Official Soccer Mom

“Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:4

Well, I’ve done it. I’ve traded pom-poms for the soccer field. Not completely – the girls are still cheering, but wrapping up their competition season. BUT, my little Jamison is hitting the ground running on the soccer field at barely 3 years old. Yes, we are nuts. But hey – he runs around the house and kicks things all day, so why not channel that energy into something more appropriate! And, we live so close to the park we can literally walk to his soccer field if we needed too. All this sports stuff just works for us.

But, today – I’ve got to tell you what God showed me on Monday. Well, Monday’s are always a little stressful around here. It’s the day before my Apples of Gold mentoring thing at my house (I’ve mentioned it in previous blogs – in short: 20 plus ladies come to my house for food and Bible study every Tuesday) so I’m cleaning more than usual. And on Monday’s the girls have cheerleading from 6-7PM. So, guess when Jamison’s soccer practice is!? Yep. Monday’s from 6-7PM. Well, this Monday was his first ever practice and being “good parents” neither my husband or I wanted to miss this!!! Since we are very comfortable with the girls’ gym – we decided to drop them off early, head to the soccer field, watch “little buddy” be cute and run around in circles, leave Jamison’s practice early and then go pick up the girls, go home, eat, take baths, put on P.J’s, and go to bed. Sounds like a good plan, huh?

Well, it’s 6:00 PM and I see LOTS of people at the soccer field, but no one for Jamison’s team. I see LOTS of coaches, but not Jamison’s coach. So, I’m going around asking everyone are you Coach So & So. After asking everyone who looks over the age of 15 if they are Coach So & So, some lady stops me and says – “I heard your coach was running late and practice would not start until 6:30.”

Gang, I was getting angrier by the minute. I thought – do people not know I have two other children to pick up across town by 7PM! Also, while I was making a fool of myself asking everyone if they were Coach So & So --- my mother in law had called my husband. She wanted us to go out to eat after the kids practices (and not somewhere quick, but a NICE sit down place.) I was screaming in my brain IT’S A SCHOOL NIGHT, PEOPLE! But, I was trying to take deep breaths. Now, my mother in law is precious and we just lost my father in law recently so – I was not angry with her at all! Any time we can spend time with her – I want to do that. But, this overall situation was making me most upset. I mean come on – what good coach is 30 minutes late to the first practice (and didn’t even let the parents know!!).

So, I decided that I was going to call Coach So & So and not be rude (of course!), but explain in no uncertain terms that I do have a life and what in the world could be the hold up on the very first night of soccer practice!!! Remember, it’s a school night!!!

When the Assistant Coach (the wife) picks up the phone I hear a baby screaming wildly in the car. That already begins to soften my attitude. I know what it’s like to be running terribly late and have a VERY upset child strapped in the car. So, I immediately change my approach and put the blame on myself by saying …… “I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t made a mistake. I’ve been here since 6:00 and I’ve not found you guys.”

With her screaming child in the background she apologizes 1,000 times for running late, but they had a death in the family. They had been out of town at a funeral all day and were stuck in traffic on the way back home. She wasn’t going to make it, but her husband was nearly to the soccer field. When he arrives – he is in dress slack and shirt the whole nine yards. His little boy in dress pants and a nice sweater --- not at all soccer attire, AND with good reason!

Oh my goodness! What had I doneL I was so wrapped up in my world, my schedule that someone ---- actually several someONES (my mother in law and now this new soccer family) were hurting all around me and I was concerned with my kids getting a good nights rest!

In an instant – God changed my attitude. So much so that on Tuesday I called the Coaches wife back just to ask if they were doing OK or needed anything. I told her how we had lost Russ’ dad recently and we have small kids too, so I understand how hard things can be. That’s not like me. I don’t up and call people I don’t really know. But God was really pushing me to do that. I could sense the thankfulness in her voice that I had called to check on her family. But what’s odd is I don’t know these people! I’ve still not personally met the wife. I don’t know if they are believers. If they are church attendees? They could be atheist !

So the moral of this blog --- don’t take your life so seriously (especially with silly things) that you fail to be used by God to those who are truly hurting all around you. Am I concerned with my own interests, OR the interests of others?

Just Give HIM Some PRAISE!

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Colossians 2:6-8

Hi gang! I’m back:) Thank you for your patience. Due to my schedule – you might want to sign up for my e-mail notifications so you don’t have to check this site often. It will let you know when I have new thoughts posted. I plan on pushing forward and writing as much as I can but with a messed up computer (I’m using hubby’s right now!), flu season and traveling --- it’s going to be difficult.

So now that “business” is done – let’s have some fun!

I was so tickled by this verse this morning during my quiet time. I wish I had put the date in my Bible of when I first started this, but I pray these verses in Colossians often for my children. And just a few days ago my eight year old was overflowing with thankfulness!!!!

It was just the two of us in the van running a few errands before cheerleading practice. Her sister was at home sick and obviously her 3 year old brother was not going to practice cheerleading so Russ was taking care of that part of the crew. It was just Savannah and I – and I was actually enjoying some semi-adult conversations.

It was a beautiful day and unseasonably warm for February. So out of no where, I hear from the back of the van, “I can not believe this weather we are having! We need to stop and give God some praise!! I mean, I don’t like it cold at all. It is so warm today – I love it!!”

I was praying – Oh Lord, help me remember every word she just said because that was precious! The sincerity, the excitement, --- her understanding of Who is in control of the weather – it was a very proud moment AND a humbling one.

I started wondering – when was the last time that I just gave God a “shout out”? I’m talking about just busting from the seams praise like my child just did!?

I’ve shared this story with some gals at church and so now we pass each other and say “We need to stop and give God some praise!” It’s been a little “joke” with a very serious reminder. So - have you given God praise today?

MILEY CYRUS (aka Hannah Montana)

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9

I had a wonderful day at church! I have missed so many Sunday’s lately due to Cheerleading Competitions and my trip to Mexico. It was so nice to be in such a worshipful setting. I LOVED our message by out pastor yesterday – but one thing really stuck out to me and I want to use that comment today, but in a different direction.

The title of yesterday’s sermon was, “Rest in Peace” using Philippians 4:6-9 and Galatians 5:22 (fruit of the spirit – peace). He gave several celebrity examples of those in the “lime light” who are obviously – by their choices – struggling to find peace. He shared the words of Britney Spears in a 1998 interview of what an important role faith played in her life and how she wanted to be always known as the girl next door. It’s really heart breaking to think what all has happened to her since 1998 (again, mainly her poor choices).

Having young girls – I quickly made a comparison in my mind of Britney’s 1998 comment with that of Miley Cyrus, AKA Hannah Montana, in 2007 about her faith and always wanting to be known as a good girl. Miley has gone so far as talking about attending a Bible Study on her Miley World website (which thrilled me and my daughter to read!!). She also recently explained to the news media how it was Satan attacking her when someone made a big deal about several slumber party photo’s.

I have thought so often about what someone like Miley could do for Christ. What if she gave a testimony and busted out with an invitation at one of her sold out concerts! Over the years, the Lord has led me to pray for several “stars” and for the last several months – Miley Cyrus has been added to that list.

My girls LOVE her. And so far – Miley has done nothing for me to crack down on my girls admiration of her. I actually enjoy her TV show myself! I heard a rumor just a few weeks ago that the Cyrus family was buying some property not far from our house (like bike riding distance) --- remember, I live in Nashville – so it was possible. After all, this is where she was born. Savannah and Cassidy envisioned Miley coming over to play at our house on a regular basis – doing nails, singing and having snacks. My Cassidy said, “Momma, I can’t wait for Miley to move next door. We are going to be best friends!” Then Savannah chimed in, “Maybe she can go to church with us!”

Oh how I hope she is able to go to church somewhere! From what I hear, they use to be very faithful before moving to LA. I hope that in the midst of all the money and fame she is able to keep her thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Boy – that’s hard for me and I’m just a stay at home Mom surrounded by mainly only Christian people!!!!!!

Is there anyone out there – someone famous, that God brings to your mind often? It’s not a fluke!! Pray for them. Hollywood needs Christ – and that’s not a major news flash for any of us. Now, I’m not negating the fact that our neighbors need Christ as well – today, I’m just asking, Have you thought about stretching your prayers out farther than that? Who will you pray for today?

Sometimes our prayer life can be so overwhelming. We have personal needs to be brought before the Lord, then there is family and friends, our country and so on. A Bible Study Leader once shared with our class how she keeps from being so overwhelmed in her prayer life ---- and this was great advice! You might already be doing this – but this was a life saver for me!!!!

She of course has daily prayer needs. Then, aside from that – she breaks down her prayer list by days of the week. For example – it could look like this: Monday’s are for extended family and friends, Tuesday’s are for the leader’s in our nation, what is going on around the world (Miley would fall in this category for me), Wednesday’s are for missionaries and various ministries. Thursday’s are for those suffering with illnesses, widows, etc…Friday….Saturday… She wraps up on Sunday by praying for her church and those in various ministry roles, and teachers at our church.

I hope this post was helpful to you today! Please – be in prayer for the people your kids look up too. IN and OUTSIDE the church

Tennessee Tornado

"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

Psalm 95:3-6

This was NOT yesterday, but the tornado that hit my subdivision in Spring 2006. Our house was OK, but this was a neighbors.

I'm sure you have heard about out the Tornado damage here in Tennessee. My ministry partner Leigh and I (and our spouses) graduated from Union University (the school is all over the news). We have several from our church that are at Union right now. My sister-in-law has been texting her friends at Union all morning and they are all OK, but their dorm was severely damaged. About all that was salvageable were some clothes.



I get a little out of sorts with bad weather. However, this didn't happen to me until several years ago. I was a newly-wed working in downtown Nashville on the 9th floor of a 13 story building. When - out my office window I saw a tornado!!!! YES, gang. I saw it and will never forget it. The wind was whistling in the stairwell as hundreds quickly raced down all those steps to the basement. All the phones were out and I had no way to contact my husband. It happened around 2PM and it was 8PM before I was able to get home.



Last night, my kids were a little freaked out as well. You could hear the sirens warning of bad weather. The lightening was wild and the hail falling from the sky was huge! My middle child asked if we were going to die!!! The girls sleep upstairs by a HUGE window and were very nervous. So, last night I made a pallet in the floor by our bed for all three kiddos. They were pleased and after lots of giggles and silliness - were sound asleep by 10:30PM. At 1AM the storm really kicked up and I was on stand by to scoop them up and head to the closet. Luckily, that was not necessary.



My oldest is also out of school today due to the damage in our county. Our neighborhood is fine this time, but we were hit in Spring 2006. My house (we were building at the time) was not hit directly, but MANY in my subdivision were --- taking the complete back side off some of the houses. They looked like doll houses (see the above pic)! Walking around the debris was just creepy. The weather immediately after a storm like that is very weird. The air is still and dark - you see wondering pets, lawn chairs in tree tops, metal twisted in shapes that would blow your mind!



What can really blow your mind is knowing that God is still in control. That is a difficult concept to grasp during tragedy. In times like this I just think of so many different Psalms passages. I think of Psalm 5:4 that talks about how our God does not delight or take pleasure in tragedy/evil. I think of Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid I will trust in you." Even Psalms 95 talks of how in His hands are the depths of the earth and the sea is His - He created it all AND it is all (even the weather) under His control.



Please pray today for those affected by yesterday's terrible storm.

Return To The Garden Pictures

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

This is Kay and the gals in the taping! What an amazing two days:) God even worked it out where I got to sit beside her at lunch and talk about Speaking Thru Me Ministries! It's a great story I will post one day. She gave some wonderful wisdom for ministry that I will cherish:) Also - she has one of my scripture bags that I sell for ministry. As a group, we decided to give her one in memory of our fun time together.

Hi all! Since my computer is down I don't have much time before hubby comes in and needs to start his work day so I will be brief today. By the way - my husband works from home:) Lucky ME!!!! He has a HUGE project due on Friday that he has been working on for months now - say a prayer that all goes well:)

Here are some Kay pics from our video taping of her newest Bible Study, "Return To The Garden". The study shows what the Bible says about purity. She talk about man being Protector (as God intends) VS Predator (as Satan intends) and woman being Saint VS Seductress. I am so embarassed now as to how I use to dress years ago. YIKES! Someone should have stopped me!!! Oh dear - my college dress was an absolute nightmare. It was obvious that the "meditation of my heart was not pleasing" because my dress showed it!!! I've already started working on my girls at ages 8 & 5 about modesty AND sharing age appropriate information about WHY modesty is important. My mother-in-law was a great example for me. When I met Russ, his youngest sister was only 6 years old! (Boy I'm old - she's now married!!) Anyway, I remember shopping with his sister and her mom during her teenage years. What a task! But, Amanda always looked stylish, adorable and modest.

If you have young girls in your home, begin praying about their purity. God will show you ways --- creative ways - to guide them in the area of modesty and purity.

Burning Coal

"Then I said, 'Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, 'Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.' Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Isaiah 6:5-8

Well, you might be thinking - what an unusual passage to share! I am actually in the midst of the Isaiah precept study so this is more than likely not the first scripture from Isaiah that I will share over the next few weeks:)



I could actually write for days on all that I've learned from just these few verses alone, but I'll spare you for now! And, I'm probablly not going to focus on what you are thinking.



I want you to look at the burning coal part. To take you back just a bit, Isaiah is writing of a vision where he saw the Lord. The Lord is sitting on His throne and when Isaiah sees Him, Isaiah is in awe of God's holiness. This is where he says, "Woe to me!" Isaiah is admitting that he is a man of "unclean lips" and that he is sinful. At that moment - a seraphim picks up a burning coal and places it on the lips of Isaiah and the seraphim says "your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." The very next word in the scripture is "THEN". It says "Then I heard the voice of the Lord." Isaiah did not hear from the Lord UNTIL his sin was taken away.



During our Bible Study time, a lady in our class said, "There is no painless way to get rid of sin." WOW. I can not imagine the pain our Saviour endured on Calvary so that I could one day enter his Holy presence. And, on earth - as we confess our sins to him - it can be so very painful as well.



Recently a precious friend of mine shared how she and her husband were fasting and praying. During this time, one was led to share a sin from the past that had been a burden for around 15 years. It was devastating news, something that could end a marriage if allowed to. Confessing this particular sin was terribly painful for the both of them - it was a burning coal. As they continued to stay in a state of prayer - God worked a miracle. In a matter of hours - as painful as confession was, healing (in their situation) was immediately taking place.



As my friend shared this story - I had just left Bible Study. I could not stop thinking about the comment shared in class. It is true, their is no painless way to get rid of sin. BUT, what comes from our confession (our burning coals) far outways the pain. We, sinful man, can hear from a Holy God. And what great things He has in store for those who are obedient to confess and come to Him.

My Trip To Mexico (AKA Woe, the plans of man!)

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24

I am back from my trip and boy, do I have a story to tell!!!! It goes like this ……. Actually, it ends like this …… when our boat was docked in Mobile, Alabama it was supposedly to be quarantined for 4 days before the Center for Disease Control will allow anyone else to board!! So says CNN News!!!!!

OK, now I’ll back up. I had a fabulous long bus ride. I had a wonderful full day at sea. I took my Bible and all kinds of ministry stuff planning on having an awesome time with God and getting MUCH accomplished.

Well, we dock at Cozumel. My Mom and grandmother along with 40 or so other ladies go on a Site Seeing and Shopping Excursion. Our first stop is across the island in a small village setting where I find a really cool cross ring (we’ve already established my cross thing in another post!). Next, we go to the Beach for about 15 minutes for pictures. For some reason, our next stop is at a Tequila Factory --- why a group of Baptist Women are taken to a Tequila Factory I’m not sure – but it was pretty funny!!!! (this is where you laugh at my Baptist joke) Anyway, I’m starting to not feel well, so I sit and pass on the tour. We get back on the bus to head into downtown Cozumel to do some serious shopping. I’ve been in Mexico about 2 hours by this time – and my time has come to a halt!!! I get off the bus, run to the bathroom and I am oh – so-sick! So sick, that my grandmother hails a cab and we are rushing back to the boat. From there – I continue to be, you guessed it! Oh-so-sick! Oh-so-sick, that my nearly 80 year old grandmother is pushing me in a wheelchair to the ship’s Infirmary!!! Something is seriously wrong with that picture. Evidently, I am oh-so-sick along with hundreds of other people on the ship!!!!! Thus, the boat being inspected by the CDC! And, my trip officially ended riding in a cab only after spending two hours in Mexico. Gang, I was down for the count and I’m doing well to remember getting off the boat :)

I did not get to buy my kids any “real” Mexican gifts. I only got 1 “real” Mexican gift for myself!! I did not have any “lofty” quiet times on the ship’s deck looking out to the sea. I did not do any ministry planning stuff. All I did was be oh-so-sick and sleep.

So, I’m sharing with you what I’ve learned from this unique experience. Life is not about ME! How shocking!! I went on this trip thinking, I deserve a break. This trip is long overdue – I owe it to myself. I’ve got to get my ministry stuff organized. I’m going to accomplish this & that and Me, Myself and I are going to have a blast because it’s about time I did something for – you guessed it, ME! AND – my very supportive husband was never thrilled with this cruise idea. I’m often able to get away for time with Beth Moore, Priscilla and Kay (not personally – but in conference form!) and occasionally for scrapbook weekends. It’s not like I NEVER get away, but he was more hesitant about this trip. He has a huge project due every Feb. and Jan. is the worst possible time for me to leave him to juggle three kids and this other massive undertaking! And honestly, I never gave him a choice so he never said “No.” I just determined from day one that I was going because this trip was well deserved. Well, God put my plans to a halt didn’t He?! Is it possible that I should have listened to my husband (doesn’t God’s word say something about respecting him ---- you would think sometimes I’d never read that part!!)?

Paul said, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Paul was not living to please himself or to get his needs fulfilled. He didn’t desire to get away from it all to hear from God on a cruise to Mexico!! From the point of his conversion on the road to Damascus, he had one burning passion: to live for the glory and the pleasure of God. All that mattered to him was knowing Christ and making Him known to others.

In all honesty, I’ve been more worried about getting a suntan in Mexico and coming back with some grand concept that God revealed to me while standing on the seashore or while sitting in the rays of His glorious creation. I was planning on Him revealing something dramatic and profound with me, so that I could tell (blog) it upon my return. Again, in honesty – making me appear to be greater than I am!

“Oh Lord, how I want to live these words by Paul. Forgive me for my selfishness. I don’t want to live to please myself or even those around me --- only You. God, trips are great – but it’s my attitude that needed the adjustment. Thank you for my husband and his wisdom. Father help me to not think I “always know best”. He is amazing and did such a fabulous job with the kids while I was away. Lord, I truly desire to finish the race and complete the task that You’ve given me. I thank you for my calling in ministry – I understand however that my plans mean nothing. You are in complete control. And plans are good – they are not bad things. But, when I focus on my plans and not the plans You have for me – that’s where the problem comes. Help me to live for You today. Amen”