What Do My Dreams Mean?

Have you ever had a dream at night and for some reason you just knew it wasn't by chance...that it meant something? Was it a warning about someone or about an event or was it so vivid and so real that it shook you from your sleep and stayed on your mind for days to come? Or was your dream so powerful that it called you to action of behalf of someone else, or for yourself? Could it be that it wasn't just an accident but meant to be a help to you, or to someone else?

For the past year, I have been having some really vivid, out of the blue, strange sort of dreams. Well, I always have had crazy dreams, as most of you probably have, but I guess what I mean is over the course of this year, I've started to take notice. So much so that I've sought out Biblical teaching on the subject of dreams and have found some great and helpful information (video below).

I believe that God can speak to us through our dreams; give us warnings, alert us to unresolved issues in our hearts, and even give us clues to the future.

The only problem is, how to know what is what?

How do you know when a dream isn't just the effects of the spicy pizza you had the night before, or if it really is a message from the Lord?

The answer is faith. 

The world may tell us that our dreams are meaningless or to blow them off, but the Bible says otherwise. If you could ask Nebuchadnezzar if his dream was meaningless or just some bad hummus he ate the night before, I bet you could guess the answer! (Read the book of Daniel chapters 2-4)

Lately (albeit through very sleepy eyes, and a clumsy pen) I've had the faith to actually write down my dreams, and they are speaking volumes to me (your heart has a tendency to do that when you pay attention to it). A couple of those dreams I believe are warnings, or prophetic in nature, and others seem to me like a little knock upon the doors of my heart with a quiet voice saying, "Your heart needs special attention and prayer work done here." 

The Bible says in Proverbs 4...

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; 

for out of it are the issues of life."

All the issues of life are seeping out through the heart and into our dreams. So wouldn't it be worth the investment to pay attention to and write down what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you at night through your dreams? 

Proverbs 4 also says,

"Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life."

Dreams are the heart's way of taking care of business while we sleep. These verses mean many other things, don't get me wrong (a WEALTH of knowledge in these verses!), but with regards to dreams, I believe they're simply saying, that paying attention to what's going on in the heart is very important, because everything that has to do with you is flowing out from it. Remember what Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks?" (Luke 6:45) Well, apply it to your dreams as well, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mind dreams." Just keep in mind that when it all comes down, the heart is responsible for everything that's going on with you from what you say, to your actions and even to your dreams. 

This teaching from the expert on prophetic dreaming, Mark Virkler, on the Sid Roth program is excellent! He teaches you how to accept your dreams by faith, to pay attention to them and  how to work along with the Holy Spirit in prayer to interpret them. I encourage you to watch and take notes!!! It will be an encouragement to you. 

Word of God Speak/ Your Calling

Just some encouragement for you from the overflow that the Holy Spirit has spoken to me today.

Know that you have special calling on your life.

Know that you are anointed for very specific things, designed by God.

Know that it's okay not to do everything everybody else does, especially if you're not anointed to do it.

Know that YOU are the only person who can be YOU. Nobody else could ever be a better you than you can. Conversely, you cannot be somebody else, so why even try or covet what they can do? BE YOU! God will bless you as you walk in your specific calling and anointing.

You are a treasure to God and you DO have a purpose.

Listen to what He's telling you....He is speaking in all kinds of ways, just like He did for me today!

Watch this video and be encouraged....

Using Whatcha Got

This morning I decided to take a walk.

Now, understand, I don't live in a typical neighborhood where there's safe streets and sidewalks. I live in an apartment and the only place to walk is basically a parking lot. The road that runs by our building is on the side of a mountain, is very winding, and there are a lot of blind curves for cars. So, there's no way I'm getting out there! 

But today I decided to quit complaining and quit looking at all the obstacles and just do something. The truth is, I need to exercise, so I found a way. 

I may not have a track or sidewalks or a neighborhood or a gym, but I do have a parking lot where my daughter can go with me. So I put on some tennis shoes and we walked in circles, around the parking lot for 20 minutes. It was actually kind of nice. There are some inclines, and a steep hill that goes up by the road, and you can even walk behind the apartments along the edge of the woods. It was so nice, I think I may even do it tomorrow!

So, the lesson was to not focus on what I can't do, but focus on what I can do. And what I can do is walk around the parking lot! 

My house is the only one with a wreath on the door...gotta keep it pretty!

Thankful Thursday: God Works His Plan!

I got a little emotional today.

It occurred to me that just 9 months ago we were in a time of despair when my husband lost his job. I am a stay-at-home-mom, so we had no other income and it's an understatement to say that we were worried. Fear can sometimes grip you when you face the unknown. But when you know Jesus, the unknown is a lot less scary because you know He does know and He loves you, so you rest in that.

During the first 6 months with no income (except unemployment benefits), God really took care of us. We had a place to stay, food to eat, a car to drive, clothes, heat, water...all our needs were met. No one got sick, everyone was healthy and we even had a good Christmas.

Little did my husband know when he first lost his job that plans were being made and ground was being broken on a brand new hotel in another state, and that someone had HIM in mind to run it (because when he first met the owners of this company a year prior, they were impressed with him and told my husband to see them first if he ever found himself without a job). So when he walked into their offices, they were overjoyed to see him and snatched him up immediately! God was working it all out behind the scenes and we had no clue! So cool!

So that's why I got a little emotional today. I looked at where we were and where we are now and was filled with gratitude! My husband has a great job with a great company. And it occurred to me that the building of the hotel he will be managing is kind of like a metaphor for our own life.

The owners first had a dream! They drew up plans. They broke ground. They started building. Building this hotel has not been without it's struggles. There have been thefts, bad weather, setbacks, problems, but with perseverance and with a lot of hard work and sweat, they will very soon have a finished, operational hotel!

It's the same with us....

God had a dream....ME! He drew up the plan for my life (Jeremiah 29:11), He broke the good ground of my heart and He started building! The process is not without struggles and hardships, but God keeps working His good plan for His best for my life. And one day, His will will be perfected in me! My job is to just be obedient to Him, love Him, put Him first, relax and He will work His extravagant plan for my life. 

Take a look at some of these pictures....

This was taken in February...just 3 months ago. So much has been done since then!

Yesterday tons of  supplies were delivered for the big opening in a few weeks...

The hubs was even recruited to run the forklift to unload pallets from the tractor trailer! He had never done that before in his life! But it had to be done, so he jumped right in and got the job done. 

It's coming along so well! 

Now look at it! Nearly complete!

Everyone is working so hard right now trying to get everything together.

God, thank you for your tremendous blessings! Forgive me for ever doubting You! Please just keep me teachable so that You can work Your extravagant plan for my life! 

I can't wait to see what You build! 

Amen

You Can't Wring Your Hands With Worry, If You Do This One Thing

Tonight was AWESOME!

At our new church (New Life Church), we had the first night of our women's conference and Pastor Bonnie Huffman BROUGHT IT tonight!

Her talk was titled, "Stand, Fight, Win!" It was very encouraging, very uplifting and solidified some things I have been hearing from the Lord myself about not laying down and taking the whoopin' the enemy has been putting on my life this year...God's been calling me to FIGHT like the WINNER I AM!

During Pastor Bonnie's closing prayer, God gave me a vision of someone who is constantly wringing their hands with worry, who lives their life tied up in knots, and He gave me a word of wisdom about it that I share in this YouTube video. I hope you'll watch and be encouraged!



A couple thoughts....

Worrying is YOU telling GOD, "NO THANK YOU, I AM GOING TO DO THIS ALL ON MY OWN." And you know what? He will absolutely let you do it all on your own if that's what you want. But I promise, surrendering to your loving Father and casting your cares on Him is what you were made for. You were never meant to shoulder the burden. But He's a gentleman and He'll let you have it your way as long as you want. But there is a better way....HIS WAY. It always is. :)


Please leave a comment or email me (my address is on the right) and let me know if I can pray for you.

God Knows Before You Do

I have been desperately in need of encouragement lately. If you haven't been keeping up with my blog, then I'll fill you in on a few things...

-We have relocated to a different state because my husband found a great job after being unemployed for 6 months.

-Our beautiful house in Kentucky has had 3 different contracts on it, from 3 different buyers, and ALL of them have fallen through for one reason or another and is currently in foreclosure.

-We now live in an apartment which we haven't done since we were in our early 20's, which has hurt our pride a bit. The place is spacious, but that space comes with 3 floors which have been really hard on my knees. Going up and down stairs all day is exhausting and I've been less than grateful for the new digs. Resentful sums it up a little better.

-My husband's car is out of commission and we haven't been able to afford to fix it yet. Being down to one car keeps me home every single day....not fun.

-All in all, I'm really lonely.

-I've been pretty sad for long time.

-I've felt like God has forgotten me.

But just when things have seemed their darkest, GOD HAS SHOWN UP! He has let me know in subtle and not so subtle ways that He sees me, He hears me and He has certainly NOT forgotten about me.

And the Holy Spirit spoke this to me through the story of Adam in the garden.

No one can encourage you like the Holy Spirit!

Check out this video to hear the rest of the story.....

Supporting a Brother in Christ in His Music Ministry

Tonight I went to hear my bro in Christ, Elijah Rogers sing at a venue/ministry called KYOVA. He was really amazing! It's important to me to support my friends, so every chance I get to be there for them, I will!

Elijah and I sang together in our former group Crossfire. But, due to my moving, and his living so far away to begin with, we both stepped away from the group. It was a tough decision to make, but one that was best for me and my family. He jumped right back into singing, moving forward with recording a solo CD and booking places to sing like crazy! Me, on the other hand, I've been much more cautious. When you're a wife and a mom, those obligations take priority, so I haven't wanted to do anything that would be a hardship on my family. We've had enough stress, what, with the my husband's job loss and the move and all. I just want to be careful, that's all...do things in God's perfect timing.

But back to Elijah and KYOVA. First of all, Elijah really shines as a solo tenor. He has a very unique testimony (he has a child with autism and is a very young husband and father) and shares so beautifully how God has "brought him through the fire" many times. He gets the crowd going and really ministers...that is truly a gift (check out his website HERE)!

And I just love KYOVA, which stands for "Kentucky Ohio Valley Association" (I think). It is a ministry that provides a place for Christian folks to go every Friday night to enjoy food, fellowship and music. Each Friday night, they have a crowd of around 200 or more! It's incredible! Sometimes it's standing room only!!! The dinner is around 5 bucks and the entertainment is free. They give away door prizes and everyone just has a good time hanging out. I think it's just great. Every little town needs a ministry/venue like that to give folks a place to get out of the house and enjoy the company of others.

I sure enjoyed a night of good ol' gospel singin' and the company of these brothers! Me, Pastor Dale (Elijah's pastor from their church, Lighthouse Baptist in Shelbiana, KY...man, they are gettin' people saved and baptisin' like crazy over there!) and Elijah.

And the dinner they served! UH-MAY-ZING! I was expecting a hot dog or a burger, but they had full-on soup beans, fried potatoes, kraut, cornbread and home made cobblers and pies. It was incredible (thanks Pastor Dale for dinner!). I highly encourage you, if you live in the Huntington/Ashland area to check it out (take your grandparents...they'd love it!).

And have Elijah Rogers come sing at your church or event sometime. You will be blessed!

Working With Your Strengths and Doing Something a Little Different

I have been praying a lot about what God wants me to do in this new season of my life. When you move, whether you like it or not, you are thrown into a sort of "defacto" new season. I think when my daughter goes to school in the fall, that will be an even NEWER season, but that's still a few months away. So, in a new season I am, and I'm wondering what in the world I can do with my life right now that is meaningful to me and the Kingdom (and yes, being a wife and a mom is meaningful, but God is calling me to do other things right now too).

For a while there (several weeks) I was looking at what I didn't have (i.e. a car, lots of extra cash, etc.) and what I couldn't do, but lately I've been praying about what I CAN do. And again, I'm lead to the internet.

I have been a little concerned with having a large presence online, especially for my daughter. So many people have access to personal pictures of my family, my personal thoughts, and a lot of my personal information (where I live, etc.). But when it all comes down to it, I set it up that way, so I can't complain about it. The world is the way it is (pretty evil) and other than remove myself from the web completely and pray, there's really not much I can do but be careful and watchful.

So after serious contemplation and prayer about whether or not to get offline completely, I have decided against it. The world needs Christians online. There's so much garbage on the internet...it makes my stomach turn to know some of the things you can do and see online, but as Christians, I believe we can counter it! We can pray and we can share THE WORD of GOD and the HOPE in JESUS CHRIST! So, I'm here to stay, but now, I'm EXPANDING!!!!!

As I have prayed, I've asked the Lord to show me where my strengths lie and how I can use them for Him and as a blessing to the Body.

Here's what I'm NOT going to do....

I'm not going to focus on how to keep a tidy house and offer organizational tips, because, that ain't my gift ya'll! ha!

I'm not going to blog about how to manage your finances and live a frugal life...not my strength either.

I'm not going to make this a "foodie" blog, although I may post recipes sometimes, because I enjoy cooking, but it's not my passion.

And while I may post encouragements on exercise and eating right (because I'm working on that myself right now), I'm not going to school you in those areas. Again, not my strength (for now).

But here is what I AM going to do...

I am going to offer to pray for you (look for a link to the right to post prayer requests).

I am going to be an encouragement to you.

I am going to start making videos (something new for me) that offer my insights on the Bible and living the Christian life and whatever else I decide to talk about.

I am going to write posts that speak honestly and openly about my struggles as well as my victories.

And I am going to sing!!!! If not for anyone else, as a praise to Jesus!

So, instead of focusing on what I DON'T have to be able to minister to people, I'm choosing to focus on what I DO have, which is the internet, and I'm gonna work the heck out of it for the Kingdom of God! ha!

Stay tuned!!!! And if you have prayer requests, please leave them in the comment section below, or email me... angieacapella@gmail.com

Blessings to you all!!!!

Is There Anything Dirtier Than a Thief?!

Around my area, there have been a rash of thefts going around. Luckily, I've spent most of my life naive to this, because I had not experienced thievery in my circles. But in the past few years, I have. And it infuriates me!

My sweet little grandmother had her wallet stolen right out of her purse in a Kmart by a lady that had chatted her up. When my grandmother turned her head, the lady snatched it and took off.

My uncle and aunt had some Christmas gifts stolen one night from their parked car, right outside their bedroom window. And their neighbor had their truck stolen. It was later found; trashed of course.

The hotel that my husband will be managing soon, is under construction. And twice in one week, thieves came in and stole 2 large rolls of copper wiring. This theft cost upwards of $10,000 and set construction back 2-3 weeks. The thieves also took a crowbar to a brand new, electronic-type door and destroyed it. That door alone will cost $15,000 to replace. They had to hire security guards which was an additional expense for the company and now everyone is on edge, worrying about what could happen next!

We had our bank account wiped out by identity thieves in Mexico and I've had my car broken into a couple of times as well. I didn't find anything missing, but just knowing that some stranger had the nerve to open up my car and rifle through my belongings was extremely unnerving and unsettling!

Image take from: http://www.amitbhawani.com/blog/prevent-laptops-from-getting-stolen/

Thieves are the lowest of the low in my opinion (well, right down there with people who abuse children). They don't just take our stuff...stuff can be replaced. But what thieves take are things not so easily replaced. They snatch our peace. They swipe our good faith in people. They take away our sense of security. And what they leave behind is fear, resentment, bitterness, and a preoccupation with having to always be careful, instead of feeling just free to go about your life. They are thoughtless, selfish, underhanded liars who creep around dark corners or mislead trusting little old ladies in broad daylight. They ruin lives and take things they didn't earn. All for what? A buck? A thrill?

But while I can't stand a dirty thief, it occurred to me today that Jesus actually hung on a cross between two of them. My perfect, sinless Jesus placed himself between the lowest of the low and died right along side them. What does that say about Jesus? What does that say about me? I think it says that His grace is boundless and mine is limited (among other things). I know it says that His love and mercy is for EVERYONE. And even with His last few dying breaths, He was still trying to win the lost. So often, I place people into categories and put up my walls, when Jesus bids ALL to come.

I AM THE THIEF!

Instead of freely giving of the love of Jesus to ALL, I often steal it away and hoard it for myself, or for those I deem worthy enough to have it. And that theft could mean someone's eternity...something that cannot be replaced.

My question was, "Is there anything dirtier than a thief?" But I think the answer is, "Compared to Jesus, is there anyone dirtier than me?" And the answer is no....there isn't.

Thank you, sweet, precious Jesus for your sacrifice and for your example. Forgive me for withholding Your love. Help me, the chiefest of sinners, to share freely with ALL.

Image taken from:http://m611martin.deviantart.com/art/Forgive-As-Jesus-Forgives-Us-290024430

What are You Willing To Do For Your Children?

I've been feeling some conviction lately...


I've been thinking about my role as a mother and what that means beyond the sort of mundane dailiness of what it takes to care for my daughter. Do I pray enough for her...for her future? And while I want every nice thing for my daughter, I know that the nicest clothes, the latest, greatest toys, belonging to the best playgroups having just the right friends, being a part of just the right activities doesn't add up to a hill of beans where her eternity is concerned! Yet, do I take that literally? Am I doing things that outwardly make me seem like a good mother, that others can brag about or marvel at? Sometimes it seems that way. Or am I in my prayer closet, in secret, praying for her. No one sees that. If they could, would I do it more? Just questions I'm asking of my own heart. So far, I'm not liking what I see. But I'm seeking better for my daughter.

Do I pray enough for her health? What about her school experience? Will I have equipped her to handle mean kids, judging teachers, failure, being gracious when she has successes, to do her very best? And her teenage years? Will she be good and kind to others? Will she be liked? Will she have some talents and/or abilities that make her feel special...that keep her out of trouble? Will she allow boys, as I did, to take advantage of her, hurt her? Or will she be a strong young woman with unshakable character? Will she marry a wonderful young man and have beautiful children of her own?


See, knowing what I know about the Kingdom of God, I don't believe all these things are left to chance. What if RIGHT NOW, when she's just 2 years old, we start to do something IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM to shape our daughter's future? 

What if my husband and I fasted and prayed specifically for our daughter each week, consistently? What kind of battles could be fought and won in the spiritual? I will probably never know this side of Heaven, but Daniel gives us a clue as to what spiritual warfare happens on our behalf when we fast and pray...

Daniel 10:1-14
 ¹ "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.  ² At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. ³ I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
 ⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, ⁵ I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
 ⁷ I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. ⁸ So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. ⁹ Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
 ¹⁰ A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
 ¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come."


I am so excited by what the angel said, "From the first day....your prayers were heard!" And right then he went to battle on Daniel's behalf! If we start fasting and praying now for our daughter, what battles might the great angels be fighting for her? She may never have to endure some of the evil things that kids today experience. Giving up a day of food a week so that my child can have a more victorious life seems like a pretty small price to pay to me!

 The book, Night Light for Parents by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson, is a daily devotional meant to be read with your spouse together at night. I have his other book Night Light which is for couples, but am interested in getting the one for parents as well because there seems to be some amazing wisdom there. They talk about praying and fasting specifically for your children in a section called, "Passing on the Faith,"


SATURDAY
Divine Help
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV 


"When confronted with the awesome responsibilities of parenthood, not to mention the incredible evil in today's world, it's no surprise that many parents feel an urgent need to pray continually for their children. When Danae was about three years old, Jim and I realized that as parents we needed divine help. We began fasting and praying for Danae, and later for Ryan, almost every week (a practice that I continue to this day). Our prayer went something like this: "Lord, give us the wisdom to raise the precious children You have loaned to us, and above all else, help us bring them to the feet of Jesus. This is more important to us than our health or our work or our finances. What we ask most fervently is that the circle be unbroken when we meet in heaven."
God has not only heard this prayer, but also blessed it in ways we never anticipated. Our prayer time has become a project that Jim and I enjoy together, drawing us closer to each other as we draw closer to God. In addition, the act of fasting each week serves as an important reminder of our priorities: It's difficult to forget your highest values when one day out of seven is spent focusing entirely on them. Finally, our children were influenced by these acts of discipline. When they observed us fasting or praying, it gave us the opportunity to explain why we did these things, how much we loved them, and how much we loved and trusted the Lord.
God hears and honors,in His perfect timing, our petitions on behalf of our children. If you want the very best for your sons and daughters, I urge you to call on the greatest power in the universe in frequent prayer."
SMD

What great advice! And what a challenge for us all! 

Here's another quote that I came across this week from the book, Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders...

"The emerging leader eats right, stands tall, and prepares himself to wage spiritual warfare. He will without reluctance undertake the unpleasant task that others avoid or the hidden duty that others evade because it wins no public applause."


Fasting and praying isn't popular. In fact, most folks think you're down right LOONEY TUNES if you do it regularly. But as we've seen from the book of Daniel, it is a powerful weapon we have against our enemy, one we as the Church do not utilize enough. Why? Maybe because it's meant to be done in secret..no one sees it...you don't get applause for it. The moms on the playground don't see the hours you spent on your knees before your Heavenly Father, shedding tears for your child on an empty stomach. The other parents thinks you're weird because you politely refuse the breakfast casserole each week at playgroup. Your friends think you're dissing them because you turned them down, yet again for dinner out. Your coworkers look at you in disbelief as you only order an iced tea when the company is paying for a business lunch! No, you're not going to get any applause or a standing ovation for fasting and praying for your child. But as a spiritual leader over her/him, are you still willing to make the sacrifice?

But God knows what you're doing...

 

 "But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly." Matthew 6:6

And our reward (here on earth at least) will be a child who is blessed and protected beyond what we could ever ask or think!

 

 

What do you say? 

A Brand New FUN, Christ-Centrered Online Magazine for Women!

I'm so excited to help spread the word about the launch of Transformed Magazine! An online forum, birthed from the desire to give women a positive, Christ centered resource. The creators felt that instead of women reading a magazine that left them feeling fat, ugly and like they didn't measure up, they would create something that felt more like a community of women who could inspire and uplift each other, while also helping them to become more aware.

I LOVE the "Justice" section of the magazine, which highlights issues around the world that are not often addressed. For instance, Transformed brings awareness to a ministry called A21 and a cause near and dear to my own heart, which is sexual slavery and human trafficking. A21 works to free women in the billion dollar sex slave industry all over the world. Did you know that human trafficking is the 2nd largest network of organized crime in the world? I mean, the commodity they are dealing in are flesh and blood human beings! This disgusts me to the core. It's so amazing to know that there are organizations on the front lines helping to bring an end to this evil! But I digress...back to the magazine. 


In addition to making us more aware of the serious issues, they talk about the things that we girls love too...fashion, beauty, recipes, even sex! But not the "Cosmo way," God's way! 

It's a great resource and will be a refreshing read when you have some time to yourself. I am also honored to say that I know the founder and creator of this magazine, 

Jamie-Lea Drury, one of the sweetest girls I've ever met, with an adorable little son and talented husband. They are a beautiful family and are such a blessing to me and to our church. I'm so proud of her and the work she's done, bringing us Transformed Magazine! Way to go Jamie-Lea for seeing the vision God gave you REALIZED! 

Keep up the good work and we'll keep reading.

Please go HERE to subscribe and support them!

Gratitude Kicks Depression's Butt!

JUST finished putting all the Christmas stuff away. When I first put it away, I really just moved it from the main living space of the house, out to the sun room. I didn't actually put any of the decorations back in the storage bins. So, It's all been piled up out there since the first of the year.

But the past couple of sunny days has motivated me to get the stuff cleared out so I can start sitting out there more. That's what it's there for right? To enjoy!

I've been feeling really depressed lately and I wonder if a lot of has to do with the weather? It's been so gloomy! Normally I enjoy gloomy days (weird I know), but for some reason, it's just been affecting me negatively the past few months. So I thought to myself, "You have a sun room that makes you happy when you're out there, so get out and use it!" Then it sort of hit me. That blaming the weather, or some sort of external force wasn't the answer at all. Usually, the answers to how we're feeling can be found in our own hearts. I realized that I was being complacent in showing gratitude for my home and for my blessings.

I sort of chastised myself for not being more thankful. I've always wanted a sun room or would have even settled for a screened in porch. And now, I actually have a beautiful one! But I hardly ever go out there. I asked God to forgive me for not being more grateful and told him how happy that sun room made me and thanked Him for it. He gave it to me as a very special gift and I had forgotten what that meant to me.

I must say that I have been guilty of taking my beautiful home for granted quite a bit. God has blessed me with so many luxuries that I don't know where to start to thank Him! So many things that I prayed specifically for, or secretly wished for in my heart, I NOW HAVE! But too often, my home is neglected, which doesn't really reflect that I'm thankful for it. I guess my actions speak more to me feeling entitled to it, so I don't take care of it the way I should.



I've heard it said that it's hard to be depressed when you have a heart full of gratitude. So, that's how I'm going to choose to look at the week. Immensely grateful for my messy house that I have to privilege to take care of! And even now, I feel the sadness and gloominess lifting. Praising God and thanking Him for His blessings really does lift your spirits!

Maybe I can start the day out in my beautiful sun room, that gets the lovely morning sun, singing praises to God! I can't think of anything nicer actually....

"...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" Isaiah 61:3

What is Your Plan B?

I've just been thinking about something..."JOB STABILITY." USA Today reports that nearly 300,000 couples, who both used to have jobs, now both find themselves unemployed.
I wonder if they had a "Plan B" in place.

I've had so many close personal friends and family members who have lost jobs over the past couple of years and it's been just devastating to their families. Their job was the only source of income for them and when it was gone, they had nothing to fall back on. So with this in mind, I'm wondering, why more people don't take personal responsibility for their financial situation, instead of solely depending on job stability? Because if we know anything, we know there's no such thing as "job stability." Have you ever read the paperwork before you signed your name on the dotted line before taking that job? Every one I've ever read says, "...this position may be terminated at any time or for any reason, without explanation." YEAH, IT REALLY DOES SAY THAT...DID YOU FORGET OR SOMETHING? With that in mind, knowing your job could be gone at any time. And having seen proof of that all around us, why aren't more of us doing something about the "just in case" that happens to me, what do we have in place to keep us afloat?

I've been reading a lot lately about people who are very proactive in how they save their money...

Resourceful in how they bring in different streams of income...

and most importantly, how they've learned that sticking to a plan over time, whatever it may be and not expecting "instant gratification" pays off in the end.

Let's take my friend Heather over at Want What You Have for example. She and her family went from close to $500,000 in debt (I believe that's correct), to completely DEBT FREE! Heather is an EXPERT at managing her families' finances and has learned that a frugal lifestyle and being happy with what you have brings peace, financial stability and more joy to her families' lives. But one thing Heather does, that I find fascinating, is she has made THOUSANDS of dollars selling items on ebay, and this is how she (among many other things) contributes to bringing in income to the household and paying off debt. Her husband works for himself and according to Heather, makes a modest income, but they were still able to pay off all of their debts (including their home) and live a very comfortable life with savings in the bank to boot! There's no reason why any one of us couldn't have the same if we were just better stewards of what we have.

I also think about the MANY people I know who have gotten a clue and started their own business that they work on a very part time basis from home, in addition to their full time job. This is a great choice for busy families, busy stay-at-home moms and those who want to earn extra income to pay for vacations, for their child's after school activities, for family "fun money," for the "date night" fund, to help pay off debt, student loans, or to help with household expenses. I have an aunt who sells cosmetics in addition to working full time in a school cafeteria. She works on her cosmetics business very part time, and solely to help pay their car and homeowners insurance. She does all this from home. What other part time job has THAT perk?


Take for example some good friends of mine (and my business partners) who were very successful in corporate America, but gave it all up to start their own insurance agency. They soon built it up to the same 6 figure income they were enjoying at the corporate job. Then, they purchased SendOutCards (my business) to use as a tool to send cards of appreciation more easily to their insurance customers, because they hated hand writing cards every week! They soon began to see the income potential available through SendOutCards and decided to start building it full time. In about 2 years time, they built SendOutCards to a 6 figure yearly income for themselves. Now they only work their insurance business on a referral basis and ONLY do SendOutCards. It took some time and some hard work, but they built and incredible, always growing team of thousands in just a few years. That residual income will always be there whether they go to work or not! Now that's a PLAN B!

I also have a long time friend from high school who has been with AVON for close to 15 years. She has steadily built up a client base over the years and sells around $20,000 a year! Again, she does this from home on a very part time basis as she works her full time job as a hair dresser. She said that she averages around $400-500 a month in commission, which equals to close to $6,000 a year!

What could you do with an extra $6K a year? Pay off a credit card? Take some classes to finish up your degree? Take an AWESOME vacation without thinking twice about how much it will cost? Remodel a bathroom or the kitchen? There's a lot I can think of that I could do! And she was telling me that the two or three top sellers in her district do $40,000-$50,000 in sales a month and are receiving close to half of those sales in commission...EACH MONTH!!! Did they do that in a year, or even 2 or 3? Probably not. It takes TIME and CONSISTENT EFFORT to make good money and be successful in the direct sales or network marketing industry.

Another good friend of mine, Missy, a wife, mother of 4, stay-at-home mom and Pampered Chef consultant can attest to that! Last year (2009...I'm anxious to hear the stats for 2010!), her income from her Pampered Chef business was over $32,000!!! That's how much I made a year as a teacher for crying out loud!!! But she did it, on a part time basis, working from home, around HER and HER family's schedule, doing a few parties and catalog shows a week! Did this happen overnight? No way! Her income grew steadily every year, for 8 years. Again, it took building a customer base, staying in contact with those people and TIME and CONSISTENT EFFORT! And do you know what? If her husband lost his job tomorrow, they would have her incredible business to fall back on...THEIR PLAN B!



So why don't more people do this? I think a lot of people try it out, but they don't stick to it. They don't see instant results, instant sales, the BIG BUCKS right away and then think it doesn't work or that it's flawed in some way. This business model is not flawed, it's the people who have given up who have given it a bad name. But honestly, I don't know of ANYONE who has stuck to a business like this, whether it be AVON, or Mary Kay or Pampered Chef or SendOutCards who have not been successful if they just stuck to it.

My first introduction to this was a lady I worked for when I was about 20 years old. She ran a hair salon, tanning bed (I worked in her tanning bed business) and a well stocked Mary Kay counter all from her home (additions to the house to accommodate all the businesses...not from her actual living space! LOL). But she told me that when she did her income taxes, that she made more money from her Mary Kay business than from the hair salon and tanning beds combined! I was amazed! But she had been selling it for many years and had built it up...she had even earned the coveted pink car!

So what am I trying to say here? I'm trying to provide you with real life examples of people who have taken charge of their situations and are actually making money. I've told you about all types of incomes that range from those making 10's of thousands a month, to those who are making a few thousand, to those who just want a few hundred dollars extra a month. It doesn't matter what your goals are, building your own business, in addition to your full time job is just a good idea. Because if you lost that job tomorrow (which is very possible in this economy), what income would you have coming in to help with your living expenses? Not trying to worry anyone, just asking.....

What is your PLAN B?

If you want more info on my no-brainer, genius idea business, click here to learn more and try out my product for free.

A Well Worn Path to My Heart...New Again!

I've seen this cartoon a million times (well at least 35). I plan my schedule around it every year. I just love its simplicity and the way it makes a point without being "preachy."

I watched it the same way I always do, knowing exactly what scene is coming up next, exactly how the characters are going to react. That comes with seeing it a million (35) times. But this year, there were some things that I caught that I had never noticed before. And the simple little cartoon, which has made a well worn path to my heart, for the first time, made me cry.

I always make sure I try to catch the opening. This is one of my favorite scenes. The kids skating whimsically to "Christmas Time Is Here."
It's just enchanting.

But my eyes and ears started to perk up when Charlie Brown was contemplating why he was so down during Christmas.

Was it just the rampant commercialism, that his own dog was participating in, that was getting him down? Why was he looking for deeper meaning? I mean, isn't that what Christmas is all about? Presents, toys, Santa, shopping, parties, busyness? There's nothing in our secular world that would suggest that we look for ANYTHING else. That IS Christmas. Right? But obviously, Charlie Brown knew that something was missing...he just couldn't put his finger on it.
I think a lot of people feel that way.

Then Charlie Brown get the chance to direct the school play,
a chagrin to many in the group.
But no one would listen to him or his direction. What were they?

Loud
Busy
Oblivious
Disconnected

They were doing their own thing. They were caught up in CHRISTMAS for crying out loud!


Then comes the fiasco with the little tree, everyone's inattention and in his frustration, Charlie Brown finally loses his cool and exclaims!
"Isn't there anyone who knows what
CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT???"

And Linus simply says,
"Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."
And he proceeds to tell the King James Bible version of the
Christmas story.
But what struck me for the first time was this...

Everyone was so busy before. But while he spoke of the "...babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger," everyone stopped. They were still and they were quiet. They listened...and they got it.

And this is where I lost it. When he walks over and says,
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
I FINALLY GOT IT!

Those 8 words pierced my heart.
That is what Christmas is all about,
"...the Savior which is Christ the Lord!"
And that, "...Joy which shall be to all people" is the sweet spirit that came over the kids and caused them to finally want to
"Be Christmas" from their heart, instead of selfishly participating
in the hollow, empty, busy side of it all.



They all joined together and they all began to sing.

Why?

What is this spirit of goodwill and peace and joy and giving that comes over people this time of year?
Linus proclaimed it, and it is a PROMISE from God...
The angel of the Lord (His messenger) said,
"Behold, I bring you tidings of GREAT JOY which shall be to
ALL PEOPLE."

Angels don't just do or say whatever they want you know. They are created to worship and serve God Himself. So, this message came directly from Him, for the world. That Jesus, for all time, will be a GREAT JOY to ALL PEOPLE. Not just those people...ALL PEOPLE!
He is the gift. He is still the gift.
Still the JOY that can make your heart leap even when
everything around you looks grim. He is still the reason why, during this time of year, that people seem united in spirit. It's not by chance or because of "Tis the season and Ho, ho, ho."
It's because His Holy Spirit is real and you can feel it, right now!
Still! 2,000 years after the fact!

Charlie Brown was searching for something. And the Word of God gave him the answers he was looking for.
The answer was and is Jesus Christ. The baby that God sent as a gift to you and me.

He got it. I got it too.
My prayer is that YOU will also get it and let the
REAL Spirit of Christmas live inside your heart.

Many Blessings to you this season,
from my family to yours!

Sad at Christmas (my heart's desire)

Christmas season has been very joyful for me in a lot of ways. I got all my decorating done right after Thanksgiving and the house has felt so warm and festive for weeks now. I also got all my shopping done in November, minus the crowds and hustle and bustle and haven't even had to think about shopping this whole season! I've been invited to sing at several different places, which always brings joy to my heart. I participated in a fun cookie swap (made almost 20 dozen cookies!) and a big ol' CRAFT DAY with my life group, among other fun, festive things. But one aspect has made me very sad and there's not a whole lot I can do about it.

You see, there have been so many in need this year. A lot of close personal friends or family who are out of work, who are struggling just to put food on the table, who just cannot justify spending extra on gifts for their kids, have really needed me this year and I just haven't been able to help.

This weighs so heavy on my heart. You see, I am a giver. If I can't give when someone is in need, it literally breaks my heart. The reason I can't do a lot about it is because we, ourselves, are watching every penny and since I'm not the one who works a full time job or manages our finances, I can't just give away random amounts of cash (although that's exactly what I'd like to do!).

But in my opinion, being on a tight budget is no excuse for being tight fisted.

I believe when we relax and open our hands, not only are we more free to give, but are then open to receive blessing back from God.

It's a promise. Luke 6:38 says, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." That means that if you give with a teaspoon, you'll be given back a teaspoon in blessings. But if you give with a big ol' bucket, you'll be given a big ol' bucket's worth of blessing back. And while I believe a lot of that is monetary, I believe a great deal of that means that you have greater joy and peace. When you live with open hands and not clenched fists, and live with the mentality that it's not yours to begin with, it's all God's, then you experience a freedom that is unlike any other. Worry leaves you and you begin to trust your Provider to do just that...PROVIDE.

I don't worry much. I am one of those people that just trusts. It gets on a lot of people's nerves actually. But I can't find any other way that God commands us to be. He says to trust Him, so I do. He says that worry doesn't add a day to your life, so I don't. I don't see any middle ground. Am I perfect? No way! I still worry sometimes (I'm a mother after all) and sometimes I don't completely trust. But I will say that to worry about money is something I rarely do. God has proven Himself faithful too many times for me to do that!

Which brings me to why I'm sad that I can't give the way I want to this year. I haven't been trusting Him to bless my business and I haven't been working hard enough to see any of the seed that I've planted produce. I've been lazy. There...I said it. I've just been plain ol' lazy. And now, I'm seeing the consequence of that laziness.

The consequence is apparent when my small group leader calls and tells me that a member of our group has no groceries in the house and that the kids have no Christmas presents, could I give something to help, and I have to say no. Oh my gosh, that tears me up inside! It makes me sick and I feel so ashamed of myself. It's my heart's desire to be the BIGGEST giver I know and to not be able to give what I would like really hurts (although I talked to my husband and we were able to give a little to help). I want to be the one who can write a $500 check for her kids to have presents under the tree or fill up 2 big grocery carts at Kroger so that the family will have groceries in the house.

I don't just want to have a successful business so I can earn trips or a car or make a lot of money or because I want to pay off student loans or put on an addition to the house. Because it's not all about me, but it's about being used as a vessel for God to fill up and then pour out to others.

So I guess the next question is, how do a make sure I never go another Christmas feeling this helpless to, well, help?! I don't ever want to feel this way again.

I will ponder and pray on this for a few days and update you
on what ideas God gives me.

"Lord, bless me and make me a blessing!"

And although I have not been able to give the way I would like this Christmas, I did participate in our church's food and toy drive. I made up a box of nonperishable food and gave away an art set that I had bought for my daughter for Christmas. Our church had a goal to make up our city's food bank's 30,000 pound deficit. We had two weeks to bring in 30,000 pounds of food and fill a tractor trailer with toys. After the first week, it didn't seem like we would make it because there was only a couple thousand pounds brought in, but in literally the last hours of the deadline, ALL the food came in and the goal was met! It was an amazing miracle!

Check out my pastor's blog for pictures of that miracle and what
"Being Christmas" is all about!

Another Side of ME (is it safe to say this stuff out loud?)

I've noticed lately that my blog has taken on some tough and sometimes controversial issues. Gays, sinners, the evils of Hamburger Helper, judgmental Christians, network marketing, OPRAH! ha!

And taking some of the stands that I've taken, I mean, putting out there what I really believe, isn't exactly safe. As a mom, a wife and a Christian, with a blog titled, "Happily Home," it's "safe" to display cute pictures of your baby and your husband and talk about the little projects you've got going on around your house, etc. Yeah...those are fun and pretty safe. And you know what else? Those posts get a LOT of comments (well, a lot by this meager blog's standards). Put the word "project" in your title and it seems like EVERYONE has something to say. So, I'm not sure why the other, seemingly more substantial, more important issues don't get a lot of response?

Maybe it's because some of my readers don't have an opinion, or they don't want to disagree so they don't post anything or maybe they're just afraid. I don't know the answer. Sometimes I think we just read blogs to get away from the heavy issues of life. Sometimes we want to have "jelly for brains" for a while and not think about ANYTHING and just look at pics of people's fall decorations! I know I do! And I totally get that.

But one thing you should know about me, if you haven't gleaned this already, is that I am VERY opinionated. I always have been and it's gotten me into trouble many times over the years! But I try to not to impose my opinions on someone just for the sake of me hearing how smart I sound (I hate when people do that). I really try to wait until I'm asked for it, or if I'm involved in a conversation already and giving my opinion is expected. I love those times! I love healthy debate and discussion!

So I just want you, my few and faithful blog friends to know another side of me so you're not surprised when you see titles about gays or network marketing or Jesus...because I have opinions on all those things and love that I have a blog on which I can share them! And I need you to stick with me even if I'm not posting adorable pics of my baby or showing you my latest crafty project. Because as women, there's so much more to us than our kids and homes and husbands. We have opinions and arguments and BRAINS in our heads and we like to discuss the issues of the day just like anyone else! So when I do, I guess what I'm saying is, "PLEASE COMMENT!" :) And when you do, know that this is a safe environment where your comments are treasured, valued and spur me on to thinking in a different way a lot of times.

Your feedback means the world to me!
Love you blog friends!!!!

Are Non-Believers Your "Pet Project?"

I was perusing facebook today and came across my good friend Mike Burnette's (our church's former choir director/youth pastor in Knoxville) "repost" from a blog called "Church and Culture." I hope all of you read this. It will challenge you and make you think. It made me think!

Ten Things People Would Tell Us If We'd Listen

by James Emery White, www.churchandculture.org

1. I do not consider myself (nor do I feel like I am) a “pagan.” I mean, really? A pagan? Not sure I like “unchurched” or “irreligious” either, though it’s a step up. Ideally, how about John, or Mark, or Sandra? In other words, my name.

2. I honestly don’t mind it when you invite me to your church, or talk to me about God. Just keep it, I don’t know, natural. Like when we talk about sports or movies. I hate feeling like a project. Let’s keep it a conversation between friends, and as friends. I could see doing that.

3. Please don’t be threatened by my questions. They really are my questions, and I’ve had them for a long time. I would hope that if Christianity is true, it would stand up under any amount of intellectual scrutiny. Anyway, I would feel a lot better if you were less threatened when I raise them. I’m not trying to be a jerk by raising them, I’m just trying to sort it all out. And that means asking you about all kinds of things. I know sometimes it seems combative, or aggressive, but God questions aren’t exactly tame – much less safe. And for me, the answers are everything.

4. Don’t forget that a lot of my junk is emotional, not just intellectual. And it took a lot for me to say that. I almost don’t know how to get into this, but I’ve been burned, disillusioned, hurt…you may win some of our verbal contests, but it doesn’t usually move me forward. It still leaves me feeling cold, mostly because some of the time the intellectual stuff is just a smokescreen for what I’m really battling. Here’s the last five percent: It’s not just whether I can buy into this intellectually, but whether I can buy into it relationally. In other words, are you and your community really safe?

5. I would like to belong before I believe. What I mean is that I’d like to experience this a bit before signing on. Is that legal? I hope so. I think that if I could “test the waters” a bit it would be helpful.

6. There’s a lot I don’t know, and I know it. Don’t make me feel stupid about it, like not knowing much about the Bible or Jesus or whatever. If you could start at the beginning and explain it all to me, that would be great. Like starting with Genesis and moving forward.

7. Can we agree that there’s a lot of weird stuff attached to Christianity and the Bible? Okay, it might be true, or real, or whatever, but can we just agree that some of it is a bit...bizarre? For some strange reason, it would make me feel better to hear you acknowledge how it all looks – and sounds – to someone from the outside.

8. What’s up with all the scandals? I’m sympathetic to screwing up – I do it all the time – but what makes me want to puke is how they’re screwing up while they are telling everybody they don’t, or that nobody should, or…you get my point. It just makes the whole thing seem like a joke. Just own that you have screwed up (that’d be fine with me, really, I do it all the time), or just shut up about not doing it. But this parading and posturing and then being exposed…it just turns me off. It makes me feel like the spiritual one because at least I don’t pretend to be something I’m not!

9. I like it when you help people – care for the poor, house the homeless, tend to the widow, protect the orphan, work for justice against the sex-trafficked – that gets my attention and feels authentic. It’s also convicting, because I’m not doing much in those areas. I agree with it, and write a check now and then, but I’m not on the front lines. When you are, it makes me have to listen to what you have to say, whether I like it or not.

10. I’m really open to it all. More than I let on. In fact, I want to feel good about myself spiritually. But I don’t think I could ever measure up. When I really think about God, all I feel is guilt and shame, so I stay away. It would be nice if there was something in all of this that would make me feel like I could…I don’t know….come home?

Oprah, Gays, Jesus, Church, Love, Hate...a little bit of everything, but a WHOLE LOTTA PASSION!

So did you watch? I hope so. I love to see where a lot of you live, so I wanted you to see a glimpse of where I come from. Maybe you saw the landscape and the community which is mountainous and rural. Maybe you were outraged by the way the community treated Mike Sisco back in 1987. Maybe you weren't, I don't know. But after reflecting on this, not just the past day or so, but for many years, I would like to share my feelings on that show and how it shaped me.


Like I said in the previous post, I was a few weeks shy of turning 12 years old when the Oprah show was aired back in November of 1987. It was all the buzz around school and around town. See, nothing special EVER happened in our little town, so you can imagine how a nationally syndicated program like "The Oprah Winfrey Show" actually filming in Williamson, West Virginia had everyone talkin'! I remember that our teacher even let us have discussions about it. Two of Mike Sisco's cousins were in my class and they told of how people were really cruel to the family and treated them like they were all but lepers or something! I remember being very confused as to why?

The reason it confused me was because, as you could see from the show, the people there are of a very strong Christian faith. I had been raised on it myself! I'd heard, from the time I was very young, of how God loved everyone and anyone could come to him and that we were ALL just sinners who needed Jesus. So I didn't understand it when I heard these very same same men and women, some in my own family, utter the complete opposite! "They (gays) just need to be shipped off to their own little island so they can all just die off. That would get rid of that AIDS stuff!" Or, "I don't want them anywhere near me or my family, that sin is an abomination!" But my thinking was, "Wait, isn't ALL sin an abomination?" Even at 12 years old, this just didn't sit right with me. And being the adult I am now, I'm not a bit fooled by many of those VERY SAME church folks who sat in their cushy, little church pews, who had their own deep dark sins all masked nicely by that fake little church smile they had on Sunday morning. So what I didn't get and still don't get is how they could so smugly wag their self righteous finger at a man for his sin, when they had sins of their very own? Didn't Jesus himself saying that "those without sin cast the first stone" mean anything to these hypocrites? Obviously not!

So that was a turning point for me. I was very ashamed at how the people in my own town portrayed themselves. You could just feel the hatred through the TV screen! It's funny, you'll hear a lot of people say that the Oprah show portrayed THEM unfavorably. But she didn't hold a gun to anyone's head and make them say the nasty, hateful, mean, critical things they said, but in the next breath claim to be a loving follower of Christ, did she? Their own words made them look ridiculous, Oprah didn't make them look that way. Sometimes people can't see their own sin, but they sure are quick as hades to point out someones elses!

At the age of 12, after seeing my town portrayed on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," and seeing how unkind the majority of them were, I just knew that I didn't belong there and that as soon as I could, I would get out. I was so hurt by the contradictions. The "Christian love" they spoke about wasn't available to "all." It was only available if you fit into their mold, met their standard. As if saying, "Yes, you need Jesus and His love and forgiveness, but you just go find Him over there somewhere. Not here. I can't offer that to you here." But Angie, that man was GAY! We can't have homosexuals in the church house! That's an abomination to the Lord! So where are they supposed to find the love that can transform their life then, if not from YOU, the CHURCH, the BODY OF CHRIST? When did it become ok to qualify or disqualify folks from the love of Jesus based on their worst sin? It's all sin. None of us...not even one is good enough for Him. Not even you! Well, but Angie, he didn't want it. He turned his back on God and chose that lifestyle! And my answer is, "Well, how the heck do you know? Are you God? Can you see into his heart?" Yeah, he may say that he doesn't want any part of the church, but would you want to be part of something that flat out looked you in the eye and said that you "repulsed" them? Because remember, YOU are the CHURCH. I wouldn't want to be a part of something that didn't want me! Would you? But Jesus wanted him. And I know, because I was looking too, that he had to have wanted Jesus. We are all looking for that perfect, pure, unconditional LOVE that only Jesus can give. I know Mike wanted that. Because didn't you want that? Was he so different than you or I?

Anyway...that experience wounded me. I thought, "The Jesus I know wouldn't do that...He wouldn't treat that poor man that way!" He says to the weary, "Come to me and I will give you rest." And if Mike Sisco ever needed rest and peace, my goodness, wouldn't the point where he was inflicted with a terrible disease, knocking on death's door be the time? Who is Jesus' hands? His arms? WE ARE! THE CHURCH IS!

Imagine for a second.....

What would have happened if that angry mob had enacted the actual REAL love of Jesus Christ that day and gathered around Mike Sisco and his family and just loved on them? Hugged them? Embraced them? Cried with them? What if someone looked him in the eye and told him that their Jesus LOVED him? That their sin was no better or worse than his? That they had been changed by Jesus love and that he could have that too! Don't you think he would have been clamoring to get some of that? Man, I know I would!

But oh didn't satan have a victory that day. Instead of the majority of the people there acting in kindness and love and compassion and being generous with those things, they let satan steal a moment, when a town, on national television, could have shown millions the way Jesus would have loved on a sick and dying man. What an opportunity missed! It made me sad then and it makes me sad now. Soon after, Mike left his home and his family and maybe never came to a place where he asked Jesus into his heart. We will never know. But my feeling is that he was wounded that day too...maybe to the point of turning his back on Jesus for good.

How detrimental has "the church" been to the cause of Christ I wonder?

I wasn't exaggerating when I said that that show changed my life and how I viewed the world and my walk with Christ. I knew there had to be more to Jesus than what I had grown up knowing. The same songs, the same sermons, the same blue hairs sitting in the same ol' pews, the same prayers, the same judgmental eyes, the same people arguing over the same ol' budget and the same ol' building and the same ol' property. JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS FOR MORE THAN THAT FOLKS!!!! I knew that deep in my heart and I wanted to experience MORE! Because if God was infinite, surely there had to be more than, "Gimme that ol' time religion and it's good enough for me." It wasn't good enough! Religion never is!

And I praise God that I haven't taken anyone's word for it...that I've sought it out for myself. He says, "Seek and you will find..." and I have...I'm still seeking and learning more every day! It's those people who just sort of settle into their comfy pew and never seek ANYTHING that scare me. "For many will say to me Lord, Lord and I will say depart from me, I never knew you." Do they even know Jesus? Did the people who spoke out in anger and hatred to Mike Sisco in Jesus name know Him really? It's not my place to say. I don't know their hearts. But I will say that hatred and bitterness and fear are NOT of God.

So, those are my thoughts and feelings on the subject. Let me also say that there are THOUSANDS of AMAZING people there. That Jesus love is displayed in gorgeous ways by folks that I could only dream of being more like. Not everyone there is hateful, judgmental and misinformed. And I do not in ANY WAY think I am better than anyone. If you walk away from reading this thinking that, then you have missed the whole point! All I want is for us as a body to closely examine our hearts and ask Jesus if we are really LOVING the way HE would love. That's all.

My prayer is that God uses me to be His hands and feet, even in a room where it's not popular or even if I get shouted down. That I would be brave enough to speak up for those who can't speak for themselves. To show the "world" the REAL love of Christ and that because HE wants them, I want them too....because HE wanted me.