True Love

......Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put His love on the line for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him.

Romans 5:6-8 {The Message}

Remembering the True Love that comes from Above~

xox
*~Michelle~*

Think About it {Phil 4:8}

I received this devotional today and I just had to share it's message:

We choose what we watch and read, the conversations we have and the time we spend with God and in His Word. If the mind is not filled with good, trust me, the enemy will fill it with bad.

Ain't that the truth?

We live in a world influenced by the power of Satan and sin. The media bombards us with war, poverty and sickness. Musical "artists" (and I use that term lightly) glorify alcohol, sexual immorality and violence. We have TV series that showcase teenage moms and reality shows with people/families who are so out of touch with reality....... it's unreal. We hear about break-ups, break-ins and break-downs every day.

So with all the world's distortion and deception.....we can become desensitized. We also can find ourselves compromised, which in turn affects our thoughts, decisions and actions. It can be very difficult to keep our minds free from the negativity. Our mind is our control center. It's the old "every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" dealio.......(Matt. 7:17). Filling our minds with positive thoughts, images, and ideas will help us to remain positive/hopeful even when we have the trials and setbacks in life (which we will!)

But it's a choice.

We have to make a conscious choice to surround ourselves with as much positive influence as possible. We have to choose to turn off the TV when there are more "bleeps" than words.....we have to choose to listen to encouraging music {K-LOVE.com is constantly playing for me} and choose to be with like-minded uplifting people as much as possible.

But most importantly.......choose to make the time for God by reading His Word and let it deposit into our hearts and mind. When we do all these things, we are suiting up in God's Armor. God's armor brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself. It is a life of freedom from the despair we face daily in this fallen world.

And lastly, people will take notice. The attitude that you show in your daily living is a witness to others. Even when things are not going well, if you keep the joy of the Lord in your life, you will show people something that they will want. We can slowly plant seeds in people's lives. And isn't that what we are supposed to be doing?

So today......choose the Light...for yourself, and for others as well.

The Message version of Philippians 4:8 ROCKS:

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.



I leave you with this quote {from the same devotional}

"You can't keep a bird from flying over your head
but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair."

Peace and love~

*~Michelle~*

Holding a Grudge is Like Drinking the Poison and Expecting the Other Guy to Die

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you."
~Lewis B. Smedes

Happy belated new year, my friends......I hope your Christmas Season was overflowing with blessings.......

As you have noticed........my time here in "blogville" has been less and less frequent these past few months. Although I do miss visiting many of you all and being blessed with your inspiration and thought provoking words....I have been pressing through some areas in my life that have taken up a higher priority.

So I try to always share the good, the bad and the ugly of "*~Michelle~*". I have always kept it real, and today is no different as I share a little glimpse of what has been going on with me.......and the beauty of answered prayer.

I am all about posting positive uplifting messages, being cheerful and trying to keep a smile on my face 24/7 despite any sadness/hurt toiling inside....but I have never been good at acting either. So I am guessing that one of the reasons I have MIA....is that I was unable to come here and just jot down some fabricated upbeat message. Just can't do it. Never been good at being fake.....in fact, I wrote about my thoughts on being"phony bologna" in the past.

The purpose of my blog/diary....is to share what God is stirring up in my life. It is not to paint some perfect storyline of some hippie Christian gal and focus on "me". No, I just hope/pray that through all the babbling and grammatical nightmares.......that even one person will be able to relate......in the good, bad and ugly....and be directed to Him in all circumstances.

So here is a little "ugly" for you.

I hold grudges.

For big offenses and sometimes for the most ridiculous ones. In fact, I white knuckle them. Like that Target cashier who wouldn't take my $5 coupon because it was torn near the expiration date even though you could CLEARLY see was dated 2011 and this was still in 2010.......yeah, she is dead to me.

(OK, that was a little harsh.....and not very Christian-like....it's a little over-the-top/over-reacting, but I will never go to her line again..........hmmmpf, take that cranky lady!)

There is something controlling, powerful and rewarding about holding a grudge, isn't there? Well at least that is what the enemy has infused in my heart. Yes, being the control freak that I admittedly am.....it is how I find myself wired when dealing with hurt and disappointment.

..... until recently.

Yes, lately I have found myself entering a new chapter of my life. A chapter that includes the possibility of losing someone close to me soon. Someone who I have built up walls in my heart from the resentment I have allowed to harbor there.

Isn't it true that when you experience the reality of death or impending death of someone in your life, you then realize your own mortality as well? It becomes so apparent what really is important....and how life is too short to be wasted in a negative mindset.

With this discovery.....I found myself not praying for God to change what was happening in my life, but rather to change *me* and my heart as I go through it all. I prayed to have His heart......to have His compassion and forgiveness.

What is crazy is that I know that God forgives me every day. And I totally mess up too many times to count. Yet, He still loves me and gives me chances. The Word says His mercies and grace are new everyday. So who have I thought I was to not extend the same to others?!?

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. ~Mark 11:25 NLT

And lastly, forgiveness is not saying that it settles all questions of blame, justice and fairness. But it is the only way to break the cycle of blame--and pain--in a relationship. It does allow relationships to be restored.....not only with the person you are forgiving, but most importantly.....with God. We have the chains of anger/bitterness broken off of our hearts and are finally free. Free to be happy, free to love......and be loved.

So here is where I am......in the middle of a transformation. I am not fully there yet, but can see the beauty of what is to come. I consider this another gift from God to be able to feel the walls slowly be broken down and have His warm love pour into a place that was once empty/cold. It is a gift for me to experience the love/relationship that was meant to be. And the gift of not having any regrets.


How about you? Do you hold grudges? Are you honestly able to overlook people who brought about past hurts and love 'em like Jesus?


Peace, love and stay barefoot~

*~Michelle~*

a *Message* of Hope......

OK, so I originally had Ephesians 1:7-12 NIV ready to share with you. I had read it this morning and it was one of those"AHHHHHHHHHHH" moments. Not to be confused with an "AH-HAHHHHHHHHH" moments of discovery (insert light-bulb over head).

No, this was a moment where I was once again, reassured that God's "got it all under control" and I felt a extraordinary sense of comfort surround me. Like pretty much everyone you talk to....we've been having our share of ups and downs lately....and through it all, we've been trying to do our best to turn them over to Him.

So anyway......I jumped on over to the handy dandy Bible Gateway site to copy/paste this awesome message of hope and comfort. Usually I scroll down and choose the NIV because.....well, I don't really know why now that I think about it. I guess it is easier for me to understand as sometimes the thee's, thou's and all the -th's get this already confused brain even more confused.

For some reason.......the Message version came up instead. Now I don't know much about this version and I don't dare tip toe into why one version/translation is better than the other.....I just know that this really spoke to my heart today. And I hope it might do the same for someone else who might be going through some uncertain times. I pray that it offers some hope......some Light in the middle of a dark time you might be experiencing.

Just share the Scripture will ya, Michelle!?!

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah,
his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross,
we're a free people—
free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.

And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!

He thought of everything,
provided for everything we could possibly need,
letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making.

He set it all out before us in Christ,
a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together
and summed up in him,
everything in deepest heaven,
everything on planet earth.

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.
Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up,
he had his eye on us,
had designs on us for glorious living,
part of the overall purpose
he is working out in everything and everyone.

~Ephesians 1:7-12 {The Message}

I thought about going line by line and sharing how each one really impacted me or try to explain how to apply it to our everyday understanding of His Promise to us. But not only would I probably lose half of you along the way with my rambling (literally and figuratively)...

....I decided to encourage you to just read this Scripture again. Take five minutes and read it line by line.

Let it sink in.


Have a beautiful week......

*~Michelle~*

The WOW factor

So I was listening to this preacher, Jeff Shreve and he was talking about the Grace of God. Then he mentioned this particular Scripture

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.~2 Corinthians 8:9

Think about this:

Rich is described as having wealth or great possessions; of great value or worth; valuable; abounding in natural resources.

So here is God sitting on His Throne in Heaven (and according to Isaiah)......His train filling the Temple with the angels singing and praising Him singing "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His Glory".

He has everything, He is rich beyond rich in all ways......yet He steps down off of His Throne and enters the world. He didn't even choose to be born in a prestigious influential family.......no, he was born in a barn. He slept in a trough. His parents were poor and came from Nazareth, a very small and insignificant town. (John 1:46 reminds us that this was probably on the wrong-side-of-tracks kinda town....."Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?")

Then, at the height of His ministry.......He is imprisoned, mocked, beaten beyond imagination, spit upon and scourged. He has stakes nailed through His hands and feet, and then has a crown of thorns smashed into his skull. He is then hoisted up between the Earth that He created and the Heavens that He reigned. He took His last breath and said "It is finished". Jesus paid our ransom to free us from sin and death.

The ransom (a price paid to achieve some one's freedom) was Paid in Full.

For me.

For you.


I don't know about you, but my stomach has been in knots when I really really started thinking about this. Not just taking for granted and knowing that "Jesus Christ died for our sins".....but really bringing me back the awe factor on what God has done for us.

I guess this message brought me in the WOW factor mode.

And I don't want to ever leave.


**I believe this message can inspire and bring hope.......so I linked it on up with all the folks over at Bridget's place . Hop on over for more great posts on this subject!

Agape Love

Just wanted to share my newest tattoo!

......I got it right after my son Hunter got his:

(pretty awesome, huh? But can you say OUCH!?!?!)

Thank you for letting me share...

Have a beautiful and safe weekend, my friends~
*~Michelle~*

If we evolved from apes....why are there still apes?

OK, I am not going to get into one of my biggest rants (if you have been around here for a while, you know that the whole evolution theory makes my skin crawl and I am a HUGE animal lover).....but I always loved that little statement and it stuck in my mind when I knew I was going to share this little less than 4 minute clip that was sent to me over the weekend.

(*This isn't a super duper spiritual posting...I am still in my digging deep mode with Jesus....continuing to sort through some questions and issues. I am ripping off a few emotional scabs but healing these wounds with God's "first aid kit" this time. It's a little painful, but I am certain I am going to come out of this better than I ever imagined! I can feel it and He promised me! I am beginning to see and experience that beautiful Light at the end of the tunnel and it sure is AWESOME!)

OK, so getting back to apes and evolution...and hopelessly trying to tie this all together.....

Please tell me......after watching this short little clip....that anyone could still believe that the animal kingdom was just random mutations over billions of years. Or that they only behave a certain way due to instinct or an automated response/reaction. Nope. I'm "old school" and I believe that God created each and every one with a special purpose on Day 6. I believe they are seen as valuable to God, who make them in their uniqueness for His own purposes. He sustains them and rejoices over them. (Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God~Luke 12:6)


How blessed are we to witness it firsthand.

Check this out...this has to warm your heart:

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

I hope and pray that your week is full of SONshine......

Peace~
*~Michelle~*

Lukewarm

So I am reading this amazing book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Yes, you read that correctly.......*I* am reading a book!!!

So I heard about this book when a few blogs were doing a "book club" study. I missed out on joining it, but to be honest....I probably wouldn't have been able to keep up because, well.....you know my issues with me not really reading all so well. So what most avid readers could finish from cover to cover during a nice hot bath.....takes me about two weeks. But in my defense.....my pace works well for me. I read one chapter in the morning and I let the message simmer for a day or so. I love that Francis Chan also has online resources that have chapter videos that summarize his powerful thoughts and other great clips where he shares great messages.

Anyway....for me to stick out something that normally is mentally exhausting/frustrating.....it must be gripping. And that it is. And I encourage you to grab a copy for yourself, I am sure you can "hang" and read about 200 pages......(if I can, anyone can!).........it will totally bless your socks off!

This morning, I read Chapter 4 and Chan addresses being "lukewarm" in Christianity. All I can say is OUCH! He gives examples of lukewarm actions such as:

Lukewarm People don't really want to be saved from their sin; they only want to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don't genuinely hate sin and aren't truly sorry for it; they're merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm People don't really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one.

or how about this one that is a zinger to my heart:

Lukewarm People love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return like family, friends and other people they know and connect with. There is little love for those who cannot love them back, much less those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes then theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached.

Chan give many more examples including how Jesus asks us for everything, yet most of us try to give him less (or what we feel "comfortable" with).....or how we feel we are "playing it safe" by attending church regularly, giving our tithes and refrain from cursing. We proclaim to trust in God and let Him control our lives......as long as it is going the way we want it to.

(another OUCH, huh?)

I don't know about you, but just those few examples of being lukewarm convicted me in a big way this morning. I don't want to become stagnant in my faith or my walk with Christ......I want to always be on fire...I want to be "that" radical Christian no matter what others think. The only One whose opinion of me that truly matters is God alone. Yet, it is so scary, that even with the best intentions.....the busyness of this world, the chaos of life......our own wants and needs....... pulls our focus off of Him and we can slip into that lukewarm state without even knowing/realizing it.


This kind of reminds me of that Casting Crowns' song "Slow Fade"

"Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day"







So what about you? Do you struggle with being lukewarm sometime? What do you do to "fire it up" and get back to the place that Jesus wants you to be?


Have a beautiful and safe weekend.......

Peace and love~

*~Michelle~*

** I, in no way shape or form, have been compensated in any way with recommending this book....I am quite certain that no promotion agency, in their right mind, would even consider me for reviewing any book for fear that it would be out of print by the time I finished it. Just thought I would mention that. ;)

*~Love~*

Hello! I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and are still feeling the spirit of it all....I have been trying to spend as much time with my family and friends as I can this past week. I wasn't planning on blogging and/or spending time online as much but God placed something on my heart when I heard about the one word theme with Bridget Chumbley and Peter Pollock's carnival this week and decided to join in. Forgive the more than normal run-on sentences and thoughts....I am just typing as my heart leads in these early morning hours. Make sure you pop on over to Bridget's place where many friends are sharing their thoughts on love....and I am sure they are grammatically correct, well versed and put together!

The one word theme is love.

Now we happen to be covering nouns and verbs with N's homeschooling......and if School House Rock serves me correctly.....love is a noun and a verb. (btw, if you need a great blast from the past....go to You Tube and watch some of those classic videos!)

Dictionary.com tells us that

love: [luhv]

-noun 1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. 2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child or friend.

-verb~ 1.to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for 2. to need or require; benefit greatly from

-synonyms: Love, affection, devotion all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person. Love may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, romantic feelings for another person, etc. Affection is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm. Devotion is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person;

Sounds good to me. And pretty darn simple. We all pretty much know what the world describes as love. We love our children, family and friends. I know I definitely love God in many ways, especially in the "need, benefit greatly from" department. We can love our church, love our jobs (that is not always the case!), try to love our neighbors (again, try is the key word, especially in the hillbilly boonies)....basically, we all know what love "is" and have it in our lives.

But now let's look at the Ultimate Reference Book......The Bible. Let's see what It has to say about love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ~1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Now I might step on some toes with this.....I can tell you mine are downright bruised! I am not always loving my children, husband and family/friends with God's definition of love. Of course I love them, I would do anything for them. But in day to day living, I certainly am not always patient. I have my times where I can be downright snappy. I have a habit of bringing up the past when I am hurt or angry. I have times of doubt and discouragement. I can be selfish and self serving. I will admit it.....I sometimes love conditionally. My love for others is sometimes based when they fulfill a condition I require. Or sometimes it waivers based on feelings and emotions.

So although I "boast" on my love of others.....am I really loving others the way God wants me to? Do I really feel love when my kids show disrespect? Do I really feel love and peace in my heart when I force myself to be kind to people who have hurt me in the past? Do I really feel love in my heart when I am holding that grudge or reminding my husband of his shortcomings? Hmmm.....

How thankful I am that God sticks to His definition of love with me.

God waits patiently for me....when I am off doing my own thing, He never gets irritated or anxious. When I came to Him.....filthy and weak.....He wrapped His loving arms around me, filled with kindness and compassion. He did not and does not point out my wrongdoings (more like trainwrecks). He does not place blame or guilt on me. No, He simply embraces me and washes me clean. He loves me unconditionally. He loves me when I am shining His Light, and also when I am in my own murky darkness. He loves me when I am on fire for Him and surrounded by a body of Believers....and even when I choose to push Him aside and travel solo. He loves me when I am on top of the mountain.....and when I am wallowing in the valleys. He loves me when I am serving others.......and also when I am serving myself. He loves me when I am praising His name....and still loves me when I question His ways. God's love is beyond what I (we) expect or deserve. He lets me (us) do what I (we) want, but rejoices when I (we) choose to love Him in return. Bottom line. His love is unconditional, never failing, unwaivering.....it is amazing.

And guess what? He loves you just the same. He loves us all this way. Not sure who needed to hear this today, but something in my heart (God) wanted me to tell you. He wants us to feel the freedom that His love will bring. His love will tear down any walls that have been built up.....His love will bring you to a supernatural place of peace and joy....

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies ~Psalm 36:5


With 2010 coming soon...I hope and pray that I am able to have more of Christ and His unconditional, unfailing love in me. I encourage you to print this out and insert your name in the spaces. Speak these words over yourself every morning. Ask God to pour His love.....His eyes, His hands, His heart into you.....and just see what happens.

________ is patient,
________ is kind.
________ does not envy, it does not boast,
________ is not proud.
________ is not rude,
________ is not self-seeking,
________ is not easily angered,
________ keeps no record of wrongs.
________ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
________ always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I pray you are blessed with a safe and happy new year.....I have "met" so many beautiful people with my blog this past year. So many of you are doing such great things in the name of Jesus....I can't wait to see what God has in store for me as well!

Peace and love~
~*Michelle~*

Got Emotions?

The Christmas Season always brings me to a very emotional place, as I am sure it does for many of you. I find myself mesmerized, almost paralyzed, with awestruck wonder of God's presence all around me. Then the pressure of shopping, creeps in and robs the joy. I find myself overwhelmed when I think of all the people who are struggling, hungry and cold especially during this Season. But then find comfort knowing that although we cannot take away all the hurt or meet all the needs of everyone, we can bring a smile to one person's face and spread the love of Jesus with a simple act of kindness such as Billy Coffey's Ten Dollar Challenge . Make sure you head over there and be blessed with the amazing stories that many are sharing. (We will be sharing our family's experience with this soon!).

So yeah, the holidays can bring upon such an avalanche of emotions for us all. Kids are anxious and getting a serious case of the "I wants" due to being bombarded with the arsenal of advertising. It can be a time of mourning when those whose presence is missed. Spending time with family and loved ones will bring joy to most....but for others, it can be trying to overlook the quirky members of their family tree. Holidays can be a time of excess....not only with spending too much money, but the over indulgence of eating and drinking. It can bring depression to many who feel they do not have enough, yet joy and peace to those who know they do.

I am finding that the best way to keep Christ in Christmas, is to keep Him in your daily life......keep Him close while you are shopping in the hustle and bustle, even when that lady cuts you off for that parking spot. Keep Him close when wracking your brain for that perfect gift for someone, free yourself and remember there is no perfect gift, only the One that God gave the world......His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.

Something I was hesitant to share.....but have chosen to do so as this blog is my place to pour out and heal. I know I am surrounded by such a wonderful circle of friends who are always ready, willing and able to share in what is going on in my life. This includes the good.....and not so good.

I am being brought on another bumpy ride on the Emotional Trail with another early pregnancy loss for Josh and I this past week. I was hoping/praying to announce my new name was "Sarah" being pregnant in my old age, but God had different plans for this little blessing and took our little "Isaac" back Home. And although my heart is hurting, I will continue to look to Him for comfort and peace. My bestest friend gently and lovingly reminded me that sometimes God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.....so although I don't understand, I need to remember and trust that His ways are not our ways and He is good......all.the.time!

So as I gather up all these emotions and sort through them.....I want to share this amazing video and song that is guaranteed to stir up some raw emotions in you. It is probably my favorite Christmas song of all times. Enjoy and be blessed.......

(*remember to pause my music)

xox
*~Michelle~*

Blogversary Giveaway!!!!!!

I cannot believe that it has been one year (officially tomorrow) since I stuck my crooked toes into the world of blogging. What started out as just my own personal therapy session, turned into a path of meeting so many wonderful people who have blessed me in more ways than you can ever imagine. I am able to share all my hopes and dreams.......admit my shortcomings and failures........celebrate my highs, be comforted in my lows.

This blog has led me to meet such awesome people who have taught me so much as well. To celebrate Jesus with an amazing circle of Believers blows me away. I thank you for inviting me into your world, opening your hearts and encouraging me to be the best I can be for Christ.

So with that my friends.......I want to celebrate and have a little giveaway of some of my favorite things. All you need to do is leave a comment (and contact information if needed). If you want to be a subscriber/following friend and/or give a little shout out on your own blog/twitter about the giveaway.....feel free to give yourself another comment/chance. But my heart is into "giving back" a little something for all your love and support that I have been blessed with since starting this journey, rather than getting more readers (although the more the merrier!).

I hope that visiting my blog is a blessing to you as much as it is to me. My hope is that I can help one person through a trial or help someone know that they are not alone in what they might be struggling with. I want to help one person see our extra-ordinary God in their ordinary events of life.

To know that God is good......all.the.time.
.....that is reason alone to celebrate!

So that, my friends is what this blog is all about. If I can make you laugh while I laugh at myself......that is a little bonus.

If you are new to my little corner of randomness.....feel free and make yourself comfy after leaving your entry comment and poke around the past year of my life. I had about 2 or 3 readers (and that was including Josh) when I had some profound learning experiences where God taught me alot about patience, worrying, guilt, gossip and the importance of being prepared to serve Him. You can see why I am fascinated with butterflies and how I see myself through them. I can be found babbling about seeing God in everything from mama chickens to a single blossom. And to keep it completely all real.....how a great pair of jeans can change your life.

OK, so now onto the prizes......

One blessed (remember, I don't believe in luck) winner will get the latest Third Day CD....well, it's been out for a while, but it totally ROCKS and I just have to share!

Another winner will find a couple of bars of this yummy handmade soap in their mailbox.....I cannot be held responsible for any future addictions this might provoke.

And lastly.....a very dear friend of mine, Danielle makes beautiful jewelry. She has generously offered to bless one winner with this gorgeous pendent.


She describes this beauty as "this gorgeous green Moss Agate teardrop pendant is looped with copper wire and hung from an adjustable caramel leather cord. At it's largest, it is 28 inches and at it's tightest is 14 inches"

Please stop by her site, Doodles Jewels and check out the awesome creations she designs. Maybe you can treat yourself to a little gift or perhaps find something for someone special.
She is even cool enough to offer all my friends FREE shipping through Saturday with this code "freeship50"

And with that, I am wrapping things up.....I will keep the giveaway open until this weekend and pick three winners! Thank you all again for the amazing friendships you have all blessed me with...thanks for sharing all the amazing things that God is doing in your life.


Have a beautiful day!

Peace and love~
*~Michelle~*

True Love

TRUE LOVE: That sums up what SoulFest is all about.

"It's the revolution that Jesus started!"

True love is when we take the attention off of ourselves and our own needs and shift it to others. And when we now see the poverty, cruelty and horrific injustice that others are experience every day........true love demands our response and action.

True Love is about using our gifts and talents to serve others....from our closest neighbors to impoverished countries across the globe. It is about displaying acts of kindness to our family and loved ones. It is about accepting responsibility of being a steward to this beautiful earth that God created for us. It is about leaving the world a better place than when we arrived.

OK, so let me back this up a bit.....it was no secret that I was psyched beyond words to return to The Soulfest this year. Not only was I looking forward to seeing all the great bands/artists such as Casting Crowns, Third Day, Newsboys and Skillet.....but I knew it would be a great time for me to relax, unplug and refuel. I looked forward to the prayer tents, the inspirational speakers and great t-shirts with something powerful written on them (yeah, I'm one of those Christians *wink). I also was looking forward to late nights...... sitting by the campfire, eating junk food and babbling with Josh. Point is....my intentions were pretty much all about me and my needs.

Now, not that refueling and taking it all in is a bad thing, in fact.....I believe that they are very needed at times. But God had something different planned for me on this trip.

First, He decided that bringing downpours throughout the week would mix things up a bit. Thankfully, we were in a camper, because I think I would have asked God for a raincheck (no pun intended) if we were staying in a tent. These tent camping people are hard core and stuck it out. I can do the no-shower, stay in the same clothes for a few days.....but something about being soggy and moldy and sleeping in those conditions.....I just cannot hang. My idea of camping/roughing it is no cable, no Internet and re-using towels all week that lose their Tide fresh scent.

And when I am talking rain....we are talking Noah's ark flooding. And even when the rain ceased....there was a ton of mud. I have always said that SoulFest was the Woodstock for Jesus (minus the nakedness and acid trips)....and from the photos I have seen about the original Woodstock, this was exactly the same with the mud factor. At one point.....during Family Force Five, what started out as just sprinkling turned torrential in a matter of minutes. H and I just looked at each other and laughed. We figured we were already wet, we were sinking a few inches in the ground so moving was gonna be just as inconvenient. Not to mention, the band was awesome......so we stayed along with 3,000 other head-banging worshipers who went to this show. We couldn't get any wetter, right?
(I am talking even-my-underwear-was-soaking-wet" wet)

So yeah....the rain def. put a damper on things, literally.

Secondly, I didn't get to venture out as much as I wanted......but when I did get to.....I quickly found myself overwhelmed with the many organizations that were represented. Each tent opened your eyes to such injustice, it was hard to comprehend. I didn't know what made me more sick.....hearing about the thousands of children sold into slavery, the massacres of entire villages in Africa or the nations succumbing to lack of water and sickness. My thoughts were now consumed with what can I do for these people rather than what can be done for me.

I made it to one conference, Global Benefit's I Will Scream for You campaign where they talked about what you can do when you know that something is wrong in your world but you feel that your voice is too small to speak out against it all. It's in the grassroots stage, but basically it's a platform to become unified with others and help for whatever cause you want to raise awareness for/support. I really am going to pray for guidance on what caused my heart to stir the most and get my small homeschooling group involved as well as encourage my older boys to take some action with our church youth group.

I just cannot fathom what is going on in other parts of this world.....it made me sob to learn about children, the same ages as my younger ones, who are living these lives of hell. I cannot comprehend my son, who is 11.....being thrown off a boat with rocks tied to his ankles so that he can untie fishing nets for the six fish that might be in them. Or my six year daughter being beaten while picking cocoa beans for a national chocolate company or worse.......sold into the sex slave industry. It just sickens me.

Here is a video from The Not for Sale campaign.....it's not easy to watch......but if watching it makes you cringe, how can we sit back and do nothing?



So sorry to be a little doom and gloom with this post (and I promise to share some of the SONshine we experienced as well soon enough).......but it's real. And it's happening right now. I encourage you to take a few minutes and check out some of the awesome organizations that are the voices for the ones who cannot be heard.

Because it is not all about us. It's about others.
And it's about taking action like Jesus did.
That is TRUE LOVE.

xox
*~Michelle~*



Here are just a few of the many wonderful people who are making a difference. You can too!

To Write Love on Her Arms

Child Voice International

Stand True

Crucified Ministries

The Love Alliance

If you have two coats, give one away (re-run)

(originally posted in Dec '08)

So the other night, we read about Abram and how he obeyed God's command and had to take a pretty unpleasant trip across the desert. I think that story can hit home to many of us sometimes. Sometimes we just don't feel like doing "the right thing".....sometimes we flat out refuse. I know I am totally guilty of this....but I also know that God promises us that we will be rewarded when we do what He asks us to do. It may not be a financial blessing or even a direct answer to the things/situations we pray for....but we should trust that He knows what we need, when we need it.

So last week, my pastor talked about how Jesus told the Pharisees that they should host a feast and not invite all their peers, leaders and "higher up" friends. These people could always repay them for their efforts. No, they should invite the cripple, lame and poor.....people who could never repay them for the feast.......but their reward would come in other ways. Not so sure that the Pharisees listened.....but this concept def. intrigued me. It's true.....we often go the extra mile in gift giving for people, who let's face it......don't really need "stuff", ykwim? I mean, it's nice to get someone a present for Christmas, but sometimes we really start going overboard with wracking our brain to buy a gift for that "person who has everything" or "is hard to buy for". And quite frankly......most of the time, that person really isn't super impressed or ends up returning it. It's so much easier to just pick out anything (not really putting any thought or effort) for people who aren't really as close to us, and we do it just to follow through on a tradition or obligation.

He also talked about how Jesus told people that if they had two coats, give away one. So if we try to work this into "our" day.....this would probably mean, if you have 6-8 coats......give away at least 2-3. I mean, how many coats do we really need? He also talked about how when we give to the poor.....we are really giving to Jesus. So not to pick that old '80s-style fringed leather coat that is crammed in the back of your closet and pass it along to the needy (yes, I was an 80s girl and had a fantastic fringed coat.....along with a rocking pair of spandex! *shudder*......and a little fyi.....I don't think that style will ever come back.....so it's time to let go, dude).

Would we pick out something that isn't even suitable for us, and give it to Jesus?? No, we should pick out our two favorite coats.....keep the #2 choice, and pass on the #1. Jesus (a.k.a. the poor) deserves our best.

So trying to apply this lesson in our house......I suggested to N that we should go through her toys and pick out a few of her favorites and give them away. So she came to me with the rattiest of her My Little Pony collection. These were the ones who had about four strands of fiber left on their manes and tails. I looked her in the eyes and asked her if these were truly her favorites. She got all teary eyed, looked towards the wall and the convo went like something like this:

N: yes, mom.....they are! I love these so much!

Me: (obviously not very convinced): are you sure?

N: yes, I love these so much! (still looking at the wall)

Me: So if I asked you to give a special toy to Jesus, this is what you think He deserves?

N: well, no. (looking down and lip starting to quiver)

Me: remember, when I told you that you should feel lucky enough that you have so many nice things to choose from to give to someone who might not have any. You surely can find a much nicer Pony for them. Pretend you are giving it to Jesus.

N: (still reluctant, but feeling as convicted as a six year old can get) OK

She returns with one of her newest Ponies and hands it to me.....she didn't have a spirit of happiness surrounding her that I was hoping for. But being realistic in this situation, I was thankful that she didn't have a white knuckle grasp on it when handing it to me. I did hear her make a comment as she was walking away about how Jesus probably doesn't even play with My Little Ponies anyway.

So then Josh came home this morning after running out for a coffee and mentioned how the Marine Corps was doing a collection this morning for *new* toys at the State Police station. He asked if I had anything we could give. I instantly thought about the financial crunch we are in, and said no. Funny how God can poke you in the memory bank and remind me of the 2 Webkinz I scored at a sidewalk sale this past summer. I stashed them away for friends' children, but then thought about the Pharisee reference. My friends kids are far from underprivileged and I could still go out and get them something else.

Then it dawned on me. Perfect time for another "lesson" for N too. (see, I am always multi-tasking and taking advantage of what life presents me!)

I wanted her to see the "giving brings reward" in a six year old level of comprehension. Not sure if what I did was the best way.....but I never claim to not screw up from time to time.

So I called her into my room, and explained that I had two new Webkinz in this bag. Her eyes lit up like saucers...."for me????" she giggled with excitement. "No......but one will be for you and I am going to let you choose which one can go to *the sick kids*" (that is what she refers to any charity).
I told her that she could have the Webkinz now, but she would not be able to log on the computer and do all the stuff these kids do with online "pets" until Christmas. (btw, I wish I was the genius who thought about taking a $1.99 stuffed animal, assigning a "code" to it, create a very simple program/website and turn around and sell them at $14.99 a pop. unreal.) She surprised me and agreed to all the terms laid out. I reminded her about how when you give a little.....you recieve too. And how because she was willing to give someone something that she would have wanted to keep....she would be blessed with her own reward. Again, not so sure if that was the healthiest way to reiterate that lesson, but it's what I went with.
She did innocently have a good question as we handed it to the Marines......."if those kids are so poor that they live in boxes (we had talked about homeless families as well).....how are they going to have a computer and internet? Maybe we should buy them a computer too"

I told her I would have to think about that one......;)

Well I hope this finds you well......maybe this weekend would be a great time to go through closets and make up a bag for your local shelter. (*remember no spandex) I bet they would even appreciate some of your extra Christmas decorations to brighten up their temporary living space. We don't always know what happened in their lives to bring them where they are.....and it's not our place to ask (judge). It's our place to just do what is right. We are promised to receive great blessings in ways we cannot even imagine.....

peace and love~
~*Michelle*~

Geography 101 (today we cover valleys and streams)

*stuck on a lesson plan theme with my titles, hopefully I don't sound like the Charlie Brown teacher


So I am was not in a not in a good place lately. (I am using the strike out feature because as I was writing this out, God spoke to me, turned it around as I wrote and brought me somewhere beautiful.....)

Some call it a rut.
Some call it a funk.
Some call it a dark place.

I call it a valley.

I guess I call it a valley because I have the image of a topographical map in my head. You remember those maps we had to study in school....they were maps that either had those curvy lines or was color coded to represent the elevations in the land. To me, this map represents the elevations or the "highs and lows" of our lives.

Throughout our lives we travel and experience different terrains along the way. Without a doubt, we will hit some rough territories. Sometimes we make poor decisions and we get stuck going through that mucky swamp for a while. Sometimes we have unexpected construction on our scenic route and we have to take a detour through a less pleasant road. Sometimes there is no other way to get to where we are going. We just have to be as prepared as we can, toss it into four wheel drive (living in New England, this is a must) and get through it.

OK, back to the image in my head. I am picturing a couple of mountains some valleys in between. There are a few areas where it plateaus for a while with some dips and hills.

Mountains: arms raised high, glorifying God to the fullest. We are on fire for Him!
Higher elevations: still praising God, life is great!
Plateaus with dips and hills: going on in our daily lives, keeping God at arm's reach, reaching out when we need Him....maybe getting a little lukewarm.
Canyons, gorges and ravines: dark depressing times, trials and struggles. We feel alone, without hope....we are in cold darkness.

For the most part, I feel my topographical map is filled with mountains and higher elevations. I also have found myself in some stagnant times on those plateaus. I did have some pretty deep canyons out west (that would be my past, to the left.......yikes, I am using all my extensive geographical terminology on you now). In fact, looking back to my unsaved days.....those were some huge canyons.

I think most of the time we get to these valleys by a slow slip down off the mountain.....we are going full force with God at the forefront, everything is going wonderful. I believe that when the enemy has that clear shot of us on the mountain, he fixes his scope on us and and is determined to knock us down. He does not want us to be effective with our testimony and praise. In fact, he hates it. He has a way of bringing strife our way, if we do not have our feet planted firmly on that mountain (picture a mountain climbers wearing crampons, those boots with spikes).....these trials will shake us and we start to slip down.....and then continues to kick us our way down. Along the tumble down, he tosses in some of his extra "forces" to add to the momentum. I've talked about a few of them lately...... envy, worry, toxic people and most recently gossip. These forces do a great job of weighing us down and keeping us from rising up again.


So I thought I would go with this valley image and decided to give the definition.

*this is where God jumps in*

So a valley is described as " an elongated depression between uplands, hills, or mountains...." Another definition is "a low point or interval in any process, representation, or situation."

It didn't surprise me that the word depression is used.

But what I found interesting was when I realized that I didn't finish the first part of that definition

"an elongated depression between uplands, hills, or mountains, esp. one following the course of a stream"

**Now I need to stop here and shed more light on this**.......these past couple of weeks, I have been putting the final touches on my new tattoo design. It is a tree planted by a stream. The tree not only represents me, it also is a symbol for my family. The tattoo will be an expression of a couple of Scriptures that mean alot to me:

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do ~Psalm 1:3

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.~Jeremiah 17:7,8

Throughout the Bible....the stream represents God. He is the Living Water.

So this got me even more curious as I felt God prodding me to do more research. I also looked up canyon..... in the notes accompanying the entry canyon was this:

a canyon is a narrow chasm with steep cliff walls formed by running water; a gorge is a deep narrow passage with steep rocky sides formed by running water; a ravine is a deep narrow steep-sided valley formed by running water

As I sit here and type.....I am experiencing this revelation. It is blowing my mind so forgive my more than normal run-on sentences and grammar errors.

When I am/was in the valleys, canyons and gorges it is/was then that God is/was even closer than I thought. The stream (Living Water) was running right along side of me.

Being in the valley does not have to be what the Devil wants me to believe. It does not have to be filled with darkness and despair. We may be experiencing trials, but that doesn't mean that God has left us, forgotten about us, or is not listening to us. Quite the opposite. He is closer than ever.

Valleys can be beautiful.......valleys can be lush......it's all how we envision it. And think about it, we need these different elevations so that we can have awesome snow capped mountains and rolling hills.

For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. ~Deuteronomy 8:7


I am still in awe on what God just did. He didn't want me to focus on what the enemy was trying to do with me....why give him any attention/credit? God wanted to show me that He is still here with me even when I didn't think to look for Him. He is so faithful. So kind. So forgiving.

So ......no time for spell check, no time to proof read. I just want to publish and share. Again forgive my more than normal bouncing around.

Have a beautiful weekend......I am now declaring I will too!

xox
*~Michelle~*

Grammar 101

So I thought a little grammar lesson would be fitting for today......I know I know, it's summer break.....sorry, it's the homeschooler in me. I promise it will be quick and to the point.

Today the word is "change". Lets look at it as a verb and a noun. And to boost this "lesson" up to a "Higher" level, I am going to bring God into it. Now come on, did you think I wouldn't? In fact, this lesson is actually for me. I could use a change in my life in some areas.

If you get something out of it......bonus!

OK, here it is:

Verb:
God does not change

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8

The Bible, although written so long ago, is still relevant today. In Isaiah 40:8, God promises us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God stands forever.” Because He is the same yesterday, I know that what He has said will still remain true for you and me today. The truths and principles that were applied in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David and all the people in the Bible are the same truths we need to apply to our lives in this day.

That great truth will not change, because our Savior changes not.

Noun: God is a changer

He turns darkness into light.
He turns mourning into dancing.
He turns filthy rags into royal garments.
He turns ashes into beauty.
He turns bondage into freedom
He turns sadness into joy.
He turns worry into comfort.
He turns conflict into peace.
He turns death into life.

I pray that you will experience His changing power and His love today.

See?

Short and sweet today. :)


Peace~
*~Michelle~*