Are you content ?

A question was asked yesterday, just kind of in general, but I couldn't stop thinking about it: "Are you content? Or are you always wanting more...bigger house, car, etc...?" I thought, "yes! I'm pretty content." Wanting more & more has never really been a thing for me, not that I have the corner market on being content, but it's not something I struggle with. So I'm thinking, "yes I'm content." Then I was thinking that I might be content physically but maybe wasn't content with where I am spiritually. I want more of Him!! I don't just want to be filled, I want to be overflowing. I want my kids to want more of Him, to not just be satisfied w/ where they are, but to seek Him continuously. I want, at the end of the day for God to say to me, "well done my good & faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21&23). So that's up to me. I've got to do my part & seek Him always. I need to pray & trust & believe. I've got to not just listen to what God is saying, but to do it!! Even if it means getting out of my comfort zone. Being content is good. Paul writes about it in Philippians 4:11-13- I am not saying this b/c I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, & I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." But I think it's good also to always want more of Him. To never just be okay w/ lukewarm. Let's get on fire for Him!!! I'm going to leave you w/ this chorus from Jeremy Camp that has turned into one of my prayers!! I hope you have a marvelous Monday!! "Holy Fire burn away--my desire for anything--that is not of You, but is of me---I want more of You & less of me!!"

Anxiety

Psalm 94:19- When anxiety was great w/ in me, your consolation brought me joy....Do you ever feel anxious about anything? You know that feeling, your heart is beating fast, your stomach is all twisted up, your sweating & pacing, your mind is going in all directions, you can't breathe!!! Ugh!! Just typing that makes me anxious, probably b/c I know that feeling all to well!!! I think, at one time or another, we've all felt that way. But isn't it great that God can take those feelings, calm us down, & restore our joy. He doesn't want us feeling those things, they're not from Him! That's not the kind of spirit He gives us. He calms us & sustains us!! He brings peace & comfort. So when your feeling those anxious thoughts & pressure is building up, remember to go to Him & let Him calm you & restore your joy. He is waiting & ready & will do exactly what needs to be done in & for you!! Don't let anxiety be what rules your thoughts & heart, make sure it's the One who created you & made you in His image!!

Ringo loves to do "sneak" attacks on Lambeau. He gets him in his sight, crouches really low, & very quietly stalks up on him. The only problem w/ his attack....Lambeau is staring right at him!! He watches his every move as he's "sneaking" up. So when Ringo pounces, Lambeau is well ready. Well God tells us in 1Peter 5:8- "Be alert & of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He gives us warning that satan would like nothing better than to trip us up. But we can also be ready. God also tells us exactly what to do..(v9) "resist him, stand firm in the faith". He reminds us that we're not alone in this. In v10 He says, "and the God of all grace..will himself restore you & make you strong, firm, & steadfast!!!" Isn't that wonderful!!! how reassuring & most of all hopeful. We go through this yuck stuff, this crazy world stuff, but we're not alone, & as we're going through it & we get to the other side, God is working in us & on us so that we are strong in Him. I hope this gives you comfort if you are in the middle of something or if your just feeling like your constantly under attack, God gives us instruction & His strength is always in us. So just as He also tells us in Eph 6, "to stand your ground & when we've done all we can do to stand...stand firm." Make sure you keep your eyes open, your mind alert, & keep standing firm!! We will get through!! Praise God--we will!!!

Job 8:21- He will yet fill your mouth w/ laughter & your lips w/ shouts of joy....this verse is in the book of Job & if you know Job's story, joy doesn't seem like what would be flowing from him. He lost EVERYTHING, children, property, possessions, his wife did not have the same joy that Job did, she told him to curse God & die!! (Job 2:9) His friends weren't much help either, they kept asking him what he did wrong to cause all this disaster. But Job didn't waiver, He loved God. He knew that God was going to take care of him, just like He always had. He even said, "The Lord gives & The Lord takes away, blessed be the name of The Lord!!" (1:21). Now that's not to say that he wasn't sad or unhappy about all that was going on, but he was still full of Gods joy, full of hope that comes from a relationship w/ our Savior. And God did take care of Job. He was blessed far beyond anything that I'm sure he could comprehend. Again, God is good & faithful & always takes care of us, His kids. I wish I had that same joy in me all the time. I try too, but I don't always. I get consumed w/ doubts & negativity. Sometimes I'm looking at all the gray clouds & I'm not remembering that God is so much bigger than my situation. I'm thankful for this reminder in Job that "God fills me w/ laughter & joy!!" I need to get away w/ Him & let Him remind me, let Him fill me. If your feeling a little less than joyful & you want laughter & joy despite your circumstances, remember where that comes from...God!! He's the one who does that for us. Go to Him, seek Him & let Him remind you, "that through Him---you can do all things!!" And He will bring you to a place of--no matter what's going on--pure & complete joy in Him!!! That is the best kind of joy to have. That is beyond just "happy," that is complete joy in Him!!! I hope this encourages you today & you can have laughter in your mouth & joy on your lips & not just today but always!!!

Have you ever thought about all the "names" you have? Like, for me it would be...Missi, Miss, Melissa, Mom, Mamma McCoy, Sheniqua (that one I'll have to explain @ a different time lol). These are the names I'm called & they all mean different things. I was talking to a friend of mine about the bible study she's doing, the different names of God. I've done a study like that before & it is the coolest ever. You see all these names that God is called, mostly in the Old Testament, & the meanings behind it. So one of my favorites, I have a lot of "favorites", is Yahweh Rophe - The Lord who heals" -- Exodus 15:26- "I am Jehovah who heals you"....I love that for so many reasons. We think of healing mostly when there's sickness, but healing can go far beyond physical healing. Sometimes I need healing, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, & God is so faithful to mend me--to heal me--to restore me!! He heals us, both in body & soul. Oh my goodness, that just makes me be able to take a long breath in & then just slowly exhale it all out!! Knowing & trusting that God is my Yahweh Rophe--whatever kind of healing it is that I need, He knows how to heal me--He knows how to heal you!! Whatever it is you may need, whatever kind of healing your seeking, go to Him expecting that He will do in you exactly what needs to be done. I pray this brings great comfort & joy to you just like it does me!! I pray you'll go to Him & seek His healing & you'll go forth w/ the godly confidence you need to sustain you through out your day. What a great way for each of us to be...fully healed, by the Great Healer!!! I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!! :-))

Pray

Montes got the news on, like he normally does, & of course there's presidential commercials just about every break that's taken. There's presidential stories that they are reporting on. Then I heard one of the news reporters say that there was 15 days until the election. Seems like it's come up fast, yet has taken forever. Now I'm not a very political person. I know what qualities I think the person should have, I know what beliefs I would like to not only hear them talk about, but actually see them live out. I'm not writing this to sway you one way or another. I'm writing this to encourage you to pray for the election. Pray for our local leaders & of course pray for the person in charge of our nation. It's so important that we lift it ALL up & pray Gods wisdom, guidance, & direction. So that is what I want to encourage each of us to do. We've got 15 days before it all changes, let's make sure we are all doing our praying part!!! 1Timothy 2:1&2- I urge, then, first of all, that petetions, prayers, intercession & thanksgiving be made for all people---for kings & all those in authority, that we may live peaceful & quiet lives in all godliness & holiness.

Just a verse to remind you of how amazing our God is. A verse of reassurance that no matter what we bring to Him, He can handle it. He will offer His grace & surround us w/ His mercy. He's amazing, this verse helps remind of us that!! I hope you have a fabulous Friday & a peace filled weekend!!! Jeremiah 32:17- "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens & the earth by your great power & outstretched arm. Nothing is to hard for you."

I love when I read verses that remind me of Gods presence. Where He's just saying or rather promising that He's not going anywhere!! For me it's so very reassuring, especially in this crazy world where nothing stays the same & people don't always keep their promises or follow through w/ what they say. These next couple verses just calm my anxiousness & still my soul!! I pray they will do the same for you & you will find peace as you read about God's promise to be present w/ us, His children!! Isaiah 43:2&3- When you pass through the waters, I will be w/ you; & when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Old friends

I ran into an old friend yesterday & we started talking about being refreshed & how sometimes we get so spiritually dry b/c we're running after so many things that take up so much time & we're not taking time to be w/ God, to let Him be the one that fills us up, revives & refreshes us. I started thinking about why my schedule, at times, gets so overloaded. Sometimes it's just b/c I don't want to miss out on what's going on. Other times I'm afraid I won't measure up. People ask me to do things & I don't want anyone mad so I put something else on my calendar. And if I'm totally honest...I'm a procrastinator!! I put things off & then the deadline is here & I'm frantic!! I'm sure we could ask each of us & we all could give a reason of why we are so busy. Then I'm going through some old papers & I find this little paragraph that seemed to fit right in w/ this... Jesus lived at an unrushed pace. He definitely had a lot going on, people all around Him all the time, & this is what God said about Him--Matthew 3:17- This is my Son, whom I love; w/ him I am well pleased....So okay, I want my life to look more like Gods best for me & less like what the world is saying it should. Gods best for me requires time for connection w/ Him. Gods best for me means being real w/ the people that He's placed in my life. Loving them genuinely & loving my life the same way. His best means not empty filling, but looking for His assignments & saying YES to Him. I want God to say, "You are my daughter, whom I love; w/ you I am well pleased." I want it to be "well pleased" b/c of who I am--not b/c of what I do. Well pleased b/c of an unfathomable, unconditional love--not earned but simply given, & given by someone who is absolutely, head-over-heals, crazy for me/you!! & I'll leave you w/ this little statement that hopefully will give you something to think about the next time your asked to do something or you just think you need something to do. "The 2 most powerful words are yes & no. How we use them determines how we set our schedule...live our lives....spend our soul!!! Let's make sure we're doing it Gods way and not ours!!!

Goodwill

In our house, one of the things we love to do is go to the Goodwill Store. Every single one of us get a little excited when we go "pop some tags!!" When Jake goes you can bet his purchases are going to be slightly to the left of everyone else. I remember one time when he came home w/ his goodies & he was so excited. He couldn't wait to show me what he bought. He said, "Mom! Look at this!!" He pulls out of his bag a Tide racing jacket. It's really LOUD. Navy, red, & orange are the colors, w/ Tide racing patches on the sleeve & the chest. On the back--TIDE--in big letters across the back. So what do I say, I see his absolute excitement, I'm his mom & I want to share in the enthusiasm, but I'm just not sure. So of course I fake it..."Oh wow Jake, that's really nice." Then of course I had to get real w/ him, "umm..how much did you pay for it?" (Please tell me it wasn't more than $5!!) it was only 2.50$!! Whew!! "Are you going to wear it?" "OF COURSE!!!" He had all kinds of ways & places he was going to wear it & he did!! He wore that Tide jacket, until his obsession w/ Hawaiian print shirts came into play. Natalie & her friends are very thankful for that, b/c everytime it's Hawaiian day at school or the games, there's a call to Jake about borrowing shirts & then a parade of girls going downstairs to find the perfect shirt. So Jake has always "clothed" himself w/ different attire, Trev shook his head many times when Jake would get dressed for school. My grandma would say, "oh honey are you sure you want to wear that!?" "Yep!" Telling Jake what to wear has not always gone the way a lot of people would've hoped, & really it probably doesn't matter to much. The most important things we need to make sure we're putting on each day are found right in Gods word!!! Colossians 3:12- Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy & dearly loved, CLOTHE yourselves w/ compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience. These are the things that are important to put on each day. To make sure we're "dressed" the way God asks us to be each day. So know matter what you wear as you go out--a suit, a uniform, scrubs, or maybe a bright blue sweatshirt w/ a yellow PNC emblem (yes, another purchase of Jake!), no matter what--make sure you know this verse & are clothed in this holy way!!

Matthew 28:19

A couple weeks ago God reminded me of these verses, Matthew 28:19&20- "Therefore go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, & teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am w/ you always, to the very end of the age," I thought about them over & over & wondered, "why have you shown me these verses again? Am I supposed to 'Go' somewhere?" I never really got any kind of answer, so to speak, so I just kind of tucked them away. Then we went to Gatlinburg, all of us. It was so much fun. We went on the Sky Lift & on the way up Kynlee rode w/ her mom & Trev, but on the way back down she rode w/ me. So as we're coming down I'm a little nervous, I don't want any sudden moves, I don't want anything to happen to her, it seemed like it was a million miles down. So we are mid ride & they stop it, we are at a stand still & of course she said, "why did we stop?" I had all these reasons running through my head, but definitely couldn't share them w/ her, so we are looking at this amazing view. It is absolutely gorgeous!! I said to her, "aren't the mountains so beautiful?" She said, "yes they are." I said, "you know God made those just for us!? He wanted us to see how beautiful what He makes is!" She said, "He did!? He made those for us! That is nice, where does He live?" I said, "He lives right w/ us..in our hearts!!" She just kind of thought a minute, the ride started again & we started talking about something else. I didn't think about our talk until we got back to our cabin & those verses that I had tucked away came right back front & center & I had an "aha!" moment!! God isn't necessarily calling me to "go" far, He's asking me to get up-out of my comfort zone, & tell each person about Him. Of course there are people that He calls to be missionaries, to go to foreign places & do exactly what these verses say, but He also calls each of us to do the same w/ in our families, our work places, our communities. Somebody talked to us whether it was parents or somebody you knew, they took time to make sure you knew/know about God & all His greatness, love, & power, let's make sure we are doing our part & taking each opportunity to "Go & Make & Share!" Remembering it's not some casual thing God is asking, it's His Great Commission that He wants us to do!! And remember doesn't matter how young or old we may be or the people He puts in our lives, we've just got to tell!! Let's make sure we do that today!!!

Psalm 46

Psalm 46:1&2a- God is our refuge & strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear...I hope these verses bring encouragement to you, I know they do to me. This crazy world is filled w/ scary things, just watching the news makes you not want to go out anywhere. But God is present!! He is always w/ us & He takes care of us...strengthening us, giving us hope. Helping us to have the courage to go forth--to do what He's asking us to do. So remember, no matter what is going on, God is here & He knows exactly what you need & exactly what to do, to bring you through w/ praise on your lips & continuous joy in your heart!! Trust Him, keep your hope in Him, and let the end of the work week be more than just, "glad it's over," but rather hopeful for what's ahead!!

I opened my bible to start reading & this was the verse that my eyes fell on!!! Jeremiah 32:17- "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens & the earth by your great power & outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you!!! Isn't that the greatest thought, verse, words, hope to have in your head & heart as you go through out your day!!?? Nothing, one more time, NOTHING is too hard for God!! No matter what your facing, no matter the struggles that are in front of you, God is bigger & greater & mightier. He's got this!! Go to Him!! Give it to Him!! And know & trust that whatever it is--it is not to hard for God. That is our great hope my friends!! God will get us through!! I pray this verse gives you the encouragement that it did me, & that instead of fear or discouragement, you will have hope & freedom!!!

Prayer

In the past 2 weeks I had 3 people, who are very dear to me, ask me to pray for them. These 3 people have laid so heavily on my heart, b/c when they asked there was such urgency in their asking. You could hear it in their voices & see it in their eyes. They wanted, needed their situation to be different. They knew the only way, was that God would intervene & change what needed to be changed. So of course I said I would pray, & I have!! I have prayed for them, their situation, & mostly that God would speak to them & reveal to them what they needed to hear & have from Him. So as I'm praying my heart is heavy, partly because I know the importance of these requests for each of them, then, just as if God was sitting right there on the porch w/ me, He reminded me of these verses. He spoke to me & reminded me of His love for these 3. He reminded me of the hope that's found in Him, of the plans He has for them. How sometimes we go through difficult times, but that if we are doing it through & w/ Him, these times can refine us, turn the lump of coal into a beautiful diamond!! How encouraging! How wonderful our God is. What great hope there is in Him. I'm so glad for these verses & the encouragement they gave to me. I pray they give you encouragement also. If you're praying about something for yourself or for someone else, always remember--God is here. He is available & He is taking care of us all!! Psalm 121:1&2- I lift my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from The Lord; the Maker of heaven & earth. Psalm 121:3- He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:5a- The Lord watches over you...

Isaiah 54:10

Isaiah 54:10- "Though the mountains be shaken & the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed," says The Lord, who has compassion on you...no matter what's going on right now, in this very moment of your life, & it could be that nothing right now is, Gods love for you is strong, steady, & never goes wrong--never leads you to a place you don't need to be!! I am finding such comfort & peace in that, & I hope you all do too!!! He gets us, understands us & in the midst of all our craziness...He has compassion on us & for us!! This totally just makes me say, "aaahhhh!!! Thank You Jesus!!!" Praying it does you too :-))

Acts 4:29

Acts 4:29b- enable your servants to speak your word w/ great boldness....what a prayer!!! After Peter & John were released they came back, told the people all that had happened before the Sanhedrin, & they prayed this & more, but they prayed this prayer, all of them together, that, that would be what they would do--speak Gods word boldly!! They knew it needed to be done, it was important that they did it, & they knew God would give them all the strength to do it in!!! A few verses later it talks about how they prayed & the very place they were praying it in was SHAKEN!!! Amazing!! I want my prayers to be like that too!! Because you know what it says at the end of that verse!!?? And they were ALL FILLED w/ the Holy Spirit AND SPOKE the Word of God BOLDLY!!!! Oh my goodness!! That brings tears of great excitement to me, b/c the very thing that went on w/ them can so happen to us!! Gods power hasn't changed my friends, that same shakennes (not sure if that's a word, but you get it!) that they felt...we can feel it too!! We've got to pray!! We've got to go to God today, right now & ask that He would do in us what He did in them, so we can go forth & speak!!! Tell our familes that don't know, or maybe have forgotten, share w/ our friends, people that we come in contact with, we've got to speak His word w/ boldness!! We've got to live it out--let people see how great our God is!!! Prayer is important!! Gods word is important!! Let's do our parts & get it going today & see AND feel ALL the shaking God does today, just like He did then!!!

"There but for the grace of God, go I" this quote was said by a guy (I can't remember his name) from the 1600's, who had seen prisoners being led to their punishment, some death. It kind of boils down to, "I might have suffered a similar fate, but for Gods mercy!!! How true!! So very true for each of us! God's grace & mercy is so real for us all. He offers it daily to each of us. And if it wasn't for His grace, I knowi would be right where a lot of people are, caught up in my own self, lost in sin, ignorance, bitter, addicted to many things not worthy of my time, but b/c of God's grace & His mercy, I am not!! And this has absolutely nothing to do w/ me & absolutely everything to do w/ Him!! With His great love for me--for you!! So let's remember God's grace today-let's take it, embrace it, & be thankful for it. Instead of looking down on others, let's offer His grace, so generously, to everyone around us, all those we come in contact with today, always knowing the back ground of our story, & how God gave us His grace, & remembering, everyone's got their own!! 1Cor 15:10-(The Message) But b/c God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste....

In a Hurry

Everybody is in a hurry...except for Monte. He is not in a hurry--ever!! Even when he's talking or telling a story, there's tons of pauses so your not sure if he's done or if he forgot was he was saying. After 27 years I'm still not sure! He doesn't like to be in a hurry & doesn't like when he's being rushed, so our "date night" on Friday was not very relaxing for him. We start out at the FCHS homecoming parade. Anybody that's been in town during parade time, especially homecoming parade, knows how crazy it is. We went to see Nat on the junior float as the dancing Christmas tree. He's trying to find a place to park, people are everywhere. He decides we should watch from Dairy Land, the parade doesn't go down that far!! So Rosenburg parking lot it is. He says, "this is crazy!!" I said, "this is small town homecoming my dear!!" Parade over, we are on our way to Batesville for an exciting night of Goodwill & krogering. We are on St Mary's Road & there's a car behind us--right behind us--just about on our bumper. They also thought, maybe, we were racing in the Indy 500. Monte was not happy to say the least!! Then we go to the Goodwill store, everything is 1/2 off--let me say that again--EVERYTHING IS 1/2 OFF. Everybody from Batesville & all surrounding counties was taking advantage of those prices. So after about 10 min of someone "pushing" him down all the aisles he was in he said, "I'm going to the car." On to to Krogers. It's Friday nite, after 6:00 p.m, it was crowded, carts were loaded. We didn't need to much, thank goodness, b/c after about 20 min of trying to avoid people, carts, & running kids he said, "I'm going to stand & look at magazines & I'm going to take up the entire aisle!" "Okay precious!!" I finished & we're back on the speedway, I mean St Mary's road & he's talking about how crowded everything was, how if people left early enough (I know that was a jab to me, I'm always running late & he's ALWAYS saying that to me) they wouldn't have to drive or act the way they do. So that got me thinking to timing, & how I'm so glad that Gods timing is different than ours. He doesn't run on our time schedules. His ways & thoughts are higher & better than ours (Isaiah 55:8&9) He doesn't rush through anything & He's not so slow that He forgets. I think it's so important to remember this. To stop our busyness & take a breathe--Gods breathe--& just let Him move & do in us what needs to be done. The next verse really put it in the light for me & I pray it does you also. That we'll remember God desires for each of us to be w/ Him in eternity & so being to slow or to fast makes no difference to Him, all that matters, really counts is His timing. And His timing for each of us might be different but that's okay b/c it's going to be perfect for each of us & that's what's important....you & Him!!! 2Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient w/ you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.