A Giggle: How to Worship

Ok, so some of you may be offended by this tongue in cheek video -- but I have to tell you that I laughed out loud a few times!  I remember what it was like to be brand new at my church and feeling like I was out of the loop.

Of course there’s no right or wrong way to enter into praise and worship.  Clap if you want to or don’t, I’m not going to judge you.

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What Women By Grace Want

I asked the women on our mailing list today what they are looking for from Women By Grace and this is what I’ve heard back:

They want:

• Short, easy to consume daily devotions.
• Testimonials of women who have overcome obstacles.
• Encouragement for daily Christian living.
• Brief, chunked up Bible Studies.
• Resources to help them with issues of Self Esteem.
• Resources to help them build and keep a Godly Home.

Thanks for all of your input – and keep an eye out for content designed to meet these needs!

Please join our new blog community to make your voice heard even more.

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Introducing Faithful Bloggers

There’s a site focused on encouraging Christian bloggers that you should know about.  It’s called Faithful Bloggers.

They have a free Christian Blogger Directory and interesting ways to connect you to other faith based bloggers like yourself.

There is a group writing project that is about to close at the end of today – I hope you’ll check it out and consider joining up.

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One Minute Sermon

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“One For The Money, Two For The Show…”

Can you remember that youthful and silly rock and roll song by Elvis Presley – Blue Suede Shoes?    Even though I was a kid when Elvis held the music world in his hands, his music still blasts millions of mp3 players, ipods, and yes in my car.

The history of this song is sort of interesting to me.  Not really, it is quite fascinating the attraction this song has with music artists over the years.  Imagine this, Blue Suede Shoes was written in 1955 by Carl Perkins and sung by The King of Rock and Roll.  It has been performed in every decade since the 1950’s and as current as April 13, 2010, by Aaron Kelly on American Idol.

Simply put, some things last forever while others wear out over time!

Oh and how I can tell you about “things lasting forever”!   Even Blue Suede Shoes in its seemingly immortal presence pales in contrast to the eternal fortitude of The Holy Bible.  I heard a pastor refer to the Bible as “the manufacturer’s handbook.”  God’s word is timeless in its relevance and priceless in its value to our lives and souls.

Pick it up and read it.  There is no certain method, place, or time that works best; just read it any way you can, any time you time, as often as you can.  You need no special reason to turn the pages; but watch out because God’s words are known to heal broken and lonely hearts, mend relational differences, speak to seekers in search of spiritual guidance, inspire people from past – present – and future generations, bring eternal hope to the all those who believe it, and on and on and on.  You get the point!

Borrowing from the words of Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes, “one for the money, two for the show, three get ready, now go cat, go” open the word of God and bless your life.

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A Little Child…

I am the proud mother of 4 children, one of whom just turned 14, my Eldest. She never ceases to amaze me. When she was born, I remember looking down at her, with hopes and dreams for her life flooding my head. For those who have children, you most likely understand what I mean.

She considers herself almost an adult now, ready to drive, taking on responsibility for some of the meals, helping her brothers and sister. Most of the time I could not ask for a better behaved young lady, other times I shake my head in horrified amazement, wondering where I went wrong. Above all though, her thirst for things of God puts me to shame, her love of being in the word reminds me of when I was young and not so tired and concerned with the temporal things that surround me. Jesus said”and A little child shall lead them”.

I love that mental picture, it brings to mind a grandchild with the strength of youth, leading their Grandparents on a walk, wanting them to enjoy and see life through different eyes.

When was the last time our Faith and Belief in Christ was so unjaded and fresh, that we could lead someone on the journey, knowing the beauty of it, having a simple trust in our Father that we took Him at His word, without reading anything into it, trusting that He knows our beginning from the end, simply coming as a child before Him, sitting on his lap and letting Him direct as he saw fit, not only that, but leading others on the same kind of journey.

We have to remember to be patient on the way, and let Jesus control not only our lives, but others lives as well. how precious it is just to be able to rest and trust the One who made and understands us individually like no one else can.

Help us Jesus, to never lose our “child eyes”!

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Why Say, “Everything Will Work Out?”

I realize you have not peered into my life over the last 7 years, or really, ever.  Chances are you might not ever meet me in person; I hope that’s not the case.  And the probability of us sharing the same journey experiences is slim to nil.  However, there is one common statement that most of us have said or heard during a crucible that troubles me.  What is this statement?  “Everything will work out” is the ubiquitous statement that resonates with Christians and non-Christian people alike during trying times.

The year was 2003 and I had just come through a major surgery.  I was home recovering when I received a call from my boss who was checking on my recovery.  “How wonderful,” I thought.    But no more than a few sentences later, she cautiously informed me that my job had been eliminated and I could take my time recovering.  Before she hung up the phone, she said, “Everything will work out.“  “Goodbye.”  And so I moved on.  It took me two years to complete my bachelor’s degree and find my next job.

In 2005, I landed a position that segue my career to what I thought would be a more stable profession.  The tides were still turning on the career front and a year later, my job was eliminated.  This was my second job loss.   The words from the person announcing the layoff still reverberate in my ears, “We appreciate all your hard work.  If we ever restore this function in the company, you are welcome to reapply.”  And of course, the proverbial statement came with closure, “Everything will work out.”  I wasn’t too devastated this time because I had been through a layoff before.  I was prepared emotionally this time.  Plus, I was in the middle of my master’s program and was enjoying the extra time to focus on my studies.

In 2006, my husband decided to accept a job in Houston, TX.  The timing was fortuitous because I didn’t work and my graduate program was nearly complete.  He moved to Houston and 4 months later I joined him.  It took me 4 months to find a job.  In December 2006, I started working again in a profession that was all new to me.  The job was offered to me because I asked the manager to give me a chance.  In exchange for on-the-job training, I offered some great transferable skills and experiences that would be valuable to the job. She agreed and hired me.  It was 6 months into the job that I completed my master’s program.  However, 6 months later, I voluntarily left the position for an opportunity of my first love and passion.

It is now 2007 and I am working on a job of my first love and passion.  The job is going fabulous until 4 months into the position when I learned the group had to produce a business case to justify its existence.  Justification of our group was easy, getting it approved was daunting.  During my seventh month on the job, it was quite clear that our work had come to a halt and our jobs were soon to be eradicated.  I heard that troubling statement again, “Everything will work out.”  This time my response was, “Will it?”  Fortunately for me, I found a different job just in the nick of time.

In 2008, I began working on my 5th job within a 6-year time period.  “Unbelievable,” I said.  “Five jobs in 6 years.”  The job transiency was not over because after 9 months, I learned again that my job would be eliminated.  And it was!  I celebrated my 10th month of employment with a raise, bonus, and the “pink slip.”  My job was eliminated after 10 months at this company.  “This is a set-up,” I thought.  “Who would ever believe my story?”  And to add insult to injury, my boss felt compelled to tell me that, “Everything will work out.”

In November 2009, my husband and I launched a ministry called Disgrace To His Grace.  The ministry focuses on a journey we believe people take in life, those who walk with JESUS CHRIST and those who will walk with HIM experiences.  We were given an opportunity to share it in November 2009 and again in December 2009.

In March 2010, I was enjoying a leisurely Saturday evening when out of nowhere, I was in severe pain that would not go away.  Five days later, I was in the emergency room going through a battery of tests.  After several tests in the emergency room and subsequent more through my 2 doctors, my prognosis landed me facing the “C” disease and recommendations from 4 doctors to have surgery immediately.  There were many prayers offered on my behalf and many good people reminding me that “Everything will work out.”  What a struggle it was hearing those words.  I’ll be honest and say, “I battle hearing them on a regular basis.”  I had to cancel all of my speaking engagements due to my health.

Today, May 2010, my world is dramatically different from what it was in 2003.  I am still unemployed and have been for over a year.  My time is spent in the house 5 of 7 days a week; I go to church twice a week. I don’t have transportation so I rely on my mom and husband to assist me with errands. My health has improved as it turns out I didn’t have cancer.  I have resumed working on the ministry from my home and landed 2 speaking engagements.

Will everything work out?  That is what I’ve been hearing for 7 years.  “Everything will work out.“  Here’s my response to this troubling statement, “I can’t be certain whether everything will work out because my expectations for a favorable outcome has proven to be different from God’s will.  And therefore, I am not certain everything will work out through my eyes and my desires.  But I am most certain that ‘everything will work out’ according to God’s perfect will.  His will is good.  It is holy.  It is righteous.”  Romans 8:28 states, “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”  Track the emphasis in this verse, “things work out according to His purpose”.  Again, “things work out according to His purpose” and not according to our purpose or desire.  I’m a living witness that everything will not always work out from our perspective.  “Things” work out according to God’s purpose for our life.  He’s in control.

Next time, let’s talk about Trusting God.

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So Long Self – You Aren’t Good For Me

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The Relevant Conference: Christian Bloggers Learn & Fellowship

This October Christian bloggers have an opportunity to come together for a special conference just for them.  For those who have been looking for in person fellowship with others who share common faith and love for blogging, this event looks like the perfect thing.

Learn more on The Relevant Conference website.

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God Cares

Too often I find myself thinking when I go through a hard time that “God Doesn’t care”.

It is so difficult to look at hard times and realize that the majority of them were created by choices I made.

It is such an awesome thing to realize that even though we make these bad choices and have consequences from them, Jesus willingly takes the blame we place on Him, and lovingly puts the pieces of us back together!

What an awesome Father we have!

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