Cute story from the Waldmann Kiddos-
Chris and I didn't want to buy the kids a game system this year because 1. We had a plan for why we bought gifts. 2. We wanted the things we bought to add value to them and to us as a family. 3. We didn't want it to be the ONLY thing they got. 4. We wanted them to earn and save the money for it. So we opted out of the frenzy. We didn't go broke, we didn't buy on credit and we had a wonderful Christmas sharing its true meaning with our kids.
We didn't realize that they would get the money they got or that if you want something bad enough you will pull your resources to get it. They pulled it together last night and Chris went out with them to get the game system.
Here is where it gets real funny. Chris text me and said they are killing me. HAha, I said honey if they can't make up their mind on which system to buy they come home for another day and wait.
Well a short while later hubby and three very happy boys come in with a PS3 and a few games. Here is the story of how this bliss came to be from the words of Chris.
Chris says, "Stacy you had to be there." I asked why. He said I went with the boys to the clerk and asked, "which system do you think is best?" The clerk replied, "if you ask me, PS3 but if you ask my kids Wii." Chris said, "Why is that? This is where the "F" word happens...my boys lean in, every word that drops from the clerks mouth is like life or death to thier hopes of a new PS3. The clerk continues, "well the graphics are fantastic on the PS3, but the Wii is more Family Friendly." Before Chris could say anything else, Caleb and I both said, "Dude, NOT the F word!" haha I knew as soon as Chris said that the clerk used the words family friendly...the boys thought that was the kiss of death to the PS3. ha! Chris contnued his story and we all laughed. I said, "Caleb, he didn't realize he was talking to the a children's pastor did he?"
We do value family time as ultimate time, worth more than any amount of money, irreplaceable. If not done, lost forever. Our kids value it as well, but they did NOT want a Wii and they knew that the clerk almost had dad when he used the F word.
Above all else, value your family. Spend time with them. Invest in it above anything else you deem worthy of time or money. It reaps rewards beyond our comprehension. We don't just say it, we live it. Enjoy your Family time the rest of this week in December and make more of an effort to pour into your family in 2011.
Much love-
Stacy
Monday, December 27, 2010
Living my story
Anyone who reads my blogs on here or facebook knows that I eat, sleep, drink, say it, spray it and love the "orange" concept. What is orange for those of you who do not know? http://whatisorange.org/ Check it out. For me, orange is more than strategy, it embodies my idea for family and the way we learn and grow together. I share this with anyone who will lend me an ear and I will pull on it for hours at time. I am passionate about family.
Last night after returning from a great day with my mom and dad, 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 3 siblings, thier spouses and 17 grandchildren, I rested haha. Just kidding, I sat and thought about our story, and how it is quite an amazing one, a story of triumph this year as, my sister was given another chance at life, after suffering from a major stroke. I listened intently to one of my aunts, so thankful she was still here after losing all hope and nearly taking her own life. To now hear her talk of such hope and hear her plans for the future and how she is going to use her gifts and talents for the Lord - a true story of hope.
My other aunt, 6 years with a new liver, thankful for the donor's family and the fact she is still here. My uncle truly triumphant over cancer. My mom fighting hard against a battle that she was told will soon send her home to be with her mother, father, her aunts and uncles. It was bitter-sweet. To see how God has woven such an awesome tapestry together. How He has taken our lives like filthy rags and made such a beautiful piece of art, displaying His redemptive story. A story of grace, hope, forgiveness and ultimate sacrifice and love.
Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
I get caught up in the moments of how much love conquers loneliness and offers true peace. I let it overtake me when I see broken hearts and old wounds totally swollowed up by forgiveness. I am so blessed with familly. Every member playing a fabulous role in my personal story.
Yes, I am truly blessed. Its my prayer that every person, from every background, in every situation could come to a place and realize you were made for so much more and you have a story to tell. Live your story!
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 hope and a future.
God is so good to us. He sent His son, Jesus to be born on this earth. He displayed such a love for us as a dear children. He gave His only son, so that we might live with Him for all eternity. Family is and was His idea. Our family tells a story, all of us tell a story. What's your story? If you don't like the character you are playing, you can change it. Don't like the current setting in which your story is unfolding, opt for a new one. You don't have to play the fool, the loser, the loner, the bad guy, the victim... Let God become chief editor of your story. I promise it will be better than any story you have ever read, heard or lived before now. It will become a living breathing story of redemptive grace, hope and love displayed through you.
Much love-
Stacy
Last night after returning from a great day with my mom and dad, 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 3 siblings, thier spouses and 17 grandchildren, I rested haha. Just kidding, I sat and thought about our story, and how it is quite an amazing one, a story of triumph this year as, my sister was given another chance at life, after suffering from a major stroke. I listened intently to one of my aunts, so thankful she was still here after losing all hope and nearly taking her own life. To now hear her talk of such hope and hear her plans for the future and how she is going to use her gifts and talents for the Lord - a true story of hope.
My other aunt, 6 years with a new liver, thankful for the donor's family and the fact she is still here. My uncle truly triumphant over cancer. My mom fighting hard against a battle that she was told will soon send her home to be with her mother, father, her aunts and uncles. It was bitter-sweet. To see how God has woven such an awesome tapestry together. How He has taken our lives like filthy rags and made such a beautiful piece of art, displaying His redemptive story. A story of grace, hope, forgiveness and ultimate sacrifice and love.
Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
I get caught up in the moments of how much love conquers loneliness and offers true peace. I let it overtake me when I see broken hearts and old wounds totally swollowed up by forgiveness. I am so blessed with familly. Every member playing a fabulous role in my personal story.
Yes, I am truly blessed. Its my prayer that every person, from every background, in every situation could come to a place and realize you were made for so much more and you have a story to tell. Live your story!
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 hope and a future.
God is so good to us. He sent His son, Jesus to be born on this earth. He displayed such a love for us as a dear children. He gave His only son, so that we might live with Him for all eternity. Family is and was His idea. Our family tells a story, all of us tell a story. What's your story? If you don't like the character you are playing, you can change it. Don't like the current setting in which your story is unfolding, opt for a new one. You don't have to play the fool, the loser, the loner, the bad guy, the victim... Let God become chief editor of your story. I promise it will be better than any story you have ever read, heard or lived before now. It will become a living breathing story of redemptive grace, hope and love displayed through you.
Much love-
Stacy
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Dreamsicle Orange 2.0
I write a blog every December called “Between the Dreaming and Coming True”. It’s kind of nice to read it and reflect and see where I am. I will never forget a sermon I heard from Andy Stanley called Asking Big. I listen to it quite often. Are we honoring the size of our God by asking Big? If you can accomplish your dreams without God or a team chances are you are dreaming too small.
One of the dreams for my life was to take a missionary trip out of the country. This August that dream came true when I went to Haiti. We did 10 services in 3 cities and served 1000+ kiddos. I wrote a letter to my family and friends and God met me at the corner of faith and trust. I am dreaming of the day I take my 17 year old daughter there for her first trip next May as she ends her senior year of high school. She has a dream of being a missionary to Ecuador. I have a dream that Orange will be international. That God will lead orange leaders around the world to change the way families see Him and serve.
Another dream is to take children on missionary adventures. That dream came true August 2009. We took 10 kiddos to an Indian reservation in Kayenta, Arizona. In 2011, we will be taking more children on their first adventure to Montana. It is my hope that through missions their faith would be ignited. That they would serve without fear or reservation.
I dream of a day when parents lead their children to the Lord. Two Sunday’s ago a gentleman that started attending our church about 2 months ago, was in the main service and our Lead Pastor asked him who led him to the Lord? They sent someone to our preschool room and asked his 5 year old daughter to join her daddy on stage. It was then he introduced his hero to the congregation– his 5 year old daughter led him to the Lord.
I dream of a day when everyone in our congregations would realize their gifts and talents and they would no longer hide them. That they would serve with passion and many would come to know the savior.
I pray and hope that my 5 children would find their purpose and realize their God given talents early in life that they would be life long followers of Christ. I have the privilege of leading children to the Lord every week. If my own children were to never find the Lord and their purpose that would be an Epic fail.
I pray and dream of all the children’s ministers in my community working together. So that we could sharpen each other and encourage one another in the work that we are called to and it is happening one connection at a time. I love serving a Big God. He answers and longs for us to dream bigger. To dream of things that only He can do.
Orange is His idea!
I am still between the dreaming and coming true!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Resources at Orange Conferences #thinkorange
The resources at Orange conferences are unbelievable. I bought a lot of books but one book that I didn’t buy was Collaborate by Michael Chanley (and many others) . I didn’t buy it because I waited too long and they sold out. So, how did I get the book? I won it! Twitter became a very valuable tool during and since Orange10. Kenny Conley had one copy left that I won by heading up to the Orange Leaders Lounge and finding him. My husband also won a comic book and Lads CD. All he had to do was tell Kenny that he too didn’t like Avatar. LOL
One of the many books I did buy and read was A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It was a fantastic book. I plan to reread it again this week. The Goff family was one of my favorite families in this book. The story about Iron Mike was very moving also.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is –
“A good storyteller doesn’t just tell a better story, though. He invites other people into the story with him, giving them a better story too. “
The book truly is a must read. I read it aloud to my whole family on a three hour car ride. I choked back tears, I stopped to explain and I listened while my kiddos asked me questions and answered mine. That day was one of my favorite family days sharing together as we read about how to live a better story.
Donald Miller was a great speaker at Orange10. He has a project going right now to save Blue Like Jazz the movie. You can check it out here – http://savebluelikejazz.com/
As #kidmin we have the high honor of sharing an Epic story every Sunday. God has invited us to be storytellers but not only storytellers, characters in the story. Are you inviting families and children to become part of the story? When we do invite them to be part of the story it will change them forever!
The resources were great tools I still use since Orange. I love getting the packages from Orangeleaders. They are always awesome surprises.
Michael Chanley, founder of cmconnect.org has also just launched a new resource for all of us #kidmin called imakidmin.com it is a great tool to find other #Kidmin that are close to you. I look forward to networking with other #kidmin by using this tool.
One of the many books I did buy and read was A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It was a fantastic book. I plan to reread it again this week. The Goff family was one of my favorite families in this book. The story about Iron Mike was very moving also.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is –
“A good storyteller doesn’t just tell a better story, though. He invites other people into the story with him, giving them a better story too. “
The book truly is a must read. I read it aloud to my whole family on a three hour car ride. I choked back tears, I stopped to explain and I listened while my kiddos asked me questions and answered mine. That day was one of my favorite family days sharing together as we read about how to live a better story.
Donald Miller was a great speaker at Orange10. He has a project going right now to save Blue Like Jazz the movie. You can check it out here – http://savebluelikejazz.com/
As #kidmin we have the high honor of sharing an Epic story every Sunday. God has invited us to be storytellers but not only storytellers, characters in the story. Are you inviting families and children to become part of the story? When we do invite them to be part of the story it will change them forever!
The resources were great tools I still use since Orange. I love getting the packages from Orangeleaders. They are always awesome surprises.
Michael Chanley, founder of cmconnect.org has also just launched a new resource for all of us #kidmin called imakidmin.com it is a great tool to find other #Kidmin that are close to you. I look forward to networking with other #kidmin by using this tool.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The lights are on but nobody is home. #kidmin
Have you ever heard the phrase – “The lights are on but nobody is home?“ I have but it was used in a bad ”blonde joke” kind of way. This idiom reminds me of the stance most children’s pastors take and families for that matter. The lights are on. As #kidmin we are doing our job. We are shining. We are pouring into the life of a child BUT nobody’s home is our thought. What happens when the child gets home? Is there anyone there speaking into their lives? Some families believed that we (#kidmin) were the only ones equipped for the job of spiritual leadership in the life of their child. I believe that parents love their children and want only the best. That is where red comes in to play. Red symbolizes the heart of the home. It’s not that nobody is home it’s that most parents don’t feel qualified to lead their child spiritually. I believe it was out of that need that Orange was birthed. It was to shed light (pun intended) on the fact that we are to partner with families. We are to so mix yellow with red that all anyone sees is Orange. It is not yellow against red or red is better than yellow or vice versa. We are to unite with one end in mind and that is to reach generations and help them become the spiritual champions that God intended. We are to be mentors in the lives of the families we serve.
I want to say thank you to Reggie Joiner and the whole #thinkorange team for continually stretching me as a #kidmin. Thank you for continuing the conversation.
Thank you also to Bro. Jim Wideman for being one of the leading influences and mentors in my life.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
oRANGE
I keep seeing words within words and it’s speaking to me. Ha! Ok stay with me for a few short moments.
Thinking orange encompasses a few different areas but I want to talk about the one that has been on my heart the most and that is – Integrate Strategy. What is strategy? a plan of action with the end in mind. An integrated strategy is aligning leaders and parents to lead with the same end in mind.
Maybe that is why the word RANGE popped off the page today when I was thinking about the Orange marathon among Orange leading #kidmin.
Check out the definitions of range –
1. Range
a. Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability.
b. The area or sphere in which an activity takes place.
c. The full extent covered: within the range of possibilities.
d. A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.
When I spend time thinking about Orange and how to make it more than a catch phrase at vision team meetings or the color of our ministry shirts; I think about letter (a) of the definition - Extent of perception, knowledge, experience or ability
Am I conveying the message clearly? Do parents grasp the importance? How can I better convey the impact that they possess in the lives of their children? Do they truly understand that there are 8760 hours a year in which the average parents get 3000 to influence the life of their child and I get 40? Do I equip parents and other leaders in kid’s ministry with the knowledge and tools to work together?
I know lots of questions.
How is my training time going with the team that works with me every Sunday? Have we made it the best hour of every kid’s week?
That leads me to letter (b) the area the activity takes place. We get one hour a week and out of 52 weeks a year we may get 40. I would dare say I only get about 25 hours a year. The area or sphere is which the influencing happens is at home. I believe deep in my heart that two combined influences have the greatest impact. In saying that strategy is where it’s at.
Which leads me to letter (c) the full extent covered; a range of possibilities! I know that the end in mind for my own children is that they become fully devoted followers of Christ and that they love and serve with reckless abandon. I believe that the parents that bring their children into Kid’s ministry at CLC want the same.
The home and the church make me think about letter (d) a place equipped where our “arrows” can shoot at the target. The target or end in mind being fully devoted followers of Christ. I need to better equip my parents and my team with the end in mind.
I love my team, my parents and their children (or little arrows). St. Louis Blues fan's say they bleed blue. #kidmin should bleed orange!
Thinking orange encompasses a few different areas but I want to talk about the one that has been on my heart the most and that is – Integrate Strategy. What is strategy? a plan of action with the end in mind. An integrated strategy is aligning leaders and parents to lead with the same end in mind.
Maybe that is why the word RANGE popped off the page today when I was thinking about the Orange marathon among Orange leading #kidmin.
Check out the definitions of range –
1. Range
a. Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability.
b. The area or sphere in which an activity takes place.
c. The full extent covered: within the range of possibilities.
d. A place equipped for practice in shooting at targets.
When I spend time thinking about Orange and how to make it more than a catch phrase at vision team meetings or the color of our ministry shirts; I think about letter (a) of the definition - Extent of perception, knowledge, experience or ability
Am I conveying the message clearly? Do parents grasp the importance? How can I better convey the impact that they possess in the lives of their children? Do they truly understand that there are 8760 hours a year in which the average parents get 3000 to influence the life of their child and I get 40? Do I equip parents and other leaders in kid’s ministry with the knowledge and tools to work together?
I know lots of questions.
How is my training time going with the team that works with me every Sunday? Have we made it the best hour of every kid’s week?
That leads me to letter (b) the area the activity takes place. We get one hour a week and out of 52 weeks a year we may get 40. I would dare say I only get about 25 hours a year. The area or sphere is which the influencing happens is at home. I believe deep in my heart that two combined influences have the greatest impact. In saying that strategy is where it’s at.
Which leads me to letter (c) the full extent covered; a range of possibilities! I know that the end in mind for my own children is that they become fully devoted followers of Christ and that they love and serve with reckless abandon. I believe that the parents that bring their children into Kid’s ministry at CLC want the same.
The home and the church make me think about letter (d) a place equipped where our “arrows” can shoot at the target. The target or end in mind being fully devoted followers of Christ. I need to better equip my parents and my team with the end in mind.
I love my team, my parents and their children (or little arrows). St. Louis Blues fan's say they bleed blue. #kidmin should bleed orange!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
dRAMa
As I was thinking about how much I hate drama and how it hurts innocent people; I saw a word within the word – Ram. For a moment I was thrown back, RAM. So, like always I did a word study. Words can bring life and death to any situation. Thus the reason I really want to know the meaning to every word.
We are all guilty of paying for entertainment in the form of a good movie or drama. The drama I am talking about is not on the big screen or the flat screen. It’s in homes and between families. It is vengeful, hurtful and leaves long lasting scars. It doesn’t hit or RAM its intended target at all, it hurts the innocent. The ones we AIM to protect are the very ones that get impinged in the battle. What is the battle all about? Really, I take the side of the innocent. I will not pick up the flying words that get hurled or used to ram another. This is my stand on drama. I stay silent and I realize that in silence I am not helping the hurting.
Look at the definition of ram –
: to strike with violence, to make compact (as by pounding), : to force passage or acceptance of : to strike against violently
Your words bring life or death. What are you speaking? About your ex? About your kids? About your boss? About the neighhbor? etc. Seriously, our children hear everything, even the unspoken sighs, gestures…our body language screams. Choose life! Speak life!
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Love drama? Then you eat the fruit of destruction. A ramrod is used to bring about destruction. (to load a charge in a firearm)
In your fight for who’s right, you lose the battle. Stop clamoring! It is time to stop and come together. I always get deeply hurt by drama. I love both “flame throwers”. I realized a long time ago though, if I am going to die for a cause it better be a cause worth dying for. I will die to bring peace. I will die to self. I will die(or silence) myself even if I believe I am right. I will love others. I will esteem their needs above my own. I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength AND love my neighbor.
Will you?
Stop the drama at home,
at work,
in your church,
in your neighborhood.
How do you stop it? Do something to show the other person you value them,
Stop the gossip, no really I mean don't listen to it or start it or continue it.
Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
We are all guilty of paying for entertainment in the form of a good movie or drama. The drama I am talking about is not on the big screen or the flat screen. It’s in homes and between families. It is vengeful, hurtful and leaves long lasting scars. It doesn’t hit or RAM its intended target at all, it hurts the innocent. The ones we AIM to protect are the very ones that get impinged in the battle. What is the battle all about? Really, I take the side of the innocent. I will not pick up the flying words that get hurled or used to ram another. This is my stand on drama. I stay silent and I realize that in silence I am not helping the hurting.
Look at the definition of ram –
: to strike with violence, to make compact (as by pounding), : to force passage or acceptance of : to strike against violently
Your words bring life or death. What are you speaking? About your ex? About your kids? About your boss? About the neighhbor? etc. Seriously, our children hear everything, even the unspoken sighs, gestures…our body language screams. Choose life! Speak life!
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Love drama? Then you eat the fruit of destruction. A ramrod is used to bring about destruction. (to load a charge in a firearm)
In your fight for who’s right, you lose the battle. Stop clamoring! It is time to stop and come together. I always get deeply hurt by drama. I love both “flame throwers”. I realized a long time ago though, if I am going to die for a cause it better be a cause worth dying for. I will die to bring peace. I will die to self. I will die(or silence) myself even if I believe I am right. I will love others. I will esteem their needs above my own. I will love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength AND love my neighbor.
Will you?
Stop the drama at home,
at work,
in your church,
in your neighborhood.
How do you stop it? Do something to show the other person you value them,
Stop the gossip, no really I mean don't listen to it or start it or continue it.
Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Hero Mentality
Funny how something will cause a surge of thoughts. What is my purpose? What was I called to do? What is my plan?
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 hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11
Plans, purpose, future...I am not the only one to wrestle with these words. They are powerful. Now lets add God's plans and for some reason we can get twisted and turned about. God has plans for me? There is something so awesome about that and comforting. I seriously don't understand why we struggle with it. I'm also pretty sure that I am not the only one to pray and ask and ask and pray - What am I suppose to do for you? Ok, are you ready I know what I'm suppose to do. I know what you are suppose to do. I know God's plan...It is the same for all of us. Really??!? yes, Really. It is found right here.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
GO! He wants us all to GO. Go where? When? Haha we always seem to have a million questions for God.
Go now! Where? In your community, at your workplace, in your school...where ever your feet walk you are to wear the shoes of peace and Go, make disciples.
That is God's plan for all of us. We all have different gifts, talents, abilities, trades but we all have one mission.
Love God, Love Others and Serve all. It really is that simple.
Jesus went on to say ...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20 Surely I am with you always!
I read this billboard on the interstate all the time and everytime I kick my self..."What would you do if you knew your plans couldn't fail" -God
I kick myself because I have what I call "Hero Mentality". We all do. We strive and go and do everything in our own strength. We fail. We strive. We fall. We pray. Why do we wait til we fall to pray? Because everyone wants to be a hero. You want to do something good. Something that matters. Something that will be eternal. Something that someone will remember about you long after you've passed away. We all dream and dreaming is good. But dreaming alone is like a stall pattern.Stall, run out of gas, crash and burn. We have to put faith to our dreams! Faith is the fuel that gets the plane off the ground. When we put faith with our dreams and we do what Proverbs 16:3 says -
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Jesus was the ONE and only Hero. He simple ask that we Go and tell our family, friends, acquaintances, co workers, classmates about His great love. We are not Hero's. We are servants. Servants of ALL.
Ephesians 6:6-8(KJV)
6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
We know what we are called to do. We are called to action. Go!
We know where to go - everywhere, look for opportunities - gas station, resturant, school, work...Haiti, Mexico. When He makes away for you to go, You need to obey and GO!
I have come to the realization that it doesn't matter if anyone remembers me after I am gone. What matters is whether or not they know the Lord, the only one that can save and change thier lives forever.
Commit your tomorrow to the Lord. Pray and remember that He has commisioned every believer with one Mission - Love God, Love Others, Serve All.
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 hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11
Plans, purpose, future...I am not the only one to wrestle with these words. They are powerful. Now lets add God's plans and for some reason we can get twisted and turned about. God has plans for me? There is something so awesome about that and comforting. I seriously don't understand why we struggle with it. I'm also pretty sure that I am not the only one to pray and ask and ask and pray - What am I suppose to do for you? Ok, are you ready I know what I'm suppose to do. I know what you are suppose to do. I know God's plan...It is the same for all of us. Really??!? yes, Really. It is found right here.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
GO! He wants us all to GO. Go where? When? Haha we always seem to have a million questions for God.
Go now! Where? In your community, at your workplace, in your school...where ever your feet walk you are to wear the shoes of peace and Go, make disciples.
That is God's plan for all of us. We all have different gifts, talents, abilities, trades but we all have one mission.
Love God, Love Others and Serve all. It really is that simple.
Jesus went on to say ...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20 Surely I am with you always!
I read this billboard on the interstate all the time and everytime I kick my self..."What would you do if you knew your plans couldn't fail" -God
I kick myself because I have what I call "Hero Mentality". We all do. We strive and go and do everything in our own strength. We fail. We strive. We fall. We pray. Why do we wait til we fall to pray? Because everyone wants to be a hero. You want to do something good. Something that matters. Something that will be eternal. Something that someone will remember about you long after you've passed away. We all dream and dreaming is good. But dreaming alone is like a stall pattern.Stall, run out of gas, crash and burn. We have to put faith to our dreams! Faith is the fuel that gets the plane off the ground. When we put faith with our dreams and we do what Proverbs 16:3 says -
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Jesus was the ONE and only Hero. He simple ask that we Go and tell our family, friends, acquaintances, co workers, classmates about His great love. We are not Hero's. We are servants. Servants of ALL.
Ephesians 6:6-8(KJV)
6Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
We know what we are called to do. We are called to action. Go!
We know where to go - everywhere, look for opportunities - gas station, resturant, school, work...Haiti, Mexico. When He makes away for you to go, You need to obey and GO!
I have come to the realization that it doesn't matter if anyone remembers me after I am gone. What matters is whether or not they know the Lord, the only one that can save and change thier lives forever.
Commit your tomorrow to the Lord. Pray and remember that He has commisioned every believer with one Mission - Love God, Love Others, Serve All.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Living a better story...
I didn't get the purpose of the blog at first but the more I thought about the book, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" and listened to the video it clicked.
I want to live a healthier lifestyle. I would love to be able to be in shape and enter a triathlon. The problem with that is I am grossly out of shape and can't swim. After reading the book it became a catalyst to put some things in motion. I decided to not remain in a victim mentality to my father-less past. I have taken two swim lessons. Still feel I am not going to overcome my fear of the depth of water. I want to be able to jump off a pier to say goodbye like the family in the book. I am tired of allowing things to cause a stall pattern in my life. I am tired of my thought life ruling me and my circumstances writing my story. I am endeavoring to go on my first missionary trip to Haiti in August. I almost let finance stop me from trying. I wrote a letter about my heart for the children in Haiti and the finances are coming in. I will be going to Haiti in August! My husband and I both want to live a better story by first overcoming our schedule driven lifestyle. We both would like to establish an orphanage/school in Haiti. The obstacles seem insurmountable. I know that this conference would give us the tools for changing the characters, we want to edit the story before the final draft is published. We can all live a better story.
Thanks for the book,
Stacy
donmilleris.com/conference
I want to live a healthier lifestyle. I would love to be able to be in shape and enter a triathlon. The problem with that is I am grossly out of shape and can't swim. After reading the book it became a catalyst to put some things in motion. I decided to not remain in a victim mentality to my father-less past. I have taken two swim lessons. Still feel I am not going to overcome my fear of the depth of water. I want to be able to jump off a pier to say goodbye like the family in the book. I am tired of allowing things to cause a stall pattern in my life. I am tired of my thought life ruling me and my circumstances writing my story. I am endeavoring to go on my first missionary trip to Haiti in August. I almost let finance stop me from trying. I wrote a letter about my heart for the children in Haiti and the finances are coming in. I will be going to Haiti in August! My husband and I both want to live a better story by first overcoming our schedule driven lifestyle. We both would like to establish an orphanage/school in Haiti. The obstacles seem insurmountable. I know that this conference would give us the tools for changing the characters, we want to edit the story before the final draft is published. We can all live a better story.
Thanks for the book,
Stacy
donmilleris.com/conference
Living a Better Story Seminar from All Things Converge Podcast on Vimeo.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Time Flies...
Everyone has heard the old addage Time flies when you're having fun!
Usually I take a retro look back on my life every December as I look at another year since my birth and a new year. For some reasonIi have been looking back the last week, I know some would say, "Don't look back, you'll turn to a pillar of salt". HA! I'm not looking back for one second wishing to restart, redo or relive. I'm not looking back for any reason but to see where i was and where i am. Realizing that God is faithful and I am so very blessed.
Next Tuesday, (June 8th) I will celebrate 19 years of marriage to my friend. We have lived together longer than we lived at home now. :) We have traveled the East Coast, Midwest and look forward to checking things off our mutual bucket list in the coming years.
We've shared ten years in military service. I was a proud Navy wife. Nothing like a submarine pulling in to the pier after a long cruise(deployment for my army friends). Sharing and parenting five of God's most precious gifts. We have loved every minute of our parenting and still do. We have shared an amazing lifetime together and feel like we are truly only beginning. Beginning to live out God's dream and vision for our life.
Speaking of my children, time has truly flown. Stephanie is a senior this August, Stephen a junior, Caleb an 8th grader, Kirsten 6th and Joshua 4th. I remember all of thier toddler years. I remember the homeschooling days. loosing teeth, the first boyfriend, so many milestones. I am excited for them. They are doing so well and learning so much about life and change, God, relationships and finance.
While looking back, i have also glimpsed at the future. Next year
- to my friend and husband - we celebrate 20 years of marriage
- to my oldest child - I can't believe you will graduate and start college in only one year!!!
- to all my friends who were classmates - we will celebrate 20 years in 2011! Crazy to think - 20 years!
I am living an awesome life, not free from junk I just try to not focus on the negative. Here is a verse that brought about peace.
1 John 3:18
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
I love God, my husband, children, friends new and old...I love life!!!
Don't let life or its worries consume you...live it to the fullest!
Much Love
Stac
Usually I take a retro look back on my life every December as I look at another year since my birth and a new year. For some reasonIi have been looking back the last week, I know some would say, "Don't look back, you'll turn to a pillar of salt". HA! I'm not looking back for one second wishing to restart, redo or relive. I'm not looking back for any reason but to see where i was and where i am. Realizing that God is faithful and I am so very blessed.
Next Tuesday, (June 8th) I will celebrate 19 years of marriage to my friend. We have lived together longer than we lived at home now. :) We have traveled the East Coast, Midwest and look forward to checking things off our mutual bucket list in the coming years.
We've shared ten years in military service. I was a proud Navy wife. Nothing like a submarine pulling in to the pier after a long cruise(deployment for my army friends). Sharing and parenting five of God's most precious gifts. We have loved every minute of our parenting and still do. We have shared an amazing lifetime together and feel like we are truly only beginning. Beginning to live out God's dream and vision for our life.
Speaking of my children, time has truly flown. Stephanie is a senior this August, Stephen a junior, Caleb an 8th grader, Kirsten 6th and Joshua 4th. I remember all of thier toddler years. I remember the homeschooling days. loosing teeth, the first boyfriend, so many milestones. I am excited for them. They are doing so well and learning so much about life and change, God, relationships and finance.
While looking back, i have also glimpsed at the future. Next year
- to my friend and husband - we celebrate 20 years of marriage
- to my oldest child - I can't believe you will graduate and start college in only one year!!!
- to all my friends who were classmates - we will celebrate 20 years in 2011! Crazy to think - 20 years!
I am living an awesome life, not free from junk I just try to not focus on the negative. Here is a verse that brought about peace.
1 John 3:18
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
I love God, my husband, children, friends new and old...I love life!!!
Don't let life or its worries consume you...live it to the fullest!
Much Love
Stac
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