Keeping it Real

Run your own race!

2012-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I saw a friends post on Facebook. She was commenting on being a working mother and feeling guilty when others say how important it is to be a stay at home mom. I felt her pain immediately. At this very moment I don't even remember who wrote this post but I know it is a common feeling among working mothers. So I decided to encourage all of us in running our own race in this life.

I remember being a new mother and struggling with breastfeeding. I had so many people telling me how important it was for my baby to get those first few weeks of breast milk. I remember feeling ashamed and embarrassed when I gave up and went to formula. Then there was the struggle with the boys sleeping with us. How many of you have had a family member or friend tell you how BIG of a mistake you were making in allowing your children to sleep with you? I remember trying to find just one person to tell me I was doing a good job. Just one person to tell me I wasn't ruining my kids. Even when I got someone to tell me I was okay, it still didn't seem to help. For every one person who encouraged me, there were five who told me I needed to do something different. The list could go on and on. How long is the pacifier acceptable? What is the appropriate form of discipline? I'm not going to continue because it hurts my head just thinking about it. But you know exactly what I am talking about. We all have our own stories.

This is why I write. IT'S YOUR LIFE!!!!! I am 35 years old. I've been married 11 years and I have an 8 year old child and an almost 6 year old child. I have finally figured out that this is my life. I am the one that woke up in the wee hours of the morning to feed my child. Was I a better mom for breast feeding or a better mom for getting some needed rest while dad took a shift feeding the bottle of formula? In the early 1900's, families lived in one room houses. Six kids shared a room with mom and dad. Did this ruin these children? Is your child ruined if he is encouraged to cry himself to sleep to develop a sleep pattern or if you rock him to sleep every night for the first year? People, there are far greater issues in this world. What works for you and your household? There is lots of great advice out there. Your mother and neighbor may have tons of wisdom. You may have a collection of best selling books on a plethora of topics. But their thoughts, opinions and ideas may not work for you. Just because they made the NY best-sellers list does not make them right in your situation.

To the mother who works out of the house every day, you are no worse or better for your choice. This does not define a great mother. What defines us in life is how we love each other. Do those in your life feel safe, loved and important to you? There are stay at home moms who are so focused on their soap operas and computer games that their children are raising themselves. There are also working mom's who come home refreshed and ready to give their children all the love and attention possible until bed time. Don't let others judge you for your choices in life. Let God direct you in every decision you make. You must live with your decisions and if it works for you and yours then GO FOR IT!

Be confident in who you are and what you do. Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." This is why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important. He is the only one who will give great advice every time.

Hebrews 11:1, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." It's your race so run it!

Trust, why is it so hard?

2012-01-24T14:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Ty and I had to take off and land three times to get home from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On our first plane ride I had a thought. We were speeding down the tarmac about to take flight and I said to Ty, "We sure do have a lot of faith in this plane and this pilot." In all honesty, every time we get on a plane we are putting our lives in the hands of the unknown. I have never met the pilot nor seen his resume before take off. I have never seen the flight log or been told the maintenance history of the plane I am on. I just walk on the plane, fasten my seatbelt and trust that I will make it to my destination without any complications. Why is this so easy to do? How can I hand over control to Southwest airlines but not trust the creator of Heaven and earth with my life? Hasn't He proven Himself enough. I will be honest. This is my greatest struggle in life. Trusting the Lord and giving up control. My favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

This is something I will work on every day. I know it's a process and I am not willing to give up. I will trust Him even when I don't understand. I may have days of crying out to God with frustration but thank the Lord, He is okay with me being real. He loves me and He loves you. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "His grace is sufficient."

Simplicity

2011-12-27T19:58:00.000-08:00

I woke up Christmas morning feeling so very blessed. The snow was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't wait to get to my mom's house for the day of festivities. But first my sweet potato casserole had to be made. So I put my Christmas apron on, turned on the television and got busy in the kitchen. For you to understand what I'm about to tell you, I must first explain one little story. A few weeks ago I was visiting with a close friend about the teaching podcasts I love to watch. The amount of knowledge available to the believer today is mind blowing. I have a long list of favorites. I made the comment that Joel Osteen is a great speaker with a feel good message. His teachings are practical and he offers good advice on "living your best life now". But, I shamefully must tell you that I told my friend that I like a little more Word in my teachings. I like to go a little deeper. Well, guess who was preaching when my television powered up Christmas morning? You betcha! Joel Osteen was sharing a sermon and I had already started peeling potatoes. So I decided to listen. Three times in his message I began to cry. At one point I looked up to see Joel tearing up as well. And all of the sudden everything became so clear. I was changing and growing in a 20 minute message. Joel Osteen was oozing with "The Word". I'm not talking scripture, I'm talking Jesus. Jesus was pouring out of every crevice of this man's being. I suddenly felt like a modern day Pharisee. When Jesus came to this earth, He entered in by way of a common couple and a smelly manger. At the age of 30, His teachings began to be recorded. He showed love and compassion to those that most religious people would walk by and scoff. He chose fishermen and tax collectors to be his helpers. He slept and ate in the homes of the despised. He spoke to prostitutes and lepers without fear of rejection. Jesus was and is the Word. And the Word is Love. The Sadducee's and the Pharisees did not understand the simplicity of Christ's message. He confounded the wise. They were looking for something "deep" and yet they didn't even recognize the well of never ending supply that was standing before them. What does it mean to go "deep"? Is it bible knowledge? Is it knowing Greek and Hebrew translations? Is it possessing more gifts than your Sunday School teacher? Or could it be more simple than that? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never Fails!" Christ made it very clear how important love was to Him. I will probably spend my lifetime becoming love. I don't want to miss Jesus looking for knowledge. In everything I do and say I want to look to Him. Joel Osteen is preaching love to a world full of hate. He is changing lives one message at a time. Not because of who he is or what he is capable of doing. He is changing lives because he loves Jesus! And this love shines bright for all to see. Now that is deep.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Freedom!

2011-12-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

This weekend God used a certain verse in Acts to speak to me and many others. It was an amazing story that has kept me smiling for the past couple of days. So this morning in my quiet time, I decided to go back and read Acts chapter 16 in its entirety. As soon as I began, something popped out that I had never understood before. By the way, this is not because of my own understanding. This is because the Holy Spirit points things out to me that without Him would seem like gibberish. He can do the same for you. Anyway, in the first few verses Paul and Silas have come to the town in which Timothy resides. And Paul has decided that he wants Timothy to come and go down the road with he and Silas. Now this is an awesome time for Timothy. He is being invited by one of the greatest missionaries and crusaders for Christ to go preach the gospel to the masses. I can't imagine what He must have been thinking. Pure elation would be my guess. But look at verse 3. "Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek." Now most days I would have just read this and moved on. But something struck me. I was reminded that in Galatians, Titus, who was also of Greek decent, refused to be circumcised before joining the journey with Paul to Jerusalem. He refused because he would not be put under the law by those who tried to argue his freedom. See many years earlier God called all men to be circumcised as a symbol of belonging to Him. But when Christ came, Paul discouraged circumcision because Jews continued to preach circumcision was a sign of salvation. Paul argued that you are not saved by works (circumcision) but by grace (Christ's blood). Circumcision had become a way for the Jews to hold their position over the heads of the Gentiles. Paul was called to preach salvation to the Gentiles and he refused to put law before grace. Not because of his own deciding but because of what Christ came to earth to teach. And in Romans 2:28 Paul says it best, "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." Meaning, God looks at the heart. You are saved because God paid the ultimate price. It is a free gift never to be earned by hard work or being good enough. Today many followers of Christ do the same thing that the Jews of Paul's day did. They judge your church attendance, your bible knowledge, your volunteer statistics, how you dress, how you talk, where you go and with who you go. The Bible says, "It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts."

So I say all this to explain what caught my attention. Timothy was circumcised and Titus was not. Why? Was it because of Law? NO! Was it because of tradition? NO! Did he want to fit in? NO! Timothy was circumcised because he knew the people he was going to be preaching the gospel to and circumcision mattered to them. He wanted to reach every last person possible without anything hindering God's mission. Why did Titus refuse circumcision? Was he rebellious? NO! Was he scared? NO! (I would have been). He refused because those under the law were trying to rob him of his freedom in Christ. In fact, Paul said in Galatians 2:7, "God does not judge by external appearance-those men added nothing to my message."

God is a personal God. He wants relationship with each one of us. Timothy had a heart to reach people and He heard God say that circumcision would help break the barrier in the hearts of those who would hear the gospel. Would you be willing to obey God in doing whatever He asked of you? Even if it was painful? So which man was wrong in his decision. Surely two men can't do the total opposite and be right. But the fact is, Titus and Timothy were both right. They were right because they had relationship with a loving God. He spoke and they obeyed. Don't put God in a box. Let Him speak "rhema" to you today. Others need to see the Jesus in you and nothing should be hiding the light that shines inside. Don't follow rules, follow Jesus!!!

The Local Church- To go or not to go?

2011-11-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

I had a short but great visit with a dear friend of mine on Wednesday. We were discussing a couple of books that have become very popular in the anti-church world. People who once belonged to a local church and are now discouraging others from stepping through the front door. They list problem after problem with the church and they make many good points. In fact, I have very close friends who feel the same way as the authors of these books. Many people have been hurt or they have watched others be hurt. They have seen Pastors fall hard and pull many people away from the right path. They have heard wrong teachings, witnessed raw manipulation, and seen God's Word be shared in a poor theatrical presentation. I have been a part of the local church my entire life. I have witnessed more than any person should and I have been saddened by too much. BUT.................... This is what my friend said on Wednesday. Although she has experienced tough times in church. She has had many great times there as well. She was saved in the local church. She was married in the local church. She was supported by her church family when her first husband passed away. She dedicated her children to God in her local church. She was baptized with the Holy Spirit in the church. Her love for God's Word grew in the local church. She said, "Where would I be in my faith if it weren't for the local church?" Do we have hurts? Yes. Have we been disappointed? You bet ya! But is God still using Pastor's and teachers to spread the Gospel in all the World? Absolutely!! To quote a theme song to an old television show, "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have; The Facts of Life." Now this may sound heartless. I honestly and whole heartedly don't mean for it to be. But the fact is, we are all human. Only with God's help can we make a change in this world. Are there some churches you shouldn't go to? Of course there are. But there are men and women who have a love for God and His Word. They are humble in spirit and they love God's people. They preach the Truth and nothing but the Truth. They are held accountable to their peers and to God first and foremost. Will they still make mistakes? Probably. As Bishop TD Jakes once said, "We are lambs leading lambs." The Good Shepherd is our Heavenly Father. He and only He is perfect. But praise God for Grace. It is sufficient for all of us.

So, should you belong to a local body of believers? What is God telling you? And whatever He tells you, don't assume He is telling others the same thing. I personally can't imagine my life past, present or future without the local body. Through all the good and the bad the FACT is I have been abundantly blessed.

In The Storm

2011-11-13T22:21:00.001-08:00

When things are tough and you have so many questions, how big is your faith? I've learned over time that during tragedy your faith can be limited. When things are going good in my life, I can pray and believe for everyone. But when I'm down and struggling, it's much more difficult to have faith. A wise man once said, having faith during tragedy is like trying to build a house during a hurricane. Isn't that a true picture of your own personal storm. But that is why we have each other. In my darkest times I need you to believe. And in your darkest times you need me. The family of God is so vital in our lives. We need one another to lift the other up when standing seems impossible.

I'm reminded of the story of Moses and the battle between Israel and the Amaleks. Moses stood on the mountain top and as long as his hands were in the air, Israel was winning the battle. As soon as his hands began to fall, the Amaleks dominated. When Moses' hands became too heavy, Aaron and Hur stood on each side and lifted them up. Isn't that a beautiful picture of the Church. As the Children of God, we hold each other up. When your tired, I am there. When I don't feel I can stand, you hold me up. It is the power of God working through His people.

So when you are smack dab in the middle of your storm, don't beat yourself up because of the size of your faith. Lean on those around you. Let them pray for you and let them believe for you. The battle is yours so don't give up.

Thankful!

2011-10-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

We are nearing Thanksgiving and it is not uncommon for people to start talking about what makes them grateful. Why is it that we only do this once a year? All year long we grumble about the troubles in our lives. Why me? How much longer? When will this end? Do these questions sound familiar? What if we started everyday thanking God for the good gifts He has given us? James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." I can't tell you how many times I hear people say, "God is testing me in this trial." They say,"God took him/her because He needed another angel." This is hogwash. God sent His son to give us life and life more abundant. The enemy came to kill, steal and destroy. God does not "take", He "receives". God does not lead you into the valley of the shadow of death, He walks with you in the valleys. God does not throw you into the fire, He stands with you while you are in it and when you come out you don't even smell of smoke. A grateful heart may not change our circumstances but it does change our perspective. We have so much to be thankful for and it far out weighs the trials in our lives. Our perspective has to change. Be grateful 365 days a year not just Pre-Thanksgiving. If you're reading this, you can see. If you're reading this, someone invested in your education. If you are reading this, you have breath in your lungs and tomorrow is a new day. Give God thanks! This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Garden Excess

2011-10-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

This year our zucchini and squash were abundant in our garden. You can only eat so much of it and then give the rest to friends and family. If you're like me, you love to find new and creative ways to fix these veggies for lunch/dinner. So here is a great recipe that i made up and the family loved it.

Take left over grilled chicken breast or you can roast some in the oven. Olive oil, salt and pepper rubbed all over chicken. Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes. Then when cooled, chop into chunks.

In a large saucepan on med heat, add 2 TBS. olive oil and 1 TBS. butter with 1 white onion (chopped). Saute for a few minutes with salt and pepper. Then add sliced zucchini and squash to onions. I usually use one large zucchini and squash or use 2 medium of each. Continue to saute a bit longer before adding any type of tomato. I have used fresh grape tomatoes as well as a can of diced tomatoes. Fresh is my favorite. Add a bit more salt and pepper to taste. Then add chicken broth to pan. Do not cover veggies with broth. Just add broth half way up. Cover with lid and turn heat down a bit. Just let the veggies simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. You want veggies tender. Then remove lid and reduce the liquid by half. In a large, salted pot of water, boil whole wheat Penne pasta to Al dente texture. Drain pasta and pour veggie mixture on top. Add chunks of chicken and toss. Top with Parmesan cheese. Great way to get your kiddos to eat their veggies. Believe me, I have a very tough time with Hudson Bean and he loved it.

I Trust In Him

2011-09-21T19:29:00.001-07:00

Today I awoke and wondered if I would get a phone call from Dr. Hyacinth. Would the lump I've had for over a month be cancer or not? Today I awoke to a journal entry from a father I barely know. Would his eight year old daughter who unexpectedly went into heart failure have a good day today? Today I awoke to a text message from a dear friend who is sitting in a hospital room with her daughter for the umpteenth time. Would her daughter's breathing improve and the seizures stop? Today I awoke and dressed for my Wednesday with Seth Anderson. Seth has been a vital part of my life for fifteen years. This 21 year old young man has never ridden a bike, never eaten a piece of birthday cake and never spoken a word. But he has ministered to me more than any person I know. Would today be my last Wednesday to serve him? To be honest, there are some days that I would like to sleep through until the next sunrise. There are some days that my heart is heavy. My understanding of life is unclear and my questions are unanswered. But then I am reminded that I don't have to know all the answers. I am protected, loved and cherished by the one who does. Our world is full of things we don't understand. I shared on Sunday morning a revelation that challenged me to my very core. We were singing a song that says "I Trust in Him" and once again I asked myself, "Do you really?" It's so easy to love Jesus when everything is going great. It is so easy to trust Him when everything is in its place. But what about those times that you don't understand what He is doing? So the analogy I shared was about overpasses. My mind shot to Dallas/Fort Worth and the maze of underpasses and overpasses. It's like a ball of yarn that some genius engineer designed. Then he handed his plans off to a contractor who then instructed laborers. To be honest, I get a little overwhelmed thinking about the magnitude of that job. Can you imagine the responsibility and design efforts. But every time I go to Dallas I go under and I go over those passes. I don't stop mid-traffic and say,"I don't understand how this works, therefore I don't know if I can trust this structure to hold me and my precious cargo." No, I don't dare stop in mid-traffic in Dallas Texas. I put the pedal to the metal and stay on my course, TRUSTING that everyone who had a hand in this structure knew what they were doing. Have accidents happened and structures failed? Absolutely! Time, weather, environment and more have effected the strength of our highways. But I trust that it won't fail me. And I do that without even thinking about it. So why can't I trust the Creator of the Universe with my life? Does time, weather and environment put a toil on this body? Absolutely! Does God cause bad things to happen to good people? NO! But He does walk with us through those events. We live in an imperfect world, with imperfect people but we serve a perfect God who we can TRUST! My prayer for all of us is that it gets easier to do just that. I want to take those leaps of faith without hesitation. When I walk through those dark valleys, I want to walk with confidence that God has not left me. Because the truth is, "He will never leave us nor forsake us." I don't understand all that happens in this life. But I trust God has a plan that only He may know. I don't understand the job of a highway engineer but I trust his design will stand strong. But I tell you this, I trust God more than a mere man. I think we all do. It's just the process of letting go. Stop trying to figure it out and just drive this course of life without fear.

Update:

Me: I'm cancer free! Thank you Jesus!

Father's journal: "We live in a fallen world where pain and suffering are not strangers. But there is relief found in our Savior Jesus Christ. We thank God for our time here and for the love of so many people. His will be done. Still time for a miracle or a new heart."

Friends text: "Seizure free today! What is going on in LBK? (She was checking on me.) Hope all is well. Please, please let me know if you need anything. I will be right there. Love you more than you know." Amazed at her desire to be there for me even in her time of need.

Seth Anderson: He had a great day and I "get" to go back next Wednesday.

Psalm 39:5

"You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath."

Make the most of today. Love more, give more and Trust more. We do not know what tomorrow holds.

Self Reflection

2011-09-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

A couple of nights ago, Ty and I were in our bathroom getting ready for bed. Hudson walked in brushing his teeth and had toothpaste dripping from his chin. Ty quickly directed him to the sink so he could spit. Ty thought it would be a great opportunity to coach him a little in correct brushing. So Ty pulled out his toothbrush to demonstrate. I was brushing mine as well in my sink. In the middle of us all brushing, Ty instructs Hudson to change hands. I was viewing this whole situation in my mirror because the boys were behind me. I immediately jumped on Ty saying, "He doesn't use his left hand, he is right handed." Then it hit me to turn around. Ty was helping him move the toothbrush from the left hand to the right hand but the mirror had deceived me. From my view everything was backwards. Luckily, Ty didn't understand what I was saying so an argument didn't break out nor did I have to apologize for being wrong. Praise the Lord!!!! Isn't it hard to admit when we are wrong? But this experience caused me to take a long hard look at myself. Do I jump to conclusions too fast? Do I jump in the middle of things that do not concern me? Do I think my way is better than others? I think I'm going to keep my answers to myself. How about you? Perception is a funny thing. We all have one but we all think ours is the only one. At least the only one with any value or merit. I believe it is important for all of us to recognize our shortcomings. Have you judged someone too quickly? Have you let one bad experience dictate the direction of a relationship that was full of many great experiences? You could very well be seeing everything backwards. You could be wrong! Gasp.... Slow down and look at your situation from every angle. You may need to close your mouth, you may need to open it and apologize and you may need to take a long look in the mirror. The written Word of God is full of wisdom. Take a look at the following scriptures and see if they open your eyes to Truth.

James 1:22-24 Romans 12:19

Proverbs 10:19 Matthew 5:44

Proverbs 12:18

Proverbs 18:21

The Mountain before you!

2011-08-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

During prayer time last night at Cowboy Junction, I quoted the scripture found in Mark chapter 11. Jesus is speaking to his disciples and telling them to have faith. And with faith they can speak to the mountain and it shall fall into the sea. The struggles and difficulties that stand before us often seem like a mountain standing in our way. These trials are keeping us from our "promised land" and there is nothing we want more than to see it removed. Well the Lord used a message I had recorded back in March to speak to me in August. I woke up this morning and turned on a previously recorded message by Bishop T.D. Jakes. In this message, he spoke something that gave me a different perspective of those mountains. He said that victory is not found in changing your mountain. Victory is found in your mountain changing you. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years in search of their destination that was only a few days journey away. Why? Did they pray and ask God to get them out of the desert? You bet they did. But there was something they had to learn in the desert before God would bring them into their promised land. Do you ever feel like you go around the same mountain over and over again? Be prepared to keep circling until you change what is keeping you there. Mark 11 tells us that with faith all things are possible. But we must also know that God cares about our future. He cares about our children and our grandchildren's future too. The decisions you and I make today can effect our offspring for generations. If there is something we must learn in order to prepare our path to our promised land, God will walk with us around our mountain until we are ready to change our course. The thing is, we have a choice. Do you want your mountain to change or will you let your mountain change you?

View From My Seat

2011-08-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

I love having the opportunity to re-preach Ty's messages to other people. Yesterday I was given the opportunity to tell two different people about this weekends message. The content seemed to fit their circumstances just perfectly. I love how God does that for us. For those of you that missed it, please don't forget about our free podcasts at www.cowboyjunctionchurch.com. Every message preached at CJC is found on our website. In the meantime, here is what touched me the most. Ty spoke on our life being similar to a tree that is meant to flourish and produce a harvest. But circumstances don't always allow for easy growth. At times in our lives we fill like we are doing the very best we can and pruning begins to happen. Now pruning is necessary but it initially hurts. Ty reminded us that God is not in the business of hurting us and He uses everything for our good. The scripture he pointed us to is found in John 15:2. It says,"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." When he explained this scripture in "Ty Bean fashion", I wanted to jump up and shout. When something is lost or cut off, God has plans for a bigger return. WOW!!!! I am holding on to this promise and I am remaining in the vine. Even fruit producing limbs get pruned on. Why? Because the greater harvest comes from what we gained in the tough times. I don't want to just bear fruit. I want my branches to bend. I want an overflow of whatever God has to offer. At the end of the service, Ty gave 2 scriptures that he encouraged us to make as our scripture memory. One of them being Galatians 6:9. I memorized it today and I am sure it will be useful in the days ahead. It says,"Let us not grow weary doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." In life, disappointments come. People hurt us and tough times can bring discouragement. But through all the pruning we receive, we can't give up. A great harvest is coming. More fruit than our tree can hold. God has promised to finish what He began in each of us. What the enemy meant for harm, God will make for good. Keep pressing on. Don't lose heart. And most importantly, stay connected to the vine.

Ladies Retreat

2011-07-21T16:51:00.001-07:00

All I can say is, "We are BLESSED!" What an amazing trip we had to Ruidoso. Cowboy Junction is an incredible church to belong to. Not because we meet in a great facility but because we are full of the most amazing people. I love each and everyone of you. I look forward to our next trip.

In saying all that, I want to encourage everyone reading the importance of relationship. We need each other to be the best we can be. A shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a hand to share are necessary in all our lives. Don't keep yourself from blessing others and don't push others away from blessing you. We need one another now more than ever.

Book Review

2011-07-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

I just finished another life changing book. It is "Unmerited Favor" by Joseph Prince. I highly recommend it to every believer. Rules and religion have tried to guide the church down the right road but they have confused and tainted the vision of the church instead. God has given us grace, unmerited favor, as a free gift. It is time for the body of Christ to realize "whose" they are and what He sees. If you are tired of living in condemnation and you are ready to experience true freedom, then please read this incredible book. It will change your life as it has mine.

Seek and Find

2011-06-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

All kids love the game of Hide and Seek. It is a childhood favorite. It's fun to watch little ones play because they never stay hidden long enough to be found. As soon as the counter says the famous words,"Ready or not here I come," they spring from their hiding place giggling uncontrollably. The game then turns into a great game of tag. The older you get, no one wants to be it because it can take awhile to find the ones hiding. Hiding places get better and silence is a must. This leaves the seeker feeling lost, alone and somewhat insecure. "Are they playing a trick on me?" "Am I walking right past them but I can't see them?" So of course this got me to thinking. I realized how blessed we are that God is not hiding. He clearly says in Jerimiah 29:13 "And you will seek Me and findl Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." God is not hiding from you or me. He is just waiting for a relationship with us. He wants to be known by His children. I love the story of the prodigal son. When the father sees his son coming from a distance, he runs to him. It didn't matter where he had been or what he had done. This was his son and he had come home. Take a step towards your Heavenly Father and He will meet you where you are. We serve a good God. We serve a faithful and loving God. When you find Him, you will not be disappointed.

Dig In

2011-06-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well the Bean Family just got back from a two week vacation. We had an amazing time on this trip! During our time on South Padre Island, we spent many hours on the beach. Wow!!! God is so amazing in His Creation. He blows my mind on a regular basis. The sunrises and sunsets were breath taking. One of our most favorite activities was collecting shells of all kinds. We found all shapes, sizes and colors. But there was one shell in particular that drew my interest. This shell went unnoticed by most people. If you walked by and didn't pay close attention, they would look like the millions of other shells that covered the beach. But when you looked closely these particular shells would turn on end and bury themselves back in the sand before the wave would come again and wash it to the surface. This would happen over and over with every roll of the ocean. I saw a characteristic in these shells that I believe we should all share. Determination! Life happens to all of us. Good times and bad times alike. For me, the waves represented the tough times that we all face. Just when we feel secure and comfortable something comes along and knocks us upside the head. We are left feeling scattered and alone. These shells have a different response to the waves than many of us do. As soon as the wave headed out to sea the shell quickly dug back in. I find many Christians do the complete opposite. As soon as they have a moment of trouble, they start the blame game. They turn from God or they turn on God. They allow relationships to go sour. They remain defeated. But God wants His kids to turn to Him in times of trouble. Dig In! Turn to the one who understands what you are facing. Seek His face and He will bring peace in the midst of your storm. Stuff will happen that you never saw coming. But you can't let it keep you down. Don't run from God but run to Him. He wants to comfort you and guide you but you have to choose. Be determined and DIG IN!

Give me, Give me

2011-05-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

How many of you want more? More money, more stuff, more time and more of God. I think we have all had moments in our lives that we wanted more or we wanted what "they" have. "Lord if you could just give me ____, I could be happy." "Lord if I just had ______, I could do more for the Kingdom." And then one of my random thoughts popped in my head. Do I appreciate what I have been given? Do I spend the money I do have wisely? Do I save? Do I give to others unselfishly looking for nothing in return? Do I appreciate the stuff I have already been blessed with? Do I take most of my possessions for granted? Do I use my time wisely? Do I give my most importants (MI's) priority in my day? Do I waste precious time on things that don't really matter? And lastly, if I want more of God do I give more of myself? Have I given Him everything? Do I seek His face? "Come to me says the Lord and I will come to you."

I guess what I am asking is what have we done with what we have been given? We have this "Give Me" mentality and yet we don't even appreciate what we already possess. We are a blessed people in a blessed nation. We must stop and take inventory of our lives. If God can trust us with the little, He can trust us with the much. Remind yourself daily how very blessed you are. Speak positive over the gifts you have received instead of speaking negatively over what you wish you had. We serve a God that gives good gifts to His children. He wants to bless His children in every way. Take care of what you have, appreciate what you have and trust that God will give you what you need!

Defending Truth

2011-04-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

I was watching an episode of Dr. Drew this week. I was saddened at the Christian man who was being attacked for his beliefs. Have you noticed that the stage never seems to be balanced with opinions? It is never a winning situation. The Christian man walked away looking beat down. He put himself in a position of publicly arguing the Truth. But what do you do when you believe the truth must be told? Does the Word of God need you to defend it? I look at the life of Christ. He did both. In one situation he went into the temple turning tables over. He saw sin in the house of God and He did something about it. But when He was being wrongly accused, He remained silent. Never once did he try to convince those that cursed and beat Him. When the adulteress woman was brought to Jesus to be stoned, He knelt down and began to draw in the dirt. He didn't argue with her accusers, He just asked them a simple question. Their silent answer sent them away leaving the woman with her Redeemer.

I have a challenge for Christians. Talk to God before you speak. The written Word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit. So ask the author what you should do about each situation you encounter. I believe we have good intentions but we end up doing more harm than good. Too many people preach the truth but don't come close to living it. The biggest testimony is our life not our words. The best thing you can do is turn others towards Christ. Don't argue over the Truth. At the same time, we must not diminish the Truth. Believe God's Word and stand firm. But arguing will never lead someone to the answer. In fact, it causes them to run from it. I'm not encouraging you to remain silent, but to ask God first.

God is so much bigger than we tend to give Him credit. We often believe He can't do it without us. Yes, we are the vessel He uses but at the same time He is God. Seek His face and speak the Words He would speak and nothing more. We are to be the light in the darkness. Don't let your mouth be the bushel that hides what the world needs to see. The life of Christ shows us that with each situation life brings, our response may be different from one to the next. But Christ was in relationship with His Father. He spoke what His Father told Him to speak. We must do the same. It is about relationship, not religion.

Trials to Victories!

2011-03-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

The house was cold when we got up this morning but I was trying to not turn on the heater. I mean it's April for goodness sake. We should be opening our windows for some fresh air. Besides, I was wearing sandals just yesterday. I don't think I will ever understand the weather in Hobbs. I am just glad the Lord didn't call me to be a weather reporter. Anyway, I was in the laundry room starting another load when I realized how cold I was. The warm clothes from the dryer felt wonderful in my arms. And then I had a thought. Where do I find the most pleasure? Do I prefer to be hot or cold? Many of you could easily blurt out one or the other. But I realized the pleasure comes from being relieved from hot or cold. It is so wonderful to be shivering and someone offer a warm blanket next to the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. Or to be dripping with sweat and given a cool drink next to a high speed fan. What does this mean? When we walk in the middle of the road you tend to forget how blessed you are. If you never have a trial, you never have a victory. If we never walk in the valley, we don't notice how beautiful the mountain really is. Don't run from the situation you might be facing right now. Trust in the Lord and let Him bring your victory. You are a blessed child of God. He is always faithful and He will never leave you.

Have you Missed Me?

2011-03-28T15:50:00.000-07:00

Where does time go? I have been blowing and going like most of you I am sure. I can't believe that I haven't blogged in over 3 weeks. The topic I want to discuss today is God's grace. I have been amazed how He uses us in spite of us. Like I have said many times, I am my worst enemy. But I am in awe of how I can feel like I have spent no time with God and He ends up speaking through me. In all honesty, there are days that I feel my worst and God gives me a word for someone. Or things can get quiet around me and I feel God reveal His truth to my heart. Why is His grace and love not conditional? Because it would not be grace or love. God chose us before we chose Him. In the middle of the dirty water God picked us out. Isn't that amazing. Amazing Grace. Let God touch your heart in a special way. Be aware of how God sees you. He is proud of you because He sees who you're going to be. I love the story of Gideon crouched down in the wine press. The angel appears and calls out "O' mighty man of valor!" Gideon was the least of the least and he was hiding out in a wine press but God saw something different. Praise God! You are a child of the King. You have been given power and authority in your life. Rise up out of the pit and claim what God has set aside for you. He says we are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus. So, I don't know about you but I am encouraged. God wants to use you and He will. Just be ready to say "Yes Lord!"

Nothing Gonna Stop You!

2011-03-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

I love this saying, "There is no person on Earth and no devil in hell that can keep you from the greatness God has for you." If you are determined to keep your eyes on Jesus, what can stop you? NOTHING! Take it one step at a time and be obedient. Start your day off asking God to open your eyes to His will. Slow down and be observant to each step you take. God has a plan that is so big for your life. Don't let yourself get in the way of God's greatness. You get to decide. Don't let your past nor your present affect your future. Decide to follow Jesus no matter the cost and keep steppin'. Do what you can and let God do what you can't. I believe in you, Jesus believes in you so how about you believe in you!

Wiggle

2011-02-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

I just shared with CJC the message that Joyce Meyer spoke at the C3 conference in Grapevine, TX this past weekend. For those of you that couldn't join us, I must share with you as well. Joyce shared from the book of John. She talked about the man who laid by the pool of Bethesda giving every excuse why he could not be healed. For 38 years he suffered with an illness that robbed him of life. He was only steps away from the answer but no one would help him to the water. Joyce said, "Wiggle." If you will do what you can, God will do what you can't. I love that. Don't sit around wishing and hoping. Do SOMETHING! Don't sit around blaming others for your situation. Take RESPONSIBILITY! If this man couldn't walk to the pool, could he wiggle? She told the story about a man who wanted to hear from God. He went before the Lord and fell on his face in prayer. "God speak to me. What do you want from me?" He stayed there for hours. Then suddenly he heard the Lord speak to his heart. "Get up, get dressed and go to work." What in the world does this mean. He went in to his home and his wife said "Did you hear from God?" "Yes, honey," he said. "He said to get up, get dressed and go to work." Well that certainly wasn't what he or his wife were hoping for. They were desperate for change and they needed direction from God. Well, sometimes God is asking us to just be faithful in our natural world. In being faithful and obedient, God brings about the supernatural. We must listen and obey. And for some of us it is a simple request to "Wiggle." Get up and do what you can. And do it to the best of your ability. Do it for the Lord. He will take care of the rest. Our instruction isn't always big. But the Word says that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Groundhog Day

2011-02-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

6:01 a.m on February 3rd was quite a day for Phil Conners. Have you ever seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell? Bill Murray's character, Phil, was forced to relive February 2nd until he got it right. For many of us, we would give anything for the chance to relive a certain day. But can you imagine being stuck? Death could not even make it stop. Same song, same people, same weather and same events. Ughhhh! It would get so old and tiresome. But then one night he went to sleep and when he woke up it was different. Rita, Andie MacDowell's character, asked if it was a good different or a bad different. Phil responded that anything different was good. We may not get the chance to take back words that we said or actions that we made but tomorrow can be different than today. If I've said it once I've said it a million times, you have a choice. Do you wish to remain the same person or do you desire to grow? When we grow, things change. Change brings something different. A well known definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. If we aren't willing to accept change we can't expect something different tomorrow. One of the many good things about our God is that He is patient. We give up on ourselves and on others but God never gives up on us. Another great thing about our God is that He doesn't expect us to change on our own. He tells us in His Word that He will provide all we need. He has fruit and gifts that He desires to give. We just have to be obedient and then be ready to receive. So since we can't take back what we have already done, let's seek God's help to never live that day again. Happy Groundhog Day!

Right for you and Wrong for me

2011-01-25T08:36:00.000-08:00

I was talking to a friend today and we were discussing a variety of argumentative issues in the church. For example, rated R movies, consumption of alcohol and gambling. Almost everyone has an opinion about each. And most opinionated people don't have a problem sharing what they think. Most of us have made our decision about each of these because of an outside influence. But my challenge to you is to seek the Word of God first. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to tell you what is best for you. I love how the NKJV of the bible translates 1 Corinthians 6:11-12 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." This is what the Word of God says about these issues. Now it is between you and the Holy Spirit to decide what is helpful and what is not. Have you allowed something to have power over you? You hear people often say that they don't want to give their life over to Christ because they will have to stop having fun. It is quite the opposite. God never said you can't but He did say, "Should you?" Once again our Lord gives us a choice. Why in the world do we let man dictate what is right and wrong for our lives? Let God speak to you and then listen and obey. But don't judge those around you that don't do what you do. Their relationship with God is totally different and He may not be sharing with you what He is sharing with them. You focus on you and get your eyes off of others. My struggles are not your struggles and my victories are not yours either. We are each precious in the sight of God and His plan for us is unique. Let Him work on His masterpiece and create something that has never been seen before.

Set Free

2011-01-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love when God reminds you of His truth? I was reminded this morning that the enemy no longer has authority in my life. I have been delivered from the powers of darkness. You and I have been redeemed. Colossians 1:13-14 says that "God has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." We don't have to walk in fear. Our past no longer has a grip on our life. We were once a slave to sin and bound by the enemy. But we are now sons/daughters of the Most High God. I have visualized myself in chains curled up in a dark, cold corner of a prison cell. But once Christ entered my life, the prison doors were opened, my chains were destroyed and I was led outside into the warm sunlight. I no longer have to visit that cell again and neither do you. The enemy wants us to believe he is more powerful than us. But you have been given authority over the enemy. I love the song we used to sing years ago, "he's under my feet, he's under my feet, satan is under my feet." It's so important that you know who you are and what has been done for you. Don't just take part of the cross but receive all that it has to offer. Many of us were released from prison the day we received Christ but we are hanging out around the prison gates. We look up at the guards standing in the tower and we are afraid to move. WE ARE FREE! The price has been paid the charges have been dropped. Run away and don't look back. Go and live with Christ!

Letting Go

2011-01-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

So here goes another story about my sweet little boy Hudson. Today his daddy and I decided it was time for him to give up his "Balay" (blanket) once and for all. We had it go missing months ago and he did very well. But when the stomach bug attacked we brought it back for comfort. Big mistake!! So here we are today trying to reason with a 4 almost 5 year old. This blanket is like an old friend to him. He talks to it, kisses it, smells it and takes it everywhere we go. To be honest, I am sad to see balay go. She (as Hud calls it) has become a part of our family. Some of you may be saying, "Why can't he keep it?" Long story but Ty and I have come to an agreement that it is time. Oh my, the crocodile tears were huge. It broke my heart to see him so distraught. And then daddy pulls a $20 bill from his back pocket and tells him if we can have balay he can get something from Wal-Mart. Oh don't judge. You know you've bribed your kids too. So Dado, my dad, came by and took Hudson to get something special at Wally World. I thought to myself this was too easy. Well, I should have known what was coming. BEDTIME! "Mom, where's my balay?" You have got to be kidding me. Again reasoning with a sleepy 4 year old is not possible. We prayed with him, talked with him and loved on him. Nothing was working. I sat down on his bed and put my hands in my coat pocket. The jacket I wore to church tonight had not been worn in a couple of years. When I reached in, I felt an old pacifier in the bottom. I pulled it out thinking this would be a great tool to helping him understand letting go and growing up. He once loved that "Boppy" (pacifier). But when he got older he had to give it up. Well this tool backfired on me. As soon as he saw it, his eyes got big, the tears dried up and he yelled, "Thank you mommy, thank you." Are you kidding me? He wanted that darn boppy back. He grabbed it and shoved it in his mouth. Luckily it was covered in fuzz and as soon as he put it in his mouth he jerked it right back out. Praise God! He was at least calm now and I said we would talk about it in the morning. Ten minutes later he is hunting me down in the laundry room just wanting to know where we had put the blanket. "Ty I need you," I yelled. One more talk with daddy and he calmly headed back to bed with the new toy he had gotten at Wal-Mart.

So as most of you know, God speaks to me in ALL of life's little moments. What are you holding on to? Have you let go of old habits, relationships, etc. but as soon as they make their way back into your life you latch on with all your might? Is there something that is keeping you from growing up (Spiritually)? We have got to trust God that He has something better for us. He wants to take us where we have never been. And don't let go of one thing to pick another back up. Our security is found in Him alone.

Hudson will grow up and laugh at this story one day. But as adults we don't seem to find much humor in our own struggles. It's real life and it really hurts. My one word of encouragement is that when you give God something He gives back something better. When you give Him your addiction, He gives you freedom. When you give Him your fears, He gives you peace. When you give Him that wrong relationship, He gives you the right one. Trust Him because He is faithful!

Where's the Fruit?

2011-01-05T17:37:00.000-08:00

I love Joyce Meyer so much. I have never heard a message that didn't some how speak to me. And when I hear something that touches my life I must share. Matthew 21:18-22 says this, "Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Joyce said she had always felt sorry for the fig tree. Why would Jesus destroy that tree? One day the Holy Spirit revealed to her the meaning of this story. She compared the fig tree covered in leaves to someone who calls themselves a Christian. From a distance the tree looks full and a perfect place to find fruit. And when you are hungry that is an exciting thing to see. But once you start searching under the leaves you find that it is bare. No fruit to be found. We wear crosses around our necks. We put bumper stickers on our cars and we never miss a church service. But if anyone gets close enough they find no fruit. Hypocrites are a stench in the nostrils of our Father. Are you bearing fruit? Well Heather, what do you mean? Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." When Jesus looks deep inside you, does He see these qualities? You can fool the world but you can't fool Him.

My prayer is that we all bear much fruit. And it can't be done by our own strength. You must ask the Holy Spirit to help you, to guide you and to change you. I believe in you but more importantly, I believe in Him.

Urgent Message

2010-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

We had a very heart touching experience last night. We had just attended the Christmas production at Choose Life Church and we were in the car heading home. I must first explain what happened at the play. During the altar call, Brady raised his hand to accept Jesus into his heart. In the corner of my eye I saw him put it up and keep it up. I quietly told him to go ahead and put it down. When we got in the car, he asked me why I told him to put his hand down. I explained that he just needed to put it up and then back down again. He didn't have to keep it in the air. But Ty and I wanted to take this opportunity to poke a bit further. Ty asked him why he raised his hand? Brady responded that he wanted Jesus in his heart. Knowing that he had repeated the salvation prayer before, we explained that when he asked Jesus in his heart the first time, Jesus became his Savior. And from this point on Jesus would always be with him. But at the same time, Ty encouraged Brady to respond to every altar call if he feels the tugging of the Holy Spirit. We as parents, want to encourage our boys to be obedient when they hear God calling. It was a lot for Brady to take in all at once. But he was very quiet and very receptive. A few minutes later we heard Brady say,"Hudson, do you want to ask Jesus to come in your heart?" Hud said, "No." And in Hud language he proceeded to explain that if Jesus came in his heart it would get too big and explode. Ty and I laughed quietly but Brady was distressed. "Hudson, you have to ask Jesus into your heart. Do you love him?" Hud was definitely not on the same page and in part he was trying to aggravate his brother. In complete distress, Brady said, "Hudson, if you say you love Jesus you can sleep on the top bunk." Well, of course Hudson agreed to loving Jesus. For one reason, he does love Jesus and the other is that he loves the top bunk. All was well and Brady took a deep sigh of relief. It wasn't until this morning that I was challenged by Brady's passion. He wouldn't let up with his brother. He wanted to make sure Hudson had Jesus in his heart just like he did. It's that child like mentality that is simple but real that we should all desire. So many people in my circle of friends have suddenly passed this holiday season. Some of them I know are in a better place. Others of them I can only hope and pray they had a moment with their Heavenly Father before passing from this earth. I'm not telling you that I am going to go bananas and drag people kicking and screaming to a relationship with Christ. But I am telling you that as Christians, our message is URGENT! Walk with your eyes open to those who are searching for THE ANSWER. Life is too short and we don't know what tomorrow holds. Be willing to share the TRUTH. Be willing to lead someone to their loving father. So here is my corny phrase for the next year. In 2011, let's lead many to HEAVEN!

The Right Place!

2010-12-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight I listened to one of my favorite ministers, Pastor Craig Groeschel. He spoke a 37 minute podcast on his website lifechurch.tv. Twenty minutes into the message I'm thinking to myself, "Man, I picked the wrong message. This one isn't for me." But I decided to finish what I had started. I continued to listen but I was piddling around at the same time. The last three minutes caught my attention. I literally stopped everything and sat down in front of my computer. His point hit me like a ton of bricks. The statement he made is going to be a future blog so I won't share it with you now. More to come on that later. But what he said was just what I needed to hear. I had spoken earlier with my good friend about this very subject that he "just so happened" to be discussing. I immediately thought, "Wow! God you do know what I need and you know when I need it." About an hour later I got to thinking again. Right in the middle of this message I was convinced his sermon had nothing to offer me. If I had shut the computer off and moved on to something else, I would have missed it. Is it possible that you are in the exact place God wants you and yet you don't see it? Is your situation tough and you feel like giving up? I believe that you could be in the right place, at the right time and the unveiling is right around the corner. Just hold on. Don't give up and don't let go. There is one thing I know for sure, God is right there with you. He can turn a good, a bad or an ugly moment into a God moment. Don't be quick to decide it isn't God. We often think that if our situation isn't a bed of roses it must not be God. On the contrary. Three men went into the fiery furnace but once inside there were four. Don't make a rash decision that could very well rob you of an amazing blessing.

Expect It!

2010-12-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

I learned something today that I believe is worth telling. The word "wait" in scripture can be translated as "expect the Lord". Wait is not a passive verb but an active one. In Isaiah 40:31, the scriptures say that, "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." When we sit back and wait on God, we can get discouraged. But if you expect God to do something in your life, you will be strengthened. A few Sundays ago Ty challenged the staff to be expecting God to do something great in our services. He said why would we come every week and not believe that God was going to do something BIG? God is for us and He wants the best for each of our lives. Our vocabulary has to change. It's not "if" but "when". What are you waiting on? Start expecting it to happen. Change your thoughts, change your words, change your attitude and then watch God change your situation. It can't just be a one time confession. We must make a conscious decision to speak faith over our situation. Once again, you must choose. I don't know about you but I want to be strengthened. And I am EXPECTING God to do something great in my life.

Thankful!

2010-11-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to blog. I believe that in over a years time I have never gone this long without updating my blog. Life is so good and at the same time so busy. But many of you know what I have overcome this past year. I am so thankful for the peace that feels me. I am learning every day to give God control over my life. Giving up control does not come easy to me. But I have decided that If I remain doing things as I always have, I am doomed. I want God to lead me in the right direction. I want to seek Him in all I do. I love you all and I pray that you too will be filled with thanksgiving. We are all so very blessed. Take time this holiday season to rejoice in the gifts God has given you. Get ready for something BIG to happen in the near future. Be expecting great things. I promise God won't disappoint you. He loves you more than you will ever know.

What do you want?

2010-11-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

Tuesday night several of us attended the service at South Plains Church in Levelland Texas. We got to hear Coffey Anderson lead praise and worship and then Jesse Duplantis shared a great word. One of the points he made was that God doesn't need us but He wants us. He holds the stars and planets in the sky. He is very capable of doing anything and everything without us. But He loves us and wants relationship with us. Jesse was encouraging us to ask God for more. God is a loving Father who doesn't want to just meet our needs but to fulfill our wants. In His word He says that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory. If God says He will do it, then why do we continue to beg. It's either done or it's not. The Lord also says that He will do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. I can think of pretty big things but He will do more. We serve a big God with big ears. Don't be afraid to ask. What does your heart desire? Let Him know.

Hunger Pains!

2010-11-04T08:05:00.000-07:00

In January, we are going to be doing a 9 week book club with the ladies of CJC. I am so excited about the author of this amazing book that has recently been introduced to me. My girlfriend Bethany just forwarded me the authors latest blog and I wanted to give you a sneak peek. I pray you are touched as much as I was. Start marking your calendars for Sunday nights at 4:45 to 5:45. Can't wait.

We cannot bear to feel empty for very long. In America we often have fast food restaurants every few yards, as capitalists cash in on our reluctance to experience hunger for more than a few minutes. The obesity epidemic confirms that we cannot bear the sensation of emptiness, that we are driven to satisfy the physical discomfort of hunger and the emotional discomfort of life: we want it NOW and we want it to wow the mouth.
We crave our junk food, however devoid it may be of real life-giving nourishment. We eat that which satisfies only briefly and makes us hungrier still. Eventually we may learn that what we’ve consistently fed ourselves has not only failed to nourish us, it has slowly stolen all vitality and strength of life; all because we cannot bear to be hungry.
But hunger is a gift, given by God to cause us to seek the nourishment we require for living. We must learn not to be afraid of it, or rush to fill the discomfort of it, with candy for the soul. God uses the word hunger as a metaphor for the neediness of the soul. We tend to do the same thing with the hunger of the soul that we do with physical hunger: finding it uncomfortable, we rush to fill our emptiness.
Our souls need love…peace…contentment…connection. Absent these for very long, we become frustrated and reach for anything to distract us from that hunger, like a Twinkie for the soul. Repeatedly turning to things which satisfy only briefly does not nourish our souls, and may even leave us addicted…to food, drugs, gaming, wrong relationships, and every other compulsion. Fast food is deceptive: it not only fails to give life, it actually takes life from us, day by day.
Don’t run away from your hunger, or rush to fill it with that which leaves you even more needy. Offer your hunger to God, of whom the ancients wrote, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalms 145:16, NIV)
Wait upon God in trust, and give Him a chance to satisfy your soul…for he cries out to his children, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:2-3, NIV)

Revelation

2010-10-25T14:27:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that yesterday, Sunday, we had a grass fire on Cowboy Junction property. We arrived home from lunch to find sirens, lights and fire trucks surrounding our property. The flames had been contained but the smoke was still bellowing. One shift in the wind and it would have headed straight for our house and the church. "Thank you Jesus!" I must also say thank you to our wonderful friends and complete strangers. People that didn't even know us were trying to pen our cows and horses. It is amazing how people are so willing to help in a time of need. As soon as we arrived home, we joined the crew that were working with the cows. It was pretty amusing to see so many people running around waving their hands in the air trying to push a group of cows into a pen. it unfortunately did not work. The harder they tried, the more the cows tried to get away. About 30 minutes after we gave up and came inside, I went looking for Ty. He was outside visiting with the incredible Knowles Volunteer Fire Department. He walked over to me and said,"the cows are in their pen." How in the world did he do it all by himself? Here was the revelation. He said cows are like people, the harder you try to push them to go one way the more they resist. But if you will just open the gate and feed them, they will make their way in on their own. Who are you trying to force to do what you want? Are you getting anywhere with it? My guess would be No! Sometimes we just have to stop trying so hard. Take a breath. Give instead of take. Pause instead of push. Zip it instead of talking. Seven people couldn't get 16 cows in a pen. But done the right way, one man did. All your tactics won't get you the results you desire. But let God deal with it in His way and your situation will change. Or could it be that you will change? You may think that you know what's best but have you let God in on your decision making? Let this be revelation to you like it was to me.

Weed-Be-Gone

2010-10-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

I was turning South off of Kansas headed into Hobbs. As I drove past an overgrown spot of land on my right, I thought back to the days of colored golf balls and hole-in-ones. I'm speaking of the miniature golf course that use to be a Friday night family hang out. I don't know why my mind always goes deep but I guess that's just who I am. I got to wondering about how a once manicured piece of land could now look so bad. And then it hit me. It started with one weed. One weed that nobody bothered to pull turned into 10 weeds. Before long the ground was carpeted with a variety of weeds. Now the job seems too big. It looks too hard and not worth the effort. What if someone had taken the time to just pick a few weeds here and there? We have probably all dealt with weeds like this in our own yard. Or how about your laundry? One day the laundry is done and the next time you turn around the hamper is overflowing. How many times have you said,"I'm going to do one load a day so I can keep up."?
Well, I got to thinking about marriage. There are too many people who see a field full of weeds and they feel hopeless. They think it can't be fixed. IT CAN! It just won't be easy. The majority of couples get stuck going through the motions. They get comfortable, they turn their focus to work and kids and they take no time for one another. A year of neglect led to frustration and loneliness. Just like those weeds, we have to take a little time here and there. Speak a kind word when you think it. Give a hug or hold a hand. Write a note and leave it for her to find. Tell him that you can't imagine life without him. You may not even feel it but you wish you did. That's called FAITH. That is having VISION. If you will take a little time today, you will benefit from it tomorrow. Don't wait until it looks to be too late. But if you have waited and you feel like giving up, please don't. Just start pulling weeds. Your marriage is worth it.

The View From My Seat!

2010-10-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

I have to say that this weekends message spoke personally to me. It was perfectly clear to me that a lack of vision will lead to a loss of freedom which eventually leads you to feeling stuck in the grind. Ty ended his series on Samson this weekend. Samson was called to a great purpose and God had given him supernatural ability. But near the end of his life, he allowed attractions of this world to pull him into disobedience. He knew God's voice. He knew his purpose in this life. But somewhere along the way he was pulled by things that tickled his fancy. Have you ever felt pulled? It happens to all of us. The enemy is no respector of persons. If he can blind a teacher, a mechanic or a pastor, he will. It doesn't matter your race, your profession or your gender. The enemy wants to take your purpose that God has put in you and destroy it. He wants to blind you, take away your freedom and put you in a place of hopelessness. WOW! I knew all this but it just hit me differently because of this message. Take your marriage for instance. If you don't have a vision, a hope, a plan for your marriage, you will eventually feel trapped and without hope. You have to see your marriage not where it is but where you want it to be. See your marriage where you know God has called it to be. Proverbs 29:18 says,"where there is no vision, the people perish." I don't know about you but I want to LIVE! Samson was defeated by the very people he was called to conquer. God had given him a supernatural strength to defeat the philistines. But he gave into his weakness and his enemy defeated him. They plucked out his eyes, they bound his hands and he was left to grind wheat for the rest of his life. My favorite part of this story is the ending. Samson prayed a simple prayer. In Judges 16:28, he said "Oh God, remember me. Strengthen me just once more." And God did just that. He returned his gift of supernatural strength to Samson once again and he defeated more Philistines on that day than he had his entire life. Our God is faithful. Our God restores. God has placed a purpose in each of us. It was there before you were ever born. It doesn't matter how far away you have walked from God's perfect plan. It is never too late to come back. God will restore the sight of the blind. He will set the captives free. He will give purpose back to those who have lost it. Don't be like Samson and pray your prayer at the end of your life. Get real with God today!

Here's another question

2010-10-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys that it has been over a week since I last blogged. With Ty being out of town and me preaching, I've been focusing on my message. So I have another question for you. How do you feel the church, the local body of believers, has been deceived? I gave three ways in my sermon this weekend. 1- A church service once a week is enough for my spiritual growth. 2-The church is a building where God lives. 3- We say, "I'm just ordinary. What difference can I make?" I strongly believe that God wants more from the body of believers. The enemy has distracted us from our purpose. What do you think?

If it doesn't hurt...

2010-10-05T20:27:00.001-07:00

Okay, So I must blog about what is going on in my life at this very moment. The pain that I am in keeps me from thinking of anything else. I have just begun to work out with my friends, George and Misty. Today was only day 2 and every muscle in my body is screaming at me. Just moments earlier, I couldn't get off the couch. I had to fall to my knees and then use the coffee table to push myself up. Oh my goodness! I am in bad shape. I have never been much for exercise but I decided that I needed to change. I am 34 years old, done having kids and missing the body I once had. I know that with each year that passes it only gets harder to lose weight and tone those muscles. So here we go. I'm excited, scared, intimidated, tired and in PAIN!!!! But at the very same time I am hopeful. I am hopeful that in a couple of weeks I will have stretched these muscles enough that I feel good. My energy level will be higher and I will look forward to seeing new results every day. Because of all this I got to thinking about spiritual pain. How is it that doing what's right doesn't always "feel good". Making certain decisions often causes a temporary pain. I have many friends who are afraid of doing what they "know" God has told them to do because it's going to make life uncomfortable for awhile. Giving up something that God has told you to let go of is many times difficult. Doing something that He has asked of you can be a huge step of faith. It can be scary and challenging. But just like working out for the first time in a long time you will hurt for only a short time. I could very easily quit today and not go back to the gym tomorrow. But 10 years down the road when I look in the mirror and see my grandmothers thighs or the Dr. tells me I need Blood Pressure meds I will have to endure this season of pain again. If I will just do it now, I can reach my goals sooner. What has God asked of you? If you don't answer Him right NOW do you think you will come to this same fork in the road next year? It's gonna hurt but do you want it to hurt now or later? If you answer "Now," then God's best is closer than you think. You have a choice. Just like my trainer George might say,"If it doesn't hurt you are not doing it right." No one ever said living for God was easy but I will tell you that I would live my life for no other.

Accountability

2010-09-29T07:06:00.001-07:00

I shared Monday night how Ty and I are encouraging one another. Instead of allowing ones negativity to pull the other down we are choosing to lift the other one up. Don't let someone pull you down. Tie onto the Rock in which you stand upon and pull the other one out of the pit. It is so important to have someone in your life that you can express your weaknesses. When you have an accountability partner, you have a helper. Someone you can trust to be honest with you and someone who can encourage you. It is too difficult to walk this journey of life all alone. I challenge you this week to find a friend or talk to your spouse about holding your feet to the fire. We have to be willing to look in the mirror and see what doesn't reflect Christ. Then be willing to turn it around. And when you don't see things clearly your friend will. Let's become more Christ-like every day that we live.

Prayers That Avail Much

2010-09-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me?

Father, You set Yourself against the proud and haughty, but You give grace continually unto the humble. I submit myself therefore to You, God. In the name of Jesus, I resist the devil, and he will flee from me. I resist the cares of the world, which try to pressure me daily. Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.

Jesus, I come to You, for I labor and am heavy laden and overburdened, and You cause me to rest -- You will ease and relieve and refresh my soul.

I take Your yoke upon me and I learn of You; for You are gentle and humble in heart, and I will find rest -- relief, ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet -- for my soul. For Your yoke is wholesome (easy) -- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant; and Your burden is light and easy to be borne.

I cast my burden on You, Lord, releasing the weight of it and You will sustain me; I thank You that You will never allow me, the consistently righteous, to be moved -- made to slip, fall or fail.

In the name of Jesus, I withstand the devil. I am firm in my faith -- rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined. I cease from the weariness and pain of human labor; and I am zealous and exert myself and strive diligently to enter into the rest of God -- to know and experience it for myself.

Father, I thank You that Your presence goes with me and that You give me rest. I am still and rest in You, Lord; I wait for You and patiently stay myself upon You. I will not fret myself, nor shall I let my heart be troubled, neither shall I let it be afraid. I hope in You, God, and wait expectantly for You; for I shall yet praise You, for You are the Help of my countenance and my God.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Question Time!

2010-09-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have a question for everyone. Does God favor one man over another? Are His plans greater for me than for you?

I would love to hear what you are thinking. To comment, go to the bottom of this entry and the word comment is written in brown. Click your mouse on that word. Write an answer to the question in the comment box. Then where it says "Comment As:", select Anonymous. You can put your name in the comment box before or after your comment if you wish. Then click the post button.

So many of us are so busy that attending one more thing would be very difficult. I would give anything to meet weekly for a bible study but I haven't a clue where to fit it in. So I would love to use this blog to grow and learn. Please join us in this discussion time.

Give it a Bit

2010-09-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how our daily lives are full of God's fingerprints and we don't even know it. I had a moment of walking in the FOG (Favor of God) this weekend. I went to Albuquerque with my girlfriends Monicque and Jackie and we had a wonderful time. On Saturday night we did a little shopping in Uptown before our dinner reservations. I was looking for a dress for a certain couples wedding in December and a cocktail dress for the cruise Ty and I are taking in January. I had found 2 dresses and I had them held back while I weighed out the purchase during dinner. Both dresses were a bit pricey but on sale. If you know me very well, you know that i often have buyers remorse. I don't like to spend money on clothes but both of these events are special and I needed something new. One of the dresses was $139.99 on sale for $59.99. But for some reason I thought it was $39.99. All during dinner I was thinking that I would be spending around $140.00 for both dresses. "Okay, I can do this." After dinner, we headed back to the store to make the purchase. I decided to try the dresses on one more time. While in the dressing room, I noticed the tag said $59.99. The dilema had begun. Do I buy both dresses or just choose one? Now you may think $20.00 is not that big of a deal but again you have to know me. On one occassion I drove 5 miles back to a store when I noticed that I was charged $2.99 for Capri-suns that were on sale for $2.00. To me a dollar matters. Back at the dress shop the sales woman overheard my confusion about the price and she said she would check the other dresses and see if one of them was $39.99. Sometimes the exact same piece of clothing can have two different prices. My entourage of friends began to pray. "Lord, let her find the dress to have been mispriced. Let her say it is actually $39.99." Well, she came back and informed us that it was $59.99. Disappointed but certain these dresses should be mine, I walked up to the counter and said I would be purchasing both dresses despite the price. While checking out, the manager walked up and quietly said to the woman at the register that she was to give me an extra 20% off. My jaw hit the ground. I walked out of there with two beautiful dresses for $119.00 that origianlly cost $318.00. We were all giddy. My friends even celebrated as if it had happened to them personally. I could not believe it.
Why couldn't I believe it? Today I was driving through Hobbs thinking about this blessing. It occurred to me that even in the little things God shows us He cares. I also realized that when we pray the answer doesn't always come how we expect it to. I wanted the dress to be $39.99 but it wasn't. God answered my prayer His way. He gave back my $20.00 by lowering the price of both dresses not just one. What are you praying for, big or small? Do you think God has said,"No" or are you wondering if He is even listening? Be patient and give it a bit. God cares about you and He wants the best for you. Your answers will come they may just be in a different form than you had expected.

Sunday School Lesson

2010-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

This week I got to thinking about the Armor of God. How many Sunday school lessons have you heard on this topic? But in my meditating on it I realized that we have heard it but we don't follow it. We fight battles everyday in this world we live in and many of us feel defeated. We have been given everything we need to do battle with the enemy. We have the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit. We have been given all that we need to be victorious. The problem is that we must choose to put on the armor. God doesn't dress us every morning. We have to make the decision to step into these garments.

I envision a knight preparing for battle. He is in his chambers dressing and securely fastening every piece of armor for his safety. How crazy would it be for him to walk on the battlefield and leave his sword? He would spend the entire battle as a moving target. He is protected from the blows but he can never be on the offense. A team never wins just playing good defense. They must have the ability to score as well. I feel like the knight without his sword many times in my own personal walk. I am attacked by the arrows that fly my way. I am confident of my salvation (helmet) and I know the truth (belt). I am a child of the King and He is bigger than any problem I have (shield). Therefore I am walking in my shoes of peace. I also know that I am in right standing with my God (breastplate). He is not angry with me and I am not facing this trial because He is trying to punish me. These things I know and they protect me. BUT what if I could fight back. So many times we think that the Word of God is just a book that is hard to read. I agree that It can be difficult to understand but so was my geometry book. My math teachers still found it important that I read it and learn from it. We can not put more importance on worldly education than we do on Godly Wisdom. The Bible is our weapon. The scriptures say in Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." We must turn to the Word of God in order to win the battle. I don't want to just fight, I want to WIN!!!

So this is my advice to you. Find some scriptures that will encourage you. Find scriptures that pertain to what you are dealing with right now. Write them down and put them where you can see them. Put a copy in your car and on your mirror in the bathroom. Put them on your refrigerator and on your nightstand. Fight the enemy with the Words of God himself. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow."

Here are a few to start you off:
Ps. 23 The Lord is my shepherd. I do not want
Phil. 4:19 My God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
Phil. 4:6, 1 Pet. 5:6,7 I do not fret or have anxiety about anything. I do not have a care.
1 Cor. 2:16 I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart.
2 Tim 1:7 I fear not for God has given me a spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind.
Phil. 1:6 He who began a good work in me will continue until the day of Christ.
1 Jn 4:4 Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Rom. 8:28 All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
Ps. 119:11 I will hide your Word in my heart that I might not sin against God.
Jer. 29:11 I know the plans I have for you says the Lord; plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Children of God, take up your sword and FIGHT!

Watered Down Gospel!

2010-08-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that I love to read. Right now I am ending a Christian fiction series. I'm on the last book and it is as amazing as the first two. This series has opened my eyes to the words of the Bible. The stories and teachings have come alive. The author, Francine Rivers, has definitely studied her history before compiling her words on paper. Today during my time of reading something struck me and convicted me. The characters in the book were just arriving in the city of Corinth. Their boat had just come into port and they were discussing where to go and what to do. In their conversation, they began discussing the church of Corinth. They were carrying letters from John to the church and they needed to visit the members to make the delivery. They were talking about how the members of the church of Corinth had walked away from the purity of Christ's message. They had watered the gospel down so that they could live in their own sin. They had taken the love of Christ and his forgiveness to the point of discounting sin all together. They could live and do as they pleased because God was Grace. They had even stopped reading the letters of Paul because it made them feel "uneasy." I was so saddened. Isn't this what we often do? If we are walking in a lifestyle unpleasing to God, we run from hearing Truth. This is definitely not always the case but 9 times out of 10 when a regular church attender stops attending, I soon learn of their walk into sin. Sin didn't come because they left church, they left the church because of their sin. Scripture speaks of the written Word as the "perfect law of liberty." We must be doers of the Word and not just hearers. Here is that scripture. It is found in James 1:21-27.

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

I pray that I never water down God's Word for my own fleshly desires. I want to live by God's standard and not move His standard to meet what I want. Because in all reality it is truly unmovable. If you find yourself running from hearing God's Word, you are probably not doing His Word either. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak. Listen and then Obey. You are never too far to come back to God. God is forgiving, He is Grace, He is Mercy and He is Love. God is also jealous and He does not want to share you with the world. The church of Corinth was on the road to destruction. So many followers of Christ were trying to warn them to turn back. Don't be like them and turn a deaf ear to the people God has put in your life. I love you and I am always here if you need me.

Greatest Cornbread Ever!

2010-08-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

Okay it is time for another recipe. This is my family's favorite corn bread by far. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. I served it the other night with pinto beans and Zataran's Dirty Brown Rice with sausage in it. Fresh tomatoes on the side made it one of Ty's all time favorite meals.

Buttery Corn Bread

2/3 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 2/3 c. milk

2 1/3 c. all purpose flour

1 c. cornmeal

4 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Combine the eggs and milk in one bowl. In another bowl combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with egg mixture.

Pour into a greased 13'' x 9'' x 2" baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cut into squares and serve warm with more butter. Yummy!!!

Let me know what you think and what you served it with. Love you all!

Button Soup

2010-08-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Last night Brady brought me a book and asked me to read to him before bed. He has always been a lover of books. The book he gave me was "Button Soup." If you have never read it, I highly suggest that you do. It had been a while since we had read this particular book and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Here goes a little synopsis of the story. One day a little girl and her grandfather were walking out of the grocery store carrying two large bags overflowing with food. A homeless woman named Rag-Tag Meg was walking by and asked them if they had anything because she was hungry. The grandfather said,"No," and they walked away. The little girl was so sad because she knew they had something and this woman had nothing. A bit later the little girl was looking out her window and she saw Rag-Tag Meg walking down the street. She excused herself and ran outside to catch up with Meg. Just moments after they began walking Meg hollered out with excitement as she reached down to pick up an old button. It was as if she had discovered a piece of gold. They found a rusty pot in a junk pile and immediately went to work building a fire and adding water to the pot. The little girl was confused but she was having fun. All of the sudden the homeless woman began singing aloud that they were making button soup. She invited everyone who was hungry to come and partake. People around them laughed and sneered at her. All they could see was a boiling pot of water and an old wooden button. The little girl defended her as best as she could but the laughing continued. Now Button Soup was a crazy idea but the little girl said parsley and dill would sure go good in this soup. Another child overheard this and said, "I've got those herbs." And she ran home and returned with a handful of beautiful greens. They added them to the pot and the bubbling and aroma began. One by one, passerbyers brought something to the pot. One boy brought some onions, one a carrot and a store owner offered some dumplings. Before long the smell from this amazing soup was drawing a crowd. The little girl remembered the chicken her and her grandfather had bought earlier in the day. She raced home grabbing the chicken and her grandfather and then back to the soup they went. The final ingredient was added before the soup was complete. The store owner that brought the noodles came back with bowls and a ladle. Rag-Tag Meg served everyone including the ones who had laughed at her. It was a feast that even allowed for seconds and thirds. When they got down to the last bit of soup, Meg retrieved the wooden button at the bottom of the pot. She kissed it and threw it high up in the air. The little girl picked it up as soon as it landed and kept it for herself. She never forgot that amazing day or the amazing woman who took a wooden button and turned nothing into something.

Okay so what does it mean. In a nutshell here is my opinion. 1- Your something can make someones nothing something. Think about that. What you have can allow someone with nothing to have something. 2- If you have nothing, don't give up. Remain positive and work with what is in front of you. 3- Don't discourage someone with a "crazy" dream. Be an encourager because with God all things are possible. 4- If Pastor Ty has said it once, he has said it a million times. If everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot. 5- When we work together we can always do more. That day Meg didn't just eat a bowl of soup but she even had thirds. Those around her had seconds. 6- There may come a day that you are asked to serve those who don't deserve it. Will you be willing? Meg was.

My advice for today is to keep your eyes open. What is right before you? Who needs you? When we walk with our eyes open, an old wooden button can be more valuable than gold.

Down to the Basics

2010-08-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to talk about a sensitive subject? And why is it so sensitive? Why can we talk about our sinful nature without anger bubbling up but talk about my money and look out? We can give God our life but don't ask me to give my finances. I was sitting on the bathroom counter doing my hair when Ty walked in and asked me a very interesting question. "Which one would you choose?,"he said. "Would you want an individual to write a million dollar check to Cowboy Junction or would you want a church full of givers?" I'll give my answer in a minute. Our vision for CJC requires money and there is no way around that. We are only $23,000.00 from paying off the loan on the church property and the people have been amazing. They see a need and they are quick to fill it. But a building project should not be why we give. I could place a list of needs before you. Every week there are utilities to pay. The need for a children's facility is huge. But the best children's facility without a Children's Pastor is pointless. We have gone 11 years without a youth building but without Cigi we wouldn't have a Youth Group. Our giving should not be out of need but a heart to give back to God what is His to begin with. There is no lack of vision at our church. We are confident that God has great plans for His people. And our desire is that He use us in any way He desires. We always hope to be growing and building. That is a true sign of life.

So my answer to Ty's question was a church full of givers. You ask me why? Man, a million dollars would be instant and could get us what we need NOW. Have you ever heard the saying,"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day but teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime?" A one time gift makes a difference today but what will make a difference tomorrow? If you have a church full of givers, there is no need for a building program. Givers not only give of their money but of their time. Givers serve and volunteer. Givers have a vision for souls. Our goal at CJC is not to build buildings or make a name for ourselves. Our desire is for people to grow in their understanding of God's truth, His love and His grace. If we have all the facilities we could ever imagine but no one understands why, we have achieved nothing. What we have personally is not our own. What we have corporately is not our own. It is all God's. He has just asked us to be stewards of His money. Ten percent is all He asks that we give back to His Kingdom. We give to see lives change. Don't give out of need. Give because God says you should. Give because you know what God can do with what you have, big or small. If you read this blog and have said to yourself, "I'm not a tither but I want to be." Allow the Lord to speak to your heart. I promise He will. I love you all.

Camp Crossfire

2010-08-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

I know this is going to sound prejudice but I am confident that Camp Crossfire is the greatest youth camp around. If your kids are old enough, you should not hesitate to send them next year. Each year I watch God pull walls down in only a way that He can. Not only do the campers lives change but so do the counselors. Lots of hard work, money and time but everyone agrees that it is sooooo worth it. Our kids are our future. I encourage all of you to invest something into the young people of today. If you help make a difference in their lives, it will change our future. It will change your grand-children's future. Make an investment because the return is beyond anything you could imagine.

God has called us to serve. When we serve, we find Him. Please don't sit at the table and just eat. Get up and offer to fill someones glass. There is no better way to live. The phrase, " It is better to give than to receive," is not just a cliche, it is TRUTH! Give your time, give your money, give your friendship, give your love and ultimately give your life. Jesus did it for you!

God's Plans

2010-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Today in my bible reading time, I read the short book of Jonah. I noticed something that I had never noticed before. The word "arranged" was used 3 times. God "arranged" for a great fish to swallow Jonah up. He "arranged" for a leafy plant to grow and provide shade for Jonah. He also "arranged" for a worm to eat the plant. Arrange means: To put into a specific order, to plan or prepare for. The three arrangements that God made were after Jonah had disobeyed God. Isn't it comforting to know that even when we are walking in the wrong direction, God still has a plan for our life. He is making arrangements on our behalf. I love the scripture in Proverbs, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." We have all sorts of plans for our life but it is God who makes the way. I want to encourage you to let God lead you. Notice that He is providing for you in every area of your life. He cares about your present and you future. He has forgotten your past. If you are on the wrong road, STOP MOVING! This blog was "arranged" by a loving Father who is using His daughter. It is like a spiritual U-Turn sign on the road you are traveling. It is never too late to turn back. If God is asking something of you, DO IT! Don't wait because God's plan is so much better than your own. I promise!! Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." I love you all and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you.

All Hail...

2010-07-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of the hymn, "All Hail King Jesus?" I remember learning this song from my grandmother when I was a little girl. We visited my grandparents in Louisiana every few months for 8 years. My grandparents taught me lots of scripture and old-time hymns. I made a little money when I was able to recite what I had memorized. They were proud of their little granddaughter for knowing God's Word and I was proud of the wad of money stuffed in my pocket. This certain hymn has come to my mind in recent days. Due to an overwhelming amount of frustrations, I turned to Ty and said, "All Hell is breaking loose." In the last week, we have noticed that the pumpkins are not growing. The 6" of rain has smothered the seeds. Out of 2,000 seeds planted, approx. 300 have survived. Not worthy of a community wide Fall Festival. Which happens to be our biggest outreach. The John Deere tractor broke while mowing the church grounds. The hotel facade of the old west town blew over during the lightening storm Wednesday night. Our well has been tested by the water department and things are not going as we had hoped. All in one week we felt like so many things had fallen on top of us. It didn't stop there but I will spare you the drama. It has been tough to say the least. Ty and I found ourselves sitting in our walk-in closet floor broken. What do we do? Where do we start? Have you ever felt that way? Sometimes it pours during a rain storm. But right in the middle of our sadness the Lord speaks to my heart another scripture. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

It is only when we go through the fire do we become like pure gold. Whatever you and I go through, God will be there. He will not let go of His children. I am comforted by these words. I don't understand why things happen the way that they do but I am confident in this; My God is in control. I am trusting in Him and believing that He will make my path straight. Don't give up because of circumstances but keep going because you know God has a plan and He has not finished what He started. So instead of All Hell let your words be All Hail!

"All Hail King Jesus, All Hail Immanuel. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Bright Morning Star. And throughout Eternity I'm going to praise Him. And forevermore I will reign with Him."

Ladies Retreat

2010-07-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend the ladies had in Ruidoso. We built lots of new relationships as well as re-established old ones. We relaxed, laughed and ATE. And boy did we eat. You know that food is important when you take as many pictures of the food as you take of the people eating it. I think these types of get-a-ways are so important for women and men alike. It is necessary for us to let our hair down and refresh. It is fun to act like a silly school girl again. This weekend we talked about seeing our self as God sees us. Not letting the mirror or anothers view of us dictate how we feel about ourselves. We talked about overcoming insecurities and believing that God has a purpose for our lives. It doesn't matter your race, age, sex or social status, God has a plan for your life. If you are breathing, the best is yet to come. Ladies, I pray you will join us next year for our retreat to the mountains. Men, let Ty know that you are ready for a get a way. You deserve it as much as we do.

Here are a couple of recipes from the trip. More to come in the near future. I know you all want the gingerbread cookie recipe. So as soon as I get it I will post. Love you all!

Chicken Salad

1 bag of frozen boneless chicken tenders boiled and shredded
1/2 purple onion diced
2 small apples diced
1/4 c. dill relish or a bit more if you desire
1 c. of pecan pieces
start with 1/2 c of real mayo and continue to add until desired wetness
salt and pepper to taste

(I sometimes add dried cranberries or diced dried apricots)

Strawberry Salad

2 bags of salad (I prefer spring mix or European)
1/2 pint of sliced strawberries
1 container of feta cheese crumbles
1/2 bottle of Brianna's blush wine dressing. It has a large strawberry on the front.

(I added blueberry's the last time I made it)

More recipes to come!

A Lot Can Happen!

2010-07-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

I always complain that my boys don't ever let me sleep late. I am a night owl and no matter how early I know I will wake up, I can't make myself go to bed early. This morning my eyes popped open and I just knew it had to be 9:00. "What, Brady and Hud are still asleep?" Then I turned to look at the clock. It was 7:00 a.m. Now many of you may say, "That is sleeping in for me." I agree unless you go to bed at 1:00 a.m. I require a bit more sleep than that. So the house was quiet and I laid in my bed thinking. I started off thinking of this Ladies Retreat that is coming up on Thursday. I am so excited and I am trying to finalize the last few details. My thoughts began to take me back in time. Memories flooded my mind and a sense of pride filled my heart. We have come so far. Ty and I beat ourselves up so often. "Are we achieving our goals? Are we making a difference?" And then it came to me in waves. In June of 2003, CJC purchased this land and facilities from Connie Crow. We started here with a tin building, a house and horse stalls. In seven years our facilities have for the most part remained the same. We still meet in the same tin building but beautifully remodeled. There is still a beautiful house on the property but we have made it a home. And the horse stalls remain but they are no longer empty. The only structures we have added is the old west town, the brick entrance way and the fence. Ty and our secretary were the only ones on payroll. Ty has prayed fervently for a staff and volunteers. He continues to pray for this today. I INTERRUPT THIS BLOG FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT...... This blog could be one of my longest so I decided to make a list instead of writing in book form. So here it goes.

Here is what happened in ONLY seven years:

*We have met in our building over 500 times for services.

*We added a Sunday service

*We hired a youth pastor, a children's pastor and worship leaders

*We have seen hundreds of people accept Christ as their Savior

*We started a school for our community-Crill

*We have a ministry called Blessings that works with children with special needs-Corrina

*We have given thousands of dollars to Missions

*We have given thousands of dollars to the Gideons

*We help with community outreach

*We put on a summer youth camp-Cigi and Clay

*We grow a couple thousand pumpkins for a few thousand people at an event called Fall Fest

*We put on other big days (New years' dance, 4th of July Celebration, and Super Bowl parties)-Starla

*We have an amazing women's ministry that has been on 4 retreats. We had 75 women attend the Christmas Progressive dinner last year

*We have brought our men together for softball, bow shoots, ropings and more

*We started ministries like Home groups and Parent's Night Out

*We have fed those who were sick or just had a baby

* We started a prayer ministry- Marie

*We are $24,000 away from canceling a $300,000 debt in ONLY 7 years

*We have had hundreds volunteer their time

*We have paid every bill on time and never missed a payroll check

I say "We" but I should really say "He". Look what God has done in just 7 years. And most of what I listed has happened in the last 3 years. If He can do this in 7, what can He do in 7 more. With God, we have laid a solid foundation to build upon. There are more souls to win, more ministries to begin and more lives to be touched. No matter where you are in your own life it is only a matter of time. So much can change in a moment. We haven't achieved all of our dreams but what a great start. Keep your eyes on Jesus and you won't believe what all He can do with just a little. Don't give up. Hold on to what God has promised you. Focus on what has been done and not what hasn't. I believe in each of you and I am excited to see what OUR futures hold.

The View From My Seat!

2010-06-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! The presence of the Lord was surely at Cowboy Junction. The nice cloud coverage sure helped with the struggling A/C. Praise God the new one is on the way. I have said this many times but I must say it again, "My husband ROCKS." This weeks message was incredible. I love it when he takes a scripture that I have read so many times and shows me a new way to look at it. We talked about offense. Having thick skin but not a hard heart. If our prayers don't seem to be answered at this time, press on. Keep believing that the answer is on the way. When someone hurts us, don't let it affect our life or push us away from where God has us. He used the illustration of a sander. Some things in my life rub me the wrong way. But if I can keep my EMOTIONS in check I am that much closer to the final product. There is a smoothness that develops when we allow God to walk us through tough times. God never said we won't have difficult times. He never said that people won't agitate us and even disappoint us. But He did say that He would never give us more than we can handle. Our goal in this life is to be Christ like. Every day I want the splintered edges of my life to be sanded down. I am confident that it doesn't feel good but I am also confident that God is with me. He will never leave me or forsake me. I have to admit, I am an emotional person. One little thing can send me over the edge. This is not God's best for my life. I have to slow down and breathe. I'm sure many of you feel the same way. Let the anointing (the oil) of God cover you. When storms come your way, the water will roll right off. Matthew 15 was an eye opening chapter. I believe the Lord was showing us to push past the pain and confusion. Don't let anyone or anything keep you from the goodness that God has for you.

Missing You!

2010-06-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Have you missed me? I know I have missed you guys. Our family is back from Disney World and finally recovering from a tiresome trip. I have to be honest that it was nice to not have computer access for a week. Although our Disney resort offered Internet access in our rooms, it ONLY cost $9.95 for 24 hours. I tell you they get you every chance they get. But for 6 days I remained absent from cyber world. Most vacations are never long enough. This one was plenty long enough. We were exhausted and so ready to be back in our home. But it was amazing to see how much my children grew up in such a short period of time. We left the trip with Brady having some fear of the water and Hud was terribly afraid. By the middle of the trip, Brady had no fear and Hud had only a little. Brady rode every ride he could with hands in the air. He may have had his eyes closed but he rode it none the less. I was a proud momma in Orlando Florida. But now we are home and I am so thrilled. It is nice to know that you can leave on vacation and there are people in your life that keep the ball rolling. We heard that church service was amazing last weekend. Cigi brought a powerful Word and Lesley led everyone in amazing Worship. LaJeana continues to rock it in Kid's Church. Crill took care of our mail and Trey mowed and watered everything. Sadie took care of the office and Clay fed our calves. Shane flew solo coaching the 6 and under baseball team and Mike Clampitt coached CJC softball team for Ty. It is a simple reminder that we could not do what we do without each and every one of you. I want to say thank you to everyone who made our family trip possible. We missed you all and we look forward to the exciting things to come in July.

Time Out #2

2010-06-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

What an amazing weekend we just had with Coffey Anderson. He was such a gifted artist and through his ministry 29 people received Christ this weekend. It is amazing to see what God did in just 4 days. When the people of God unite in one accord, the possibilities are endless. Like most of you already know, JCA raised $20,000.00 plus lots of private donations. The church has brought in over $15,000.00 from Wed. to Sun. We had been at a stand still with 42 bricks for 2 months. And after one hour of prayer as a corporate body, we now owe$27,000.00. Our entire property will be debt free in only a matter of time. It is amazing to see how fast God can make a way where there seems to be no way.

So I say all this to say "Adios"! The Bean Family is headed out of town this morning. We are taking a much needed family vacation. We are starting off in Albuquerque today and then headed to Disney World on Sunday. I am so excited to get away for a few days but I am even more excited to hear what great things happen while we are gone. I have an excitement in my spirit that there is more to come. I know that CJC staff is going to glorify God in everything they do while we are away. If all these miracles happened in just 4 days, imagine what He can do in another week. I see rain clouds forming and I am more than ready to get drenched. Keep your eyes on Him and remember the words of Pastor Ty, "Finish the last thing God told you to do until He gives you a new instruction." That is walking in your Father's will.

Love you all!

Time Out Update

2010-06-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! Wednesday night was incredible. It was something I have wanted and needed for a long time. There were 87+ people that came together at CJC and prayed. I know there were some who had never done anything like this before. I pray that it blessed you as much as it did me. It was inspiring, moving and powerful. We prayed about our personal Christian walks, our church vision, and JD Brown our CJC missionary. We lifted up every child attending JCA in the fall and every youth attending camp in July. For one hour we strategically prayed for God to move in every area of our lives.

So why did we do this? Ty spoke a message last week about walking in the natural. There is only so much you can do in the natural before you must have the supernatural take over. There are so many things we are believing God for at CJC. We have come to a place that we believe we have done all we know to do. Before we can move forward, God is going to have to make a way. Our church is growing in every area. We need a school building and a facility for our children's church. We don't ever want to just make things happen. Ty and I desire to only move when there is peace. Peace comes only from our heavenly Father. We corporately stood together on Wednesday and declared that we are united. We will not be moved by need or feelings. We will only take a step as God directs. We want to hear from Him. We want to honor and glorify Him in every way. Prayer changes things and it prepares us for what is to come.

During this special night of prayer, I thought about my own personal prayer life. I need to take a timeout on a regular basis. I think we all do. There comes a time that we hit a brick wall. We just seem to be going through the motions of life. When we are willing to take a timeout and refocus our priorities, we put power back in our steps. My desire is to constantly be refreshed. I want the fire inside of me to be fanned. I want to see great things happen in my life. I want to see great things happen in your life. One of my favorite mottos is, "Do what you can do and let God do what you can't." "God, use me in any way you desire. Make a way where there seems to be no way. Bring the super to my natural. Together I know we can see the impossible become possible."

Part Of A Family

2010-05-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have so many thoughts to blog on that sometimes I don't know if I should journal a thought and keep it private or share it. So today I hope I have made the right decision. Ty and I are going on 10 years that we have been the Pastors of CJC. He had almost two years on me before we married. Before marrying Ty, I was very involved with Christian Center Church. My grandfather started this church in the early 70's and I never knew anything different. So needless to say, attending church has always been a part of my life. I have definitely had moments of frustration, sadness and anger (don't tell anyone). But for the most part I have had many wonderful times working in and with the institutional church. I can't imagine my life without the weekly fellowship I have grown to love. To me church is an avenue to grow, fellowship and serve. There is one thing that has always bugged me. And I would love your thoughts as well. Most people attend their local church to grow in the Word, to say they attended church and to occasionally fellowship with a few close friends. My concern is that many times servanthood is not important to the believer. We get into the mind set that church is here to serve me, to feed me, and to bless me. I am a firm believer that once you receive Christ as your Savior you will begin to grow through serving. I have never wanted to be a part of a local Country Club. I see CJC as a Covert Operation Station. We come together, hear the Word of God, pray, worship and then serve others. I want others to know what I know. If they don't know Christ, I want to help them find Him. The church is a family. They are my family. If you have ever attended church and you never felt a fit, I challenge you to take a step and get involved. Don't show up on a Sunday morning and leave without being noticed. Talk to someone, volunteer your time, share a kind word to someone hurting, pray with someone. Let God use you and be a part of a bigger family. The only benefit I find in having so many churches in one town is that everyone can find someplace to belong. You fit somewhere and you are called to minister to someone. Serve and see your walk grow.

Guest Blogger- La'Jeana Stroh

2010-05-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

Luke 6:38
Pressed Down, Shaken Together, and Running Over

First of all I would like to say thank you to Heather for allowing me to post on her blog. I am honored. Today I am sharing a testimony that I hope will be a reminder of the God that we serve. A God that is good and does great things for His people.
Shane and I have taken over the Junction City Kids Church pastor position. This was a giant step for us but it has been a step that was God ordained and I see His fingerprints all over our lives. Not because of who we are but because of who He is through us. It is amazing to see the children at Cowboy Junction learning and growing. If you have children who attend our kids church then please let me take this time to say... Your kids ROCK!! Ok back to the subject!
We had seen a need arise for a keyboard in kids church. Some of the songs that we sing are too fast or just lack the interaction of person with child. I play the keyboard and the wheels began to turn... I NEEDED a keyboard. So like I usually do I tried to make it happen. I talked to Shane and ask him if we could personally purchase a keyboard to use in kids church. Of course he said yes. I found the keyboard I wanted. A Yamaha keyboard with all the bells and whistles.. full size piano keys.. and a new touch sensor that makes it more like a piano than ever! It was awesome. I pushed the add to shopping cart... What comes next you may recognize, " Internet Explorer has encountered a problem" and my entire computer shut down!
For a few more days I wrestled with this purchase. By the way this is not like me, once I get the Ok from Shane I am typically off and running with any purchase! :)
That night I was at Clay's "my son's" baseball game when I got a call from Dimitra. She is the guitarist from the worship team and she told me she had a keyboard in her back seat. What!! Was she serious. She said she didn't know how nice it was but that she had asked a family about it and they said they never play it so it was hers if she wanted it. What!!
I was so excited and thankful I had not gone with MY plan to buy a keyboard. God had a much better plan. Here it comes SO GET READY. When Dimitra showed me the keyboard I took one look at it and I knew... its was exactly the one I had placed in my shopping cart. Other than the color exactly!!
So to tie this story all together and explain my title. God is good! He wants to give us our hearts desires! He wants to bless us above what we could hope or ask for! He wants to bless us pressed down, shaken together, and running over. God bless you!

A Gift!

2010-05-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

I am reminded so often of how very blessed that I am. I look at things a bit differently than I ever have before. The other night I was watching a television show with Ty and the boys fell asleep in their beds before I could kiss them goodnight. After the show, I went to my room to get ready for bed. I pulled back the covers and began to get in when I thought about those kisses I missed giving. I was so tired and I knew the boys wouldn't know one way or the other. I didn't get one foot in bed before I thought about how soon these days would be gone. I sprinted to their room to find my two little guys in a deep sleep. I kissed them both and whispered in their ears "I love you". This afternoon was absolutely gorgeous. I planted flowers in my flower beds and used my CJC Mother's Day gloves so that I wouldn't get dirt under my nails. When I finished, I looked over at the freshly cut grass and thought that would be a nice place to rest. I laid back on the prickly green carpet and listened to the birds chirp and looked up at the clearest blue sky. It was incredible. I say all this because here lately I am reminded that every moment without pain is a gift. Every moment with great health is a gift. Every moment that you have your children protected in your arms is a gift. We have so many gifts in our life that we take for granted. Take some time to look around and see what you are missing. Take a long walk and appreciate a windless day. Kiss your husband and be thankful you have someone to curl up to at night. I don't care where you come from or what your situation is, you have been given many gifts. Recognize them, enjoy them and never forget who gave them to you.

Let's Get Away!

2010-05-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

Attention All Ladies. Cowboy Junction is planning a Ladies Retreat to Ruidoso. We are leaving Thursday July 8th and planning our return Saturday July 10th. The cost will be $100.00 or less. Price is dependent upon how many ladies sign up. The more ladies we have the bigger the house we must get. It is going to be an amazing time to refresh and come together. Relationships is one of the most important things in life and we need to make time for them. Our accommodations will have a hot tub so swimsuits are optional. Long walks in the mountains and a cup of Joe on the deck. What a better way to start our day than with a morning bible study in the cool pines. PJ's, no make-up and great movies. The list goes on and on. Invite your friends and come join us for a weekend you will be talking about for years to come. Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be joining us. I can hardly wait!!

Chicken Vegetable Soup

2010-04-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

I know it is time for warm weather and cookouts but I don't think mother nature got the memo. So with all the colds going around, I thought I would share one of my favorite soup recipes. My mother taught me and it is a great way to get the veggies in your kids. Hope all of you are feeling well but if not this soup will help.

8-10 chicken tenders
1 stick butter
salt and pepper
1 chopped yellow onion
4-6 peeled and chopped potatoes
1 can of Rotel
1 can of tomato sauce
2 or more cups of chicken broth
1 can drained green beans
1 can drained sliced carrots
1 can drained lima beans
1 can drained golden corn
1 c. elbow macaroni
1/2 head of green cabbage, chopped

In a 9"X13" pan, cook chicken tenders with a stick of butter and salt/pepper covered for 1 hour at 350*. Cool and cut into small chunks. Keep in butter until needed. In a stew pot, saute onion and potatoes in 2 Tbs. of olive oil. Cook until onion is tender. Potatoes will not be completely cooked. Add rotel, tomato sauce, chicken broth, green beans, carrots, lima beans and corn. Add salt and pepper again to taste. Bring to a simmer. Add macaroni and cook until almost done. Then add cabbage and chicken with all the butter and juices. Continue to cook until cabbage is wilted and flavors combine. Serve with cornbread. Yummy!!

He Never Changes!

2010-04-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

Last night during Praise and Worship I was feeling low. I know we have all had one of those days where you don't know why but you just feel bummed. Well, that was my day yesterday. As we began to sing the last song, I felt the Lord speak to my very core. No matter what kind of day we have, He never changes. When you feel weak, He reamains strong. When you feel hopeless, He is still the God of hope. When you feel sick, He is still your Healer. He is never changing. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Isn't that comforting? It doesn't matter what you think, feel or see. God has never left your side and He is in control. The world around us is constantly changing. Things in this life are often like a roller coaster ride. But your Heavenly Father is riding the same ride with you. In fact, He is even in the same car. I woke up this morning at 6 a.m. My eyes just popped open and so I began to pray for all the people I knew were needing a miracle. Before 8 a.m. this morning, I had received 3 phone calls. One was informing me that my friend's baby was being air-lifted to Lubbock. The next call was that another friends step father had passed away at 2 a.m. And then my cell phone began to beep. I rushed over to find a text that said my girlfriend that had a tumor removed from her skull yesterday, was being taken back into surgery because of blood clots. This was all before I even brushed my teeth. Later in the day I talked to a friend who just lost her brother and her father due to cancer. And 30 minutes ago I received another phone call. Last nights praise report has become an urgent prayer request today. A little 2 1/2 year old boy has an unexplained medical condition that is affecting his oxygen levels. I tell you all that to say this. I sit here in this chair amazed at how I feel. Normally I would be a ball of nerves. But by the grace of God I am full of peace. No, I don't understand. Yes, I want a miracle in each one of these stories. But I will not be shaken. I will not be overwhelmed. The enemy wants me to be frazzled. He wants you to be frazzled as well. But if our God never changes and He holds us all in the palm of His hand. Why should we fall apart? He is God and He is good. So all I am going to do is Pray and Believe. Will you do the same?

What is God saying?

2010-04-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I am reading another book. I go through seasons of reading everything I can get my hands on and then I won't pick up a book for months. A couple of days ago I was reading a book by Beth Moore called, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things." There was one particular paragraph that caught my attention. Beth Moore gave a warning to all of us who have been called to speak to the Body of Christ. She said that we must be cautious to remember that God doesn't just want to talk through us. He wants to talk to us. When we stop letting God speak to us, it is only a matter of time before He will stop speaking through us. This statement hit me right between the eyes. I think this is true for everyone. When we stop letting God speak to us, it affects our ability to make a Godly impact on others. It is so easy to tell myself, "Heather, you have done enough. You have been in church twice this week and you have prayed for many people." I can then get real lazy in my personal prayer and study time. But how can I expect to give to others when I am empty myself. This past year I have gone through a lot in my private life. During this time God showed me a picture of my life. It was a water pitcher turned on its side laying in a puddle of liquid. The Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Heather this is you. You are trying to give to so many people but you are empty." He said, "Let me sit you back up and fill your cup so that you may give again." These past 6 months I have been very selfish with my time. I have had to take care of my walk with the Lord. We can get so busy doing for God that before we know it we are drained of everything we have to give. We are then no good to anyone. I challenge myself and you as well. Don't lose focus of your private time with God. Make the time to hear His voice. Make the time to be filled back up. I heard someone say once that we are to be a river not a reservoir. We are to be filled so we can pour out. But don't pour yourself out and stay empty. God wants to use you but more importantly he wants to be with you. Many times throughout the Gospels Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, Let them hear." Are you listening? Make sure you take the time to do so.

The View From My Seat!

2010-04-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

What an amazing Sunday and Monday service. Once again, Praise and Worship was incredible. Lesley's song before Ty spoke was just beautiful. I think of how blessed we are to have such an incredible team of musicians. Our volunteers were all working so hard this weekend. They work so hard because they love to serve. They give unselfishly of their time and energy. Not to mention the thirty people that showed up on Saturday to clean the church and the surrounding area. Eggs were stuffed, stage was mopped, trashcans cleaned, litter picked up, classrooms organized, wood was dusted and the list continues. All I can say is,"Wow." The church never ceases to amaze me. And then there is the Word that Ty delivered. I have never heard salvation explained that way. But it is so true. I personally know many people who refuse to give their life to Christ because of obstacles. They have unanswered questions that "seem" too big for God. Therefore, how can they give their life to Him? If you can't wrap your head around certain things, can you possibly trust God with your LIFE? Ty made the point that if you would start with a personal relationship first, then the obstacles wouldn't seem so big after all. It is all about making Christ personal. He is not just "his" God but He is "my" God too. When things become personal it becomes a matter of the heart instead of the head. I swear the mind is one of our biggest enemies. I just recently finished reading, "Battlefield of the Mind," by Joyce Meyer. If you are like me and you struggle with your thoughts, I highly recommend reading this book. We can't serve God with our mind and be successful. Faith is not logical and yet as Christians we know that it works. But until you take a blind step you will never experience the fullness found in Christ. Faith first Answers second. Get a hold of your mind and give God your heart.

Book Review

2010-03-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

I have never done this before but I can't keep it to myself. I just finished an easy read. The book is called," The Noticer", written by Andy Andrews. I read it off and on in 3 days. If you have the time, you could easily read it in one sitting. This book is going to change many lives. In fact, it may have already changed yours. After reading this book, I definitely have a different perspective on my own life. I recognize how even more blessed I am. I have also realized that no matter how old you are, your life is full of influence. My life can make a difference in the lives of millions. I'm not being proud I just have a new perspective. Are you down on yourself? Do you lack hope in the life you live? Please take the time to find and read this book. The problems you seem to have right now just need to be looked at from a different angle. Your life will be how you see it. It is never too late to change your view. You deserve joy and peace. Not only did this book cause me to look at my life differently but the lives of those around me as well. I'm learning more and more that a friend is not one who keeps the peace but one who is lovingly honest. All around us are people who are struggling in their daily lives. They are negative and rude. They are so self focused that they are of little benefit to the world around them. Something is missing. They may just need a "Jones" in their life. If you want to know who he is, go buy "The Noticer" today. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Fresh Fire!

2010-03-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

Church service ROCKED today! I love to see people be unashamed of their love for God. JD Brown, our missionary friend, shared his testimony and his heart for our Lord. I sat there with my mouth open. I wanted to jump and shout. I could hardly stay in my chair. But it started with the beginning of service. The praise and worship time was so anointed. Each song led up to the Word that was spoken. The presence of God showed up in a tangible way. I love it when God does this. He makes Himself so real to His children. I have loved God most of my life. I have followed Him and searched for more of Him for as long as I can remember. There have been times when I needed my flame to be fanned. Today the fire was stoked. It is so encouraging to watch another believer share their faith with passion. It is so great to be reminded that God is doing great things all over the world. Our problems may be big but they are not bigger than our God. He is capable and willing to help us in our times of need. I feel like I have a theme going in my relationship with God right now. I am EXPECTING big things in my life. I smell RAIN in the air. Something is about to happen. And today was just another confirmation of what I know is coming. My encouragement for everyone is to start believing God for MORE. He is so willing to give you the desires of your heart. So Let Him! Pray for a Fresh Fire to fall from your Father above.

Back Burner!

2010-03-20T02:48:00.000-07:00

You are doing so well. Spending time in prayer and the Word has been a daily priority. You can't imagine not giving God a part of your day. Then you wake up one morning at 3:30 a.m. because you can't sleep. You realize laying there in bed that it has been 5 days since you spent time in your bible study. Not that anyone is keeping count. Prayer has been the furthest thing from your mind because like I said,"Things are going great." Why is it that we can get so out of the habit from spending some time focused on our Lord? I don't ever get out of the habit of brushing my teeth or feeding my face. I've experienced insomnia before so I know how bad it feels to go without sleep. I would do everything I could to make sure I could rest at night. There are certain things in life that seem to be a must. Why not my intimate time with the Lord EVERY day? I know that the Lord is not disappointed. And I know He is not hurt. He goes with me everywhere. He is a part of every step in my day. I just desire to make time for Him. I want to set apart a special time just to focus on our relationship. One great thing about my relationship with our Savior is that I know tomorrow is a new day. I get the chance to start again. He won't be distant tomorrow because it has been 5 days. He won't give me the cold shoulder or take time to warm up to me. He will meet me right where we left off. No need to get caught up. He is aware of what's been going on. The thing I have learned is that God knows my heart. He has not established a point system with our relationship. In other words, He is not keeping score. He just loves spending time with me and He knows I feel the same. If you find yourself putting Him on the back burner, don't beat yourself up. Just recognize and start again. Our time with Him should be important to us whether life is great or tough. It is truly just as valuable as breathing in air.

Son Burned!

2010-03-13T17:12:00.001-08:00

My little family just got home today from skiing with friends in Cloudcroft. We had a blast! I don't normally like to ski because I lack the athletic bone you need to master this sport. But as I sat back watching my 6 year old fly down the hill without poles and without falling, I decided to give it another shot. I did better than usual even if I never left the bunny slope. But one thing I regret is forgetting sunscreen for myself, Hudson and half of Brady's face. You forget that the sun reflecting off the snow can cause intense pain. At this very moment, I could not be picked out of a line up next to Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer. And if that weren't bad enough, it hurts. Hudson is red all over and poor Brady (I can't even look at him without cringing). He removed his goggles during ski school and his eyes are burnt. The sun was more powerful than I gave credit. Though this story definitely would not give me the Best Mother of the Year award, It got me to thinking. Am I reflecting the Son? Do I make an impact without even trying? Are those around me affected by the one inside me? My prayer is that they are affected. When they walk away from spending time with me, I pray they sense a burning in their soul. A warmth in their heart. I want people to feel like they have spent some time with their Savior. Not because there is anything special about me but because there is something special about the one in me. Each day of my life I want to change. I want to become more like the one who created me. Christ said we would do greater things than He did on this earth. I'm believing this to be true. I pray for more power, more love, more of Him in my life. My sunburn will eventually go away but my light will always shine.

How are you living?

2010-03-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

When you wake up in the morning, do you get up on the right side or the wrong side of the bed? We all have a choice. If you don't like your life, begin to examine your choices. Change is not a bad thing but it can be painful. We can get so use to being miserable that we don't realize that God has more. The great thing about our life is that it can be one way today and better tomorrow. Your attitude has everything to do with how you live. You can make a choice before you leave your house each morning to purposely walk in love and peace. You must make a conscious decision to live a life that brings glory to God. So many times we go to God with all the things we need Him to do in our life. "If you would only do this God, things would be better." What we must remember is that we serve the Creator of the Universe not a circus magician. He wants us to be involved in our life story. We can't expect Him to do things if we are not willing to put forth some effort. We ask God to change our situations but what must we start or stop doing first? You can't expect Him to change your husband when you are not willing to work on your own heart. Why should God zap your financial troubles if you are not willing to get control over your spending. We serve a faithful and just God. He will do His part but will you do yours? How are you living? Are you giving God every square inch of your life? Can He still mold you or are you as hard as a rock? Make a choice today that things are going to change. Don't push the covers back until you decide that today is a gift from God. And you have a choice to make the most of it or the worst of it. Choose God's Best!

Do It Right Now!

2010-02-23T09:55:00.001-08:00

I'm sitting in the hospital surgical waiting room in Lubbock Texas at this very moment.. My soon to be 90 year old grandfather is having a brain tumor the size of an avocado removed today. We are believing for a miracle. He has lived a wonderful, long life but we are not ready to say goodbye. Are we ever? Two things have come to mind as we sit and wait. Number one, my family could not always sit together and be cordial to one another. There was a lot of unforgiveness and bitterness. Sometimes the awkwardness was so bad that you didn't know what to do. It took an uncle of mine discovering he had cancer before forgiveness was given. When you are afraid of dying, you will often reach out before it is too late. So as we sit here today there is no weird vibes floating in the air. We are laughing, playing cards, eating from a massive gift basket and racing to be the first to finish a Suduko puzzle. Never thought we would be here. My word for you is to not wait to say you are sorry. DO IT RIGHT NOW! My uncle was blessed to have a chance to make peace. But too many people die with regrets or they leave someone behind to live with guilt. Don't be one of the two. Forgiveness can be the greatest gift you can give to yourself or someone else. Secondly, I want to encourage you to tell someone you love them. You may never hold a grudge but you hold your tongue from letting someone know what they mean to you. You can never say you love someone too much. You can never encourage someone more than they need. We all need to hear it but the funny thing is, we all need to say it. It is a proven fact that it is more blessed to give than to receive. So, DO IT RIGHT NOW!!!

Never Give Up!

2010-02-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

What an amazing service we had today at CJC! God showed up in a powerful way. My desire is for more of Him and less of us. I look forward to services that never go the way we plan but the way He plans. That was what happened today. We had a plan but God had a bigger one. The Lord had shared with me two scriptures Hebrews 12:1 and Psalm 27. I got up to read them during our prayer time. I began to encourage everyone to hold on to the promises of God. Ty stepped up and informed everyone that I was preaching his message and I didn't even know it. Together we encouraged others and ourselves to never give up. God has a plan and though we don't see it we must never let go. Is your marriage on the rocks? Has your spiritual walk felt dry? Does your check book show something different than what you know God has for you? Well, the enemy wants you to throw in the towel. But your Father wants you to press on. It is so easy to say I give up. So many times I have wanted to quit. Ty and I have turned to each other many times and said, "Are we sure we want to do this?" Things get tough and running away seems to be the easiest. Being the Pastor of a church is not easy, raising kids is difficult and facing a new day with challenges can get the best of you. But we serve a God that said He would never give up on us. If we run to Him, He will run to us. Seek Him and you will find Him. Take the road less traveled and believe that you can do what God says you can. You may fall down along the way but get back up and try again. Want what God wants bad enough that you will climb or crawl to get your blessings. Heaven is full of them and God is ready to open the flood gates and pour them on His children.

I feel the Rain!

2010-02-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

"I feel the rain, I feel the rain, I feel it falling down on me." An old song but a good one. I am so excited about my message on Sunday and Monday. My heart is full of expectancy. I know God is ready to do something great in His people. He has always been ready but I think I am finally figuring it out. I may not see the goodness before me but I am believing for it. I just encourage each of you to believe God for more this next year. Don't put Him in a box. He wants to do more than you can even dream to ask. Look to the skies because I believe a cloud is forming. I'm putting on my rainboots because I'm expecting to walk through some mud. If you catch my drift.

You Are Never Alone!

2010-01-25T15:02:00.000-08:00

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 This is one of my favorite scriptures. So many times in life we feel alone but the Word of God says that we are never alone. Praise God! Once again I am reminded that it is not how you feel but what you know. This is why reading the Word is powerful. It reminds us of God's promises. We can't stand on them if we don't know them. Although this is a life changing point, it is not my main reason for writing today. I want to remind you that there are others who have gone through or are going through a similar trial as you may be walking through. The enemy gets us by making us think that we are the only ones who have ever dealt with our particular problem. It is a lie. But when you believe the lie, you keep your thoughts to yourself. You don't want anyone to know your struggles. You tell yourself that no one will understand. "They might think I am crazy." "I will just deal with it on my own." But the truth is, you don't have to make your journey alone. There are fellow Christians who have gone through the same fire as you and they have words of Wisdom to share. They can stand with you in prayer. They can fight alongside you. Ask the Lord to show you someone in your life who can be a safe place to run. If you are the one who has the testimony, don't be afraid to share that with others. Your testimony can change the life of another. It can keep someone from having to go to the depths that you once visited. God should be our first cry for help but don't forget that He will use others to encourage you along the way. "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

A New Year!

2010-01-08T13:13:00.000-08:00

The new year has just begun. I'm not one to make a New Years' Resolution but I do believe in moving forward. I am so grateful for the blessings in my life. It is a time to reflect and appreciate what God has given us. My number one desire is to continue to die to myself and to live for Christ. I want more of him and less of me. But this is my prayer every day not just the month of January. I am excited to see what God is going to do this next year. I have an expectant heart. Cigi made a comment at staff this week that she is going to buy rain boots. Hobbs is not really known for a large amount of moisture. But she says she is expecting rain. She is expecting to get wet. Not in the natural but in the supernatural. I remember that old song I grew up singing. "I feel the rain, I feel the rain and it's falling down on me." I feel the same way. It is as if the smell of rain is in the air. God loves it when we are expecting great things. This is called Faith. What are you believing for in your life this year? What are you claiming for your family? Let's be dreaming big in 2010. Let's expect God to change hearts and lives this coming year. Even if things around you seem dry and there is not a cloud in the sky, expect rain. Let this be the year that we see the mountains in our life move. You serve a big God and His plan for your life is to prosper you and not harm you. He wants to give you a hope and a future. When you know His Word, your faith will increase. When our faith increases, look out everybody because nothing is impossible. Love you guys and I am excited to hear about what God is doing in your life. I promise you will hear what He is doing for me.

Holding Out

2009-12-29T09:17:00.000-08:00

I have to share with you the commentary in my bible reading time this morning. There is no way I could say it better than Joel and Victoria Osteen did in this side note. They were sharing their thoughts on the text of scripture found in Psalm 27:13. They write, "In Psalm 27, David wonders what would have happened if he had not believed he would see the goodness of God. No matter what comes your way, let this take root. You have to believe you're going to see God's goodness again. You've got to believe you 're going to see God turn it around. Believe you're going to see God open up new doors. There's something captivating about a person filled with hope. I've learned when you feel like dying, you've got to talk about living. When you feel like giving up, you've got to talk about pressing forward. When you don't see any way out, you've got to talk about how God can make a way. And know this, the enemy always fights you the hardest when he knows God has something great in store. When the bottom falls out and it looks like you've hit an all-time low and it couldn't get any worse, that's not the time to get bitter. That's the time to think better! That's not the time to get negative. That's the time to put your shoulders back and boldly declare, 'My time is coming. I am a victor and not a victim.'" Wow! I don't know about you but this was definitely for me. We have got to hold out, hold on and do whatever it takes to not give in. Don't give satan an inch because he will take a mile. Press on and speak life. Take the authority God has given you and use it. We can overcome and we will overcome. I hope this encourages you as it did me.

Does it Matter?

2009-12-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Last night, my family was leaving Thriftway grocery store. We had just finished getting all the best deals for our big Christmas meal. After I finished buckling Hudson into his car seat, I removed the paper from his orange push up ice cream. He was so excited to get this special treat. I shut his door and headed to the other side of the car to get in my seat. As I was walking I was wadding the trash from the ice cream in my hand. I noticed all of the litter covering the parking lot and I asked myself a question. Will one more piece of paper matter? Before I could even finish my thought I had my answer. Absolutely it will matter. If everyone has the attitude that it doesn't matter, then we would be swimming in a sea of trash. Someone has to care. What does this mean for our life? Well for me I am reminded of the ministry that God has called me to. Sometimes I wonder if what I do can really make a difference in this world. I have to remind myself that with every life I touch, a difference is made. You may be living in an unhappy marriage. No love or kind word is ever displayed. Would one compliment make a difference? You tell me. I think it would. Someone has to be willing to start. Even if it is the smallest effort. There are so many other examples of how the small things in life can be the start of something great. A snowman is built by starting with one snowflake sticking to another. Don't think that the actions you take in this life don't matter. Every word you speak and every step you take can change the course of your life. Think before you litter and think before you speak. You can make a difference even if no one notices.

Thankful during Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am today. I am sitting in my parents home in Hobbs (not San Angelo) by the fire. Most of you know that sitting by a fire is on my top 5 list of things to do. Number one on my list is being with my family. Today there were 14 of us enjoying Ty's amazing fried turkey, Haley's incredible sweet potatoes, my homemade honey yeast rolls and mom's pecan pie and fruit salad. Wow! But the thing I am most thankful for is my health. I have had a rough month but today I feel almost normal. I have put my trust in God and He has been with me through it all. I know that for a season there may be medications and doctors appointments ahead of me but I also know that I am a child of the King of Kings. The Great Physician gets the last word. What are you thankful for this year? I have learned that everyone goes through the seasons of life. But during each season there is still something you can be thankful for. You may feel like you are in your darkest hour but there is something you can rejoice about. If you can see these words that I am typing, you should be thankful for your sight. There are those who would love to see. You may not like your family but there are those who are lonely. They would love to be a part of any family (even yours). I know most of this is so cliche but sometimes we need to be reminded. Take your focus off of what you don't have and put it on what you do have. We are all blessed in some form or fashion. God loves you and He wants the best for you. Thank him for what He has already done for you and thank Him in advance for what He has in store for your future. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I love you !!!

The View From My Seat!!

2009-11-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

What a great service this weekend at Cowboy Junction. We are growing like crazy. We almost had 300 in attendance this weekend. We had 30 in children's church Sunday morning and 17 Monday night. That is not including our preschool department, nursery and Youth group. They had 40 in youth last week and 30 this week. WOW! God is moving in a mighty way. Ty's message was so encouraging to all of us. We have to expand our circle. We have to BELIEVE more than we ever have before. We have to allow our faith to grow. We have to get "I can't" out of our vocabulary. I know for me, I have to get control over my thought life. I am reading two books right now. One is by Joyce Meyer, "Be Anxious for Nothing" and the other is by Jerry Savelle, "Thoughts, The Battle Between Your Ears." For me, I am at war with my mind. I can sit back and accept that my thoughts, my anxieties and my fears are just a part of my make up. I was born a "type A" personality and I will die a "type A" personality. But I choose to believe the Word. "For God has not given me a Spirit of fear but of Power, of Love and of a Sound Mind" 2 Timothy 1:7. David writes in Psalm 34:4, "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all of my fears." I am encouraged by Isaiah 41:10 that says, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." And the last scripture that I read time and time again is found in Philippians 4:6-7, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Just like Ty said, we may not be able to control the situations that come at us but we can choose the circles in which we stand. Our faith has got to grow. How does that happen? "Faith comes by hearing the Word of God." BELIEVE for more. Remember that God is on your side and that He has great plans for you. TRUST Him more. He can handle your life if you just give it to Him. Open your heart and allow the circles you stand in to be expanded. Great things are in store for us all. Don't try to do it own your own. Let God fill you and then be willing to pour yourself out. But remember, once you pour yourself out, you need to be filled once again. Spend some quality time with your Father and REFRESH.

Being Transparent!

2009-11-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Is it possible that someone can be too real? It may sound like a crazy question but it popped in my head earlier today. I laughed as I thought about it because the title of my blog is "Keeping it Real." I've always been one to tell all my thoughts, show all my emotions and hide nothing from no one. But in my being real I fear disappointing those who see who I truly am. As a Pastor's wife, I am a leader and one that others look to for advice. When I show others that I don't always have it all together, am I letting them down? If a young lady finds out 20 years into her marriage that her beautiful diamond she has worn to represent the unending love of her husband was actually a cubic zirconia; how would she feel? All these years what she thought was real was actually fake. Does fake only hurt when it is exposed? Is it better to pretend for appearance sake? I live in a glass house and I could pretend that I never had a problem in the world. I could pretend that my children always behaved and that Ty and I never had an argument. But pretending is not who I am. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse but I don't know any other way than to be real. I talk too much, I share everything and I give my heart away daily. I trust all the time, I care all the time and I forgive all the time . But living in this glass house I often fear the stones that may fly through my walls. I have lived my life in a way that puts me on a platform no higher than those around me. I am not your typical pastor's wife who claims to never have issues. I deal with life's curve balls just like the rest of you. And sometimes I swing with all of my might and I miss big time. I may even fall on my behind. But if there is any encouragement I have for you in this blog, it is that I get back up. I fail often but I try daily. You too, need to be you. Don't be afraid to fall and let those around you see. Just get back up and dust yourself off. I would love to never disappoint another person the rest of my life but more importantly I don't ever want to miss being who God created me to be. I do ask you one favor; please do not put me on a pedestal that I have never chosen to climb. Well, there it is once again. I guess I knew the answer to my own question. I just wanted to know what you thought. Because being me is all I know how to be.

The View from my Seat!

2009-10-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Honoring God! I have loved these last two messages. The first one on first fruits opened my eyes in a whole new way. The blind, crippled, stolen lamb was brought before the Lord because of Law. Gods heart is not law but love. How many times do we just try to get by? We did it because we had to, not because we loved Him and wanted to. This week he talked about authenticity. I love that God wants me to be me. He made me different and special. No one else has what I can give to this world. I am an original. And so are you! Ty spoke on 3 characters in the bible and how they were authentic. The first persons life we looked at was Jabez. Jabez received his name because of the pain his mother endured in childbirth. But he said a prayer that caught God's attention. He said Lord bless me, enlarge my territory, keep your hand on me, keep me from evil and help me to cause no pain. He started his life as a pain but his prayer was to cause no more. Ty's infamous saying, "It is not how you start but how you finish." No excuses. Don't let your past dictate your future. Jabez's prayer was original and from his deepest parts. When you talk to God, be real. You honor God when you pray from your heart. Secondly, Ty spoke about David and how he danced before the Lord. I can only imagine what his wife Michael was thinking when David's tunic flew up and he exposed himself to the world. But he did not apologize because he danced for no one but the Lord. I want to always be free to do what God is calling me to do. No fear, no regrets and no shame. Take advantage of the place you are at in life. Today is all we are promised. Listen to what God is telling you to do and do it. Don't wait another minute. This Honors God. Finally, we looked at the widow who gave everything to the Lord. That day she gave very little monetarily but to God it was more than anyone. Why, because it was an attitude of the heart. What sacrifices do you make in your life? Do you hold back certain things from God? Is there a secret place that is off limits. God wants all of you. Don't be afraid to give Him everything. When we give it all, He gives us back so much more. We serve a generous Father and He wants to bless His children. So honor God in everything you do.

Church Family

2009-10-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that Ty and I believe you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. "We" are the church, not the building. We are the dwelling place for the Most High God. God can speak to us at home in the recliner, in the car while driving to work or anywhere He chooses. So why do I go to church? Some of you may say, "Well Heather has to go. She is the Pastor's wife." I would have to disagree. I grew up with a few Pastor's wives who did whatever they wanted to and they never apologized for their actions. I go to church because there is no place I would rather be. I felt real yucky last night for service. I was sitting at 5:15 on the couch in my lounge clothes. I had my glasses on and my hair was in a messy ponytail. My stomach was rolling and a bit of nausea was keeping me still. I sat there debating if I should get up and get ready or stay home and get in the bed. I never miss, so this one time wouldn't hurt. But I honestly couldn't stand the thought of not being there. Some of you I may not see for a week or more if I don't show up. I also know that when I don't feel so great, praise and worship always lifts me up. I had already heard the message on Sunday morning but Ty always says something different or I may catch something that I missed the day before. I strongly believe in the followers of Christ joining together for worship. It is a time of encouragement, growth and change. Ty's teachings always speak to my heart and challenge me. I also love people. I love to see your smiling faces. I love to pray for you when you are going through a tough time. On Saturday, I walked into the Fall Festival meeting at 3:30 for the pump up talk. The church was full of people wearing the same shirt and excited to serve others. I got a lump in my throat and I was filled with love. We came together and put on one the the most amazing events in Lea County. Together we gave to our community without expecting anything in return. We would have loved for them to join us in service the following day but no one was pressured. My friend RoAnn Whitmore said something on Sunday that spoke to my heart. "Even if the festival didn't bring one family to CJC, it brought our church together." We are a family. And together we can make an impact. I love each and everyone of you. I am blessed every time I see your face.

Pumpkin Roll!

2009-10-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

Do you have one of those recipes that is fail proof? Every time you cook this particular dessert, casserole, etc. everyone raves about it. Well, here is one of mine. Tis' the season!

Beat 3 eggs
Add 1 c. sugar
Beat again
Add: 2/3 c. pumpkin, 1 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. soda, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 3/4 c. flour. Beat just until combined.
Grease a cookie sheet 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1. Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Pour mixture onto wax paper and spread evenly. Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Toothpick comes out clean.
While baking cover a tea towel with powdered sugar. When cake is done, let it fall out on tea towel, peel off wax paper and roll up in tea towel. Put in fridge to cool.
In a small mixing bowel mix together 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 Tbs. softened butter, and 1 c. powdered sugar.
When cake has cooled completely, remove from fridge and unroll. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake. Re-roll without the tea towel. Place in foil and bake into fridge until ready to serve. Let roll stand at room temp. for 30 min. to 1 hour before serving.

Happy Fall Y'all!!!!!!

Blogging from Seattle.

2009-10-06T17:54:00.001-07:00

Ty and I love the city of Seattle. It is full of culture, food and people. In fact, Ty has said many times that he would love to live here one day. He has called this city his favorite for more than 10 years now. But today I was reminded of something. There is no place like home. Judy Garland made this phrase famous years ago and I 100% agree. I have only been here for 2 days but I am so looking forward to driving down the Lovington Highway towards home. Today I watched a ritzy dressed lady walk into the Macy's department store probably ready to shop without even looking at the price tag. Just outside those large, double glass doors I watched another lady carry her life belongings in a single shopping bag while she searched for her next meal in the garbage can. I saw so many faces today as we walked these streets. Each of us so different from one another. I even leaned over to Ty at one time and reminded him how big God is. He shook his head and said, "I know." How can God love all of these people? How can God know the plans for each and every one of these interesting people? I had one answer come to mind. My God is BIG!!! I know this answer is so easy and obvious. But some times in the small town of Hobbs, you can forget. I don't understand it. I don't know how He does it. I can't wrap my mind around it. But that is why we call it FAITH. The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. He has called us each by name. We were all created in His image. He knows the number of hairs on each of our heads. And my favorite thing is knowing that He is big enough to carry my cares. I don't have to walk around with the weight of the world on my shoulders. I can carry His yoke and it is light. From the rich lady in Macy's to the homeless woman digging in the trash, God holds us each in the very palm of His hands. Tonight we will have dinner in the city but I can't wait for pancakes tomorrow with my boys.

The View from my Seat!

2009-09-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

I love this series called Contradiction. Last week Ty spoke on Women in the ministry and this week was on Divorce/Remarriage. The statement he made that I think sums up everything is divorce, debt, stress, and temper are all symptoms of the real sin. Divorce is not the sin, it is the hard heart that led to the divorce. I have many times said that divorce is just a piece of paper. God was sad long before you both signed the document. Many people continue to stay married because they don't want to disappoint God and others. The fact is, you may still live together with a state approved marriage license but you have been spiritually divorced for years. So many people read the Word of God for all of the rules. I read it to know God's heart. We serve a loving God who is the greatest father you could ever ask for. He wants the BEST for us. He wants us to be willing to be molded. I loved the sculpting illustration that Ty used. We all have to allow God to take away the things that do not belong. I am not the woman I used to be and I can attest that Ty is not the man he once was. Ty is one of the most amazing men I have ever known. He has faults just like the rest of us but I am constantly amazed at how willing he is to change. He is so soft and ready for God to show him what needs to change. You may be married to the total opposite. Your spouse may feel that the problem lies with you and he/she has nothing to deal with. I encourage you to focus on making sure you are soft. Allow God to work on your heart. In the process, the answer to your prayer may first come with the changes you make. And on the subject of women in ministry. I know what God has spoken to me and continues to speak. I am called, anointed and willing. I have no doubt that God can speak through me and lives can be touched. God said that if He has to, He will cause the rocks to cry out. I'm pretty sure God would let a willing woman speak His truths before He calls on a ROCK. Contradictions will forever be. Controversy will forever be. When it all boils down to, God is looking at your heart. How does it look?

Holiday Time!

2009-09-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

Just a little something light for the week. I thought you might like to know a little about me. I am so excited to start my holiday cooking. Last week, I made those delicious Fresh Apple cookies by Ms. Wendy Roberts. The batch ended up making about 42 cookies and in less than 24 hours they were gone. Not just by my family but I shared them with others. What is your favorite holiday recipe? The cinnamon and nutmeg in these cookies got me anxious for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The cool air is on its way and I can hardly wait. I love this time of year. My favorite thing to do is sit by a crackling fire with my family. I love to watch movies and pop popcorn. When we have a fire, you can count on us roasting marshmallows. Brady and Hudson Bean have probably had over 200 s'mores in their 6 and 3 years on this earth. "Your welcome Dr. Tuttle." Oh well, we are making memories. I pray that with each season, comes something that excites you. Enjoy your family more than ever this fall and winter. Cook together, gobble up cookies together and snuggle under a blanket together. Let the cold weather outside bring you closer to one another inside. This could be the start to the best Holiday ever. I love you guys.

The View from my Seat!

2009-09-16T14:05:00.000-07:00

This past weeks message was a wake up call for all of us. God "is" Ready but are we ready? God is not holding out his blessings because He is playing a mean joke. He doesn't find it funny to watch us wait for our answers to come. He is patient with us in our journey of life. He knows what we need and when we need it. He is a giver not a taker. He is a lover not a fighter. So what is it that God is ready to do in your life? Ty said that we must be cooperative to find the answer. We need to listen when He speaks and obey when He gives instruction. Is God talking to you right now? What is He saying? You may be saying, "Heather, I wouldn't know if God was talking to me if He was." Let me help you. When you read the Word, what keeps popping out of the pages? When you are listening to teaching tapes, what seems to be the common topic? What lyrics are speaking to you in your music? Have your Godly friends or mentors shared a nugget of wisdom with you and you didn't even realize that it was for you? God can speak to you through anything, anyone and anywhere. I think my testimony of the spider in the shower last week is proof of that. God used a donkey in 2 Peter to rebuke the prophet. An animal without the ability to speak opened his mouth and out came a man's voice. WOW!!!! Be aware of your surroundings at all times. You never know what God may have in store. Now here is where it gets good. You can hear God speaking all day long but are you willing to be obedient? Are you willing to hold your tongue when your husband makes "another" mistake? Are you willing to tear up the "Old Navy" credit card? Are you willing to quit the job with great benefits to pursue the gifts God has given you? What is your instruction? A willing heart could be the only thing keeping you from an answered prayer. I know God is ready to open the flood gates at CJC. And everyday He is helping us prepare for what is to come. I am ready to see and hear great things in your life. So rise to the occasion and step out when you hear the call.

Circle of Life!!

2009-09-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a day of reflection for me. Crill arrived at our front door at 7:00 a.m. for our drive to Lubbock. Ty and I along with Crill were going to support our dear friend Patti during the funeral of her father. 82 years on this earth, Zack Payton lived. He not only lived but he lived a full life. They showed lots of pictures and video of this dear man. I had only met him twice but I began to cry as I saw his life unfold on the screen. He loved his wife and his kids. He had a heart for God and he wanted to make a difference in the world he lived in. Everyday he put a smile on the faces of those around him. And even in his death he was putting a smile on the face of everyone in that little Baptist church. Following the funeral we had a bite to eat and then headed to the Lubbock Heart Hospital. Our good friend Max Clampitt was resting in the CCU unit recovering from a mild heart attack he had on Monday morning. 84 years old and ready to get back to Hobbs to his own bed. He adjusted himself several times as he tried to find a comfortable spot. He said the pillow was like laying his head on a piece of concrete. What a life this man has lived. He gives us words of wisdom every week in the Hobbs News Sun. He is an incredible historian with a couple of books to prove it. As he laid there and talked about this weeks experience, I thought about how much he still has to offer this world. He has given so much and he is not ready to stop now. Well, from there we headed back to Hobbs via Plains. Of course, we had to stop and get a Plains Watermelon. The season is almost over and I am so gonna miss this sweet, juicy fruit (vegetable, I'm not sure). We arrived at CJC only to drop Crill off and then head to Lea Regional Hospital. Yes, one more visit for the day. Only this one was a bit different. We walked in to room 206 and there was baby Gideon being held by his proud father Victor. Melissa and Victor Hernandez had their 3rd child and 1st boy. We were even blessed to be there when Nikki and Gwen (the sisters) arrived to meet their baby brother for the first time. It has only just begun for the Hernandez family. Many birthdays, camping trips, dance recitals and so much more is in their future. A beautiful way to end our day. We arrived back at home to two little boys who ran out to greet us as they saw our car come up the driveway. "Mommy", "Daddy", over and over again. Lots of hugs and kisses. Today we saw life come full circle. It just happened to start with death and end with birth. I was reminded that life is so short. Eighty years seems like a long time to live on this Earth. But it also seems like yesterday that I laid in that same bed as Melissa and held my first born. I'm reminded that it wasn't yesterday, it was 6 years ago. That is so hard for me to believe. So what is my point in this blog. Treasure each moment. Don't wish it away. Don't want something different or better. Just know that God has you where you are for a reason. He has those in your life because they need you and you need them. Love more, Laugh more, Live more. When the day comes that your friends and family gather in your home church to celebrate the life you lived, make sure they can say that you not only lived but you lived to the fullest.

Making a difference in difficult times!!

2009-09-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

For some time now, I have not been happy with just "doing" church. I want to get out there and "be" the church. Where is there a need? Who needs my help that does not go to CJC? Well, I have just found my answer. Isaiah's Soup Kitchen needs our help. I am going to be sharing a goal with the ladies at Girls Grub on Saturday the 12th. We have got to rise up and be an extension of Christ's hand. During difficult economic times, people are in greater need than ever before. In the last couple of months my spirit has been stirred. I know that God is trying to get my attention and I am ready to listen. My good friend Larry Tuttle loaned me a book about one couple making a difference in the life of a homeless man. This wealthy couple had it all including a heart. With a little persuading the wife encouraged her husband to help serve down at the local homeless shelter. Taking this one small step, changed the course of their lives forever. Just when you think life is good and it couldn't get any better, God shows you a whole new view. I also recently saw the movie, "Taken." I was moved like never before. There are actually young girls being taken from their families and tormented for someones' profit. I knew that human trafficking had become a world wide problem but this movie opened my eyes all the more. I began to google outreach ministries that could inform me how to get involved in the prevention of human trafficking. Ty also made a few calls to some Pastor friends of his for some suggestions. I have a burning desire to help in some way, any way. Last night the house was quiet by 8:00p.m so I put in another movie called, "The Soloist." It was about a homeless man with a gift for music. He was suffering from severe mental problems that caused him to run away from an incredible life. Until one day a reporter heard him playing a broken violin on the street corner. This man had a mission to help make a difference in this man's life. This movie opened my eyes to a lifestyle I had no idea even existed. No Hope, No Home, No Help! People living in mass gatherings on the streets of LA. But it is not just there. It is an epidemic everywhere. So what can the people of Lea County do to make a difference? Listen to the Holy Spirit and he will tell you. God has not blessed us to hold on to those blessings. We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing. I ask that you start preparing your heart for what is to come. I don't think that it is by accident that God has been revealing these needs. We can be a light in the darkness.

Honor!

2009-08-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Last night we honored my husband for 10 years of ministry at Cowboy Junction Church. I can't believe it has been 10 years. I began attending CJC even before he became the full time pastor. And that seems like just a couple of years ago. Well, the night turned out to be just perfect. For weeks, I have been nervous about this day. I wanted to do something special for him. I wanted him to feel appreciated and loved. We stayed up late last night talking about the service from start to finish. We read each card at least 2 times. He was in awe of every one's generosity. He went to bed with a glow that almost kept me from sleeping. When the alarm went off this morning, he jumped out of bed ready to visit Wilma in the hospital. Another day of doing what he loves. Today as I thought about the evening and replayed the skit in my head, I asked myself "Why did we need to honor Ty?" "And did we do a good job?". What does "to honor" mean? I wasn't quite sure of the exact definition so I looked it up in the dictionary. The one word that popped out at me was "Respect". I thought that was a funny definition of honor. So I looked "respect" up in the dictionary. It means to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed. To consider worthy. We honored Ty because he was worthy. He deserved special attention for this amazing accomplishment. I could not be any more proud to be his wife and his friend. Daily Ty blows my mind with his creativity and vision. I am so excited to walk this road of life beside him. The adventure will never be boring I can assure you. So, did we do a good job in honoring Ty? I guess he will have to be the judge of that. His answer, "Our church family blessed me so much. I can't wait to DREAM another 10 years."

Inspired!

2009-08-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am going to start off saying that it is hard to write these blogs when you are not sure people are reading them. When I started this blog, I said that it wouldn't matter if anyone read it because I was doing it for myself. Kind of like my own therapy session. I have lots of thoughts go through this brain of mine and sometimes I need to get them out to leave room for things I need to remember. I swear this is the reason I forget so much. If my brain had a room capacity, the Fire Marshall would have already shut me down. So comment if you can but I'll keep blogging even if you don't. Today I have decided to blog on the movie I just saw, Julie & Julia. What a wonderful movie. I will admit that it is not for everyone but I loved it. One reason I give this movie 2 thumbs up is because I love food and so do these ladies. If I could have a profession in the food industry and still be a Pastors wife, I would. And maybe I can, I have just never tried. I guess because I think I'm silly. Secondly, Meryl Streep is a genius. I think she is by far one of the greatest actresses of all time. She did an amazing job in playing Julia Child. I laughed many times throughout this movie and Meryl had a big part to play in it. Boy did I need those laughs. And finally, I loved this movie because it was inspiring. Julia Child was older than me when she decided to learn to cook. WOW!!! Is that amazing or what? I can do anything I want and be the best at it if I just want it bad enough. It is not to late for me and it is not to late for you. The character of Julie in the movie never finished anything she started. She was not self motivated and she often got stuck in the routine of life. In many ways I related to Julie. I often beat myself up because I don't feel very disciplined. Watching her on the big screen made me want to get up and do something. Just because I have struggled with self discipline in the past, doesn't mean I have to struggle today. And neither do you. We can be better finishers than we are starters. I suggest you go see this movie and be inspired. I just celebrated my 33 birthday this week. And I have discovered that age is not a factor in being an achiever, an over comer and a woman that the world could write about. We can do and become anything our hearts desire. It just takes putting one foot forward and then another. I am pumped and ready to get started. I suggest you look out for me these next 33 years. They are going to blow the last 33 out of the water.

Lazy Saturdays!!!

2009-08-08T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today has been an unusual day. I finally said,"NO," to something I would have normally said,"YES", to. This is so abnormal for me but it felt good. I decided that I was not going to leave the house at all today. Today was a lazy day. As I write this, it is 8:00 p.m and I am still in my PJ's from last night. I have watched 4 movies and cooked 3 good meals. Two were for my family and one for my sweet friend who just had surgery. I loved this day. Both boys are fed, bathed and asleep in their room. Ty is at the rodeo and I am curled up in the recliner. Could it get any better than this? I tell you all of this to share something even deeper. I have always been a people pleaser. As I get older, I have realized even more how much "I" matter. How I feel and What I want, should be of importance to me. BUT so many people take it to the extreme. It is so important to not become a self centered person. When it all boils down to it, PEOPLE matter. When I was a young girl my mom had a popular phrase for every situation we faced. "What is her(his, their) view on the matter?" When you make decisions about your life, do you think of how it will affect those around you? Do you put yourself in someone elses' shoes? Or, do you just do what makes you "happy"? Now my lazy day really has nothing to do with this topic. But, it was a great opener for my food for thought. If you live your life only for you, I challenge you to think of others for a change. Go to the baby shower because she needs your support. Follow through on a commitment because you said you would, not because you feel like it. Make that phone call you have been dreading because they need to know you care. You matter but so do others. And every once and a while say,"NO" and have a lazy Saturday.

Exhaustion!

2009-08-02T21:07:00.000-07:00

Camp Crossfire is over and the Bean Bunch is exhausted. I can honestly say that it is a great exhaustion. Even though my body is give out, my spirit is refreshed. I love the people of Cowboy Junction. I love the people that serve God with freedom and joy. Spending a week with people who have passion has given me strength. I have to admit something though. I have found myself several times these past few days, quoting one of Ty's messages. "SHAKE IT OFF". Since camp I have renewed hope. But guess who doesn't like that. The enemy has tried to put me back in the pit that I was in. When you are tired and give out, it is so easy to give in. You get bad news and you feel defeated. Someone says something ugly about you and you want to throw in the towel and say,"Forget It." But I am determined to fight. I may be tired but some things are worth overcoming. Do you find yourself on the mountain top only to be greeted by the the biggest billy goat ready to butt you over the edge? What do you do? Most of the time I find myself jumping before he even gets the chance to make full contact. Well, I want to encourage you. FIGHT!!!! When things begin to bother you, people begin to irritate you, or you just want to quit; SHAKE IT OFF!! It is just not worth it. You are an over comer. We each have a choice. And I choose to win.

Learning Something New!

2009-07-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight after service a few of us stayed to learn a dance for Camp Crossfire. Oh my goodness! This body does not move like it once did. We had a ball just being silly and laughing at one another. The entire time we practiced I kept saying, "What am I doing?" I think I have just figured it out. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and allowing God to use me in a different way. What fun is it to do the same stuff day in and day out? I want to learn something new. I think we should all be stretched. Being stretched may not always be comfortable but it can be enjoyable. Don't be quick to say "NO" when God may want you to say "YES". The day we perform this dance I may make a complete fool of myself but I stepped out. Ty always reminds us that it is okay to fail. What's not okay is to never try. Get involved. Take a chance. Let God use you in a new way. You may learn something about yourself that you didn't know. You may also find a new calling. Have fun! Tonight Ty spoke about being indifferent. He said that we can't lose our enthusiasm. We must keep a level of excitement in our walk with Christ. If you have been dry or felt distant from God, find something new and fresh. Get excited about something. Laughter is truly the best medicine.

The Constant Change of a Prayer Request!

2009-07-13T14:25:00.000-07:00

Have you ever said a prayer and as soon as you get what you want you begin to pray for that same thing but in a different way? Hudson was having very severe bowel problems. I would lay in bed at night and worry about him. I would pray, "God, please let him poop today". He would go 7 or 8 days at a time with out having a bowel movement. This problem started in November of '08 and just 3 weeks ago he pooped on the potty for the first time. He also did it all by himself. I was overjoyed. A burden had just been lifted off of me. NOW he goes all the time. So you would think that I would be ecstatic. Well, this is the point that my prayer changed. "Lord, please let Hudson find the toilet before he goes." I remember in those difficult months saying,"If he would just go, I don't care where or how messy it is." What was I thinking? I do care where he goes and how messy it is. But at the time, I just wanted my little boy to be okay. Sometimes when I sit back and look over my life, I haven't really ever known what I truly needed. I knew what I wanted but is that what really matters. Wanting and needing are two different things. What I have to constantly remind myself is that God KNOWS what is best for EVERY situation. Ty preached the other day on the scripture in Proverbs. "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understandings but In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." The one thing I am sure of is that I want Gods Best in every area of my life. If this is true for you as well, join me in praying this simple prayer. "God, I'm not sure what I/he/she need(s) but you do. In this situation I pray for your will, for your way and for your best. During this difficult time I need peace. I need assurance that you are right beside me guiding my every step." Now Hudson's bowels may just seem like a funny story but as a mother it consumed me. Now that it is a story of the past, I can laugh about it. But isn't that how it usually goes? In the midst of our trials we only see the problem. Hind sight is 20/20. My desire is in the midst of my trial I only see the Problem Solver.

Independence Day!

2009-07-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

What a great day to celebrate! Freedom is such an awesome gift that we have been given. In order to have this freedom, there had to be sacrifice. Men and women gave their life to fight for our country. They were willing to do whatever was needed to protect this great land. It is so easy to take this gift for granted. It is all we have ever known. My prayer is that one day our nation will once again be dependent upon Christ. Christ also gave us a gift. He made the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us. We have been set free from sin. Our debt has been paid in full. Wow! How blessed are we? Christ died for our salvation and soldiers fought to set our nation free. We are truly Free Indeed! So what will you do on this great day? Delicious barbecues, water sports, and fireworks. I pray that whatever you do, you are thankful. Be thankful for your family and friends. Be thankful for your church and your job. Be thankful for your freedom. We must all make sacrifices in this life. But just like the Bible says, "Obedience is better than sacrifice. Listen to the voice of God and Obey. Obedience will always bring you one step closer to depending on God.

The Steadfast!

2009-06-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

I never did blog on Ty's last message of "The Forgotten Arts" series. "The Steadfast" was a great ending to a very needed teaching. To be steadfast is to be immovable, loyal and faithful. Ty talked about the story of Nehemiah and how he proceeded with the building of the walls even though he was threatened by the enemy. He knew where his vision had come from and nothing or no one would stop what God had planned. What a great testimony of standing on the promises of God. How easily do we give up? When opposition comes our way do we run or do we stand firm? If we truly know that God is for us, than who can be against us? In my opinion, to be steadfast is one of the most important character traits that we can possess. Too often we throw in the towel when the going gets tough. It is so easy to get a lawyer and sign a piece of paper to end a marriage. The only problem is that marriage is a spiritual contract as well. We give up on our calling because we are tired of dealing with difficult people. But when God calls you he will protect you from the fiery darts. Life is difficult and nobody promised us a bed of roses. But be committed to what you know God has put before you. Fight for what you love and who you love. Be steadfast! Don't be moved by the waves of this world. The word says that when you feel like you can't stand anymore STAND. God is with you and He will never let you go. Don't you let go either.

Fly Fishing!!

2009-06-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Great time with friends. The Tuttles' and the Beans' on the road. On Thursday morning we headed to Chama New Mexico. We stayed at the Chama Land and Cattle Company Resort. It was a dream place to visit. We had an incredible time and the fish were numerous. Our guide said it was ridiculous how many fish we were catching. We went to bed each night stuffed from the 5 course meal they served. If you know me, the food is one of the most important parts of any trip. I meant to say "the most" important. I can't tell you how much Ty and I needed this. It was one of those vacations that when you come home you actually feel rested. We got to be ourselves and relax. What a blessing! Thank you Larry and Nora for loving us just the way we are.

Looking Up!

2009-06-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Euphoria is something I experience more than the average person. I sit back and look at my life and I am just so humble. I thank God every day for how He has blessed me. But with that I must also be honest about something else. It is so easy for me to get focused on things that pull me down. I just finished looking at a complete strangers blog. This blog was created by a wife and a mother of 3. I just said to Ty that if we knew this couple I bet we would be friends. Her last entry was proclaiming that her little daughter's cancer is in remission. I read the detailed story of the miracle that they have experienced. I continued to view all of their pictures and with each photo the tears continued to come. I soon discovered that their oldest child has Downs Syndrome. But in their home they call it the Up Syndrome. The second child is another adorable boy. All three kids grinning from ear to ear. Not one moment did I see or read gloom and doom in this blog. How do they do this? It got me thinking about my own life. Sometimes it is the smallest things that can send me into my pit. And in that pit I gripe and complain about my situation. I see no way out at that very moment. I am embarrassed to admit this but I really want to change. They say that you are either born an optimist or you're not. I say , "with God all things are possible." I want to be an example of Faith. I want to see the good in all things. I want to trust in God when it looks impossible in the natural. Every day I am growing in the Lord. I don't have everything figured out but I know I am headed in the right direction. My attitude will set the tone for my home. It is so important that we each recognize the part we play in our family. Eyes are always on us and we have a huge responsibility. Each of us are so blessed in so many ways. Stuff is going to happen. We will each have many opportunities to get down. But through it all I am going to make a conscious effort to see the good. We all have a choice in this life. We choose our friends, we choose our attitude and we choose our actions. I choose to look UP! How about you?

The View from my Seat!

2009-06-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

What a great night? Not only did worship ROCK, but the message was incredible. "The Forgive" was another message that we all need to hear. Forgiveness is something I think we all take for granted at one time or another. We have been given the greatest gift, God's forgiveness, but it can sometimes be so difficult for us to offer that same grace to someone else. Ty gave an illustration of a Great Dane being tied to a bench in front of a convenient store while his owner was inside getting a beverage. Something spooked him and he took off full force taking the bench with him. The damage he was causing behind him never seemed to phase his pace. Car after car were being damaged and no telling what else was in the path of destruction. On our journey through life, if we hold on to unforgiveness, we are a lot like this dog. We can destroy so many things in our life without even knowing it. This dog was clueless to the damage he was leaving behind him. When we are wrapped up in the hurts and pain from the past, it makes it so hard to be free and move on. I love to use the old phrase, "Let Go and Let God". God wants to restore your life and mend your broken heart. He just can't do what He wants to when we are chained to our past. Leave it all behind.

We are all Different!

2009-06-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

This week Brady Bean is attending Art Camp. The moment he heard that he was going to attend, he was thrilled. He has always been an art lover. In fact, at his Pre-K graduation 2 weeks ago, he said that when he grew up he wanted to be an artist. Last year he wanted to be a donut shop owner but now it is an artist. We are really encouraging his love for art because he is really good at it. He has an incredible imagination and an eye for detail. When I picked him up yesterday at the Center for Arts, he was so excited to show me his work. They had done life size portraits and ocean themed water colors. After looking at his exceptional work (a little prejudice), I looked around at all the other students work. It was amazing at how each piece was so different. For instance, the ocean scene, I expected a lot of sharks and fish swimming in a sea of blue. Not at all! I saw octopus and swordfish along with seaweed and starfish splattered among a rainbow of colors. Each piece had its own flair. This got me to thinking. We are all so different. This class has 24 kids attending and they all share a common interest. They love art. But at the same time, they are each unique from one another. Their uniqueness is what makes art so interesting. I love to see a child's imagination come to life on paper. Why is it that as adults and in the context of life, we try to conform to the likeness of those around us? We don't embrace our differences but we try to mold our self into anothers image. God has called me to do and to be something incredible. God has called you to do and to be something incredible. We are all made in His image but we are all different in our purpose. It is time that we embrace our differences. Don't be moved by anothers talents or gifts. But be challenged to find what makes you, YOU! What makes you tick? What do you love and what do you dislike? Our differences are what make us stand out from the crowd. Just like art, it is boring to walk around and view a room of duplicates. I want to see originality. I'm sure God feels the same way. We are each a beautiful masterpiece that our Father has created. Allow his brush strokes to create something the world has never seen.