What a Year...

2015 has been one of the most difficult years of my life and also one of the most amazing.  Difficulties that included my mom's battle with breast cancer, one of the lowest points ever in my marriage, my children running from God, other family members struggles, my own selfish personal battles, you name it.  But through and amidst all of those things God has proven His faithfulness and goodness and love to me...more than I deserve.  And even more, began showing me a glimpse of His plan for me.  I really need to share about His marvelous works in my life, how He repaired my marriage and made it better than ever, how He is using me to serve Him and changing me into the woman He wants me to be.  He has given me incredible friendships with some might say "unlikely people" but I say they are an inspiration and amazing part of my life.  He has grown and stretched me, disciplined me and loved me more than I can describe.  He has given James and I a ministry together to use the gifts and talents He has given us to glorify Him and do His kingdom work.  And on the first day of 2016, this ministry will truly begin.  James and I and our partner in this work, Johnny, will go to Algoa Correctional Center to share Jesus.  James will preach his first sermon in prison, this is the start of something big in our lives, a calling from our King.  God has placed us here to use us, to grow us, to proclaim who He is and to provide freedom for the captives.  I am honored and humbled to be called to do this work, God doesn't need me for anything but He chose me and He chose James and He chose Johnny to do this together.  He made us a team to give away what we've been given through the blood of the Lamb.  How marvelous, incredible and wonderful is that?!?

I ran across these notes I had made a couple years ago and they blessed my heart today...

12/4/13 - Live your life for something other than yourself.  Live for something greater, something eternal.  When your toil is for The Lord, it is no longer toil but joy.  If you do anything for yourself it will not produce joy.  Joy comes only from pleasing God.

1/15/14 - God takes pleasure in me, His creation, when I live out my purpose.  When I sing, God takes enjoyment.

Here's to 2016! Let's live for Jesus and declare the Gospel!  Let's Praise the Lord!

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
⁷ For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:1-7

 

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!^[a]
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness!

³ Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
⁴ Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
⁵ Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150

Epic Christmas Card 2015

If you know us then you know we have an outlandish Christmas card tradition.  Here is 2015's epic Christmas card...

God Has a Purpose for Me and for You

Earlier this year I began an online study called "The Best Yes", it was with Proverbs 31 ministries and Lysa Terkheurst wrote the book.  It was a great study and although I haven't finished the book...(I will eventually), I learned a lot and have put into practice some of the things it taught me.  God has a plan and purpose for us, He has called me to worship ministry, I know this without a shadow of a doubt.  What does this mean?  It means I can't do everything!  I have had to say no and let go of other things to pursue what God wants and requires of me...my best yes.  What an amazing season of my life I am living at this moment.  Yes, I am busy...yes, I am tired...yes, I am somewhat crazy, but He has given me a strength and desire like never before.  It is amazing what can happen when we are obedient to Christ.

If you would have told me a couple years ago when I said "Anything you want from me, Lord, here I am" that I would be touring jails and prisons and leading men and women into His presence through worship...I would have said you were nuts.  On top of that...I play for myself, that is a big miracle for me as well...how He has equipped me in such a brief time to do His will for me.  He is such a gracious God, what an incredible journey He has me on and I can't wait to see what's next.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

If you don't know what God is calling you to, get in His Word, spend time with Him in prayer, fellowship with His people, go on mission, serve, give...He will reveal Himself and His plan for your life to you.