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

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

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

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

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

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

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