Thankful November

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6



Using November as a kick off to be thankful everyday is such a wonderful way to honor God.  When you present a prayer request, thank God in advance for helping you and thank Him for knowing what you need and when you need it.


Praying for people who have to fight eveyday to survive.

Warrior Women

Strap your sword to your side, warrior!
Accept praise! Accept due honor!
Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
Ride on the side of truth!
Ride for the righteous meek!

Psalm 45

For my warrior women.

Faith and Works

Thinking about Christians in other parts of the world this morning, they have to fight for God everyday. They fight to have church, they hide in caves in the middle of the night just to worship with one another.  Some may risk their lives by having a copy of the Bible, so they memorize it.  That kind of commitment, love, devotion and obedience is just astounding to me. 

We can go to a church anytime we want, but we usually choose not to.  We have more copies of the Bible than we know what to do with, but we usually have more important things to do than read it.  We pray for the sick and the poor, but rarely do anything to help. 

I am well aware that I am a sinner, sometimes it is just more exaggerated.


You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works.  Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.  James 2:18

Rewind

Looking back is sometimes hard and sometimes wonderful.  The past holds so many feelings, memories and lessons learned.  To see who I am now and know how far I have come, is by far my favorite reason to look back.  We are told to live in the present and hold hope for the future.  So I say look back, but just look, if you dwell in the past you will never enjoy today.  Be patient with yourself and others, try and see how far you both have come.

Patience with other is Love. Patience with self is Hope. Patience with God is Faith. - Adel Bestavros

There is a past which is gone forever, but there is a future which is still our own. - F.W. Robertson

Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His Providence. - Augustine

Blown Fuse

Faith is the ability to let your light shine even after your fuse is blown.  Faith is seeing light with the eyes of your heart, when the eyes of your body see only darkness ahead. - Barbara Johnson

We all have days, weeks or even years when we feel like our fuse has gone out... 

Faith replaces the bulb and allows your spirit to continue shining.  Trust God with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, the things of this world are fleeting, God is not.

Praying for those who's fuse has gone out.

Fighting the Fight

I find myself not believing enough lately, I say 'hope' instead of 'know'.  I hope God comes through on this, or I hope I can do it.  'NO NO NO', is the responce I'm hearing from God.  Believe that I can, want to and will do ANYTHING for you!!

I always over analyze, so I'm thinking, do I have a trust issue with God?  Whats wrong with me, he has come through on so many things why would I doubt Him ever?  My conclusion is that hope is earthly and knowing is spiritual.  We all let the world get in the way of our relationship with God, but we need to fight the fight every day.  Knowing you are loved by a God who wants to give you the desires of your heart is sometimes hard to hold on to.  I feel like the days just tick away, and I'm left waiting.

So I am praying for patience in all areas of my life, and trusting that God knows whats best for me and the right time to give it to me.

Things To Come

Been a while... sorry guys :)  We traveled to Texas for my father's wedding and I am still trying to shake off the summer dust.  Fall is here in Florida and it is just beautiful!!  I love this time of year, I have so much more energy when the cool air gets in my lungs.

I feel like I have been in a time of harvest, I have been gathering and preparing for the "winter".  Do not get me wrong, I don't think anything dark is on the horizon, but I just feel like I am in a time of preparation for things to come, good and bad.

I sometimes, well most of the time, get very consumed by things and then quickly let go of them.  There are so many things in my life I never followed through or completed.  There are a few things I always follow through on, and that's my husband, my kids, my friends and my God.  I am well aware of this downfall of mine, and try and remind myself that I am loyal to the things in my life that matter most.  I think most people imagine doing something great or being 'the best' at something, I know I do (this is kinda hard to let go of).  But as someone who rarely follows through this is a difficult goal to maintain :) 

So durring this time of preparation and harvest I am asking God to help me follow through, on all things.  To be better at the things I am already loyal to and to help me maintain focus on the other things that matter in my life.  I have also asked for extra help devotiong my time to what He has called me to do, to help me see where He wants me putting in the most energy.

Live like a Lion of God this week!!

Country Love

After we accept Christ he transforms our heart to be more like his.  This is one of my favorite things to experience, in my life and others.  These changes are scary to some... will I still be myself, will I have the same feelings or will I like the same things?  In my experience, you are such a better version of yourself that you would never look back, ever! 

Last night I was having a late night snack at Waffle House with my husband.  There was a father there feeding his son who was wheelchair bound.  This father had obviously taken his son to the same country music concert we had been to, they were in cowboy boots and jeans (my kinda men) and having a great time.  My husband and I just couldn't help but notice what a perfect picture of love this was. 

Before we would have looked and quickly looked away, not knowing how to feel.  But Christ has transformed our hearts, not only break for the same things, but to break for what breaks His.  Now we look and take in this beautiful picture in deep admiration, respect and genuine love.  What a bright light the two of them were... I felt honored to be eating in the same Waffle House :)

Love one another fiercely today... like LIONS!!!

May God give you eyes to see beauty only the heart can understand.

Humility

I am going through a process of learning more humility.  I like knowing things, not to be better than anyone else, just to know I have the answer.  But I can imagine, and I do, that this comes across negatively.  The 'less is more' rule applies here... I need to speak less so that when I do, it will mean more.  This is a God-given work in progress.

... Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..  James 1:19

It is sometimes hard not to be proud when you have fought so hard to keep your son alive and healthy... I am proud this, of him, of my family and of how far he has come.  I am proud that it brought my husband and I closer to each other and to God.  I am proud of the trials we have faced and conquered.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:4

Know-it-all, bossy, blunt, rude... I have been called all of these things.  I am always trying to help, but I just need to be quiet and more supportive.  I hope persevere through this and become more mature in my faith and in this world.

Just Moments

Let Jesus be in your heart,

Eternity in your spirit,

The world under your feet,

The will of God in your actions.

And let the love of God shine forth from you.

Catherine of Genoa

This was a tough week, but I tried to keep a clear vision of God's calling on my life (allow his will into my actions)... so i could walk the lighted path instead of the dark road.  I have dark moments, like we all do, but they are just moments.



Choose to Follow and Serve

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. (Psalm 37:4)

I really do believe we serve a God that loves us and wants to give us all we want.  Of course there is bad, evil and ugly things in this world.  But I am so much happier following Christ and serving a God that IS love.  Bottom line, God is good even though life is hard... choose to serve and follow.

Thankful of all things today, my supportive husband, our grill (yum), prince lionheart one and two, opportunity and grace.

The Herd

Stepping out from the herd and gaining some perspective from the outside is always a good thing.  So often we are following and we don't even realize.  The only way to really find yourself is to not be like anyone else.

“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  Mark 10:21

"... But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”  Mark 10:31


How hard is this?  We all want money, maybe not excessive, but the comfort money brings.  He is not only talking about money here, any earthly possessions are wealth, and we all have those.  I love boots, not more than I love Jesus, but I love them none the less.  If I am wearing a beautiful new pair of boots and I encounter someone who needs my boots, how much do I really love them?  Jesus asks us to not hold on to our earthly possessions, if he put this person in my path then I guess I need to hand over my boots.  This is a great example of stepping away from the herd.  The herd likes stuff, the herd likes money and I'm not so sure that the herd would give away their boots?

But after giving away your boots is when you start to discover the treasure that you are, the impact you can make, and the love that lives inside of you.  You start finding the REAL you, the one Christ intended you to be.


After writing the above, re-reading and re-reading...

With tears streaming down my face, I need this message to resonate in my own heart... I struggle with stuff (not in a pathetic way - but in a real kinda way).  It's not so hard for me to get rid of it, I can easily give something to someone who needs it, but there is always more that I want for myself and my family.  I have earthly dreams and goals that I'm not so sure fit in with who God is calling me to be.

Praying for people who give no matter how little they have.

Good Things

Some good things i have heard recently...

What 2 things can you get rid of to make more room for God in your life?

Is Jesus center of your world or something you fit in when you have time?

You don't pray FOR something you pray FROM it.  With trust in God we don't have to ask, we know it will be done.  He knows what we desire before we ask.

God vs 9-11

Anyone ever have those days where your struck by the absolute fragility of human life?  With all these 9-11 specials on TV, anticipating the ten year anniversary, I find myself meditating on this.

Ten years ago I was a student at the Fashion Institute in NYC, I lived on Long Island and commuted three days a week into Manhattan.  On September 11, 2001, I started my day with a stop at 7-Eleven to grab some coffee, then hit the Long Island Expressway for my two hour drive into the city.  I was just about to head into the Mid-Town Tunnel when the song broke on the radio and the news cut in that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center.  Initially it was thought that it was an accident, so I called my Mom and kept driving.  We talked about how impossible it was for that to be an accident and that maybe I should turn around before I get into the city.  Just as we spoke the words the second plane hit.  I pulled a U-turn and sped home as fast as I could with the image of the smoking towers in my rear view mirror.  I watched the rest unfold on TV, from the safety and comfort of my childhood home.

So one of the specials I watched was on PBS, regarding how 9-11 affected peoples faith.  Some saying they had to turn to God because nothing else could make them feel better or explain where their loved one went after such a violent death.  One woman's mother died in the towers and she just couldn't imagine that, that was it for her wonderful, loving, kind and amazing mother... so she turned to God.  Then others argued, "if their is a God he must be very indifferent."  Or that there could be no God if things like this happen.  I understood and had compassion for all sides of the argument. 

Another tragedy is all the volunteers who felt compelled to help clean-up, dig up bodies, and just generally get lower Manhattan back up and running.  These guys are all dying now, they all have so many cancers and other illnesses from the chemicals, ash, and residue they breathed in on Ground Zero.  Some have died already, and some have been given a few years.  So where is God? 

I wish I had amazing answers to these questions and accusations against God... but I am not that wise.  What I believe is that we live in a world under the attack of evil and if we allow these evil things, done by evil people, to pull us away from God, then evil wins.  We are constantly fighting this battle, even when it's: do I read my Bible or watch Jersey Shore (you can't tell me Jersey Shore isn't evil)?  God is good, he wants good for us and he can make good out of bad - of course this is easy for me to say sitting in my house watching things unfold on TV.  But I have been through my valleys before, and in my experience, God has never forsaken me.  He always leaves me better than I was before.

One of the many reasons I know there is a God, is the presence of evil.  I think most people can agree that there is evil in this world.  So for me, if there is evil then there has to be good.  God is good.

Hope to Relationship

Hope is Believing

Believing becomes Faith

Faith leads to Prayer

Prayer turns into Experience

Each Experience builds your Relationship

Your Relationship is Love

After you have Experiences and build a Relationship, there is not as much
need for Faith.  This took me a long time to understand...
but now resting in the solid comfort of my Relationship,
I can't image it any other way.

Christian's Can't Be Offended

Our guest pastor last weekend was the enlightening and refreshing Charlotte Gamble.  She spoke about the 'volunteer spirit' and the 'body' of the church 'flexing' all it's muscles.  She was so direct and didn't seem to hold anything back, my kinda girl (a lion).  She also talked about not having your feelings hurt so easily, '...get over it if they don't play your favorite song on Sunday morning.'   She was great, I may have to go visit her church in the UK so I can hear her again.

She got me thinking about how easily offended people are.  I had lunch with a girl the other day who said to me, "Christians can't really be offended." I LOVED this... because she is right!   If we are doing God's will, serving in his army, and following the call of Jesus Christ - then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.  Obviously we can all have our feelings hurt, especially by the ones we love, but it's good to remember who's opinion really matters.

Lions - Flex your muscles and brush off the negative opinions.

Lucky's Spirit

I was so happy to have the company of my Mother for three weeks.  Sadly, on Wednesday it was time for her to fly home.  My relationship with my Mom has always been one of respect and love, but as I grow and have children - the respect grows as well.  She is a hard working elementary principal, she commutes five hours a day, and does everything with a smile on her face and a heart of joy.

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." 

Psalm 19:8

So even though she leaves, her spirit of joy remains in this house.  Similar to the spirit of God that lives in us, guiding us in all our decisions and daily rituals.  It is so easy to compare God to a parent, because he is our Heavenly Father.  Just like my mother's spirit stays with me, so does Christ's.  I hope to inherit her zest and passion for life, it warms your heart and fills up the room.  And I ask Jesus for more of his heart everyday, the more of Him and less of me, the better I am. Jesus asks us to rejoice in him, to not hold tightly to things of this world, "for the joy of the Lord is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Lions Love Their Moms.

Surf Confessions

I was reading the testimony of a local surf legend here in the panhandle of Florida.  He retold the story of the summer he found Jesus, it was as simple as a friend asking him if he believed.  And he couldn't answer 'no' because he just couldn't call JC a liar, there was no way he could deny Him. 

The other day I said, when God answers prayers so perfectly, it takes my breath away... it is impossible to deny Him when he does this, answering the call of my heart.  Answered prayer keeps our Christian fuel burning, adds an extra spark to the already burning flame in our hearts.  God has revealed himself to everyone, sometimes we just need to look a little harder, or be confronted with a blunt question.  As deciples of Christ we are asked to go into the world and share the gospel, or good news of Jesus.  Sometimes this may be as simple as asking someone if they believe, get their mind thinking about how God has revealed himself in their lives. 

Virtue

"Very often what God first helps us toward is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again.  For however important any virtue may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still.  It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God.  We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.  The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection."

"Virtue - even attempted virtue - brings light; indulgence brings fog." 


Both quotes are CS Lewis... my daily devotional is CS Lewis ( I adore him), so you will just have to put up with all my Lewis quotes. 

I am hard on myself, we all are!!  But thinking about God just simply helping me learn to try again, and try harder - is such a rockin' way to think about this!  He is training my soul to trust him and try harder next time.  Training me for what?  To be in God's army... fighting for the kingdom of God. 

So yes, I am hard on myself... but I know it is because He trained me to always strive for more.  Lions... bring on the light (you can never have enough), lets keep striving for more virtue and less indulgence.

Roarrrrr

Transparent Friendship

If you have a few moments this article on friendship by Jenny Schroedel is wonderful (link at bottom of post - she is a lion for sure!!).  Schroedel talks about being flexible in our friendships, not expecting to much.  She says that the quickest way to kill a friendship is to demand to much.  But this goes for any relationship, you have to check your expectations at the door.  "Sometimes our own expectations blind us to the grace before us. We become so fixated on what we want — or what we imagine we need — that we miss the gift that is being offered." 

Schroedel also talks about rejoicing in one another, enjoying each others gifts and not being envious or jealous.  For me this goes back to learning each others hearts, weather it's your spouse, friend or family.  She talks about transparency, and that the more transparent you are the more people will know your heart.  "The more deeply we know another person's secret hopes and anguishes — and the more we can identify with their struggles — the less inclined we are to envy them, the more eager we are to see them succeed."  This goes back to what I have said about marriage, being transparent and knowing each others hearts will leave less room for questioning and judgement.  If you know where it's coming from, why someone is doing something and what their goals are - you are less likely to judge and more likely to cheer them on.

She also speaks of growing and changing, we grow and so do our friendships.  Some friendships are temporary and some are more permanent, but all equally important.  We all want our friendships to grow with us,  and we all know that is not always the way it works.  But just as we are told to rejoice in God always, we need to rejoice in our friendships too - what they did for us, are doing for us, or will do for us.  Two are more powerful than one and it is always nice to have someone that knows you on your side... sometimes more than you know yourself.


For the lions... female lions raise their children together, live together and hunt together.


Article Link: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001554.cfm

10 Ways to Love

Storm Chaser

As Hurricane Irene turns into a Category 3, I put my husband on a plane headed for Wilmington, NC this morning.  He heads right into where he thinks he will get the most work, rides out the storm and then hits the ground running as soon as the rain stops.  We own a restoration company you see, and hurricanes are where the money is. 

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 
- 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

Thinking of all the hard working people tonight, making tough decisions, I respect you all so much.

Sending Lion Love...

Peace and Thanksgiving

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  - Philippians 4:6-8


God's peace transcends all understanding?  How amazing is this, really think about it! 

Through Jesus we are all promised this kind of unthinkable peace.  But like anything it takes focus and practice... this is not just for some of us, it is for all of us.  In the verse above we are reminded to not worry, but to ask God in prayer for the desires of our heart.  We are also reminded to keep our focus on joyful things (pure, lovely, admirable, right, noble, excellent, praiseworthy things), why do you think?  God knows our hearts, he knows human instinct, he created us :)  He knows we need to be reminded that to focus on anything but the good is a waste of time!! We all have battles to fight, but staying focused on the joy of the day, small victories and the happiness in your life will only help you win your battles.

A few months ago I started thanking God at the end of the day for all he had done for me that day, and saying a prayer of thankful anticipation in the morning for what the day held for me.  Such a small thing, it takes a minute or two, but it changed so much for me.  I have been filled with much more joy and so much less anxiety and stress. It is so easy to forget how to rest in the shadow of God, but thanking him is such an easy way to stay connected.  Through thanksgiving we can find that place of complete peace; peace with ourselves, with our situations, with others and mostly with God. 

Thankful Lions!!

Fear of Fear

I have some (humanly) irrational and (spiritually) ungodly fears, the strangest of these being the fear of not having fear.  Last night I was given some clarity on this... without my fears I will have more to do, even more will be expected of me.  The devil uses our fears to keep us from fulfilling God's plans for our life, I can see this in my own life.  There are fears I have that will, at some point, get in the way of me serving the Kingdom of God.  Because God tapped me on the shoulder last night regarding this issue of mine, I now have no excuse.  I must press forward... roaring like a lion, growling at my fears, snapping at my enemies and loving my neighbors as myself.

At church last night our pastor asked us to replace John's name (in John 1:6, below) with our own name.  This made me feel so important!  God gave life to Christ who was the light of all mankind, the light that will never go out.  And I have been personally sent by God to this time and place to testify for this light.  I can only hope that through me some might believe, or maybe just stop and look at the light?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.   John 1:1-8

Praying For...

Libya.

African drought.

The friends, families and communities of the four NJ high school
football players that died in a car crash Saturday.

President Obama


US Soldiers.

Please feel free to post your prayer requests below...

Somalia Famine

The people of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia need our prayers and love.  I have been following this heart breaking story and it still needs more attention.  Please Google it, read what s going on and add these nations to your prayer list. 

In our house we have decided to sponsor a child in Kenya through www.compassion.com... this is a wonderful organization with a great reputation.  You can also donate a dollar amount to the drought relief in Africa on this website. 

I have been so floored by the stories of people walking for weeks to find food and water.  We have so much it's so hard to imagine not having a grocery store, a debit card, and money in the bank.  I have committed myself to think more globally, we are all called to spread the good news to the ends of the earth.  I have never been to Somalia, and I have certainly never known what it is like to be with out food or water, but I can love them, pray for them and support them to the best of my ability.

Jesus, break our hearts for what breaks yours.

Morning Meditation

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8

Live today for Him!

Explosion of Love

This is one of the BEST descriptions of marriage I have ever read:

"Love in the second sense - love as distinct from 'being in love' - is not merely a feeling.  It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God ...  'Being in love' first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise.  It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it."  CS Lewis, Mere Christianity


My husband and I used to always say that we made it work because we would wake up everyday and decide to remain in love.  And I still believe reaffirming your decision on a daily basis is good, but as we have grown so has our view on this.  Now when someone asks me how we stay so in love, my answer is that we know each others hearts.  We have been through a lot, good, bad and just plain ugly.  In the beginning we just needed to communicate properly, make God center of our marriage and number one in our house.  After we got all that straightened out we had to spend time learning and exploring our hearts.  The more I learned about his heart, the less I questioned; why did you say that or what do you mean?  The more intimately I know his heart the less I have to question, I already know where he is coming from, I know his motives for all his actions and all his words. 

Take the time to learn each others hearts, find out where it's all coming from.  We all have different motivators, passions, talents and dreams... the more you know the less you will question.



LOVE TO THE LIONS

I am Second

Please check out www.iamsecond.com ... really good stuff!!

Today

We all have choices... sinner or saint, good or evil, happy or sad, thankful or ungrateful?  What will you decide to be today? 

Christ was the light of the world, let him light your path today!  Come to him in thanks and with an open heart, cast all your cares upon him.

Global Leadership Summit - Day 2

Last night while my husband and I were talking over who would watch Sully today, he turned to me and said that he was going to stay home with Sully.  He looked me in the eye and said that he can see my calling taking shape, and he felt like I needed to be at the Summit more than he did.  I almost melted, I am backed by such an amazing man, he is my biggest fan.  Blood of my blood and bone of my bone, I love you!

That being said, I woke up energized and excited to hear more!  I dropped off Jax at school and arrived with enough time to push a muffin down my throat.  Bill Hybels kicked us off again and said we were about to hear three stories of three leaders...


First Story was told by Wess Stafford about a Pastor in Ethiopia (current day).  He was beaten, stoned and thrown in jail during the 17 year communist reign.  After escaping death by electrocution, TWICE (both times the breaker blew when they pulled the switch - ya think God was involved in this?), he ran into Stafford on the road.  Stafford told him that many Americans knew of their hardships as Christians and that they were all praying for them.  The Pastor looked at Stafford and said that he has been praying for Americans too.  Stafford asked why he felt compelled to pray for us when they were living in a time of such unrest?  The Pastor said that we have more Bibles than we know what to do with, and we do not even make the time read them.  The Ethiopian Christian Church had ONE Bible and they tore it up and distributed it among them so collectively they would have it memorized (they were not allowed to own, have or carry a Bible).  He also said that we had big churches that we were free to worship in, but we seemed to have better things to do.  They were not allowed to meet at all, let alone in a church, so they met in the cover of darkness.  High in the mountains in the middle of the darkest nights of the month.  It now starts to make sense... we do need prayer!  After the communist reign was over, on their first Sunday back in the church building, the church walls could not contain the number of people that came to worship Jesus Christ.  In the 17 year communist reign, the Ethiopian Christian Church grew five times in size!!!  He ended with the question; Are we worthy to stand among Christians like this? (I am not)

Second leader was Maggie Gobran, aka. Mama Maggie.  Mama Maggie runs Stephen's Children, a ministry for the poor in Cairo, Egypt.  Mama Maggie challenged us to recognise the call on our lives, then do what ever you need to do to follow the call, and have a pure heart in order to get closer to God the Almighty.  Mama Maggie spoke to me about silence, that it is the key to growth, the first step, a taste of eternity... then she gave us the secrets to silence:

"Silence your body to listen to your words.

Silence your tongue to listen to your thoughts.

Silence your thoughts to hear your heart.

Silence your heart to hear your spirit.

Silence your spirit to listen to HIS spirit."

Then she closed with: "In silence you leave many to be with THE ONE."  This was the most impactful speaker of the day!!  Please look her up, add her to your prayer lists, and watch God move in what she does, it will change you.

The third leader was Jeremiah from the Bible, Bill Hybels recounted his life to us.  Hybels spoke about how Jeremiah was called to preach the message of God, but that it was never successful.  He got angry about it, fought with God over it.  But at the end of the day he did what he was called to do and said he would have done it all over again if he was asked.  Answering a call that will make you successful is easy, answering the tough call that will never lead to success or notoriety is what hard.  Working your butt off day-in and day-out simply because God asks you to, when you know you will never gain worldly success.  Hybels spoke to my heart when he said that in times like this, these are the kind of leaders God is looking for.  "We need to get over the narcotic addiction we all have to success", and follow our call.

And this was just the morning session (whew!), I will let all the lions process this, take it in and spend time with God if you feel moved by anything in particular.  And I will write on one more speaker tomorrow, regarding humility.

I am always told that I am to hard on myself, but I feel like a lot is expected of me, and I take that seriously.  I want to be useful in God's kingdom, go where I am called and reach as far as can. There is nothing standing in my way if my desires are God given.  Love to all the Lions!!!! ROARRRR!!!!

Global Leadership Summit - Day 1

As I walked into the conference, I felt a little anxious.  I grabbed my name badge and took a seat, as I started to see some familiar faces I took a deep breath and relaxed a bit, then my husband sat down next to me, and I was perfect :)   This wasn't 'real' anxiety, this was excited anxiety... knowing I was walking into a game changing event for this little lion...


Bill Hybels opened and asked me what my challenge level was (a little low)? Where I do my best work (when I'm just challenged enough)? How I deal with challenging people (I don't know)? Am I naming, facing and resolving my problems ( I think so)?  Have I examined the core of what I am/believe lately (not enough)?  And has my world been rocked recently, in a good way (today it was!!)?

Len Schlesinger told me that I have to "believe in the future by creating it first."  He spoke about how we have to start breaking down why status quo isn't good enough, then create and idea of how it could/should be... then take action.  Schlesinger was all about action, and we know lions love action, I was all over this.  He told me to just take small steps with the skills and tools I already have, not to get caught up in what I am trying to do, just worry about what to do next.  And that failure doesn't mean game over it just means I get to try again with more experience (I am working on this skill).

Cory Booker opened with a video of his life as the Mayor of Newark, NJ.  His personality is so bright, his character seems to emanate from him at all times.  Booker asked me what it means to stand up for something?  What I will do with what I have been given?  I have wrote about this before... letting our light shine, being grateful for what God has given us (much is expected to whom much has been given) and using our blessings to make our light shine even brighter.  He told me that how I see the outside world is a reflection of what is inside me. If you see goodness then you have joy and hope within your heart, if you see evil then you have doubt and pessimism in your heart.  So before you preach or teach, change yourself and show how you live before you expect anyone else to change.

Rev. Brenda Salter McNeil challenged me to resist the temptation to back-off when things get tough and to move forward (I knew this would come up, I'm a work in progress).  She challenged me to break through sound barriers, how?  First by praying for a divine mandate (I'm still waiting on this one), then by naming your catalytic events and then to mobilize people to move.  She warned us not to be the type of leader that looks at catastrophe as a negative, look at it as an opportunity.


Over all everyone seemed, to me, to be telling me to TAKE ACTION and to MOVE FORWARD.  I didn't really think I had been standing still, but I guess I am.  I will be continuing to pray for a divine mandate, for God to allow me to see what He is calling me to be.  But while I'm waiting, oh so patiently, I will be continuing to take steps forward... they might be small, but they will be steps.  Action requires movement....

I'm looking forward to Day 2!!!!

Empty Vessel

God gives His gifts where He finds the vessel empty enough to receive them. - CS Lewis


I had the privilege of attending the Global Leadership Summit today... and I found myself having to empty parts of myself so I could fully receive the message being given.  If I remain full of myself and what I think I know, or what I think is right, then I will never grow.  I grew a lot today!!

I will write more on the conference tonight.

Happy Lions

Reject useless thoughts as quickly as they come, otherwise they will spoil your day. –Joyce Meyer

What's For Dinner

This is a Jamie Oliver recipe, and it has become a staple in our house, enjoy.....

This is a simple pan-baked chicken dish - the sort of food I absolutely love to eat. As everything cooks together in 1 dish, all the beautiful flavors get mixed up. This is what it's all about! With a green salad, it's an easy dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed
• 12 boned chicken thighs, skin on, preferably free-range or organic
• Olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 pounds cherry tomatoes, different shapes and colors if you can find them
• 1 bunch fresh oregano, leaves picked
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Red wine vinegar

Put the potatoes into a large saucepan of salted boiling water and boil until cooked.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Cut each chicken thigh into 3 strips and place in a bowl. Rub the meat all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss.

Heat a large frying pan, big enough to hold all the chicken pieces snugly in 1 layer, and put the chicken into the pan, skin side down. If you don't have a pan that's big enough, feel free to cook the chicken in 2 batches. Toss and fry over a high heat for 10 minutes or so, until almost cooked, then remove with a slotted spoon to an ovenproof pan or dish.

Prick the tomatoes with a sharp knife. Place them in a bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for a minute or so. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, pinch off their skins. You don't have to, but by doing this they will become lovely and sweet when cooked, and their intense flavor will infuse the potatoes. By now the potatoes will be cooked. Drain them in a colander and lightly crush them by pushing down on them with your thumb.

Bash up most of the oregano leaves with a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar, or a Flavor Shaker if you have one. Add 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a good splash of red wine vinegar and some pepper and give everything another bash. Add to the chicken with the potatoes, the tomatoes and the rest of the oregano leaves. Toss everything together carefully. Spread out in a single layer in an appropriately sized roasting pan, and bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven until golden.

Lovely served with an arugula salad dressed with some lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil, and a nice glass of white wine.

LOVE!!!

Fashion - Dreaming of Colder Weather

As always I believe fashion is personal, go with what you like and what fits your body.  But here are a few things I am dreaming about....





Silk Kimono at FreePeople.com


Tunic on SundanceCatalog.com

Trading Post Poncho on Madewell.com

Leather Fringe Jacket on Madewell.com

Boots on SundanceCatalog.com

Clog Botties on SundanceCatalog.com

Love these yellow Mocs SundanceCatalog.com

 
J Brand Mid Rise Skinny in Red!!!  LOVE!!!



True Religion Bells... 70's fashion will always be cool.

I Am Yours

I own this CD by Jesus Culture, and I have always liked this song, but my beautiful friend sang this song at church this weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLIKjKRU0YY&ob=av2e and it moved me.  I love the message it delivers and I just wanted to share this with all the lions. 

Even after hearing the song countless times this weekend, watching the YouTube video was still emotional... such powerful words, "I am yours."  This blog, in a way, is me shouting from the rooftops.  I love to "shout out your name", and proclaim that "I am yours...  all that I am I place into your loving hands."  The song opens with, "Here I am before you, falling in love and seeking your truth... because of you I freely live, my life to you I give."  Just awesome.

I have discovered something about myself...  I judge a song by the lyrical content while my husband judges by musical content.  We make it work...ha.  But really, I need the lyrics, not always to be powerful and moving (mostly) but relevant and relative. 

Love you guys!

Grateful Friday

Today I am grateful for my hardworking husband, my happy boys, a full refrigerator, running water, Motrin, my friends, my family, selling the old car and receiving my new one!!!  Amen.

Questions?

I would love to start hearing more feedback from all the lions out there...   I am new at this, I love it and I want to keep it interesting, exciting, challenging and fun to read.  Please post your comments below...

What do you like (or dislike) about 'Life As A Lion'? And what else would you like to see on this blog? 

Live for Today

Live for Today but hold your hands open
to tomorrow.  Anticipate the future
and it's changes with joy. 

There is a seed of God's love in every event,
every circumstance,

every situation in which you may find yourself.

Barbara Johnson

What's For Dinner

Pork Chop Salad

chop 2 heads of romaine

slice 4 oz of Provolone Cheese

slice a handful of grapes (optional)

slice pan fried breaded boneless pork chops

top with your favorite vinaigrette and enjoy!!

Lion's Light II

"If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God."  1 Peter 3:13-18  (Message)

I was led to this verse today, and man is it good!!  All things in my life are so obviously leading me to this place of BOLD Christianity. So lets start by answering the question in this verse, "If with heart and soul (I) am doing good, do (I) think (I) can be stopped?"  My heart screams 'NO' and my mind says 'Yes'... I'm gonna stick with my heart on this one.  And reading on, the question is answered for us, "It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad."  So answering with my heart was the right way to go, my head will bring all the worldly fears and obstacles into my decision.  If Christ is living inside me, and he longs to make my heart like his, than I should always trust my heart.  We are also told, "Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master."  It is so easy to loose focus, setting Christ aside.  If our hearts loose their attention on Christ, then how can we be bold like lions?  But if we stay focused on our love for Christ, then no, we can not be stopped!!

Part of Christianity is sharing the good news, easy for some and REALLY hard for others.  I have had so much sucess with this and I think it is because I bring it up with gentleness and respect. No one will ever gain an audience with hatred, judgement or anger.  In our verse Peter says, "Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy."  But we have to live a certain way in order for people to start asking.  The more brightly we shine our light the more we will get people to notice.  Once they notice they will then stop and start asking questions. 

The end of this verse affirms what Christ did for us, in order for us to know God.  Now we can do this for others...  doing good with a heart and soul focused on Christ will lead to an upstanding life, living an upstanding life will give you the platform, but using the platform appropriatly will determine who will stay and listen.

I hope your listening little lions....

The Lion's Sunday Translation

Our pastor today spoke on 'Engageing a Lost World'.  I know this lion can get kinda deep, but this is a tough subject.  What stood out to me was that he said, "Living a standout life, gives you a platform."  I may have not always lived a standout life, but I am not ashamed of anything I have done nor would I hide anything I have done.  In saying this, my relationship with God and the love I have found in Jesus Christ has changed me so much, I can now say that I live a standout life.  And I can only hope I am starting to build a platform.

Last Sunday we spoke about living righteously, today pastor said, "Self-righteousness is arrogant but righteousness (through Christ) is humble strength."  Lions love strength, so I LOVED this statement!!  I also spoke about 'the lion's light' last week, and this ties right in.  My righteousness through Jesus Christ is my (humble) strength, I am proud to live a standout life, and doing this will allow me to shine my light for more to see. 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  - J.C.

Gaelic Blood Vow

For my husband...

You are blood of my veins, you are bone of my bone.
Yours is my body, that we may be one.
Yours is my soul until our worlds end.

More Than Friendship

I had the pleasure of speaking to one of my best friends today.  She lives in Brooklyn and we do not get to catch up as often as we would like, we had success today!!  We spoke about anything and everything, just the way I like it.  It was wonderful and refreshing to talk to someone who knows me so well, but so sad that she is not a part of my daily routine anymore.

Someone I respect very much recently told me that women's lack of relationships with other women is a big part of marital problems that lead to divorce.  After some contemplation... I believe this statement to be true.  Women used to be together all day, cooking, cleaning, making and mending clothes, taking care of each others children, teaching their children, even helping one another give birth.  Think of how much they must have shared... stories they told, life lessons shared, secrets, tears and overwhelming joy.  Thinking of how intimate, sacred and special these relationships must have been stirs something inside of me, that is how I came to my conclusion about the truth of this statement. 

Speaking to my friend today made me think of this, and it made me want to cultivate and cherish my female relationships even more than I do already.  I adore my husband but he can not, and should not be, all things to me.  I think for a lot of women this realization would be life changing, for them and for their husbands.



One of the things I spoke to my dear friend about today was this verse below...

Which one are you?
"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way".  CS Lewis

The Lion's Light

"...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded..." Luke 12:48

This verse has been on my heart.  I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I think about what I have,  compared to what others have.  Am I lucky?  Fate? Just in the right place at the right time?  I don't think so... God placed me in my parents house, in NY, in America, as his disciple for a reason.  There is a Christian song I like, it starts out 'my life is a light for your cause'.  Every time I hear it I know why I have been given the opportunities I have and experienced the things I have... my life is a light.  And I am responsible for shining my light as brightly as I can.

You are a Soul

“You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” 
- CS Lewis

Mental Drifter

Rainy Tuesday... the kids and I are reading books, painting and baking cookies.  I'm so glad I did all my running around yesterday so I can enjoy today at home. 

I have been feeling so good, my anxiety has decreased tremendously in the past 3 weeks.  I have been focused on approaching God with a heart of thanksgiving.  I try and start and end my day in thanks, nothing better than starting your day focused on all you have, but it really helps me at night.  Night time is when I start to get hard on myself, thinking about what I could have done better that day, so ending the day in thanks puts my head in the right place.

I'm a thinker, a mental drifter... both a blessing and a curse.  Besides focusing on a thankful heart, I am learning how to relax again.  Sounds weird but I lost it... I felt (and still feel) the need to be ready for anything all the time.  I don't think I would have ever described myself as uptight, I am now.  Learning to rest in the shadow of God's love sounds so easy... it's not, but I am happy knowing that I'm doing my best.

"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure..." Psalm 16:9
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

LOVE

Godlight

"Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are "patches of godlight" in the woods of experience." (CS Lewis)

Sunday Thoughts

Church was great today, Pastor spoke about being 'as bold as a lion'... so this little lion felt right at home :)


We have to be able to boldly approach God before we can boldly reach out to others.  If we are having doubt and uncertainty then we are not living righteously (righteous: morally right or justifiable).  This is what I do... I didn't read my bible enough this week, I should have prayed about that, I didn't spend enough time with my kids this week or I was not the best wife today.  Constantly focusing on what I am not doing, forgetting I am righteous through Christ.  My relationship with God will not change if I didn't read my bible, or if I wasn't the mom of the year.  God's love for me is perfect, my actions do not define his love for me... WHEW!!  I know this in my heart, but we are all to hard on ourselves, especially when we are trying to please God.  We will have consequences for our sin, but not condemnation (condemnation: to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on).

John 16:8-11  When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted.  (The Message)



.

Sully

Sorry it has been a week since my last post, busy week.  After everyone recovered from their sickness, we had gymnastics, swim team tryouts, physical therapy, speech therapy and an evaluation for Sully at a new behavioral program.  For all who are new to me, Sully is developmentally delayed and has a feeding tube (used to be for food, he eats now, but he still gets water through the tube).  Sully is 2.5 years old and still has no language and is not walking. 

Recently my husband and I decided to call a behavioral therapy program and have him evaluated, the eval was on Friday.  It was eye-opening for me and just a wonderful experience overall.  They recommended treatment with them, and they really feel like they can make a difference.  Insurance has decided not to cover this ABA therapy because Sully does not have an 'official diagnosis'.  Sully is not autistic, no known neurological disorders or any genetic disorders.

So for the past few days my husband and I have been talking about our budget and how much we can afford to spend on this program, or how we can get a diagnosis?  We haven't come up with much, but we were staying faithful that it would all work out.  After church this morning we were talking with friends and enjoying the afterglow of service.  Out pastor stopped to say hi and pray for Sully, he took Sully in his arms and prayed with him softly, Sully LOVED all the hugs.  I also spoke with a friend about the ABA program and how excited we are to get that started.  After we got home my phone rang and it was the friend I had just spoken to at church.  She said she remembered that she knows a family who is looking to sponsor a child in this particular program!!!  Nothing is final, but we hope to meet with this couple and finalize this amazing gift/blessing as soon as possible so Sully can start the ABA therapy right away.

I am overjoyed and overwhelmed by this.  I have had the honor and privilege to witness God's love through Sully more than once, and it smacks me in the face every time.  God must have big plans for Sully.

Sickness, Poop and Repairs

Sully is recovering from an ear infection, Jax started with a fever and vomiting yesterday evening and B came home from work around lunch time, shaking like a leaf and hot as fire.  Haddy decided to poop in the dining room, then the pool guys came, and so did the dishwasher repair man (claiming nothing is wrong with the dishwasher).
Everyone is now asleep, I think, and I just sat down to watch some mindless TV (dual survival or something).  But I am sitting in silence because Jax put an ice water on the cable box and the sweat from the cup dripped into the box and it will no longer turn on. 

I am reading the 5th book in the Outlander series by Diana Gabalden, and if Jamie Frasier (hunky main character) can't make me feel better than nothing can :)  I should be asleep by 930.

Rainy Sunday

Sunday scooter ride to the beach... it has been raining for 3 days, but it's 80 degrees instead of 100, so I'm happy.  Looks like the rain will break tomorrow and the heat will come back and I will hide in the AC again until October :)  Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!!

Sunday Thoughts

Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Our pastor spoke on this verse today... the message was about HOPE.  I like this verse because it highlights the point that God has not just left it up to us.  We can not gain strength from others, we can not gain strength alone... we can only gain strength from HIM.  But we have to do our job, we have to be courageous and put our HOPE in HIM, all of it (not some of it).... and that really does take courage.

I have been having trouble doing this lately and I was speaking to a friend about "handing it over" and how difficult it was.  She said I need to do it everyday, not just once... and although I know this, I realized I was failing to do this.  I was just trying to do it once and be done with it... Silly Lion.  So I especially enjoyed today's message, I felt like it reassured my heart.

Hebrews 6:19
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Another verse pastor used today... this is such a promise.  HOPE is the way we get closer, past the curtain... who doesn't want to get past the curtain?  The curtain isn't something for me that goes away one day and stays away forever.  Some days I have the curtain, some days I don't... so when it is there, I have to be courageous and HOPE in HIM, the HOPE will anchor me and bring me closer.

It's so easy to feel loaded down... I know I do.  But I have HOPE that what I am going through will only make me stronger and more refined than I was before... kinda exciting!

LOVE

Daily Verse

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Have a sweet Sunday...

Daily Verse

Psalm 91

Welcome

Our First book will be Captivating by John & Staci Eldredge.  I will Post reading assignments this Sunday.  If you need more time to get or download the book please post.... I'm so happy to share my love of books with you!!!