Happy New Year from Jennifer and I
We pray that the Lord blesses you greatly in all that you do this up coming year!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Run 4 Luv
Jennifer and I have set another goal, to run in the Run 4 Luv 5k this Febuary 8th. Yes we have been bitten by the need to run bug. Who knew a year ago this would be something that we would under take? We also would like to extend out an invite to anyone who would like to run with us. Are you up to the challenge? Post in the comment section if you are interested or on our Facebook page. ~Missie
http://run4luv.com/
Sunday, December 29, 2013
A Year of Reflection...
Jennifer and I January 2013...The beginning
Jennifer and I started a friendship in the fall of 2012, not knowing that this friendship would turn into something amazing. God is faithful to place people into our lives that helps stretch, mold, and encourage us. It was not until January of 2013 that we decided to make some life improving changes. In this decision process we started the Walking with Him blog. We sat down and made New year resolutions. One was to have a healthy lifestyle...we started walking daily and made the steps to eat healthier...
June 2013
After starting at the gym twice a week with Justin our trainer (we like to refer to him as the Colonel), we started noticing little changes, like smaller pants sizes! It motivated us to continue to make and meet goals as this journey continued. We volunteered at the Struttin for Stuffin 5k and earned FREE registration for our next met goal The Hot Chocolate Run on December 28.
Here we are at the Hot Chocolate run, due to illness on my part Jenn's son, Quigan ran in my place. I was still able to participate by volunteering. We have set our next 5k goal,,,the Run4love 5k in February
October 2013
We scheduled back to back family picture sessions and were able to strike a pose together for this reflection picture. We are so excited to see the results of our hard work and look forward to making new goals for 2014.
December 2013
Ryan Stevenson concert at the Red Letter/District coffee house
Look for a post in the next couple weeks on Goals, Grace what does it look like, The Alabaster Box, Letting Go and much more. Jennifer and I want to extend a huge thanks to all of our family and friends who have helped and supported us in this journey the Lord has placed us on.
~Jennifer and Missie~
Ryan Stevenson concert at the Red Letter/District coffee house
Look for a post in the next couple weeks on Goals, Grace what does it look like, The Alabaster Box, Letting Go and much more. Jennifer and I want to extend a huge thanks to all of our family and friends who have helped and supported us in this journey the Lord has placed us on.
~Jennifer and Missie~
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas from Walking with Him
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Like the Noonday Sun
Have you ever been told that you have a powerful voice? But when things get hard you can't seem to speak. Have you ever been so brokenhearted that your chest hurt when you cried? But you know God is close to the brokenhearted. Have you ever reached out, but seen only their back as they walked away? I know they did what they thought was right, but I am doing what I think is right too. How in the world does that work?
Have you ever been completely misunderstood? But know that God knows where your at. Have you been accused of being a liar? But stood strong in the balance of truth. Have you? Me too. I also know how to forgive and walk in humility. I can do that and that’s how I’ve survived the last couple of weeks.
Have you ever been in a relationship where the first time you held hands with him was in a prayer circle? Or that your second date was in an orphanage surrounded by children who've been abandoned? Have you ever felt the softest affection for someone that you know grows gently every moment? When whispered words are righteous. When one Christian meets and another, and there’s a spark and your parents stand behind you. It's a gentle and slow thing, like coals with the breath of God softly blowing until the right time - until fire might catch. Where you want to show him off to everyone, but you can't because they've turned away from you. They’d love him if they knew him.
Have you ever decided to be brave? That place where you decided to speak up. To write the blog post. If someone asks, I'll give them the reasons why I left. The core of it all because it was the will of God. No offense, no hurt, and no division in my heart. Have you ever let a knife hover above your dreams and waited? Like Abraham, hearing that whisper from God in the prayer closet, and deciding to follow God's wishes above your own. When Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
My life is not for a person to have. It's not mine to have. I've given it to God and decided to trust the Lord. I've rested back in verses like, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:3-6). I’ve searched the word of God and let it wash me each morning. I’ve had the pleasure of walking in peace. I’ve grown even closer to God, hung onto Him and walked in mercy.
Mercy... I’ve wanted to apologize to others who have found themselves in my position. Each judgement, each sad shake of my head in the past, “Oh, they aren't doing well, are they?” I want to twirl around and laugh and show the world, “I am doing great! It’s wonderful to walk in the will of God! Even if it’s hard, even if I did everything wrong... there is perfect peace in the will of God.” And it is wonderful, and it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful to let the brokenness turn you into gold, to let the pressure make you a diamond and to let the love of God warm your face until all you can see behind your eyelids is yellow.
Then, a dear friend of mine told me that she wanted to give me a gift her mother gave her. That is: The freedom to make mistakes. To be someone, to look amazing in everyone’s eyes, and to attempt to do the will of God perfectly? It’s a silly and impossible task. You know what I want to do? I want to be a Christian, a humble a servant and someone who follows Jesus. Are my dreams gone? Absolutely not! Because grace has been flying over my head like a banner, somehow my dreams are actually beginning to make sense and doors are opening left and right and I’ve never been more excited to run and...
I might have made a mistake.
Or I might have decided to follow the will of God.
At this point, I would say that you can be the judge of that, but I am of the belief that judgement is wrong. So I’ll just end this blog post trusting that God will use my “powerful voice” for good and not disaster. Then I’ll sign off with a warm heart and hope that justice will rise like the noonday sun. ~ Jessica Day
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Open Door...
So I'm headed down the open road unknown
And we find what we're made of
Through the open door
Is it fear you're afraid of?
What are you waiting for?
And we find what we're made of
Through the open door
Is it fear you're afraid of?
What are you waiting for?
~Switchfoot~
When I first heard these words to this song, I literally stopped what I was doing and stood there listening to the rest of the words. For I had never heard the use of the words "through the open door"...I mean in a biblical sense...What does these three simple words mean??? Add the sentence "we find what we're made of". Then I felt the Lord whisper to me, I am that door what you choose to do when asked to go through the open door is up to you. Wow! it really hit me then. When the Lord opens the door for us it is our choice to go through it. Once that door is opened only we can shut it. For example in the opening of the door He reveals the great promises He has for us. Some of us run through the door with a thankful and grateful heart and never look back. Then there are those of us say no thanks and turn around were we came from and turn away from the promises He has for us. To my little human mind I can't understand why people turn and go the other way. This is something I have pondered for quite some time. I have seen people do exactly this, but the only understanding I can't get is that in the world there is a familiarity that people don't want to give up. A lack of trust in the ability to just let go of everything they know and to hold on to what God has to offer.We truly find what we are made of when we walk through that door God is giving us to open. Are made of fear,or are willing to just trust? It is easy to say when things are going well and life is amazing to say, "When God opens that door I will trust Him and walk through without looking back".
Let's take a look at an area where everything gets turned upside down and inside and out. When it comes to matters of the heart, nothing else in the world will matter. You meet that special someone and he/she promises to give you the world and then in a blink of an eye those promises are taken away without a reason. If that love was of God then this should not happen. What a person has done has put all their trust into man and not God. Once this happens all the peace God has to offer has left. God may or may not have opened this door, it is up to us to decided what we do with this door. Do we embrace it or do say this does not feel like God's will and keep walking through to the promises that He has for us? Then there is the point that He walks us through trials to help us grow. Even though they may hurt at the moment when the dust settles, just know that God was with you the entire time, for He will not give you more than you handle. Sometimes we have to go through things in this life to be helping hand someone else needed. Your testimony is someone else's push to go through what they are going through.
Another thing that can happen is you may be begging, calling out to God to open a certain door for you and He firmly keeps it closed. The best thing you can do is praise Him in the hallway, for if that door is not meant to be open it is probably for your protection. Next time you feel a door opening stop and ask God a question...Is this your will? Then wait for His response, don't try to push a door open that is not supposed to be opened. If He opens a door for you just trust that it is His will and walk towards the promises that He has for you. If it is truly His will for you , He will reveal that it is. We are not to walk in a spirit of fear, but in a full trust of what God has to offer us. Just know that you are greatly loved and it is God's heart to bring you His peace and joy. If you do not feel that then it is not of God. I will keep you in my prayers and pray that next time God opens a door for you that your are not fearful, that you are willing to walk through it, and you leave the things of this world behind. God is waiting to open the door for you...just breath real slow in and out, and take that first step towards the greatness He has for you.~Missie
Friday, November 1, 2013
30 Days of Thanksgiving
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 1 Thessalonians 5 :16-18
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 1 Thessalonians 5 :16-18
For the month of November we are going to be posting daily on what we are thankful for. We have asked some of our readers to tell us what they are thankful for, so check us out daily and to see who is thankful for what.
Nov 1: I am thankful for the love of God, that even though we stray and go after our own foolish desires, He is still faithful to take us back if we are willing to surrender those same things and trust Him. ~ Tylor Desilet
Nov 15: I'm thankful that God has my back and I don't have to figure it all out! Even when I am a hot mess and fell like I need to be in control of things...knowing that I can rest assured that He already knows what;s happening ~ Deanna Bartlett
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Hebrews 13:8
Nov 16: I'm thankful for God and his vision over my life, and my kids life, I'm thankful that no matter how badly I mess up, his vision is always the same. And even if I give up he never does, he gives me another day to try again!! ~Kaylyn Garcia
Nov 17: I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given us and the vehicle He has provided for us to able to help people. ~Anne Scott
Now thanks be to God for His gifts beyond telling. 2 Corinthians 9:15
Nov 18: I am thankful for God's love! For giving me victory! For never giving up on me! ~Wendy White
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart…I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Psalm 138:1-2
Nov 2: I am thankful for a happy, healthy family and for a job that allows me to spend more quality time with them. ~Jenae Sexton
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Nov 3: I am thankful that God has chosen me to be a son of the Most High, has enabled me to love with His love, and I am secure in His hands. ~ Osa Mcdonald
Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; And let those who love Thy salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified.Psalm 70:4
Nov 4: I am thankful for my salvation! I am thankful that the Lord does not allow us to stay stagnant but continues pulling us up more and more. I am thankful for our leadership and the Body of Christ at Harvest Church! ~Niki Woehler Jessee
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalm 50: 14
Nov: 5 I am thankful for God's provision, especially at this point in my life when all other sources of self-provision have proven insufficient!~Marie Taylor
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
Nov 6: I am thankful that God knows my heart and hears my prayers,...that He stays close to me during times of trial and testing of my faith...that He alone gives me the strength I need for the journey and will see me through anything when I ask Him to lead me through the valley of questions...I am so thankful He remains Faithful and that I can trust Him to see me through...knowing He will guide me and I will be the better for it..I give Him all the Glory!.. ~Sandra Dockery-laroque
I will praise the Lord in all times. I will constantly speak His praises. Psalm 34 : 1
Nov 7: I am thankful for my wonderful church, friends, and family. I am thankful for my awesome roommates and all the blessings and growth that has come from living with them. And I am thankful that I know the One and Only living God as my Savior. ~Janelle Thompson
I look up to the mountains does my help from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2
Nov 9: I'm thankful for change. When we change with time and with God, like the fall leaves when they turn their vibrant colors, we grow and become the lights that He intended us to be. I'm thankful for each moment, for truth & honesty, for grace & humility, and for each new day. ~Annelise Driflot Rowe
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalms 95:2-3
Nov 10: I am thankful that Jesus is my Husband, provider, and healer~Missie Rednour
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Nov 11: We are thankful for the Veterans who have laid their lives in the fight for our freedom ~Walking with Him
Nov 12: I am thankful for my job ~Melanie Day
I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving Psalm 69:30
Nov 13: I am thankful for every day and every experience that has made me who I am. I have wonderful friends and family who have helped show me the way and supported the journey along the way. I am blessed to be apart of something beyond myself and so thankful for the Bible and all it's encouragement, promises, and guidance. ~Jennifer Hochstrasser
O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalm 95:1-6
Nov 14: I am thankful that Jesus is my Shepherd and He leads me ~ Said Mujagic
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself." Matthew 6;33-34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
Nov 3: I am thankful that God has chosen me to be a son of the Most High, has enabled me to love with His love, and I am secure in His hands. ~ Osa Mcdonald
Let all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; And let those who love Thy salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified.Psalm 70:4
Nov 4: I am thankful for my salvation! I am thankful that the Lord does not allow us to stay stagnant but continues pulling us up more and more. I am thankful for our leadership and the Body of Christ at Harvest Church! ~Niki Woehler Jessee
Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Psalm 50: 14
Nov: 5 I am thankful for God's provision, especially at this point in my life when all other sources of self-provision have proven insufficient!~Marie Taylor
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
Nov 6: I am thankful that God knows my heart and hears my prayers,...that He stays close to me during times of trial and testing of my faith...that He alone gives me the strength I need for the journey and will see me through anything when I ask Him to lead me through the valley of questions...I am so thankful He remains Faithful and that I can trust Him to see me through...knowing He will guide me and I will be the better for it..I give Him all the Glory!.. ~Sandra Dockery-laroque
I will praise the Lord in all times. I will constantly speak His praises. Psalm 34 : 1
Nov 7: I am thankful for my wonderful church, friends, and family. I am thankful for my awesome roommates and all the blessings and growth that has come from living with them. And I am thankful that I know the One and Only living God as my Savior. ~Janelle Thompson
- They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. Psalm 14
I look up to the mountains does my help from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalm 121:1-2
Nov 9: I'm thankful for change. When we change with time and with God, like the fall leaves when they turn their vibrant colors, we grow and become the lights that He intended us to be. I'm thankful for each moment, for truth & honesty, for grace & humility, and for each new day. ~Annelise Driflot Rowe
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalms 95:2-3
Nov 10: I am thankful that Jesus is my Husband, provider, and healer~Missie Rednour
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Nov 11: We are thankful for the Veterans who have laid their lives in the fight for our freedom ~Walking with Him
Nov 12: I am thankful for my job ~Melanie Day
I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving Psalm 69:30
O Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalm 95:1-6
Nov 14: I am thankful that Jesus is my Shepherd and He leads me ~ Said Mujagic
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself." Matthew 6;33-34
Nov 15: I'm thankful that God has my back and I don't have to figure it all out! Even when I am a hot mess and fell like I need to be in control of things...knowing that I can rest assured that He already knows what;s happening ~ Deanna Bartlett
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! Hebrews 13:8
Nov 16: I'm thankful for God and his vision over my life, and my kids life, I'm thankful that no matter how badly I mess up, his vision is always the same. And even if I give up he never does, he gives me another day to try again!! ~Kaylyn Garcia
That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Psalm 30:12
Nov 17: I am thankful for the opportunities that God has given us and the vehicle He has provided for us to able to help people. ~Anne Scott
Now thanks be to God for His gifts beyond telling. 2 Corinthians 9:15
Nov 18: I am thankful for God's love! For giving me victory! For never giving up on me! ~Wendy White
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known His doings among the peoples! 1 Chronicles 16:8
Nov 19: I am thankful for many things, I am also thankful for the daily scriptures a sister in Christ sends me. ~Kristopher Zimmerman
And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name by means of His name; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! Isaiah 12:4
Nov 20: Family, what can we say about family, I love my family. I am grateful to have a family, my siblings and my nieces and nephews and my grandchildren, last but not least my immediate family. They are all perfect gifts from God. To my life, Family a place we should all feel loved, respected, safe, important, valued, appreciated. To my family all of you please forgive me for any action or word that ever left you feeling any less than this. Thank you for loving me, spending time with me and allowing me to love you,as long as I am alive I want to be a safe place for you, I will pray for you and listen, Love Wife, Mom, Sister, Auntie, and Noni signed Deb
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
Psalm 100:4
Nov 21: I am thankful to God that He knows I am not perfect, forgives and loves me anyway~ Dena Metzger
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever. Psalm 30:11-12
Nov 22: I am thankful for my brother and sisters in the body of Christ, and the sweet fellowship we have when we get together! ~Joann Laframboise
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variables, neither shadow of turning.
Nov 23: I am thankful as faith moves mountains...love removes walls. Relationships are a blessing from God and a powerful tool in His hand. ~Melissa Coto
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Nov 24: November 23: I'm so thankful for kids and a husband who love and serve the Lord and live for His purposes! ~Gina Scranton
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
Nov 25: To me Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks to God for everything that He does for us everyday. For the breathes we take, for the food we eat, and for the life we live, and for the wonderful friends and families we have. ~Alan Shipley
Matthew 6:25-26
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Nov 26: I am thankful for church family, supportive husband and God's provision in the coming year! ~Kandle Hollingshead
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17
Nov 27: I am thankful for my husbands's wisdom, insight, his drive and desire to the be best he can be, his positive yet analytic outlook on everything. His dedication and love for his children and others. His patience, and how he is always there for others.~Dayna Young
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69-30
Nov 28: I am thankful for the word the living word, and the ability that the Holy Spirit gives women who obey and love the living word ~Cindy Lachance
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2
Nov 30: Jennifer and I are thankful for all the people God has placed in our lives. Everyone of you enriches us more than you know, such sweet blessings you are to us
And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name by means of His name; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted! Isaiah 12:4
Nov 20: Family, what can we say about family, I love my family. I am grateful to have a family, my siblings and my nieces and nephews and my grandchildren, last but not least my immediate family. They are all perfect gifts from God. To my life, Family a place we should all feel loved, respected, safe, important, valued, appreciated. To my family all of you please forgive me for any action or word that ever left you feeling any less than this. Thank you for loving me, spending time with me and allowing me to love you,as long as I am alive I want to be a safe place for you, I will pray for you and listen, Love Wife, Mom, Sister, Auntie, and Noni signed Deb
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
Psalm 100:4
Nov 21: I am thankful to God that He knows I am not perfect, forgives and loves me anyway~ Dena Metzger
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever. Psalm 30:11-12
Nov 22: I am thankful for my brother and sisters in the body of Christ, and the sweet fellowship we have when we get together! ~Joann Laframboise
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variables, neither shadow of turning.
Nov 23: I am thankful as faith moves mountains...love removes walls. Relationships are a blessing from God and a powerful tool in His hand. ~Melissa Coto
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Nov 24: November 23: I'm so thankful for kids and a husband who love and serve the Lord and live for His purposes! ~Gina Scranton
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
Nov 25: To me Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks to God for everything that He does for us everyday. For the breathes we take, for the food we eat, and for the life we live, and for the wonderful friends and families we have. ~Alan Shipley
Matthew 6:25-26
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
Nov 26: I am thankful for church family, supportive husband and God's provision in the coming year! ~Kandle Hollingshead
I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17
Nov 27: I am thankful for my husbands's wisdom, insight, his drive and desire to the be best he can be, his positive yet analytic outlook on everything. His dedication and love for his children and others. His patience, and how he is always there for others.~Dayna Young
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69-30
Nov 28: I am thankful for the word the living word, and the ability that the Holy Spirit gives women who obey and love the living word ~Cindy Lachance
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2
Nov 30: Jennifer and I are thankful for all the people God has placed in our lives. Everyone of you enriches us more than you know, such sweet blessings you are to us
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
It Never Fails
In our culture nowadays, we almost live with the expectation of being let down, hurt or failed.
We expect people to not be able to live up to our standards because after so many times of them not, we just give up. We lose hope.
Will there ever be someone who doesn't let me down?
Will I always have to deal with the ones I love hurting me the most?
Who can I count on?
These are all questions and thoughts that have run through my mind.
The truth is, we have all been deeply hurt and wounded by someone, somehow. And after it happens, it’s hard to ever open up or be vulnerable again.
Suddenly everyone becomes an opportunity to be hurt again.
“Well I DO love them, but I've learned my lesson.”
We become so quick to put our walls up.
But recently, God has put a wrecking ball through my walls.
The beauty of God’s love is that is ALWAYS goes beyond anything I could imagine.
HE ALWAYS MEETS AND GOES ABOVE MY EXPECTATIONS.
HE ALWAYS COMES THROUGH FOR ME.
HE HAS NEVER LEFT ME HOPELESS OR LOST.
His love- NEVER FAILS ME.
There are two things I have learned:
People will let me down. But that is NO excuse to not truly love them. Because I, myself, am bound to do the same. We are humans, prone to err.
God’s love for me, and for the people around me, can heal and restore every wound.
Take a look at what Ephesians 3 has to say; (Ephesians 3:16-20)
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.
God will strengthen every weak spot and wounded area of our hearts.
That we may be grounded in HIS love, (for us and for people) so that we may be FULL, whole and complete again by HIS love that goes beyond human understanding or comprehension.
HIS LOVE WITH DO EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY MORE THAN WE ASK OR THINK.
His love empowers us to overcome our fears.
"There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear."
(1 John 4:18)
1 Corinthians 13
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
God, wash and heal us by Your love, that we might love despite our brokenness. Help us love deeply and intentionally without hesitancy.
His love NEVER FAILS.
~Emily Scranton
guest blogger ~
~Emily Scranton
guest blogger ~
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Stand Tall
I want to live dangerous,
Risk it all for you, Lord
I need you to wake me up
From the life I've known before.
Whatever it takes, I want you to make
me more like you.
There's nothing I won't give up.
I want to live dangerous
I want to live dangerous
~Group 1 Crew~
In a sense this is the cry of person's heart whose desire is to be on fire for God. For we were called for a purpose, Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 16:18-19. To be honest with you this looks good on paper, sounds good in prayer, and some people seem to have a natural ability to do this. If you are like me I want to do this with every fiber of my heart...but I let the fears of this world silence my tongue. The next thing that happens I am filled with condemnation for my lack of faith. Another thought that creeps in is, she is way better than I am. I am not called to bring in the Harvest, but to take care of it once it comes in. Then the Lord reminded me that I could and should do both. This revelation was both exciting and scary at the same time. He had breathed a fresh power into my spirit and gave me a new courage to what He called me to be.
With this fresh desire came something else the realization that I might have to stand alone. Was I prepared for that? Yes and no. Yes, because I wanted to please the Lord and do His will. No, because that meant getting me out of my comfort zone. I had to make decisions to not go with the crowd, not laugh at those awkward inappropriate jokes at work. Everybody wants to be loved, liked and needed. The questions I had to ask myself involved this,What is more important to be everybody's friend, or to stand alone. The answer sounded like a verse from a Toby Mac song, I don't want to gain the whole world and loose my soul. With this answer in mind I called upon God to give me the strength and the courage to make a stand for Him. To have His desire to go out into the everyday places of my life with a boldness to speak His truth. To have Him give me His eyes and ears for the lost, while not becoming part of the lost.
To stand up and take my place in helping others see what He has to offer, which is the offer of life and not death. So, now when I go back to my work place, or to my school I am excited to show others God through me. If they mock me , so what I don't have to claim that for my God is greater than the words that are meant to hurt or tease me. It gives me a chance to love them and not hate. Sure the battle will be hard, but it is not lost. For every action or word that points them to God is one more step closer to them getting to know Him. I leave you with this, know that I am praying for you and your personal battles that the enemy tries to throw your way. I will stand with you arm and arm and claim the victories God has for you. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
~Blessing, Missie
Here is a little something to bring your courage, enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHKdhAZ9hU&feature=kp
To stand up and take my place in helping others see what He has to offer, which is the offer of life and not death. So, now when I go back to my work place, or to my school I am excited to show others God through me. If they mock me , so what I don't have to claim that for my God is greater than the words that are meant to hurt or tease me. It gives me a chance to love them and not hate. Sure the battle will be hard, but it is not lost. For every action or word that points them to God is one more step closer to them getting to know Him. I leave you with this, know that I am praying for you and your personal battles that the enemy tries to throw your way. I will stand with you arm and arm and claim the victories God has for you. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
~Blessing, Missie
Here is a little something to bring your courage, enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coHKdhAZ9hU&feature=kp
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Mom's sphere of influence
It's been on my heart to take a look at the Mom's sphere of influence. She plays the single most significant role in the day to day and the effects it has on those around her.
Proverbs 31:27 The Stay At Home Mom: gives her days to serving her family. Her walk is filled with the day to day tasks of cooking, cleaning, endless amounts of laundry, transporting kiddos to and from, appointments, reading and re-reading story after story, peacemaking, and so much more. Her days are full and she is often left trying to squeeze in fellowship, time for herself, and her husband. She needs another 8 hours each day and even that wouldn't be enough to do all that is required in the demands of the day. One day at a time is too long for her. She lives in the getting getting through breakfast, getting through lunch, getting to nap time, and the highlight of the day when Daddy comes home, and preparing for dinner. What I would encourage her with is to embrace the gift she's been given in the blessing of staying home. She sets the tone for her family. If she had the opportunity for a do over, she would walk the kids to the park one more time, she would play with the toys and sing the song, and make the cookies, and re-read the story with joy. The Lord blesses her sacrifice and sustains her energy level with every act of service that she does unto Him. Her targets to impact for the kingdom are the treasures entrusted to her that are watching, learning, and growing not by what she says, but by what she does. Also those she comes into contact with throughout her day, the clerk at the grocery store, the neighbor, the coffee barrista, the school personnel, and they are all placed with divine appointment strategically placed for impact.
Luke 11:33-35 The Working Mom: is equally as busy adding a job outside of the home to her day which includes preparing herself and her family to leave the home and tackle the home tasks around the work schedule. She juggles home life and work relationships while being salt and light to the world and her co-workers recognize that she carries herself with integrity, grace, humility, transparency, and joy. The Lord is faithful to equip her with the Full Armor she needs to combat the many distractions and opportunities that are presented at every turn to take her off the path The Lord prepared for her and have her step out from under His protection. Her targets for impact are with every word she speaks throughout the day. Every request, answer, and interaction is an opportunity to plant a seed for the kingdom. She ends her work day to go home and partner with her husband in the nightly routine.
The Single Mom: has no record-able description. Her day is ever changing. She is both Mom and Dad. Nurturer and Provider. She survives in a place of constant happenings. She relies solely on the promises from the Lord to sustain, nourish, strengthen, replenish, discern, protect, equip, and walk with her through every action from beginning to completion. Her days go by rather quickly rarely with a moment to ponder the next. After working her day job, she begins the night shift at home sweet home where little people depend solely on her for survival. She is required to rise early, and stay up late often finishing the less than appealing task that daunt her line of vision at every observation of her personal surroundings. She too is called to use every opportunity of breath to speak in such a manner that leaves impact on those precious little people and those she comes in contact with. The Lord is ever close to her. He comforts in times of loneliness, He walks along side when she is exhausted, He steps in between her and the line of battle often unbeknownst to her, He guides and leads when she doesn't know where to turn. He's there through every laugh, sigh, and cry.
The Someday Mom: If she's not yet married, has single work to do. She is watched most closely in every decision made. Is this where she is suppose to be in her life? Is she seeking the will of God for her future? Is she dedicating herself to being used and trusting wherever the Lord will take her whether or not that leads to providing her with children someday?
If she is married, her days may or may not include a job away from the home and either of the previous description include her in the community and whom she impacts. Though her role is more focused toward serving in the care of her home and husband. If either of these Someday Mom's never have children of their own, they are both women with purpose to the children in their sphere of influence to come along side and support the variety of Mom's in the body of Christ.
So I ask this dear Mom, are we waking each day with our agendas full of the dailies that inhabit our lives or are we filling our days with the purposes of our roles in this generation and those to come?
~Jennifer
Proverbs 31:27 The Stay At Home Mom: gives her days to serving her family. Her walk is filled with the day to day tasks of cooking, cleaning, endless amounts of laundry, transporting kiddos to and from, appointments, reading and re-reading story after story, peacemaking, and so much more. Her days are full and she is often left trying to squeeze in fellowship, time for herself, and her husband. She needs another 8 hours each day and even that wouldn't be enough to do all that is required in the demands of the day. One day at a time is too long for her. She lives in the getting getting through breakfast, getting through lunch, getting to nap time, and the highlight of the day when Daddy comes home, and preparing for dinner. What I would encourage her with is to embrace the gift she's been given in the blessing of staying home. She sets the tone for her family. If she had the opportunity for a do over, she would walk the kids to the park one more time, she would play with the toys and sing the song, and make the cookies, and re-read the story with joy. The Lord blesses her sacrifice and sustains her energy level with every act of service that she does unto Him. Her targets to impact for the kingdom are the treasures entrusted to her that are watching, learning, and growing not by what she says, but by what she does. Also those she comes into contact with throughout her day, the clerk at the grocery store, the neighbor, the coffee barrista, the school personnel, and they are all placed with divine appointment strategically placed for impact.
Luke 11:33-35 The Working Mom: is equally as busy adding a job outside of the home to her day which includes preparing herself and her family to leave the home and tackle the home tasks around the work schedule. She juggles home life and work relationships while being salt and light to the world and her co-workers recognize that she carries herself with integrity, grace, humility, transparency, and joy. The Lord is faithful to equip her with the Full Armor she needs to combat the many distractions and opportunities that are presented at every turn to take her off the path The Lord prepared for her and have her step out from under His protection. Her targets for impact are with every word she speaks throughout the day. Every request, answer, and interaction is an opportunity to plant a seed for the kingdom. She ends her work day to go home and partner with her husband in the nightly routine.
The Single Mom: has no record-able description. Her day is ever changing. She is both Mom and Dad. Nurturer and Provider. She survives in a place of constant happenings. She relies solely on the promises from the Lord to sustain, nourish, strengthen, replenish, discern, protect, equip, and walk with her through every action from beginning to completion. Her days go by rather quickly rarely with a moment to ponder the next. After working her day job, she begins the night shift at home sweet home where little people depend solely on her for survival. She is required to rise early, and stay up late often finishing the less than appealing task that daunt her line of vision at every observation of her personal surroundings. She too is called to use every opportunity of breath to speak in such a manner that leaves impact on those precious little people and those she comes in contact with. The Lord is ever close to her. He comforts in times of loneliness, He walks along side when she is exhausted, He steps in between her and the line of battle often unbeknownst to her, He guides and leads when she doesn't know where to turn. He's there through every laugh, sigh, and cry.
The Someday Mom: If she's not yet married, has single work to do. She is watched most closely in every decision made. Is this where she is suppose to be in her life? Is she seeking the will of God for her future? Is she dedicating herself to being used and trusting wherever the Lord will take her whether or not that leads to providing her with children someday?
If she is married, her days may or may not include a job away from the home and either of the previous description include her in the community and whom she impacts. Though her role is more focused toward serving in the care of her home and husband. If either of these Someday Mom's never have children of their own, they are both women with purpose to the children in their sphere of influence to come along side and support the variety of Mom's in the body of Christ.
So I ask this dear Mom, are we waking each day with our agendas full of the dailies that inhabit our lives or are we filling our days with the purposes of our roles in this generation and those to come?
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
-Leo Buscaglia
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
My Heart...My Love!
This a conversation Jennifer and I overheard the other day...A friend of ours answered his phone with these four precious words..."My Heart My Love". These four word stopped me in my tracks, I looked at Jennifer and she looked at me. We were both in that moment of time rendered speechless. As we tried not stand there staring at him with our mouths wide open, he noticed we were smiling at him. He told his love that we were making fun of him. No, were just really in awe in the fact that he loves his girlfriend so much that he was able to express it in the manner that he did. When he got off the phone and looked at us like, what? It then became clear to me this was the norm for him, and he was surprised by our reaction.
Later as I reflected back on this conversation, I was talking to the Lord about it. For a woman to hear such words of endearment can really play on some emotional heart strings. Then Lord being ever faithful whispered in a still small voice," You long for a love like this, but I long for you to love me like this". For the second time that day I was stopped in my tracks, but this time I was humbled by the meaning of what He had said to me. It gave me pause to think and to ask myself, am I giving all my love to the Lord"? Am I setting my eyes upon Him and trusting Him with every thing that I am? These were some very good questions I had not asked myself in a long time. I then asked the Lord to show me anything that was keeping me from loving Him in all that I am.
I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
Proverbs 8:17
This is a reminder of God's promise to us and that He will love us for all eternity. He asks us to seek Him in all things and trust in Him in all things. He is a kind a loving God who only wants the best for us. Just remember when you are feeling lonely, left out or not even wanted. You are, you are wanted and love by the One who created everything for you, by the One who sent His only Son so that you may have life.
The sky could fall
the ground could shake
The stars burn out
And seasons change
Time will pass
and beauty fades
But all my love
will remain
~Royal Tailor
Take a moment and ponder the meaning of that. I believe when you stop to really think on it and ask God to reveal His love for you. You will feel it!
~Missie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)