“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Maryanne Williamson

What a great quote! It was far too long to post as a status and far too good to pass up!

So often we try and adapt ourselves to those around us for many of the reasons listed in this quote! Maybe we should just be who we are... God has definitely placed great things inside each of us and it takes every intricate detail to bring together His perfect plan!

Just imagine if we truly tried adapting our personalities as to who we are around, life would become very complicated....VERY QUICKLY! I have to admit, I'm guilty! Sometimes it's because I do feel inadequate, other times it's because I don't want to create an offense for someone... It's time to just be me! If people like me, great....If they don't, I say take it up with my Father.. :) Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect and I'm sure there are plenty of times, I don't respond as He would have me to, but rest assured....When He corrects, I listen. :)

We spend so much time thinking about what others are thinking about us, when in reality...We are all thinking the same thing....... Let's just live! Live life to the fullest and learn to embrace what comes our way! There may be difficult challenges that lie ahead of us, but with God on our side, nothing is too difficult!

2010 offers a world of possibilities and new adventures!!! If you don't like who you are, ask God to show you who He created you to be!!! It lies within you... We are all created in His image, but do we reflect Him? Throw out the garbage! Throw out those things that have been holding you back! Get rid of the negative thoughts that fill your mind every day! You are a child of God and you were created to do great things! While you lay around and wallow in your sorrows, feeling sorry for yourself, there is a world that is lost and souls that are headed for an eternal life without Jesus!

God has great things in store! Trust Him, you'll never be disappointed!

Here they come....New possibilities, New adventures...Embrace them!

Recklessly Abandoned To His Will

This morning I woke with the kids Bible Song ringing through my mind..."Who did (Who did), Who did (Who did), Who did swallow Jo, Jo, Jo, Jo..." I found myself laughing and wondering where in the world these things come from - out of nowhere it seems. In the same thought process, the words Recklessly Abandoned passed through my mind. Those two words stirred me and I could not get them out of my head.
As I began "googling" as I often do, one of the first things I see in my search is a title, "With Reckless Abandon, Jonah and the Big Fish." Now tell me that wouldn't make you take a second glance. Isn't it funny how God works sometimes! The blogger says, "Jonah didn't know how his story was going to end, and we never know either. I love to consider whatever circumstances I am in, no matter how good, bad, or (more often) mediocre, as having the potential to become something that will define me (or someone else) or that will be remembered by many for many years." Jonah was a mere prophet who disobeyed God, as we have all been guilty of at one point in time or another I'm sure, somehow thinking that we know something God doesn't??? Or maybe it's that we like to pretend that it wasn't Him we just heard speak. What I have learned is that if you feel that God is speaking something to your Spirit, don't dismiss it. Search it out, find Him in it and listen. If He is truly speaking, you will know. But when it doesn't appeal to our ears, we are often so quick to dismiss it as a casual thought. There is nothing about God that is "casual" and believe me, those "dismissed thoughts," they will find their way back to us one way or the other. When God speaks, He expects that we will listen!
We all search for purpose and meaning in life and when we accept Christ, we not only search for significance, but we want to know, "God, What is my calling?" I read this devotion from Oswald Chambers this morning and it caught my attention. (This too came up in my google search for "reckless abandon." Read this, I think you will enjoy:
Do You See Your Calling?
. . . separated to the gospel of God. . . —Romans 1:1
"Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God. The one all-important thing is that the gospel of God should be recognized as the abiding reality. Reality is not human goodness, or holiness, or heaven, or hell— it is redemption. The need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker today. As workers, we have to get used to the revelation that redemption is the only reality. Personal holiness is an effect of redemption, not the cause of it. If we place our faith in human goodness we will go under when testing comes.
Paul did not say that he separated himself, but "when it pleased God, who separated me . . ." (Galatians 1:15). Paul was not overly interested in his own character. And as long as our eyes are focused on our own personal holiness, we will never even get close to the full reality of redemption. Christian workers fail because they place their desire for their own holiness above their desire to know God. "Don’t ask me to be confronted with the strong reality of redemption on behalf of the filth of human life surrounding me today; what I want is anything God can do for me to make me more desirable in my own eyes." To talk that way is a sign that the reality of the gospel of God has not begun to touch me. There is no reckless abandon to God in that. God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose— to proclaim the gospel of God (see Romans 9:3)."
Are you searching for significance? Only in Him will it be found!
It is NEVER about us, but about Him and Him alone! BY HIS GRACE WE STAND! At what cost will you abandon your dreams and desires to take up His cross? Do you truly desire to give Him your ALL, even if it means abandoning your personal dreams and desires?

God help us to become recklessly abandoned to your will!

When Did Church Become A Catering Service?

I am lying awake this morning with one thing I can not get out of my head. Before I went to bed last night, i saw a commercial on TV for a church I will leave unnamed, located in Chattanooga, TN. The commercial went something like this: "Whether you like a full band and a traditional service, or a more contemporary service with modern worship, we have a place for you."

Since when must we accommodate everyone with exactly what they are looking for? Is it really about the music or the lack thereof? Where is God in this equation? My guess would be that if God is not enough for you to come to church, then there is no orchestra or talented singing that will ever satisfy your desires. If you are looking for great accommodations, check out the Hilton or Four Seasons! Church should not be a place where you long to be accommodated! Must He really "accommodate" your every need to satisfy? Was His son not sufficient? Was His blood at Calvary not enough? Only God can satisfy our deepest longings and desires! Don't get me wrong, I will be the first to admit that I love great worship, but when we build a church as we would a catering service, I feel we have lost perspective.

To truly worship God, requires no music, no full band or the most talented singing; it simply requires a heart that is seeking the very heart of God.

Stop looking to be accommodated. Instead, search after your Father's heart. There and only there will you find true contentment. When you find Him, serve Him! Serve Him with all you can offer up.

God gave His best for us and deserves nothing less than our best in return!!!

Change Begins With One

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God. What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be." John Adams

What if instead of a "distant Region," our very own nation would once again, live by these principles?

What if as individuals, we lived by these principles?

We have become so caught up in our daily routines and what's going on in the media, that we have lost sight of the goal that was once before us - To live a life that is acceptable and pleasing unto Him - the most High God.

Have we forgotten who HE is? He is the Lord of Glory, filled with splendor and majesty. All creation was made to bow before Him, to acknowledge His sovereignty. Have we forgotten His holiness? The greatness of his power? Do we live so carelessly that we do not fear Him as we once did? Do we remember how it feels to stand in the awesomeness of His presence or to bow under the weight of His glory?

We may be living under a government that has lost sight of the ONE true God; a government that is daily neglecting its morals and values, but we have a choice. We can spend time complaining and murmuring about all we do not like or we can take that same time and apply it to our own life... Change begins with ONE!

Our world as we know it today was changed by One Man, Jesus Christ. One life changed the destiny of the world. If we truly want to see change in this land that we live in, let it begin with one! He is our hope! He is the One who can bring change to this nation and change to the way we live our every day life!

Lord, if we find favor in your sight, hear our hearts cry! Find us acceptable in your sight. Let the weight of your glory come down. We desperately await your presence. Let your people arise and take a stand in the authority of your name. We are truly nothing without you! We recognize you and behold you as our King! If you have lost sight, look to Him today! If your life is spinning out of control, look to Him. There is none other that can bring change like He can. Change begins with one...Let it start with you today!

God, Do You See Me?

Life doesn't always turn out exactly as planned, but often times, the results of difficult situations make us stronger! Sometimes I believe God allows those times in our lives so that we have no alternative but to turn to him.

Since August of last year, my life has taken one hard hit after another. At times, I feel as though I have lost everything. From a car accident that totalled my car, the loss of my job, having to relocate back to TN from GA, and many other things that I will not name, it seemed easier to give up - to retreat! After all, if living righteous and good only brings pain and heartache, what's the point, right?

Well, I will tell you what the point is. The point is that we are loved by one of the most amazing and greatest Fathers of all times! He endured so much, yet He loved. When he was rejected, He loved. When someone caused him pain, He loved. As he hung on a cross so that we might live and be free, He loved. He is so amazing! What an incredible example of humility and love he has shown us! Even through his pain, there was a plan. A plan that would be known throughout eternity! I believe that to be true in our own lives as well - sometimes we endure things and ask God "why?" While we may never know the reason for some of the things we go through, rest assured, He has a plan!

When we choose to press past our pain, He will carry us. However, we have to begin taking the necessary steps towards him. He is never going to drag us along and he will never "make" us do anything. He has given us the power to choose the path for our life. Which path are you on?

As for me, I thought it would be easier to put walls up around my heart. This way, no one could get in and I would not have to endure hurt from anyone. In this process, I put up a wall between me and God. I found myself living life carelessly and without purpose. It was too difficult to live the "perfect" life. Funny thing is - God never expects us to live perfect. I believe he expects us to search after him and to strive to live a life that is pleasing to him, but he is not looking for perfection; he is simply looking for someone who is willing to love him, to seek after His will, and to do their best.

If you are like me, you may find yourself asking the question, "What if I fall?". Here's the answer: If we fall, He still loves us. He never changes! He never fails us! And He never leaves us! He is dancing over us even now. We are his children and there is nothing that can take us from his hand. He loves us unconditionally.

Do we really grasp the concept of unconditional love? There is NOTHING that can separate us from him. Nothing! The amount of grace and mercy He gives is incomprehensible. It doesn't matter what you have done...It doesn't matter what happened yesterday or 10 years ago...He loves you!

Do not waste one more minute of your life trying to get "perfect" before you turn your heart towards him. Run to him! He bids you to come just as you are! He will walk with you, he will show you the areas in your life that need improvement and He will give you the power to do it! He cares about you more than you can imagine! He will not let you fall without lending you a hand to pick you back up. When your heart is broken, He will mend it. When you feel completely alone and are hurting, He will wrap you up in His arms and hold you! He loves you and has given so much for you already! He paid a huge price for you. Your worth is invaluable!

I am so thankful that He cares enough for me to pour into my life the valuable tools needed to break the walls down, to carry me when I can't even seem to stand, and for sending friends who lift me up with words of encouragement and prayer. He is truly an awesome God and he ALWAYS has our best interest at heart!

I challenge you to take at least 5 minutes out of your day and tell him how much you love him. Spend some time with him. Get alone with him today!

Relationships take time. They are what you put in to them!!!

Thanks for reading! Have an awesome day!!! Melisa

Safe In His Hands

Life is full of surprises. Along with times of great joy, life has anxious and fearful moments, and when they occur, we find ourselves uncertain of what lies before us. The word of God tells us in Isaiah 49:16, that He has engraved us in the palms of His hand. Do we even grasp the reality of what is being said here? It is estimated that the population of the world will be 6,848,932,929 by the year 2010. Take a moment and look at your hand, focusing only on the palm. Now imagine writing your name in the palm of your hand. You see it there? Now imagine adding another 6,848,932,928 names to your one! THAT'S ONE BIG HAND! : )

As a child, I'm sure you remember singing, "He's got the whole world in His Hands." Have you ever pondered how vast the world is? One source states that the world is 195,000,000 square miles in area. Of that, 57,500,000 square miles are land. And about 137,500,000 square miles are oceans. It is 24,961 miles in circumference, going around pole to pole. And 7,926 miles wide at the equator. (Philips Map Book) In short terms, the world is larger than we can comprehend! And to think...He holds it in His hands!

The Lord holds us up with His right hand. The Lord's Hand is mighty in battle, strong enough to discipline those He loves, yet gentle enough to uphold them in times of trouble. His hand is always extending to those who seek after Him and in His hand He holds blessings for each of us! Psalm 63:8

God is more than sufficient! Everything we have need of, He has! We can be confident that through Him, we have the ability to rise above any circumstance. The enemy is at constant work, trying to detour us from the path that Christ has set before us. Satan would desire to hinder us from finishing the race we are on to reach the Kingdom of God. But through Christ, we are more than conquerors for our time is in HIS hands. His grace is more than able to sustain us!

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

In John 10:28, Jesus says, “And no one can snatch them out of my hand.” I love that picture of Christ holding us in the palm of his hand! When we face adversity, Jesus holds on! When we face death, He still holds on! No matter what happens in this life, HE HOLDS ON! Nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch us from His hand! We are safe in His tight grip!

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10

I challenge you today to take the focus off of your circumstance, and place it on the ONE who holds you in His mighty hands! His grip on you is tight! His promises are true and He will not allow you to be snatched from His hand! He is great in power and His power is great in you! Take courage and fight! Your circumstances may seem big, but God is so much bigger! Take your place child of the King and stand firm! When you are weak, rest behind the shield of the Almighty and let Him fight your battles! Take heart and know that you are safe in His Hands!!!

HE KNOWS THE PLANS HE HAS FOR YOU! Jer 29:11
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. " Revelation 11:17

Million Miles Away Moments

Lately I have found myself writing more than ever! I don't always know what is going to come out when I put the pen to the paper, or "my fingers to the keys". Sometimes I'm quite surprised! As I began writing yesterday, I found myself pouring out my heart to Him and I want to share with you - I do have purpose for sharing:


"Never have I known such peace...Your love is consuming me. Wherever I am, wherever I go, you are there. The longing in my heart is satisfied. There is truly nothing I desire more than you. With every breath I take, I feel I am breathing in your presence. I sense something is different. There is a change in me that I've never known. You are cleansing me, washing me free of every hurt, every pain, every sin. Your love is pure and you are washing over me even now. Never have I known such peace. I've never felt more loved. Your arms are holding me and guiding me and I feel safe in your arms.I feel you pursuing me, pushing me in a new direction - I can't escape your presence. It is everywhere i go...and it is so sweet. It's priceless!God, you are my father, my mom, my husband, you are everything that I lack and more. There is nothing I desire more than you. Nothing! I lay down my dreams for yours. God, let my desires become yours so that I may fulfill the destiny you have placed before me.You are amazing. You are incredible. You are awesome. You are the most high, creator of the universe and yet you love me! You love me! You love me unconditionally! No matter what I have done, no matter what I do, and regardless of what anyone else thinks of me, YOU ALONE LORD, my very creator, love ME! You love me... I am in awe of you! Your grace and mercy is new to me every day. My heart cry is that I never take for granted one moment, that I never abuse the grace that you extend so freely, and that I please you with the way I live my life. When you see me wavering, please Lord...put me back on track. Do not let my feet be removed from your path. Keep me in your ways. Keep my eyes set on you! Keep my heart turned toward your purpose. Don't let me miss a great opportunity to serve you because I am wrapped up in my own desires! Let me find you in all that I do!I praise you! I worship you with all that I am. It is not about me, but about you Lord - Now what can I do for you????"


When I read this, I find myself asking...Did I just write that? Did that really just pour out from my very heart? The same heart that felt a million miles away only months ago? Don't get me wrong, I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't love Him, but there have been many times when I felt so far from Him. There have been times when it seemed He was nowhere to be found. What I have realized is that it iis those "million miles away moments," that brings us to places like this...


I am so thankful for my "million miles away moments", because without those times, I would not know Him like I do. It is in the "-" of life that he defines us. It is in those moments that He makes us who we are. It hasn't been 2 months since I felt as though He was so far from me. I felt like a child wondering around in a crowd of 1,000's trying to find her daddy! It's sort of like looking for that "needle in the haystack."


He was never gone from me. The whole time I was searching, He was right there. I was looking blindly, with my eyes shut...That's why I couldn't find Him.


There are times I think we don't open our eyes, because we are too tired. We feel that we just don't have it in us. It seems easier to remain asleep.


I can assure you that if you will open your eyes today, you will find Him! He's right there!!!Your heart may feel completely broken. You may feel like you are at the end of your rope or maybe that you are holding on to life by a small thread like I did. In our moments of despair...those moments of our greatest weakness, He is building us and we don't even realize it.


If you told me several months ago, that my heart would pour out a prayer to Him like I just shared with you, I would have laughed more than likely. Actually, I don't even know that I would have had the energy to laugh - that is where I was! I was left feeling completely abandoned and stripped of everything, as if He had left me to die. BUT, thank God, even then He was working.

If you are waking today and feel like you don't know where your strength is going to come from, look to Him. Open your eyes!!! There is too much at stake to continue walking around with your eyes closed! You may not even have the strength to cry out to Him - you may not even have the desire or the words to say - Just look to Him. He sees your heart! He knows before you even speak the words! You may can only muster up the words, "Help me Father." He will hear you and He is eager to help you. He loves you! He does not desire for you to fail. He is not rejoicing over your broken heart and sitting on His throne saying, "I told you so." No, He is watching you, walking beside you, offering you a hand to help if you will reach out and take it. He loves you - UNCONDITIONALLY! You don't have to earn His love.


Again, open your eyes - reach out to Him today. Let Him hold you. Let Him pick you up our of your brokenness and heal your heart. Allow Him to carry you until you can walk again. Let Him wipe away your tears - even those that no one else sees! He is truly enough and I can tell you from my own experience, that the dry season does not have to last forever. All it takes it one glance towards Him and two words - Help Me. He will hear the cry of His children. Then, when you are able to stand, stand up and shake off the dust. Shake off what others think of you. Shake off the things that have been holding you for so long - LET THEM GO. Shake it off and start walking. Before long you will find yourself walking in such joy and freedom that it will be the dry place that seems a million miles away and not Him. = )


He is so good like that! He loves you and is interceding to the Father on your behalf - Isn't that awesome!!!


I am praying that you will find the strength to begin climbing back up that rope today! Don't let go - you have come too far! You are not alone and your value is priceless!Your "million miles away moments" are defining greatness in you!

Set Your Face Like Flint

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. - Isaiah 50:7

I woke up from a dream this morning and this verse was racing through my mind.

In my dream I was pushing a huge load up a hill. (Thank God for dolly's). The weight of the load was so heavy that I had to make several attempts up the hill. As I would push, the winds were so strong, that I could not seem to get the load to level ground. Each time I would attempt to take another step, it was as if I was being pushed down the hill. The wind that was blowing against me was very strong. It was as if a storm was brewing in the near distance. Despite the strong winds, I continued to make several attempts and after many, I made it to the top of the hill. When I looked up at the load I had been pushing, the only thing I saw was a cross.

Immediately I woke up and all I could hear was the verse from Isaiah 50:7. I can't get it out of my mind even at this very minute.

For the past several weeks, God has been doing a lot of things in my personal life - It hasn't been easy. At times I have wanted to retreat! When God gets down to business, sometimes we want to run. I may not feel I have the strength to take another step, but He is calling...We must keep our eyes fixed on Him! Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." My load is heavy, but my Father knows how to carry a load! I may not have the strength on my own to get this load up the hill, but He is standing before me... Not only is He standing before me, He is walking beside me. He tells us to lay the load at His feet - How simple, but how difficult we make it!

To set your face like flint means to have determination. If we want to be overcomers through Christ, we must set our face like flint. He alone will help us through every situation. Though the wind may blow in like a storm at times, making it difficult to stand, we will be victorious as we continue towards Him. Never take your eyes off the prize, not even for a moment - it's in those places when we lose sight and we feel it easiest to retreat. If you must stop to for a moment to catch your breath, then do so; but, never take your eyes off Him, even for a moment. Then, get up and press in again. Don't give up! Never, Never, Never give up! God will do his part! He will provide wisdom, strength, power and love for each new day!

You are a champion in Christ Jesus so be determined to act like a champion.

Embrace whatever God is doing in your life...If He's bringing winds of change, let go of the old ways and embrace a new thing! He has that way of refining us. While it may be difficult to endure the heat, He is creating something beautiful! Set your face like flint to the wind! Be determined, and let nothing stop you from getting to your prize!

Yes, the winds are blowing - Winds of change, winds of refining, winds of revival - Don't turn your back, embrace them.. Even when you don't understand, trust Him!

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

May we have the courage to lean into the wind and press forward in to the great things that He is doing!