Awaken the Heart Ministries

Hello!

2011-07-26T21:06:00.002-05:00

How pathetic is it that I haven't posted since last year??!! Man time sure flies! Trying to keep up as a full-time mom, wife, employee, student, and mentor is HARD!! Sorry, blogger just had to get erased from the list! Maybe, just maybe, I can add blogger back when I GRADUATE next month! Yes, that is what I said - I have two more weeks of class and I'm done! YEAH! I wondered if it would ever happen, but I think I can make it! :)
We have experienced an amazing adoption story through our friends the Ucherek's and now our friends the Duncan's are adopting! We are so excited so I wanted to share their blog with you so that you can be encouraged by their journey. Check out www.itsalwaysbeenindia.blogspot.com

Hope to blog with you soon!!

2010-11-24T19:39:00.001-06:00

Show the love of Christ to a child in need this Christmas!

What are you doing this year for Christmas?

Decorating the house? Making Christmas cookies? Celebrating with family and loved ones? Exchanging gifts?

What if this year you gave gifts that not only celebrated your loved ones but brought the love of Christ to a child in need? An orphan in Africa, India, Ukraine, or Honduras?

This year Lifesong for Orphans has gifts that will do just that. Give the new Lifesong cookbook...

or give a child in Africa food, a child in Honduras job skills training, a child in India a home... in honor of those you love... and really, what could be better at Christmas than to know your gift was given to a child who needed it more.

Check it out here.

May God bless your holiday season!

10-11 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

2010-11-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

GIVEAWAY!

This week, you have TWO chances to be entered in a giveaway for a FREE Lifesong for Orphans t-shirt! Lifesong will be debuting 2 new colors (chocolate brown for men and red for women) and are offering to give away 2 shirts before they are available for sale!

Here’s how to enter:
#1: Go to the Lifesong blog posting from Monday and guess how many children are no longer orphans that Lifesong helped to bring home through financial assistance.

#2: Leave a comment on Friday’s posting about how we can creatively work together as the body of Christ to care for orphans around the world! Here's what you do... share with us your ideas. Leave a comment... maybe about a ministry your church is involved in... or a family you helped support financially to adopt.

Maybe you have this aMAZing idea that has been just waiting to get out and be put in action. Here's your chance! Let's inspire each other to rise up on behalf of orphans!

“With this in mind, take some time to walk through your house and ask God what he would have you do with your part of the 200 million orphans worldwide, most of whom may never hear the gospel, much less have it lived out in a loving family of their own.” – Greg Lucas

2010-10-16T10:19:00.002-05:00

Hey my bloggy friends! I had to take a minute to share something that I learned last week - something that I hadn't thought about before - something that made me realize even more how powerful our God is and that His Word is exactly how He wants it to be.

First, let me ask you a question - if you were starting a church, would you begin by setting up a plan of policies for the church to function or would you share the doctrine of the Holy Word first and then figure out the policies?

As we look at the letter's that Paul wrote, the growth of the church is based on right teaching over policy.

Paul teaches about doctrine in all of his first letters and then talks about church leaders and policy in Timothy and Titus at the end of his life. Obviously, the most important information in causing the church to grow was the doctrine!

Hope this can be a great reminder to all of us to always put doctrine over policy!

Thank you Pastor Dick!! :)

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-09-24T17:17:00.001-05:00

Alvin was born in a Liberian refugee camp in The Republic of Ghana, Africa. His mother fled there during the civil war in Liberia. Sadly, while she was in Ghana her family was killed in Liberia. Alvin’s father died in the refugee camp before he was born.

In 2007, When Alvin was 4 years-old, he and his mother returned to Liberia. There she began attending church and quit drinking. Two years later, a few days before Christmas, she began vomiting and was admitted to a hospital with malaria. Soon after, she died.

Alvin now lives at Lifesong Liberia's Master's Home of Champions.

You can help a child like Alvin. You can feed a child like Alvin.

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 44. 26 to go!

Will you join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans?

2010-09-23T13:09:00.000-05:00

Quita is 5 years old. During the disarmament time, rebels came to her village and took all the men, including her father. She never saw her father again. Later it was discovered that these men were taken to a bridge where they were shot and thrown into the river.

Her mother ran to the Salala district with the other villagers for refuge. There she later got sick and became paralyzed. Last year Quita’s mother died and Quita was taken to the Lifesong Liberia's Home of Champions. When she grows up she wants to be a medical doctor and help children.

Isn't it amazing that at 5 years old she's thinking about how someday she can help other children?

How can we help children today?

We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year.

Twenty-eight dollars...

- eating out at that new restaurant

- the shirt you've had your eye on

- a date night to the movies

- those pillows that would just look sooo good on your sofa.

I won't lie, making this commitment will require some sacrifice. But trust me. The sacrifice is always worth the reward.

What can you sacrifice for a child like Quita?

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 36 commitments, 34 to go!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans!

2010-09-22T12:54:00.001-05:00

This summer our church had their annual VBS program. We had the kids raise money to support a Vacation Bible Camp at Lifesong Liberia. Well, the response of these 5-11 year olds brought tears to my eyes. We heard stories about kids doing extra chores around the house and emptying their piggy banks. One child even asked if this year's Christmas money could go to helping these children across the world! wow!

That week we raised more than double what we needed! That same week our Liberia director, Emmanuel Jones, discovered another orphanage that needed our help. Another orphanage where the children were starving. Another orphanage that we could help with extra money raised by children in Illinois.

Amazing! God's timing is so good, isn't it?

We announced to the kids that their money would not only give Liberian children a Bible camp to attend, but would also provide food and shelter for over 25 more children! Oh the cheers that filled the Sunday School room that evening. They whooped and hollered. I cried. God is good!

2010 Liberia VBS from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Over 360 children attended!

67 children dedicated their lives to Christ!

75 adults came, and 11 of them received Christ!

Bishop Emmanuel Jones writes:

It was heart touching and very moving to watch for three days. I saw the children change in a dramatic way in their relationship with God and with each other.

The camp was profound and the children left very encouraged and blessed. We have started a church in the community in order to continue discipleship and follow up with these new believers."

But this was only the beginning. Now, with more children we have more cost. Funds are tight and we need help.

Here's the exciting part. If we surpass our goal of 70 sponsors we can take in more children! Children who would otherwise be turned away!

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We currently have 25 commitments... 45 to go in just 3 days!

Can we do it? With your help we can!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose to orphans.

2010-09-21T11:57:00.001-05:00

Kemah never knew her mother. One day while she and her brother were sleeping, their home caught fire. In a desperate attempt to save his children, Kemah’s father ran into the house for them. After he rescued her brother, her father searched for Kemah as well. That day, the roof of their little house caved in, leaving Kemah’s foot badly burned and killing her father.

Now orphaned, 6 year-old Kemah and her brother found refuge at Master’s Home of Champions-Lifesong Liberia. Here she is gaining an education, is given daily, nutritious meals, and is learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kemah can tell you that she loves Jesus and knows He loves her because He died for her sins. Someday she hopes to be a missionary so she can tell others about the love of Christ!

Wow... What an amazing response to the Gospel from a young child who's already experienced more pain than many of us will experience in a lifetime. But Kemah is not alone. There are other children... so many children... who need our help!

We're asking for a monthly commitment of $28 for one year to help cover the costs of caring for 70 orphans in Liberia. This donation will cover food and water, and other necessities, such as coal and kerosene, toothpaste, bathing and laundry soup, and hair oil.

A typical grocery list at Lifesong Liberia for 1 month includes:

- 8 bags of rice

- 5 gallons agro oil

- 2 bags of cornmeal

- 1 bag of sugar

- 20 gallons of red cooking oil

- 1 carton of cooking salt

Sometimes powdered milk and flour will also be purchased, but not every month.

Every 1-2 days cassava, various vegetables, fish and occasionally chicken are purchased for soup.

Typically the children at Lifesong Liberia will have cornmeal porridge for breakfast and rice with soup for lunch and dinner.

Will you help us feed and care for these children? Children like Kemah?

Our goal is 70 people. $28 a month. One year commitment.

We have 17 commitments. That means 53 to go in just 4 days!

Join us in bringing joy and purpose for orphans!

2010-09-20T13:06:00.002-05:00

Hey all! Check out this link:
http://lifesong.squarespace.com/home/2010/9/20/we-have-5-days-lets-make-them-count.html

James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2010-09-17T08:00:00.003-05:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! After seeing that its been two months since I've blogged, I'm feeling quite guilty. Yes, I am still alive and yes, God continues to shape and mold me through this little thing called life.
About eight weeks ago, I began having major pain in my neck, left shoulder, and left arm. When I say major, I mean not going to work, laying in bed all day kind of major. After trying chiropractor care and lots of different kinds of drugs without relief, I saw a neuro surgeon on a Friday and had neck surgery the following Monday (August 23). So, its been almost 4 weeks since my surgery and I am happy to say that I felt immediate relief and continue to recover well.
During the time of my recovery, I've had lots of time to spend with God. Our time together has been so precious and I've learned so much. In the whirlwind of a life I typically live, I find myself always looking for a quick fix to any problem I may encounter. I mean, who has time to deal with problems??? God placed me in the first three chapters of Proverbs for about two weeks to show me the importance of seeking wisdom. In James 1:5, God offers wisdom to those who ask for it. Proverbs shares the blessings of seeking wisdom and the consequences of not. God helped me realize that I must seek wisdom in everything. I must seek wisdom first, not after I've tried my own thing and screwed it all up. God is willing to give it to me - all I have to do is seek it and then actually obey once He gives it to me. Simple enough, right?
Well, my problem is taking the time to seek it. Will you pray with me that we will take the time to listen for God's wisdom?

Our small group has been reading the book Radical by David Platt and I have to say it has opened my eyes to many things. I highly recommend it. One thing it has led our group to do more of is - see a need, meet the need. We began by serving in our community by helping some people with home repair and gave school supplies to some needy families. Then, we became aware of a need outside our community.

Join our small group (a group of young adults in Central IL) as we seek to find 475 people who will give $20 each in order to build a well for the kids at Plan Escalon campus in La Entrada, Honduras! WILL YOU CONSIDER GIVING $20?What is $20 to us today, in 2010 in the US... well, I could think of a lot of things and if we each make one sacrifice, we can make this happen!

If you would like to join us go to www.lifesongfororphans.org and click on donate and make sure you put Honduras Well in the description box. You can also find out more about Lifesong for Orphans, the children they provide for, and other opportunities for you to serve along side them at the website. And if you are on Facebook, check out our group at Godabuildawell.

Also, check out this amazing post at our friends, Dan and Christi Ucherek's blog
http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/2010/09/while-we-wait.html

God is on the move!
God is working in so many lives!
God loves you no matter what is happening around you!
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! (even when you don't understand!)

Are you saying yes to His calling? Or is fear keeping you safe in your comfort zone? I can say from experience that He can be trusted. He is faithful but how will you know until you say yes? Say yes before you even know what He is going to ask and get ready for an amazing adventure!

Are you afraid? Do it anyway!!

OK, I've said my piece for now. Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-07-10T09:05:00.003-05:00

Hello my bloggy friends! No, I have not forgot about you! I think of you often, but have a difficult time, finding time to put those thoughts into words on my blog! Wow is all I can say about our amazing God. I had shared in previous posts about my difficulties in transitioning back into the working work while maintaining everything else in my life (well, except my blog :)), but as always God is faithful in pulling me through difficult situations. I felt as though I needed a refresher in my spiritual walk and boy did God provide one for me! Our young adult group started reading and discussing the book "Radical" by David Platt and it has left my head spinning (in a great way!)! It has challenged me and caused me to do some major thinking over my life and the way I live it! The biggest challenge it has brought about is how it has made my selfishness very apparent. I guess my selfishness comes so naturally that I don't even notice it at times. This book has been a great inspiration to me also to be more intentional about building relationships with others. I highly recommend it.

So, I would love to hear about what God is doing in your life! How is He changing you? What is He calling you to do? What vision or passion has He put on your heart? Big or small, I want to hear it all!!

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-06-01T06:37:00.003-05:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! I hope you had an amazing Memorial day weekend! I sure did, mine was filled with catching up on over due relationships, house work and home work. It feels good to catch up!!

Do you ever feel like your relationship with God is dry? Do you ever desire a renewal in your connection with God? Do you seek to have more passion?

I've been a bit dry lately, but God's Word revealed a great truth to me this morning. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God shows Ezekiel some dry bones and then not only brings those bones back to life with flesh and skin, but breathes life back into them.

God has the power to do the same to you and I. Seek Him and you will be restored. Ask for passion, and He will fill you with it. Desire His guidance and will and He will show it to you.

Hope this brings encouragement to you today! Have a great one!
Christie

2010-05-21T07:07:00.002-05:00

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Good morning my bloggy friends! It seems as though its been forever since we've talked. Lately, I have found myself overwhelmed with life. Attempting to balance being a wife, mom, friend, student, and employee has been difficult for me but I am holding on to the strength of God for wisdom and guidance. As I cried out to God about all I had to do, He softly and sweetly reminded me of the above verse. It reminded me, once again, that God is in control and that I need to make my focus on Him and the moment I am in - not the places I need to go or the list of things that need to be completed. Attempting to train my brain to focus on the here and now has been difficult but I will not give up.

While on the earth, Jesus' example was of working hard and being persistant but also taking the time to be still and pray. I wonder, how much more content and calm would my/your life be if we prioritized our quiet time with the Lord?

I hope you can gain encouragment from today's post and let it be a reminder for you to stay in the present and keep God as your focus.

Have a great day
Christie

2010-05-15T08:08:00.001-05:00

This verse brought sweet peace to my heart today

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Enjoy joy in your soul through Jesus Christ!

Christie

2010-05-11T06:29:00.002-05:00

The words in this song are wonderfully true - I have lived them. Enjoy and soak up the peace that the truth brings.
Christie

Tenth Avenue North: You are more

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

2010-04-27T06:34:00.002-05:00

I've been listening to the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan on my drive home from school each week. As I listened last night, I realized something about myself. I live in a cycle of being totally consumed and fulfilled by God and then falling into seeking other things in life to fulfill me. There is a void in my heart that can only be filled by God but I can so easily fall into trying to fill it with material things, the approval of others, achievements, etc. My last cycle has been being content with my home and what I have in it but recently have found myself spending money on it that I don't have. I've wondered why my heart has went from contentment to discontentment but haven't gone much further. It hit me last night - the reason I am spending money on unneeded things is because I'm searching again to fill my void with "things" instead of God. I've decided that each time I want something unneeded and am ready to shop, I will instead spend that time with God.

I love the way that God is so faithful! I'm so thankful that His love for me never changes even when I go seeking something else to take His place.
Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness, grace and mercy!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-04-23T06:41:00.002-05:00

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Matthew 5:13

Are you salty?

Are you passionate about your relationship with God?

Are you ready to say "yes" before God even makes the request?

Are you allowing God's light to shine through you?

It is easy to be on fire for the Lord when you first become a Christian but as the years go by and circumstances get the chance to harden your heart, do you find it more difficult to burn?

Think about your priorities today - does what you do set a godly example for others?

Do you speak and act differently than those who are not Christians?

Just some thoughts that I've been pondering and thought you may want to also.
Have a great day
Christie

2010-04-15T18:23:00.003-05:00

Hello my friends - long time, no talk! Well, since its been so long since I've wrote something, I thought I'd add some recent pics so I could show you what I've been up to. On Monday, I had my 35th birthday and my sweet sweet friend, Kristy made me a beautiful cake! Her name is Kristy Cotter and she makes the BEST cakes ever and will be starting Cotter's cakes soon, so make sure you let me know if you are ready to be a very special customer. YUMMY!!!!
Another birthday surprise got delivered to my job on Monday. What a wonderful hubby I have!!
We also spent last weekend camping. It was so much fun and very relaxing. It was windy enough to blow us away but we were able to find ways to stay near the ground - well, except for the pics below.

Nate decided it would be good to walk in Cooper's shoes (paws) for awhile. He really enjoyed being a dog (I guess its a good thing that dog is his nickname!)

Well, that's all I have for now - hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2010-04-09T07:51:00.002-05:00

Hello and happy Friday my bloggy friends! I have to admit that as I write today, I am in pain! Lots of physical pain! I got this great idea that since I packed on a few pounds over the winter that I could join my local Curves and get this old body back into shape. I never do things half way, so I worked out this week with fervor and passion, not thinking about how long it had been since my body had experienced exercise. I am now hobbling around like an old lady and wishing I hadn't been quite so passionate!

This week, I heard someone say "don't judge lest ye be judged," quoting from Matthew 7:1 and I began thinking about how our defenses go up when someone may get just a little to close to our favorite sin. When I think of "judging" someone, I think of the times when I really don't know the whole situation but choose to make a judgement on a person's actions or motives, anyway. It's a way that we make ourselves feel better by putting someone else down.

As Christians, we are to love each other, lift each other up, and help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when they have fallen. I believe it is my responsibility to lovingly keep those Christians accountable, that I have a relationship with. I am not responsible to point out the mistakes of those who are not Christians because I have to show them the love of Jesus before they will be able to see their sin. Relationship is the key to keeping others accountable. No relationship will bring out all the defenses in the other person. Now, I'm not saying that this always makes the other person happy and could not hurt the relationship but to follow the example of Christ, we are not to judge but we are to help keep others accountable for their actions and also be open and willing to be kept accountable, ourselves.

Hope I stepped on some toes today! :) (If I have to hurt, you have to hurt!)

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-04-01T06:25:00.001-05:00

Does you life bring glory to God?

Each choice we make, answers the question.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-03-30T06:36:00.003-05:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! As I read the first chapter of Matthew this morning, I was reminded of how God has a purpose and a plan for everything and everyone. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus. I have to admit that I have often skipped over all the names of who fathered who but as I read all the names, I realized how important each person was.

I know many people who call their pregnancies "accidents" but truly, in God's eyes, their are no accidents. God has a plan and a purpose for each of us, whether our parents had planned for us or not.

It gives me comfort knowing that God wants me - even if no one else does. God knows how to stretch and pull me so that I can be who He wants me to be. His love and faithfulness gives me the strength to do what He asks me to do.

Do you know what God's purpose is for you? What are your spiritual gifts? What can you make the choice to say yes to? (even if its scary!)

Hope you can spend some time chewing on these thoughts, today.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-03-26T06:54:00.000-05:00

When my husband and I had our first child at the age of twenty, I had no idea that I should be making choices to protect my marriage. How I wish that someone would have prepared me for the issues I would face with setting family priorities and boundaries once children entered the picture.
From speaking with many Christ following women in central Illinois, I have found most being as naïve, as I was, as I believed that our new little bundle of joy would only enhance our marriage. That was, until the baby was actually born!
For me and many other moms, it is common to put our children and their needs above our husbands and sometimes even God. This is not God’s plan for us and I am excited for the opportunity to share with other Christ following moms, my experiences and hard core facts about setting priorities and boundaries in marriage. I have learned much through discussing this topic with other women, learning from other Christ following moms, my own personal experiences, doing much reading from the last decade and internet research.
So the question to answer comes down to: how can something a married couple made together be the root of what could tear them apart and how do we keep that from happening?
It is in no way the child’s fault but the reactions of the parents in the midst of an addition to their family. Although caring for a child takes much time and energy, I believe that nurturing marriage is a wise investment. A family begins when a man and woman become one through marriage. Children are additions to an already established family.
Titus 2:4 “so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.” (Holy Bible New American Standard Translation) The responsibilities of a young mom are clear: love your husband and love your children. What it does not say is: love you children and let your husband fend for himself!
God created marriage and gives much input to the subject through His Word. God created marriage for pleasure and for procreation. The Bible’s timeline shows God was first, and then He created man and marriage, and then procreation. Although this makes sense as we read the Bible, when we add children to a marriage, our priorities can be easily altered.
“Children. When husbands and wives become parents, they go through a significant transition that changes their lives and their marriage completely and permanently. These changes cause a husband and wife, to stop and wonder, “What has happened to our lives…what has happened to our marriage?” (Morgan and Kuykendall pg. 21)
The issue of Christ following wives neglecting their husbands to be more child focused runs rampant today in central Illinois. The ability to learn from others is a powerful tool in our lives, so use this information to understand how your marriage not only affects the married couple but also the children involved.

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-03-22T19:06:00.002-05:00

Spring must be officially here - my kids had set up the hammock and I found them relaxing in the sunshine today. There is just something about spring that makes my heart smile :)

2010-03-18T19:06:00.002-05:00

Here I am again - hey, twice in one week is much better than skipping a month like I did last month! I am working hard at making this transition into being a full-time wife and mother, working full-time, and going to school full-time. Whew! It is an adjustment, but I am reminding myself that it is only a temporary imbalance and will eventually slow down. While I'm in this season, I am trying to be intentional about my time management and choosing important over urgent.

Over the past few weeks I've had the opportunity to speak three times. First,I spoke during chapel time at Pontiac Christian School, a women's retreat in Shelbyville, and at Fairbury MOPS. I am still amazed at the faithfulness of God, once again, as He continues to give me the strength to stand before others and then gives me the words that each one needs to hear. Thank you, Lord for another opportunity to trust in You.

What is God asking you to do that makes you cringe?

Have you allowed your fears to be your decision maker?

How can you say that you live a life of faith if your life doesn't require much faith?

Have a great day
Christie

2010-03-14T18:51:00.002-05:00

Hello my bloggy friends! I'm home from the Hearts at Home conference and my spirits are high! My spirit feels rejuvinated but I think my body could use some sleep. Me and nine other women stayed the weekend in Bloomington and had way too much fun and way too little sleep!

If I told you about all the wonderful things that happened since I left the house Friday morning, I'd be writing for a long time and you would be reading for a long time!

Here's a few highlights:

As I drove to Bloomington on Friday morning, thoughts were running through my mind. As a volunteer, I was assisting a worshop speaker. I worried about not connecting with her or embarrassing myself when I introduced her and every other what-if that ran through my mind. I had also been praying for a connection with God over the weekend. As I drove, I looked up to the sky and noticed how a cloud above me was in the shape of an angel with its wings outstretched over both the north and south bound lanes of the interstate. It reminded me of God's continuous presence in my life. As the miles passed, it seemed as though I was being embraced by the outstreched wings of the angel. An amazing peace comforted me and I realized that even when I may not "feel" Him, God is always in and with me.

I attended a class titled "5 Secrets your husband wished you knew" by Mark Savage. A large portion of the message was on respecting your husband. One thing that stuck out to me and gave me new perspective was: at the end of Ephesians 5, wives are told to respect their husbands. If God commands me to respect my husband, than in order to be obedient to God then I must respect my husband. That means that he does not need to earn this respect, I just need to respect. WOW - now that's alot to chew on!

I could go on and on with the ways that God touch me and changed me over the weekend. What a blessing Hearts at Home is and I will continue to promote it and encourage women to attend. www.hearts-at-home.org

Have an amazing day!

Christie

2010-03-11T06:28:00.002-06:00

Whooooo Hooooo! Its that time of year again! Hearts at Home is tomorrow and Saturday and I am so excited to be a part of it again! Because of the impact it has had on my life, I want to encourage every woman I know to go - walk-in's are welcome on both Friday and Saturday. For more info, check out www.hearts-at-home.org

My girlfriends and I are taking this opportunity to make the conference into a girls weekend and staying in Bloomington all weekend. Oh what fun we are going to have! Please be praying with me that God will prepare the hearts of the 6,000 attendees to feel His presence and be transformed by His Spirit. God used this conference to change my heart and I know He will use it to change many others as well.

If you are attending the conference, come visit me in the resource center. I will be assisting Jodi Antrim at her speaker table. Can't wait to see you!

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-03-10T05:50:00.002-06:00

Psalm 46:10-11 "Be still I know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Does life ever seem like it's passing you by? Does you daily routine keep you from experiencing life to its fullest? Do you ever feel the need for something different or for some excitement?

Be still (yes, longer than a second or two) in order to hear God, but before you do make sure you have fully committed to obeying whatever it is that He may lay on your heart.

Say yes before you know what it is that God is going to ask you to do and be ready for the ride of your life!

Whoever says being a Christian is boring, obviously is not a Christian!

Be still, my friends.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-03-07T17:53:00.000-06:00

Mom, do you know how valuable you are?

Do you want to be inspired and encouraged?

Are you in need of refreshment or rejuvenation?

Do you want to laugh?

A Hearts at Home conference gives moms the unique opportunity to pause along their mothering journey to refresh, refocus, and renew themselves. The 2010 National Conference, Mom’s the Word, is being held at the Bone Student Center of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois on March 12-13.

See what others are saying about a Hearts at Home conference:

“I attended the conference this year for the first time. I enjoyed it immensely. I was lifted up, instructed, convicted, encouraged, and brought to tears, sometimes all at the same time.”

“I loved it. I feel so full of information. I need to sit and read my notes and just process it. It was really encouraging to hear all the speakers and be with all of those moms. Thanks so much! “

“This past weekend was awesome and life changing. This was my first Hearts at Home Conference and I am telling everyone about it. “

“I want to thank you all for keeping these conferences going each year and for making them so refreshing for women at various stages in their parenting.”

Hearts at Home wants all mothers to know how valuable they are! Check out this video for a small dose of encouragement from Nicole Johnson and be sure to join us March 12th-13th for more!

Featured guests include Nicole Johnson, author & motivational speaker, a favorite at Women of Faith, Jill Savage, author, international speaker, CEO & founder of Hearts at Home, and Christy Nockles, Dove Award nominee & formerly of Watermark.

Visit www.hearts-at-home.org for more information.

Hope to see you there!
Christie

2010-03-05T06:30:00.001-06:00

Today I'd like to welcome author and speaker Susie Larson. Susie's new book Growing Grateful Kids has just released and I've invited her to share a little bit about this great resource.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

My husband and I have been married 25 years and have three grown sons (all in their early twenties). Our oldest son Jake works on the business side of the Christian music industry. Our middle son Luke is married to his beautiful wife Kristen; he works full time at a bank and part time as a worship pastor. Our youngest son Jordan is studying to become a surgical nurse. My husband Kevin is a commercial construction manager by day and manages my ministry by night (and weekends). Bless his heart.  I am an author, speaker, and an on-call radio host for Christian talk radio. Together, Kevin and I serve as advocates for justice on behalf of modern day slaves and human trafficking victims.

Tell us about your new book, Growing Grateful Kids: Teaching Them to Appreciate an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Places.

Even when economic times are tight, our children enjoy an abundance of material possessions. Yet, amidst all this wealth, discontentment and competition seem to be on the rise. Instead of teaching children virtues such as gratefulness and patience, many parents are bending over backwards to get their children the latest and greatest item - or feeling guilty when they can't. In spite of the currents of materialism and entitlement that flow so strong, it is possible to raise children who are simply grateful. Though teaching perspective and gratitude to our children is critical, it is not difficult.

Why did you want to write this book?

To be completely honest, I never wanted to write a book on parenting. I wanted to protect my kids’ privacy and give them time and space to become the men God wants them to be. But in the last few years, I have been especially burdened with the level of selfishness, entitlement and disrespect I see among children today. Furthermore, moms seem more stressed than ever. When I asked my sons their thoughts on writing this book, without pausing they all said, “Do it, mom; that book needs to be written!” I think I wrote a book that not only equips young moms to raise humble, grateful world-changers, but also one that nourishes the soul of the reader and encourages her personally.

Throughout the book you remind the reader that we cannot impart what we do not possess. Can you explain?

If we never deal with our own fears, insecurities, and hang ups, but we try to teach our children to believe in their divine value, over time, our words will not ring true to them. First God wants to do His work in us before He does it through us. They say that lessons are more often caught than taught. If we parent from a place of conviction and real freedom, our children will be affected by what we teach them.

One of your chapters is titled, “Take Time to Play.” How does taking time to play teach our kids to be grateful?

To me, taking time to play says a lot about the level of faith we possess.

If our children hear us confess that we love and serve a BIG God and yet they see us striving and straining through life, they will come to believe that more is on our shoulders than on God’s. If we can trust God enough to step away from our busy-important lives, to make a fort in the basement, or play a game with our children – even in the most desperate of economic situations – we will give our children a sense of much needed security and that all is well in their world.

What do you want readers to take away from this book?

To answer this question (I hope you don’t mind), I would like to share an endorsement from one of my sample readers. She expressed my deepest desire for my reader:

“Growing Grateful Kids is such a great source of conviction, encouragement, and inspiration to spur me on to finishing this parenting race well and not sputter out along the way. This book compels me to submit my own character to the refining of the Holy Spirit that I may be equipped to impart those lessons onto my children. Thank you, Susie, for taking the time, for submitting in obedience, and writing this down for a generation in desperate need of this kind of parenting book!” –Gail Miller

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?

I am very excited about the message in this book. It is my prayer that every one who reads it will be nourished, encouraged, and equipped to parent from a place of fullness, conviction, and confidence. Raising grateful, confident kids will be one of the most heroic, important things you do in your lifetime. God’s blessings to you!

2010-03-04T06:30:00.001-06:00

Today I'd like to welcome Jill and Mark Savage. Jill and Mark's newest book Living with Less so your Family has More just released and I've invited them to share a little bit about this great resource!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

We have been married for 27 years…17 of them happily. After finding ourselves in a marriage counselor’s office around year 8 or so, we realized that we really didn’t know how to be married. We worked hard to turn things around and now we like to share that hope with other couples.

We have five children ranging from 13 to 25. Our oldest three are married. Anne (25) and her husband, Matt, live in Zion, IL, and are expecting our first grandchild in April. (We are very excited!) Evan (22) and his wife, Julie, have been married a year and a half and they live just a few miles from us. Erica (19) married her husband Kendall last September. They live in Augusta, GA, and wherever else the Army takes them.

We have two teenagers still at home. Kolya just turned 16. He’s learning to drive and we’ve nearly worn a hole in the carpet on the floor in the passenger seat trying to find that non-existent brake pedal. Kolya is the newest member of the Savage family. We adopted him at the age of nine from Russia.

Austin is 13 and in the 8th grade. He wants us to make sure and tell the world that this “living with less” life is a real bummer because he’s the ONLY kid in 8th grade who doesn’t have a cell phone.

Tell us about your newest book Living With Less So Your Family Has More?

The world screams the message that bigger is always better, but we have found that is not often true. When it comes to raising a family, less materially can actually result in more relationally. Children don’t need the best houses, the best lessons, the best cars, or the best clothes. What they really need is the best home life and the best family relationships we can give them.

Why did you want to write this book?

We didn’t start out with the “less is more” mindset. We started as a double income family wanting to have the “best” of everything. Then Mark decided to pursue ministry. We went from the “high life” to the “frugal life” very quickly as we moved to another state for him to go to Bible College full-time.

That experience introduced us to the concept that less is more. We definitely had less money, but we had more time. We had less stress and more peace. We had less activities and more fun.

Since that experience, we’ve continued to live primarily on one income for the past twenty years. We’ve had to battle cultural peer pressure and make different decisions for our family than many other families in our neighborhood have made. But we’ve never felt that we were materially depriving ourselves or our kids…instead we’ve focused on what we’ve actually been able to provide for them emotionally and relationally.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

We hope the reader is encouraged to evaluate how they are living their life, spending their money, and thinking about family matters. Our goal is to introduce families to the “less is more” concept and then equip them with the attitudes and actions to actually make that happen.

For families that are already committed to less is more, we hope to bolster their resolve and help them stay focused on the long-term goal of providing relationally for their kids.

In today’s economy, there are many families being forced to live with less. We want to help them see the opportunity they have with this unexpected downsizing they’ve been forced to do.

And for those who have just been a little discontent with their life and saying things like, “I’m tired of the rat race of life,” or “Is there more to life than drive-thru meals for dinner?” we hope to help them see other choices they have and how they can lead their family in a different direction.

What unique elements will the reader find in Living With Less So Your Family Has More?

For couples who want to read the book together, we’ve included discussion questions at the end of every chapter. This helps move the readers to discussion and eventually actions. Even a single parent can use the discussion questions for personal evaluation.

Readers will find this book a practical guide to changing your attitude and your actions to live a successful “less is more” life. They’ll find our writing style to be a warm, casual, honest discussion where we not only share our victories but our mistakes along the way. We are an average couple living successfully on an average income who want to help others to see the possibilities before them.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?

It’s healthy for parents to occasionally pause and evaluate their vision for their family and the choices they are making. We hope this resource will help them do that together and that it will lead them to live a life of little regret.

2010-03-03T06:40:00.001-06:00

I'm baaaaacccckkkk! Well, kinda - here's a post from my friend Suz, enjoy!

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust the Lord in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

This verse seems so simple. Trust the Lord with EVERYTHING, in all things acknowledge and him and give him credit and life will be easy, right? Not so much….The verse says He will make your path straight, not easy. The Lord’s idea of straight, as my simple mind can imagine, is according to His plan, not our own. So, yes, if we trust him with everything, lean on His infinite wisdom and acknowledge Him in all we do, we will see the blessings He is ready to pour out on us that will surely far surpass the limited scope of what we can imagine for ourselves.

Where are you today? Tired of caring the load? Tired of feeling like everything you can give is just not enough? Well, you are probably right. You cannot do enough right stuff for God to love you anymore than he already does. So be real with who you are and thank God today for the way he has molded and made you to be for you are His.

Have a blessed day!
Christie

2010-01-26T06:13:00.000-06:00

I am excited to share a fun opportunity with you!

To celebrate the release of Hearts at Home’s newest book: Living With Less So Your Family Has More, by Jill and Mark Savage, the Hearts at Home blog is launching the Living with Less Contest.

Email Hearts at Home a story or money-saving tip that gives a peek into your daily experiences representing the humor, richness, or spiritual aspects of what it’s like to live with less.

Better yet, blog readers will benefit as many of the money-saving entries will be posted on the Heart’s blog throughout the month of February!

For contest details go here!

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2010-01-21T06:19:00.002-06:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! I've missed you! This working full-time has really but a damper on my blogging! Yep, I said it, I'm finally working full-time after 5 months of not having a job and to boot, I love my job!! :) I'm here blogging today because the preschool that I'm working at is closed today. The other teachers and I spent most of our day yesterday cleaning up vomit and diarrhea as we sent many children home with the stomach flu. I got the call this morning that the owner and 1/2 of the teachers have it now. I'm praying that I don't get included!!

I've begun a new class at school called "Dynamics of self-leadership" and I'm learning alot about how to choose important things over urgent things and how to make more time for spiritual disciplines like study, submission, service, prayer, fasting, simplicity and solitude. I'm beginning to realize that I need to keep myself in strong connection with God if I want to help others connect with Him. I tend to give so much of myself to others that I become spent and burnt out because I don't take any refueling time for myself.

We also have been learning about how to keep an eternal perspective on the choices that we make. There are so many things that I get worked up over that have no eternal impact - they just really don't matter in the long term. I want to live a life that truly focuses on the eternal since I am currently living my eternal life and so are you if you are a Christian.

One last note, cause this is a biggie - Gossip is a symptom of not feeling full in Christ. We gossip about others because it makes us feel better. We want worth and when we don't feel worthy, we focus on the faults of others so that we feel better about ourselves.

Our worth doesn't come from how we feel or from what others do, our worth comes from the fact that we are created by God in unique and magnificent ways. Our worth comes from knowing that, as Christians, we are children of God - princes and princesses of the King.

Are you willing to make the commitment not to gossip? Are you willing to find your worth in God and not go searching for it elsewhere?

I've loved having the time to catch back up with you! I hope that your day is wonderful and that we can talk again soon!

Keep your faith - we win in the end!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-01-15T07:33:00.002-06:00

Check out this song by Sanctus Real -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06AgY5Xoavw

This song explains how I feel many times when I feel overwhelmed, afraid and desiring answers for my questions. I've learned that its during these times that God is working on my heart and preparing me for the changes He wants to make in my life and in myself.

Times of change are not fun and can spin me quickly into my own little pity party but its keeping my eyes focused on God and not myself that brings me through.

I'm reading a book for my current class on spiritual disciplines. One discipline that we are studying is the discipline of solitude, or taking time to just be still and be quiet. Those times come few and far between in our busyness crazed world but I think its time for just that - some quiet time with my God.

Have a great day and a great weekend.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-01-11T19:11:00.002-06:00

Our God is an awesome God! I continue to rejoice over our son giving his life to Christ and then being baptized on Sunday. I can't use words to explain the joy that I felt when both of our children accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior - it is just unexplainable.

Accepting Christ as your Lord means that you want Him to be the center of your life - your focus.

As I read in Exodus 34 today, I thought about something - God told Moses to come up on Mt. Sinai so He could give him a new set of tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed on them since Moses had broke his other set in anger. Moses had went up on Mt Sinai the first time for 40 days and 40 nights, when he returned he stayed 40 days and 40 nights. Verse 28 says "Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water."

Now, that is some major focus!

I have a hard-enough time taking a few minutes out of my day to read the Bible and pray but to spend 40 days and 40 nights in the presence of God would be an amazing experience!

What is taking your focus from God?

Has busyness consumed your life and kept your focus somewhere else than where it should be?

Make the choice to take time to readjust your focus today

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2010-01-08T07:12:00.002-06:00

Good morning and happy Friday my bloggy friends! :) Looks like the night added a couple more inches of snow to our count of 6 from the day before. Although the snow causes inconveniences, there is nothing more beautiful than watching it fall and covering everything with a blanket of sparkling white. It reminds me of God's grace and how His sweet forgiveness covers all my sin. I was writing about how even though we sin so many times, God still loves us for an upcoming speaking engagement and came up with:

We make mistakes, big and small, but the grace of God covers them all.

I guess I'm a poet and didn't even know it!! :)

I start a new class on Tuesday and as I was working on homework yesterday, I read some very thought-provoking things. I was reading about different spiritual disciplines that need to be a part of all our lives.

Here's a section on study:
"Many Christians remain in bondage to fears and anxieties simply because they do not avail themselves of the Discipline of study. They may be faithful in church attendance and earnest in fulfilling their religious duties, and still they are not changed. I am not here speaking only of those who are going through mere religious forms, but of those who are genuinely seeking to worship and obey Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. They may sing with gusto, pray in the Spirit, live as obediently as they know, even receive divine visions and revelations, and yet the tenor of their lives remains unchanged. Why? Because they have never taken up one of the central ways God uses to change us: study. Jesus made it unmistakably clear that the knowledge of the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)" Celebration of Discipline by Richard J Foster

Hope that gives you something to chew on til we meet again.

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2010-01-04T06:35:00.002-06:00

Doing hard things is worth the effort.

It would be easy to give up on purposeful parenting when my children continue to behave badly.

It would be easy to give up on prayer when God doesn't answer the way I want Him to.

It would be easy to quit school when the assignments are overwhelming.

It would be easy to leave a marriage that felt like it was falling apart.

It would be easy to quit a job when the boss or co-workers are very annoying.

It would be easy to skip church when I want to sleep in on Sunday.

It would be easy to only think of myself and what I want.

Taking the easy way out may seem like the best thing to do today but it is so important to look past today and consider what the future would look like if we do.

Did Jesus take the easy way out in any of the situations He faced while on this earth?

Absolutely not!

Not only did He not take the easy way out but reminds us that in following Him, we too must daily take up our cross and follow Him.

As Christ Followers, we are called to do some hard things and doing hard things goes against everything we are taught in this "feel good" world.

Will you follow Christ or will you follow the world?

It is up to you.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-31T06:59:00.003-06:00

I'm officially in a winter-time funk. I find myself knowing that I should be doing something, only to put it on the back burner because "I don't want to". I am normally a very focused and motivated person so when I get into an "I don't want to" or "I don't care" mode, I know something has to change. I've read that more sunshine helps winter time blues and I'm going to try getting some (if that sun ever decides to shine) but I've decided that there is really only one way to truly get back to myself - spend time seeking what God wants me to do and then do it whether I want to or not.

I've been reading in Exodus about God's directions to Moses on the exact specifications of the sanctuary where He will dwell with His people. As I read, I wondered how all these directions could be important in my life. I realized that the point of these verses was that God's people needed to obey Him. Whether they understood why, or even understood at all, was not what was important - what was important was that they obeyed.

In the end of John, after receiving instruction from Jesus, Peter asks Jesus about John and what His plan is for Him. Jesus answers "...what is that to you? You must follow Me." Again, Jesus spoke to my heart - don't worry about what others say, don't worry about what others do, don't wait until you understand, don't try to use human understanding when seeking something so much bigger - just obey.

So, it is time to put on my big girl panties and obey.

Obey the leading in my heart even if I don't want to.

Obey what I know to be true even if I don't feel it.

Obey even when I have an I don't care attitude.

Obedience is what will bring us all into closer communion with our Father.

I hope and pray that 2010 will be a year that we can all make a decision to obey.

Happy New Year!
Christie
A Sweet Aroma
31 Dec 2009
Tracie Miles

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Galatians 5:22 (NIV)

A sweet thing happened recently. It was Sunday morning at church, and the congregation was standing, singing hymns. My precious little boy was beside me with his arms wrapped around my waist.Every few minutes, he pressed his face into my shirt. After several times, I finally determined he was sniffing me, so I leaned down and quietly asked why. He stood on his tip toes, put his face close to mine and whispered, "Because you smell like fruit, Mommy! It smells really good!" I smiled and knew what he smelled was one of my favorite perfumes which has a clean, sweet, fruity aroma.God turned my thoughts to how we're to be a pleasing aroma to Him, through thoughts, actions and behaviors carried out in the Spirit.

Ephesians 5:2 encourages us to "…live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV).What does that really mean? How can we offer a fragrant offering that is pleasing to God and be a fragrance to those around us?There is a Hawaiian saying, "Tiny is the flower, yet it scents the grasses around it." What a great illustration of how the smallest things can have impactful results. The fact that the flower is small and seemingly insignificant, does not keep it from spreading the fragrance it was created to share. In fact, often the smallest flower can have the most potent fragrance!Sometimes we may feel like a tiny flower. We wonder if we are really capable of doing anything big or important for Christ. Insecurities, feelings of unworthiness or life challenges prevent us from seeing how God can use us to bless Him and impact others. It is not the size of the actions that matter, but the aroma that is created by those actions. Each time we do something in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness we offer a fragrant offering to God. And we help others learn how to be a little fragrant flower too, in a big world that can be pretty stinky.Each one of us can choose what fragrance we exude. It might be a good idea to ask from time to time, What type of fragrance am I leaving behind? How am I affecting the world around me with the gifts God gave me? Am I exuding a spiritual aroma that is a fragrant offering to Christ? Our lingering fragrance should be one of love and kindness, not anger and harshness. Patience and faithfulness, not intolerance and selfishness. And lifting people's spirits with joy and peace, not leaving them discouraged and broken. Our fragrance should be sowing seeds that point to the goodness of Christ.When God created flowers, He intentionally created them to give off a sweet aroma. And He created us just the same.

So, what fragrance are you wearing today?

Dear Lord, teach me how to smell like You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions - Gift Ideas by LeAnn RiceScared: A Novel on the Edge of the World by Tom DavisVisit Tracie's blog today Application Steps:"Spritz" on a sweet fragrance today that is pleasing t o Christ.Consider how you can "scent the grasses" in your life with God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.Reflections:Think about the spiritual fragrance you have been wearing lately, and the impact it has on others.Do you think God is pleased with your lingering fragrance?Power Verses:2 Corinthians 2:15, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (NIV)© 2009 Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

2009-12-28T19:01:00.003-06:00

Hey all my bloggy friends - I've been missing you!! It's been so long since we've talked so I thought I'd post some pics of what I've been up to:

We celebrated Elizabeth's 14th birthday

We went sledding as a family

We spent time with our families as we celebrated Christmas. Here's me with my brothers and sisters. (Oh, and my nephew-to-be in Courtney's belly)

Mike and I also enjoyed special Christmas gifts from our children. Elizabeth made us pencils and a clock in her industrial tech class.

Nathan made a picture holder and purchased a pretty snowman ornament from the school store.

As you can see, its been a week of fun, fun and more fun. Hope your Christmas was a wonderful one too!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-12-23T06:58:00.002-06:00

1 Peter 2:21&23
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Convicting to the core

enough said

May your time with friends and family be blessed and treasured and your awareness of Christ be evident.
Merry Christmas!
Christie

2009-12-21T07:51:00.002-06:00

My weekend was full of partying! Liz's birthday is on Christmas Eve so we normally have her party a week beforehand as to keep it separated from Christmas. Here she is with her favorite gift of the party - HUGE Blueberry muffins!! She loves muffins and her aunt Peg picked a perfect gift! :)

Our love of food comes honestly and when you get the whole fam together, you can find them in the kitchen :)

On Sunday, we had our YAC Christmas party. While we waited for lunch to cook, we had a story time with the kiddos and talked about what Christmas is truly about. After I read the first book, I picked up another but before I began to read, Kaylee asked if she could read the story to the children. I was ecstatic at her enthusiasm and handed the book over. She read the story "How God Made Christmas". My eyes filled with tears as I watched her read a beautiful truth to her peers. Her excitement and willingness really made my day. What a wonderful example she set for all of us that day.

Hope you have a wonderful day and a blessed Christmas!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

Click here to read an amazing story!

2009-12-16T16:57:00.001-06:00

Have a great day!
Christie

2009-12-11T07:41:00.002-06:00

Everybody else is doing it!

If I don't I'll look like a freak!

Its not THAT bad.

If so and so can do it, why can't I?

I don't want to upset anyone.

God will forgive me.

I'll do it just this once.

I'll do better tomorrow or next week.

Do any of these sound familiar? They sure do to me because I've used each one when I'm looking to justify my evil actions. Here's a thought:

If I have to justify what I am doing, I should not being doing it in the first place!!

God has placed the Holy Spirit within us for many reasons, but one of those reasons is to convict us. There is a reason that we are feeling guilty about sinning and have a need to justify our actions - because God's sweet Spirit is trying to help us to follow Him.

Exodus 23:2
Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong...

Will you make the choice to listen to the Spirit today??

Have a great day and a great weekend
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-10T07:24:00.003-06:00

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Life is worth living just because God created this day just for us.

No matter what you are facing today or how you are feeling - God is in control and He is good all the time.

Praise God for His faithfulness!

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-09T06:52:00.000-06:00

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one:

It’s a Hearts at Home
Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11

Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help!

Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family.

Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read.

Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your Hearts at Home conference registration and/or Mom’s Night Out tickets.

Go to Heartshoppe.com, choose your gifts, and enter code “HEARTGIFT” upon checkout. You will receive 25% off your total purchase (before tax and shipping).

I also want to fill you in on a couple of other great opportunities!

Be sure to check out Jill Savage's blog this month (she is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home). She is doing one giveaway A DAY through Christmas.

And, if you stop by the Hearts at Home blog December 8 - 11, you will have an opportunity to win a Heart's at Home prayer journal. The prayer journal is a brand new resource from Hearts at Home.

Merry Christmas from Hearts at Home!

2009-12-07T07:06:00.002-06:00

We must get used to living as those who have truly died and risen with Christ so that our self, having been thoroughly deconstructed, can be put back together, not by the agendas that the world presses upon us but by God's Spirit.
N.T. Wright

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-03T07:13:00.001-06:00

As I read about the birth of Moses in Exodus 2:1-10 the other day, God spoke to my heart. In order to keep Moses alive after the order for all baby boys to be killed, Moses’ mother laid him in a waterproof basket in the Nile hoping that Pharaoh’s daughter would see him during her bath and take him in. Moses mother had to have been ecstatic when Pharaoh’s daughter did find him and requested her to take Moses and nurse him after she had found him in the river. What joy must have filled her heart. Sadness was not far away because verse 10 says that when Moses was old enough, Pharaoh’s daughter took him as her son. That meant that the excitement was over for Moses’ mother. Although I’m sure that she was very happy that her son’s life had been spared, her heart had to have been breaking as she let him go to be the son of this other woman.

Our ways are not God’s ways. God knows the bigger plan and the future – we do not. Moses’ mother had the choice, would she lose her faith because of her pain or would she give her hurt to God and receive His unmeasurable peace.

There are many people without jobs right now, and those who no longer have a home due to foreclosure. I attended a orphan benefit recently that opened my eyes to just how many children have no parents. I also became aware of how many have no home or food. We lose precious loved ones in sickness and death. Marriages and families fall apart. Children are being abused and abducted.

Yes, hard things happen but God does not leave or forsake us.

Rejoice in God; be full of Thanksgiving to Him! God is not asking us to rejoice in every circumstance we are in but to rejoice in Him and who He is. If we never received any additional blessing from God but the sacrifice of Jesus when He hung on the cross to die for us – He is worthy of our praise. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious but to pray. Prayer is our lifeline to peace. If you want peace – get into the habit of prayer. Times of intently focused prayer each day are very important, but just as important are those prayers like “help me, Lord”, “go before me, Lord”, forgive me, Lord”, or “I can’t do this on my own, Lord” that are continuous throughout our day.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-02T07:18:00.003-06:00

Thank you, thank you for all of you that have been praying for me and my struggles with my current class. Monday night's session went really well and I could feel your prayers. I learned something really cool that I hadn't thought about before. We were discussing the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin in Luke 15 and the parable of the sower in Matthew 13.

Our professor asked what is humanly absurd about these parables. As I looked I realized that if I had one hundred sheep that would make me money, I wouldn't leave 99 of them to find one because I would risk losing the 99.

If I had a coin so valuable to me (assuming that I was poor and really needed it)that I would search high and low to find it, when I did find it I wouldn't invite all my friends and neighbors over for a party and spend the money.

If I was a farmer and wanted to make the most on my crops I would be careful where I spread my seeds and definitely wouldn't spread them where they could land on rocks or thistles.

In human terms, each parable seems crazy but in God's eyes they make total sense which is why Jesus shared them.

If we run away from God, He is willing to search for and seek us because of His amazing love.

When we have gone away but through God's seeking we come back, God doesn't hold a grudge but rejoices in being in communion with us.

God spreads His love seed everywhere, He does not discriminate, but it is our choice as to what kind of soil we are going to be.

Some things about God may seem absurd and confusing to us but we can always be assured that His way is the best way and putting aside our own understanding opens the door to a life lived in faithfulness.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-12-01T07:10:00.003-06:00

Yes, yes, I know - slacker is the only word to describe me since it has been over a week since I posted! I think this may be the longest I have went without posting since I started blogging but lack of time and internet issues kept getting in my way. Well, that is almost true - true, except for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday where I pretty much planted myself on a couch. I think this was the best long weekend that my family and I have enjoyed in a long time because guess what we did - NOTHING! Yep, that is what I said - NOTHING! With two kids in sports, work, school, Bible studies, and housework, my life is in RUN mode all the time. It was very weird just sitting around and I felt guilty at times but I pushed it all aside and hung out with my family. We played board games, watched movies, took naps, played basketball and ate. The only thing we didn't do together was watch football - I am outnumbered 3 to 1 in watching football so I still sat on the couch with them but got some homework done to keep me awake (at least for a little while).

I now feel rejuvenated and ready for my week.

Hope you were able to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family too

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-23T07:24:00.002-06:00

Thank you - thank you for your prayers over me as I spoke at Clinton Presbyterian church yesterday. It was an amazing morning of worship and God filled me with His words and peace. I continue to praise Him for His faithfulness!

My friend Tammy, had a sweet friend and mentor, Jean. Although their ages were quite far apart, they loved spending time together. As the years brought Jean into the nursing home with medical issues, Tammy continued to be a faithful friend and visit her every day. She told me of the encouragement, teaching and love she received from her mentor. One thing that stood out to Tammy was that Jean continued to praise God even through very difficult and trying times. Jean missed her family that wasn’t able to visit often and yet she would lift up her hands to God and exclaim “and yet I will praise Thee”. When she lost her sight and could only be reminded of the Word of God with her ears, she lifted up her hands to God and exclaimed “and yet I will praise Thee” as a cassette player became her new Bible. In the hospital, when Tammy sat by her bed during kidney dialysis and she would become ill and vomit, before raising her head from the bucket, the words slipped from her lips once again, “and yet will I praise Thee”. As I stood with Tammy and watched Jean slip into the hands of God, we knew that she had been preparing herself for the worship she would be involved in for all eternity and we whispered, and yet will we praise thee.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

This is a command. God’s will is that we gratefully acknowledge His hand in all circumstances, not for all circumstances. Circumstances change; God does not. Continuous prayer causes us to be open to God in all situations and we have the opportunity to talk to God about all situations. Do not be afraid to pour your heart out to Him. He is always listening and wants to hear and connect with you.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-20T07:16:00.002-06:00

Sniffles, congestion, coughing, full-blown flowage from the nose - pretty much sums it up. What, you ask? Me - thinking that I am unable to get sick and feeling fully confident of it as I cared for 10 sick babies on Tuesday at work. By Tuesday evening, I could feel it coming and then it was full-blown by Wednesday. When I returned to the preschool on Thursday, I ended up being sent home early because by shortly after lunch time, we only had 3 children due to illness. Well, I now have to admit that I am not SuperWoman being able to determine my own outcomes in life.

This also reminds me of how powerless I am in all of life without my total reliance on God. He is powerful - I am not. He is mighty - I am not. He is faithful - I am not. He is capable - I am not. I love the title of the book by Louie Giglio "I am not but I know I AM" - that pretty much sums it up!

As I prepare for our young adult group tonight and for doing a pulpit fill on Sunday, I am reminded once again of my insecurities and incapableness (I don't think that's a word but I'm using it anyway). Of myself, I cannot teach the Word of God in a way that sinks deep into the hearts of others but through the Holy Spirit, God can speak directly to them through my mouth.

What is my role? Be a life-long learner, prepare, be open, and say yes to anything God tells me to do.

That's it - simple but not easy!

Lord, thank you for Your Word and the way it transforms lives. Thank you Holy Spirit for residing in me, prompting, convicting and teaching. Thank you Jesus for being the Word become flesh. May You spill from me. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-19T07:18:00.001-06:00

Hey all! Thanks for praying - my message for Sunday is complete and practiced! Yea God! Check out this devotion that touched my heart:

The Beauty of the Lord
18 Nov 2009
Lynn Cowell

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

The jagged scar on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it is a mark of beauty. It is a reminder of the love he showed that day.

It was suppose to be a day filled with wonderful memories with my husband's family in the foothills of South Carolina. The highlight of our trip would be Slippery Rock, a natural water slide in the cool Pisgah forest. However, under the guidance of a "local" we changed our plans to go to a different waterfall.

When we reached it, the waterfall wasn't quite what we were told or expected. Unprotected. Steeper . Less water. No lifeguard, no stairs, no rope. Though disappointed, we vowed to make the best of it.

Greg watched the kids start down the steep slope. Sensing everything was not as smooth as it seemed, he called to our nine-year-old daughter, "Wait for me, and we'll go together."

The laughter and squeals brought joy to my heart. Wanting to catch their expressions, I looked down to adjust my camera's zoom. Looking up, I caught his eye. Something was wrong. I pulled the camera away just in time to witness Greg sticking out his leg, causing him and Madison to spin. Instead of her head slamming into the stone wall, Greg's bare back took the blow.

The day ended then, with a trip to the emergency room. The four-inch gash on his back, evidence he saved our daughter. Today, it is a thick red scar; proof of his love for his family.

My First Love also bears scars of love. Though I haven't seen them, I know they're there. I was young, naive and taking the course wi th no stairs, no rope, no lifeguard. I wanted to "live a little." Just before I smashed against the rock of this world, I listened to Jesus' invitation: "Wait for me; let Me get you out of harm's way and lead you." I fell into His accepting arms, rescued and safe.

Like I was, there are those who want to go their own way. They are oblivious to the rushing power of sin, which will smash them against the hard walls of this world. Thoughts such as "I can flirt with this sin; I just want a little fun!" or "I'm tired of responsibility. It's my turn. My kids will bounce back," or "I don't have to put up with him anymore. It's my life too," take precedence. Inevitable destruction follows. All along Jesus is at the top of the slope inviting them: "Wait for Me. Let's go together and I will lead you."

They've missed the Man. They've missed His strength. They've missed the scars that are proof that His love held Him to that gnarly cross when His mind and body sc reamed out. I see the price He paid to protect me from my own destruction and all I can say is "Oh, the beauty of the Lord."

Dear Lord, help me look to You every day. Help me trust Your instructions and warnings, knowing that You love me more than I love myself. You are my first love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Christie

2009-11-18T07:09:00.002-06:00

I am on a mission! A few months ago I was asked to speak at Clinton Presbyterian church on Nov 22. When I thought of something that I could use in my message for that day, I would add it to a file in my computer but kept putting off getting it all put together. I knew it was coming soon but haven't found the time to work on it. Last night at Liz's basketball game, a friend asked me when I was speaking, my response: "in a couple weeks on Nov 22". She looked a little confused and then explained that Nov 22nd was THIS COMING Sunday! I just about fell off of my bleacher!!!! So, all homework and housework is put aside today until my message is complete and I have it revised and practiced.

Just where does the time go????

Off to work I go........

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-17T07:21:00.002-06:00

I'm struggling today and am in need of prayer, please. I am attempting to fight off evil thoughts in regards to my current class and professor. I do not want to allow the actions of one person to ruin my workday, time with my family or even one moment of my life. God gives us joy and no one else can take that joy away unless we allow them to. I have allowed someone to take my joy and I say "no more"!

I realize we all have people who get under our skin from time to time - how do you find it best to deal with them?

What do you think about to get your mind off the situation?

Lord, help my focus to stay on You today and help me to show continuous grace to others just like you show me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-16T07:20:00.003-06:00

Good morning and happy Monday my bloggy friends! I am wiped out but still in amazement of the power of God at yesterdays orphan/adoption awareness benefit in Pontiac. I had the privilege of volunteering at the event.

Here is the amazing couple with a heart for orphans that put it on - Dan and Christi Ucherek. I would have never even imagined doing something like that at 25 years old!

Here's Christi again and our friend Susan who also helped at the event.
Afterward, I was so excited to go to dinner with Lysa Terkeurst, president of Proverbs 31 ministries and her assistant, Holly Good. Lysa was the main speaker at the event and did a wonderful job of sharing her adoption story.

I will post more about the event tomorrow but have to head out to take my kiddos to school.

One thing is for sure - - - God is GOOD!!!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-11-13T07:28:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday! I'm sitting in humble adoration of our God. As I continue reading Exodus, God continues to speak to my heart. First I can totally relate to Moses' fear of what God has asked him to do. Sometimes God asks us to do things that are WAY beyond our capabilities and comfort zones but the amazing thing is that He has already made the way - we just have to put one foot in front of the other in obedience.

As I have read about Pharaohs rejection of Moses' requests to let the Israelites go, something else has stood out to me. Pharaoh says no to God, God brings forth plagues upon Pharaoh and the land, Pharaoh agrees and begs to have Moses pray for the plague to end, and then Pharaoh hardens his heart and says no again.

Oh how this reeks of my life! I go along on my own until something bad happens, beg to God for relief, and when all is good again, go back to my old ways until I need Him again. I guess Pharaoh and I have a lot in common!

Being a Christ Follower means following Christ ALL THE TIME. Not just when I'm hurting. Not just when I need help. Not just when I feel like it. It is a lifelong lifestyle. It is time to say yes!

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-12T07:01:00.002-06:00

It's confession Thursday! I love being a student......when I have time to get my homework done. Contrary to what I thought would happen, I truly love being in school. In fact, I have even enjoyed doing homework as I dig deeper into the Word of God, textbooks, and my brain. Recently, I have found myself beginning to feel a little burnt out. Between chasing both my kids to basketball practices and games, looking for a job, 3 small groups, working part-time, keeping up with the housework, and writing a message for an upcoming pulpit fill, I've found it harder and harder to do my best on my homework. My last professor was pretty easy and didn't expect much and I found myself falling into the trap of not doing my best. Since I began this new class with a very strict and by-the-book professor, I have to straighten up and get back on track. I turned my first paper in on Monday and when I got online to check my grade yesterday, I was shocked when I saw a 70% as my grade. I have never got a C on a paper and very rarely a B! The anger immediately started to burn within me. How could he do this to me? Doesn't he realize that I want an A? Doesn't he realize that no other professor has given me a C? What is wrong with him? What a jerk!

I used my anger for good use and helped Nathan clean his room that went far too long without cleaning. As I cleaned and vented, God helped me realize that my professor had done nothing wrong. There was only one person to blame for this grade and it was ........me. No - that couldn't be! :) I didn't like having to be accountable for my effort on the paper, but I had to be. It was I that hurried. It was I that just tried to fill in space. It was I that failed to write it for God and not for man.

Humbling, oh so humbling - to point the finger at me, once again.

Lord, please forgive me for trying to go my own way again. Forgive me for trying to do just enough to please man instead of doing my best for You. Help me to remember that You have placed me where I need to be and I need to learn all I can from where I am. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-10T07:09:00.002-06:00

Started a new class last night on the life of Christ. My professor is in his mid twenties and has 2 masters degrees and a phd - talk about motivated!

What has your desire to know Christ better motivated you to do? I'd love to hear your answers!

Have a great day
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-09T07:36:00.002-06:00

Good morning and happy Monday my bloggy friends! I found great encouragement from my Exodus study this morning. In chapter 7, God is explaining to Moses that He wants him to go back to Pharaoh and ask to release the Israelites again even though God knows that Pharaoh is going to say no. God explains His plan of eventually changing Pharaoh's mind for him but wants Moses to be obedient now regardless of what Pharaoh says.

God knows my future.

God knows your future.

God has a plan for each of us and will make that plan happen.

We may see situations as impossible because of obstacles before us but we must remember that NOTHING is impossible with God!

Even when things do not go the way we think they should does not mean that it is time to give up and go another direction.

Be patient and allow God to lead your path.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-06T07:24:00.002-06:00

We live in a very individualistic society. The days of community are slowly slipping away. It is easy to go about our day with our own agenda in mind with no concern of what is going on around us. The Bible clearly states that we need each other. Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:17, and Romans 12:4-5 are just a few.

Are you connected in a community?I'm not talking about a town but a group of individuals that you can truly connect with.

Are you open to meeting new people even though it may take you from your comfort zone?

Instead of coming home from work and closing your garage door, do you ever walk over to your neighbors to visit?

Are you involved in a small group at your church?

Staying connected with other Christians makes you more likely to stay connected with God and isn't that what we all want and need?

I challenge you to do something today that connects you with someone else. Let me know what you do and how it worked.

Have a great day and a great weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-05T06:59:00.003-06:00

"We humans are quick to blame God for our troubles. God does permit wicked, godless people like Pharaoh to bring suffering and injustice on other people. God's people need faith and patience to wait for God's liberating actions."
NIV notes on Exodus 5:1-23

Amen and Amen!

Have a wonderful day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-04T07:02:00.003-06:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! I've been thinking about what God can teach us as we go through difficult times. Struggles in my past have taught me humility, perseverance, patience, and that God is faithful. A few things have stuck with me but others continue to be a struggle for me and God has to continuously teach me. I think I would endure a lot less hardship if I would just learn my lesson the first time but unfortunately I have a very thick and stubborn skull!

My newest struggle is to consistently be teaching my children the Word of God. As God has laid the importance of parental spiritual teaching on my heart, I have been convicted when I've thought of the times that I have fallen short.

Oh how I want to raise children that are so connected with God that they want to serve and obey Him every day of their lives but I fall short by not being the example that God wants me to be, not taking daily time to be in the Word with them, and not taking every opportunity to teach them a life lesson and how it applies to God's will.

I have repented of this short coming and asked God to give me great motivation and perseverance for this endeavor. I had the privilege of presenting a message last night at school on how it is the parents responsibility and not the church's responsibility to raise up spiritual champions.

Here's some things that I'm going to try:

Have a full fledged Bible study with our children at least once per week

When life happens, I will cease opportunities to share with our children how their situation or their response to the situation can be directed by the Word of God.

Use every opportunity to be a teaching lesson even when they roll their eyes at me

Purchase some Bible based games (Bible Trivia Pursuit or Bible Apples to Apples) and learn as we play

Now, don't get me wrong, live happens and things get crazy but I really want to be more intentional about taking the time to teach my children and I know that with the help of the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I can improve.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-03T07:01:00.002-06:00

In Exodus 3:19-20 God tells Moses "But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go."

Is there something holding you back?

Is there something that God has laid on your heart but man tells you it cannot happen?

Does your situation seem impossible?

Be patient - WHEN GOD HAS A PLAN, HE MAKES THE WAY!

Have a glorious day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-11-02T06:32:00.002-06:00

Long time, no talk! Glad to be back with you today! Last week, I began studying the book of Exodus. As I read chapter 2 about the birth of Moses, God opened my eyes and spoke to my heart. Many of you have heard about Moses mother putting him in a basket and leaving him to float in the Nile river ever since you were a child in Sunday school. Pharaoh had ordered for all Israelite baby boys that were born to be thrown into the Nile and killed to keep from increasing God's people. Moses' mother had tried to hide him for 3 months but finally had to try something else to save her baby. Moses' sister watched as he floated past where Pharaoh's daughter bathed. The mother's heart must have been busting with joy and excitement when her daughter came to her and told her that she got to keep Moses and nurse him for pharaoh's daughter. I bet she soaked up every moment she had with her son. Verse 10 came too soon, "When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh's daughter and he became her son." Reading that verse broke my heart. If I were in her shoes, I would have been praying and hoping that God would intervene and allow me to keep my son. I cannot imagine the pain of giving my child away. I'm sure that her mothers heart was thankful that Moses was alive and well but how could giving him away be whats best for him.

This reminded me of how God's ways are not our ways. His "fair" is not our fair. Our hearts have to break sometimes to accomplish His will but we must remember, He has felt the pain of giving up a child and so much more. He understands but He also knows what is best for all involved.

Faith is believing that God knows what is best and accepting His will. Will this be joyful at times, for sure. Will this be heartbreaking at times, absolutely.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-28T08:24:00.002-05:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! As my kids continue to grow older by the day, God continues to remind me how very little time I have left with them. Our daughter's basketball team won their 2nd tournament of the season last night. My husband began coaching these girls when they were in 3rd and 4th grades through the Boys and Girls club. We have such a close bond with these girls as we have watched them grow into young women. It broke his heart to let them go to the jr high coaches when they reached 7th grade, not because the coaches weren't good but because he wanted to continue to coach them. The impact that he has had on them amazes me as each girl comes to him after the game to get a hug and high-five. Many times I have underestimated the impact that I can have on a child. How about you? Do you realize how important your love and presence is in the lives of your children or a child?

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-10-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

Good morning and happy Monday! I'm so excited to share with you that our son made the decision yesterday to be baptized. For awhile, he had been struggling with if he had truly accepted God over a year ago and what did accepting God really mean in his life. My heart ached as I watched him struggle and wonder but I just continued to encourage him and pray with him over his heart and his relationship with God. As we were eating dinner on Saturday night, he announces that he and God had worked everything out in his heart and that he was ready to be baptized. On Sunday, his Sunday school lesson was on salvation and baptism which confirmed what God had placed in his sweet heart. So after church, he asked me to let our pastor know that he was ready and to get him on a list for the next baptism service. What wonderful joy filled Mike and I's hearts as we listened to him explain his journey of thought and prayer over the matter. God is good and never ceases to amaze me!

Something else that I have been thinking about is how God puts people in our lives to teach us and make us into who He wants us to be. I so easily fall into judging what other people's lives must be like determined by who their married to, how their children act and what kind of house they live in. As Mike and I have continued to lead our young adult connection group and get to know more intimately those in our group, I have been surprised to find that many are not what I imagined them to be. Our goal is to make the group a place where people can be open, honest and real as we walk through this life together - through this honesty we have found that those around us are walking the same difficult path as we are. God is teaching me that no matter who your married to, who your children are, where you live or what kind of job you have - we are all in the same boat. We all have insecurities, hurts, mistakes, and happiness. It is time to put away our intimidation and insecurities and build up those around us, no matter who they are.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-22T07:12:00.002-05:00

Good morning and sorry about missing our time together yesterday. It was a whirlwind of a day that didn't allow for time in front of my computer. Today and tomorrow, I am subbing at Faithful Friends preschool again but this time with the toddlers. I have the opportunity to meet new kids and new staff members today and I pray that God's light will shine through me.

Did you realize that no matter where you are in life, you have a mission field?

Every job is a mission field. Each person that God puts in your path needs Him. Every moment of our lives can be worship.

Will you choose to see your life as an opportunity to share Christ or will you choose to get so caught up in your daily duties that you miss out on opportunities.

It is not easy to do but will you make the right choice today?

By the way, I came up with a new slogan for our family today: We're team Todd and we follow God! (my kids rolled their eyes, but I thought it was GOOD!)

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-20T07:11:00.002-05:00

I read the note posted by me so long ago "God's goal for me is not comfort but character development." Obviously, what I want and what He wants is two different things because I would much rather have the comfort! In the past, there have been times in my life when I have felt like God was stripping me down to nothing but it was only to build me back up with so much more of Him. I think I'm going through another similar time. My own selfishness and pride has continued to build and through the process of thinking I would have no problems getting a new job and 9 weeks later, still not having a job, has knocked me down a few notches. Thinking that I could easily find a job with a large wage but only finding those that pay minimum wage, has also altered my thinking.

Who am I to think that I could be better than someone else searching for a job? Who am I to think I deserve something more than anyone else?

Who am I?

I am nothing and no one without Christ, just a lost sinner, but with Christ I am a daughter of the King. I am joint heirs with Christ Jesus. I have the hope of spending eternity in heaven.

No job or paycheck can ever compare with my relationship with Christ and the things of eternity.

Desperately needing a job to help support our family, I walked into McDonald's yesterday and asked a register girl that looked about 12, to speak to a manager. She answered that she was the manager and was happy to set up an interview with her tomorrow.

I am humbled to say the least but I know that each experience that comes my way can be used by God to make me into the woman He wants me to be.

What are you facing right now that you can choose to be thankful for?

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-19T07:09:00.001-05:00

The Day I Sat in God's Lap
19 Oct 2009Tracie Miles

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:8a (NIV)

A couple months ago, I found myself in despair. I had been hurt and felt betrayed by a friend. How was I going to fix the issues I was suddenly facing? My heart and mind were overwhelmed with the storm that had unexpectedly raged into my life.One Sunday afternoon, I was feeling especially sad and worried about it. To hide my tears from my family, I wandered quietly into the solace of my bedroom. It was a rainy day and the room was dim, so I clicked on the lamp beside my bed. As the warm glow of light bathed the room, my eyes fell upon the little glass box a sweet friend had given me a few weeks earlier.This beautiful engraved box, wrapped in a soft yellow bow, was filled with little slips of carefully folded papers, and on each slip of paper was an encouraging Bible verse. This would have been a wonderful gift in itself, but to make it even more special, my friend had inserted my name into each of the verses. When I read them, I felt as if God was speaking directly to me, as if He was calling out to Tracie, by name.As I sat quietly alone in my bedroom unfolding each little slip of paper, tears streamed down my face. I read every verse silently, asking God to hear my prayers, comfort me, take away my hurt, and show me the way.

After a few minutes of intense prayer and focus, I became aware of God's presence in the room.I felt Him wrap His holy comforting arms around me and pull me into His presence. Suddenly, an idea popped into my mind. Instead of putting the papers back in the glass box after reading them, I spread them out all around me. Most were in front of me so I could read and focus on them over and over. But I placed several to my right, se veral to my left, and even put a few behind my back.As I sat on my bed, fully surrounded on every side by holy words, God impressed upon my heart that I was virtually nestled into His lap; the lap of my heavenly Father. The thought nearly took my breath away.

What an awesome privilege to be positioned right smack in the middle of God's Word. To be sitting in the lap of the One who created me. To be entirely physically surrounded by His truths. To see His written promises speaking specifically to me.I realized I wasn't merely surrounded by slips of paper. I was surrounded by countless reassurances that He heard my prayers.

What a gentle reminder that I needed to put my trust in Him, and I really could find rest in Him.I thanked God for reminding me that when I seek Him, I will find Him, and for helping me see just how alive His Word really is.

Dear Lord, thank You for who You are. For the privilege of getting to spend time with You and sit qu ietly with You. Thank You for engaging in conversation with me, a broken and needy soul. Help me have the strength through You to overcome the obstacles that Satan would love for me to trip over. Give me the passion and commitment to continue seeking You with all my heart, even when life gets tough or people disappoint me. Thank You for always being there when I need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

2009-10-16T07:14:00.002-05:00

We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday last night with a surprise party and oh, was he surprised!! He continues to threaten my mom with what is now going to happen in two years on her 60th! Here's a few pics of the fun.

My sister, Shelly, her hubby Scott and their daughter, Amanda serving cake and punch.
My mom and dad

Sister-in-law, Brandi, granny and sister, Shelly
The delicious cake with my dad's favorite car on it.

Celebrating life - isn't it great!!

Have a great day and a great weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-10-15T07:34:00.002-05:00

Well, I guess I was wrong about the whole subbing for the rest of the week. It worked out well, since I normally clean for a neighbor on Thursdays - so I'm headed out to clean. Before I go, I wanted to share a thought with you:

As I read Matthew 28:1-10 about the resurrection of Jesus, something stood out to me. After Mary and Mary Magdalene were told by the angel that Jesus had rose from the dead, they left to tell His disciples. On their way: vs 9 "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him."

In order to "clasp His feet", they would have had to fall down in worship.

When was the last time you collapsed in worship?

Was the promise of the resurrection any different than every other promise God keeps?

GOD KEEPS EVERY PROMISE HE MAKES!

Do you take the time to at least thank God when He keeps His promises? How about when He answers a prayer?

Our crazy busy lifestyles can keep us from taking the time to worship. Are you willing to make a commitment to take time today to thank God for keeping His promises?

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-14T07:14:00.002-05:00

Thanks for your prayers, I survived my first day of work out of the house in 12 years and then headed straight to school. It made for a long day but I will continue to praise God for His faithfulness. I am headed out again for another day of subbing and I'm guessing for the rest of the week, I will be doing the same.

Transitions are difficult at times, but are amazing learning opportunities.

What is God teaching you during this time of experience?

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-13T07:05:00.002-05:00

Getting ready to head to work. Weird, I haven't said that in about 12 years! I'm not officially working yet but am subbing today for a lady with a sick child at Faithful Friends preschool. Thank you for praying. I found out yesterday that I won't be needed on a regular basis for teaching until December but at least I know that I will have a job in less than 2 more months. I thank God for His faithfulness and pray that His will be done in my life.

Thanks again for praying and I'll keep you updated on how it all goes.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-12T09:28:00.002-05:00

Hello my bloggy friends! I'm back and no, I have not fallen off the end of the earth. It feels like such a long time since we've talked. I forgot to tell you that I was heading to Indiana to help a friend get ready for her garage sale last week and since there isn't school today, the kids and I slept in! Yea!!

I am waiting for a return call on a job lead. I received a call from the owner of a local Christian preschool last week asking if I would be interested in a teaching job for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Since MY plan was to do something different from daycare with this new job, I told her that I would have to think about it and let her know. Over the past few days, God and others have reminded me that this job would be exactly what I have been praying for: work in the town I live, a ministry position, and an easy transition.

I called her back on Friday and left a message and then called again this morning and left a message. I haven't heard back yet, but can I ask that you will be praying for God's will to be done in my life?

If this is where He wants me, then it is where I want to be.

I'll keep you updated!

Thanks bunches
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-10-08T07:11:00.002-05:00

Life is just plain hard sometimes and it is so easy to fix our minds on the difficulties we face. It is a great time to focus on me, me and me. As I read Matthew 27:32-44 today, I realized that while Jesus was being mocked, flogged and crucified, His focus stayed on God and others. He didn't complain about the pain or how hard it was to endure. He didn't turn away from God because He didn't save Him from the pain. He continued a life of worship even in His agony.

This realization brings much conviction to my heart.

Are you turning away from God because of your pain? Are you fixed on your hurts and your fears instead of focusing on God and others?

May we all continue to live a life of worship no matter what our circumstances may be.

Christie

2009-10-06T07:13:00.002-05:00

Today I was reading about the soldiers mocking Jesus before His crucifixion in Matthew 27:27-31. These guards took the time to strip Jesus of His clothes and put on Him a robe. Then they also took the time and effort to twist together a crown of thorns to put on His head and put a staff in His right hand. They made a game of mocking Him over His kingship. They then had to take His robe back off and put His clothes back on. My question was: why go to all the extra trouble just to make fun of someone?

Then it hit me - this wasn't just done to Jesus but is something we do on a regular basis. I am doing the same thing when I take time out of my day to gossip; I am doing the same thing when I make a snyd remark about someone each time I see them and then move out of hearing distance; I am doing the same thing when I repeatedly bring up past mistakes of others.

I am doing the same thing to Jesus because when I mock, hurt, gossip about, or judge others, I do it to Him. This thought brought conviction to my heart.

When we take the time to do these things and more, we are wasting time. If I say that I want to live a life of worship to God, these evils cannot be a part of it.

Lord, please forgive me for allowing my thoughts, actions and words to be filled with evil. Help me to remember that my life is to be worshipful to You and when I disobey, I am not bringing worship to You. Guide and direct my tongue. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Road Trip!

2009-10-05T07:07:00.004-05:00

Good morning and happy Monday! :) Sorry if that's too cheery for you today, but I'm excited to share about a great day we had yesterday. After running around like crazy people last week, Mike and I decided that yesterday was going to be a family day. We checked the Internet for some places to take the kids with free admission and hit the road. We left for our road trip about 10 am and returned about 7 pm. We traveled all over the lower central Illinois region. Here's some pics of the fun:

Crazy kids in the car

The fam at Dickson Mounds

Mike and I in the school house at New Salem

Mike and Nate at New Salem

Liz and I in the outhouse (guess we should have closed the door!)

We also toured the countryside, campgrounds, and state parks but I have to say, the best part was just being together with no agendas or interruptions. Life gets too crazy sometimes and we need to take time to just be together.

I hope you take the time today to appreciate your family

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-10-02T07:04:00.002-05:00

Just heading out the door for a busy day. Please be praying for an interview I will have at 2:00 today. Thanks bunches!

Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries will be on Oprah today. Watch and support an amazing opportunity for her to share the love of Christ on Oprah's show!

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Testing

2009-10-01T07:02:00.002-05:00

Hey all! I'm heading out to make some $$ this morning. I will be cleaning my neighbors house once per week until I find a job. If you know of anyone else looking for help around the house or yard, feel free to give them my name.

My granny gave me this yesterday and I loved it and had to share:

Testing

By Corrie Bramsen

I sang the hymns on Sundays, and I knew all the lines, to, "All to Jesus I Surrender" and, "His Hand in Mine." But then the day arrived when God put it to the test; He said, "I want to use your life to show My way is best. "I don't want folks to only Hear words of trust and praise; it's not enough to quote the lines on which you have been raised. "I want your life to prove it; I want the world to see what I can do within a heart that's truly giv'n to Me. "For I will show the great things that I, the Lord, can do; I will display My glory... and I'm asking to use you. "But I don't need your efforts, your energy or strength; I'm not looking for a hero, or some super-human saint. "I want to have your weakness, I want to take your pain -- and use your inabilities to glorify My name. "And I want you to trust Me, to daily seek my face; I have not promised answers, I have only promised grace. "For the underlying issue is really not about all the great things I'll do through you, or the way you'll help Me out. "But it's what I'm doing in you that I want the world to see; the way a life of nothingness is beautiful in Me. "So trust Me, precious child, and someday you'll understand, that what seemed to you so senseless, was exactly what I planned!"

Makes me cry every time - Thank you Jesus!

Living fearlessly in Christ

Christie

2009-09-30T07:21:00.001-05:00

A Mere Piece of Bronze

29 Sep 2009Marybeth Whalen

"He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan)." II Kings 18:4 (NIV)

I used to have a quote, cut from a magazine article, taped above my desk. I can't recall the exact quote, but the gist of it was that while our children are gifts from God, it's easy to let them become little idols. I remember the shock value of reading those words printed on the page. My children? Idols? It sounded like heresy! But as I allowed the words to sink in, I realized that the person who penned those words was right. Most anything can become an idol in our hearts -becoming more important th an our relationship with God, taking priority over His place in our life.In Numbers 21:8-9, God told the Israelites to raise a bronze snake on a pole and look to it in order to be healed. Seven hundred years later, the Israelites had gotten off track. They had turned that snake - something that was God's idea -into an idol they worshiped. In our verse for today, we see Hezekiah destroying the snake in an effort to turn the people's hearts back to God. The word Nehushtan in the verse means "a mere piece of bronze." The bronze snake was not the answer to the people's problems. They had attached too much significance to it. Hezekiah had no choice but to refocus their attention where it needed to be by physically removing the idol.Idols can take many forms in our lives. Family members and friends can become idols. Doctors and medicine can become idols. Work and hobbies can become idols. Entertainment - movies, TV, music, games - can become idols. Food can become an idol. An idol by definition is anything that we place our trust in, anything that takes precedence over God. While we may not pray to it and burn incense to it, it becomes more important than anything, including God. Just like God designed the snake to be a good thing in the lives of His people, so He allows us to have good things in our lives. He just doesn't want us to get things out of whack, as we are prone to do. It's not that the thing itself is the problem; it's our attitude about that thing.God showed me that I needed to destroy any idols in my life. For me, I had to spend a lot of time refocusing my priorities. I started with how important I had made my husband and children. Yes, my family needed me. Yes, I needed to spend time with them. Yes, I loved them dearly. But they couldn't take the place of my relationship with the Lord. I had to put them in their proper place and renew my perspective. This can only be done with intentionality and continual heart work. God gives u s good things to enjoy - family and friends and work and food and hobbies and entertainment. But He has also given us Himself, opening the door wide for us to come before His throne. May we keep good things in their place and keep God on the throne of our lives.

Dear Lord, please get my attention when I get distracted. Help me to keep the good things in my life where they belong and to keep You first. Help me destroy any idols I have placed ahead of You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

2009-09-29T07:43:00.002-05:00

Unexpected things come up in life. When my alarm went off this morning, did I expect to find the evidence of our dog having an accident in his kennel and him covered in a mess? No. Did I expect to have to clean his kennel and give him a bath all before 7 am? No. But unexpected things happen and we have to make the choice whether we are going to roll with the punches or get all uptight and freaked out.

It brings me great peace to know that nothing is unexpected for God. He is in control and anything that comes to me has to go through Him first!

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-28T06:43:00.002-05:00

Good morning and happy Monday! As I got ready for church yesterday, I looked out the window to see a squirrel taunting our dog, Cooper. This is not the first time I've seen this, but it has happened many times over the past couple weeks. When Cooper is tied to his leash, he is right next to a fence, but can't quite reach the fence. On top of the fence, Mr Squirrel has inched a bit closer to Cooper each day attempting to see how close he can get to him without being attacked. Of course, this drives Cooper crazy because he wants to eat Mr Squirrel so badly!

I thought about how this is much like how satan works. He knows what our flesh desires and little by little begins tempting us with it. As the temptation comes closer and closer, we think about it more often. We desire it more because it is just out of our reach. But one day, when we're tired, bored or weak, that "squirrel" is right in front of our face and easily reachable.

Through the strength of God, we can resist. Scripture tells us that God will give us a way out of temptation. But the question is: will we take the way out or will we fall to our flesh and give in?

Standing strong in the face of temptation is not easy, but in the end will make our lives filled with peace.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-25T07:09:00.002-05:00

The words I read cut me like a knife "Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled" (Matt 26:56).

I cannot imagine how many times this can be said of me.

How many times has Jesus watched me desert Him, again?

I am ashamed of the number.

The past is permanent and cannot be changed, but the future is ahead and is full of hope.

Lord, please forgive me for the times that I seek my own will over Yours. Help me to live a life that doesn't desert You but embraces You and Your will for me. Lord thank you that Your Word is ALIVE and works in our hearts. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Christie

A Divine Appointment
23 Sep 2009Wendy Blight

"He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27 (NIV)

Every Memorial Day weekend my friend Karen and I travel with our families to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, for five days of rest and relaxation. We just cannot wait to dig our toes in the sand, take long walks on the beach, and enjoy the island's incredible sunsets. Every trip is special, but this most recent trip stood above all others.Karen and I ran to the local grocery. Feeding nine people for five days resulted in two carts overflowing with food and supplies. We approached the checkout lines looking for the shortest line. We chose a line with an older wo man without a cart. Apparently waiting on someone else, she motioned for us to go ahead of her. Moments later, a young woman scurried up pushing a crying child in a half-full cart. It was clear the older woman was frustrated that they now had to wait behind us, so we offered to give her back her place in line.As the young woman and her child passed by me, my heart began to pound. I physically began to tremble. I felt God impressing upon my heart that Karen and I were to buy her groceries. I hesitated, but past experience caused me to obey. I tapped the young woman on the shoulder and spoke these exact words, "I know it sounds strange, but God told me that we are to buy your groceries."She graciously accepted with tears in her eyes, and then she and the older woman left. A few minutes later, the older woman returned to share an incredible story. The young woman was her daughter. Her name was Micah.Micah's husband had walked out on her and her young son a fe w months before. He had abused her for years before leaving. She could barely make ends meet and felt completely abandoned by everyone, especially God.Days before this God-ordained meeting in the grocery story, Micah and her mother had prayed. Her mother prayed that God would draw Micah back into relationship with Him. Micah prayed, "God, if you are real, if you love me, show Yourself to me!" As her mother shared these words, it was a powerful moment. Micah, in the midst of her deepest sorrow and pain cried out to God for His Presence. Karen and I simply walked in the store that day to complete an ordinary task. And God crossed our paths at one point in time to show each of us He is active, involved, and OH SO REAL!Yes, it was a great day for Micah. But what a day it was for Karen and me as well! Our obedience to the Lord's prompting touched this woman's life in such a powerful way that she KNEW He was real and had not abandoned her, and that He answers prayer.

A divin e appointment ... a day I will treasure forever.

Heavenly Father, Sovereign Lord, the Great I Am. Thank You that You have planned every day of our lives before we have lived a single day. Thank You that You speak into our lives today. Thank You that You invite us to join You in Your work. Father, give us opportunities to be Your hands and feet. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see the broken and hurting people all around us. Give us a heart of obedience. Give us boldness to speak. May all glory and honor and praise go to You. In Jesus' Name Amen.

2009-09-24T06:45:00.002-05:00

Next, Jesus takes His disciples to Gethsemane and asks them to keep watch while He goes off to pray. Although He is in complete agony over what He is about to face, the disciples fall asleep and are caught each time Jesus returns.

Once again, people disappoint Jesus.

Jesus tells them "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Matthew 26:41)

What wonderful advice for each of us!

Jesus warns that our own desire is not enough - we need the strength of God. We need the strength that comes from prayer.

We discussed some temptations last night at our Bible study that are so hard to overcome. Yes, they are hard to overcome but through the strength of God they are not impossible to overcome!

I encourage you to make the choice today to begin fervently praying about overcoming your strongest temptations. Not just that the temptation will go away but that the mighty power of God will give you the strength to resist the temptation.

Let me know if you will begin praying about it because I want to be praying with you.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-23T07:07:00.002-05:00

I don't even have to ask the question "have you been hurt by a friend or loved one?" because I already know the answer. We live in a world full of sin and we are selfish, sinful people, which is why we all get hurt at times.

Over the past couple days, I have been reading in the 26th chapter of Matthew verses 14-35. 2 things really stuck out to me:

1. Jesus was very open and clear when He told the disciples that Judas would betray Him and that Peter would disown Him.

2. Although, Jesus knew what these 2 men were going to do, He still made the choice to fellowship with them and continue to teach them.

Jesus was a very loving, kind and compassionate man but He was also a straight-shooter. He did not hide behind a mask or sugar coat what needed to be said. He laid issues on the table, so people could either repent and change or reject His teaching.

He was rejected, mocked, betrayed, deserted, and hated but He didn't respond in those ways.

He was focused on His mission. He wanted to please and obey His Father.

I want to be so focused on my mission from God that my reaction to others mirrors His.

Jesus' example to us to follow when we are hurt by others - love them.

Jesus didn't throw Judas and Peter out of the disciples group because of what they were going to do - He continued to love them and teach them. We should do the same.

Man, that's a tough one to follow but regardless of the difficulty, we are to follow the example of Christ and through His power, we can prevail.

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-22T07:56:00.000-05:00

Who are you when no one else is watching?

God is always watching

2009-09-21T07:26:00.002-05:00

This weekend brought a whirlwind of emotions for me. Friday afternoon, Mike and I made a road trip to the Bloomington RP and then to Canton IL to pick up some things. The kids didn't want to go, so we had a wonderful 4 hours together, alone in the car. Life is crazy sometimes and we don't get much time to just visit with each other so we both soaked up this wonderful date time!

Saturday we worked at home as a family and then headed to LeRoy to spend time with my baby sister (Courtney) and her hubby (Jordan) who were here from Detroit. Jordan's brother and his wife had just had a baby on Thursday and we celebrated this new life together. We were all visiting at my mom's house when Courtney gave mom a card that revealed 2 sonogram pictures - which told us that she was pregnant. We all were so excited and there were congratulations and hugs all around. As we talked about this wonderful news, Jordan's phone rang and was told that his grandparents had been in a motorcycle accident. We spent the rest of the evening praying for them.

On Sunday morning, we found out that the motorcycle they were on, blew a tire and it went out of control and his grandmother died in the accident. As we drove to church, I wondered why such a devastating thing had to happen in the midst of so much joy.

We don't get the privilege of always knowing why things must happen the way they do, but what I do know is that God is in control and knows much better than me. I ask for your prayers for the Whitted family. Thank you

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-18T07:26:00.002-05:00

Good morning and happy Friday my bloggy friends! I truly hope this day finds you ready to serve the Savior!

I read Matthew 26:6-13 this morning about when a woman anoints Jesus' head with perfume. He is reclining at the table in Simon's home when she enters in and pours her jar of perfume over his head. The disciples get angry and think that a much better use of the expensive perfume would have been to sell it and give the money to the poor, but Jesus knew her heart and knew that she was making a sacrifice to Him.

I can't tell you how many times I have been stopped from doing something because I was afraid of what other people may say or think. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it is true. Whether it's not raising my hands in worship, not telling others about Christ or any thing else, I am rejecting God when I stop doing things for Him because of my own selfishness.

I was so encouraged by this woman. I don't know how many people were in this house with Jesus, but to her it didn't matter. It didn't matter what they thought or said, she was there for one reason and one reason only, to worship.

I can learn a lot from this woman and must make the choice to be a follower of Christ and show it no matter where I am and who I am with.

Lord, please forgive me for focusing on myself and others instead of keeping it all on You. Help me to be Your light, no matter where I am or who I'm with. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Have a great day and a great weekend!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-17T07:05:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by a task that you don't start it because you didn't know where to begin?

I have, many times but I decided to do something different this time.

My assignment was to write a paper on how God's redemption process runs through the entire Bible - book by book, people, events, themes, etc. I knew this would take a while and it was not the only paper due for next week, so I made the decision that I was going to spend all day on Tuesday to write it and get it off my to-do list.

I got up on Tuesday, showered, ate and then sat down with my laptop, my school books, my notes and my Bible. I began the session with prayer and went to work...... 6 hours later, my brain hurt, my eyes hurt, my back hurt, and I was only 1/2 done with my paper!! I was overwhelmed and when I thought about how much more I had to do, I was depressed too!

I grumbled about my lack of accomplishment for the day to my husband and he sweetly assured me that I would get it done and that having 1/2 done was much better than having none done.

He was right - through the grace and inspiration of God, I was able to get it finished on Wednesday. The relief of having it completed was wonderful but what was even better was the fact that I learned alot in the process about the Bible and about God.

What may seem overwhelming to me is definitely not overwhelming to God. Nothing is overwhelming to God because He is in control of all things. This was one more lesson of God's faithfulness and His ability to do all things - my only requirement is to say yes to His calling and be willing to be used by Him. It is so good to know that He takes care of everything else!

Will you let God have what is overwhelming you today?

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-16T06:59:00.002-05:00

Sanctification is still on my brain.

Don't make excuses for not doing what God calls you to do!

If God is really our Lord and Master, we will willingly obey - even when we don't understand. What we have is not ours anyway - we are only caretakers of the many blessings of God. When we abuse what God has given to us, we deserve to face consequences.

Matthew 25:31-46:

The Judgment

31"But when (A)the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then (B)He will sit on His glorious throne.
32"All the nations will be (C)gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, (D)as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;
33and He will put the sheep (E)on His right, and the goats (F)on the left.
34"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, (G)inherit the kingdom prepared for you (H)from the foundation of the world.
35'For (I)I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; (J)I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36(K)naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you (L)visited Me; (M)I was in prison, and you came to Me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
40"(N)The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, (O)to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
41"Then He will also say to those on His left, '(P)Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the (Q)eternal fire which has been prepared for (R)the devil and his angels;
42for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;
43I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'
44"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'
45"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
46"These will go away into (S)eternal punishment, but the righteous into (T)eternal life."

Have a great day saying yes to the leading of the Holy Spirit!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-15T06:56:00.002-05:00

As I read the parable of the loaned money today in Matthew 25:14-30, it instantly reminded me of a discussion we had in class last night. In the parable, the master gives his slaves talents comparable with their abilities and then leaves on a journey. When he gets back, he wants to see what each has done with his talents.

The talents represent resources we are given by God. God gives us time, money, gifts, etc. according to our abilities and He expects us to use them in a wise way. We are responsible for using them and He will ask what we have done with them one day.

Last night we discussed sanctification - the process of living our lives in a way that pleases Christ. When we become Christians, we confess and repent of our sinful ways. Confessing is admitting but repenting is actually making a choice to not repeat those sins again. Sanctification is that process. Now, don't get me wrong, I realize that we cannot be perfect and their are certain sins that can come back over and over but as a Christian we must choose to work hard at resisting those temptations that allow our old self to enter in.

Through the life-long sanctification process, we should be bearing fruit in our lives. Others should be able to see a difference in the way you live your life after becoming a Christian. If your life has not changed since accepting Christ, then you have some serious considerations to make.

Although we are not saved by our works, the gift of the Holy Spirit upon acceptance of Christ, prompts Christians to serve just as Christ served. Due to the overwhelming thankfulness we have to God for forgiving our sins, and the desire for others to see Christ, we serve Christ by serving others. This can happen in many different ways but the questions are: How are you living your life as an example of Who you serve? and How are you serving?

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-14T07:07:00.002-05:00

Last week I wrote my 500th post on this blog. As I look back over the last 500 posts, I am amazed at all God has taught me. In somethings, I've learned my lesson easily but others have taken me time and time again. I was taught another very valuable lesson over the weekend.

Our son loves to skateboard. At home, he has constructed all kinds of different ramps and bars to practice his different tricks on. We heard that there was a skate park in Pontiac and he was so excited to go. As we mentioned this to some of our friends, we were told not to go to the skate park because there were "bad" people there. They said it wasn't safe to be there and we definitely shouldn't take our son there.

As a family, we had stopped by there for a few weeks after church on Sunday to find the place empty and Nate had a great time practicing. Nate had a friend spend the night on Saturday and wanted to take his friend. We headed up to find the whole park full of boys with skateboards and bicycles. Nate and his friend went in and tried to do some boarding but were very intimidated by the presence and talent of these other boys. One boy in particular was doing tricks that I had only seen in the X-games. Like most of the others there, he was tattooed, smoking a cigarette and swearing but seemed to have a kind spirit about him as he talked with the others. I started asking him about how long he had been boarding and told him how talented I thought he was. I noticed his face started to beam. It wasn't long after that I saw him taking Nate and his friend under his wing to help them with their skateboarding. He patiently demonstrated some techniques as they listened and practiced intently. The section they were practicing in soon became full again and they backed off and waited for a break in the action. After a short while, another boy parked his bike right in front of the entrance to the half-pipe so no one else could enter and told Nathan and his friend that they could have it to themselves for awhile. Before we left, my husband talked to and shook the hands of these boys who helped Nate and his friend. It was a heart-warming experience.

I'm so glad that we decided to take our son to the skate park. As we watched, Mike and I realized once again that we are to look at the heart of a man and not his outward appearance. We also realized what a great opportunity we have to show the love of Christ to these boys that we hang with at the skate park.

Praise God for opportunities to serve Him by serving others. I can and do walk right past many opportunities but I'm glad for the prompting to pay attention on Saturday.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-11T07:10:00.003-05:00

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it! Yesterday I talked about being thankful in whatever circumstance I face. Well, I have to tell you, I am thankful and rejoicing today! :) As you know, I have been out of work for a few weeks and when you are self-employed there is no unemployment check coming in. My husband gets paid every two weeks and today is the day that he gets paid. I've thought about how today I would sit down to pay bills and there would be more bills than money. I knew that I would have to choose what ones I was going to pay and what ones would be left unpaid. At times, I worried and at others I believed that God would provide - I guess it just depended on the day. As I read His Word, He reassured me that I needed to be patient. I needed to wait on His provision. So, instead of worrying, I made the choice to pray, pray and then pray. I asked God to help my unbelief and I asked Him to provide what we needed to pay our bills today. I couldn't figure out how it could happen but I prayed anyway.

Praise, glory, and honor be to God! I had two people hand me a check out of the blue, yesterday and received another in the mail! This money was enough to not just cover our bills today but for the rest of the month. Even as I type those words, the tears flow in thankfulness. I cried alot yesterday in awe and thankfulness of our God. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. He worked through the generosity of those sweet wonderful people. Thank you Lord and thank you to those who touched our hearts with their generosity.

May you have a blessed day and weekend

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Shelter from the Storms
11 Sep 2009
Melanie Chitwood

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 (NAS)

The thunder and lightning of a powerful storm rattled our house last night. As rain slashed against the windows and lightning lit up the dark sky, I woke up just long enough to make room for my youngest son and yellow lab to join me and my husband in bed. I remember thinking with surprise that I didn't even know it was going to storm.What a picture of my life lately. It's been a year of unexpected rain. Some just drizzles, but others, like the storm hitting me most recently, have rattled windows with wave after wave of thunder and bursts of lightning.What about you? Is there stormy weather in your life right now? Where are you finding shelter from the storms?My friends and family have been a shelter for me this year, just like my family was last night as we all huddled together in bed. They've encouraged and supported me. And most importantly, they've pointed me to the strongest shelter from the storms, my Heavenly Father.As I've turned to Scripture this week, I'm amazed at the number of times it reminds us God is our shelter. God knows that we will encounter hard times and His Word reminds us that the strongest and safest shelter is God Himself.As always we have a choice: get drenched in the rain or seek shelter. You see, the storms of life can cause us to run toward God, but just as easily they can cause us to turn away. A whole range of emotions can leave us standing in the rain to get drenched: bitterness, anger, confusion, helplessness, or hopelessness. If you can relate to these emotions, you might feel badly for having these emotions, but don't let these feelings keep you from God.Read the Psalms and you'll see that God can handle every emotion. Negative emotions are not a reason to turn away from God. They're the very reason to turn to Him, desperately wanting the kind of faith and strength only God can provide.Keep turning to God, continue to tell Him in prayer how you feel, and leave your emotions with Him. As you do, you'll start to feel His nearness, His hope, His promise, and His comfort. If you find yourself returning to feelings of fear or hopelessness, just go back to God. Be honest in your prayers. Acknowledge that you're having a hard time, but that you want to trust Him in your circumstances. Know that He loves you and will consistently and constantly be your shelter from the storms.

Dear Lord, "Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer. From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings" (Psalm 61:1-4, NAS). In Jesus' Name, Amen.

2009-09-10T07:06:00.002-05:00

Good morning my bloggy friends! I have to admit, that with the exception of payday, I am really enjoying this time of being unemployed. Not having a job has given me great opportunities that I didn't have when I was working. Over the past couple weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit with and help our grandparents with yardwork, spend time with our elderly friends that I haven't seen in a long time, mowed our lawn, worked on landscaping, catch up and get ahead on homework, get our home cleaned and back in shape, have lunch with my hubby, have quiet time with my children, volunteer at our church, and of course, apply for jobs. Although, this time is difficult financially, there is also so much good that has come of it. I want to take the opportunity today to thank God for this season. Instead of focusing on the negative, I want to be positive about the place that I am in.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-09T07:20:00.002-05:00

One of the books I'm reading for school is "God's Big Picture" by Vaughn Roberts. Vaughn explains how he is amazed by orchestras - so many people, so many instruments but such beautiful sounds when all put together. The orchestra depends on two things - a score, which tells them what notes to play and a conductor, who directs them when to play. If an orchestra didn't have a conductor or score, it would be disastrous.

This is what we humans have done. God is the composer who created this world, and he gave instructions about how we should live; the score He wants us to play. But we ignore them. We would rather play our own notes in our own time. It is hardly surprising that there is no harmony in this world. We desperately need a conductor if we are to begin to play the right notes again.

Jesus is both the composer and the conductor. He has come to restore order. He wants to change the ugly discord of our lives and our world into the beautiful music they were designed to make: a symphony of praise to the Creator.

I could totally relate to this analogy. I really made sense. How about you - can you see how following Christ can make harmony in your life?

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-08T07:06:00.003-05:00

Before I get started this morning, I want to encourage you to check out this blog of an amazing family www.buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com.

When I got up this morning, I took the dog outside to potty and play. It was a little foggy but as the morning has continued, the fog has become very thick and as I look out my front window, I can barely see the street in front of our house. Sometimes, this is how I feel - on one day, I can see God's plan for me and I can run full force but others, the fog is thick over my heart and I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to be doing.

As these foggy days have been around, I have been searching and soaking up the sweet Word of God. He continues to reassure me that He is in control and all I have to do is put one foot in front of the other and He will take care of everything else. He has a wonderful way of bringing peace and comfort to my heart, even when life is chaotic around me.

I read Matthew 23:37-39 today and it was about Jesus grieving over Jerusalem. In verse 37, He says "how often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." Those words hit me - I wanted to, and you were unwilling. I wonder how many times God has said those words about me? The numbers are more than I can imagine but it really brings me comfort to know that He wants to hold me, He wants to help me, He wants my heart to have peace - all I have to do is let Him! I will choose to let Him - will you?

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-04T07:50:00.002-05:00

Great Sermons are Not Preached, They’re Lived
3 Sep 2009Lysa TerKeurst

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 (NIV)What if someone followed me around with a video camera all day documenting my every move? Catching on camera all of my words, facial expressions, actions, and reactions. And then what if someone packaged it all together and played it on some sort of reality TV show for all the world to see? What would be the glaring message of my life?I am convicted thinking about this.You see, if someone were to ask me, what are you all about? I would have some nice sounding answers. But what actually happens during the strains of everyday life can sometim es betray my best intentions.I want to be a loving wife. Yet I can sometimes be found in a grumpy, selfish mood and view my husband as a business partner that better hold up his end of helping out.I want to be a wise and patient mom. But my kids know the exact buttons to push that send me into a tailspin of emotion and exhaustion.I want to be a strong witness for Christ. So why is it that I can read my Bible first thing in the morning and then find myself honking at the person that cuts me off in traffic just an hour later?I realize there is a place for God's tender mercies for me in all this. But I also know that while no TV cameras are following me around, my life is speaking a message about what I really believe and I want that message to honor Jesus. I once heard, "Great sermons are not preached, they are lived." Oh how I long to live a message that speaks loud and clear, "Jesus is true and the principles found in His teachings work!"L et's just be honest, it's tough being a sold out soul for Christ stuck in a body that is so tempted to sin. That's why it's essential I view my time with God each morning as a preparation and an invitation.

• Preparation: Every verse, devotion and prayer is all part of God's preparation for me that day. Instead of just rushing to check off my to do list that I spent a few minutes with God, I must allow His teachings to seep into my heart and mind. Then I must ask God to interrupt my natural flesh response and remind me throughout the day the truths He taught me that morning. That's the preparation part.

• Invitation: The next essential view of my quiet time each morning is recognizing I've just invited Jesus to do life with me today, so I need to look for His activity throughout my day. My minute by minute theme then becomes, "Not my will God, but Yours be done." So if my husband forgets to do something he promised, or my kids push my buttons, or a person cuts me off in traffic, or one of the other one million things happens that causes my flesh to want to rear up and act ugly… I can say, "Not my will God, but Yours be done." This slight pause and acknowledgement of God redirects my frustration and replaces it with grace. And most wonderful of all, it helps me connect my time with Jesus to everyday life choices. Making that connection is how we personally hear from and experience God!I know, sometimes it's hard to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning. And I'm certainly not trying to make this just another demand on our time. But, why not spend just a few minutes… even if it is just a few… letting Jesus prepare us for whatever we'll be facing that day and invite Him to intervene before our natural reactions to things betray our best intentions. Then and only then will my life speak to the fact that I have spent time with Jesus… and without saying a word, my imperfect life will be a God-honoring sermon.

Dear Lord, please teach me how to reveal more and more of You through the way I live my life. I want to tell the whole world about You using words only when necessary. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a great day and a great weekend!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-03T08:16:00.002-05:00

The search continues......Unfortunately, the best job lead I had found, yet, called yesterday to let me know that it was given to someone else. I was bummed but trying to patiently wait for God to place me exactly where He wants me to be. It is easy to let worry seep in, but I am working very hard at placing my life and job in the hands of God. He has always taken care of me and provided exactly what I need and I know that He will continue to do so.

Now, I'm off to Bloomington to a Hearts at Home volunteer open house. Oh, how I enjoy the Hearts staff and the work that they do to encourage mothers. Check it all out at www.hearts-at-home.org

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-02T07:08:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about my granny this morning. She is a very strong and capable 83 year old. We went to her house to mow yesterday and she had already trimmed and mowed part of the yard with her tiny push mower before we got there. While Mike finished mowing, she took me and the kids inside to cook supper and visit. After a wonderful dinner, we went out to the yard to dig up some flowers for me to take home and plant. She doesn't let me help and pushes me out of the way when I try to. Now, she didn't get this way from a life of leisure but one that brought hardship and hard work. She is kind, loving and caring but also a very hard worker that takes being a woman of God very seriously. She also gives me great perspective when I complain about not having this or that as she reminds me of what she had when she was my age - pretty much, nothing. Her and gramps raised their two boys on pretty much nothing but they are better for it, now. Her presence makes me feel loved, I love to be a blessing to her and I am so glad she is a part of my life. I hope to grow up to be like granny some day and be as much of a blessing to someone else that she is to me.

Have a great day

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

2009-09-01T07:04:00.002-05:00

We had another YAC (young adult connection) cookout on Sunday and it went great! We will begin our every other Friday group sessions on Sept 11. If you or anyone you know are between the ages of 18 and 35, send them my way and I would love to tell them more about this great opportunity to walk closer to Christ and "do" life together.

In class, last night, my professor was talking about how in addition to our inner spiritual life, our external worship is important. I started becoming defensive as I thought he was going to say that we must be careful how we worship as not to offend someone else but it was not the case, in fact he reminded us that we need to give ourselves and others the freedom to worship. He told a story to explain what he was talking about: He was in Texas and visiting a church. He came in late and the service had already begun so there was not a greeter at the door. As he walked to his seat, he noticed the fellowship going on throughout the church and then as the music began he noticed the people - their faces - they were happy to be there, they wanted to worship. People were engaged, they were smiling, they were singing and seemed truly content in the house of the Lord. Although, at that point, he had not spoken to or met anyone there, he knew that this would be a place that he would want to worship if he lived in the area.

I then, understood what he was saying about the importance of external worship. When my family and I have visited other churches, the first thing I look at are the worshippers. Are they there to truly worship or is attending church just another weekly habit?

Are you inviting others to worship by your worship? Are you setting an inviting example of worship or does your mood, disinterest in singing, music preference, or service layout keep you disconnected and sober?

Lord, I pray that as I come to Your house to worship and as I worship You throughout my life that You will help me to put all distractions aside so that my heart can spill out its love and thankfulness to You. Help me to worship in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie