All the world loves a stage!
I am speaking tonight at Providence High School and have been asking the Lord to open more doors for speaking and teaching. Please keep this in your prayers as well, as this is such a passion of mine!
As I prepared for tonight's speaking engagement, I was struck with how difficult this message would be without expressing my faith. The message is about Standing Up to today's cultural messages. After leaving my Bible study group of Bible thumpin' women, I felt equipped yet still a bit challenged. I prayed for an opening to this message. I passed a house that was, well, let's say it had no curb appeal and was a bit run down. The sign read, "FOR SALE" - "Gorgeous inside!" Then it had a "Sale Pending" sign attached to it...... it was sold! Somebody took enough time to investigate the inside and decided it was worth it! Now, I ask you this, which would you rather, Gorgeous outside or INSIDE? I personally would rather live in a home that is beautiful on the INSIDE, than just a pretty outside, with curb appeal. How many times do we live our lives, overly concerned with the outward appearance yet spend little time on our insides.
There was my opening/ my speech, I had been given a gift from God to share. I pray this generation takes hold of that thought and changes the future!
How about you? Spend as much time as you can listening to God's perspective, I promise you, you will hear His truth whispered in your ears. You might be amazed at what you hear. He thinks His child (insert your name) is simply gorgeous and beautifully made!
Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ!
Blessings,
Denise
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Colton: here are your baby goats!
It was 2:15 Sat. afternoon and time to go our first of 4 games this weekend, so, I asked Colton to run to the barn to check on Mary before we left. You see, Mary was looking mighty pregnant in the early morning hours and we knew she was ready to deliver soon. Mary is one of our African Pygmy Goats. Martha is also preganat but isn't due for another week.
Two mins. later I heard Colton screaming and running towards the house. Colton was in shock over what he saw. Mary was in the process of delivering her first of 4 baby goats. Yes, we are the proud parents of 4 new "kids". This was quite an experience and we documented the entire National Geographical experience. I have attached the rated G version pictures. I praise God for His miraculous design. Mary instinctively took over, cleaned and nursed each one as they shivered in the cool environment and were brought into a barnyard of love and curiosity!
What a great gift to giver to my little vet Colton on his 9th Birthday! Isn't God great!
Two mins. later I heard Colton screaming and running towards the house. Colton was in shock over what he saw. Mary was in the process of delivering her first of 4 baby goats. Yes, we are the proud parents of 4 new "kids". This was quite an experience and we documented the entire National Geographical experience. I have attached the rated G version pictures. I praise God for His miraculous design. Mary instinctively took over, cleaned and nursed each one as they shivered in the cool environment and were brought into a barnyard of love and curiosity!
What a great gift to giver to my little vet Colton on his 9th Birthday! Isn't God great!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I haven't had much to say and have been reminded lately by a few of you. So,I will begin with a huge Happy Easter for He has Risen indeed!
I do have a fun praise report regarding my youngest son, Colton. You know, the one who burnt a hole in my floor recently while testing out fire and water. (See Jan. blog for a detailed account!) Colton is a new team member to Old Providence Baseball and this Tues. was his first game. While watching, Kenny and I exchanged glances as if to say, "OK Colton's up to bat, PRAY!" If we decided to pray aloud, it would sound like this, "PLLLLEEEAAAASSSEEE Lord give him his moment, give him confidence" .....
The 2nd and 3rd bases were loaded and Colton hit a home-run! "Colton hit a home-run" I kept screaming with my hands across my heart then raised in the air then across my mouth then in the air. I was CRAZY excited.... nothin' like meeting the team for the first time with all my volume! Oh, I was loud I admit it! In times like this I think I have been going to the wrong church all my life. I need to be in a Pentecostal or AME Zion church... I would fit right in and be oh so at home.
Praise You Lord for answering our heartfelt yet silent prayers!
The Word says, when we pray we need not wonder if He has heard our prayers, believe and allow Him to work it all together. Furthermore, it is all about the small stuff. Keeping God in everything we do and think, allows us to see Him in everything we cannot do or even imagine. He is in it all and truly cares about it all; you see it is all about His BIG plan.
Trust in it because we are all apart of it and He truly loves each and every one of His children. Let's love Him back in the best we we can! Communicate and Trust!
Blessings to you all. Denise
I do have a fun praise report regarding my youngest son, Colton. You know, the one who burnt a hole in my floor recently while testing out fire and water. (See Jan. blog for a detailed account!) Colton is a new team member to Old Providence Baseball and this Tues. was his first game. While watching, Kenny and I exchanged glances as if to say, "OK Colton's up to bat, PRAY!" If we decided to pray aloud, it would sound like this, "PLLLLEEEAAAASSSEEE Lord give him his moment, give him confidence" .....
The 2nd and 3rd bases were loaded and Colton hit a home-run! "Colton hit a home-run" I kept screaming with my hands across my heart then raised in the air then across my mouth then in the air. I was CRAZY excited.... nothin' like meeting the team for the first time with all my volume! Oh, I was loud I admit it! In times like this I think I have been going to the wrong church all my life. I need to be in a Pentecostal or AME Zion church... I would fit right in and be oh so at home.
Praise You Lord for answering our heartfelt yet silent prayers!
The Word says, when we pray we need not wonder if He has heard our prayers, believe and allow Him to work it all together. Furthermore, it is all about the small stuff. Keeping God in everything we do and think, allows us to see Him in everything we cannot do or even imagine. He is in it all and truly cares about it all; you see it is all about His BIG plan.
Trust in it because we are all apart of it and He truly loves each and every one of His children. Let's love Him back in the best we we can! Communicate and Trust!
Blessings to you all. Denise
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Old People's Riding Club
I attended a meeting this afternoon in a tack room off the side of a barn. This is the OPRA (Old People's Riding Club) chapter that is just getting started in this part of NC. The meeting started just as a powerful storm was rolling in. The thunder, lightning and intense rain-fall made me (secretly) a bit scared. Knowing the power of a storm can be a bit unsettling, however, knowing the benefits of this storm made me very content inside. Oh how we need this rain!
During times like this, we can all make the parallels to our lives with regards to the "storms" we have experienced in our lives. Sometimes we have to wait on the storm to pass. Sometimes we must pass through the storm or allow the storm to pass through us, wiping out whatever was in its path. Sometimes we are immediately delivered by the storm and never have to endure the rainfall, but this option; one we might pray for, does not always teach us much or grow our character. Regardless of the storms in your life, I pray you have the endurance to either run through or withstand the intensity of the trials. Hold on tight, it can bring great joy and growth ahead!
Please continue to pray for my horse Decaza, as we are beginning the conditioning and riding process and are praying he does not relapse.
Have a wonderful week!
He is alive indeed!
Denise
During times like this, we can all make the parallels to our lives with regards to the "storms" we have experienced in our lives. Sometimes we have to wait on the storm to pass. Sometimes we must pass through the storm or allow the storm to pass through us, wiping out whatever was in its path. Sometimes we are immediately delivered by the storm and never have to endure the rainfall, but this option; one we might pray for, does not always teach us much or grow our character. Regardless of the storms in your life, I pray you have the endurance to either run through or withstand the intensity of the trials. Hold on tight, it can bring great joy and growth ahead!
Please continue to pray for my horse Decaza, as we are beginning the conditioning and riding process and are praying he does not relapse.
Have a wonderful week!
He is alive indeed!
Denise
Monday, March 10, 2008
Unlike my husband, I love this day light savings thing. It is 6:50pm and it is blazing sunshine in my windows. My boys played catch outside until dinner and my horses grazed on the fresh grass. Ahh Spring is coming! New growth, new weather, new fun activities, new flowers, new beginnings. I love being and feeling renewed! It is like going to a spa and getting a facial and a massage. One time my friend Melissa and I went to the Grove Park Spa in Ashville, NC, and we wanted to be really new, really refreshed, so we stayed at the spa for 8 hrs. Believe me when I tell you this, we would have remained at that spa for another 8 hrs. if we didn't have to be at another retreat just mins. away. The Lord reminds us that we are new creations once we cling to Him. His power refreshes and restores us so that we are renewed everyday despite what we experience. Now who doesn't want a new start sometimes? I know I do. I challenge each of you as I take this challenge myself... begin each day by standing upright, firmly grounded in His peace and say aloud, as if you were face to face with God;
"I need a new start today Lord, in you I know that is possible. Today, I choose You Lord, please renew me this day"
I bet there will be a lot of shiny new faces and attitudes strutting His glory around as we step out into Spring!
Love to all, let me know how this challenge goes! I bet He will do amazing things through all of us, a matter of fact, I bet He has already begun!
Denise
"I need a new start today Lord, in you I know that is possible. Today, I choose You Lord, please renew me this day"
I bet there will be a lot of shiny new faces and attitudes strutting His glory around as we step out into Spring!
Love to all, let me know how this challenge goes! I bet He will do amazing things through all of us, a matter of fact, I bet He has already begun!
Denise
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Stop the maddness!
I have received so many responses to the latest blog. The question I now propose is, which cookie is the ultimate Girl Scout cookie? As for me and my son Hunter, we polished off a few Samoa's tonight and let me tell ya, I do not do guilt when it comes to these bad boys! Colton's favorite cookie is yet to be determined, as he says he first has to try them all to make a good decision. That's Colton for ya!
Have a great week,
Denise
Have a great week,
Denise
Friday, February 29, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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 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
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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
* 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
