Free to Be ME!

Likin' the lyrics to this new song by Francesca Battistelli
(on my playlist! see below)

Now....... If I can only live by them!

At twenty years of age ( ok I am not 20... we won't go there...)
I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl
I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right,
and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me


And you’re free to be you
Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and
You tell me That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me


wow... what a word picture ...

On HIS shoulders I am free to be ME!!!
( now if I can only figure out who that is....)

But the amazing thing is.... on HIS shoulders I am free to me.....
who I am right now !!!!!!!!!!! ( dents and rips and all!!!!)
... not who I want to be....
not who others want me to be.....
not who others NEED me to be....
but right NOW on HIS shoulders.....
I am free to be me......

Can there be a better picture of a daughter and her father????!!!!!!!
I think not!

Praying for Abby

Praying for Abby. This sweet girl and her family has had it rough! Please pray for them!

You can follow their journey at:

http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/

My Mission Statement Keeps Re-Appearing!

One of my first posts was about my "mission statement" for 2009. This was much fretted and prayed over.... (see below).... but when I finally asked God what HE wanted for me He said....

TRANSFORMATION

What I tend to forget about our amazing God is that HE doesn't forget..... on many occasions since I was blessed with the statement of TRANSFORMATION.... He keeps bringing it back to me......

We don’t want to spend our lives waiting to be delivered from

all that limits us and separates us from God’s best.

We want to be set free now.

Without transformation, how can we ever rise above

our limitations and be God’s instruments to reach

the world around us?

And that is what life is all about.

The power of a praying women- Stormie O’Martian

On my desk calendar for this year >>>>>

( thanks family- this spot on my desk

is now home to new inspirations)

Affirmation

From the desk calendar

The Power of the Praying Woman

by Stormie O'Martian

You long for the closeness, the connection

the AFFIRMATION

that who you are is good and desirable.

But God is the ONLY one who can give

ALL that to you ALL of the time.

To fast or not to fast??????

At the beginning of the year I wanted to start a fast.
Jentzen Franklin- (a pastor that I follow and the one that started the wonderful Forward Conference in Atlanta that I was able to go to this summer with the kids in our youth group) does a 21 day corporate fast with his church every year. I thought about it - I prayed about it... I researched it.... but not with my whole heart....
1) because it was scary-- I wasn't raised at FBC to "fast".... so this was "foreign to me"!
2) because I love food AND
3) I thought I would fail......!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The more I thought about it the more I realized that #3 was the true reason that I didn't do what God was prompting me to do! FAILURE!!!!!!!! it haunts me.... it truly does....... ( I will have to write more on that one later.... I think I need a little more "transformation" before I take that leap!)

But I should know by now that my God will not allow me to hide from something HE wants me to do. He knows his girl.... He just waits awhile and comes at it from a different angle and if that doesn't work ... He waits awhile and tries again.......

One of my sayings in life to my friends is-

"Don't throw me into the deep end with out my swimmies!!!"

..... I have to know all the details- how cold is the water--- how deep is the water... how long do I have to stay in the water.....are there sharks in the water.....what kind of suit should I wear.... what is everyone else wearing..... who else will be in the water with me........will there be a nice comfy towel to wrap up in if I get cold and have to get out of the water..... yepppp... that's me... you have to lay it all out before I will dive in!

But HE knows me and He knows... give her time.... she will come around ( THANK YOU FATHER FOR BEING SO PATIENT WITH ME!!!) and if I don't come around.... will spring the ultimate on me.....

the "CHASER"!!!

Yep-- the tried and true.... if my feet slip... my little one ( not so little now at 6'1") reminds me, if I don't live up to standards that I have laid out, for both him and me... yep I get the "look", if I get to the bottom of the well- yes God uses Chase to remind me how wonderful my life is and how I should always strive to be a better person... a better mother.... and a better Christan! it is amazing.... ( thank you again God for blessing me with such a miracle!)

Anyway--- I shelved the fasting idea.... it wasn't for me..... surely God didn't expect me to fast... come on... He KNOWS that when I get upset I scrounge in the pantry to sooth me soul..... He KNOWS that in the middle of the night when I can't sleep and my mind wanders to dark places I HAVE to eat something to go back to sleep...... HE knows that all my work buddies make the best treats and the Firemen are always cooking back in the Fire hall.... wafting yummy cooking smells up the hall right to my DESK!!!! surely God doesn't expect that of me....

enter the Chaser.....

I did not share with him my conflict about fasting.... I really didn't share it with anyone... I put out a few feelers to my spiritual friends ( I didn't follow thru mind you-- just put out the feelers..)

Anyway..... Chase and some of his friends have started a Thursday Bible study group during their lunch period.... ( didn't I tell you he was a blessing....).... anyway.. these teenagers have gotten together and on their own... they spend their lunch period talking about what God has laid on their heart...( PRAISE GOD). From the best I can understand- each week someone different is chosen to lead and they take the time to tell the others in their group what they feel God is leading them to share! Last week was Chase's turn and he was nervous... I am trying not to intrude... but asked what he shared about and it was prayer... way to go Chase....ANYWAY... this Thursday, it was some one's elses turn, so I asked him what they had talked about today. Well.... of course you know the answer.....

FASTING!!!!

Yep that's right... fasting....

and he went on....

next Tuesday....

he and another of his buddies have committed to fast for the day........

NO...... ... how deep is the water.... how cold is the water.....are there sharks in the water..... they have COMMITTED to fast for the day!!!!

OK GOD.... I HEAR YOU...... I'M DIVING IN!

Please pray for baby Harper! Her mom at Kelly's Korner (http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/)delivered her on Friday 1/16 and they had to airlift baby Harper to Oklamoma! Please keep her and her family in your prayers!

I can do all things......

I can do all things through CHRIST

which strengthens me.

Phillipians 4:13

Well, the weekend is upon us and I am feeling that old snake slithering around! ( no pun inteneded I promises......lol) He is so evil and sly. He knows my dark spots and my weaknesses. He knows how to sling thoughts from no where that seem to envelope me and try to take me back to horrible places, bad memories and ugliness! Those fiery darts seem to definitely pick up when "company" comes.... and I guess that is normal.... if any of "THIS" is normal....

BUT

I can do all things through Christ which strenghtens me!

I can be kind..

I can be compassionate...

I can be understanding....

I can be hospitable.......

I can be loving...... ( whew, that is a hard one...)

I can be wise......

I can be dilegent.......

I can be tenderhearted.............

I can even see the silver lining...........................

I can NOT do it alone.......I can not do it without prayer.............I can not do it without KNOWING that it is Christ who gets me through each minute, each hour and each day! HE is my strength!

Lord help me to defend myself against those fiery darts that Satan tries so hard to use in his favor. Let me live each moment this weekend knowing that YOU are in control. Help me to remember that you hold all the pieces to the puzzle of my life and you know exactly when and how it needs to be placed together! Let me be a "manifold" of Your love that can only come from You! and may the praise the honor and the glory be YOURS!

Prayer Please!!!!!

Dear Prayer Warriors,

I am writing to request prayer for a dear family I only know through their blog: http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/

This is an amazing family that I have been following this last month when they went to adopt their latest additions to their family. I have marveled at how God moved mountains to get their newest additions home. Please take the time and go back and read thru the blog and get to know this wonderful family!

Through it all they have given GOD the glory and their spirit, knowing that God has called them to adopt..again and again, is an amazing story in itself!

BUT they need our help. Satan is working OVER time at bringing this sweet family down! Yesterday they awoke( praise God- read about HIS mighty promptings that helped save the family) to a fire in their home. They pretty much lost everything. Their home and all their belongs and most importantly their keepsakes that can never be replaced are gone. But praise God all the family made it out safe! For those close to the adoption process, can you imagine making it home with your new little ones and everything that they were FINALLY feeling secure with suddenly and literally going up in smoke. Trying to calm their fears must be a HUGE task. They awoke to the fire yesterday, and today they are sitting in a hospital waiting room as one of their older children goes into surgery for appendicitis. Please pray that Graham makes it thru surgery OK. Please pray that those that are close to them can hold them up and minister to them as only brothers and sisters can do. Please pray that God will comfort them in ways they have never felt before! and if God prompts you- you can go to another site to see how else you can help

http://joyunspeakableandfullofglory.blogspot.com/

or

http://www.stinkytofuandotherthings.blogspot.com/

or
http://lovebuildsahouse.blogspot.com/


PLEASE , PLEASE LIFT THE SAUNDERS FAMILY UP IN PRAYER!!!

Stacie

BLESSED

I am SO blessed!!!

Yesterday was a great day! My Chase is Awesome! Really, he is growing into such a neat young man.... and even though I know it, yesterday just really reminded me of what a wonderful life I have! When I came home he had made supper for me! Now, come on, how many single moms come home to a home cooked meal by their 14 year old son! That is what happened! How cool is that! We had shrimp with linguine, garlic toast and HOMEMADE chocolate pie! yummmmmy!

We were gifted this Christmas with a gas grill, which the "Grill master" as deemed his DOMAIN. This sudden interest in cooking has taken off with a mind of it's own and I am amazed at a side of Chase I have never seen before! He is really interested in learning to cook! WoHOOOO! and I am all about being the taste tester extraordinaire! Yesterday, he and Grandma had some quality kitchen time and I got to reap the rewards! He was so excited he was beaming!!!! That child totally AMAZES me!

On top of that I found out (not by him telling me, but by me being my "nosey Mom" self) that he and some of his friends are starting a Bible study on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch period (thus the need for the sack lunch...). Now how about that, a group of teenagers, getting together- on their own -during their coveted free time -to learn more about our Lord and Savior!

God is teaching me mightily through that young man! Thank you God for ALL MY BLESSINGS! but especially for Chase!

Blessed, so blessed!

God's Affirmation---- TRANSFORMATION

From the desk calendar

Power of the Praying Woman

by Stormie O'Martian:

We don't want to spend our lives waiting to be delivered from

all that limits us and separtates us from God's best.

We want to be set free NOW.

Without transformation, how can we ever

rise above our limitations and be God's instruments

to reach the world around us?

And that is what life is all about.

Transformation=Affirmation

From the desk calendar of

The Power of the Praying Woman

By Stormie O'Martian

We don't want to be women who hear the

truth but seldom act in faith to appropriate it for our lives.

We don't want to be FOREVER grappling with

doubt, fear, insecurity, and uncertainty.

We want to live life ON purpose and WITH purpose!

Mission Statement????????

One of my most recent challenges came from my SS class. In fact this is where alot of my growing comes from. We were challenged to come to the next class with a Mission Statement for the year 2009!

Whew.... were to start???? there are SO many things that I would like to see happen! I agonized and agonized........ ( I know- I know- me agonizing.....no one can imagine........ lol), I researched and read other people's mission statements ( isn't it amazing what you can find on the web???), I wrote and re-wrote all the things I wanted to acomplish and be. At the end of the list, even those things that I had agonized over writing down had changed. So after a prayer and a few minutes of quiet time (by the way that was one of the things that was on my list .... to "Be Still" ) -Be still and know that I AM GOD Psalm 46:10- God gave me something amazingly simple.... My mission statement for 2009....................................

TRANSFORMATION!!!!!!

ok- here we go!