, we should not be surprised by all the destruction going on in our own country.  I could give countless stories and statistics to support pro-life.  Do I really need to?  All we have to do is sit down, seek God, put our own thoughts and pride to the side and ask God.  I know you will be surprised to find the answer. 

Abortion is wrong. I'm not being judmental.  It's the killing of innocent blood.  God has a purpose for every baby that is conceived in the womb.  It's not up to us to decide whether or not a baby should live or die.  God can take a horrible situation and make something beautiful with it.  We need to stop playing God.  We need to stop making trying to fool ourselves on why abortion is OK just to make ourselves feel better.  Yes, I know bad things happen and babies are born in horrific situations and that  sucks!  Again, it's not about you or me.  It's about God. We are not the judge nor can decide who should die and who should live.  He care for everyone even and the precious baby growing inside the mothers womb...


Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.


—Jeremiah 1:5

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mothers womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.


—Psalm 139:13, 16

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mothers womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.


—Psalm 139:13, 16

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live


—Deuteronomy 30:


if you are considering an abortion, I urge you to seek help.  If you have had an abortion, God has forgiven you.  You can take your situation and use it for the Glory of God and help other women not make the same mistake as you.