Wii, That Was Fun!

Have you ever wondered how you could be such an Awesome Athlete on your Wii, but in real life you suck at Tennis? (I don't usually use the word*suck*) but I want to make the distinction! I love the Wii- we play it with our kids quite a bit and it's a blast- I can really knock the ball out of the park in baseball and the crowd always goes WILD...but in real life, I could never hit it out of a little league field...It's so fun getting caught up in video games and not having to think or care about anything-and to the extent we have now, where you're actually DOING it-is amazing! And the girl I created to be "Wendy" is so cute!!! Plus, I can change her every week if I wanted to! You're probably wondering, so what's your point? Well, I don't have a point! I just enjoy playing the Wii... No, but seriously, what if I would've just ended this blog like that,with no point!? Do you ever feel that's how it is when you talk to people? We have conversations every day and sometimes at the end of the day- it's like...What was the point? I hate that!!! I love spending time and talking to people that have a point or a purpose. Anybody can make conversation about anything-cool-but do you ever leave people with something to think about, other than your opinion? Do you ever give them some TRUTH even if it's hard for them to swallow? People are dying for TRUTH because that's what let's them know there is such a thing as Freedom! The Bible says, it's the TRUTH that sets people free! Not my truth, or your truth- but the TRUTH of God's Word. James 2:12-13 says, "Speak and Act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" I love that- that speaks volumes to me... I need to realize how I speak and act should be according to the law(God's Word)- but THIS law gives Freedom. We need to have more mercy than judgment. What does it mean to show mercy? Forgiving-even though someone doesn't deserve it! Do you deserve mercy? No, nobody deserves it-But it still can be given and received! I encourage you to be merciful toward others & that your conversations will have meaning and purpose as you speak God's truth.

"WITH ALL YOUR HEART"?

I couldn't resist using this picture today to talk about my topic-"With All Your Heart." I have 3 girls as most of you know...So how could I talk about doing things with all your heart and not include them!? My girls have my heart. I will always do my BEST for them. Plain and Simple. Part of doing my best for them is doing my Best for me! They are watching me every day and doing what I do-like it or not! Yesterday, in fact, Ava Grace (my youngest) was in the backseat watching me and I didn't realize it. But I was acting silly and doing some dance moves to the radio and I looked back and she was copying me! It was the cutest thing and made me feel so special! Every parent has an obligation to their children to do their BEST. If you can think back and remember your own childhood-can you remember thinking-"I wish they would smile more-so I could feel more comfortable? Or I wish they would give ME all of their attention, Or Why are they talking to me like I'm an adult?- These are things that are now in Our control! So am I smiling more at them, talking less about "adult" issues, and giving them 1-on-1 attention? These are the ways-we can say we are actually doing our BEST. There has to be some thought put into it! And then there has to be a change. Anyone can do this but as a Christian-it is so much better than that... We can pray and talk to our heavenly father and He will give us the wisdom and the strength we need to do what we think might be impossible! Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." As long as there is breath in our body- we need to be living every minute of every day as our BEST before the Lord. If we can commit to doing this- then our families will change, our health, our hearts, everything will be so much better. Putting Jesus Christ first is what makes the difference. What does your Best look like? Honestly, for me- this is something I struggle with and have always struggled with...I believe I don't do my best because that way, I never have to deal with the rejection of "what if my best wasn't good enough" but at the same time-it has left me empty-b/c I'm really curious what my best is? I think I'm finally at the point where I think I can "handle" doing my best and however it is received- it is received! I know I'm probably pretty old- to just now be figuring this out- but at least I'm still trying! I hope you will do your BEST today! Whatever is pleasing to the Lord and pleasing to You is the BEST. No one ever said life was going to be easy- the important thing is that you never give up! There is always something exciting and new to learn with Jesus! He has so much waiting for you...He gave His BEST, so it is time we give Him, ours. Rom. 12:11-12 says, "NEVER be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, & faithful in prayer." Please meditate on these words and let them sink deep into your spirit!!! They will bring you life!

Extra Weight, No Thanks!

Do you see what I see? The legs, rear, back, and arms don't look too bad...but what about that stomach?! I'm not trying to make fun in any way- please don't get me wrong...My point today is to talk about extra weight and the fact that it hinders us and slows us down. Hebrews 12:1-2 says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus." Even though there are people all around us, WE(personally) have to choose to not let anything or anyone cut in on our race. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

Everyday, it's easy to go through the motions of the day and not realize our lives are a RACE. Our race is against Time, basically. What all can we accomplish before we die...How much money can we make, how many movies can we watch, how many people can we help, how many "toys" can we buy, how many places can we travel to, how many races can we win? (You can add your own HOW MANY'S) What is the weight though in your life that is slowing you down? Maybe it is physical weight, but maybe it's fear? There are many things that can slow us down, but the Bible makes it clear and sums it up as SIN... Everyone runs in the race- so don't fool yourself to think that you're not in the race because you are! There's no way you can opt out of this Race.

People with self discipline are usually the happiest people I've known. Their body doesn't control them- they control it! There are a lot of things out of our control- but we do have control when it comes to how we're going to finish! We can choose to run with ENDURANCE (that means not giving up) or we can choose to sit on the sidelines. Even though we've got a number and are in the race, doesn't mean we HAVE to accomplish anything. Do you realize if you are not a christian- than that's the type of life you have? You have a number but your life is not effective. I didn't say your life was not worth anything, but You're just NOT going to win the race. It's not easy letting go of the weight! But if you are being hindered, why wouldn't you want to just let it go? You may not even realize it, but I pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal it to whoever is reading this blog.

We can do such a better job running the race when we've let go of our sin and THEN we can run with endurance. If we hold onto our sin, we will have a much harder time and who knows if we will even be able to finish! We can't see God if we have sin in our life! He is HOLY! He doesn't expect for us to be perfect, but he can expect to be surrounded in Heaven by those who Love him & who have accepted Jesus as our sin offering. Even with all the trophies or medals etc. I've won in this life- The ones I get in heaven are the ones that really matter. Because Jesus Christ is the One WORTH living for and those rewards will last FOREVER! Philippians 3:14 "So I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"

Dead girl

I thought I'd be more honest today than I've ever been in my blog...I'm gonna do my best and write straight from my heart! I wish I could express to whoever's reading this, the pain I've felt and suffered in my life. Not so you can feel sorry for me, but so you would know how amazing it is to know Jesus Christ! Many times the pain was so intense I just wanted to hit a wall or run away. The confusion was so great that at the age of 6, I could not fathom what was going on or why? It made no sense to me that my family was constantly in such turmoil or why we could never stay in one place longer than a couple years....I would establish friendships and then they would be ripped away from me. I would like where I lived or the house I lived in, and it was also gone in an instant. The pain of seeing my Mom drunk or high was unbearable or driving away from a visit with her in prison...Tears, tears, tears! I learned quickly that life was not a joke and I FELT pain! But after a while- you can only take so much pain and then what happens is you become numb. "No one's gonna ever hurt me like that again" or "I can't get close to people because somehow their not going to be able to stay in my life" On the outside I looked just like any ordinary girl. I tried to dress like everyone else, smile, and I was always popular. I knew how to fit in and I always did! I found though that there were very few people who understood me. Most people seemed "shallow" compared to what I had been through. I remember thinking-these girls would crack if they'd been through what I'd been through-if they get this upset over a guy...Inside though, I was longing for truth and for love! I knew my Savior Jesus and I had learned to depend on him. He was seriously, my best friend! I would call out to him as much as I needed to! He kept me safe and secure but I didn't know always how to make the best choices. I did the best I could but I still had to learn. I didn't want to learn the hard way, so I did my best learning from other's mistakes... but I didn't know how to love myself. See, I felt like all the messages I was getting was that I wasn't worth a whole lot b/c I was kind of having to fend for myself. I wasn't being protected from things by my parents-I was just thrown into the wolves. I had to "deal" with whatever situations they put me in. There was no thought or consideration as to what I wanted. But I was constantly trying to please them and be the daughter they wanted. Mainly, I lived that way because I wanted to please God. But again, inside I was angry at them. I had a lot of anger! I had dreams that no one was taking notice of Talents, ideas, and gifts that God had given me. I was taken for granted! I was living this "perfect" little life but it was never good enough. I WAS DYING!!! The layers of hurt were so deep, not even I knew how deep they were! Only God could heal me! Thank God, I didn't make things worse by choosing to drink, smoke, have an eating disorder, sexual issues, or any other type of vice. I just was messed up in my mind and heart! I didn't let anyone get close b/c I didn't want to feel- I didn't want to be manipulated any longer. I didn't want to listen to what people had to say b/c so much of what I had heard from others were lies or coverups! I just wanted peace and truth and joy and love.... I finally realized that Jesus Christ could give those things to me and I could hold on to those things and NOT let anything take them away from ME. It doesn't come from someone else. No one else will be able to make me feel joy, or loved or peaceful. I have to have those things INSIDE of me! Once I figured that out-the healing process began in my life. It used to be for short spurts, if I was around a peaceful person then I felt peace. Or if someone was really happy, than I was happy and so on....What Jesus has put in ME can not be taken away AND THAT'S A FACT! We have the choice! People, unknowingly and sometimes knowingly, bring us down...We have to stay grounded in the Word though and what Jesus says about us! It's unbearable to think about what goes on in this world we live in today! People are hurting all around us-Totally Lost and DEAD on the inside-just like I was. But now I have something to offer b/c I'm not living as a slave to sin-I'm free! I don't just have "religion" I have a changed heart and mind. I have to renew my mind though EVERY DAY! I also feel it's my duty to help others see the truth in me! I thank God I have compassion for others and that my heart goes out to people every day. I may not be able to talk to everyone but I do pray for them. It's a miracle that my heart is not hardened and I'm not a tough old bird! I'm so thankful to Jesus Christ. He saved me and set me free-just like his Word says he can do! That simple belief in Him is what's saved my life! Galatians 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free therefore KEEP standing firm and do not be subject AGAIN to a yoke of slavery." What do YOU need today? Unconditional Love, acceptance, freedom, peace? If those things sound good to you-then you need Jesus Christ! All it takes is a simple prayer of faith-believing that a far away God can be as close as you need him to be! He wipes away our past and forgives us like it never even happened- No one else will be able to give you that! You can spend your whole life looking for something you'll never find- OR you can choose to lay everything down and Let Him lead you!