HIS WORD IS LIKE WATER!!!

This morning is a time when I truly needed to hear from God. I needed Him to take away pain...I needed Him to be the mighty comforter...I needed Him to be the Abba father, the one who is sufficient.

I went to grab my Bible and it wasn't where it usually is...so I grabbed my son's.

I asked God to reveal himself to me and guide me through His word. He led me to Isaiah 55. I do not cry easily...but I cried as I read His promises.

They are:

"Is anyone thirsty?...come and drink

"Come to me...listen and you will find life.

"I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David"

Why? Because I have made you glorious"

He reminded me that"
His thoughts are not my thoughts...His ways are HIGHER than the earth.

Thank you God!


Comfort us today!

WHEN YOU PARTNER WITH GOD

I remember as a little girl spending many hours with my grandmother at her restaurant. She ran a restaurant for many years and was a savy business woman. She had many people who were regulars. They loved her food, her hospitality and her straightforward answer to any question.

I loved it when my grandmother would give me duties at the restaurant. When I was six I would stand on a box and run the cash register. If she gave me a duty it meant that she either trusted me or thought she could teach me. Each was a honor.

Last night I stood in amazement of what God can do if we trust Him and if He finds us teachable.

Last night...I felt like I partnered with God. Last night...He allowed me to be His voice...His hands and His feet.


Hope Community Church in Hudson, Ohio does an outreach event every year called Judgement House. It is a walk-thru drama. At the end of the drama goers sit down with counselors and talk about the drama. The gospel is clearly presented and an opportunity to give your life to the Lord is given.

It was fun partnering with my best friend Sandie in this endeavor. We had the honor and privledge to lead four people to the Lord. What a blessing. Once they left...we even did a victory dance. Not a pretty sight for everyone in the room...but we didn't care. We danced!!!!

Tonight is another night. Tonight we will be in place when they come through the doors. Tonight we partner again with God...tonight...I hope we dance.

LOVE IT WHEN GOD CALLS MY NAME

About a month ago I had a chance to spend time with two wonderful ladies at a retreat. Angie and Jen are friends and amazing worship leaders. They were sharing with me how their lives had been "simplified" and how freeing that had become.

God began to remind me that this is what is needed in all areas of our lives. That really all that we need is Him...Simply Him. I then had an idea for a women's event.
Not a retreat....but an experience. A night away from everyday responsibilities. A weekend to experience Jesus in an intimate way.

The best way for me to describe this is "women's retreat unplugged."

Why not make this all about Him. No committees, no icebreakers, no gift bags, no giveaways...just Jesus.

No breakout sessions, no pre-made journals, no plannned activities...just Him.

I love all of the stuff mentioned above...don't get me wrong. I am just craving an organic, deep time with just other women, and Jesus.

IT"S HAPPENING!!!!

January 8th and 9th Hope Community Church's Women's Ministry presents:

SIMPLY JESUS!!!!

Carlisle Inn, Sugarcreek, Ohio


JOIN US!!!!

All you need is you, toothbrush and your bible.

Can't wait!!

YEAR 45

It seems natural that on one's birthday that you look back on the year.

That lasted about one minute with me and then I began to look ahead.

What would I like to accomplish in my 45th year of life.

There is the obvious..lose weight...exercise more...read my Bible more, etc...but I wanted to get specific. So here are 45 things that I want to do in year 45. You may become bored after reading the first three. That's okay...

1. bake something from scratch
2. grow a new type of flower
3. pay for someone's order at McDonalds
4. give our turtles away to a science class
5. speak somewhere that requires me to fly
6. read Crazy Love
7. tell a restaurant employee how much I appreciated their service
8. buy a really great pair of high heels at an amazing cheap price
9. run a mile
10. teach my dog a trick
11. fix a really large homemade dinner on a sunday afternoon
12. make a fancy dessert that I can't pronounce
13. watch Casablanca
14. lead someone to Christ
15. wash wally's car
16. leave a gospel tract with a waiter
17. heal a relationship that is strained in my life at the moment
18. try pilates
19. try to understand football
20. write to a missionary
21. flat iron my hair
22. reach out to a neighbor
23. download a song to my Ipod by myself
24. build a snowman
25. hike without complaining
26. make a video blog
27. speak without being paid
28. buy and eat a school lunch
29. enourage my pastors
30. read Dreamgiver again
31. read a John Pyper sermon
32. give bottled water to our sanitation workers
33. experiment with eyeliner
34. play games on a saturday night with my family
35. write a personal Psalm
36. fast for a day
37. try a new perfume
38. use a large amount of coupons on a grocery shopping trip
39. be silent for one day
40. thank the mail carrier
41. watch Gone With The Wind
42. babysit someone's child for free
43. make a homemade card
44. have ice cream for dinner
45. don't pressure myself in doing any of the above...but always add to the list.

SO DIFFERENT...BUT SO ALIKE

Meet Ashley and Ally

One loves to run...one likes to flip
One loves math...one enjoys science
One loves having her hair, nails and makeup done...one hates it
One has a heart for missions, inner city ...one is still discovering her passion
One lives in Indiana...one lives upstairs
One wears flats...one prefers heels
One is a great driver...one has increased my prayer life
One likes fruit...one likes chocolate
One is often annoyed with her brother...one is always annoyed with her brother
One is a saver...one is a spender
One had a bad haircut as a child...one had a terrible haircut as a child


Both have a mom and Lord that loves them more than they will ever know!!!

THE FERRY RIDE

Oh what a month! I have had the honor of traveling for the last four weekends to speaking events and other activities associated with Speaking Thru Me. I am exhausted...but a good exhaustion. I feel so blessed that I have a family that supports me in ministry! My wonderful husband has had to be the mom and dad for the past 4 weekends. Numerous carpools, pre-cooked meals and a little drama here and there. This will be my last weekend away for awhile. I am excited to join 45 other women at a retreat in Hiram, Ohio.

My travels have given me some great blogging devotional material and what I had hoped to be some video vlogs. Soon to come..maybe.

Devotion #1 - The Ferry Ride

What a blast I had traveling with three other STMM members from Nashville to Illinois recently. It is amazing how quick a three hour trip can become when you are laughing, chatting and taking in many unique views. (details in another post)

We suddenly turned in to "tourists" when we saw a sign that said "ferry ahead." It must be some mistake. Who uses ferries these days? Haven't we evolved as a society? What happened to building a bridge? No mistake...we soon found ourselves boarding a ferry. Cameras came out...windows rolled down and we began to document our ferry experience. We were soon driving off the ferry and back onto the highway.

I wonder how far away a bridge may have been? Should we have tried to find one instead? We would have gone way off our path in order to have found a bridge.

Christ reminds us in John that He is "the way, the truth and the life"...and that "He is the ONLY way to the father." Many of us try to find other ways to the Father. We go way off the path that He has ordained for us. Why? We think the other ways are better. For the four of us...the ferry was our only way...for the four of us...He is always the only way!

Go make a memory today,

Joy

I'M A PROUD MOM TODAY!

I am proud of all four of my children. I hope they know that and I also hope they know that there is nothing they could do that would make me stop loving them.

There are those moments where a mom wants to do the "touchdown" dance like we often see at football games.

My youngest daughter is about to go to her first dance. This is the first time where we have had to go and shop for a semi-formal dress. If you have had a chance to look at dresses...you know there seems to be pieces missing from many of them. I am not sure which is the front or back sometimes. They are low cut...skimpy and seems that the less material that is used...the more they cost.

MODESTY is not a word today's designers consider.

Since they were young... my girls know that they are now allowed to wear clothes that reveals things that need to be private. (you get the picture...the three b's...email me if you need me to breakdown the 3 b's for you).

My daughter picked out the perfect dress without me even having to remind her. IT IS BEAUTIFUL and MODEST!!!!!

I am so proud of her! I am so proud that she GETS IT!!!!!

She is a beautiful young lady inside and out and doesn't need to show off her body!

To all the young ladies out there...keep your body a secret...you'll be glad you did!

Who am I to judge?

For those of you who have heard my testimony...you know about my pageant past.

I spent many years seeking a crown as a visible reminder of beauty.

I was recently asked to judge a Miss Ohio preliminary pageant. I thought WOW what fun it would be to be on the other side of the table. What fun it would be to get dressed up and spend an evening in the pageant world again.

It wasn't long before the Lord reminded me of how many times I had stood before young girls teaching them about inner beauty. Teaching them importance of being modest.

So...I had to say no to the pageant...and yes to God!

CALL TO MINISTRY

My family from West Virginia just left my house after a great holiday weekend. It was great to see my dad feeling better and enjoying short excursions out. I was thinking about my dad when he was younger. At one time he was a vibrant evangelist sharing the gospel at churches and tent meetings. His uncle was a well known evangelist and had his own radio show for many years. Four of my cousins are pastors and recently one of their sons announced his call to ministry. It is exciting to see the next generation coming forward to proclaim the good news.

I was thinking of how I hoped my children would all feel the "call" to go into ministry. God reminded me that it really isn't a choice for them. In fact...as believers in Jesus Christ...we are all called to go into ministry. It's not even a choice. I often told Ashley that no matter what career field she enters...she is first and foremost an evangelist. She may be disguised as a physical therapist, a wife, a mother, a coach, etc. We all need to see our lives as full-time ministers...just disguised as something else. You don't have to be employed by a church to see yourself as a full-time ministry worker.


So to all of you "full time ministry workers"...let's get to work...even on labor day!

I AM THAT WOMAN!!!

Today in church I looked down at my bulletin and I could not see a thing. It was blurry. I held the bulletin closer and still blurry. Then I held it out at arm's length...and it was clear. I almost chuckled out loud when it hit me...I am that woman. You know her. The one who has to hold everything at arm's length in order to see. The one who has to remove her glasses so she can read. The one who is always looking for her "readers". I wondered when the time would come that I would need others to hold my menu across the table so I could see it. Don't get me wrong. I am excited about shopping for cute reading glasses.

I need to embrace the changes that come our way as we age. It made me think of other things that have changed in my forties. I can't stay awake as long as I use to. I enjoy watching the news more. I think a little more about saving for retirement. Of course...other changes I won't mention except to say "I hate hot flashes in the summer."

I realize that with age also comes maturity. (hopefully) I know that I make better decisions than I did when I was younger. I think that I may be a little more patient with others. I know that I am not as spontaneous and make less hasty decisions. I know that I find myself seeing things in light of eternity and not in the "now." I know that I love the Lord more than I did.

Some things became clearer to me today...even my church bulletin.

NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE

I wrote today on facebook that I truly know how it feels to "praise Him in the storm." This experience with dad is not an experience that I would want anyone to go through...but I hope everyone is allowed to see God work like we have. As I type...I am in dad's room. He is sleeping so peacefully. He is off the ventilator and breathing smoothly. He is not fidgeting. He has great color to him. I can't believe he has come so far in 4 days. I will admit that there was a time when it did not look good for him. I am convinced that it is all because of prayer. Prayer is something that is hard to understand. I am not sure how it works...but that's okay...I just know it does and that's enough for me. It has taught me not to wait on the big crisis in life to pray. I know that God wants me to pray about everything. He even tells us to pray without ceasing.

I have such peace today. This makes me want to shout from the rooftops that "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD."

Yesterday as I was getting ready for church...I was listening to Chris Tomlin sing "How Great Is Our God." I just raised my hands in praise. I actually stood on my tip toes just wanting to get as close to heaven as I could. I actually wanted to touch the robe of Jesus. I know that there is no way you can reach heaven on earth...but I know that I am connected to the one who awaits me.

PRAISE HIM TODAY...ON YOUR TIPTOES

THIRTEEN ON YOUR THIRTEENTH

Today is Austin's birthday. It's hard to focus on a celebration when you have a loved one in ICU...but we are trying to make it a special day.

The girls are making Austin and a cake and we will shop for a gift later today. For now...here are thirteen things that I want to say to my son:

1- The most important relationship that you will ever have in your life is the one with the Lord. When that one is weak...so is everything else.

2- You look much cuter when your underwear is not visible from the top of your shorts or jeans

3- A good rule of thumb is that your hair should never be longer (or prettier) than your mother's

4- Save that first kiss

5- Always be a dreamer. Always know that you can do or be anything if God (not man) has called you to be

6- Just a reminder of that first kiss thing

7- I will never forget the night you were born. We were driving as fast as we could to the Air Force Academy hospital in the wee hours of the morning. Some airman tried to get us to stop and show our military i.d.'s. When he saw a women huffing and puffing in the car and pointing to her belly...he let us through with a military escort.

8- Your favorite yellow "ducky" is packed away in the basement if you ever need it

9- Did I mention something about your first kiss?

10 - You are loved more than you will ever know

11- Smile...a lot.

12- Slash is a great guitarist...but not a good role model.

13 - We love you and are very proud of you!!!!

BAD HAIR DAY

I am have blessed to be part of a Ladies Bible study this summer on contentment. I stuggle with this and needed to be reminded of how God sees us and how He truly is in control of everything and owns everything.

The one chapter that hit me the hardest was being content with who we are on the inside and outside. So...can you believe that I almost skipped the Bible study last night? Why? I didn't like the way my hair looked. Yep...I am that shallow.

Let me explain. It was a very busy day for me at home so I took a quick shower...brushed back my wet hair and put it in a headband. Now..we all know what happens when you put wet hair in a handband. The hair dries ...the headband is removed...and well you get the picture. There isn't enough gel or hairspray on earth that will fix that mess.

I rushed out the door to drop Alex off at his game and decided that I would fix this mess in the car. Headband went back on and off I went. Bad mistake.

I tried brushing it, gelling it, spraying it...nothing worked. I tried repeating the gel and the spray...now I was getting a headache. I even contemplated running to walgreens and buying a hat. Then I decided to do one more thing. I went into the bathroom at the baseball field and wet my hair. Second mistake..now I had wet hair that wouldn't dry because of all the gel and spray. I thought about asking my son if he really needed to wear his ball hat. Maybe I could borrow it for the night.

Then it hit me. I was about to skip a Bible study on contentment because I was not content with my hair. God humbled me...I shook off my discontentment...shook my hair and headed off to the study.

It was a great night. I am so glad I went. No one really cares what my hair looks like. Once we were together and in the word...I stopped caring what my hair looks like. How about you...what are you discontent with today? What's stopping you from giving it to God?

A MUST FOR EVERY WOMAN

If you know me well, you know that I have a passion for teaching young girls about modesty and purity. I have tried very hard to teach my own daughters the importance of modesty and to be "covered up". There are somethings that the world does not need to say...catch my drift.

When I went to visit Ashley recently she took me to a boutique. She said there was something in there that she knew I would love and would want to buy.

She was right. CHECK IT OUT:





Miss Oops Boob Tube.

It is a cute little "tube top like" cami.

If your neck line is too low...you just wear this under the shirt.

Great for layering which still seems to be in style.


I love the tag line on the package..."Boob Tube...they're show stoppers!"

Just think if every young girls decided to "stop the show".

Buy one at www.missoops.com

OH THOSE TEENAGERS!!

This morning my dog ran out the door to chase his little female friend that walks the same time every morning. As I ran out the door with no shoes I noticed that someone had t.p.'d our home. At first I was touched that someone took the time to show their love for us. I remembered my days of youth ministry and knew that you only t.p.'d the homes of the ones you love. Then suddenly my joy turned to anger when I saw egg, toilet paper, red candy, syrup, mulch and yes...my favorite..yellow sticky notes plastered everywhere.

So how do I know it was a teenager? I know because I had to ask my teen to explain some of the words that were written on my car. She had to explain to me their meaning. So here is my advice to the one who chose to deface our property. If you really wanted to offend the adults in the house....splurge and buy the larger bottle of syrup. We need for you to completely spell the words...no abbeviations. Also...next time...use larger letters. Thanks for the additional toilet paper. With the state of the economy all donations are appreciated. Also...we like our eggs scrambled...not in our tail pipes. Next time...please bring over a little more mulch. We were about to order a truck load and you could really help us save money.

If by chance we meet and you have to fulfill some kind of community service...I have a few ideas in mind. I think the two of us would have a great day serving together while you listen to me tell you every story about my childhood, my lectures on teenagers and most importantly....you will about the term grace. I will explain to you what it means and about the One who gives that to everyone...yes...even teens who are creative and energetic.

TO THE CORE OF MY BEING

The other day I was watching (not participating) a work out video on television. There was a word that the trainer kept using "core". She kept saying "strengthen your core" "tighten your core" "work on your core." What's with the core? I just want tighter legs and arms...as a matter of fact...what is my core? I learned the core is the center part of our body and really needs to be the strongest part of our body. It carries and supports everything. It made me wonder about the "core" of my spritual walk. First of all...what is it...how do I make it stronger? My spiritual core is my faith. If it's not strong...forget about the rest. It needs to support so many areas of my life. How do I exercise my spiritual core? That's what I am pondering now. I know the obvious ways are prayer, studying, fellowship, worship, etc. How strong is your core? Are you watching or participating?

The Necklace

A few years ago I wrote a children's book called "I AM BEAUTIFUL". It's about a little girl who only feels beautiful when she is wearing her princess costume. One day she is searching frantically for the costume so she can feel beautiful. Her mother sees the importance of this costume and explains to her little girl that she truly is a "princess" with or without the costume.

When I wrote the book I had a dream that a special necklace would come with the book. I envisioned that it would be round and pale pink. It would have a little silver crown in the middle. Not just any crown...but one that looked like a "fairy tale princess crown" with little round circles on top.

A few weeks ago I was at a conference and look what I found...and bought....




I spoke to a representative about the possibility of buying this special necklace for my book...I'll keep you posted.

GOD IS GOOD!!!

WHAT IF YOU KNEW?

Ask yourself this question..."What if you knew you would be with Jesus today? What if you knew tonight you would not be sleeping at home...but in a few hours you would be falling into the arms of Christ?

My best friend's mom will probably be in heaven by tonight. It's an eery thought for our human minds to comprehend. She has been sick for sometime and symptoms show that today could possibly be her last day on earth. As I type this...it almost seems unreal. She is ready. She knows the Lord and she knows that once she takes her last breath...her real life begins. To think that heaven is preparing to accept her possibly today is a little unsettling but also exciting.

What would I do if I knew today was my last day? I don't know if we can accurately answer that. We can speculate and guess...but what would we really do.

I guess we should always live like it's our last day. Say what needs to be said. Reach out to those who need help. Give like it's not our's to give and love like we aren't afraid of getting hurt.

Pray for the Horvath family and tonight when you go to bed...think of Helen...she'll be with Jesus.


****UPDATE

At 9:30 am this morning Helen went home to be with Jesus.

HE AMAZES ME!!!!

This has been a very challenging week in our household...but it ended on a postive note. We were able to go to Kalahari Resort this weekend and enjoy some downtime. Well almost downtime. I was at a confernce so Wally and the kids were able to enjoy the waterpark. Speaking Thru Me Ministries had a booth and I had the honor of representing this incredible ministry. Many women responded well to our mission and a lot of interest was created. Friday night I was feeling really tired and a little discouraged by things involving my week. A lady approached my booth and began talking about her desire to speak and write. She began to energize me as she shared how she felt like God was calling her to speak and share her story. I encouraged her to contact Leigh and offer to write devotions for a radio opportunity Leigh has been given. She gave me her name and it looked very familiar. Then it dawned on me...I had met her three years ago. I asked her if she had attended an event in Mentor three years ago. She looked at me and began to cry. She said "Yes...and you shared your testimony at this event." I looked at her and said "Cancer survivor...you had shared with me your story of surviving ovarian cancer." Then I began to cry. We both remembered how we had a lengthy conversation that evening and promised to get together after the event. We had exchanged phone numbers and we had both accidentally threw them away. She shared with me how recently God was prompting her again to write and speak but she didn't know where to begin. She prayed that God would allow her to run into the speaker that she had met three years ago (me) who had encouraged her to follow what God was calling her to do. She didn't remember my name or where I lived. He did just that. He had me drive over an hour and a half away and had her drive even further for our paths to cross. How cool is God. We both just felt sort of awestruck of what God had done. Don't you love it when you experience such a personal response from the creator of the universe? I do! I want more of those personal encounters. I want them daily. I want to truly be in sync with God! I am so glad that this lady is again in my life and I am SO GRATEFUL that God never loses my number.

FEELING DEFEATED

Today I was driving to church and I had a heavy heart. For those of you who know me well know that I am PASSIONATE about teaching young girls about modesty. For many reasons this is near and dear to my heart. I am saddened by the way our young girls feel that they need to dress. Ways that I feel also sadden the One who created them. I guess this always hits home when I see the many many prom pictures that are posted on social network sights. My heart goes out to not only the girls but to the guys. Guys who are trying to live a pure life but struggle with this when girls are scantly dressed. I have heard many girls say "that's their problem...they shouldn't be thinking those thoughts." I don't think girls truly understand the mind of a young man. For those who profess to be followers of God's Word He makes it very clear that we are "not to cause our brother to stumble." My heart was heavy today as I truly felt that satan is winning in this area. I don't like to lose and I don't like it when, as someone in ministry, feels defeated. Tears came down my face as I prayed for our young girls. I prayed that they would see the importance of living a modest and pure life.

If I could talk to each one of those girls here is what I would say:

1) God created you in a unique and wonderful way. Turn off the world and tune in to Him.

2) I would challenge them that if they are walking the walk...they need to dress the walk. What you wear on the outer self can sometimes detract or often represent the inner self.

3) If God has called you someday to be a wife then that means your husband is out there somewhere. Protect what is meant for him...not the eyes of others. As Dannah Gresh says "be a secretkeeper".

Today I was praying to God and asking him to "show up today in a large way." I asked that He affirm the call that He has placed on my life and reveal Himself to me.

I left church the same way I entered..defeated. Defeated by situations and people. The intent of this post is not to host a "pity party" but to just lay it out there and say...there is a battle. As scripture says..."the battle is not against flesh and blood..." I need to equip myself a little better for battle. I need to be in the Word more and on my knees more.