Feasting On Leftovers

Where have I been and why have I had little to nothing to say over the last couple of weeks? Well, God has given me the answer and it is not writer's block. I have been feasting on leftovers. I have been relying on what God did for me in the past and what He said to me in the past instead of seeking Him for a new word each day.

I feel compelled to share this with you because I don't think I am the only one who faces this. I should know better and yes I should be more disciplined, but I let the busyness and noise around me become a distraction.

I like most other women, start the morning with my feet running and the pace doesn't usually slow down until I am close to collapsing in the evening.

This past week, I was preparing for my Sunday School lesson and it was on obeying the Holy Spirit.

As we discussed in our class yesterday, before you can obey the Holy Spirit you have got to hear the Holy Spirit. And unfortunately, we do not always have our ears tuned in to hear His voice.

So I ask you...are you hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit?

This morning I prayed and asked God to do a work on my ears so that they could hear and recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit. Even in the midst of everything going on around me, I want to still hear His voice and obey what He is telling me to do.

What about you?

Are you feasting on leftovers or did you wake up this morning hungry for a new word from Him?


"But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." Matt. 6:33

Contests!

Well, Happy Monday to you! I hope your day is off to a wonderful start.

I thought I would have a random quick post about blog giveaways. I so love a bargain but a freebie excites me beyond measure. I have been known on more than one occasion to loose all control when my name was called as a winner. Let's just say there might have been some jumping and screaming going on (and sister here can scream).

There are a few blogs that I read pretty much everyday. One of them is http://boomama.net/. She is hilarious and is giving away some music this week and an Oreck vaccuum cleaner. I would recommend that you go over and visit her. But if you win the Oreck you totally have to give it to me. I mean really that would only be fair.

And while I was at Boo Mama's today getting a good laugh, I discovered another blogger with a giveaway. It is for beautiful custom photo fall cards. So here is the link for you to check out http://rachelengcards.blogspot.com/. Follow her directions for how to win and be sure that you put in the comment that you read about it at my blog. This way when you win I won't have to take your cards because we will both be winners!

So let's have some fun this week and maybe one of us will be a blog giveaway winner! I mean really what could be more fun!

Time to Clean Out!

Well something awakened inside of me while escorting my little black shoes to the trash can that makes me want to clean out my closet. I know, I wish it would just go back to sleep!

I am fortunate to have a very large closet. I think we could fit a bed in it. My husband keeps his section so neat and tidy and then there is my side. I have stacks and piles and stuff strewn everywhere. I claim to have a system, but if truth be told there really is no system.

I have been looking over my clothes and I have determined that I do not wear 80% of the stuff hanging in my closet. It really may be pushing 85%. There is the black floral dress that I wore years ago that I really loved the way I felt in it and will never fit in it again. Why do I still have it in my closet? I mean if I could fit in it by now it is out of style!

Oh and let's not forget the green checkered shirt that my mother purchased for me at least 5 years ago that I think is too ugly to even clean house in. Why is it still hanging there?

Why do I still hang on to these things? Why do I allow them to take up my valuable closet space?

I have shoes in my closet that I wore to a friends wedding almost 10 years ago and I haven't wore them since. But I kept them because who knows when one will need silver shoes.

All these thoughts of cleaning out made me think of my heart. Do I have items stored in there that I have long forgotten about? Or maybe I do know about them but I have chosen to just bolt the door shut.

What about you? Do you have anything lurking in the recesses of your heart?

I have learned over the years that even though I may have momentarily forgotten about some old junk, satan hasn't forgotten about it. And he uses that old junk to try and hinder my relationship with God.

So I want to encourage you, along with myself, to do some heart cleaning. Let's ask our Heavenly Father to bring to our minds anything that we have let just settle in the corners. Let's do a heart inventory with Him and get rid of the junk we don't need!

"...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..." Hebrews 12:1-2

Farewall My Little Black Shoes, Farewell!

Well, I am so sorry for being so quiet this past week. I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever had to apologize for being quiet! Thank you to MM for posting about her funny morning. It did make me laugh.

I thought I was going to have another post of "Can I Crawl Back in Bed" today. My morning had a glimpse of craziness. If you have read my profile you know that I have a love for necklaces and jewelry, costume of course. Well, I am also very fond of shoes. I have several favorite shoes that I have been wearing this summer and one is my black slip ons. They are so comfortable and cute with a little flower on top.

This morning, I was dressed and walking across my bedroom to take one last look in the mirror before heading out the door. As I walked all the sudden I felt like I stepped in a hole. My first thought was (yes, honestly) "Oh my goodness, we have a hole in out bedroom floor." It never once crossed my mind that the heel of my shoe could have fallen off. I mean, my shoes would never betray me like that, especially not my favorite little black pair.

I am sad to say they did betray me. I turned and looked back, thankful that there wasn't a hole in the floor, and saw the heel of my beloved shoe laying lifeless. I rushed over but there was no hope. I tried aimlessly to put it back on, but with no avail. The shoes must be put to rest. Yes, I am a little sad.

I am thankful that fall is coming and I have a year to replace my beloved shoes. Of course, I have other black shoes (what woman has only one pair of black shoes) but none quite like my little black pair.

Fairwell little black shoes, you and I have traveled many roads together. You will be missed greatly!

Can I Crawl Back in Bed?

You know it is not going to be a good day...when one of the first things you do in the morning is step in cat throw up and track it all through your house. Yep, that's where I am this morning. It is never good if you have to get out Resolve carpet cleaner before 7:30 am.

So today I need a heaping helping of my Lord because it is very evident to me that I am dangerous on my own.

I thought it would be fun if some of you would share your worst morning stories. You know, it makes us girls feel better when we know we are not in this alone. I am smiling right now because I am remembering a morning my friend told me about and I do hope that she will share it. If not, I may have to share it for her.

So, please post a comment and make us laugh. I could definitely use it today!

You Are Worth It!

I thought we could all use a little refresher this Monday morning on who we are as a child of God. (Well, technically it is Sunday night, but most of you will be reading this in the morning) I know I could use a refresher and I know my friends could use a refresher. You see satan is trying to rear his ugly head in the lives of a couple of my friends and it just makes me mad!

If you are a child of God, when you awoke this morning you have a very real enemy that was at work even while you slept. He wants nothing more than to destroy you, your family and your relationship with God.

He is the author of fear, anxiety and lies. The voice that says "you are not good enough", that's his. The voice that says "you are worthless and useless", that's his also. He will try and feed you these lies every chance he gets.

Please do not listen to that nonsense!

Do you know how much you are loved? Do you know that the Creator of the Universe knows you by name and desires to have a relationship with YOU?

You were worth God giving His only son to die for you. Let that sink in for a second. Yes, you were worth it to Him!

And if you have accepted salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, then you are a Princess. That is right, you are a daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! You are joint heirs with Jesus. Now that is something to shout about! It totally blows my mind, but definitely something to shout about!

So stand a little taller today not because of who you are, but because of whose you are. You are God's masterpiece created for a purpose. Don't allow satan to feed you any of his lies today. After all, you are a Princess and you have work to do!

"For we are God's masterpiece, He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Passing The Test

How can a morning go so wrong? Have you ever felt that way?

This past May, I "retired" as an accountant to pursue full time God's calling on my life. My day to day goals have shifted quite drastically. One of my new goals is that my husband always has clean underwear, socks and t-shirts in his drawer.

You may be thinking...and this is a new goal! Well, let's just say that my family was not use to things being put away. Due to our schedules, we mostly lived out of clothes baskets.

So far I have achieved my goal until this morning. First my husband had to go on a hunt for a t-shirt. I was of no help because I overslept (which means everyone overslept) and was in the kitchen slinging lunches together all while encouraging my children to EAT FASTER!

Then came the question that almost made me loose it. "Where are my black socks? I don't have any black socks!" I almost lost it because I knew where the black socks were, they were in the dirty clothes hamper. Well ladies, I am going to be honest with you and tell you what wanted to jump out of my mouth "Oh here, let me pull those black socks out of my secret stash of black socks. I keep them in my pockets just so they will be ready when you need them!" Luckily it did not come out!

I yelled back that all that was clean was in the basket in the laundry room. And as I said those words I felt like such a disappointment. Why didn't I remember to throw the black socks in the laundry yesterday and why didn't I remember to wash a load of whites. It wasn't like I spent my day laying on the couch eating bon bons.

After everyone left miraculously clothed and with lunches in hand, I sat wondering how a morning like this can be prevented. Did it happen because I was too prepared, after all I had laid the kids clothes out on the ironing board. Did it happen to teach me to do laundry more often, maybe, but I doubt it.

I think it happened sort of as a test for me. You see I have been reading in the Bible about being meek, pure in heart, merciful and a peacemaker. Boy were those put to the test this morning! I have been asking the Lord to let His Word penetrate my heart and over flow into my life.

Did I pass the test? Well, I wouldn't give myself an A, but I don't think I failed it either. I think I just need to keep studying!

What about you? Are you ready for your next test? The only way I know to get ready is to study God's Word and stay in touch with the Teacher!

Blessings to you today!

He Knows Their Name...

Sunday, our church was privileged to have the Uganda Children's Choir with us. These children are orphans and are here in the states raising money to build their new orphanage. They sing and dance and are truly amazing.

They came in through the back of the church and came down the aisles singing. It was such a wonderful, beautiful sound. They took the stage and began to dance. I was trying to fight back the tears.

Their skin was flawless and each face contained the most beautiful smile. They finished the first song and a little girl on the far left said her name and that they were glad to be here.

They went down the row (three rows in total) and each shared their name...Sharon, Jeffrey, Godfrey, Jennifer, Whitney, Simon, Margaret, Edith...just to name a few.

God grabbed my heart so tightly and whispered "and I know them each by name." More tears came than I could blink back. The reality of what I heard in my heart hit me. God knows each one of those precious, beautiful children by name.

God is aware of their suffering. He is aware that many are alone with no living relatives left. He is aware of the conditions in which they live.

I have often wondered why God allows such poverty in the world. And after Sunday, I believe I understand a little better. I believe it is so that Christians can have a chance to do something about it. We have a chance to make our religion "pure and faultless" by not turning away but by doing something.

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

As I read this verse, I am struck by the words "polluted by the world." It doesn't take long for the world's pollutants to rub off on us. We live in a constant state of excess.

I am not saying that having stuff is wrong. I think that sometimes God blesses with material things. But the blessings were never meant to just make us more comfortable. We were blessed so that now we have more to give.

We forget that!