Tag Archive | Celebration

It Aint Always Pretty

I often find it amazing how we frequently don’t want to deal with our issues…

In-fact, there are times it is down right horrible. To know you must change but to resist that change is such a challenge for even the most flexible person. Why is that??? To realize obedience is the only action which can truly bring inner peace or joy why on earth would we choose to be resistant to what God has instructed us to do?

Change takes us to a place which is not always comfortable at first. Think about it

When reducing caloric intake…hunger
When reducing spending…decreased material matter
When exercising…painful muscles
When changing mindsets…increased emotional challenges

Now…all of the above changes leads us to think of the negative connotations. Why is that? Why do we always tend to focus on the negative aspects rather than focus on the positive? Think about it…wouldn’t it be so much nicer if we choose to think

When reducing caloric intake…weight loss
When reducing spending…increased reserve
When excercising…lean and sleek muscles
When changing mindsets…open mindedness and positive attitude

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2: 12-13

Dealing with our convictions is necessary for peace and sound mind but

It Aint Always Pretty!

Love Lee ♥

Heart of Worship

Mar22

Do you find it difficult to get to the heart of worship when bogged down with the cares of the world or overwhelmed with life?

Sunday morning the song “Heart of Worship” was sung in our worship service and it was a great reminder to return to the heart of worship….

Jesus

Have you worshipped today?

Love Lee ♥

This is Your Life

Mar17

I remember several years ago there was a TV show called “This Is Your Life”. They would highlight the life of a person by bringing in people from their past to surprise them. They would play a clip of a person from the past sharing a memory while the contestant on the show would try to figure out who was speaking. Often the contestant had no idea how they had impacted the person from the past and on occasion would not even remember knowing them.

Today, you are impacting someones life while creating your past.. So in order to live today to its fullest and not regret your past, you must

Put God first
Treat people with dignity
Offer words of encouragement
Do what is right even when no one is watching
Go the extra mile no matter how tired you are
Show up and be connected

While God’s grace covers our mistakes and gives us a clean slate, it does give us permission to blow our days away without thought to consequences…We will be accountable for every word or deed so make today count because…

This is Your Life!

Love Lee ♥

What’s Your Weakness?

Mar16

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and it is human nature to want to showcase your strengths and hide your weaknesses. However, it is in your weaknesses God can use you the most. Without weakness, God’s supernatural strength can not be exalted.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:7

Countless times I have counseled people who were at the end of their rope feeling there was absolutely no resolution for the problems they were faced, only to later hear them report God’s goodness and mercy; singing His praises for the deliverance He provided.

Wayward child returned home
Financial issues resolved
Crumbling marriages restored
infirmities healed

If You Want To Impress People Showcase Your Strengths But If You Want To Influence People Share Your Weaknesses.

When you share you weaknesses, God becomes the center of attention and His power is showcased. The focus is removed from you and placed on God’s power. By transferring the focus to God your problem becomes really small and His power becomes very strong.

Thus, your value is not determined by your problem but instead your value is determined by your God.

What’s Your Weakness?

Love Lee ♥

Moaning or Growing

Mar8

Frequently you hear people complaining…In the grocery store when it takes longer than expected to get through the checkout, at the gas pumps over the price of gas, at the dinner table when the meal is not to their liking…Gripe… Gripe…Gripe!!!

Constant Belly Aching and Moaning…Reminds me of the Israelites when they fled Egypt and were in the wilderness. God was with them but it seemed no matter what He did they were never satisfied. In-fact…one minute they were praising God and the next minute they were complaining!!! Talk about short-term memory!!!

Aren’t we like that? God does something awesome for us and then at the first sign of adversity we are back to our Belly Aching and Moaning…totally forgetting all He has done for us?

God wants to grow us and build our faith in Him…How can we possibly grow without a challenge? It is through our challenges He is able to reveal Himself to us. It is through these challenges we are so dependent on Him. But rather than complaining we should allow Him to shine like a beacon in our lives!

”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4(NIV)

Are You Moaning or Growing?

Love Lee ♥

Come Out With Your Hands Up

Mar7

“Come out with your hands up”…is a phrase frequently heard when the policed are in the process of capturing a criminal. When the criminal makes the decision to surrender, he or she comes out with hands in the air as an act of surrender to the authorities. While they could cry out “I surrender” the police would not recognize the surrender until they see hands in the air…

I am of the belief actions speak louder than words and for me this is especially true in worship…I am frequently moved to lift my hands to demonstrate my cry for mercy, show of affection and act of surrender, relinquishing control and drinking in His anointing allowing my focus to turn completely to Him. For some this act of worship is not customary or even comfortable but it is a Biblically correct act of worship and is acceptable in the sanctuary!

Cry for Mercy: Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Psalms 28:2

Show of Affection: I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalms 63:4

Focus on Him: I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. Psalms 119:48

Act of Worship: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalms 134:2

I know…I know…You are thinking to yourself, “But it just isn’t comfortable” or “I just feel weird” or even “I don’t want people looking at me”…

My response to that is…

Get OVER YOURSELF and Get INTO JESUS!!!

“It is You” by the News Boys says it best!

Come Out With Your Hands Up…

Love Lee ♥

An Infectious Laugh

Mar4

On occasion I find a person I really enjoy being around. I find their energy exhilarating, they smile frequently and they laugh a lot. Unfortunately, we don’t tell those people in our lives how much they impact our lives. In-fact, we often take them for granted.

Today, I am reminded of such a person. My Baby Sister…I am so blessed to call her my Sister and my Friend. She makes me laugh, cry, remember, and relax. I enjoy her company so much; especially when I hear her infectious laugh!!!

Happy Birthday Sandra Pierce!!!

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Love Lee ♥

How To Be Happy

Mar1

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” Anne Frank

Yesterday’s post was “How to Be Unhappy” Take a few minutes to read it first.

Today, it is about Happiness…how do you define happiness? The dictionary defines happiness as…

Happiness: Enjoying, showing, or marked by pleasure, or satisfaction.

What an awesome definition…It leaves the canvas wide open for you to paint your own picture of happiness…

So today we paint…

Supplies:

A cup of coffee, glass of ice tea or a glass of water
Comfortable chair or cushion to sit in and relax
An open mind

Location:

Preferably outdoors in a quiet serene setting

Prepare to Paint:

Sit quietly allow your mind to empty of all negativity
Take in a deep cleansing breath and then blow it out
Ask God to guide your heart and mind as you paint this picture

Begin to Paint:

With your eyes closed, envision a blank canvas. Mentally pick up a paint brush and load it with the color of paint that brings you pleasure. Now begin to add the content of your painting with all the things that bring you pleasure…

Family
Friends
Nature
Travel
Smiles
Flavors
Sounds
Hugs

As you are painting this picture, begin to thank God for allowing you to have experienced these things. Without experiencing all the wonderful blessings God has given, you would not have the ability to paint such an incredible picture.

Now, as you go inside, find a place to hang your picture. Each time you pass that spot in your home you will remember your painting of pleasure and it will serve as a mental reminder to Praise God for all the rich blessings He has given you…

It is the presence of memories, people, experiences, a touch or a look, a taste or a smell, a song or a sound…

Happiness is What Brings you Pleasure…

Love Lee ♥

Stuck in Your Circumstances

Feb24

Yesterday I asked, “Who Controls Your Storm”. Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in the storm and can’t get out? This is a great video by Beth Moore to give you guidance on what to do while enduring the storm…

Praise Him No Matter Your Circumstances

Love Lee ♥

Guts and Glory

Feb16

When our youngest daughter was in Jr. High she played league softball. I would often purchase T-shirts which had softball themes on them and give them to her for gifts. One particular shirt caught my eye. From a distance all I could see was…

“Guts and Glory”

As I looked at it closer it had a batter at the plate about to take a swing and the fine print said “Lord Give Me and I will give You” Then when put with the large print the logo said …

Lord Give me the GUTS and I will give You the GLORY

This became my cry from the stands…”Guts and Glory Brandi…Guts and Glory”. Then it was game on! Whether she was pitching or hitting she would turn on the determination and give 110%.

As Christian’s this should be the cry of our daily life…Guts and Glory

Lord Give Me the Guts to…