hope sign

hope sign

Thursday, October 31, 2013

What Do I Treasure?

I am a nosey person by nature.  I like to be "in the know".  I like to be included and to get all the juicy gossip.  Well, lets just say, that's the way I used to be.  Not anymore.  Sure I still like to be included but all the other stuff, it's cumbersome.  It restricts my ability to serve and love.  It fills my mind with things that only cause me harm and I begin to take on the offenses of others...just TOO MUCH!!!  

I had been getting updates from a Christian Journal or Newspaper every day.  To be honest, they sent so many updates, it was more like 20 a day.  I would read some and my heart began to become heavy and fear started building in me.  One out of twenty articles were positive.  Yesterday, I had enough.  I unfollowed, cancelled my subscription.  Why?  Because I don't need to know about every Pastor's failures, how the church isn't doing what it is suppose to be doing, how one Pastor is putting down every other Pastor and the infighting within the church.  It doesn't do a thing for my spirit.  Are these kind of things really going on?  Yes.  But God is still on His Throne and He uses imperfect people, that's the only reason he can use me.  If He only called perfect people, we would all be doomed.  

Instead of focusing on the negative press, lets focus on the ones who are laying it all on the line for Jesus.  Who are building the Kingdom of God around the world.  Men and women who say, "This is what I treasure."  Bishop said last night, "We measure the worth of any treasure by what we are willing to give up to have it."  The Martyrs for Christ are giving up everything to build the Kingdom.  True Hero's.  

Today, I don't need to know all the gossip around the world regarding Pastor or Bishop So and So.  I don't need to know what the church of what's happening now is doing.  I need to focus on the task that God has set before me.  I need to look within myself and see what I am willing to give up for what I treasure.  What do I treasure?  That is a tough question.  

My heart has heard you say,
"Come and talk with me"
and my heart responds,
"Lord, I am coming".
Psalms 27:8 NLT

My sister wrote a song many years ago.  I have shared it on here before but it started going through my mind yesterday afternoon and then after Bishop preached last night.  During the altar call, the presence of God began to flow from one person to the next.  I started singing this song again and even this morning, I am still humming it, drawing in His sweet aroma.

I can be free in your presence
Offering all I am
Releasing my pain
Feeling no shame for who I was
Cause I now know who I am.
Lord,
I must be alone with you
Before my day is through
Guide me by your grace
Until I see your face
Abiding in 
The presence of the King
by Christian Estep Wright

I encourage you today, spend some time in the presence of the King.  He desires to talk with you...say, Lord, I am coming.  Fill your mind and spirit with the Good News of the Gospel.  Remember that you are loved by the one who created you, breathed life into your body.  Taste and see the goodness of the LORD.  

Be Blessed.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

More Than Earthly Eyes Can Behold

Today has gotten away from me.  I have tried to write a couple of times but something always seems to come up.  So here's a scripture that God has put on my heart for women.

Charm is deceitful,
and beauty is passing.
But a woman who fears
the LORD, she will be 
praised.
Proverbs 31:30 NKJV

No matter how I see myself in the mirror or how others see me...I want God to see me, Beyond Beautiful.  He looks beyond my outward appearance and sees how I am inside.  He sees beyond my wrinkles and freckles, laugh lines and zits.  He sees beyond my stretch marks and rolls, my big feet and pugged nose.  He sees Kimberly Hope.  He sees my desires and fears.  He sees my love for Him and my family.  He sees so much more than our earthly eyes can behold.  For that I am thankful.  

This video has been on YouTube for a while but I wanted to share it with you.  So many of us see ourselves as imperfect.  We cannot see our true beauty.  This video really touched me and I hope the women reading this today will realize that God made us all shapes and sizes from our heads to our funky toes.  But we are beautiful and when we know Christ, we are Beyond Beautiful.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

A New Vision

I asked a friend this weekend, "What do you do, when all your dreams come true?"  When a prayer is answered after over 20 years, where do you go from here?  I guess it is time to form a new vision, one with the answered prayer in it.  It is so wonderful to see God's hand move.  It is amazing to see a family, divided in faith, now complete in Him.  I know the Heavens are rejoicing, as is our family and church.

God doesn't say, now that I've answered your prayer, I am moving on.  He walks with us, abides with us, loves us and continues to guide us...answering our prayers.

When Bo was preaching on Sunday morning, he brought up a message that Bishop Don Bledsoe preached during our conference...The Power of One.  How often we underestimate our place in the Kingdom of God.  We think that we are insignificant because we have such little authority or influence. Bishop Estep told us a story a little while ago about Mahalia Jackson, as she stood behind Martin Luther King during his famous, I Have A Dream speech.  He wasn't going to share his dream with the crowd, he had already finished his speech that he had prepared and then a voice from behind said, "Tell them about your dream Martin."  Just that little encouragement set a nation on fire...set us on a new path. Formed a new vision with the answered prayer in it.  It gives me goose pimples just thinking about it.

When my friends husband walked into a Wednesday night service, it ignited something in our church, in their family, in the lives of people all over.  THE POWER OF ONE!!!  Just like when the lame man at the gate called Beautiful, walked into the temple...lives were changed.  (Thanks Bishop Hilton)
It wasn't the Apostles who brought 5,000 to Christ, it was the lame man who had been healed.  THE POWER OF ONE!!!

Let me encourage you today, when God answers your prayers, don't stop there.  Let those answered prayers be a witness to the world of the power and love of our amazing Creator.  Form a new vision with the answered prayer in it.  Say to your neighbors, friends, family...LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!!!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Be the Light to Your World

Love the sun here at Jacobs party
After 5 days in Florida, Maryland seems a tad chilly.  The good thing about that is, I love fall and the changing seasons.  I love God's imagination.  I believe that seasons are like quarterly gifts to us.  Just when the summer heat gets too intense, FALL.  Just when we cannot take another moment of freezing, SPRING.

I am looking out my office window and I see changing leaves (the tree in my front yard is still green), frosted grass, green grass, leaves on the ground...it's a beautiful mess.

Today, I will look at God's creation, whether it be nature or people, I will see the beauty that is straight from the mind of God.  It is easy to look at a child and see the beauty of God, it is easy to gaze up at the sky and see His artistic brush strokes.  How about when we see the one who is unkind, unclean, needs a good scrubbing?  Do we look past the veneer of sin and see the one whom God breathed life into? Do we struggle with loving this person who seems to find joy in the misfortunes of others?

When I was teaching the Middle School Youth Group, I took them on a little trip for ice cream in North East.  By the side of the road was a homeless man, holding a sign, asking for food.  The kids asked me if this guy was really homeless or a fraud.  I told them that I truly did not know and I pulled over to give him some money.  Not a word from the back seat as I gave the man a $20 bill.  The homeless man was very grateful.  I pulled away and that's when one of the kids asked, "What if he didn't really need the money?"  I thought about my response for a second, weighing my words and forming a response that they would understand.  "When you don't have all the information about someones situation and you see a need, always be on the side of giving.  You see, I had some cash to give today.  Yes, he may be a fraud or he may choose to live a homeless life when he doesn't have to.  But, he may truly be in need.  Since I don't have all the facts of his life, I will always choose to give.  I love God-My love for God compels me to give where I see a need.  If he is a liar, that is on him.  If I don't give, that is on me."

They seemed to understand my response.  Some people don't agree with my reasons and think that I am a fool.  Others may say that I should have just bought the guy a hamburger, fries and a soda.  Whether you agree or disagree, this guy and all the ones like him, are made in the image of God.  I am responsible for how I treat others, how I love.

Today, I encourage you, show love to someone.  Be kind to one another.  Be His hand extended.  It could change someones life...maybe your own.

Light effects everything it touches.
BE THE LIGHT TO YOUR WORLD!!!!!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Complete, Fullness of Joy

Henry in the fenced in playground.  He doesn't see the fence that is
keeping him in, he just sees the wonderful things that await him inside.  

We have been given such liberty in Jesus.  He freed us from the penalty of our sins.  He gives us a new and clean heart and life.  His grace goes even further than our minds can comprehend.  Yet, so many see Christianity as a walled city with iron chains to bind them, physically, emotionally, artistically, and spiritually.  Nothing is further from the truth.  There is amazing freedom when you make the choice to follow Jesus and allow Him to change your life.

For you, brethren, have been called to 
liberty;
only do not use liberty as an opportunity
for the flesh,
but through love 
serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 NKJV


I think of it this way.  When you are born, your parents must do everything for you.  You cannot be left alone for years.  You cannot just go and do as you please because you may get hurt or even worse. The baby gate is to keep you safe because there are so many things that you can get into, not knowing that they can hurt you.

You many be born with a great artistic eye but until you learn certain things, you cannot reach your full potential.  As the years go by and you are growing, learning, getting stronger physically, emotionally, artistically and spiritually, your abilities are increasing and maturing.  Now your parents can let you have some freedom that you did not possess as an infant or toddler.  You can see where I am going here.  It's that way in our spiritual life.  

There are some things we are just not ready for as new Christians.  We have to learn our faith, grow in Christ.  Oh it is such a wonderful experience as you see the Word open up and understanding sets in. We grow stronger and then that leads us to serve someone else.  At times, what we see as barriers or fences, are just our spiritual baby gates to keep us from harming ourselves or someone else.  You will eventually outgrow that baby gate and as you mature, you will be instrumental in helping someone outgrow their baby gate.  

As we continue to grow, we enjoy more freedoms.  Do we still have to walk according to the Scripture and teachings of Jesus?  Yes, but in that we get to enjoy the fullness of joy, we are made Complete in Him.  It's a Wonderful Life.  


I just love this pic of my niece, CeCe.  Never too
old to enjoy the swing.



Monday, October 21, 2013

What Unites Us?


What unites us as Christians?

What is our common ground?

Do we have to agree all the time?

Are our differences so important that we need to broadcast them 
and put others down every chance we get?


I know not everyone agrees 100% of the time.  We all come from different places, we have different experiences, it's in these experiences that our beliefs are formed and cultivated.  I was raised different than my husband.  He grew up farming, I grew up living above a church and then in a trailer on a piece of property.  We are different.  There isn't anything wrong with that.  As a matter of fact, it's a perk. 
But we do have some common ground.  

Common ground, that is what I want to focus on.  

I believe we spend too much time focusing on what separates us than what connects us.  

As Christians, what connects us?  Let's just look at 3 things.

1-The Blood of Jesus Christ.  If you are a believer, I assume you believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  (If not, you will not like this post)

If we cannot agree on anything else, we can agree on this.  This alone makes you my brother or sister in Christ.  The blood shed by Jesus, unites us as family.  I can encourage you and you can encourage me. 

2- Baptism...wait, not the logistics but the fact that the Bible says to be saved and be baptized.  I don't care right now if you believe in baptizing babies, adults, teens; whether you believe, the top of the head is all that is needed or you go all the way with three dunks (not sure if anyone does that).  

3- God is Love.  We are loved by our Creator.  

If we can agree on these three things, we can build from there.  

I don't agree with my husband 100% of the time, but I still love him.  We don't focus on our differences...that would be torture.  No family gets along all the time, but we show love by using understanding and kindness.  

I want to show the world JESUS.  He said that they will know that I am His disciple by the love I have for my brother.  

John 13:35 MSG
Let me give you a new command;
Love one another,
in the same way I loved you,
you love one another.
This is how everyone will recognize
that you are my disciples-
when they see the love you have 
for one another.

1 Corinthians 1:10 MSG
I have a serious concern 
to bring up with you, my friends,
using the authority of Jesus, our Master.
I'll put it as urgently as I can:
You must get along with each other.
You must learn to be considerate of one another,
cultivating a life in common.

Let's focus on what unites us and not what separates us.  


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Even Grown Ups Are Allowed to Dream


I have always loved photos of paths, people on paths, archways, tree lined walkways...photos that lead your imagination somewhere.  Like the photo above.  

Are they in a park???

Where are they going?
What's at the end of this journey?
Who are they?
                      Are they father and son?
                                                                        Teacher and student?
Uncle and nephew?

Oh a path can lead the imagination on so many journeys.  Makes me think of Mary Poppins when they pop into the chalk picture with Bert.  Oh what did they find, a carousel, a fox hunt, dancing penguins...such fun...supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (yes, I looked up the spelling, lol).  



I don't know if I am the only one who likes to exercise my imagination.  It might stem from being a Preschool teacher or just being a mommy but it's part of who I am.  

"I like nonsense,
it wakes up the brain cells.
Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.
It's a way of looking at life through the 
wrong end of the telescope.
Which is what I do,
and that enables you to 
laugh at life's realities."
Dr. Seuss

Look at a picture or a painting, read a book or just sit and imagine, create, write, draw, paint.  From a thought comes and action.  Imaginations have birthed many dreams.  Dreams have given birth to so many ideas and possibilities.  Today can be your day to change your possibility into your reality.  I love to see dreams come true.  

This my friend is a gift that God has given to each one of us.  Just look at His imagination.  It's in the animals, colors, the beautiful flowers, trees, the sky in it's pinks, yellows, blues.  It's in the sparkle of a child's eyes or the joy in his laughter.  We are from the very imagination of our Creator.  To tell the truth, Dr. Seuss has nothing on the one who made everything.  He made us in His image.  We were created to create.  

Use your imagination.  Dream a dream for your future.  It's okay.  Even grown ups are allowed to dream.

I hope you have a beautiful, dreamy, amazing weekend.  



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Emotions...Worship

Let all my worship,
Let all my praise,
flow to You,
flow to You.

Tonight at church we sang the song, Flow To You, by Bishop Paul S. Morton, SR.  The bridge in the song just keeps washing over me.  I can still feel the amazing surge of the sweet anointing that filled the sanctuary.  "Like streams in the valley, they swell with the rain.  Let the songs of my heart, rise to bless Your name.  Flow to You, flow to you.  Let my worship, flow to you."  

I love to sing songs to the LORD.  It is one of my greatest pleasures.  When the anointing begins to fall, I close my eyes and just give it all to Him.  Music/singing takes it all, everything I have.  It's a gift from the LORD that I yearn to give back to Him.  Holding nothing back.  After leading worship at Christ the King Church on Sunday mornings, I am spent.  I truly believe that if you are going to be a worship leader, you can't hold anything back.  Give it all to Him.  

I was talking to a young person in the church one day and she told me that it bothers her when she shows emotion in church.  It bothers her so much that she would rather sit in the back, disconnected from her peers.  

Question- Do you believe that God created all emotions?
Answer- Yes.
Question-Do you believe that God made our emotions as entertainment for Himself and the angels?
Answer- No
Question- Why did God make us able to laugh, cry, get excited, get angry?
Answer- I don't know

After we had the little question and answer session, I shared with her my heart.

I believe that God created us with all these emotions for communion with Him.  It's okay to cry (most people have a hard time with this emotion, especially in church), tears are cleansing, they usually reveal a tenderness to something or someone.  Laughing, laughter is good like medicine.  Getting excited, David danced before the LORD with all his heart.  Anger, sin should anger us.  If we hate the sin enough, we will leave it behind.  

Emotions aid in our praise.  I have cried, danced, shouted, laughed, been angry...all in church.  I love to worship.  It's such a huge part of who I am.  

Leading worship is more than just standing on the platform, singing a song.  To truly lead in worship, you must feel what you are singing and love the one you are singing it to.  Letting the words wash over you and through you.  Giving it all to Him...He deserves it.  I don't worship God because He needs it, I worship because I need it.  It strengthens me, lifts me up, reminds me of who HE is and who I am.  I worship because He is God and in His amazing wisdom, He tells us to.  He knows we need it.

To tell the truth, there are times, when I am at home, cleaning my bathroom that I enter into worship. Tears will well up, my focus changes from the task at hand and onto my King.  To me, it's a beautiful gift, straight from the heart of God.  It never fails that when something like that happens in my home, God will bring someone to my mind that needs prayer.  Worship leads me to communicate with the LORD.  

Let all my worship,
Let all my praise,
flow to You,
flow to You.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

10 Commandments and What I Didn't Know

This is a going to be a very busy weekend for me.  I have Friday Night Light, a baby sprinkle (little shower) and a birthday party.  Thankfully, each thing is a different day but still, that is a lot to cram into one weekend.

Each month, our church has Friday Night Light.  It is like a one evening VBS for kids ages 3 years through the 5th grade.  Each month we pick a Bible story to focus on.  This month is the 10 Commandments and the golden calf.  Great story, thought I already knew everything about it...WRONG!!!  One of the amazing things about teaching something is that you are always learning. This month I had to write the script for the skit.  I thought that would be easy since I already knew the story.  But just like any good teacher, I wanted to check my facts.  So I opened the Bible to read the story from start to finish.  Man, there is so much in there that I had forgotten.  So it took me almost two days to write a 10 minute script...keeping in mind that a 3 year old cannot understand what 5th graders can and 5th graders don't want to be treated like baby's.

I have to say, I think I did a pretty good job.  I guess we will find out Friday night.

I want to encourage you today, pick up your Bible.  Reread the stories, you will be surprised at how much you missed or have forgotten.  The Old Testament is amazing.  We have the themes for the rest of the year planned out.  I am looking forward to jumping into the stories of my youth...Joseph being sold into slavery; Samuel being called by God as a little boy; David being anointed King; The Birth of Jesus...so many thrilling stories that our children need to know.  This is their heritage. These stories are the birthplace of our faith.

We cannot neglect teaching our children of the Early Church and about when Jesus walked on this earth as a man.  Building up their faith, giving them a firm foundation, knowledge of why we believe what we believe.  It is so very important.

I am thankful that the LORD has given me the opportunity to teach so many children.  I count it a blessing and an honor.  Not to mention, it is fun and we sing and dance and play games and best of all CRAFTS!!!  Instead of Old Maid, we are making our own Golden Calf.  They are making 10 Commandment cards that they have to match up and whoever gets left with the golden calf, loses.  We have stickers and stamps, glue and markers...it's gonna be a fun night.


Mark 10:13-16 MSG


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.




Monday, October 14, 2013

Serving...Purposeful Strength

I don't know how many of you take notes during the preaching at church but I recommend that you do. There are days that I just need to be reminded what God has been speaking through those He has placed in my life to lead me and give instruction on how to grow in the grace of God.

I have notes on my phone, in notebooks, on my iPad, on backs of several church bulletins.  Whenever the minister says something that ignites a spark in me, I write it down.

Tonight, I was looking through some old notes and found one from March 28, 2013.  My father/Bishop preached a sermon called, "Reaching for a Towel, Fighting For a Crown".  He has an amazing ability to title a sermon that sparks your interest.  Truthfully, it is an amazing gift.

I didn't take a whole lot of notes but the ones that I did take reminded me of why I work in the church and that I am a servant, not the Master.

A couple of quotes that I want to share with you, stir me every time I read them.

  1. Pride in ministry robs both the minister and those to whom he or she is tasked with ministering.
  2. Pride could be our greatest affliction.
  3. Willingness to serve is where greatness is truly found.
  4. Servant leadership is never announced; it is demonstrated through quiet concern and hands on service.
  5. Takers are never gracious in receiving and they are not givers.
  6. Greatness sees no shame in serving/ministering, especially to those you love.
  7. Being a servant is not a sign of weakness, it is Purposeful Strength!
Bishop shared a verse with us...it is the last thing written down about this message.

John 13:34 MSG
Let me give you a new command;
Love one another.
In the same way I loved you,
You love one another.
This is how everyone will recognize
That you are my disciples-
When they see the love 
You have for each other.

My mind goes back to the title of this message, "Reaching For A Towel, Fighting For A Crown".  We cannot truly be like Jesus until we love those around us.  We have to be servants, not only with our actions but in our hearts.  

There is such a difference in a servant who wants to help you and one who does it because they are being forced or to save face.  

Just rereading these notes tonight, I have been encouraged and convicted at the same time.  Who am I serving?  What is my purpose in God?  Am I fulfilling that purpose?  

We have all been instructed to love one another as Christ loves us.  If you don't know what your personal purpose is...JUST DO THIS.  You will see lives changed and it will change you.  

Where Are The Answers???

"Do not think that love
in order to be genuine
has to be extraordinary.
What we need is to love
without getting tired.
Be faithful in small things 
because it is in them that your
strength lies."
Mother Theresa

What is genuine love?  How can we know if someone loves us for real or if our love is real?  

1 Corinthians 13: 3-7 MSG
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, Ive gotten nowhere.  So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel with others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

We wonder around at times like we don't have a clue how to find the answers about life and our purpose.  We ask questions when we already have the answers.  So many times we are like children who just want Mom and Dad to tell them the answer instead of looking it up ourselves.  We run from person to person, seeking what God has already given us.  We are complete in Him.  What is love?

  Love is God...God is Love!!

Genuine love is all wrapped up in God.  I cannot truly love others until I realize that I am truly loved by God.  When I come to this realization, I will no longer be looking at what I can get out of a relationship, I will be looking for what I can give to one.  

God didn't love us without giving to us.  A few things off the top of my head are, life, breath, His Son, the Holy Spirit...these are just a couple.  To list everything God has given to me out of love, I just don't think there is enough time or paper or computer memory available.  

You may think that acts of grandeur shows that someone loves you.  But it's in the dailiness of life that love is proved.  It's when you look like you've been hit by a mack truck and your spouse still kisses you, bad breath and all; when he just reaches over and holds your hand...you feel safe and content.  It's when he gets up every morning and goes to work to provide for you and your family.  It's when he comes home and eats your burnt sacrifice or the meatloaf that looks like a huge hamburger because you thought it would somehow rise.  The snuggles at night, the coffee in the morning, the prayer with the children, sitting in church together with the kids lined up like little soldiers, laughing around the dinner table, sharing life, heart and soul...That's love.  

Quit looking for answers in someone else's life.  GOD LOVES YOU!!  

We have the source for our answers, The Bible.  

Whenever I think about love, I always think of my dad saying this:

horrible pic of me but love the sign.

I ordered this sign from Between You and Me on Etsy (link).  I wanted a little inspiration in my office...Thanks Dad!!!

Never forget that you are loved by God.  

Be blessed today.





Friday, October 11, 2013

Some Randomness...

I am really looking forward to this weekend.  This is the only weekend that we do not have any plans.
I am anticipating my Anne of Green Gables marathon tonight with my sister(s?).  I know that sounds like a plan but it is really just being in my fat pants, sweater, nice warm socks and being all snuggled on the couch with a fire in the stove, watching a movie, with a some snacks.  It's gonna be a good night.

Tomorrow, I may get up and go to breakfast with my handsome hunk of a husband.  If you are a friend of mine of Facebook, then you have seen this picture but if not, get ready to have your socks knocked off.  This picture knocked my socks off.

Hello there!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

This is for you BO...







This is Bo.
source


My son Jake...


It's a tad grainy but I still love it.
Mommy & Jake

I know this seems a little random but my heart is full this morning.  In real life, I am a little random.  

Be Blessed.






Thursday, October 10, 2013

Anne Shirley...Kindred Spirit

“Theres such a lot of different Annes in me.
I sometimes think that is why I’m such a 
troublesome person.
If it was just one Anne it would be ever so much
more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be
half so interesting.”
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I love Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea...Anne Shirley was someone that a quick tempered, red head with a wicked punch could relate to.  Anne was so flawed.  She hated to be embarrassed.  She was quick to speak her mind even if it meant getting into trouble (I did this several times in my youth).  She was fiercely loyal and strong willed.  This was a lot like me.  I see a lot of me and my older sister, Christian, in Anne Shirley.  

Honestly, I was the rough side of Anne and Christian was the "head in the clouds" Anne.
Christian dreamed big dreams, her imagination was always off the charts.  The rest of us Estep kids were just along for the ride.  

I have talked about how we put on plays for our parents.  Christian was ALWAYS the leader.  When we played dolls or house, she told us what to say and how to act.  This however didn't always work with me.  

We lived in a very small apartment above our church.  At the time, there was construction going on, adding on Sunday School rooms and offices.  This was the perfect playground for children with great imaginations.  We played house, war, hide and seek...you name it, we played it.  

The room that was later turned into an office for our Pastor/Daddy was the room we most played house in.  Christian was always the Mommy and Cheryl was always the baby.  Much to my dismay, Christian always insisted that I was the Daddy.  One day, in my rebellion to my older sister, I decided to move.  I took my baby doll, some items for a house and moved down the hall into the huge Sunday School room and made myself a house.  A bigger, mansion like house.  A house where I was the Mommy!!!  Kimi ruled this house...just like Kimi likes it.

Poor Cheryl didn't know what to do.  Whose house would she live or play in?  Well, it wasn't long until Christian didn't want to play dolls or house anymore.  Being the oldest of us three girls, she was the first to grow up.  It didn't happen all of a sudden.  It was a process of maturing.  Sad to think about it today but so exciting when you are going from one stage in life to another.

The Fall of the year always reminds me of the days playing in the back of the construction at 410 Webb Lane with Ronald, Christian, Cheryl and eventually Phillip.

Fall reminds me of popcorn in the big green bowl that my Daddy would pop on the stove for an evening treat.  It reminds me of flashlights and records on the record player.  Fall always makes me think of Family.

So I will end my post today with another quote from Anne.

"I'm so glad I live in a world 
where there are Octobers."
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

God Lasts...

Heart in the pavement, found on our walk last night.
God is ever mindful of us.
"Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track
of me.  He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything?
Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go.
God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, 
doesn't pause to catch His breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young fold in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind."
Isaiah 40:27-31 MSG

Things sure haven't changed much in the minds of people since the days of Jacob.  We still forget who God is and how much He loves us and knows our hearts and struggles.  

We sing verse 31 in the King James Version at church..."But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Henry looking at an abandoned birds nest,
high in the tallest tree.  He laid down
to see it better.

I read this scripture first thing in the morning.  It's full of HOPE and LIFE. 

GOD LASTS...He doesn't run away from us.  

He is not afraid of our trials, our shortcomings, our fatigue.  He is prepared to help us.  To give us what we need to succeed and continue on.  He knows us and loves us anyway.  AMAZING!!!  


Today, if you are struggling, feeling alone, bone tired of the dailiness of life...Call out to God.  It's amazing how just sharing what you are feeling with the LORD, helps.  He will answer you.  He will strengthen you.  Whether it be a scripture, a visit from a friend or something that makes you laugh or inspires you...He doesn't come and go...GOD LASTS!!!!



Enjoy the beautiful day that God has given us.  

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

What Inspires You?

Have you ever needed to be inspired to do something?  Something like, clean your bedroom.  My bedroom is the last room to be cleaned.  It always has been.  The rest of the house can be totally clean and my bedroom looks like a bomb went off in it.  I don't know why this is.

This morning I woke up and thought, THIS HAS GOT TO GET DONE TODAY!!!  So I rolled out of bed, put a load of laundry in, emptied the trash in the bathroom and next to my vanity, put my shoes away...it already looks so much better.  Unfortunately, I am not finished.  I still need to make my bed, do the rest of my laundry, dust, vacuum, put bags away, put clothes away, probably, put more shoes away.  Now, I do wash my sheets every week but the rest of it gets away from me.

What inspires you to clean?  Sometimes, for me, it is getting something new.  If I have new sheets or pillows, I want to make my room look really pretty and I get up and clean.  It can be having guests and not wanting them to see what a messy Marvin I am.  It can be a pretty day and I just become a "white tornado" (Bo's words), cleaning everything in my path.  Lately, I have been cleaning everything, down to the yucky places in the laundry room.  No, I'm not nesting.  I am not sure what it is.  But, my bedroom still got left to the last.

So today, I will open the windows in the master bedroom, let the cool and crisp breeze fill up the space and I will clean.  When Henry gets here from school, he will help and make me laugh in the process.  I guess I talked myself into inspiration.  Gosh, there really is power in the tongue.

Have a blessed day.  I hope you are inspired to do something good today.

Some visual inspiration for bedrooms that I found on Pinterest.  So beautiful.







Monday, October 7, 2013

Reconnecting...


I love weekends that I get to reconnect with Bo.  I am a firm believer that you have to stop regular life sometimes and just enjoy the mate that God gave you.

Friday, Bo came home early to pick me up and off we went to our favorite Hotel, just about 50 minutes away.  We had a special dinner, went to a show, walked around the city, held hands, talked.  It was wonderful.

I am so happy that after 24 years of marriage, Bo still likes to hang out with me and I still like to hang out with him.


Throughout our marriage, Bo has always taken the time to make sure that we have time together.  Now that our kids are all grown, you would think that it is easier to just up and go, but it's not.  Well, I guess it is in a way because we don't have to find a babysitter but life is still full of responsibilities and we have to plan these special days.
 


I am thankful for the blessing of my husband.  I am thankful that he still shows me that he loves me.  I am so super thankful that he still wants to hold my hand, rub my feet after taking off my heels, surprises me with chocolate covered strawberries and just sits with me, listening to me talk.

My Hot shoes.  Love them!!!

So many times, we as wives, forget to tell our husbands how much we appreciate them.  We hear so much about how wives feel unappreciated but what about husbands.  Just like us, they have to make sacrifices, putting their own desires aside at times for what is better for the family.  On TV they are depicted as stupid and underhanded.  They are the joke of the family.  Making the wife and the children smarter and more capable than the dad.  

I often wonder if it is the intention of the media to break up the family unit in order to push their own agendas.  So they go after the head of the family, the dad, and the rest will be destroyed because the covering is gone.  

I am thankful that my husband and most of the men I know, take being husbands and fathers very seriously.  They put their families needs before their own.  It brings them joy when the home is at peace.  They take their family to church and worship beside them.  Teaching their children about God, love and respect.  

I love it that my husband is handsome, smart, funny, loves me, the kids and most of all that he loves God and allows God to move in his life.  

I love you BO!!! 

I hope you all have a great week.   Look around and see the blessings that God has given you today. His mercies are new every morning.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Memories...A Thankful Heart

Tonight I am thinking about simpler times.  At least they were simpler times for me.  Of course I was only a little girl.  I was thinking about being in church.  We were in church a lot.  Our lives were engrossed in the church.  We lived above the church, went to school at the church and of course, attended services there at least three times a week.  We played in the Sunday School rooms and I preached almost weekly in the Sanctuary (of course, I was preaching to my brother and sisters).  My sister Christian was the piano player, Ronald was the drummer, Cheryl was the singer and I was the preacher.  When I prayed for you, you were going down...slain in the spirit or more correctly, pushed down by little Kimi Estep.

Growing up in a Pentecostal Church, when we played Church, there was dancing and running around the Sanctuary, we sang loud, we prayed hard for a miracle and we had a blast.  If we played church in the apartment, we had to improvise.  The hamper became the piano, hair brush became the mic, the bed became the drums and I guess as the preacher, I just winged it.  We sang and preached to our neighbor, Mr. Oals, just in case he was listening.

Our Christian School.  Christian is the one in a white shirt right
in the middle, I am to her right (red head).  Ronald is on top, far left,
white shirt, next to girl on end.  Cheryl is in front, second girl in on left.
This is probably our Singing Group year.


I remember all four of us were planning on starting a Gospel singing group.  We sang our hearts out in the church parking lot...practicing.  People were shouting..."SHUT UP!", but that didn't stop us.  We had our dad come out and take a picture of us.  We posed and boy were we a motley crew.  Christian had her shirt on with the lovers running across the beach at sunset, I had long stringy red hair, we wore our gauchos and we thought we were something.  Lovely memories.

My cousin Jeanie and my little sister Cheryl.
This is a good example of what we wore.
The songs that we sang in church are of course a part of the memories.  "He's God in the Father, God in the Son, God in the Holy Ghost, He's God all three and one.  And I know God, God will never change and I know God.  Jesus is His name."  My dad liked this song a lot and I remember Pastor Jonnie Nickles singing it a lot at our fellowship meetings.  Other songs that come to my mind are, "Bind us together Lord, Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken"; "It's worth it all to feel the fire that's burning deep within.  It's worth it all, to know I'm saved and I am free from sin.  Just to feel His touch and know that He is coming back again, it's worth it all, it's worth it all"; "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.  In the light of His glory and grace."  Ahh, wonderful days.

The four Estep kids on Christmas morning.
Some may remember these days in the 70's and 80's.  Some may remember the songs we sang and the clothes we wore.  I often wonder what the church and the decisions my parents made, what did it save us from?  People may look at the lives of these four children and say, "they didn't have a normal childhood.  They didn't get to do what the other kids did."  BUT, what did it give us and keep us from?I don't know what it kept us from, I can only guess.  What I do know is what it gave us.

It gave us...

1-Friends all over the United States

2-A wonderful foundation

3-A close knit family

4-We were allowed to be children

5-Imagination

6-Freedom to use the gifts that God gave us

7-The knowledge of what a relationship with God is and how it impacts a life

8-First hand accounts of people being healed and delivered

9-Faith

10-JESUS

We had a good childhood.  Did we get to play sports on teams? NO, we had church.  Did we get to build forts and roll down hills in rusty barrels? YES, we had lots of room to play and great imaginations.  Did we have the best of clothes, toys and things? No, we had the best of love, family and faith.  Were we rich with money and things?  No, we were rich because we had two parents that loved each other and us, unconditionally.

I am thankful for the Church.  I am thankful I grew up a Pastor's kid.  I am thankful that I have always known that Jesus Loves Me.

Thank you, Mom and Dad for these memories and for the foundation grounded in Truth.  I am Blessed.

The Estep four with our spouses and our
Parents


Fresh, Clean and Full of Possibilities



Yes ladies, he is mine.  Such a handsome man.


Our yard looks totally different today then it did yesterday.  We had a company come out and clear several trees and limb up some trees.  Looking out my office window, there are four trees missing.  These trees were no longer viable and were only taking away from the beauty of our home.  

We can look at this two ways.  

1.  The trees provided privacy.  They had grown to the point that you couldn't see the front porch from the road until you got to the driveway.  These trees did what the original owners of our home wanted them to do.  

2.  The trees were half dead.  Because of the death in the trees, they were no longer doing a good job.  Parts of these trees no longer had leaves and were bare.  No longer did they provide the kind of privacy that they were planted for and they were looking really ugly.  I have to admit, I never liked them and asked several times for them to be removed but as my husband told me, it was not yet time.

Ooooo...."It was not yet time"...there's a message in that.  

That statement reminds of me of the parable about the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30.  In verses 28b-30 (NKJV), it says,
"The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'  But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

We have to be careful not to act too quickly and risk damaging the good seed that has been planted, destroying our harvest.  

Now that we have waited, there are still beautiful trees that have been given the time to mature and provide a border that we can now go in and add some color with flowering bushes.  I like things a little more open, so this works for me.  

For some, the clearing of the trees might make them sad because they don't like the change it brings, especially to the front of the home.  My daughter, Kelcie, was upset when her daddy told her that we took down four trees by our driveway.  She has always wanted to put a hammock between them.  What she didn't know was that at any given time, these overgrown, huge trees were dead and leaning toward her bedroom and half the house could have been destroyed if we didn't do something.  Sometimes what looks best really is not what is best.  

So each time we look outside, we see changes.  Our property looks like it just grew because of the clearing out of dead wood.  It looks fresh and clean and full of possibilities.  When it is done right, at the right time, it gives you something to work with.  This is true in the natural and the spiritual.  

This was our yard, two years ago.
The tree to the left is now gone.

I hope you have a good day.  As you can tell, I am still working with my word of the year...CHANGE. It's a good word when you let God do it.  

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Awesome...Chosen...Discovery...Called

I have had a couple of sleepless nights.  Thought it was the caffeine but I didn't have any tonight and still I cannot sleep.  When I cannot sleep, there is usually a song going through my head.  Tonight is no different.  The song, Awesome, by Charles Jenkins.

Scovia and I were driving down the road, on our way home from my Mothers house.  In my loaner car, I had Sirius and I was loving it.  The song, Awesome, came on and I knew it was something I needed to listen to over and over again.  Here are the lyrics.


Awesome

My God is Awesome
He can move mountains
Keep me in the valley
Hide me from the rain.

My God is Awesome
Heals me when I'm broken
Strength where I've been weakened
Forever He will reign.

My God is Awesome/Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
My God is Awesome/Awesome, Awesome, Awesome

My God is Awesome
Savior of the whole world
Giver of salvation
By His stripes I am healed

My God is Awesome
Today I am forgiven
His grace is why I'm living
Praise His holy name

He's mighty, 
He's holy,
He's great.
Deliver,
Protector,
Provider.

My God is Awesome.


A thought came to me as I was lying in bed...AM I ABLE?

I thought of all the reasons why I am not able or qualified or the right one for the job.  I could see a chart in my mind. The chart looked similar to this,


Why I Can't                                                   Why I Can

Listed below this  column were so
many reasons.  This was a long list.                                           This side only
                                                                                               had 1...ONE...
                                                                                               ONLY ONE!!!!

Here is what the second column said                                          Because God 
                                                                                   Chose                                                                                                    You.

You may think this is a strange post.  Maybe you believe this is me tooting my own horn or believing that I am more than I actually am.  Well, if that is what you believe, you are wrong...(sorry).

We have to realize that we are chosen by God.

He chose to give life to each and every one of us.  If that wasn't the case, we would not be here.

He chose to love us and give us each gifts.

He has plans for each of us.  He didn't bring us into this world so that we can be spiritual and natural consumers.  Heaping things and gifts upon ourselves, not concerned for or giving to others.  We have a purpose.  A reason for our gifts.  A reason to be here.


I will let you in on a little secret...Sometimes we are chosen to do something for a short time, sometimes it's for a long time.  We should always do the best job wherever it is that God has placed us.  Many of us have several things that God has chosen us to do.  In my case, I am a wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, teacher, writer, photographer, homemaker, singer, cousin, business owner, friend.  Each job (for lack of a better word) requires different things, different gifts.  I am not a professional at any of these things.   Let's just say, I have on the job training...:)  But, I love each and every one of these "jobs".  I know when I am leading worship, I am doing what I am called to do.  I know when I am wiping my grandsons nose or reading him a story or singing a song with him, that I am doing what I am called to do.

I just read a quote on Pinterest that I immediately wrote down in my trusty, handy dandy notebook.

"Life isn't about finding yourself, 
it's about discovering
who God created
you to be."

Remember, when you are on your discovery to find out who it is that God created you to be...
      MY GOD IS AWESOME!!!!

No matter where it is you go, He is there.  He is loving you.  He is strengthening you.  He is guiding you.   He will put people in your life that will encourage you...they will be His hand extended to you.  They will be Him in the flesh...they will be your heavenly point of contact.  

Be encouraged today.  You are not alone.