Labeled by the Gator

When I was growing up it was cool to wear an Izod. An Izod was easily identified by the little green alligator sewn neatly on the left side of a collared shirt. JCPenney created the fox and one other company tried a bird, but nothing compared to the alligator. You were beastly if you wore the “gator.”

Life is the same way. We are often identified by labels sewn in our mind and heart. Parents, teachers, or even peers may have marked you stupid, a trouble maker, the brain, lazy, or even a princess. These labels often determine who we are.

“A child who is told repeatedly that he is a bad boy, or is lazy, or no good, or stupid, or shy, or clumsy, will tend to act out this picture which the parent or some other authority figure has given him.” Cecil G. Osborne

2 questions generate from the Izod.
1. Are you labeling?
Have you labeled your children, spouse, boss, co-workers, or friends? Have your words caused someone to propel into success or to give up before they started trying?
2. Are you living a label?
Were you mentally and emotionally branded by words in the past that control your life today?

You always have a choice. With others you’ve labeled, apologize. Shower them with encouragement. With those who have labeled you, forgive and prove. Forgive them because they probably did not know the barrier they built in your life. Prove them wrong. Realize it was their insecurity not yours, and become the person God intended you to be. God intends for each one of us to be his child and that outshines an alligator any day of the week. No Izod compares to being a child of the King, so rip off the “gator” and strut the crown of life God has given you.

What to do When You Don't Get What You Ask For

Have you ever prayed for something specific? Maybe a mate, a car, or a million dollars (just kidding about the $). How did you respond when you didn’t get what you asked for? Did you cry, pout, or throw a fit?

Every year for Christmas my grandparents gave us the “exclusive gift” our parents refused to buy. We couldn’t wait to open the gift “From Papa and Mimi.” On Christmas Eve my junior year of high school the family gathered around the tree. I waited patiently to open “the gift.” When it was my turn, I politely read the tag and tore in. The box was large, so I knew it was going to be good. As the paper unraveled, I noticed the picture on the outside of the box. Confused, I read the label. I realized my grandmother must have wrapped the gift in a used box. There was no way “my gift” matched the picture. As I looked inside the box, it felt like someone punched me in the stomach. Yes, the article in the box matched the picture. All I could think was, “Who in their right mind would buy an electric blanket for a teenager?” I tried to smile. I thanked my pleased grandparents and sat quietly in the corner. My brother opened his “jam box.” My cousin opened her Guess jeans and Polo. Her sister opened a top of the line camera, and there I sat with my electric blanket. My response was not the best. I shed tears. I pouted, and had a close-lipped conversation with my mom in the bathroom. What was a teenage girl to do?

What are we to do when we don’t get what we ask for? When we sincerely ask God for something, and we don’t get what we want, what then? Here are 3 decisions I discovered at church tonight.

• Rest in God’s sovereignty. God is in control of every detail. He loves you. He has the eagle-eye perspective. He knows what happened, is happening, and will happen. Trust Him.
• Be faithful with what God has given you. While waiting, take inventory of what you do have. Use it. Be faithful with it. Share it. Work it. Enjoy it.
• Embrace the gap. God is like a Boeing 747 and we are like mosquitoes. Can a mosquito fully understand a 747? No, there is a gap. Finite man is trying to figure out an infinite God and there is a huge gap – embrace the gap. You may not understand why God said no until you get to heaven. Until then, embrace his will.
  
  What’s the point of all this? When God doesn’t give you what you ask for, He is taking you deeper, drawing you closer, and propelling you to follow! Be thankful for a God who loves you enough to say no! (To hear this sermon visit http://www.cfbc.org/, 7-30-09)

Put Your Dream to the Test

John Maxwell has created another indispensable book for you! If you haven’t read a book all year, this is the one. Warning, do not read it unless you are willing to attempt a phenomenon you probably haven’t tried since elementary school.

When was the last time you used your imagination? Remember playing make-believe when you were a child? I loved to set up a nursery in my bedroom. I opened every dresser, desk, and night stand drawer and created little baby beds in each one. I filled the drawers with soft blankets, bottles, and a doll. I played soft music on my orange and black record player, turned off the overhead light, and lit my yellow flower lamp that hung over my bead by a gold chain. I rocked, cuddled, and fed each baby. I changed diapers and read board books to each one. I would play for hours. Where have those days gone?

Albert Einstein said, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.” What? Einstein’s imagination was more beneficial to him than his knowledge!

Before reading Maxwell’s book, dive into the deep waters of your imagination. Buried beneath the ocean of life, work, family, and stress is a treasure of imagination and an exclusive dream waiting to be uncovered. Can you see the dream? Don’t let the shark infested water keep you from pursuing it. Learn how to swim through life clearly focused on the dream God has placed in you by reading

"I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you & not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future," declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11

Learning What We Live

We Learn What We Live
If you live with criticism, you learn to condemn.
If you live with hostility, you learn to fight,
If you live with ridicule, you learn to be shy.
If you live with shame, you learn to feel guilty.
If you live with tolerance, you learn to be patient.
If you live with encouragement, you learn to appreciate.
If you live with fairness, you learn justice.
If you live with security, you learn to have faith.
If you live with approval, you learn to like yourself.
If you live with acceptance and friendship,
you learn to find love in the world.

What are you living with?

Battle for Togetherness

I love having all of our family at home together. Eating meals, playing cards, going to the pool and taking the dog for a walk are so much better when we do it together. We've even discovered that we can get the yard mowed, edged, trimmed, bagged, and blown in an hour when we all pitch in and do it simultaneously.

I guess God knew what he was talking about when he said, "It is not good for man to be alone."

If you haven't taken time this summer to "be together" with the ones you love, do it this week!
Laugh together.
Play together.
Dream together.
For crying out loud, just talk to each other.

It seems like practices, computers, television shows and work compete for our time and togetherness. Let's battle like warriors for "together time" with the ones we love.

Create Puppies & Exterminate Snakes

What if God said, “Here is the power of life and death. Do with it what you wish.” How would you respond? You could choose who lives and who dies. No more red ants or cobra snakes. Bring on the golden lab puppies and stunning red roses.

You have that power! Where is it? How do we activate it?
The power of life and death is in your tongue. Your words create hope, joy, self-confidence. Your words breed inspiration, and wisdom, generate excitement and encouragement. Your words also kill self-esteem, joy, enthusiasm. Your words devour dreams, hope, and perseverance, and crush courage and belief.

How do we manage this much power?

Attitude. Your attitude determines the atmosphere! When angry the atmosphere is tense and irritable. When happy, the atmosphere is welcoming and enjoyable. When positive, people are confident, dream, and grow. When negative, people are insecure, mean, and timid.

Words. How often do you say … Thank you. Please. Great. I’d be happy to. Can I help? Choose your words wisely. Like Bambi says, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Tone.

Tone of Voice
It’s not so much what you say
As the matter in which you say it;
It’s not so much the language you use
As the tone in which you convey it.
“Come here” I said sharply.
And the child cowered and wept.
“Come here?” I said.
He looked and smiled
And to my lap he crept.
Words may be mild and fair
But the tone may pierce like a dart;
Words may be soft as the summer air
But the tone may break the heart;
Would you please cruel words avoid
And let peace and kindness rejoice?
Keep anger not only out of your words
Keep it out of your voice.

Cow Pasture Investment

Do you remember the first time you chose to participate in a “party?” Not a slumber party or a graduation party, but the party in high school that “everyone” goes to. You knew there would be drinking, people making out, and who knows what else, but you decided to go for the first time. I was recently reminded of my “first.”

My best friend and I thought it would be fun to take the party plunge our junior year. Where I grew up, these parties happened in cow pastures. Kids throwing the party provided a keg, music, a place to hang out and get drunk..

I was unbelievably nervous that night. What if the party got busted? What if someone asked me to drink? What if people were smoking pot? These “what ifs” were wreaking havoc on my emotions as I piled on gorgeous blue eye-shadow, plastered on the Aqua Net, and dressed in my finest 80s attire!

We followed the printed map and cardboard signs to a pasture out in the middle of no where. We parked on the side of a two lane road along with the longest train of high school vehicles I had ever seen. We got out and headed towards the voice of Bruce Springsteen blaring through worn out speakers. My heart was pounding. My hands were sweating. I was thinking, “What am I doing here?” We paid some ½ drunk guy sitting at an old silver gate $2 and hiked across the field. Just about the time we made it to the crowd, someone yelled, “The cops are on the way!”

My heart sank to my toenails. Kids scrambled every direction. My friend yelled, “Let’s go!” We ran to the car amongst the stampede of mullets, fluorescent shirts, mini-skirts, Polos, and topsiders. We slid into her red Camaro and took off.

I sat frozen in the car. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was going to literally pop out of my chest. We could hear sirens in the distance. We made it to a McDonalds, got a huge shake and fries, and rehashed our stupidity. I remember thinking, “I will NEVER EVER in my WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE do that again.” That night before I went to bed, I tore a dollar bill in ½, hung it in my room, and made a promise to myself and God - I would never again waste the money, the time, and the life I’ve been given on something so foolish!

Today I faced my promise. How am I spending my money, my time, and my life? I’m not mixing it up at pasture parties these days, but am I making the same stupid mistake? Am I investing my money in what lasts? Spending quality time with people I love? Giving my life to benefit others and God?

I have 24 hours everyday. I can waste it or invest it. My first investment in a party was a huge mistake. I don’t want to make that mistake again. So tomorrow and every day after when I awake, I will ask myself this question: “Am I wasting or wisely investing all I’ve been given?” What about you?

What's a Tomato?

Does anyone know why a tomato is a fruit? According to scientists, botanists, and other highly intelligent people, a tomato is a fruit. The reason has something to do with the seeds. Does knowing that a tomato is a fruit make you wise?

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

The difference in knowledge and wisdom is action. Knowledge is information. Wisdom is what you do with the information. You probably know tons of facts. Think about it. Answer the following questions in 20 seconds.
Name three healthy foods you should eat weekly.
Name three ways to keep your body healthy.
Name three foods that are detrimental to your health.
Name three habits that are unhealthy.
Health information is poured into our minds daily. You could say, “I’m very knowledgeable when it comes to healthy living.” Could you say, “I live a healthy lifestyle?” The difference is wisdom! Knowledge is knowing. Wisdom is doing.

In what areas of your life, do you need to practice the knowledge you possess?
Work habits, parenting, eating, marriage, time management, exercise
Just like the wise chef knows where to put a tomato, take the knowledge you have and put it into practice!

It's Raining Nuggets

Have you ever been to a psychologist? What about a counselor?
I remember when my girlfriend started seeing a psychologist. When she got home, we sat on the front porch and discussed the fascinating advice she received. One day she had to picture herself paddling downstream. When life got rough, she was to visually whip the boat around, and head in the right direction. Another day the doctor interpreted her dreams. She wrote her dreams the moment she awoke each morning. According to the doctor this is the best way to remember your dreams.

We had fun that season of psychologist “mumbo jumbo” choosing the boats we paddled and sorting through our outlandish dreams. Have you ever been in a similar season sorting through life trying to figure out the “mumbo jumbo” of the whirlwind surrounding you? How do you sort through the chaos? Notice the nuggets.

This summer has been a similar season for me. For part of my classwork, I was assigned to meet with a mentor for 1 hour each week. I feel like my friend sitting in the psychologist office. The greatest part about each session, though, is “the nugget.” Not chicken nuggets, nor Denver Nuggets, but nuggets of wisdom. I always walk away with at least one remarkable piece of wisdom. I immediately write it down and put it into practice.

There are nuggets everywhere. Start looking! You will see them on billboards; hear them in a song or advice from a friend or maybe at the psychologist’s office. If you’ll notice, it’s raining nuggets! God is pouring out his wisdom to guide you through the confusion. Start sorting through the chaos of your life, by noticing nuggets. Write them down and put them into practice.

(Favorite nugget of mine: Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.)

The Power of I

Have you heard the song "Mayday" by The Icarus Account?
This morning my teenage daughter said, "Mom, I want you to hear this song."
She pulled up Mayday on You Tube. We laid on the bed & listened carefully.
When the song ended, I asked, "Who told you about this song?"
"Last night at Bible Study one of our leaders told us about it." she replied.

My daughter spent the rest of the day listening to this new group. She listened while she "laid out" on the roof. She listened while she showered. She listened while she straightened her hair.
She listened while she "hung out" in her room.

It dawned on me the power of that 1 leader. She simply mentioned a song and that 1 song has been the focus of my child ALL DAY LONG!

Do we realize the power we have?

We all posess a power called influence.

Think about how our words influence people.

What happens when we say...

"Have you tried Chipoltes? You've gotta try it." We influence where & what people eat.

"I can't stand that girl. Who would be friends with her?" We influence relationships.

"You are so fat." We influence people's self worth.

"I love Country Music." We influence what people listen to.

"Have you been to Champion Forest Baptist Church? It is the GREATEST place on earth." We influence people's walk with Christ.

"You have to see the movie Fire Proof." It is unbelievable. We influence what people watch.

"Have you asked your husband how you can help him today?" We influence marriages.

"Have you played the card game 3s with your family?" We influence families.

The question is - What do I do with the power I've been given?

Some people say, "The world is too messed up for a single person like me to have any influence. "
A man walked out to the beach early one morning. To his amazement, hundreds of star fish covered the shoreline. They were all desperately trying to make their way back to the water, fighting for life. The man noticed a little boy picking up one starfish at a time and tossing it as far into the ocean as he could. The older man said to the young boy, "This is a nice thing you are doing, but you can't save all these starfish." The little boy leaned over, picked up another starfish, flung it way out into the salty water, looked back at the man, and said, "You are right sir, but I just saved that one."

That little boy was using the power, God had given him to make a difference in the life of one little starfish at a time.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

Edmund Burke

Take the power of "I" given to you and do something. There are hundreds of starfish in your home, at work, in your neighborhood, and at your church waiting for your influence to make a difference in their life.

Top 10 Reasons to SMILE

Are you a people watcher?

I am and I love it!

When I lead conferences or retreats, it is so fun to watch people in the audience. There is always 1 lady who looks like she's sucked on a lemon since birth. Her arms are folded across her chest. be. She scowls and frowns. She has no expression and she never smiles. If faces were monotone, hers would be.
I want to tell these people, "I know life stinks a little, but it could be worse! Suck it up sister and smile! You will feel much better!" My Papa used to say, "If you're happy, why don't you tell your face about it?"

If you are not a smiler, I hope today is the first day of a whole new world for you! We have to smile! Smiling is a must! "Why" you may be wondering! Check out the proven facts!

Top 10 Reasons to Smile

1. Smiling makes you attractive.
We are naturally drawn to people who smile. We want to know what is making them so happy.
Smiling is an attractor factor.

2. Smiling changes your mood.
Smiling tricks your body into feeling better. When you are down, turn it around, by turning your frown upside down.

3. Smiling is Contagious.
Try it. Next time you are stopped at a red light, walking in a store, or sitting in a restaurant, smile. See what happens.

4. Smiling boosts your immune system.
Smiling helps your immune system work better.

5. Smiling makes you look younger.
Save $ on a face lift and try this home remedy -smile!

6. Smiling lowers your blood pressure.
Your blood pressure reduces when you smile. Take a reading of your blood pressure, smile for 1 minute, and take it again. Notice the results.

7. Smiling helps you stay positive.
Try this test: smile. Try to think of something positive without loosing your smile.

8. Smiling makes you seem more successful.
Smiling people seem more confident and approachable.

9. Smiling releases natural pain killers and endorphins.
Studies have shown that smiling releases serotonin, endorphins, and natural pain killers.

10. If you have a smile and don't give it away, it will settle in your hips! :)
Who wants that?

You might not be a smiler or were not raised in a smiling family! That's okay!

Fake it til you make it!

Rhyme Off

I just returned from an Early Childhood Conference with 1,000 women!

It was incredible. The enthusiasm and energy in the atmosphere was inspiring!

Here is 1 new thing I learned!

Studies have shown that people who can quote 8 Nursery Rhymes are more successful!
Last night I challenged my children to a Rhyme Off! Who could say the most Nursery Rhymes?
It was fun hearing them trying to remember if Humpty Dumpty was the one who went up the hill to fetch three blind mice or was it Mary with her little lamb who fell off the wall and some little boy who was blue that could jump over a candlestick tried to put her pieces back together again?

The evening became more entertaining when my son got out the keyboard and we put each Nursery Rhyme to a rap. Are you looking for something to do on a long car ride, at the dinner table, or on a "boring" summer afternoon? Have a Rhyme Off!
* Who can remember the most Nursery Rhymes?
* Pair up in teams and act out each rhyme!
* Play Nursery Rhyme Cherades.
* Make Rhyme Raps.

(If you have older children, who might be a little resistant to join the fun, start the Rhyme Off with something like this, "I bet I can say more Nursery Rhymes than you." A little friendly competition is a good jump start to most activities, especially with teenage boys!)

Swinging for Momentum

Last year Josh Hamilton hit 27 homeruns at the Homerun Derby!

27...I'm doing good to make contact in the front yard with a tennis ball and plastic bat.

How did he do it?

I wonder...when he hit the first homerun if he thought, "This is only the beginning of 26 more to come?" Or did he think, "That felt pretty good?" The second homerun was probably a little more exciting, but imagine how he felt when he hit the 10th one. Then 11. And how about 15?

A phenomenon was happening that occurs every day in the lives of many people.

He was gaining momentum.

Momentum starts with 1 small victory. We don't realize it's the beginning of 26 more to come. We just think, "That was good." Then another victory occurs. Then another. The next thing you know, success is gaining speed and before long momentum creates excitement and accomplishment.

The question is...where do we need momentum? In what area of my life do I need a small victory?

My marriage, my weight, my money managment, my friendships, my parenting

Momentum begins with action. Hamilton had to step up to the plate and swing the bat. Yes, he made some outs, but he continued until momentum set the pace.

Step up to the plate and swing until that 1st victory gets the ball rolling and don't stop until you've conquered 26 more!

(This thought ignited from Element - 7/15/09)

Wanna Long Life?

Have you heard Dr. Oz's tips for living longer?
I love hearing all of his proven suggestions. You can go on line and take his Real Age test. The results determine how old your "body" is compared to your actual age. It's very interesting and inspirational.
Here are a few of his suggestions.
1. Eat tons of blueberries and broccoli.
2. Stretch daily. Just bend over and try to touch your toes for 5 min. before you get in the shower.
3. Get 10 minutes of sunshine daily.
4. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
5. Live with PASSION!

There are several other ways to increase your life span that Dr. Oz hasn't mentioned. I am considering writing my own book with more secrets to a longer life. See if you recognize Momma Chases tips to a long life.
1. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies, Turn from evil, do good, seek peace, and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10

2. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him. I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him. " Ps. 91:14-16

3. Wisdom from God says, "Do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Prov. 3:2

4. Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth. Ephesians 6:1

5. For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not PERISH but have everlasting life! John 3:16 (That's a pretty long life.)

If you are looking for ways to lengthen your life...try my tips

Watch your mouth.

Do good.

Stay away from trouble.

Seek peace. (Helps to turn off the electronics!)

Obey the Bible.

Learn what is wise & do it.

Honor your mom & dad.

Give your life to Jesus!

Go ahead and eat the blueberries and broccoli too!

It won't hurt!

Lookin' to Make Life Better?

My mom and I were at Chipoltes having lunch one day. We were having one of those conversations that ends with, "If someone would ask us to solve all the problems of the world, we could."
We took a napkin and wrote all of our ideas on paper. We came up with 50 ways to live to make the world and your life better. I took the napkins home and put them in a safe place so I wouldn't loose them. There has been one problem. I hid them so well, I have not been able to find them. Tonight I was cleaning out a cabinet, and found them! I was so excited! Here are a few of our ingenious yet easy, simple ideas!

1. Enjoy life. Don’t sweat the small stuff. None of it matters.
2. Bloom where you are planted. If you wind up in Po-Dunkville, make the most of it. If you are one of the rich and famous, be the most you can be. Wherever you are, grow, get watered, dig deep in the soil, and be the most beautiful flower you can.
3. Be thankful. Make it a habit to say thank you to everyone. When you wake up and when you go to bed, thank God for 5 things.
4. Be a giver not a taker. Not just in materialism, but in love, laughter, memories, wisdom. Give away everything God has given you – joy, encouragement, fun.
5. When the bottom falls out, don’t give up. Life is not a fairytale. If your bottom hasn’t fallen out, it will. When it does, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Be thankful. Know God is doing something great. Cling to the thought that it will pass.
6. Nobody cares, so be yourself. Be who you want to be. Everyone else is so busy worrying about what everyone else is thinking about them that they don’t have time to worry about what you are doing, so be who you want to be. The people you are with now, except family, you probably won’t talk to in 10 years anyways. So, be who God created you to be.
7. Forgive others. In the little things and the big things. When someone cuts you off in traffic, forgive them. When someone wrongly accuses you, forgive them. When someone hurts you deeply, forgive them. Harboring unforgiveness only hurts you. It does nothing to the other person.
8. Pick up after yourself. If you drop it, pick it up. If you turn it on, turn if off. If you get it out, put it back. If you spill it, clean it. Even if it is someone else’s mess, pick it up.
9. Take care of your body. You only get one body. Take the best care of it you possibly can. Your body was created for a purpose. If it’s broken, it can’t be used. Keep your bod running.
10. Laugh as much as you can! Get a good belly laugh or the kind where you can’t breathe. It’s healthy. It makes you feel better. It makes others laugh. It is contagious. Besides that, it’s a lot of fun.

Hope you enjoy our ideas! Imagine how our world, our communities, and our homes would be different if each person did just these 10 things! It would be a good start to a great life!

Keep On Walking

Are you afraid of the dark?

In the country when night sets in, it is dark. There are no city lights to brighten up the sky and on one particular night the moon was not out. The kids and I were spending the night with friends at their farm. My friend and I were walking to the house from being at the catfish pond. It was dark and we were moving carefully. Suddenly we heard a noise that sounded like a bear. We froze.

"Did you hear that?" I asked.

"Yeah, was that a bear?" she replied.

"I don't know." I said. "What do we do?"

We determined to keep walking and ignore it.

As we walked I asked her what she would do if a bear came out of the woods in front of us.

She said, "I would fight it with everything I've got."

I was very surprised and rather impressed. My friend is very much a lady and puts me to shame in the "girly" department. I never expected her to say that.

She asked me, "What would you do?"

I very graciously replied, "I would stand behind you and cheer you on with everything I've got."

We both laughed as we noticed a huge plane flying low over our heads. Our bear turned into a 747 and though we felt a little foolish, we were very relieved.

Part of determining God's will for our life is to

"Walk in the light God gives you."

Sometimes the light seems dim. Other times we hear voices in our heads or from others that are discouraging or deceptive. It feels like we are ready to be brought down by a bear. We just have to keep walking in the light God gives us. Even when it "feels" like there is no light at all. We can't base our life on feelings. Feelings come and go, they are often weak and deceiving. We must focus on the light. Keep our eyes fixed on what God has put before us and keep walking.

Whatever lesson God teaches...do it.

Whatever possession God gives...care for it.

Whatever person God shares...love it.

Whatever joy God sends...enjoy it.

Whatever job God provides...work it.

Whatever song God brings...sing it.

Whatever light God gives...walk in it.

Trust him and know that He is working all things together for your good. Determining God's will is taking one step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time in the light he has given.

The Secret Is In the Voice

Rick is currently on the job hunt. We talked last night about which job he really wants. He said, "I just want to be where God wants me." "How are you going to know where that is?" I asked.

How do we know what God wants?

To people who are new Christians or not believers, this may sound a little strange, but...

the secret is in the voice.

I normally sleep soundly. When the hurricane came through Houston, I slept like a rock. Our family slept in the den. Trees were falling over, rain was pelting the windows, our back door flew open in the middle of the night, and I was sleeping like a baby. My husband says there is one thing that will jar me from sleep in a split second - the sound of my children's voices. The kids can take one slow breath or make one tiny whimper and my head is up, I'm listening to make sure everyone is okay. Why is that? Mommas are in tune to the voices and sounds of their children. We could recognize them in the middle of a football arena with thousands of fans cheering.

It's the same with discovering God's will. We have to be able to identify the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We must be in tune with the sounds, the voice, and the action of God in our life.

When we recognize it in a crowded stadium or in a quiet moment, we listen and obey.

The best way to explain it is by the little critter, Geminy Cricket. Remember the voice on Pinnochio's shoulder telling him what to do? As Christians we don't have a cricket in our pocket, we have the actual mind and spirit of Christ living in us, leading and teaching us. It's not easy to recognize at first, but the more you look and listen for it, the more you will see and hear it.

How do you know when you hear it?

It always sounds like God's word. It will never contradict what the Bible says.

If you are praying, "Should I leave my husband?" and you hear the voice, "Yes." or maybe you see a billboard that says, "Run from what is driving you crazy!" and you think, that must be the spirit telling me to leave. Wrong! That goes against what God says in his word. When you think you recognize the spirit, ask, "Is this what the Bible says?"

Where are the best places to see/hear the spirit?

* Make a habit of daily spending time with God.

Have you seen couples who have been married for years and they can answer each other's sentences? That's because they have spent so much time together. The more time you spend with Christ, the more you will think like him and recognize his prompting.

* Reading the Bible.

Before you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you. Look for 1 NUGGET! Like a miner digging for gold, read the word, sift through the verses, until you read that 1 thing that makes your heart skip a beat or your mind go, "What did that say?" That's what God is saying to you!

* At church.

Get hooked up to a church that preaches from the Bible. Everything I am sharing with you, God taught me at church. Sure a preacher is speaking to a whole congregation, but for those who are listening, he will speak clearly and individually.

So how do we know what God wants? Remember...the secret is in the voice!

Which Way Do I Go?

How do you know God's will for your life?

If you want to buy a car, does God care?

If you are trying to decide what college to go to, will God tell you?

If you need to go back to work but want to stay home, how do you know where God wants you?

If you get 2 job offers, how do you know which one to go with?

My girlfriend and I were pondering these questions the other day over breakfast. Amazingly enough tonight at the CFBC service, I heard the answer. You can hear the sermon at http://www.cfbc.org/. I'm going to print the highlights over the next several nights because the information is too much too swallow in one swig!

Don't go to EXTREMES!
Extreme #1 - Whatever doors God opens, I'll walk through. Whatever door God closes will be my sign.
God allows alcoholism, drug addicition, and He allowed the prodigal son to go his own way. God allows people to make choices and mistakes. This is not the right way to discern God's voice, so avoid this extreme!

I've heard people talk about open and closed doors. I thought it was right. I realized tonight that God allowed David to sleep with Bathsheba, Jonah to get swallowed by a whale, and Daniel in a den with lions.
Each one of these men of faith walked through the door with it standing wide open! God used each of their choices for good, but if each of these men were on The Price Is Right choosing between Door #1 and Door #2 we probably would have been screaming for them to choose "the other" door! We can't rely on closed doors, we must rely on God's voice, options, questions, and walking! (We'll get to those tomorrow.)

Extreme #2 - I'm not going to do anything until God tells me what to do.
God knows what you need and he will confirm it. We can't sit around waiting. Obey what you know until He shows you what to do. Sometimes God is waiting on us to obey before he shows us what to do, so don't go to this extreme!

The pastor shared the story of a college friend who was a dynamic speaker. The friend was going to make an incredible preacher. When they graduated from college the friend asked our pastor, "Are you going to find a church in which to preach?" Our pastor politely replied, "No, I'm going to seminary." To which the young student responded, "I'm not going to seminary until I have a church."

Our pastor went on to seminary. Got his degree. Moved to Louisianna, started pastoring a church and teaching as an adjunct professor at the seminary. Low and behold, on the first day of class, who do you think was sitting in the front row? His friend from college. It was the young man's first seminary class.

The young man wasted all those years, instead of obeying what he knew - get an education and be prepared when God calls, he sat around waiting for "the door" to open.

When wrestling with God's will for our lives - whether it's a job, a house, a spouse, or an education - don't rely on doors and obey what you know!

This is our first step! Think about it today and determine what doors you have been relying on. Turn your focus from doors to the father. Do what you know he wants you to do NOW. If you aren't sure, start with these 6 steps.
1. Pray each day
2. Read 1 proverb each day. (This will give you wisdom)
3. Surround yourself with people who are doing this same thing. Talk to them about it!
Think of all the other things you know God wants you to do...be kind, help others, respect authority!

Just remember: AVOID DOORS & OBEY WHAT YOU KNOW!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Teachable

Last week I was going to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our family for lunch. I asked Michael to come and help me. To my surprise he excitedly ran into the kitchen and said, “I want to help!”
“Wow,” I responded, “That was nice! Why the enthusiasm for making sandwiches?”
“I want to be teachable,” he said.That was not the answer I expected.
“Really? Why?” I asked.
He explained that Coach Ashmun, one of his baseball coaches, told his team it was good to be teachable. Coach Ashmun used one of the boys on the team as an example.
“Kobe always listens when the coaches are helping him and he puts into practice whatever he hears,” the coach explained.
“I want to be like that,” Michael said.

What a great trait to have…teachable!
I began to ask myself
How teachable am I?
Am I willing to listen?
Do I put into practice what I hear?

I once read the quote, “Experience teaches only the teachable.” Am I one of the teachable? No matter if it's making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or learning how to manage a million dollars (just dreaming), I’m listening today to what I need to learn with the goal in mind of putting it into practice! The question is...what is it that God needs me to learn?

Serve and Say

Isn't it hard to put others first?

I have 2 nieces that are 4 and 1 1/2. The oldest, Kaley, is quiet, gentle, and a peacemaker. The youngest, Kenzie, is a little ball of action. If she doesn't want to eat her dinner and you tell her to, she will look you in the eye and throw her food on the floor. If her sister has a toy that she wants, she will grab, pinch, and pull hair until she gets it. She likes getting her way and isn't afraid to make it happen!

Last night Michael and I were going to lay in bed in mine and Rick's room and watch the movie Cars. We decided to each take our shower, do some sit-ups & push-ups, and then watch the movie. While doing our sit-ups, Rick came in and turned on the Astros game.

What do you do? The Kenzie in me wanted to grab the remote, pinch his fingers, and pull his hair for stealing our fun. But the Kenzie in him was determined to watch the Astros game.

The question is, "What do you do when you want your way but someone else won't let you have it?"

While contemplating more Kenzie moves in my head, our 10 year-old son determined what to do.
"Come on, mom. Dad can watch the Astros up here. We'll go downstairs."
I was thinking, "That's not a very fun Kenzie move. Wouldn't you rather demand we get our way until he leaves? Where did he get that idea?"

I followed the lead of my son and we enjoyed watching Cars downstairs.

There is part of me that wants my way. We must all have that small part in us, because most people I know want things their way, too. How do we overcome it?

The staff that worked at Carolina Creek during Middle School Camp was incredible. They were constantly serving us and making our week as comfortable, memorable, and enjoyable as possible. They never complained and always put us first. One of my prayers when I left was to focus on being a servant.

As I thought about my Kenzie moment last night, this verse came to mind, "Do nothing out of selfishness, but consider others (Rick) better than yourself (me). Look not only to my interests, but also to the interests of others (Rick)." That is what the staff at Carolina Creek did and that is what I want to become. A person who considers others more important and thinks about others needs.

So when those Kenzie moments occur, here is my new plan, "SERVE and SAY OKAY!"
Simply say, "Okay," don't complain, and do what I can to serve the other person!

Some people say you can't be that way in life. You will get walked all over. That's not what the greatest leader who ever lived says. The one man who revolutionized the world in such a way that even the date is determined by his life. Jesus said, "I did not come to be served but to serve many and give my life for them."

What Would I Rather?

Have you played "Would You Rather?"
My kids started playing this summer. You ask each other questions about what you would rather have or do. The object is to think of the grossest or most challenging question.
Here are some examples from the Chase kids.

Would you rather have no teeth or no tongue?
Would you rather chew on a homeless persons toenails or lick their armpit?
Would you rather drown or get shot?
Would you rather have no arms or no legs?
Would you rather have 1 uncuttable hair growing on your chin or out of your nose?
Would you rather kiss a monkey or a hippo for 2 1/2 hours ?

As we played this game, I thought about life. Life is so full of choices.
Would I rather work 80 hours per week or make less money and have time with my family?
Would I rather say something kind to my husband or be a nag?
Would I rather spend my time watching TV or with the people I love?
Would I rather live my life honoring God or for the world?
Would I rather discipline my kids even though it's hard or let them do what they want and suffer for it later?
What would I rather do?

I get one life, one today, and one chance to make an impact. What would I rather?

What to do on a hot 4th of July...

Our kids have been at grandma's for the week! It was a nice relaxing week for me and Rick.
You don't realize,though, how much time and energy kiddos require until they are gone for awhile.
You also don't realize how much fun and laughter they bring into a home.

The kids got home yesterday afternoon so, after dinner we spent an hour playing a family game of cherades. There was no store bought box. No little pieces to manage. We simply divided into teams and made up our own categories.
1st Round
1. Movie
2. Song
3. Book
4. Place
5. Sport

2nd Round
1. Candy
2. Cereal
3. Chips
4. Soda
5. Car

3rd Round
1. Fruit
2. Vegetable
3. Famous Person
4. State
5. ???

The most enjoyable ones to watch were Nicole and I acting out synchronized swimming and Michael and Tori doing their Michael Jackson moves!

If you are looking for something fun to do OUT OF THE HEAT that is CHEAP and brings family and friends together for lots of laughs...celebrate the 4th with a game of cherades!

Carousel Anyone?

Life is about focus. Where is our focus? Family? Attaining wealth? Job? Happiness? God?
Sometimes our focus shifts. Some days it's up. Sometimes its down. No matter where it is, it affects our day to day life GREATLY!

A little girl wanted to ride the carousel at the mall. Her daddy was so excited to watch her enjoy the ride he loved as a child. He paid her way. They climbed aboard and began to search for the perfect animal for her to ride. There were beautiful horses, fierce lions, and beastly elephants. There was one problem, though. A group of older kids stormed the carousel right after the little girl and her father. They pushed and shoved to lay claim to the beautifully carved animals. By the time the older children chose their animals, all that was left was a puny, little ostrich. The little girl didn't seem to mind although her daddy was ready to throw a few disrespectful boys off the ride and place his young princess on the animal of her choice.

The ride was about to start when a young man said to the daddy, "I"m sorry, sir, you can not ride with your daughter. You will have to watch from the side."
The dad was extremely disappointed, but kissed his daughter fairwell and found the perfect place to watch.
The music began to play, the carousel started to turn, the ostrich began to rise high in the air, and the father noticed something horribly wrong. His daughter gripped the ostrich for dear life and her expression went from joy to terror. She began to cry. Had she not known that the ostrich would go up and down? Did she know the carousel would go round and round?
As the little girl rounded the first lap, her father cheered, looked her in the eyes and told her how much fun she was having.
The little girl tried to smile as she kept her eyes locked on her father.
The carousel, however, took her around the circle and she lost sight of him.
Fear gripped her, she was afraid and began to cry. As the tears fell, the carousel turned. In a moment, there he was again...her daddy cheering, smiling, encouraging her. The tears stopped and her smile widened as she watched him. He knew the ride was safe. He knew she could handle it. But before she knew it, he was out of sight again.
The carousel continued turning. The little girl was up and down, crying and smiling, as she tried to keep her daddy in view. When the carousel finally came to a stop, the girl leaped from her ostrich, ran to her father, and jumped in his arms.
"You did it, sweety! I am so proud of you," he told her as they embraced.
"Thank you daddy. I couldn't have made it without you." she replied.

Life is the same way. We are on a carousel going round and round. Sometimes we get put on a nasty old ostrich that we don't like. Life throw us things we don't expect. Our days are up and down, up and down.

The one constant is our Father watching from the side. He knows we can handle it. He's been on the ride before. He's cheering, smiling, encouraging us the entire way. Our goal must be to keep our eyes on him. Not the cruel people who stole our horse. Or the carousel that doesn't make sense. He's our constant. He is our focus.

One day when this ride of life is over, we will run into his arms and hear him say, "You did it!" At that moment, we can humbly and lovingly thank him for being the focus we needed to make through the carousel of life!

Would You Jump?

Have you ever been afraid? So afraid it paralyzes you?

If you were hanging thousands of feet in the air,

would you jump

or

would fear hold you captive?

At the camp I attended last week there was a zip-line. It was high. I'm talking really, really high. Some of the kids asked if I would go on the zip-line with them. Not to be outdone by 7th graders, I said, "Sure!" Inside I was thinking, "What in the world am I doing?"
We waited our turn patiently talking and laughing in the line, when the strangest thing happen.
This guy from the camp said, "Okay, next in line, head to the top."
My stomach dropped. My hands started to shake. I started sweating more than normal and if you know me that's A LOT!
"What was I thinking?" I asked myself.
The girls in front of me were laughing and talking as we climbed higher, and higher, and higher.
I stopped 1/2 way up to give myself a pep-talk. "You can do this, Steph. You can do, this. Think of the little engine. He thought he could." I found myself responding, "That's fiction. Who made that up anyway?"
By the time I arrived to the top, I was the last one to be strapped in which meant I would be jumping off next to the side. There was 1 problem. There were no rails around the deck. The side had nothing to hold on to. If I got too near the edge, I was toast. I would just fall off.
I froze. I was paralyzed. I sat down. There was no way I was going near the edge. I begged to switch places with one of the students but they were already strapped on.
The worker was so kind. I guess she had to be, I was holding on to her for dear life.
She loosened my rope so that I could crawl to the edge of the deck. She instructed me to dangle my feet off the deck. On the count of 3 I was suppose to jump.
"How could I jump?" I thought to myself.
Somehow I had to muster up the courage to just throw myself off a deck thousands of feet in the air and pray that a rope like the one I used to jump in elementary school would save my life.
This wasn't making sense.
The other girls were giggling as tears filled my eyes.
I couldn't let them down.
I had to be brave.
We counted to 3...1...2...3....
I paused briefly and then threw myself into mid-air!
The most amazing thing happened. The jump rope held and before I knew it I was flying threw the air with a cool breeze blowing across my face. It was amazing.
As we concluded the ride I thought, "What if I had missed this moment?"

Never let fear keep you from missing a moment. When you are afraid, face it. Walk right into it.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."

What is the 1 thing you THINK you cannot do?

As Nike says, "Just do it!"