Your Word Is Life to Me....

In daily study I am in Daniel 9, Beth Moore shared some amazing words that were written by Travis Cottrell in regards to the life that Daniel lived for God. In the 9th chapter God's Word became life to Daniel more vividly than ever before. My heart is overwhelmed in praise to God for the life He allows me to live and it makes me stop and think....do I allow His Word to be my life?....what do my words, my actions say about Him, all in all, how do I live for Him? Do I write a love letter to Him daily with my life? So, as part of my quiet time today all I could do was say these words over in over in praise to His Holy Name. I pray that these words will bless your heart as much as it does mine and even more so your quiet time with the Ancient of Days. He desires us more than you could ever imagine.

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"Your Word Is Life to Me"

I am a stranger in this place;
This world is not my home.
I want more than it can give.
I am a desert needing rain;
I'm thirsty for Your voice.
The very reason that I live -
You are the Word, my one desire,
An all consuming Holy fire,
The very breath that I am longing for.
My heart is desperate for Your ways.
Refine me in Your holy blaze,
If that is what it takes to know You more.
You are the Truth that sets me free;
Your word is life to me.
Only the power of Your Word
Can melt away these chains
That have held me far too long.
So light the fire and let it burn
These shackles and restraints,
And I will sing this freedom song.
- - -
You are the Word, my one desire...
You are the Truth that sets me free.
Your word is life to me.

by Travis Cottrell

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Dear Jesus, I praise You!!!! Thank You for being my best Friend, for speaking to me, changing me and molding me into the person You have created me to be and for being the Truth that sets me free! Continue to use me to glorify You, may my life shine and exalt You, may my words be a reflection of Your mighty presence. Burn bright in our lives Lord. You truly are the Word made flesh and You truly are my one desire....

Jesus Messiah...

This week I had the opportunity to drive to Herculaneum and get my oil changed. Sounds fun, huh? Well, little did I know as I took off in my car Thursday that this drive to get my oil change would turn out to be the most amazing time of praise & worship. As I was driving up Hwy 67 "Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin came on and suddenly I was overwhelmed by His presence. It truly was as if He was perched right there in the passenger's seat (physically and in the driver's seat spiritually)next to me! Tear's flooding down my face, hands lifted in praise, belting out this song in total praise as I was driving. As I think of it now (because I was totally oblivious to anyone around me other than Christ) people passing by me were sure to think I had either totally lost it or I'm choosing to think that they were witnessing one of the most amazing times of praise & worship!! That morning before I left I had read Psalm 139 and these verses came back on my heart as I was worshiping "You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me." (v. 1-5) Praise Him!!

The words to this song lead to an amazing conversation with Christ. One filled with praise for who He is and all He has done! So here they are...enjoy and sing them like never before, for He is faithful and amazing!!!

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Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin

He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing
Love so amazing

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn

Love so amazing
Love so amazing, yeah

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world

Chorus:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

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Blessed Redeemer, Thank You for humbling Yourself and for carrying my sins and the sins of the world to the cross, the very cross You died on for each of us! Thank You for rescuing me Father, thank You for loving me, for my hope is in You. You Love, are so amazing and I praise You!!!!!

Letting go...

This past weekend's service was amazing (as usual) and my heart was so flooded with emotion as J-miah sang the song "All for You" by Starfield. What an amazing song! I've found in my life that I try so hard to hold on to stuff that is just damaging to who God created me to be, as I allow the world and all it's choir ring in my head all the negative's in life. I've been freed from things for a long time, but honestly my freedom has been taken to a higher, more sovereign level as I allow the Holy Spirit's choir to sing of the amazing victories I have (we all have) in Christ! May I forever reflect on this song and remember and cherish the day I let go of all the worries of the world and focused on the amazing life God has blessed me with.

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All For You

Nothing compares to the life I have in You

Nothing of this world satisfies

So I want to let go, I want to let you know

All that I have to give is yours


Here I am as gold to the fire

I will surrender to Your hand

To this place, Lord

I have come ready for Your Touch


It’s all for You, it’s all for You

I’m letting go, I’m letting go


What is it in me that hangs on for so long

Why do I fight the tears that come

I work so hard to keep in control when

All that I want is to let go


Here I am as gold to the fire

I will surrender to Your hand

To this place, Lord

I have come ready for Your Touch


It’s all for You, it’s all for You

I’m letting go, I’m letting go


I’ll take this life and lay it down

I’m letting go, I’m letting go

My hopes and dreams, here at your feet

I’m letting go, I’m letting go

And I’m ready for your life

And I’m ready for your life


It’s all for You, it’s all for You

I’m letting go, I’m letting go


Father God, today (as usual) I'm overwhelmed by Your amazing presence in my life and for the beautiful reminder that You give me that You are in control. I give my life to You Lord, I'm letting go, it's ALL for You, may You continue to blot out the ink of the world and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, clarity & vision for the awesome plans You have for my life. Thank You Sweet Jesus I praise You!

Perfect People...

This song has been speaking to my heart this week...

Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live
That's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

(chorus)
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are
Broken and scarred
Lift your heart
And be amazed, and changed
By a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are
And where you've been
And you never have to go there again

(bridge)
Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfection
Look up and see love
Let grace be enough

By Natalie Grant

Father, I thank You so much for Your perfect life and love. Thank You for being a living, breathing example in my life. May you be forever glorified in and through my life, my thoughts and my ever waking breath....

A time a restoration...

These last 5 weeks have flown by! It's been a long time, yet a time of great reflection and restoration. Over the last 5 weeks I've had the opportunity to really get back to the basics of life...what is important...tons of prayer...defining what God desires for my life...vacation...prioritization...reading...soul searching. Did I mention it has been an amazing 5 weeks? God has been working in my heart as I have taken the focus off of so much distracting stuff in my life and placed it on nothing but Him. It really helped being away for 2 weeks on vacation. Although it all started a few weeks prior to vacation as I started reading an awesome book called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I am not finished reading it yet as I have taken my sweet time absorbing all the God is speaking to me about through it. Prayer is such a gift to us and it is something I have always felt gifted by, but this book brings to light the huge, immense power God allows us to have through prayer with Him. Our prayer life cannot be some mechanical exercise, but a real calling out to God with passion for whatever needs you are praying for. Needless to say, I L-O-V-E this book and would encourage you to read it, it will bring true Fresh Wind and Fresh Fire for the amazing God we love and serve.
On top of reading this book the week prior to vacation I began a Bible study by Beth Moore called "Daniel - Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy". Obviously we are studying the book of Daniel and is a faith building study of prophecy and it is teaching me how to shine for Christ in our modern culture and let me tell you what, I have been blessed and challenged by this in depth study. It has opened my eyes and provided quite the awakening, it has allowed me to see the way I have allowed the world to reshape me, when He is the Potter and I am His clay. Hence the 5 week break...I needed some time to react to all that God is saying to me as I have allowed so much of the world to keep me busy, not necessarily with bad things, but I want the best things. When I talk about busy things I'm talking about things like the internet, which don't get me wrong isn't "bad", but I truly was allowing it to take time away from Christ that was unnecessary, instead of doing my daily reading or other important things, because the world says if your not connected at the hip with the WWW your not "in" the know, well, obviously I am still connected and will use it as a connection tool, but I won't be allowing it to consume every waking hour, anyway, that is just one of the many things that I have been blessed by. SO,again, another wonderful opportunity to learn and I would invite you to read with me the book of Daniel and see just how he called on the supernatural knowledge and understanding of Christ and received just that as he took a stand against the modern culture of his time that Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, was creating. It's awesome to know that we too can call on that same supernatural wisdom and understanding and receive it just as Daniel did and shine like never before in the presence of our Heavenly Father and every person we come in contact with. If you are competitive and like to be different (I am talking Godly here) , what is the greatest challenge??? Conforming to the same world everyone else is or shining the amazing light of Jesus Christ and stepping out of the box on His behalf...rejecting the flesh, walking daily with the Spirit. I read this and had to close with it...the way to avoid getting burned by the world is the bathe in God's presence. So true!!!

God, I thank You so much for the restoration and clarity You are allowing me to experience and for the tools You have provided. Thank You for these obedient writers, who are living their lives for You and inspiring people like me. I pray today for Your supernatural knowledge and understanding God and I pray that we will hunger for Your presence and will all get down on our knees in true, humble, obedient prayer to You and I pray that the importance of prayer would resound throughout our church and community and reign in our lives. Thank You Sweet Saviour and Sovereign Lord....

Unstoppable...

As the new series "One Prayer" kicked off this past weekend, I have to say that it re-ignited me. We truly serve an Unstoppable God, with Unstoppable Love and He has called us to be an unstoppable church to have an unstoppable impact on our community and our world. We truly have a great challenge set before us as we are God's "connector's". I loved the point that Bryan made in his statement that said "The mission of God has a church, the church is the people of God". And as we reviewed all that God has done through the AV campus building, I was in total tears as my heart was so blessed as we had (and still have)the opportunity to see God's church fulfilling His mission.

I love the challenge with this series for each Tuesday to be a day of fasting and prayer. I read an article yesterday about fasting and it was so great...it simply said, "You can have prayer without fasting, but you cannot have fasting without prayer". How simply, yet profoundly true is that?!?! When we fast, we are called into total humbleness, obedience and praise for the God we love and serve. Yesteday's fast blessed my heart as Hannah decided she also wanted to fast and as I asked her what she felt called to fast from she simply stated she wanted to fast from sweets because she knew that would be the greatest challenge for her. Talk about blessing my heart. We fasted together yesterday, but most importantly, we took the time to pray together, what an awesome teachable moment...and not just for Hannah, for the both of us. A child like faith is amazing and I cannot wait to see how God continues to move throughout this next month!

As I was reading this morning, I received one of my favorite devotionals and the scripture confirmed all that we are as Christ's church.

"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" ~ 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NIV)

Talk about huge! Our impact is huge! We are a letter...a letter from God. Your a letter, I'm a letter. God has written a message on our hearts and has mailed us to the world! People read His letter through our actions, through our words, through the way we live our lives and represent the Kingdom of God. What will they read in our letters?? Will they read of a loving Savior, who died on the cross for each of us, who loves unconditionally, whose love is constant and never ending? Or will they read a conficting story? What will they read in your letter?

My one prayer this week:

God I want to represent You well today and forever. Help me to use my words as a well trained ambassador. I pray that I will be a living love letter to those I meet every day. I pray that You will blast away the boxes that we put You in. Thank You for being an Unstoppable God, with Unstoppable Love. Thank You for putting Your church together and filling us with an energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. Use us as Your unstoppable church to be an unstoppable force of your love that changes the earth and to rock the gates hell from here to eternity.
In Your Precious Son Jesus' Name, Amen

In honor of Joe...

As I write this today, tears streaming down my face and all, my heart is broken for the loss of one of our good friends Joe Crump and I felt the need to dedicate today's blog to him and his family.

I'll never forget the first time I met Joe. I had went to the old Better Bodies to workout early in the morning, and as I was working out minding my own business, cracking up inside as these two guys (Joe & his best friend Gary) struggled to do 8-minute Abs, Joe began to give me a hard time (knowing that I was Greg's fiance' at that time, with me having no clue who he was) and I remember wondering who in the world is this guy, only to soon realize that he would be one of the greatest workout buddies on the planet! Each morning as I would workout, there Joe & Gary would be to wake me, cheer me, encourage me and most of all crack me up! Laughter was always in the air when Joe (and Gary)was around.

A few years after meeting, we faced the loss of Joe's best friend Gary, to cancer. Which was very hard, they lived life together like none other. After the passing of Gary, it felt as if a piece Joe went with him. Until one day, it was as if God breathed life right back into him as they received a great surprise! As you can see in the picture Joe wasn't just a motorcycle lover, he was a father. This picture was taken as he and his wife Shelly awaited the arrival of their daughter Allison, who was quite a surprise, to say the least, as Joe was in his upper 40's when Shelly was expecting. But what an amazing gift God gave to them through this child. When Alli was 2 they found out that she too had cancer. And after tons of prayer, surgery and a lot of chemo, Alli is cancer free. Praise God!! The reason I share this part of their life, is when Joe wrecked, he was actually riding in a poker run for Relay for Life in honor of Alli and his best friend Gary to help raise money so a cure may one day be found for cancer. Doing what he loved to do, for those he loved SO much!

So today, I ask for your prayers for Shelly, Alli and their entire family. Their loss is great, but their memories are amazing and huge! I know Greg & I are incredibly thankful for those memories as we will cherish them for the rest of our lives. And it is a great reminder to us to never take life for granted, cherish the friendships we have and truly live real, authentic lives together with the ones we love.

Father God, today I lift up the Crump family to you, I pray that Your spirit would blow their lives today and always. I pray a hedge of protection, strength and peace around their hearts and lives all their days. I pray that they will feel Your loving arms around them in everything they do. I thank you for the opportunity to have had such an awesome friend, and for the laughter he brought into our lives. Use us Lord to shine Your light and love to them in this trying time, may we be a reflection of Your love and grace today and always...

A Soul Poured Out...

Wow! I know I shared one of these devotions the other day, but this one was one of those "Are you talkin' to me" moments. I can reflect so much in the past & present where I have totally went to one of my friends in total need before seeking the Best Friend I have in life. I can honestly remember a time in my life when facing some huge struggles when I would reach for the phone and the person I was trying to call's phone would be busy! Was that a coincidence? I don't think so, it was a huge eye-opening opportunity to call the One who's line is never busy and has total control over my life.
Don't get me wrong, friendships are a gift from God and He has placed and continues to place some amazing friends in my life who speak truth into my life, encourage me, challenge me, pray for me and just all around help me to be a better Christ follower, wife, mom and friend, but we have to remember that there is a time and place for that friendship. We need to consider if we are putting more focus on the strength we gain from them than the strength we gain from God. And we need to be aware of the times we pick up the phone for encouragement (which is awesome, just in proper priority level)instead of calling on the One who you don't even have to dial a number. How much easier is that, simply calling on the name of Jesus first will cut down on the steps you have to take for sustaining encouragement and direction.
I love, love, love my friends, but I sometimes find myself in this same scenario of life, maybe it is just because they are SO stinkin' awesome, and God has gifted them with SO many gifts that they impress upon in my life, but I have to humble myself and remember who placed them into my life and then remember first and foremost Who gave His life for me and is there 24/7, no busy lines, just pure, open, life saving, sustaining truths that flow from Him without any apology needed.

Read on...
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Today's Truth

"I am a woman who is deeply troubled...I was pouring out my soul to the LORD."

(1 Samuel 1:15, NIV).

Friend to Friend

The Old Testament book of Samuel introduces us to Hannah: a godly woman who had some serious problems. Her problems weren't brief and they weren't simple. They were year after year problems. Challenges that made her feel empty and frustrated. Have you got a few of those in your life? Sure you do. We all do. Each of us goes through trials and face pain.

Hannah experienced infertility and she had a disturbing rival-wife problem that was miserably complicated. Yes, cringe with me, I said rival-wife. She was one of two wives to her husband...a cultural norm at the time...but terribly difficult no matter how you slice it. (Read 1 Samuel 1-2 for the full story of Hannah.) Refreshingly, enough, in her pain Hannah didn't pretend to be okay. She openly admitted, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled" (1 Samuel 1:15 ).

There are many lessons we can learn from Hannah, but today I'd like us to look at her response to the problems that burdened her heart. Hanna took her problems to God. She cried out to the Lord. "In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD." (1 Samuel 1:10). She took her burdens directly to God.

Now, I don't know about you, but all too many times, I go to the phone before I go to the throne! Who do you cry to when you are deeply troubled? Do you pour out your soul to the LORD, or just pepper Him with vague prayer requests? Hannah didn't just briefly bend a knee here, she poured out her soul! She poured out her sorrow, her disappointments, her frustrations, her depression, her confusion, her anger, her embarrassments, her anguish and her grief.

She poured out her emptiness! And guess what happened? God filled her with the fullness of His peace! Before spending time with the Lord, Hannah lost her appetite and sank into despair. After she poured out her soul to God, the Bible shows us that her appetite returned and her countenance had changed. "Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast" (1 Samuel 1:18 , emphasis mine). Hannah was "no longer downcast" because she experienced the One and Only life-changing God in the chamber of His presence.

God is faithful. He longs to fill our souls with peace regardless of the circumstances we face. Hannah was changed in the presence of the almighty LORD! However, realize this: Hannah didn't just do a "drive thru" prayer time with God. She parked there for a while and did some serious business with Him.

Have you done any serious business with God lately?

Got any problems?

Are you dealing with any difficult people?

Are you faced with any seemingly impossible situations?

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (Psalm 68:19). When you get serious with God...when you get real honest and pour out your soul to Him, He will faithfully replace your empty with the fullness of His peace, whether he removes your burdens or allows them to remain.

Don't doubt it for a minute, friend.

Jesus himself said, "All things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27 ). Let's each take courage and approach God with confidence today, knowing that He loves us and is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we can ask for or imagine. Spend some time pouring out your soul to Him right now.

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How sweet is that, knowing when we get serious with God, totally honest and pour out our souls to Him, He faithfully replaces that emptiness with the fullness of His peace regardless of the outcome.

I ask that you pray this with me and for me as I pray this with and for you...

Heavenly Father, I come to You today and humbly ask Your forgiveness for all of the times that I've taken my burdens to others instead of bringing them to You. Help me to turn to You first when problems come my way. Please blanket my heart with your peace and give me strength for today. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Managing fear...

I received this devotion today from Christianity.com and wanted to share it. Life can seem so overwhelming sometimes and with the pace of this world we truly aren't allowed to slow down and relax, which introduces exhaustion that leads to not being able to focus on the promises of that God has given us. In my life I have dealt with a lot of fear, but thankfully God has saved me from that...not that I'm immuned to it, because trust me, at times I allow it to creep back in, but that is the moment I have to call on the name of Jesus and make the choice to choose Christ instead of the fear or anxiety. I've been able to share time with people who have expressed fear related to anything ranging from the recent rash of earthquakes to who may enter into the presidency of the United States, so if you face fear, this ones for you, I've been there and know the feeling (and still sometimes do)and trust that I will be praying for you. If there is anything more specific to pray for, please feel free to email me. Have an awesome day and may the peace of God reign in your life today and always!

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Today's Truth

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" 2 Timothy 1:7 (N KJV ).

Friend to Friend

We do a lot of laundry at the Southerland house. There always seems to be a load in the washer that needs to go in the dryer, a load in the dryer that needs to be folded and a load of dirty laundry waiting to begin the process all over again. Our washer and dryer have numerous settings for everything from hand washables and fine delicates to cotton and permanent press. After a few loads that yielded pink male underwear and sweaters shrunk to fit Barbie dolls, we decided to wash everything on one setting. Heaven help the man, woman or child who dares to change that setting.

When a life crisis comes, we generally have an automatic setting of fear and anxiety. The good news is that we can change that setting to peace and joy! How? By counting on God.

Count on God to be with you. We battle stress every day, but God is faithful and we can count on Him to be with us every step of the way. Worry is trying to fix tomorrow's problems with today's resources. God gives grace in daily doses.

Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you (NLT).

Count on God for direction. Life can easily spin out of control in a whirlwind of confusion. God offers direction and guidance through His word, through His people and through the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 32:8 I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (NLT).

Count on God for provision. God goes before us in every area of life. Nothing that happens to us will ever surprise God. We must be careful to stay away from scenario sickness of "What if". There are no "what ifs" when we choose to trust God for every need.

Isaiah 65:24 I will provide their needs before they ask. I will help them while they are still asking for help (NLT).

Count on God for protection. God will fight for us when we are attacked. When we follow God's agenda, God fights for us. When we follow our agenda, we are on our own.

Exodus 14:13 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (NIV).

I recently saw a bumper sticker that read, "If God is your Co-Pilot, switch seats!" Many of us have good reason to be afraid because we are in control. Fear feeds stress. Stress thrives in an atmosphere of fear and doubt when our hand is on the steering wheel of life. We need to move over, surrender control to God and find the peace waiting in His hand.

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Here's a prayer I will be praying with you and for you....

Father, my heart is filled with fear. It seems like I am drowning in the uncertainties of my life. Lord, help me to surrender my fears to you. Strengthen me to face each one and walk through it, knowing that you are with me. I choose to trust you and doubt my fears. I choose against stress and for peace. I choose you, Lord. Amen.

A Boatload of Faith

I will establish my covenant with you...and your wife. ~ Genesis 6:18 NIV

A few weeks ago I started a new daily devotional from a book called "Walking with the Women of the Bible - A Devotional Journey Through God's Word" by Elizabeth George, so I could really get to know the women of the Bible as to gain knowledge of their walk with God. How can their walk affect my walk? That's exactly what I'm looking for. Today's devotion really touched me and I wanted to share it. I found that regardless of whether your a woman OR a man we can gain some valuable insight from this. So here it goes...
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We don't know her names so let's call her "Mrs. Noah." She spent her days loving her husband, Noah, raising their three sons, and caring for their home. Daily life was simple...until "the call" came from the Lord.
Grieved over the wickedness of mankind, God decided to destroy humans, the animals of the fields, and the birds of the air. But Noah trusted and walked with God, so God chose to save him and his family. God told him to make an ark.
As Noah moved forward in obedience, Mrs. Noah may have mused, What can I do? How can I help him fulfill God's plan?

Pray. She could pray for mankind as God's judgment loomed, for her husband as he served the Lord, and for her family to also follow God.

Encourage. Husbands thrive on their wives' cheerful, hope-filled words of support. She could encourage Noah in his work.

Believe. She may have wondered about the ark and the flood possibility, but she could choose to believe.

Help. She could help with the animals and gather the food they'd need for their mysterious voyage of faith.

Follow. She could - by faith - follow her husband's leading day by day for 120 years, for 43,800 days...right into the ark of salvation that transported her family into an unknown future.

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How cool is that? We as women aren't called to just sit back and let our husbands do all that they've been called to do. God created us to become spiritually healthy and physically healthy so we could not only support our husbands and families, but to also live out the dreams He has for our lives. Male or female we are created to first of all love & serve God and to support eachother's visions that are God given. So if your reading this, it's not just for women, it's for anyone who loves God and desires to live a God-loving, honoring life. Mrs. Noah can teach us a lot, her faithful devotion to God and her husband are a tremendous asset to God's kingdom, along with the desire and hunger she has to help fulfill God's plan is a beautiful combination...humble, submissive, yet faithful and strong in who God created her to be.

Lord, I want to have faith that prays persistently, chooses righteousness, encourages fellow believers, helps Your kingdom, and follow You faithfully. Help me find strength for today and hope for tomorrow as I sail into the future You have for me...

A stinkin' awesome weekend...

As I sit and reflect over this past weekend in Chicago with Greg, as we celebrated our 10th anniversary, I am totally in awe with all that God allowed us to experience.
I am usually one who HATES (I know that is a strong word, but is rather true)driving long distances, but I would take this ride over and over again if I could. That 5 1/2 hour drive to Chicago was SUCH a blessing. God allowed Greg & I reflect over the last 10 years of our life and started to unfold a new vision He has for our family. We were able to share our hearts, our passion, our vision and what and how we desire to serve God together and in our individual lives. The entire weekend was filled with vision casting and I am so pumped to see how it all unfolds!
We stayed right smack dab in the middle of downtown Chicago Friday night which was amazing and then Saturday morning we went sight seeing. The weather was horrible, but we didn't let that ruin our trip. We had so much fun, just being Greg & Ragen, the couple God placed together 14 years ago. Don't get me wrong, we love our children with all our hearts, but this was truly a time our hearts yearned for and our souls really needed. Saturday afternoon we headed to another town, closer to Willow Creek, to another hotel to stay. I wish I could say this hotel was as awesome as the first, but I will spare you with the gross details of the first room we had there, definitely a memorable moment in our trip. (one of those that makes your skin crawl) We ate at the Cheesecake Factory which was amazing. We were seated right in the middle of two other tables, one of those moments you could have had a more private conversation with the stranger on either side of you rather than the person you are with, but it was so cool, as we started to dream of God's vision for us and our family, everyone else seemed to drift away, the food was great and the cheesecake was AWESOME, but nothing can compare to what God was cultivating in our hearts during those moments.
Then, came Sunday morning, after having the free breakfast we were given to mend the awful memories of our first room there, we headed to Willow Creek Community Church. It was so exciting to finally be able to experience this church, to see Billy Hybels speak in person was cool, and the message was great. The message was one of those that you swear they knew what you were thinking or what was on your heart when you walked through the room. Their new mission "Hungry" touched my heart and confirmed the vision that God has for Greg, the girls & I. But I have to say, as awesome as this experience was, I LOVE our church and the people that make Meadow Heights what it is and the people we do it for. I guess I am partial, but I truly missed worshiping with our Meadow Heights family. You may think I'm pitiful, but it's totally true.
All I have left to say is, WHAT AN AMAZING WEEKEND!!

Thanks Greg for sharing life with me and for this amazing weekend. I look forward to all that God has in store for us and our family in the upcoming years and can't wait to watch it all unfold with you.

God, I thank You for this amazing time with Greg, I thank You for all You revealed to us and the vision You gave us for our family. I pray that it will all be worked out according to Your will and in Your timing. Thanks so much for the Ephesians husband You've blessed me with. Thank You for rekindling, reconnecting, reuniting and reviving our hearts and souls.

Happy 10th Anniversary...

Today marks the 10th anniversary of one of the greatest days in my life, the day I married my soul-mate and best friend Greg!! Where in the world did those 10 years go?? I honestly don't know, but I do know that God has done some amazing things in and through our marriage in those years. Up and downs and believe me, times we both wanted to throw in the towel, but we knew that was not what either of us truly desired and God defintely didn't plan. So through these years we've learned that love truly is an action not a feeling, that it takes two...to love and to fight. Loving and respecting eachother is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another and not just on a special occasion, it's a choice we make daily, even hourly.

I remember the first time I really noticed him in school, way back in the day, and my heart knew he was going to be the man I'd marry, whether Greg knew or believed it or not! So I "stalked" this precious man, inviting him over for a casual game of basketball at my house, funny huh? Basketball won his heart over, even if I beat him every time ;-) SO, finally when the first official date came on April 11, 1994, it was all over but the crying. He knew it even more than I did that we were supposed to together forever...even if he didn't respond the first time I told him I loved him until about a week after. Four years to the day after our first date, we became one in Christ. God has brought two beautiful angels into our lives through this marriage and blessed our lives more than we will ever truly realize.

I am so thankful that God brought us together. Greg is the best and I am so thankful for the Godly leader he is for our family. The love, truth, encouragement, strength and support he brings into my life is priceless and for that I am forever thankful!

We are so excited about celebrating all that God has done over the last 10 years of our life. We are headed to Chicago for the weekend and I cannot wait!

SO, HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY Greg! I love you and thank God for you and remember...He shows the rivers where to run, He struck the match that lit the sun, He writes the songs the birds sing, He makes the flowers bloom in spring, but of all the things He's done, He made me for you and you for me, and that's more than anything!!

God, I thank You for this amazing man You've allowed me to live life with and for the leader He is in our family and our church. Bless Him Father in a way that only You can. Thank You for the amazing plan You have for our lives, may You receive the glory, the honor and the praise forever and ever!!

Race Day - Part 2...

I cannot believe I have not had the time to blog about the race! It was absolutely, positively one of the most amazing days! God showed up and blessed our hearts again & again!
I am so proud of all the women who persevered and finished the race! So, I want to give a huge shout out first and foremost to God for being my Rock, and then to my sista's who endeavored this journey with me.

* Chastidy Dillon-Amelung
* Anna-Marie Beard
* Vickie Branstetter
* Crystal Buckman
* Nina Davis
* Melissa Goldsmith
* Tara Lamb
* Dana Pursley
* Heather Self
* Kay Siebert
* Tracy Wade

Special thanks to Tara for inviting me into this journey, and for to all the ladies for their encouragement!!

I really need to give a play by play of the race, just so it will always be fresh in my heart and my memory!

To start it was freezing that morning, a whoppin' 36 degrees! So warming up was almost totally non-existent. But the weather didn't shatter any of the desires of our hearts! Which was stinkin' awesome! As the race began we literally had to walk for the first minute or two because there were so many people running this race, we were packed in like sardines! For the first mile my hands were numb, but still I was in my zone, comfortable and running with my two padres Anna-Marie & Heather. About the 1.5 mile marker I got this tremendous cramp in my back (due to the lack of warm-up) and it was awesome (not the cramp), but at that moment as I shared with the girls about the cramp, Heather immediately started to pray for me, as we were running, which isn't rare for us, but come on this is race day, this just proved that this race was WAY more than a physical race! SWEEEEEET! SO my cramp subsided and at the 2 mile marker the most amazing thing happened. As I was running, thinking how in the world am I going to make it through more than another mile, I looked up and directly ahead of us was the most beautiful, amazing sight, Children's Hospital with the sun shining directly over it! Wow! I was so overwhelmed! God brought this moment to me as a reminder of how powerful He is and of the miracles He performed there that week. Here we are running, in total tears and I told the girls, okay this is it, God did amazing things there this week and we are going to give our ALL to Him throughout the remainder of this race! Steadily our pace increased and our focus was directly on Him and what this race meant to each of us. Talk about phenomenal!! This race bridged a gap between God & I that I never even knew existed. The gap was me and not allowing myself to TOTALLY rely on His strength and not mine! BEAUTIFUL MOMENT! A moment I will never forget and will treasure throughout all my runs and races of life, physically and spiritually!

Yes, I did finish the race, I didn't stop there. Heather and I ran across the finish line together, with Anna-Marie directly behind us! AWESOME! We (God & I) finished the race earlier than my goal. 28 minutes, placing 66th out of 567 women with Heather & Anna-Marie right behind! It was all God, His strength! A moment I will treasure FOREVER! God can do ANYTHING, ya know!!

I have to say thanks so much to Greg, Hannah & Ashtyn for being right there with me, waiting for me at the finish line with open arms! They woke up at 5am just to be there with me. What a blessing! I Love you guys so much!


God, I thank You for being my Rock, for being my Strength and for allowing me to run this journey with You and through You. Thank You for the beautiful encouragement and reminder and for the amazing women who accompanied me on this journey. Bless our relationships Lord, may we reach out and empower women to fully rely on You and let them know how much You love them. You are truly amazing...

Race day...

Woo-Hoo!! Tomorrow is "Race Day" and I am totally pumped. Not because I am ready...because I have only trained 3 days in the last two weeks with all the craziness, but moreso because with this little training it is going to truly allow me to totally rely on God's strength and power, not mine! Sounds crazy huh? Being excited when I am a lot less prepared than I had planned...but that is what this journey is all about to me...glorifying God, depending on Him and persevering in His strength. It brings to light that I can plan all I want, but when it comes to humbling Yourself to Him and allowing Him to work in and through you, you really have to take each day as it comes.

I'll be the first to admit that as my training was slipping to the wayside, being the competitive person I am, I was starting to fret about how my time was going to be at the race. I tend to compete heavily with myself not really others, so I was struggling. But I feel great today as I have said "so long self" and this is all about You God. It's all about those who cannot run this race and truly humbling myself to Him and gaining just a teeny tiny glimpse of the pain that He went through for us that has allowed this week to be so amazing for our family. He gave His life for us and I want to use this one and only life to glorify Him in any way I can. I know it is impossible to outgive God, but I'm giving Him my all to Him and going to thank and praise Him the entire race...pain and all!

It's all for You God, All FOR YOU!!

Praise...

I am totally overjoyed and humbled by the healing God has allowed to take place in Ashtyn's body. Although she is not free from her disease this is one huge glimpse of God's almighty plan for her life. I cannot thank Him enough for the medical technology and doctors He has used to heal this area of her body.

No blood pressure medicine is a huge relief for her. As a adult it is hard enough for me to take medicine, but for a 5 year old with the amount she was required to take to control her blood pressure was a huge challenge each day. This is a true freedom for her that was granted by God and God alone.

We are totally blessed with amazing family and friends, who love on us, pray for us, support us and encourage us, which has blessed us more than they will ever know. God created us to glorify Him and serve and love eachother the way that He loves us and this has been the most beautiful example of the opportunities we have to glorify Him and the amazing love He for us and the love He provides for us through His people.

One thing I want to reflect through this journey of life is that no matter how this surgery turned out, good or bad, or how life continues to be a challenge with Ashtyn's disease, God is good ALL the time and He is our Constant, Protector, Refuge, Confidant, Healer, Best Friend, Father and Lord of our life. I could go on and on with all that He is to us and again I thank Him for the opportunity to fight FROM victory...the victory that He won on the cross for each of us.

Father God, Thank You for being our All in All...for the beauty of each day, for the breath we breathe, for life itself. Thank You for Your amazing love and the beautiful people You have brought into our lives. Thank You for Your healing power, Your timing and Your perfect plan. Thank You just isn't enough Lord, but I give You my life, I give it all to You and pray that You will use me to glorify You and to reach Your children for You. I love You Lord and I lift my voice, to worship You, Oh my soul rejoice, take joy my King, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear...

The beauty of a "wake-up" call...

Today as I have been sitting around thinking about life, I found myself incredibly overwhelmed. The last week has been crazy and I couldn't quite put into words what my heart has been feeling besides truly overwhelmed and quite honestly frustrated and distressed with a hint of bitterness. As I watch Greg struggling it totally breaks my heart...to see the person you love so much hurt so bad is heart wrenching. He is such an amazing husband and dad and to see him feeling so frustrated because he can't be the "strong" one is hard. I know God has plans for this trial, but honestly I have been struggling with this whole situation. Where has my faith been? Not where it should be I can tell you that. As a wife who is striving to be strong for her husband, hold the house together, and a as a mom who is preparing things for Ashtyn's surgery my focus has been in bad shape. So this afternoon as I was feeling tons of self-pity I had the nudge to read the devotion for today from our 50 Promises of Faith daily guide and what an awesome "wake-up" call I received. So I wanted to share it as a reminder to myself where I was today and what brought my faith back into perspective, focusing on the God who loves me more than I could ever fathom!!

"And we know that in all things God words for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

What's good about my problems? Nothing, that's what! That's the wrong question, the wrong angle. Problems are not good-they are terrible, sinful things. Problems are an evidence that there is evil in this world-and if you want you can drive yourself into bitterness thinking about what an evil place this world can be.

What good can God work through my problems-there's the right angle. God works miracles ever day. He takes the evil of problems and suffering and miraculously transforms them into good in our lives.

IN all things...God works...for the good...of those who love Him.

The two most important words int his verse may very well be at the beginning: "We know." How can you and I "know" this? How can we live with the deep inner conviction that even when life is going bad God is still working good?

This verse gives us a recipe for building this sense of security into our lives. The promise is that God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The twin foundations of this conviction are my love for the Lord and my willingness to live out His purpose. When problems hit, those are the two things that I can focus on that will bring a new sense of security and stability into my life!

By the way, if you're still asking, "What good can problems work?" Roman 8:29 reveals that they have the power to make you more like Jesus! God has the power to take the worst that life throws at us and use those circumstances to form the heart and character of Jesus in us. Your problems are not good, but God IS good.

By Tom Holloday

If these problems can make me more like Jesus...bring it on!! There is no one else that I would rather be like.

Father God, thank You for the "wake-up" call, thank You for Your amazing love and grace and for Your patience for Your children. I pray that You would continue to reveal Your will for my life with new clarity. Fill us with Your peace and strength. Be with all those whose hearts are hurting God, may they feel Your presence and Your peace like never before. I pray that Your peace and healing would reign in Greg & Ashtyn's hearts and lives. Protect them and guide them. May You be forever glorified in our lives...

Set the World on Fire...

This song so much says what is on my heart today...what my heart's desire is. Enjoy the video. What's your hearts desire??? Have you thought about it lately??




Father I want to set the world on fire...I want to glorify You. Continue to fill me with a fire for the world...continue to bless me with your vision...may Your vision grow clearer with each new day...may I grow more hungry and thirsty for Your Word each and every day. I pray for each person who is reading this Lord, I pray that You would fill them with a desire for others, I pray that You would reveal Your will to them in a powerful way. Take my dreams Lord, may they glorify You forever and ever...

A day of thanksgiving...

"That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works." ~Psalm 26:7

Why should Thanksgiving can only be celebrated in November?? I find myself giving thanks daily, but today is a rather somber day for me...I don't know if the clouds have anything to do with it...or possibly the house is a little more quiet today with Hannah back in school...but today I find myself completely overwhelmed with thanksgiving for all that God has been allowing me to experience over the last couple of weeks....months....years. So today...I devote a time to just reflect what is on my heart.

*Last week as I got home from work at 8am I learned that Hannah had been up sick all night long with the flu...therefore, both my tank and Greg's tank were empty as he has to dash off to work as I entered into the house, and I was here with no sleep on record over the last 26 hours. So that evening with little to no sleep for either of us, we headed to bed in the form of zombies leaving all our routines (praying with the kids) to the wayside. The girls had wanted to sleep in the family room, which we agreed upon, and as Greg & I were lying in we heard the most moving, tear jerking testimony that will bless our heart for the rest of our days. Ashtyn's voice was very low and she asked Hannah if she has prayed yet, Hannah responded not yet, and Ashtyn immediately started praying, not a just nightly prayer, but a prayer that was filled with the Holy Spirit as she covered her ill sister and her mommy & daddy as we were all tired. How amazing! I could hardly catch my breath as the tears fell and we listened onto this amazing God moment between two sisters.

*Five years ago I faced one of the greatest challenges and trials of my life...I had fallen into a deep dark depression that I totally cannot describe. This depression lasted for 3 years, and as I searched for the cause and reached out to people to help me, I continued to fall deeper and deeper into a depression. I had test after test and medicine after medicine until the last medication I was prescribed sent me into a life-threatening situation. One that we learned about this past weekend at Meadow Heights, one you hear about as a side-effect to medications or possibly read about in a book or magazine...I began having suicidal thoughts...talk about scary. The reason I share this with you and find it such a blessing, is because it is real, depression is real, suicide is real, but the greatest thing I learned and experienced was that God's healing is real. After 3 years I found myself calling on the Lord who loved me and was waiting for me to call on His name. Throughout this whole trial I was a Christ follower (which satan used to make me feel even worse), I knew He was there, but was using my strength and others strength to guide me through. Until one day, I was struggling and I tried to call several people to talk, but their lines were busy, busy, busy. And then suddenly a peace came over me as God gently told me He is there, He's had been there the whole time, and as I gave this depression to Him...left it at the foot of the cross, I found healing and peace that was a total blessing from God. I thank Him daily for that trial and I honestly can tell you that without that trial I don't think that I would have the strength to endure all that Ashtyn is going through and I wouldn't have the vision that God has given me to help people to know all that God has in store for them, to show them how much Jesus truly loves them and empower women to know that God has an amazing purpose for each and every one of us. God's plan for my life keeps showing up as He continues to place women in my life with the same mission yet with their own trials that will help build the bond of one huge God plan. So thanks Mel & Heather S. for keeping me real and praying with me and for me. God's got BIG plans and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds!

*My 5K journey is still going amazingly! God continues to keep humbling me throughout this training, but I count it all a blessing as each day when I train I can give all the glory back to Him and thank Him that the pain and tiredness I am feeling is nothing compared to how He felt for us. Along with the gift of growing closer and closer to Christ through this race, I find it so awesome to be running with such amazing women. As I have my iPod going with praise music, I love it that as we are running we can join hands and pray together that His endurance, strength and perseverance will guide us throughout the next however many miles, that I don't have to feel weird to raise my hands toward Him in praise as I am moved by whatever song is playing or in total awe by the strength that flows directly from Him to continue that 29 minutes. He continues to move me, overwhelm me and inspire me to finish this race and many more with endurance and perseverance. I am so thankful for this journey!

*Ashtyn had her 11th chemo treatment this week and with the weather it was debatable as to whether we were going to be able to go or not. But God again showed up with spectacular guidance and safety. I thought it was awesome that Heather Self took the time away from her family to go up one night early with the girls and I to stay in St. Louis. Talk about selfless people. Thanks so much for loving God and us! And to top the cake, God knew we were supposed to be there. As we got to treatment Ash's blood pressure was really high, so that alarmed the doctor to was to check things out a little more, so at the end of her treatment they wanted to check her blood pressure in her other arm (which had the IV in it)and it was even higher. So her Rheumatologist, Dr. Andrew White, and a team of cardiologists led by Dr. David Balzer, all decided together that it was necessary to add another blood pressure medicine. Thank God we went that day or we wouldn't have caught it or had all the doctors right there. Thank God for His guidance and perfect timing and the safety as He brought us safely home.

My prayer today is of total awe and thankfulness Father, thank You for Your perfect timing, thank You for Your love. Thank You for the reminder of how truly blessed I am. Thank You for Meadow Heights and the beautiful, amazing people it has brought into my life. Thank You for the trials of life, may Your vision continue to grow and grow with more clarity and may You forever be glorified in and through my life. Thank You, thank You, thank You...

Need a reason...

Every wonder why we as humans do certain things or not do certain things? As I was looking through some of the videos on GodTube today this one smacked me upside the heart. It overwhelmed me more than I can ever come close to explaining. The best way I can explain it is that it encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and push beyond any pain or fear that could keep me from accomplishing all that God has placed me here for. My prayer today is that this video will touch your heart as it did mine, that it will encourage you to live life souly for the beautiful body of Christ that was beaten for each of us. Let me know what you think...

You maketh me smile...

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." ~Proverbs 17.22

What an awesome day this was! Although I am not a big snow fan, today placed new light on the weather for me. Like the scripture above says, "A merry heart", I have a total merry heart right now. Greg, the girls and I decided to have some friends over to enjoy some chili, games and snow play and it was a total blast!! I honestly don't know who were the bigger kids...Hannah, Ashtyn, Emilee, Taylor, Champ or Heidi...Penny, Melissa, Heather & myself...or Greg, MAC and Goldie. By my voting, I give the "boys" the big medal of playfulness. (Have you ever seen 3 men get a cardiovascular workout by playing ping pong??? Sweat and all???) But I have to give the "girls" and I a huge badge of courage for braving the elements with three "grown" men. We were pretty suave by sneaking out the basement door and making an arsenal of snowballs to pelt them with AND we did sled down the hill a hundred times with not just the kids, but all 3 of us on the sled. AND then we were crazy enough to let the boys ramp us off our flower bed to what felt like a 10 foot drop. What fun!! I only wish I had Penny's pictures to post!
Thanks for the great day everyone! You blessed our hearts and day tremendously!!

God, I come to You today so thankful for the amazing people You have placed in our lives. I thank you for what each one brings to our lives and the gifts You have blessed each of them with that ignites Meadow Heights with Your love and vision. Thank You for the snow, the laughs, the memories and Your love for one another we were able to share today. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...

Happy "Love" Day...

"And so I am giving a new commandment to you now -- love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35

I got this article below from a daily devotion that I receive and I loved it and wanted to share it. Happy "Love" Day!!

Friend to Friend

We all need friends. In fact, we were created to need each other. Research shows that lonely people live significantly shorter lives than the general population. Yes, there are different levels of friendships, friends we see occasionally and friends with whom we share everything. There are even different seasons of friendships. But at the core of every healthy friendship is a giving heart.

I often hear the words, "I just don't have any friends!" In many cases, I suspect the reason is that people are looking for what they can get out of a relationship instead of what they can give to that relationship.

Have you ever considered the idea that friendships are primarily opportunities for giving? Jesus Christ powerfully illustrated this truth when He came to earth, lived as man, died on the cross and rose from the dead -- all because of love, all because He wanted to give to those He loved. And God is calling us to share that same love with others.

Chad was a shy, quiet little boy. One day he came home and told his mother he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. "I wish he wouldn't do that!" she thought. She had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. She purchased the paper, glue and crayons and for three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines.

Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was frantic with excitement! He carefully placed the valentines in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake his favorite cookies because she knew he would be disappointed when he came home from school. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines -- maybe none at all. That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table.

Finally, when she heard their voices, she looked out the window to see the children laughing and having the best time. As usual, there was Chad in the rear but walking a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she choked back the tears. "Honey, I have some warm cookies and milk for you" but he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face glowing, and all he could say was: "Not a one -- not a one." The mother's heart sank. Then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!"

And so it is when God and His love are at the center of our friendships. Does the world know we are His disciples by the way we love each other -- by our friendships?

____________________________________________________________________

I have to say that God has blessed me with some amazing friendships in my life and I am forever thankful for those relationships...they challenge me, encourage me and lift me up more than each person could ever know...what's even more awesome...God is right in the center of each of these blessings!!
Most importantly I have to say to my bestest friends in the whole world, Greg, Hannah & Ashtyn...I love you so much and thank God for blessing my life with each of you...thanks for giving so much love to me...I pray that I can give back 150% in our relationships! Thank you for the beautiful hearts you allow God to bless me with daily! I LOVE YOU!!

Father, thank You for the miracle of Your great love that is powerfully at work in me. Help me to respond to that love by loving others. Help me to be a better friend. Transform my heart and then use me to give Your love away in friendship. I want to obey You in every area of life. I pray that my friendships reflect Your love, encourage others and please You.

Perseverance & the 5k...

~Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (NIV)

Since mid January I have been training to run my first 5k on April 5th, with an amazing group of women. These women challenge me, pray for me, and encourage me to persevere through the pain. Thanks so much Heather, Tara, Anna-Marie, Robin & Crystal for loving me through this journey. It's such a humbling honor to persevere with each of you.

This race is more than a race to the finish line...it's a race with the Savior who loves me, to build my perseverance not in this race alone, but in the race of life, and not just my life, a race for the lives who are hurting, who live life daily without the hope of the God who loves them, who hurt so deeply. So this race is ultimately for those who are hurting, those lives I so badly want to reach out and show the love of God to, to introduce them to OUR God, the ultimate Love and Hope of all time. And through the last several weeks I've realized that I cannot accomplish either one of these goals without Him. I have to continue to ask for His direction, pray to Him for clarity, strength and perseverance and always look to Him.

At the end of my runs each day, I have to say I am feeling some pain, but it is a pain that cannot come anywhere close to the pain He felt for each of us.

So God,I give this race to You and those You love so much who are waiting to meet you. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, bless me with Your eyes and Your heart to see and feel the pain of those who are hurting. Renew and increase my discernment God. I thank You for never moving and for always loving me through my humanness. Use me Lord to glorify You. Here am I Lord, send me...

Autism Speaks

I was forwarded this in an email today, and let me tell you what, as a Christ follower and a mom with a child who has an incurable disease my heart breaks for this family and all the families who have ill children. I encourage you to check it out...with each view to this site $0.49 since goes to the family, it may not sound like much, but when we all pull together and pray God will do far more than we can imagine!

www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/videos/view/id/408214

Father God, I come to You on behalf of this family and all the families whose hearts are breaking because their children are sick. I pray that in Your timing You will bring wisdom and knowledge to the physicians and researchers so that a cure or help can be found to help these autistic children. Surrond these children and their families with protection, love and peace. I pray that their eyes would be upon You and that You will be forever glorified. Heal their hearts, minds and bodies according to Your amazing will.

An awesome day...

Today was one of the most overwhelming, amazing, awe-inspiring, love-filled, blessed and nothing but a total "God day". My heart is swelling from one of the most humbling days. God is so good, man, it is SO true that I have to say it again, GOD IS SO GOOD!
Ashtyn's surgery went beautifully and I have to say at the beginning of the day I was feeling very apprehensive about sending her back for the surgery and I was quite emotional. I am an emotional person, but I never anticipated how much emotion would pour out of me as Greg & I walked back into the waiting room after leaving her with the doctors and nurses and being surrounded by 24 people who loved on us, prayed with us and for us and were there just to listen and do whatever they possibly could to support us. It was as if God said, "It's okay Ragen, be real, let it out", and boy did I ever. And then the thought of all those who were unable to be with us physically but were with us spiritually and emotionally and were lifting us up to the One who loves us more than we can imagine, blew me away.
Not only was this day amazing just because all that transpired on our part, but God worked His awesomeness when He aligned the opportunity for us to not only be supported by this group, but some of our best friends in their time of need as well. As we were driving to the hospital we learned that The Lindley's were still at Children's Hospital with the possibility of their son Chase having a tumor on the lower part of his brain, which PRAISE GOD he doesn't, but what was even more amazing, they are on the 7th floor (2 doors down), the exact floor we were all waiting on and staying overnight. When Ashtyn was recovering we told her that Chase was right down the hallway and she wanted to be wheeled in her bed to see him, although that couldn't happen, the nurses wheeled him by in his wheelchair on the way to his MRI and they got to wave and say Hi and most comforting to one another smile and let eachother know they were okay.
Then, during the day, another one of our friends, Bob & Nancy Weiss, learned that their mom (Bob's mom) was being transferred to Barnes (which is connected to Children's)in critical condition. Talk about a prayer team in action. Too cool, as we all joined hands in the waiting room, all 24 of us, to lift up these prayer requests and bring Him praise for bringing Ashtyn through her surgery safely and successfully.
AND another one of our friends was in a major car accident a little over a month ago and a couple people were able to go visit him. I would like to ask for you to pray for Adrian & Suzanne Blevins and their family as he continues to make amazing progress. Suzanne and I went to school together and hadn't seen eachother for several years until God reunited us a couple months ago when their newborn baby was sick. I thank God for their family and the witness they are. Adrian, Suzanne and their daughter Lexi just recently accepted Christ as their personal Savior, which totally rocks!! I know they would love to recieve encouraging words on his CaringBridge page, so you can check out his story here and leave their family a message and support them through this trying time!
Just knowing we were all there was bitter sweet. We were able to be together in the toughest times and love one another through them. Now that is what life is all about. Loving eachother through life, being real and leading people into life-changing relationships with Christ. And I tell you what, although I've been a Christ-follower for years, today was truly life-changing for me.

Father I come to You in total awe of Your magnificent presence in our lives and I thank You for Your amazing timing. It truly couldn't be more perfect. I thank You for all the people who have supported through their love, support and prayers, I pray that You would bless them beyond compare Lord. Continue to be with Ashtyn, Chase and Adrian as they recover, be with The Weiss family through their mom's illness, I pray that Your will be done in each situation. I love you and thank You for Your amazing grace, love and forgiveness. You are awesome Lord...

It just never gets old...

As I am at work tonight I am totally overwhelmed...not just the busyness of it all...but truly so thankful for the opportunity to help bring a new life, one of God's many miracles into the world. It truly is humbling and amazing! As one of our babies entered the world tonight I was practically whopped upside the head with the amazing comparison between a brand new baby and a new christian. The total new life that each has and the impact that so many others can have on not only the baby but on the new christian as well. How each if not lovingly nurtured in those early days can fall victim to so many "bad" things in life. We as Christians play a critical role in a new Christians walk just as parents or caregivers have for these beautiful miracles. It's just awesome to watch that "new creation" as they enter into their new "environment", into the person God has created them to be. My heart is just overwhelmed with how amazing and awesome our God is!! And I pray that He will continue to use me in each of these "new life" miracles.

Father God, I thank You for allowing me to be here tonight and to witness yet again, the miracle of birth...it truly never gets old. I pray for each family that is represented here tonight and pray that You will bless and watch over these babies all their days...may they grow up to love and serve You...watch over them Father, protect them and keep them safe. Your truly amazing...

I'm back...

I cannot believe that I haven't blogged since 2007! To be honest I needed a little break to digest all that my heart has been feeling over the last few weeks...but not that long...at least I didn't think.
My heart has been so full of so many emotions lately...from total awe with God in His magnificence, joy, sorrow, back to total happiness and in total awe of Him.
I haven't even blogged on the Meadow Heights Arcadia Valley launch on 1-6-08, which was overwhelmingly amazing! Talk about blessing a persons heart. It was incredibly amazing to see the joy on people's faces as they entered and the most awesome part for me was to see the hunger in the eyes of people to meet the Jesus who loves them...people I have grown up with my entire life. I couldn't fight back the tears as I watched them take it all in, clapping to the worship music, singing, some even dancing. My heart was and still is overflowing! Before the opening day, God had already performed miracles in that place, the mere fact that the building was completed in 11 weeks, the people He brought together to complete His vision and the healing that took place in the hearts of many...including me. Throughout the Imagine Campaign Greg kept sharing Deuteronomy 16:17 "Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you", and although we are giving the commitment God laid on our hearts, I honestly still felt a void, He has blessed us more than would could ever imagine, guess or request and I wanted to do something more...I know you truly cannot "outgive" God, but I wanted to try. And I am so humbled by the fact that He allowed me to be part of His vision for Meadow Heights, the He has blessed my life with sharing this vision with people who's hearts truly burned deep with His vision as well, and for allowing me the amazing opportunity to watch these people who have been hungering for something more, for His love, and for using me to love on them and shine His light for them to see. It is so stinkin' awesome!
After the launch, our family needed some "down time"...time to reconnect, time to praise Him and time to reconnect with some friends we have been away from for a while. Then came time for Ashtyn's 9th chemo treatment and a serious talk with her cardiologist. That day was incredibly draining...emotionally and physically. She has been growing more sick with each treatment, but this day it was the worst we've seen it thus far. She hadn't even completed her treatment and was very sick. And I have to say, as a mom, seeing this precious child like that, brought everything swirling around me. It brought everything grimly back into proportion, and then to make a surgical decision topped the entire day. The whole rest of the day as I held her in my arms the best thing I could do was hold her tight, and keep reciting Jeremiah 29:11 to myself over and over and over, to remind myself that He loves her far greater than I ever could and that He has not brought us to this place in our journey for nothing. He truly amazes me at the way He continually shows up and brings comfort to us in our time of need. If your reading this and have no idea what Ashtyn is dealing with you can check it out here and please feel free to sign her guestbook. She loves receiving messages. The site is still under construction, but I am planning on adding journal entries for every test she has undergone since the beginning.
It feels good to be back, prayerfully it won't be so long until next time.

Father God, your love is truly amazing and I stand in awe of your Omnipotent presence. Thank You for loving me and continue to fill me with Your vision, help me to never lose sight of the lost and hurting. May I see them through Your eyes and with Your love and clarity. Continue to fill me with a hunger for Your word. Your truly amazing...