Are you a fire starter?

Have you ever noticed a trail of brokenness that seems follow you around? Have you ever wondered why people really don't open up to you? No one ever asks you for advice? Could it be from your speech? Your failure to listen?
As we are studying Can We Talk by Priscilla Shier tells us, alot of what we seem to "reap" comes from our spoken words, or maybe even the didn't say. You know the words you were just itching to say and just dumped out onto the conversation....the ones you soon realized should has kept itching in your mouth. James tells us many things about the mouth. We see in James 1:19"Understand this, my dear brother and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry", and verse 26 tells us "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless". We spend so much time concerning ourselves about what to where, where to go, and what to eat, and not so much time concerning ourselves about what we should say!
Take some time and really reflect upon all that comes forth into your world and remember "the power of life and death is in the power of the tongue". Go forth and speak life into your world!
Live Beautifully : )

Are you listening?

As Women, we often over look the little things, important ones, in pursuit of what the world has deemed to be our purpose. Do we give ourselves the time, opportunity, albeit the luxury of time with God. Do we yield to hear Him. We will by all means stop everything, even time with our children to "listen" to a friend in "need". Do we really listen to them, hear what they really need? Stop and yield to the will of God? Often we find ourselves yielding our convictions to "go there" with others. May we focus this week on the "ears to hear" God mentions in Isaiah 30:21. He will give us the direction we need in every area of our lives.
The little things we seem to allow to get in our way can come in many forms. Distraction of perfection, pursuit of "pieces", anything that keeps your focus off of what truly matters and from what God has divinely placed you to do! I know from my own life that the idea of the keeping my house up like anyone else does in just not in my calling! There are seven bodies in our home and various pets from time to time and we love to entertain. Keep the base boards clean, heaven help me, just isn't happening. You know, I even decided after the twins were born to adopt the mind set that people were hopefully coming to see us and not my house. That way I could take the focus off of getting them in the door and enjoy the time I would have with them. Ministering to anyone?
As we get this Mom's group together as our Campus, please pray that those who come will receive a blessing and maybe even a new friendship!
Blessings and peace as we dive into summer! Remember to stop and listen, even if it is while you are doing the dishes. Also, go to the throne, instead of the phone!

Unity

Unity, what a word. Have you ever really thought on it? Today in our small group we saw a version of it I'd love to see throughout all the Church's who serve the Lord. We saw Chonda Pearce share her testimony about her season of depression and how the group she attend just simply thanked her for sharing. They didn't tell her to get connected, read one more scripture, or tell her to go worship. They simply said thank you and next. WOW what a revelation. How many times have you just wanted someone to LISTEN? I know for myself, last spring was that time for me. I didn't end up in a rehab but, I can surely relate to the awakening to the "dark" everyday and wondering when it will pass. Thank God for Medical Doctors that listen and believe!!!! My doctor suggested meds and when that wasn't working and I sought a herbal solution, he trusted me and supported me! My husband, God love him, heard the medical terms, sought prayer and just trusted I would be okay and jumped in to help with the kids. You know, that is about the time the Lord lead us to Celebration. Praise God. Fatigue filled body and all, I worshiped and slowly the pain would subside, song by song! I'd wonder why I couldn't make my bed or vacuum without having to stop or catch my breathe. Now looking back, well, you get the picture, we are to praise Him no matter what! That was my source of healing and praise God my husband LOVES music and we have lots to choose from. Okay, the unity part. Well, we have a burden, something we seem to be dealing with or have recently and WHO might you know going through the same or about to? Could/should we not come along side them and present a unified front to those that come against us/them. The Bible tells us where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is also. What more could you ask for. We are but to seek His face and know that......we are never alone!

Settling In

It is amazing the things we find when we move! Not only the items but also the memories. As we settle into our new house, I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11-13 that tells us "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." We fervently prayed about where God would have us to move for several months. We saw God open doors that would then close and wonder "Why?" only to see another. God brought to use these scriptures as well Psalm 121 and 127. Knowing that all things work together for good for those who believe in Him! We continued to press forward knowing that God would see us through. Now I can see where our belongings "fit" so well into our house and will soon become our home. I invite you to look around your dwelling and see what may be there that just doesn't fit. Something that could cause you not to see God's plan for you, your family, your life as a whole. God moves us daily into perfection through Him, if we but yield to Him.
As we see our new semester for Small Groups draw near, excitement arises! An eagerness to see change and growth. To see people set free! I invite you to check out the Spot on www.celebration.org and see what might minister to you. We will be introducing several new Life Builders groups, but personally I am excited about the new Mom's group. My vision is big and know that God is even Bigger. Eager to see the direction that God takes us in. So glad to be a part of such a cutting edge Church that sees a need for a group of people and allows it to work into the fabric of the Church. Be on the lookout for more info around the OP campus! And here!
Please keep all the children we help feed in Africa in your prayers this week! I truly believe that we can make a difference in our world through prayer. God bless and keep each of you and know that God is always by your side protecting you and never sleeps! (Ps. 121)

Moving UP

We all come to times in our lives when we must move. Sometimes we move across the neighborhood, across town, or even across country. But, there are also times in our lives when we are to "move" spiritually. Are you at a crossroad in your life? As we look to move this weekend, I see it not only as a physical move but also a spiritual move. We will have a new home to set up but, in the same token we will also have new ground/territory to minister to. I am eager to see where God takes us in this time and where we will grow as a family. We are so blessed by the Church family we worship with and know that God is going to grow us in and beyond all that we've come to thus far.
Is God moving you? Or are you just sitting still? Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows HIS plans for us, plans for God and not for evil! He gives us the desires of our heart, no read that again, He gives us the desires of our hearts. If we are truly walking down the road He has put before us, then yes, our desires will be HIS! Don't grow weary, press into HIM! Be blessed to be a blessing!

Prayer

Ladies,
I am reminded of a time when Women took a great deal of their day to simply provide food, water and basic things for their families. We are a part of a much simpler time in that regard. Yet we choose very often to sow into our homes as though we've been asked to bear the weight of the world. Bitter as we load the dishwasher, frustrated because we have to put one more load in the washer, wondering "why me" as we grab that Swifter to sweep our floors. We've gone into this mission with each of us having our own sets of expectations, but have we come this far to still be stuck in them?
I simply want to ask you to remember your love ones as you don't have to hand wash your dishes, don't have to scrub your clothes on a wash board, and well, don't have to use a straw broom! We've all got so much to be grateful for, we are but to pause our "fleshly" thoughts and desires long enough to stop and PRAISE HIM!
Be blessed and know that God loves you!

Opening Day

Today begins a journey! The Lord placed a very precious Ministry on my heart a number of years ago. Since then, I have served in several Women's Ministry areas and now find myself in a brand new place. This blog will be a way to document this process and watch us grow into a wonderful place for Women to find support and encouragement. Hope you enjoy the journey with us.