Coffee and Flip Flops

2011-12-28T09:21:00.002-05:00

Source: weheartit.com via Melanie on Pinterest

2011-12-08T09:21:00.001-05:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

cupcakes!

2011-12-06T20:12:00.001-05:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Amber on Pinterest

2011-12-06T10:14:00.002-05:00

Source: Uploaded by user via Belinda on Pinterest

Christmas Door

2011-12-05T17:46:00.000-05:00

Melanie

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls ~ yummers

2011-12-03T09:01:00.001-05:00

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls

How Great thou Art

2011-12-03T08:24:00.000-05:00

Christmas Bucket List

2011-12-02T20:08:00.001-05:00

Source: katieballa.blogspot.com via Josie on Pinterest

sigh Mr. Darcy.....this is awseome!

2011-12-02T09:35:00.001-05:00

Source: greylustergirl.blogspot.com via Belinda on Pinterest

Gotta LOVE ELF!!!

2011-12-01T21:47:00.001-05:00

Source: simplycumorah.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

William Sonoma mini pie maker ~ LOVELY!!

2011-12-01T21:44:00.001-05:00

Source: thedailywh.at via Melanie on Pinterest

Children

2011-11-15T09:39:00.001-05:00

Children have been on my heart a lot lately. How does our society view kiddos?? When you go in a church? Home? What happens when you have four kiddos and you tell everyone you are expecting again? What is the consensus??

This is what I see... negativity. Every stage of development is followed by whining, complaining, and an expectation of the worst.

What does Jesus think of Children??

Matthew 18:2
For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me.

Matthew 19:13
[ To Enter God's Kingdom ] One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." After laying hands on them, he left.

Matthew 21:15
When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?"

Mark 10:13
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

More often I see the reaction of the disciples and less often do I see Jesus' response. It isn't just Jesus...if you look throughout the Bible you will not find the sarcasm and disdain for children I see in our society coming from God. In fact...I see the opposite.

Lord, show us how we can change this type of thinking and make children valuable and a blessing!!

melanie

Restoration

2011-10-10T09:54:00.001-04:00

Thrift Store - $5 each

BEFORE

Material - $12

AFTER

So happy.

melanie

Love is Not Rude

2011-09-13T00:02:00.001-04:00

I have been listening to quite a few teachings on love. God's love. Over and over, it is clear...being rude is not love. We live in a culture that is rude. What are good manners? Loving people. Making people feel comfortable around us and felt loved. That is why it is good manners to ask permission, or chew with your mouth closed...it is just a form of respect and love towards others.

Motherhood Is a Calling

2011-07-18T11:05:00.001-04:00

Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)

Awesome!! :D

melanie

2011-06-22T08:34:00.000-04:00

When we steadfastly believe and

act our faith in God's Word,

nothing can keep the power in the Word

from making all things to become

exactly as the Word says.

- F. F. Bosworth

I Surrender

2011-06-22T07:43:00.002-04:00

2011-06-12T17:52:00.000-04:00

2011-06-12T08:47:00.003-04:00

Hebrews 10:22-23
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.

Loving God Means Loving People

2011-05-23T11:05:00.002-04:00

I went to a nursing home on Saturday. Our church makes a monthly trip there to sing, minister and love on people. We have seen 5 people receive Jesus in the last couple months. While we were there...there was a man whose shoe fell off. I watched him and try as he might he could not get the shoe back on. I went over and the closer I got I saw that his feet were not so pretty and putting the shoe back on would require me touching his feet. (I am not a fan of feet...even pretty feet. Feet make me gag.) The Holy Spirit so quietly began to minister to me. Jesus washed feet. The man was adored by God. He loved this man. I thought of the feeling I have for my children. I lovingly put the shoe back on for him. What God values most is people. I am learning that loving people requires loving the unlovely as well.

melanie

One of my fav classes at school.....

2011-05-09T11:01:00.001-04:00

Ministry of Jesus 1 – Barry Bennett

The Seven ‘I Am’ sayings – Section 4

‘I AM’ reveals character, integrity, and purpose. ‘I AM’ shows us God in eternity and how it relates to us. ‘I AM’ was first introduced in the Bible in Exodus 3:14. “And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!”. Jesus, in John 8:58, said, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” The Jews knew exactly what He was saying. ‘I AM’ says volumes. What does it say??

I AM the bread of life. John 6:35 says, “Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).” God satisfies our deepest needs.

I AM the light. John 8:12 says, “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.” God leads us, guides us, and directs us. We should not wander aimlessly in this life from failure to failure. He is our light.

I AM the door. John 10:7 says, “So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep.” If you read the previous verses Jesus is telling how the watchman opens the door, and the sheep listen to his voice and obey it; he calls his own sheep by name and brings leads them out. It goes on to say how the sheep know that voice so well that a voice of another they will not obey but will flee from a strangers voice, because hearing and recognizing the voice of our Lord is everything to a Believer. Without it, we can easily be led a strayed.

I AM the good shepherd. John 10:14 says,” I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me.” He is the GOOD shepherd. In verses 11 and 12 it says that the good shepherd risks and lays down His own life for the sheep, while a hireling will run when hard times come their way. It also speaks that when we are in ministry our job is to serve, not to be served.

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. John 11 talks of a story of Lazarus and Jesus says in verses 25 and 26, “Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?” John 5:24 goes on to say that whoever will listen, believe and trust and rely on the Lord will have eternal life and will not come into judgment but will pass over out of death into life.

I AM the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me [had learned to recognize Me], you would also have known My Father. From now on, you know Him and have seen Him.

I AM the vine. John 15:1 says,” I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.” In verse 2 of John 15, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Religion will say of this verse that any branch that does not bear fruit will be thrown away. This is not what this is saying. This branch is IN Christ. “Taketh” in the Greek is airo, which means to raise up, elevate, or lift up. So we read it as thus, “Every branch IN ME that beareth not fruit he will “raise up, elevate, or lift up”. In a vineyard the branches are held up on a trellis. Once in awhile the branches will fall and when this happens the vines keeper will come along and put it back on the trellis. It is the same for us!! There are times we fall but God will come along and lift us back up. Good news!!

In conclusion, when God says, I AM, it is saying volumes to us. It says I lift you up when you fall, I give you life and life abundantly, I give you direction and guidance, I give you care, hope, and protection from all evil. I AM says, “I love you.”

melanie

2011-05-07T08:43:00.000-04:00

Doubters do not achieve; skeptics do not contribute; cynics do not create. Faith is the great motivating power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is a part of an unending plan. -- Calvin Coolidge

Compassionate Mothering by Jeannie Fulbright

2011-05-06T07:29:00.002-04:00

Our lack of mercy in mothering our children is often a result of not understanding God’s mercy towards us. Mercy begets mercy.

Compassion Born from Compassion

Abraham Lincoln said, “I regard no man as poor who has a godly mother.”

I heard this quote today and really began pondering these questions: Why would a godly mother make such a difference in a man’s life? What benefit, surpassing riches, would a godly mother give? A man can become a Christian as an adult, or even as a child, without a godly mother, and have Jesus for all times. So, why is a godly mother of any importance to a grown man? Well, as I thought this one through, I think it’s because a truly godly mother models a tender loving God to her children. A godly mother shows Jesus to her children. Jesus had extremely high standards, yet was so full of mercy, so full of compassion, so full of acceptance and love. He had high standards, but showed us the way to reach them, through understanding that there was no way we could; only He could. He asks us to quit striving and simply rest in Him, allowing Him to fill us with strength. A godly mother teaches her children to recognize their frailty and inability, and how to depend upon Him.

I’m fully convinced that a godly mother isn’t perfect. We must show our children how to live out their faith. If we modeled perfection, think how discouraging it would be for them when they entered the world and found out they weren’t perfect. They would wonder what to do. I think it does our children a disservice to pretend we are perfect: no bad thoughts, no bad deeds, no weaknesses, no sin. No, a godly mother isn’t perfect, but she is honest. She’s real and frank about her imperfections, her sins, her fears. She models for her children repentance, prayer and dependence on Him for transformation. Yet, still, above all, a godly mother is merciful, accepting, and compassionate towards the weaknesses and sins of her children, and herself. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Many of us have a hard time being merciful and compassionate towards our children because we are not fully grasping God’s merciful compassion towards us. We often see ourselves as “not measuring up” to the standards we believe we should reach. We think God would be more pleased with us if we were doing things better. The sad truth is, we have it all wrong.

You see, God adores you, delights in your presence and enjoys you totally, even though you messed up this day, this week, perhaps this whole year. You are a child of God. You stand before Him clean, for you are IN Christ. Your sins are something He already has plans to deal with. He’s not shaking His head saying, “How many times do I have to tell you?” He knows exactly when you’re going to stop doing this or that thing. He looks at you and sees the finished product, not the work in progress that you are right now. He’s so much bigger than that. He wants you to spend time with Him. You’re His and He wants you to know how loved you are.

I know that when we grasp God’s great love for us, we feel free. Free from the rules, the stifling standards of perfection, the striving, and the fear and insecurity that plagues us. Knowing, really having a heart knowledge of God’s precious love for us, makes us feel secure and peaceful. And that peace will fill us with God’s love for others, especially the darlings He has placed under our care.

Let me share a visual that helped me grasp God’s tender love. Cup your hands as if you were holding a tiny kitten. Imagine gazing upon the kitten, feeling tenderness and love for the kitten, just adoring the cute little thing. If you don’t like kittens, imagine something else tiny, cute and darling in your hands. Do that now. Okay, now imagine you in those hands and God holding you with that same amount of love and tenderness. The fact is, God does that, but with immeasurably more tenderness and love for you EVERY DAY. Wow.

“Oh Lord, let me, being rooted and firmly established in love, be able to comprehend…the breadth and width, height and depth of Your love that surpasses knowledge, so that I may be filled with all the fullness of You. May I overflow with your love to me, giving my children the abundant acceptance they so long for. Forgive me and cleanse me of my stern, selfish, striving, pharisaical mothering. Allow me to be full of you. Please make me a godly mother.”

Jeannie Fulbright

2011-05-02T08:27:00.001-04:00

"As for man, his days are as grass;
as a flower of the field,
so he flourishes."

Psalm 103:15 (Amplified Bible)

Your Love Never Fails -Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture

2011-04-18T08:13:00.000-04:00

You Already Got It

2011-04-12T08:33:00.000-04:00

10 years ago, T and I were living, working, raising kiddos and loving God. We were attending church, small groups, and enjoying life. Then a tape, a single tape rocked our thinking. "You already got it." Sounds simple. It is simple. Yet, this simple knowledge shook us to the core and we have never been the same.

melanie

HIS LOVE IS OUR LIGHT

2011-04-12T08:20:00.002-04:00

Mark 4:21, "And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?"

Just as a candle or lamp is not to be hid, but rather displayed so that everyone can benefit from its light, so a Christian must let his light so shine before men that they might see his good works and glorify his Father which is in heaven. God has ordained us to go and bring forth fruit (Jn. 15:16). The great commission of the Church is to reach the world.

The early Christians experienced the love of Christ in an intimate and life-transforming way. This motivated them to reach their known world with the Gospel of Christ more than any other generation of Christians has since. They didn't have the benefits of our modern technology, but they did have the benefit of being full of the love of Christ. Experiencing the love of Christ causes us to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) and makes us a witness that the world cannot resist (Jn. 13:35).

Today, much of the emphasis of the Church is placed on techniques of evangelism or spiritual warfare. We motivate people to witness through feelings of guilt or punishment if they don't. Much of our evangelism has become as dead and non-productive as the efforts of the cults whose people knock on doors and argue others into their way of thinking. The Church today needs a revival of our personal relationship with the Lord. When we can truly say with Paul that the love of Christ constrains us, then we will impact our world for the Lord, too. We can't give away what we don't possess. We need to personally know the love of Christ in an experiential way before we try to share it with others. Let Him love you, and let His love flow through you to others. The world is hungry for love, real love.

Andrew Wommack

Spirit Soul & Body

2011-04-07T08:54:00.002-04:00

T and I heard this message years ago. Totally changed our thinking. I hope you take the time to listen with your Bible and search it out yourself.

Spirit Soul & Body - Andrew Wommack Ministries

melanie

2011-04-05T07:42:00.000-04:00

But there the Lord will be for us in majesty and splendor a place of broad rivers and streams, where no oar-propelled boat can go, and no mighty and stately ship can pass.

Isaiah 33:21

Is Jesus Enough?

2011-04-04T09:54:00.000-04:00

Would God send His only Son to bear our sin, becoming sin itself, and then judge Him without mercy for that sin if His sacrifice wasn’t enough? No! Yet, many Christians act as though it wasn’t enough and continue to believe God is withholding His blessing because of their sin. It’s time to learn the truth.
Over the years I have ministered to thousands of people directly who just won’t let the Bible get in the way of their theology. Religious traditions and widely-accepted teaching have become the basis of their beliefs, rather than the Bible. The results are obvious: Their relationship with Christ is profiting them little or at the very least less than God intended.

These are people who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Yet, they can’t get healed, they’re unhappy, depressed, fearful, and full of unbelief. That shouldn’t be! As you read, I encourage you to allow the Bible, God’s Word, to get right in the middle of your theology.

Let me start by making this radical statement. If you’re conscious of sin, then you truly don’t understand the grace of your salvation through Jesus. It sounds radical, but it’s true. That is totally different than the way most people think. I’m not saying this to hurt anybody, because I understand; I struggle with the same thing.

It’s different than what most of us have been told. But this is what God’s Word declares. God is not imputing, or laying to our account, our sin.

Second Corinthians 5:19 says,

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation,” (emphasis mine).

Sin consciousness has been ground into us. Grace is not the way of the world. Your employer doesn’t hire you by grace and promise to pay no matter what you do; they have expectations of performance. In marriage, spouses don’t always love each other unconditionally. Even in most Christian families, children are either rewarded or punished based on their performance.

In this earth almost everything is based on performance, and because it is, it always forces us to focus on our weaknesses. That performance mentality then transfers into religion where we’re taught to focus on our sin. However, where God is concerned, it’s just the opposite. In fact, sin isn’t even an issue with God. Why? Because our sin is not being imputed, or charged, to our account. It’s being charged to Jesus’ account, and He already paid the bill.

I know a lot of churches that would throw me out for saying that, but it’s what the Bible teaches. It’s time to let the Bible get in the way of wrong theology. Hebrews is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I wish I had space to put the whole book into context because it has a lot to say about how God dealt with sin.

Hebrews 9:11-12 says,

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us,” (emphasis mine).

If words mean anything, think about these words: Jesus entered in once! Do you know what once means in the Greek? It means once. It means He doesn’t do it over and over again. Every time you sin, the Lord doesn’t have to wait until you repent and then get that sin under the blood.

Most Christians believe that when you’re born again, you get your sins forgiven up to that point. Then, every time you sin after becoming a Christian, you’ve got to run to the Lord with that sin and confess and repent, or you could be lost. If not lost and on your way to hell, then at the very least, God would not fellowship with you, and He certainly wouldn’t answer your prayers.

If that were true, then everybody would be on their way to hell. There isn’t a person on this earth who doesn’t have either a known or an unknown unconfessed sin. Or, if sin just means the loss of relationship with God and unanswered prayers, then God wouldn’t have a single person qualified to receive an answer to prayer or fellowship with Him. Was Jesus enough or not?

This is a huge issue. It’s the reason many believe God isn’t healing them or prospering them. They say out of one side of their mouths that He loves them and sacrificed His Son, Jesus, for their salvation, and then out of the other side, they say that He is still judging them for sin. Those are incompatible!

Hebrews 9: 13-15 goes on to say,

“For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance,” (underlines mine).

It isn’t God who is condemning us when we sin; it’s our own consciences. We haven’t purged our consciences with the truth of what Jesus has done with sin. Satan knows that and is using it to condemn us and destroy our faith and confidence in God by reminding us we don’t deserve God’s blessing.

Praise God, He isn’t giving you what you deserve; He is giving you what Jesus deserves. Jesus paid for sin one time, past, present, and even the sins you will commit in the future. How can that be, you ask? I don’t know exactly, but let me tell you this, Jesus only died one time for our sins two thousand years ago, so you better hope He can forgive your sins before you commit them.

Hebrews 9:25-28 says,

“Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many,” (emphasis mine).

God knows the end from the beginning and He knew all the sins of the whole world. Jesus paid for all those committed before His sacrifice and for all that had not yet been committed. He made the payment once and it will never be made again. The price for sin, all sin, has been paid!

We have received an eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15) that cannot be taken away. Your inheritance is not temporary; it’s eternal. You aren’t disinherited and you don’t lose the benefits of being part of the family because of sin.

To understand this, you have to see yourself as God sees you. In your born-again spirit, you are as clean and holy and pure as Jesus is. Religion has you looking at your flesh. It has you searching the soulish realm of thoughts, attitudes, and feelings. But that is not what God is looking at. He is looking at your spirit, the part of you that’s become a new creation.

Second Corinthians 5:17 says,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

And in John 4:24 we read,

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

What part of you is new? It’s not the flesh and it’s not the soul; it’s your born-again spirit. When you go to God in prayer and say “O God, I’m so ungodly and so unworthy, please forgive me, please answer my prayer,” you are not in the spirit; you are in the flesh. Your spirit is righteous, holy, and pure. Sin does not affect your spirit.

Am I saying sin is okay? Absolutely not! When you sin, you give Satan an open door to the soul, your mind and emotions, as well as opportunity to destroy your physical body. It’s just stupid to open yourself up to the devil.

Some of you may still be thinking, Well, I know God died once for all men, but His sacrifice still must be applied whenever we sin. Let’s allow God’s Word to get in the way of this wrong theology again.

Hebrews 10:10-12, 14 says,

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified,” (emphasis mine).

This is not talking about your physical body or your soul; it’s talking about your born-again spirit. Your spirit is identical to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is sinless! Your soul and your body can be defiled by sin, but your spirit never can; it’s sealed forever.

Maturity in the Christian life isn’t about trying to grow your spirit up; it’s trying to educate, or renew, your mind to what you already have in your spirit. Your spirit is already perfect! You already have the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, and the rest. Your spirit is always happy, always rejoicing, and always healthy.

God loves you even though you’ve messed up, even though you aren’t perfect. He loves you not because of your performance but because of Jesus’ sacrifice. If you can ever get a revelation of what I am teaching, it will change the way you see God forever.

I have just completed a series that I know will help you settle this issue once and for all. This teaching series will give you a confidence in God that you have never experienced before. Self-condemnation will come to an end and your faith will explode. It’s called The War Is Over.

By Andrew Wommack

2011-04-02T19:57:00.002-04:00

photo via stock.xchng
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.

Psalm 52:8

Who I am in Christ

2011-03-30T09:34:00.001-04:00

2011-03-29T14:09:00.000-04:00

I'm not trying to get my way

in the world's way.
I'm trying to get your way,
your Word's way.
I'm staying on your trail;
I'm putting one foot
In front of the other.
I'm not giving up.

Psalm 17:5 (The Message)

melanie

Matt Maher - Christ is Risen

2011-03-28T21:00:00.000-04:00

Colbie Caillat - I Do

2011-03-28T13:25:00.000-04:00

LOVE this song!! So bubbly and fun! mel

2011-03-28T10:05:00.001-04:00

"On how he made discoveries by always thinking unto them. . . . I keep the subject constantly before me and wait till the first dawnings open little by little into the full light."

Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

Relationships

2011-03-25T12:30:00.002-04:00

I have been thinking on this a lot. I am so terrible with relationships. Terrible with the time factor. I find that I get so absorbed with cooking, cleaning, homeschooling, taking care of kiddos, being a wife that it seems near impossible to fit others into my life.

I have always thought of myself as a people person. I love being with others, meeting new people, hanging out with friends. Love it. At the same time, I can also feel overwhelmed with life in general with all the responsibilities that I can get caught up with that when I do have down time I just need to be alone or I would choose to spend time with my kiddos or husband.

I want to be a blessing to others...I want good, solid relationships and this isn't going to happen if I am holed up because I am exhausted.... Relationships need time. Any suggestions with this??

melanie

Marriage

2011-03-25T07:55:00.000-04:00

(This page is from the Common Sense Medical Advisor dated 1886.)

melanie

Window Crayons

2011-03-22T19:27:00.007-04:00

My house has huge glass mirrors in our bathrooms. There are a total of 3 of these ginormous mirrors. I am not a fan....BUT then I found that these mirrors are the PERFECT writing tablets!! I have three different scriptures on each of the mirrors. We are getting the Word of God in our hearts. :D

melanie

Stars -- David Crowder Band

2011-03-22T09:13:00.000-04:00

Birthdays

2011-03-21T11:04:00.001-04:00

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.--Genesis 1:27 (Amplified Bible)

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.--Genesis 2:7

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [a]overflows).--John 10:10 (Amplified Bible)

Yesterday, we celebrated the life of my husband. 41 years old. I love that man! It is interesting to see how people react to age as I get older. Children have fun parties, while the older ones there is nary a gift and we throw it together like it was an after thought. We talk about how we cannot believe how old we are...and some of us refuse to "reveal" our age. Birthdays do not have the same excitement or expectation and some of us are even depressed on these days.

It is sad to me. God made you. God made me. God. Not only did he make us...He made us in His very image. A big reason why satan hates us so, because every time he sees a human He is reminded of God Himself. God made you, He loved you. He loves YOU. The day you were born is a great day!! Without the birth of that flesh..then that spirit that was to become a new creation when you received Jesus would never have been. It is a day to rejoice over people...love people...and speak the goodness of God over them.

In my house, birthdays are important. Giving gifts that they enjoy makes me happy!! Rejoicing over people is so great! Taking a day to thank God for them. Speaking gracious loving words that bring encouragement and life. We are surrounded by negativity everywhere with few people really valuing people. It is time we bring honor and love to those we love and I think their birthday day is an AWESOME day to do that!

melanie

GREAT I AM | New Life Worship

2011-03-19T23:08:00.000-04:00

SOME TESTIMONIES OF INFILLING

2011-03-19T08:01:00.000-04:00

George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends was born again at the age of eleven. But when he turned twenty-three and after hungering and thirsting for a deeper experience, a new enduement of power came upon him. From that time on he was mightily used of God again and again he described the power of the Lord on him and through him. The Spirit’s power clothed him wherever he went and until his death he was a mighty instrument in the hand of God.

John Bunyan after a tempestuous and sinful youth was converted one evening as the Holy Spirit applied Hebrews 2 :14-15 to his heart . After a joyous walk with the Lord he went through a two-year struggle with Satan. God used the passage in I John 1:7 to him and he entered his “BeulahLand experience.” Though not without trials from then on he was overwhelmed with the sense of God’s grace and power. God mightily used him as during his twelve years of imprisonment he wrote his famous books. Among them the immortal classic “Pilgrim’s Progress.”

William Penn, the famous Quaker who founded Pennsylvania was a great soulwinner. He was born again at the age of twelve and at the age of twenty-two made a full consecration of his all and was filled with the Spirit after hearing a message by a Quaker preacher. He was immediately endued with the power that gave him dominion over wordly conversation and habits.

John Wesley after years as an earnest but only nominal Christian was born again with a clear assurance of salvation on May 24, 1738 in a Moravian service in London. After ten years of struggle he had found peace. Later in the year he began to long for a still deeper experience. On January 1, 1739 John Wesley, his brother Charles, George Whitefield and some sixty others were continuing in prayers. About three o’clock in the morning God poured out His Spirit on them in a mighty way in a tremendous empowering, anointing and infilling of the Holy Spirit that sent the Wesleys and Whitefield to blaze a trail of salvation and revival across the British isles and in the American colonies. The Holy Spirit continued to manifest His power through John Wesley until his triumphant death in 1791.

Oswald Chambers, the author of My Utmost For His Highest was a strong Bible teacher of this experience. He testified, “ Dr. F. B. Meyer came and spoke to us about the Holy Spirit. I determined to have all that was going and went to my room and asked God simply and definitely for his Holy Spirit, whatever that meant. Four years later God spoke to me through His Word. “ Luke 11:13 got hold of me….it was borne in upon me that I had to claim the gift from God on authority of JesusChrist … this I did in dogged committal . I had no vision of heaven nor of angels …..but like a flash something happened inside me …the days that followed have truly been heaven on earth . Glory be to God- the last aching abyss of the human heart is filled to overflowing with the love of God. The power and tyranny of sin is gone and the radiant, unspeakable emancipation of the indwelling Christ has come. “

Comparing Again...

2011-03-18T09:46:00.004-04:00

"Do not compare yourself among yourself. You have gifts that I have given you and those are your strengths. Walk in them." -God

I heard the above message yesterday....not once, not twice, but three times AND the Lord had specifically showed me this personally!!! Obviously, I need to listen!! God is speaking to my heart and I need to change the way I have been thinking.

I do have a terrible habit of looking around and comparing myself with other people...and seeing myself unfit, unqualified, and unable. This has made me passive, fearful, and completely frozen to do what God may be leading me to do. A win for the enemy. I see multiple times in the past that in faith I have stepped out to minister or love someone and almost immediately I feel condemned. Thoughts like..."What are you saying?? Why did you say that? You could have said that differently!!! What if you were way off??"

I guess the bottom line for me is... God does love me. I do have gifts, talents, and a calling. I do have the love of God to give and God wants me to give and share what He has given me in faith and boldly.

How do I change?? Change the way I think. Instead of thinking those thoughts and then agreeing with them with my words and my actions....walk out boldly in faith declaring what God says instead.

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

melanie

Christ Himself

2011-03-17T09:19:00.001-04:00

I wish to speak to you about Jesus, and Jesus only. I often hear people say, “I wish I could get hold of Divine Healing, but I cannot.” Sometimes they say, “I have got it.” If I ask them, “What have you got?” the answer is sometimes, “I have got the blessing”, sometimes it is, “I have got the theory”; sometimes it is, “I have got the healing”; sometimes, “I have got the sanctification.”

But I thank God we have been taught that it is not the blessing, it is not the healing, it is not the sanctification, it is not the thing, it is not the it that you want, but “it” is something better. It is “the Christ”; it is Himself. How often that comes out in His Word – “Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses”, Himself “bare our sins in his own body on the tree”!

It is the person of Jesus Christ we want. Plenty of people get the idea and do not get anything out of it. They get it into their head, and it into their conscience, and it into their will; but somehow they do not get Him into their life and spirit, because they have only that which is the outward expression and symbol of the spiritual reality.

Christ In You

Years ago I came to Him burdened with guilt and fear; I tried that simple secret, and it took away all my fear and sin. Years passed on, and I found sin overcoming me and my temptations too strong for me. I came to Him a second time, and He whispered to me, “Christ in you,” and I had victory, rest and blessing. And so I would say, if this precious little secret of “Christ in you,” will help you, you may have it. May you make better use of it than I! I feel I have only begun to learn how well it works. Take it and go on working it out, through time and eternity-Christ for all, grace for grace, from strength to strength, from glory to glory, from this time forth and even for evermore.

Once It Was

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word. Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own; Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone. Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost. Once ’twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;

Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast. Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer; Once ’twas anxious caring, Now He has the care. Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says; Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise. Once it was my working, His it hence shall be; Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me. Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One; Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone. Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He’s mine; Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine. Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail; And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.

A.B. Simpson (1843-1919)

D. L. Moody

2011-03-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

D.L. Moody was a successful minister but by his own admission later, he lacked the power in his ministry. One day two women came up to him after a service. They said,

"We have been praying for you."
"Why don't you pray for the people?" he asked.
"Because you need the power of the Spirit," they said.
"I need the power! Why," said Mr. Moody, in relating the incident years after, "I thought I had power. I had the largest congregations in Chicago, and there were many conversions.”

Moody also said that in a sense, he was satisfied. He was in a comfort zone. But these two praying women rocked the boat. They told him that they were praying for an anointing by the Holy Spirit for D.L. to have a special service to God. He could not get this off his mind and he said, “There came a great hunger in my soul. I did not know what it was and I began to cry out to God as never before. I felt I did not want to live if I could not have this power for service”.

After the great fire of Chicago, DL was working to raise money to rebuild a tabernacle. He said his heart was not into it because he kept crying out to God to fill him. He withdrew and prayed during a visit to New York to raise money and he cried that God would fill him with His Spirit. DL describes it this way:

“Well, one day, in the city of New York -- oh, what a day! -- I cannot describe it, I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to name. Paul had an experience of which he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say that God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand. I went to preaching again. The sermons were not different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not now be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you should give me all the world -- it would be as the small dust of the balance.”

Springtime in Florida

2011-03-15T20:35:00.001-04:00

melanie

2011-03-14T16:33:00.006-04:00

Without Christ, I am nothing. Not very pretty, not very smart, not very talented. I am average. An average human being, living an average American life. In fact, when you compare me with others..I am probably below average.

But..then there is Christ in me. He makes me better than I am because He believes in me more than any other and gave and sacrificed more for me than any other. He loves me even when I do not love Him. He is faithful even when I am faithless. He sees me how He created me to be and in that He calls me higher. I am absolutely nothing without Him. I love you..God.

melanie

In Christ

2011-03-14T11:13:00.003-04:00

I have been meditating a lot on this ...In Christ. I have also changed how I pray and talk as well to line up with this truth. I never say ...God be with me or God come. He makes it clear He never leaves me nor forsakes me. It is clear through scripture that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit. God is in me. I am not God...but because of who Jesus is and did for me..I now carry the Lord in me. Quite amazing and humbling.

So..when I have those..I cannot feel God times...I will say out loud... "Thank you God that you are right here with me. Thank you that you never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for your Holy Spirit."

melanie

Who raised Jesus from the dead??

2011-03-13T10:34:00.002-04:00

For this [reason] the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life--to take it back again. No one takes it away from Me. On the contrary, I lay it down voluntarily. [I put it from Myself.] I am authorized and have power to lay it down (to resign it) and I am authorized and have power to take it back again. These are the instructions (orders) which I have received [as My charge] from My Father.---John 10:17-18 (Amplified Bible)

And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.--Romans 8:11 (Amplified Bible)

And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power.--1 Corinthians 6:14 (Amplified Bible)

melanie

Healer

2011-03-12T11:42:00.000-05:00

USA = Dependence?? I hope not!!

2011-03-11T16:35:00.000-05:00

A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to selfishness;
From selfishness to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage.

Alexander Fraser Tytler

Decisions

2011-03-10T08:34:00.006-05:00

Planning is good. Planning makes events, parties, schedules go smoother and makes life simpler in the long run. I like plans. I like good communication. I like purposeful decisions.

There are a few decisions I have made in the past that honestly I go... oi!! If I could go back and have a redo I probably would. I can see God's hand and provision even with a bad decision though and I am extremely grateful for a long-suffering, full of grace God.

What if you went by a wreck on the road and the person next to you says..."I know who causes all these accidents." You say.."OK...who causes all these accidents??" They say..."The policeman, fireman, and ambulances." You look at the person like they are out of their mind and say..."How is that??" They say... "Whenever I go by an accident they are ALWAYS there." You would think they were totally crazy in their thinking...but we do this with God all the time.

I am learning that so often when things are hard and frustrating...most of the time it is fleshy, carnal ME. My poor decisions. My lack of hearing the Father's voice. My lack of discipline to spend time with my God. I am grateful that even in my ignorance or disobedience...God is so good to come alongside me, forgive me and pick me up...brush me off and guide me onto higher ground. Romans 8:1.

I am not saying God does not test us. He does with His Word. You will be expected to do what you hear and He will put lots of opportunities to put to action what you learn of Him...but He tempts no one. I am not saying that you will never have hard times or tribulation....they WILL come... but I am going through with Christ with and in me. :D

melanie

Beautiful

2011-03-09T14:52:00.001-05:00

My view on the way to morning encouragement with some of my favorite ladies. Beautiful morning!!

melanie

You never let go - Matt Redman

2011-03-08T10:51:00.001-05:00

Joyce Meyer is holding her conference in Orlando this weekend. If you are in the area...GO!! I have gone a couple times and each time it is soooo refreshing. Matt Redman will be leading worship.

I was talking with a friend this morning about corporate worship with a couple thousand people... I LOVE IT!! It is like a very tiny sample of what it will be like to worship God in heaven with all believers. Glorious!

melanie

2011-03-08T10:25:00.000-05:00

For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world;

and this is the victory that conquers the world,

even our faith.

--1 John 5:4 (Amplified Bible)--

2011-03-07T08:29:00.000-05:00

And there was handed to Him [the roll of] the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened (unrolled) the book and found the place where it was written,

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],

To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.

Then He rolled up the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were gazing [attentively] at Him.

And He began to speak to them: Today this Scripture has been fulfilled while you are present and hearing.

Luke 4:17-21

Today is the acceptable year of the Lord!

melanie

Poured out on our hearts....

2011-03-06T08:09:00.003-05:00

Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.---Romans 5:5 (Amplified Bible)

This is an awesome scripture. So many of us are begging God to give us love for people. This scripture makes it clear that Love has been poured out in our hearts. We already have it. It is there. It is just like all things with God, we have to walk in it in faith.

Some people are harder to love than others but if we purposely are kind and loving and refuse to talk bad about others...and not in our flesh..but through the Spirit of God...we can walk in Love. God isn't love...He is love.

Meditating on the faults of others will make it hard to love people. Exposing faults, meditating on the wrongs that have been done to you...all will make it difficult to walk in love. If you spend all your time being critical of people...you will not walk in the Love that God has given you.

melanie

azaleas

2011-03-05T08:03:00.002-05:00

Petals of silken brilliance,

In colors of luscious pinks,

To deep reds,

Grace your tender branches,

With a sweet woodsy perfume aroma,

That floats through the air,

As I walk down the path,

Landscaped with Azaleas.

Hortense Foster

2011-03-04T11:43:00.005-05:00

Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.

---James 1:12-13 (Amplified Bible)---

Whoopie Pies

2011-03-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

Years ago, I was with YWAM and on our way to New York to fly out of JFK, we stayed a couple days in Pennsylvania. I got my first taste of a whoopie pie and I was hooked. I liked them so much that the lady I was staying with bought me a few for the ride to New York.

I plan on making them with my girls and boys in the next week or so. I am still trying to decide what kind!!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie

Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies

Vanilla Bean Whoopie Pies

Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Boston Cream Pie Whoopie Pies

Nutella Whoopie Pies

S'mores Whoopie Pies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies

Mocha Whoopie Pies

Dulce de Leche Whoopie Pies

The possibilities are ENDLESS!!! What would you make??!!

melanie

ALL Good

2011-03-03T08:52:00.002-05:00

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.--

Genesis 1:31 (Amplified Bible)

When God created the earth He made all things good. Very good. Evil is a perversion of good. It is oppisite of God. There is no good in evil. When we know this simple truth in our hearts we know who to resist and who to run too.

melanie

Through Christ

2011-03-02T10:30:00.000-05:00

a life's design: Image of the Day...

2011-03-02T08:38:00.003-05:00

{a life's design: Image of the Day...: "Gather."}

Pretty.

melanie

Seven

2011-03-01T09:13:00.004-05:00

These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others],
a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans,
feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath],
and he who sows discord among his brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (Amplified Bible)

I got this scripture read to me a couple times when I was a young child. My mother wanted to make sure I knew just how terrible lying was. There was a lot of grace growing up, but when it came to lying there was zero grace. It was not tolerated in any form.

I wonder if we made a list of the things God hates if some of these would have even made it on our list.

melanie

A New Creation

2011-02-28T09:18:00.006-05:00

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision, but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in Christ Jesus, the Messiah].

Colossians 2:11
In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts).

So...my question is this for you. If you are a new creation, what changed when you were born-again? Your body? Your soul or your mind, will, and emotions? Your spirit? What was saved?? What was radically changed??

I know that there is sin...I know that there is temptation....and our minds were not saved and renewing the mind is a constant discipline....all these are the battlefield of a believer. I honestly am confused as to why believers say they are still fighting their "sin nature" all the time. Weren't we redeemed from that when Christ came in and totally changed us and gave us a new spirit...alive in Christ??

melanie

Sunday Thoughts

2011-02-27T08:44:00.013-05:00

Job is not our example. Job had no covenant with God. Job had no knowledge of the devil. Job was not born-again. How did he know of God? Through oral tradition. (Job 42:5-6) Job had no spiritual weapons. Job had no intercessor. Job did not die on the cross for me or you. Job is actually quoted more by believers than Jesus. Maybe because so many Believers have no idea who they are IN Christ.(In Christ we have: name of Jesus, blood of Jesus, faith of God, armor of God, keys of kingdom, authority, binding and loosing)

melanie

Meditating on..............

2011-02-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you].

And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you.

Romans 8:10-11 (Amplified Bible)

But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Romans 8:10-11 (New International Version - UK)

2011-02-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,

do more and become more, you are a leader.”

- John Quincy Adams

Have the confidence to step out in faith and be that person who will help someone move forward. Help someone accomplish their dream. Encourage others and build them up. With God on your side, you can draw the best out of people and help them succeed. - Joel Osteen

2011-02-25T07:56:00.001-05:00

re•lent•less

adj.
1. Unyielding in severity or strictness; unrelenting:
2. Steady and persistent; unremitting:

Relentless would be a great adjective to describe my God. I could write pages and pages about the goodness of God in my life and His relentless pursuit of me. No matter what decisions I have made, no matter the decisions that my parents made, no matter the decisions that others have made that affected my life, He has had good for me and has been steadfast to bring about His plans and will in my life.

My mother was a teen mom. She gave birth to me at the young age of 17 years old. Honestly, having me was probably overwhelming and hard on such a young one. I know that I would not have been ready to be a mama at 17. Only 18 months later she had my sister. Overwhelmed with life and a marriage that was falling apart she left me and my sister and my Dad. During this time I spent a lot of time with my Grandmother (my dad's mother). What a good thing! She loved God and loved to pray and taught me all about Jesus and His love for me. These little teachings would sustain me later when my mother and her mother left the state with us. For two years, my father and his mother had no idea where we were. During this time...I remember lying one night on a porch with a bunch of dogs and actually picturing myself being surrounded by a big bubble. I felt safe. I laid there and thought of the stories my Grandmother told me about Jesus and I talked to Jesus. I knew at three and four years of age He was with me. Through a series of events that ended up in court…my father won custody of me and my sister. I can see now as I look back His protection over me. When I was 5 years old, I knew that I wanted Jesus to be Lord of my life. He had seen me through a very hard time and knew that He would see me through anything else that life would throw my way. I asked my Mother (my father's new wife) to pray with me and we knelt by my bed and I gave the Lord my life and heart. It was the best decision I have ever made and it stuck!!

A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness. -John 10:10

God saved us from these great dangers of death, and he will continue to save us. We have put our hope in him, and he will save us again. -2 Corinthians 1:10

One thing that has always been steadfast and faithful in my life is God. Sure, I have been through some hardships. I have watched my sister suffer with cancer, I have been homeless with all my siblings and parents, camping and then later government shelters and housing, I have seen my Dad leave my mother after 23 years of marriage for another woman and then proclaim that God told him to do it. I have also seen God’s miraculous provision and goodness, reconciliation, healing and forgiveness to my family and myself in all these examples. I can look back on my life and know that it was God that walked us through the hard times. I will say this…not once did I blame God for these things. Not once did I shake my fist and say …why God!!?? I have never been angry with God. God is good. He did not bring these things my way. There is a god of the world and his name is satan or the devil and he wants to kill us. We live on an earth that has been ravaged by sin and satan’s ways. God is my deliverer, Savior, redeemer, friend, and is relentless in His love for me. I trust Him. He is faithful even when I am unfaithful. He is strong when I am weak. He upholds me with His goodness and love. Give your life to Him. He can be trusted.

melanie

The Kimyal People Receive the New Testament

2011-02-24T09:33:00.001-05:00

The Kimyal People Receive the New Testament from UFM Worldwide on Vimeo.

The Word of God - the best encouragement!

2011-02-24T09:22:00.001-05:00

We were discussing John the Baptist as a family. In Luke 7, JB's disciples had come and asked Jesus if He was the one. John was in prison and was getting discouraged. Jesus told his disciples this..."“Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Jesus is pointing John to scripture.... (Isa. 29:18,19; 35:5, 6; 61:1)

Then it says the disciples left and after they were gone...Jesus says the most amazing things about John. Why didn't Jesus say all those things to John's disciples?? I think it is because ultimately the Word of God should be our ultimate authority and encouragement in life. Encouraging words are nice...but the way our flesh is we forget them easily. We will need them day by day to prop us up. I do not want to be propped up!! I want the encouragement of the Word of God.

melanie

Grace Intended for ME.

2011-02-24T07:55:00.002-05:00

The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation.

They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].

It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!

1 Peter 1:10-12 (Amplified Bible)

Meditating on..............

2011-02-23T10:04:00.008-05:00

The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage will abide forever. They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psalm 37:18-19 (Amplified Bible)

THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 (Amplified Bible)

Encouraging

2011-02-22T09:24:00.004-05:00

David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. -1 Samuel 30:6

I was reminded of this passage this morning. I love it. David is such a great example of a man that trusted God. God said that David was a man after His own heart. Wow. So...I like to look at how he reacted to hardship. The way that Christians talk and react today is totally opposite of the example we see in David. His hope was always in God and God's goodness towards Him. He never expected bad from God or saw God as the author or giver of bad. (i.e. sickness, disease, affliction, poverty.) He saw God as His salvation, deliverer, strength, defender. He trusted God. David did not have a new covenant through Christ either!! What we have is even based on better promises than what David had. Amazing, amazing.

melanie

yummers

2011-02-19T14:20:00.005-05:00

OH. MY. GOODNESS!! These are amazing!!

Try this sandwich out via one of my favorite bloggers

...The Pioneer Woman. :D

melanie

You gave your life away - Paul Baloche

2011-02-18T07:58:00.000-05:00

IT

2011-02-16T11:13:00.006-05:00

1Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek.

2The Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield.

3When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies."

4So the people sent to Shiloh, and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts who sits above the cherubim; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5As the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth resounded.

6When the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, "What does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp.

7The Philistines were afraid, for they said, "God has come into the camp." And they said, "Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before.

2 Samuel 4:1-7

I read this the other day and it made a huge impact on me and I thought I would share it. Do you notice what Israel said? ".. that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies." They called it...IT!! Then the Philistines hear the shouts and find out why the shouts and what do they say?? GOD HAS COME into the camp. See the difference??

So I wonder...how many of us have said "the prayer". The prayer that we all said before we got saved. How many of us put more faith in that prayer than we do on Jesus?? Do you think the prayer saved you?? IT?? Or God? How often do we put our faith in IT??

I will say this: Your goodness, piousness, kindness... your reading, worshiping will never save you. It is all about Jesus. I wonder how many will meet the Lord in the end...and He will say..He never knew them, because more faith was put in IT..the prayer...than the one who suffered, died, and raised for that salvation and redemption.

melanie

How to Become a Christian....

Il Divo - Hallelujah (Alelujah)

2011-02-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

The War Is Over

2011-02-11T13:55:00.001-05:00

This is such a GREAT teaching series. Check it out...

The War Is Over

melanie

Best Funeral Speech

2011-02-10T15:38:00.001-05:00

The heart of man...

2011-02-09T10:19:00.013-05:00

And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men's hearts.] - John 2:25

But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. -1 Samuel 16:7 (Amplified Bible)

I am not a fan of denominations. I have heard many arguments about it. Good and Bad. It is good to have a choice. It is good to see all the wonderful differences. These are a couple of the good reasons. My thoughts are these. I have read a lot of stories of different denominations and it just seems like usually they start with a great move of the Spirit of God and then it seems like people just sit there and make a church around it and never grow. I also have seen more instances of divisions of people than I have seen examples of it bringing the body of Christ together in unity. I will say there are so many good, life-giving churches and I am not trying to be negative or say that all denominations are bad. God is so good..and in His goodness..there are still great things being done in a denominational setting. I just wonder at times if it is God's best plan for His people. Kind of like how God never wanted Israel to have a King...but gave it to them anyways....

I know that, personally, I have more difficulty receiving direction or advice from certain people that attend certain churches or denominations. Some of it is warranted, but some of it is pride. I think that the main thing is to look at the love walk of a person, not necessarily their denomination. If LOVE is strong, I am more likely and willing to listen or take direction. If the person spends a great deal of time exposing others weaknesses, or faults...impatient, easily irked, and critical of others... or has a hard time with authority figures... I am less likely to spend time listening.

Why love?? I am talking about God's love. Not the feely, touchy love that the world talks about. NOT the kind of love that one minute you are in love and the next you fall out of love. That isn't love. This is love:

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

We can walk in this love.

In 1 Corinthians 13 it makes it clear that anything that is not done in love is ...NOTHING. I speak in tongues...but if I am not doing it in love...it is nothing. I can raise someone from the dead, heal the sick, but if it is not done in love..it is nothing. I can give all of my possessions to the poor and if it is not done in love..it is nothing. I can actually give my body and die by the hands of others and if it is not done in love...it is nothing. wow! This is a really powerful truth here!

Giving to the poor, speaking in tongues, healing, giving and doing are not bad...but we really need to keep a close watch on our hearts to make sure why we do these things. Everything we are given from God is to be taken and then given back in love to others. I want to judge myself continually by the Word of God, the Bible...and make sure my heart is right.

Lord, I know that of myself there is nothing good in me...but Christ in me....that love is shed abroad in my heart and I can walk in Love...for YOU are love. Amen.

melanie

Superbowl!

2011-02-06T18:17:00.003-05:00

GO PACKERS!!!!!!

Relentless

2011-02-05T10:12:00.002-05:00

I have really been thinking of God's relentless desire to bring love and reconciliation between himself and us. It is all through the Old Testament. He takes man who is unregenerate and without a Savior and consistently shows pictures and examples of how He loves them and the coming Messiah, Jesus. It is a love story throughout. It is beautiful. I have done more weeping in my Old Testament Survey class. :D

Right now I am meditating on the veil in the temple that was torn from top to bottom. A picture of His grace and love given to me and and you. Peace between God and man.

The good news isn't that if you do not turn from your evil ways and repent you will die and go to hell. There is truth in that...BUT... The good news is...come as you are...Christ gave Himself for you. He took on all the sin and sickness and pain and redeemed you from the curse of the law! He loves you! He is relentless in His pursuit of YOU! He loves YOU! God wants relationship with you! He wants YOU! God...great and mighty, good God... LOVES me! Loves you!

melanie

Week in Review

2011-02-04T18:01:00.001-05:00

Two weeks later, five children, and one husband and this is only .1% of the tissues we have used up for all the mucus around here. I am the one left that did not join in on this sick spree. Oh..how I hate sickness and disease. I do. Hate. Grrrr! If you want me to get me angry just try and tell me God gave it to us or to someone. :/

I also learned a great deal about Calvanism this week. I am most definitely NOT a Calvanist in any shape or form.

We are going to host a home group in our home! yay! We have one family coming to join us. T is looking forward to teaching and leading worship and I found an excellent curriculum for the kiddos. :D

Excited and totally feeling inadequate as we step out in these new beginnings. Whew. Excited for this weekend and some rest. So excited to see each of my kiddos and husband feeling more like themselves. God is good to us!

melanie

Meredith Andrews - In Your Arms

2011-02-04T08:33:00.001-05:00

The True Nature Of God

2011-02-01T20:45:00.001-05:00

T and I are studying this teaching together in the evenings.

The True Nature Of God

Love spending time in the Word with my T!! :D

melanie

What a man!!

2011-02-01T11:37:00.004-05:00

I was out with my T the other day on a lunch date and as we were talking and sharing, tears welled up in my eyes and the respect I had for him seemed to overwhelm me.

T grew up in a conservative fundamental type upbringing. When I met T, he was very tired and frustrated with the denomination he was in. He had actually gone through a period of time that he told me that if this was all there was ...then why?? I wish he could tell his story. I think I will make sure he writes another guest post soon. Long story short...God changed his life forever.

This brings me back to the tears and awe and respect for him I felt the other day. T gave up so much to know the Lord. Tongues itself completely cuts him off from the denomination he grew up in. His thoughts on healing and prosperity, faith, and grace seals it. He actually didn't loose friendships...but they were never the same. His family does not understand him. All for the truth. What would YOU give up...to know the truth?? I am married to one brave man..! Amazing man of God ... my T..my husband! What a man!

melanie

Holy Spirit

2011-02-01T08:23:00.002-05:00

I was born again at the young age of 5 years old. I suppose many would say that I didn't know what I was doing. I disagree. I remember thinking on Jesus way before that moment in my bedroom when I kneeled beside my bed and gave my life to my Lord. My Grandmother spoke of Jesus a lot and when my world went strange and the grown ups were doing weird things...I know that I know that my Jesus was protecting me and loving me. I remember telling someone that it was like I was in a protective bubble.

As time went on, I longed for more. My mom said I did have difficulty with peer pressure and was very unsure and insecure of myself. When I was 11, I found out about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues. I knew I wanted it. I heard so much teaching on it and when I finally was prayed with I received it in a moment. It changed my life and even my mother said she saw a changed in me. I remember when my oldest son first started speaking in tongues...he would ask if we could mute the commercials so that he could spend the time in between speaking in tongues. I love it!

The Holy Spirit is a huge part in my life. I get frustrated that most churches put Him aside ...almost the third wheel. Not here. Healing, Tongues, gifts and the workings of the Holy Spirit are not a stranger in our home. I don't want my kiddos surprised or critical about such things. I remember last year...we went to a meeting and saw several people healed. We came back to our church and rejoiced about it. Someone in the church said...Good...because you are not going to see such things here. *sigh* My heart was grieved.

Last night...at school...we spent time praying together. I could hear everyone praying in their prayer language...I saw people being ministered to with the Word...and I can say...my spirit got so giddy and happy!! yes!!

melanie

Jesus Culture Consumed - Oh Lord You´re Beautiful

2011-02-01T07:41:00.000-05:00

One of my most favorite songs..... Oh, Lord You're Beautiful!!! :D

Fasting

2011-01-31T07:39:00.002-05:00

My three week fast is complete! yay! I did the first two weeks with only water and the last week was a slow transition to eating again. I still have not had any sugar and very little meat. I am sticking to as much fruits and veggies as I can stand. After not eating for so long, I am finding just a hot meal is a joy!! Fruits seem sweeter and veggies have flavor that I forgot they had.

I can tell so much has been FIXED in my body. After having my fifth baby, I have struggled with an anal fissure for the last five years. Since the fast it feels completely healed! My digestive track is working so much better and issues I had are cleared up. I just had my period and usually I would have severe cramps or cramping when I had a BM...nothing! :D ah..it feels good to get rid of all these nagging things that I have "lived" with. You don't realize the pain or aggravation they are until they are finally gone!

I am 15 pounds lighter. I have noticed my knees are thanking me! I went on a walk yesterday and for the first time in years my knees didn't bother me.

I also desperately needed to hear the Lord. Questions, hurts, frustrations...so much had happened the month before that I could feel could spin me into depression and I knew that I couldn't let my mind go there. It was time for some desperate measures! :D I did hear from the Lord and it is good. God is so good to me. It is so good to have that unconditional love that bears you up in times such as these. That even when the world around is getting darker...my relationship with Him is getting better and better! I have been meditating on this verse A LOT.

And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. -1 John 1:5 (Amplified Bible)

In Conclusion...I want to live a fasted lifestyle. I don't want my flesh to have whatever it wants all the time. Fasting and prayer will be more of a part of my life than it ever has been.

melanie

The Traveller’s Rest

2011-01-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine posted this link today and I thought it was very interesting. Go check it out and tell me what you thought...The Traveller’s Rest- Let My People Go.

melanie

Blessed

2011-01-27T11:15:00.002-05:00

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. - James 1:17 (Amplified Bible)

I have the most amazing, wonderful husband ever!! We have been married 15 years and it gets better by the day. Ripening into a fine wine. I will still choose his company over all the friends I have. I still get giggly when I know that he is coming home from work. Now...not always...there are tired days...but always, always look forward to him walking through the door and getting a hug or kiss or both from my man. I am proud of him. I love his ways. I enjoy conversations and time with him.

God, thank you for such a wonderful gift.

melanie

The End

2011-01-23T20:51:00.002-05:00

Today, I finished my two week water fast. I give the Lord all the credit. Without Him I don't think I could have done it.

6[Rather] is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke?(B)

7Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house--when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from [the needs of] your own flesh and blood?

8Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.(C)

Isaiah 58:6-8
melanie

lack of knowledge

2011-01-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. - Hosea 4:6

I read this verse the other day and it struck me! My goodness...we really misquote this verse!! I hear it all the time...."my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"... OFTEN. Yet...it goes on to say why... BECAUSE you have rejected knowledge. Could rejecting knowledge be the same as getting tons of Word in our memory...hearing and hearting... and NEVER actually doing what we hear?? I wonder....

melanie

today is the day

2011-01-16T10:54:00.001-05:00

By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North

2011-01-16T10:50:00.003-05:00

True Love by Phil Wickham

2011-01-16T10:50:00.002-05:00

In Christ Alone Worship Video with Lyrics

2011-01-16T10:43:00.001-05:00

You won't relent - Jesus Culture

2011-01-16T10:26:00.001-05:00

Coffee and Flip Flops

cupcakes!

Christmas Door

Marshmallow Popcorn Balls ~ yummers

How Great thou Art

Christmas Bucket List

*sigh* Mr. Darcy.....this is awseome!

Gotta LOVE ELF!!!

William Sonoma mini pie maker ~ LOVELY!!

Children

Restoration

Love is Not Rude

Motherhood Is a Calling

I Surrender

Loving God Means Loving People

One of my fav classes at school.....

Compassionate Mothering by Jeannie Fulbright

Psalm 103:15 (Amplified Bible)

Your Love Never Fails -Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture

You Already Got It

HIS LOVE IS OUR LIGHT

Spirit Soul & Body

Is Jesus Enough?

Who I am in Christ

Matt Maher - Christ is Risen

Colbie Caillat - I Do

Relationships

Marriage

Window Crayons

Stars -- David Crowder Band

Birthdays

GREAT I AM | New Life Worship

SOME TESTIMONIES OF INFILLING

Comparing Again...

Christ Himself

D. L. Moody

Springtime in Florida

In Christ

Who raised Jesus from the dead??

Healer

USA = Dependence?? I hope not!!

Decisions

Beautiful

You never let go - Matt Redman

Poured out on our hearts....

azaleas

Hortense Foster

Whoopie Pies

ALL Good

Through Christ

a life's design: Image of the Day...

Seven

A New Creation

Sunday Thoughts

Meditating on..............

The Kimyal People Receive the New Testament

The Word of God - the best encouragement!

Grace Intended for ME.

Meditating on..............

Encouraging

yummers

You gave your life away - Paul Baloche

IT

Il Divo - Hallelujah (Alelujah)

The War Is Over

Best Funeral Speech

The heart of man...

Superbowl!

Relentless

Week in Review

Meredith Andrews - In Your Arms

The True Nature Of God

What a man!!

Holy Spirit

Jesus Culture Consumed - Oh Lord You´re Beautiful

Fasting

The Traveller’s Rest

Blessed

The End

lack of knowledge

sigh Mr. Darcy.....this is awseome!