On My Honor

What a great day I had today. I had one of those all by myself days.... until 2:30pm. My sweet and quiet day with my animals was interrupted by 10 laughing, screaming with joy and excitement GIRL SCOUTS!! To share this wonderful farm with these young girls was such a treat. I actually believe if I invited them for a sleep-over they all would have yelled YES without any hesitation.
I was so glad to have this opportunity to share what God has so richly blessed us with. I didn't ask them to recite the Girl scout pledge but, I believe I can remember it from my days as a GS. "On my honor, I will try to serve God, my country, mankind and live by the Girl scout law" I think that's it. I wonder if they still recite that? Let's analyze it shall we. On my HONOR ... what is honor? Is it truth, honesty, sincerity... I believe that is a taught and caught trait. I will try.... OK give it your best shot and keep trying, never give up. To serve God .... serve not be served by God, just SERVE ....... my country, and what a country we live in filled with such opportunities........ mankind ... seve each other as if we were serving the Lord. What you have done for the least of them you have done for me says the Lord.
and live by the Girl Scout law. We cannot live by the Law, we all fall short and that is why we have the grace of God sent to us through Jesus Christ!
See, I can make anything sing the Christian song in which we can all march along.
Have a great weekend and eat a Samoa or Thin Mint in honor of our Girl Scouts!
Denise

GROW!

I really hate when I am wrong. No seriously, it is one of my "issues" that the Lord keeps reminding me of lately. You see when I am wrong, I have this tendency to try to make the wrong right and will work so very hard to reverse the wrong that it can be exhausting. The very thing that I find wrong the Lord makes right. In these moments is when I get the chance to grow. (I should be 25 feet tall and 6oo lbs with all the growing God has allowed me). Jesus taught that in all things we have to allow Him to be in control, prune where necessary, and grow! His word says, He is the vine and we are the branches and apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)
A woman in one of my small groups (TLC) told me of a story and I'd like to share it with you. She grew up always feeling different, small and a bit "behind the scenes" as she puts it. She never wanted to be the one people saw. As an adult, she kept wondering why she couldn't overcome her struggle with weight and her identity as it related to her weight. She kept saying, "All I want to do is shrink!" One Easter Sunday her Pastor invited people to come forward and nail their burdens to the cross and leave them in God hands. As she crept up to the front, stood in line anticipating the amazing encouragement and prayers she would receive from her Pastor, she was about to burst. When it was her turn, she just wept and listened to the Pastor say, "GROW just GROW".
I write about this because truly that is what life is all about. We are expected to grow closer to Him each day as we trust, hold tight and pass along grace to others. You do not have the one situation that God cannot fix! He is the divine Physician and is able to fix, repair, mend and yes, change anything! Whatever your current situation is, (big or small), lay it down, surrender it to Him; trusting in His divine power and presence and plan. Today marks the beginning of new growth!
So, I pass along some truth for you all today, GROW, just GROW! Many blessings, and for those of you in Charlotte, enjoy the rain as it falls on our soil as if God himself was nourishing your soil for the growth ahead!!
Denise

A prayer for my friends

Lord, I believe you when you say you hear all prayers and love each one of your children. So, I am sending up prayers for my family and friends.
May each one of us meet you this week, face to face, heart to heart and in truth and authenticity. May we have a glimpse of your constant presence and have the chance to be drawn closer to you. May you grant peace where it is needed, send instruction and gentle reminders for us to listen and obey your ways over our own. Please grant mercy to us all, as we need you Lord. May Your strength be revealed in our weaknesses and may we be amazed by your plans you have for our lives. Lord, please give us the strength to walk and trust in your plans. Increase our trust Lord, as your ways are not our ways and they are always right. May we follow you and not be swept away by the ways of this world! Praise you Father for who you are! The same today as you always were! In the name of Jesus I pray and trust, AMEN.

Have a great week and let me know of the ways the Lord amazes you this week! I will do the same my friends!
Blessings, D

The people who use their gifts

Today, I had the crazy fun of racing to and from with great expectation of the next stop. Wednesday's seem to be my most hectic of days, yet I love them. Here is a glimpse of the day's schedule, as I write it please know this is just a way to make my final points, so hang with me here.
* Wake up at 5:30am for QT with kenny, coffee and the Lord.
* Load the first of many more loads of laundry for the day.
* 7am drive boys to CCS (30 mins. both ways) home at 8:15am
* Unload laundry to dryer then reload washer.
* Barn chores until 9:15am
* Shower because I am groooowssse and it is my New Years Resolution for 2008 to not be constantly stinky. It's either the gym or the barn; both do nothing for the resolution.
* Leave for Fab 5 Bible Study and celebration LLG's B-day. Cake was consumed with no guilt!
* Walk with Angie for 30 mins so that I am sane the rest of the day
* unhook bike rack from car, hook up hitch and horse trailer.
* Clean up Decaza and haul him to She Rose Farm by 2:00pm
* Drive to CCS to pick up boys then returen to Shea Rose Farm (1hr round trip) for horseback riding lessons for Colton.
* Haul home, unhook, muck, lunge both horses (PIPER and RED) then feed my babies (all 9).
* Make some kind of nutritious dinner then race Hunter to soccer practice at 7-8:30pm.

OK, so Kenny my sweet hubby took Hunter to practice tonight because he had "DATE NIGHT" with Colton and this was on thier way! OH, HOW I LOVE HIM!

WHEW, this was quite a day! I just love this day but it can be a bit mentally and physically challenging. While racing around my scheduled filled day, I had the most amazing glimpse into how God uses whatever and whomever He chooses to further His kingdom. It struck me while I watched the 6 kids talk on top of each other before mounting their horses. These kids were struck with so much excitement because there was a new horse at the barn and the wind was whipping around the farm as if to say today will be quite a ride.
Carol, the instructor and owner of Shea Rose Farm, caught the kids attention long enough to remind them to be serious and respect their surroundings. I on the other hand almost said, "shut it and mount it", but I restrained my impulses. Nonetheless, the kids went to the ring and had an awesome lesson. Carol later told me she felt like Decaza was too big and too trained for Colton. Her heart is for not only Colton but also for Decaza. I believe there must be a team when training and this was an unmatched team due to the HUGE gap in their experience. Isn't this how we could approach the Lord and our relationship with Him each day?!

Mine goes something like this. "Lord, you are so much wiser, so much more than I can fathom yet in total control of my life. Your ways are not my ways, yet you seem to understand everything about me and my surroundings. May the training I am experienceing right now give you greater glory, increase my faith and draw me closer to You."
I was reminded of Romans 5:3-7 today. This passage is about perseverance, character developement and hope. I clung to these verses during our 3 misscarriages and today the Lord reminded me of the power in this philosophy of life. May we all cling to His power, His team, His character and live in the hope of our faith which will not dissapoint us!
I pray each of you reading this will press on with Christ as He leads, instructs and directs each of you in the way you should go. Have ears to hear, eyes to see and time to listen, it will be all good in the end and that is a promise I trust!
I am off to the Mountains with my best friend Angie tomorrow for what we hope to be a ski weekend. Want to join us as we climb mountains, sit by fires and talk until we cannot speak any longer? I just know we will be looking for God among His beautiful creations. I challenge you to do the same!
Love to all .... D

And All The People Said,....

So, you really do read this blog of mine! You asked how it went so I'll tell ya...... Here is the update from my experience at the Harvest Center.
I was super excited and just threw on my jeans and a long sleeve black T-shirt and off I went with clothes, shoes, and games in hand.
Once I arrived at the Harvest House, my heart was pounding at the thoughts of would I be safe, do I smile at these men surrounding my car, should I be so bold to sound the "lock" beeping noise on my car... OK, voices shut up and just do it Denise, God said he'd be with this whitie get in there.
When I walked into the HC, Sister Rosa saw me immediately, as I sortof stood out. She yelled to me, "CULINARY, YOU DID COME". When I met her I told her I loved to cook and would come work, obviously, a lot of people must say that because she was suprised at my comings.
She toured me around the center, all the while touching people, ordering them to do this and that, and finally showed me the kitchen. Today, they were having a REVIVAL, and I was to prepare a fish fry like none other. NOW wait a min. Sista, I am a Health Educator, I don't fry fish much less any other food, unless I am pregnant. The lady next to me reminded me, that this is their world not mine.. fry baby fry! I was so glad I wore a long sleeve T-shirt! The apron I wore was almost in shreds by the time I left, next time I'm bringing my own. I asked Sister Rosa how I would know when the fish was ready to come out of the oil, and her response still makes me laugh, even as I write it to you. "The Lord will tell you when it's ready, He'll tell ya, He always provides". Around 400 pieces of fish later and lots of broken gringa style Spanish conversations with my co-chef Fredrico, I thanked the Lord for giving me this amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to go back this Tues!
As I prepared and then served the fish, I kept looking in the eyes of these men, women, teens, and little children and I kept hearing the Lord's words... "The last will be first in my kingdom". I even told this one woman, Martha, as she looked at me with tears in her eyes and asked me to pray with her, while she cried, "I have really screwed up haven't I". I just said, "The Lord, loves you Martha, and He knows your name". I hope to see her next week, as she was my age and it really struck me. In my quiet moments, I have prayed with words I don't completly understand, as I don't know exactly what to pray for Martha; Oh, that she'll get off drugs, get a life, listen to truth, etc... OR, maybe, that she will believe God not just believe in God.
So, there you have my 4 hr. experience in the lives of the homeless, I hope to tell many stories abount my new friends.
Have an awesome week, and remember to love freely and honestly, as God loved us first!
Blessings, D

Surely I am with you always

I woke up so excited to get this day going. You see, I am going to the Harvest Center today to serve these wonderful homeless people. I cannot wait to cook in that commercial kitchen and chop or clean or whatever task they may have me do, I am ready. I have been anticipating this day since last Tues. meeting.

Now that I have had my coffee and had time to think (it is 2 hrs. later and I am jacked up on caffein) I am second guessing my service. My thoughts raced a bit like this....
I had better be very quiet today. Do I say hello to each of them, do I look them in the eye to give them a sense of dignity?
What to wear; do I wear my ring, do I wear my tennis shoes, should I bring the men's and women's clothes and games that I have been gathering today or do I wait for my 2nd visit?
Maybe this isn't for me, maybe I just want to serve and should find another avenue.

Then the Lord showed me His word. Denise, "surely I am with you (and with them) always, to the very end of the age"Matthew 28:20. I am asking you Denise to go, I have placed this on your heart, just go and know I am with you and I am with them. I the Lord will guide you always: I will satisfy... Is. 58:11 don't think you will do anything Denise just go.

So off I go and I cannot wait! Please join me in prayer for the countless homeless men, women and children in Charlotte. May they know the peace and warmth of the Lord today and may that be enough for today! D

Truth and Grace to you all

I really have no great inspiration for today's blog. I read in the book of John today and listened to the "message" version speak to me as if Jesus himself was standing next to me speaking Denise style diction. Ah the words of Jesus, spoken in modern day text. Today, I have decided, will be modern day speaking. Today, I will speak Denise style. I won't think too much, I will speak loud, bold and truthful. I will speak to my surroundings as if Jesus was standing right there with me, hangin' out in South Charlotte.
Wouldn't that be great and so refreshing if each of us spoke words and truths as if Jesus himself was standing right next to you?! I believe Jesus was not only bold but also very fun to be with. He issued grace and truth very carefully. Jesus was the type of guy whom you just wanted to hang out with, eat a meal with, go to get a mani/pedi with, roast marshmallows with into the night. Jesus was my type of guy. I don't think I could have hung out with him into the wee hrs. of the night though, as I crash at the strike of 11pm; I just never can make it past then! I'd be the one he'd say, "Denise, can't you even stay up for me ?" "Well, no Jesus, I cannot, if you would have started praying earlier, this 3 hr. deal would have been done before 11 Jesus" Then he'd insert grace and say, sleep well Denise, I will deal with you in the morning, you'll see".

I'd like to try inserting grace and truth in the same sentence today. I want to be so real and honest as I travel the day ahead, it might sound a bit like the following ......

"Children, wake up, get dressed, eat, get in the car, for today is the day the Lord has made, get movin'! Ah, but before you leave, remember to clean the kitchen and make your beds, because, to whom much has been given much is required" Vamos!"

"Hey Kenny, you look hot today, and I thank God for you! May you have an awesome day and don't forget to make a few deposites into my emotional bank account too.... Have a great day hunny!"

"Goodmorning my sweet animals, You all remind me of Jesus' words regarding worry. God has reminded me that He clothes, feeds and cares for the birds and he will do the same for me and to never worry about anything! So great to see each of you today!"

"Hi my dear Fab 5, I admit, I sometimes don't want to come to group, but Jesus has reminded me that when 2 or more are gathered He honors these prayers. He has reminded me of the need for community and fellowship and I really need you guys! Let's get down and get real and pray more please!"

So, these are a few of my initial thoughts to start this week. Think about all of the truths you know.... there are so many, try and insert them into every situation you face this week. Also, pray to eliminate the lies you entertain in that head of yours, just insert truth so that you will live a life as God intends you to live. Truth and grace to each of you, may it be a wonderful, authentic and Christ filled week!
Love to ya, D

What is that?

I was so excited to go for a walk today with my previous boss and long time friend Kathy Chavez. What a walk through memory lane. Kat and I used to walk 3-4 times a week just to get away from always being "on stage" while at the Y, and today was no different. We walked and talked and never missed a beat in the fast paced conversation women love to have. Ya know, menopause, weight issues, kids, animals, God and men .... what more is there to tallk about?

The reason I write about this is because as we ran through the rain, conversing about life, we passed these guys who had dirty marks clearly between their eyes and it indicated to me it was there by no mistake. The marks on their foreheads were there as a reminder of the fire Jesus went through, yet unburned by those flames, for each of us. May we be brought to the flames of life yet never burned by them. May the Lord deliver each of us through the fires we face each day.

You clearly can keep going despite what is before you! Please remember to wear the protective gear He provides. (Eph. 6 The Full Armor of God) and run with endurance as if it was your last race.

May this season of Lent bring love, thankfulness, mercy and grace to your lives. I choose the next 40 days of giving to God my current burden drowned in prayer... what will you do with these days ahead?

Denise

Pressing on in victory!

I have been swamped with e-mails and phone calls this week with women needing prayer and a shot of encouragement. I believe this is all part of God's great web, seeing that just last week I was given a great devotional thought while watching my son race his horse in the VICTORY lap at Shea Rose Farm. Actually,I watched 6 kids race their horses around the ring for their final victory lap. This was at the end of a great horseback riding lesson. These kids flung their hands up in the air as if they just won the Kentucky Derby. The horses were tired yet they picked up the pace and finished the lap. AHHHH do you see the analogy? Just when we are feeling as if we "can't do it anymore", or we are tired, short tempered, bummed over our weight, or sad over our circumstances; remember, we can go another lap. There is a God who is able, stronger than your circumstances, and who will lead you in a triumphal procession (2 Cor. 2:14). I think of a "triumphal procession" a bit like a concert. My VICTORY lap sounds like a mix of Sting, Mercy Me, U2 and Sheryl Crow all in perfect harmony and tempo! What does your procession sound like? If it is a bit like elevator music then press the button to the next floor and GET OFF, and take the stairs. Climb up, look up, pray and keep going, it is all worth it!
The last part of this story is what happened after the Victory Lap. The kids all started talking to each other, comparing times, laughing at the day and gabbing all the way back to the barn. You see, we need each other and we need to be real with each other. Use the people in your life as support and as a means to get you on the path of healthy thinking.
I pray each one of you reading this blog remembers a very important truth. We do not fight FOR victory, we fight FROM victory. Think on that! Take a VICTORY LAP today and PRESS ON as you press into Him!
He wanted me to remind you of His strength and presence, have a great day!
Denise