Mia Koehne~About Midnight

Rags-Music Video by Mia Koehne

2011-12-06T11:43:00.003-07:00

Just super excited for what the Lord will do with this......Enjoy and share with those who need to hear that our Lord, Jesus Christ, died for them.

Thank you Myers Video Production for and amazing project. I love your vision.

www.mvpwebsite.com

Breathing

2011-12-04T23:37:00.005-07:00

I feel like I have had to do a lot of breathing the past few weeks. Sometimes it's conscious breathing simply to stay alive (yes it has been that kind of week), sometimes it's a breath to keep me sane, other times it a breath of prayer, the breath of praise, a breath to worship.

I have been thinking a lot about breathing especially as I have had the joy of sitting beside my Father's bedside as He nears what may possibly be one of his last breaths on this side of heaven. Sometimes they are heavy, sometimes they are so light that it makes me wonder if the breath is still even there.

I have been breath praying my heart to the Lord who is my breath, the very air that I breathe. I think about Him as the breath sustain-er, the breath giver and the breath taker.

There is a peace that is about me as I think of my Dad going to spend eternity with our Lord sooner than later, as the Lord wills, that really does go beyond my understanding. There is a joy that is un-explainable that fills me, comforts me and makes me smile as I think about My Daddy and My Father. There is also an overwhelming sadness that penetrates into the deeper part of my heart. It is at such a deep level that I can't even touch it. It is unreachable except by the comforter of my soul. Only the one who says He is close to the brokenhearted can truly understand this explosive mix of Joy, peace and sorrow that I feel all at the same time within my soul.

I am looking forward to flying back, Lord willing, to see my Dad again next week. My Dad who professed this day to my brother "The Lord will come and take care of me", the man who said to me a few days ago "Stay near to the Lord", the man who taught me what it means to forgive, to love, and to be called a redeemed child of God. I can't wait to crawl back up on his lap and kiss him all over.

I can't wait to breathe, to inhale and to exhale.

Unite Concert with Chris August

2011-11-14T17:24:00.011-07:00

This Saturday, November 19th @ 7pm

UNITE Concert with Chris August/Mia Koehne

Pure Heart Christian Fellowship

14240 N. 43rd Ave.

Glendale, Arizona

Click on photo for larger view

UNITE~An evening of music and stories to celebrate the ministry of Extreme Faith Productions

Featuring a special performance by
Chris August along with local artists & personalities including Mia Koehne & About Midnight

General Admission is FREE!

$25 VIP ticket includes:
-early entry 1 hour prior to show
-reserved seating
-coffee and dessert
-preshow photo session with Chris August and photographer (get your picture with Chris, we develop it, print it, and get it signed by Chris that night)
To purchase VIP tickets, visit www.ticketforce.com

For more info www.extremefaithproductions.com

The Unrivalled Power Of Prayer

2011-11-10T10:26:00.008-07:00

Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

I am convinced that until I stand in glory, I will have no comprehension of the unrivaled power of the Spirit of God that dwells within this temple, my body. I can not even come close to imagining all that the Spirit prays for me, for the saints and all that is deep within my heart and soul in words that can not be uttered.

But this I know, I find matchless peace in the little bit that I do know of how the Spirit that dwells within this temple, my body, prays without ceasing the perfect will of God...Matchless peace.

Lord, Daily remind me of this Holy temple that I might be prepared each day to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true, with thanksgiving, a living sanctuary for you.

My Utmost For His Highest~Oswald Chambers

The Unrivalled Power Of Prayer ~Nov08

We realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; we know what it is to pray in the Spirit; but we do not so often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays in us pr

ayers which we cannot utter. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable.

“He,” the Spirit in you, “maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God,” and God searches your heart not to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what is the prayer of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of God needs the nature of the believer as a shrine in which to offer His intercession. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.” When Jesus Christ cleansed the temple, He “would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.” The Spirit of God will not allow you to use your body for your own convenience. Jesus ruthlessly cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and said – “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

Have we recognized that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, though it is only a tiny bit of our personality, is to be regarded by us as a shrine of the Holy Ghost. He will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing of; but we must see that we guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.

Koehne's Corner-Thoughts from my husband

2011-09-27T08:43:00.003-07:00

This is from the weekly e-note letter that my husband, Bob Koehne, writes. I am blessed by it and thought you might be too. Blessings!

Koehne’s Corner

So many things in life are easier said than done. When I looked at my schedule for the week, I felt a little overwhelmed with everything I have to do. Then I was thinking about all imaginary obstacles that could get in the way of accomplishing my tasks for the week.

It made me think back to something a pastor once told me. He advised me to work with the things that I know and not worry about the things I don't know. He told me if there is something I don't know God will reveal it to me when He feels the time is right. I have often thought about this, but I have to tell you, it is easier said than done.

The section of scripture that I always need to go back to is Matthew 6:25-34. It addresses the issue of worrying. Verse 27 tells us "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Then I start to realize this is a matter of faith and trust. Can I trust God enough with the details of my life? Of course the answer is yes, but I need to be continually reminded in my life.

How about you? Is this easier said than done?

No Shrinking Required

2011-09-26T10:34:00.008-07:00

I have been seeking God especially this last week on several specific situations. Now that it is Monday, I feel like my list of things that I am seeking His will and answer to are stacked so high, how is He possibly going to answer me specifically on all of them. I pray, I open the bible, I sit and I listen..... And then He spoke!! He simply said "Do not shrink back!"

I quickly ran to my computer to google where in the Bible it say this and seek How this was the answer to all I am going through.. I quickly found it in Hebrews 10:32-39

³² Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering.³³ Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. ³⁴ You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. ³⁵ So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

³⁶ You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For,

“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”

³⁸ And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”

³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Is there something in your life today that God can also answer to you through this verse? Is there a verse that will answer your needs this day? Do you believe that He can do it, are you willing to seek Him and stop to listen?

Be comforted and know that God will do what He says. Call on Him and He WILL answer you and show you great and unsearchable things that you do not know. Choose today to seek Him face to face, choose today to follow His will and watch Him be glorified in your life.

Amen!

Radio Interview~ September 24, 2011

2011-08-22T09:15:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday at 11am Pacific Time I will be doing a radio interview by Mark maverick based out of LA, California.

Hope you can tune in www.indie104.com

Magazine Review~Variance Magazine

2011-08-12T23:46:00.003-07:00

Mia Koehne
...Already in Progress

"If you don't know what to say / say God is good / if you don't know what to say / say He is faithful"

If ever a voice, lyrics, and music came together more perfectly to praise God than Mia Koehne in her new album ...Already in Progress, we certainly can't think of it while listening to her gorgeous music.

Mia's life story is a compelling story of sin, surrender, sanctification, and song, and all of this is evident in her lyrics. Each line gives praise to God. Her soulful voice pays wonderful homage to her Savior and beautifully illustrates the pain and beauty of life.

Mia was wise to keep her music simple but deep. It perfectly complements the worship she gives God and moves the heart with every single listen. Where many Christian contemporary albums today are over-produced, leaving you wondering if the singer can really sing at all, Mia's voice shines through in every song, especially "Rags." This song is positively heartrending and beautiful.

For a fantastic musical journey, pick up Mia Koehne's new album ...Already in Progress. You won't regret it! ~Variance magazine

I am a Liar-But God is a Forgiver

2011-08-09T14:58:00.012-07:00

Let me just state for the record, that I don't "feel" like writing this blog. I like writing blogs that make me look good and display how obedient I am to God, but I'm going to write it because, well I don't know, just because, so here it goes...

I am a liar. And in Celebrate Recovery fashion..."Hi, my name is Mia and it's been 4 hours since my last really BIG lie."

I am a liar and what I find so ironic about this statement is this.....a few weeks ago I stood at a Celebrate Recovery meeting and gave my testimony and said "I used to be a liar, thief and a cheater." Now hear I am today with the reality and truth that I am still a liar thrown right in my face. It's really ugly and I don't like it and I don't like to admit it. I don't like how the lie in hand just rolled off my tongue and justified itself on the way out. It kinda of nauseates me how I have the ability to rationalize it and make it an "ok" kind of lie.

Now the story. This morning, my day started out great. I had a wonderful meeting at Starbucks with a local Pastor as we discussed worship and the excitement of the upcoming Sunday. We talked, prayed and went on our way. It was great.

I then moved myself to an outdoor table to continue on my own in Bible study and personal prayer time. I opened my Bible and read a devotion from "My Utmost for His Highest" and was moved beyond words. I had to stop mid devotion and pray. This was my prayer "God, will you please use me right here, right now to be a light to someone. Will you bring someone that will come to my table so that I can sit and pray with them." That was my prayer and I waited in expectation for the person he would bring.

I sat there continuing on in my time with the Lord, peeking my eyes up to the people that went through the doors throwing them a warm smile, wondering.."Is this the one Lord?" Then a man on a bike came up to the lady next to me asking for money and then opened His invitation to me as well. THAT'S when it happened I opened my mouth as he came over and I said "I don't carry cash, but I would be happy to go in a buy you a coffee or something to eat."

Arrrgggggg! That was my lie and here is how my mind justified it. Truth is this "Normally" I don't carry cash, but today I did and I knew I did. "Normally" I am very happy to give to people, but today, I wanted to control HOW I gave and give the way I wanted to. FACT: Once you open your mouth and lie, it is very difficult to back pedal without making yourself look bad and I didn't want to make myself look bad and fess up.

So I asked him what else I could do. He asked me to pray for Him. (whammy, right in my face) He was the one God sent and I blew it. Now, with a bit excited and looking for a little redemption, we sat there, prayed together and I marveled at how the Lord worked. This humble man was not bitter, not angry because I "supposedly" didn't have anything to give, He just trusted and prayed. Now don't tune off cause this is not the end of the story.

After we prayed he came back to me and said "The Lord is laying on my heart for us to read, before you make a final decision, Deutoronomy 15: 9-10, (but I am going to list verses 7-11. They are powerful) 7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Talk about a smack in the face. This was no accident. God DID want me to read this. God knew the condition of my heart and the lies that I used to justify this condition. Then to top it all off, He, the man on the bike, prayed for me.

I needed a moment. I asked him to give me time and He did. That's when I went before God, asked for forgiveness and crawled my way back to my purse. The walk of shame, BUT also the walk of forgiveness in grace. One of my regrets now as I sit in my home is this...that I didn't give him more. Even after all that, I held on to something that wasn't even mine to begin with. The money, the cash, it doesn't even belong to me. Why do I think I can hold it back.

So I guess what I have re-learned in a shameful, grace-filled way is what 1 John 1:5-10 says
"... that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." "AND MOST IMPORTANTLY "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

I am thankful that God forgives, I am thankful that he reminds me how much I need him to battle my flesh every moment. I am thankful that He is not done with me yet and that His grace and mercy cover me everyday. I need him. I can't even open my mouth, which is like a grave, without him. (Romans 3:13 Their throats are open graves;their tongues practice deceit.) I need him to guard my every thought, every action, my heart and mind in Christ. I NEED YOU GOD!

So the bit of irony is that as I reflect on my Starbuck's prayer to God, for Him to bring me someone to pray for, I believe the true prayer that went up was, bring me someone to pray for me. And God answered and He answered quickly. Praise be to God!

And today I laugh! Hahahahah!!!

2011-07-28T12:15:00.011-07:00

I have heard this before, but today it made me laugh again. My husband shared with me how one of his co-workers complimented me on my unique fashion style. First of all, we must ask the question, what does unique mean? If by unique we mean "she doesn't match and must be color blind" I concur and totally agree and I take that as a full compliment. Although there have been times where my children have warned me not to go out looking the way I do and looking at one picture from a few years ago, I would have to agree, but never-mind that.

What I found even more sweet was my husband's response....."It's called Savers" and by this one should translate it as "We are too broke for my wife to go out and buy clothes from the 1st hand store that actually match, hence the eclectic look is created out of pure necessity."

But seriously doesn't everybody wear cut offs jeans under their Sunday dress:)

I'm thinking of becoming a Thrift store model ......any one got any hookups out there..... or maybe I should stick with Music Ministry:)

Let me take this opportunity to share with you. If anyone wants to learn more about making what you have work, working with watcha got... take it from a gal I know, who has taken it to a whole-nutha-level...www.closetpeek.com . As you view her site, please know that this site is a fundraiser for the the ongoing efforts of Haiti Mission Project. See how you can get involved.

You go girl!!

God is Good

2011-07-27T13:43:00.008-07:00

There is something I have realized in the past week. I'm just gonna say it and you might think, "Well, Duh", but what has hit home to me this week is this...It Is Not About Me.

Sometimes I feel like I learn the same lessons over and over, but in new ways. Recently I have dealt with selfishness in not wanting to sing certain songs because emotionally they are too difficult and they stir up some tough memories. I just want to keep them for myself. Ironic thing here is that this was the first hurdle I had to get over when I used to play my songs at the piano for my personal devotion time. My husband kept telling me to share them and I said no, these are for my quiet time. Then I heard the call from God. So I find it funny that I would go through this again.

So this week I am talking about "Julies Song" aka "God is Good". What I realized is that it is not about me, it's not about how I sing the song, it's really not even about the song. It's not about my ability to write or lack of ability to compose. It is about the Power of God, the Power of His truth and the Power in His name. That's it. It's not about me.

God humbles me...constantly. I have so much to learn, yet I have so much to give. I just pray that He continues to allow me opportunities to do what He has called me to do. This I have no doubt He will do for His names sake.

May each of us go out knowing that God's truth is bigger than our realities, our pain and our hurts, even bigger than our temporary joy. May we make His name famous and declare to the world that He is good.

Now if I'm correct, to the right of this post is a music player and you can hit the forward button and hear the Song "God is Good" and listen to the wonderful names of our Lord. There is Power in His name. Be blessed to be a blessing.

God Is Good

by,

Chorus:

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “God is Good”

If you don’t know what to say,

Say “He is Faithful”

Verse:

Or say His name Jehovah Jireh (my provider)

Or say his name Jehova Nissi (My victorious banner)

Or say his name Jehovah Rophe (my healer)

Just say His name Jehovah Prince of Peace (my Shalom)

Verse:

Say His name Jehovah Kanna (my jealous Lord)

Say His name Jehovah Sel’i (my Rock)

Say His Name Jehovah Tsori (my strength)

Just say His name Jehovah Hoshe'ah (my lord saves)

Bridge:

God Is Good

God Is Faithful

New Songs

2011-07-22T11:22:00.006-07:00

Last night was a fantastic night for me for several reasons. It was my first concert in Phoenix, it was my first concert with my new band and it was the first time I got to give my testimony here in my new home state. It was an amazing night. It was kind of like the worship leader said during the concert, "We're churchin it." It was a great night of worship of an Amazing God.

After I gave my testimony I sang a new song that I wrote the other day. It has a very personal meaning to me, not only because I once was that person, but because I also now pray for that person that I am singing about. I didn't really sing it perfectly, but I'm glad that I did. The great part about it is that even from the first time, Michael, the bass player heard it, he already has suggestions to make it better. I love that about my band! So, I'm excited to see where the song goes and what it becomes.

Just want to post the words as a prayer for all of us. Not sure of the title yet, but I had some great suggestions from the crowd last night, as of now it's simply called........

"A New Song Rather Than The Old"

You’re alone in the crowd on the corner

Chasing rainbows that go with no end

There’s no grand pot of gold in your story

You keep running with eyes to the wind

CHORUS: And your sad, sad story

Sings a song of desire and tears

You keep singing that sad tale of glory

You keep running behind all your fears

You've been running this race now for so long

Here’s a hand let me help you to stand

You are worth so much more than you know now

Sing a new song, the song of I AM

Sing

Sing, sing a song of redemption

Sing for the whole world to hear

Trust in the Lord

2011-07-06T07:31:00.006-07:00

I needed to meditate on the words..."Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I need to trust Him today for things that don't seem possible and things that don't even make sense to me. My own understanding just isn't cutting it. Yet, when I read Proverbs 3:5-6, I can hardly stop because what follows is just as great to chew on. Enjoy some chewing action.

PROVERBS 3

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.^[a]
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]
¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.
¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

"...already in progress" The Trailer

2011-06-24T16:50:00.001-07:00

The Missionary

2011-04-27T12:25:00.006-07:00

Sukhui with my daughter, Miriam

Today I had a date with my daughter. OK, actually she had a dental appointment, but we decided to go out for breakfast before and celebrate her birthday (again) as I will be out of town on her actual birthday. This would be month two of celebrating her birthday which isn't until mid May. Any excuse to celebrate!!

As we sat down we were greeted by a very kind and extremely happy waitress who introduced herself and said "I am going to serve you." I felt a stirring in my heart and felt that I should share Jesus with her. I didn't know if she was a believer, but with that kind of joy, I wanted her to know true joy and where it comes from.

I heard her talking to the couple in the booth next to us about the usual Phoenix conversation regarding the weather. She was telling the couple, who were originally from Indiana, how she missed snow at Christmas time when she loves to celebrate Jesus! My heart leaped, she was a sister in the Lord!

Right after that she must have witnessed my daughter and I praying together as we sat at the table, because she then came up to me and said "I am a Christian too." From there (actually before there) she continued to pour out a testimony of love for her Saviour. She testified to the source of all true joy and how there is no one else for her except Jesus.

Her name is Sukhui and she moved to the United States in 1985 when she was 26 years old. At that time she was a new believer and on fire for the Lord (she still is and even more). She came into this country not knowing a thing about American food and even though people doubted her, she testified to all the doors that the Lord opened. And let me tell you, she knows her American food. She knows more about eggs and bacon than anyone I know. She knows how to serve. She knows how to love.

She could not stop talking about Jesus. She began to sing a song about the wonderful name of Jesus, then she sang it to me in Korean. I told my daughter that she was an example of what it means to be UNASHAMED for Jesus. It is simply a matter of opening your mouth and allowing to come out all that you put in your heart. Jesus is what she fed on and Jesus being poured out on her lips is the only natural thing for her.

When she clears her plates she says a "Hallelujah!" When she hand the plates to the cooking staff she says a "Hallelujah!" and they in turn now reply with an "Amen!" That's contagious. Sukhui has been working as a waitress in this particular restaurant for 8 years and 6 years in this particular section. She told me that she is a Korean missionary in America and prays over the room and all that come to dine there. She has even lead a few to the Lord along the way. She has seen people come and go. She lost eight regulars (hopefully dancing now in heaven) in 2008, but she presses on with a missionary heart.

So my joy this day, besides being able to meet her, is the joy and honor of praying for her over a pain that she has in her side. She may have to go in for surgery, but is asking God for a miracle first. So won't you join me in praying to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ for a healing miracle for my new friend, Sukhui. Won't you join me in praying for each person that steps in that restaurant and has a chance to encounter Jesus!

May we all view the place where God has planted us as holy ground. May we see our places of work, our homes and our neighborhoods as a mission field. May we walk boldly, humbly, and unashamedly for our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Father, I thank you this day for your miracles. I thank you for being God of all. I thank you for being Jehovah-Rapha, who heals! I asked you to be that God for Sukhui, this day. I ask you to be our Rapha-healer for each of us everyday. Amen!

Power and Authority

2011-04-04T08:04:00.007-07:00

So I'm reading through the book of John and I am once again in a new and fresh way being blown away by the boldness and the power of Jesus Christ. Yes, I love all the miracles that testify to who He is, but more than that the the power and authority of His words.

Today I read John 8:12-30 and Jesus boldly says "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will NEVER walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Then He says to the people "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins." I don't know if your feeling it, but I can only imagine how this infuriated the people, yet there were those who heard His words and put their faith in Him.

People wanted Him dead. He was claiming to be One with the Father, the Messiah. They wanted to kill him. YET, as it says in the scripture, no one seized him because His time had not yet come. To follow it all up, Jesus then speaks these words "...I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone, for I ALWAYS do what pleases Him." Oh, how I wish I could say that of myself. "That I always do what pleases Him." But Christ did..He died and became sin for me, so that the punishment would be upon His shoulders and the resurrection would be His glory.

Because of THAT, I am a new creation, always forgiven and through faith in Him I have been given the gift of salvation and eternal life and the daily opportunity to live in light for Him. Jesus was bold and passed on His spirit to us so that we too might be bold in His truth.

Jesus drew a line and said "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." On the other side of the line are those who reject Him and to them He said "I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin." There is no two way street.

Jesus was bold and right to say you are either with me or your not. Thanks to Jesus, we can stand boldly on the side of Light and Life! Put your trust in Him!

Thank you Jesus for the Light of Life. I ask today that you would press me, push me, prod me and never leave me alone. Amen!

In View of God's Mercy....WORSHIP!

2011-03-22T08:02:00.003-07:00

I love to worship God. That is the blessing for me, but the reality of it is that I am commanded to worship Him. Not because I feel like it, but because He is worthy of it. John 4:24 "God is spirit and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and truth." Yes, the time has come. I ...we MUST worship Him.

This past weekend I got hit by a two ton depression truck. Although I don't get hit with depression like I used to and when I do it doesn't last for long periods, when it does come, I become immobile. I saw it coming, I knew that the trigger was there and so I prepared as best I could, but when Saturday came, my body shut down. The pain of depression was deep in my bones and I was out of commission. I kinda felt like David when he cried out to God and said "I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint." That would be the biblical response yet as I pressed through Saturday, some of the whining that got through the filter of my brain sounded a bit more garbled.

These are the instances where I again thank the Lord for my husband who has walked along side me through so much, who knows just the right things to say. So he said "honey just rest today because tomorrow, you are going to get up out of that bed and do the things that you are suppose to do." He allowed a day of rest for my body and at the same time would not allow me to rest in my self and self pity. I praise God for a man like him. Here is a shout out to my husband, Bob..."I Love you!"

When I woke up Sunday morning, I barely made it out of bed and to church where I was to sing on the worship team. There was nothing in my flesh that felt like singing, there was nothing in my flesh that felt like leading people in worship, YET there I was hearing God say, "you worship me, not just when you feel like it, You worship me because I am worthy." And so, although my flesh was weak, my spirit responded by taking myself out of it and looking solely at His face, the face of my Lord.

Worship is not the few hours I give on Sunday, Worship that pleases the Lord is this..."In view of God's mercy, ..offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-THIS is your spiritual act of worship" ~Romans 12:1. Did I want to go early to church on Sunday, did I want to stand in front of the congregation tired and weary, did I want to muster up every last bit of energy that I had just to open my mouth and sing? Did I? Either way, crucifying self, offering my body to him in as a sacrifice is what pleases him. There are those days where the sacrifice burns a little more than others. Sunday was one of those days for me. I worship Him because He is worthy.

I heard on the radio yesterday Alistair Begg talking about worship and he quoted a Puritan writer who wrote something like this.....when we do receive or benefit anything as we worship Him who is worthy, It's like flowers being picked by a soldier along the road of duty. The soldier didn't set out to pick the flowers, he just benefited because He was following the orders of his fathers. That's how I feel so many times. I worship God because He is worth every ounce of my being, yet what a blessing I receive along the way, not because I am setting out for the blessing, but because my father whose orders I strive to follow sings and rejoices over me and blesses my heart with joy and peace.

I just have to say again how thankful I am for God's grace and mercy in my life, for continual forgiveness as I stumble through life, for His righteousness, His love, His peace and the sacrifice that His son Jesus Christ made on the cross which has saved me from eternal punishment. Thank You God for faith in Jesus Christ to cover all my sins through His death and resurrection.

And here I am this day, back, out of the sadness with my body and mind fully restored. My husband said to me yesterday "Welcome back, honey!" Good to be out of the pit, good to know that God is good even while I was in the pit. God is just good all the time!!

Holding Nothing Back

2011-03-05T08:26:00.004-07:00

Acts 20: 36-38

"I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me" Acts 20:23~

Yet, Paul still goes. I think that my natural inclination would be that if the Spirit was warning me of great hardship and prison, I might interpret that as "DON'T GO!" But here is Paul saying that "He considers his life worth nothing" and his only value is in the goal to "finish the task that the Lord Jesus gave him, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

I think of how greatly I fall short. I think of how many times I go out of my way to avoid hardship because "the Lord doesn't want me to feel pain, right?" But the truth is that He calls me to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. Not suffer for the sake of my comfort, but suffer so that I might finish the task set be fore me which is to testify to the Gospel of God's grace.

2 Timothy 1:7-9 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."

I pray for myself and for you who read this that we might, that I might, take the call, the command so seriously and like Paul, hold nothing back for the sake and joy of the Gospel. May we dare to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
"We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition."

Toilets

2011-03-04T07:33:00.001-07:00

Today, I thought that God would understand if I skipped devotions. I even thanked Him for understanding. Seriously, My parents are flying in today, I have to clean the house make new room sleeping arrangements, get to the store, pick up kids from baseball and school. God is understanding of all this.....Yet, as I got down on my knees, scrubbing the toilet, I remembered where He really wants me.....On my knees. Thank You Lord for stopping me.....off to devote my time to you, seriously He has given me 24 hours in each day, all the rest will get done.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"

Peace~Philippians 4:7

2011-03-03T10:48:00.002-07:00

There is a peace that exceeds my understanding and His kind of peace keeps and guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

That makes this soldier want to press on.

Decrease ME or Increase YOU

2011-02-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

Return

2011-02-02T19:17:00.003-07:00

God has been hitting me with a lot of Stuff today. I praised Him today for His Word. I praised Him today that His word is actually alive, that it actually pierces through bone and marrow, that it actually cuts opens and reveals the darkness and exposes it to light. I praised Him for His Word in my life and for showing me where I am weak even though I pretend to be strong.

Today when I read this scripture from Jeremiah 3, I saw myself. While I may not be a prostitute walking the streets, how many times have I been guilty of using my gifts for unworthy purposes or sitting by waiting for things of this world to fill me, neglecting the true power of His Word; neglecting and living out the fact that HE IS ENOUGH!

I have been guilty of defiling what He has given me, doing wrong, knowing full well He sees me and sees my heart. I have acted as though I can be disobedient and still expect the heavens to pour down on me. I have had unrepentant, unashamed sin in my life and kept quiet when I see it in the lives of those I love. Today I praised God for making things clear.

Today I am reminded that the floodgates of heaven are opened not because of what I have done or not done, but because of what He has done. I am reminded that each and every time I fail, He delights for me to return. He delights to call me His child. He delights in blessing me. My Father delights in me.

Thank you God for what Your son, Jesus Christ did. Thank You that He made it possible to return, to confess and to receive forgiveness. Thank you, that through your power, I can live a life of repentance and walk in grace and mercy. Thank you that I can speak of your love to the lost.

This is the song I wrote today

Return, oh return
Return, return, oh return

Sittin by the road side you sat waitin'
Waiting for your lovers to come by
You defiled the land with your prostitution
and your wickedness right before my eyes
But He declares.....

Return, oh return
Return, return, oh return

Therefore the showers have been held back
and no spring rains falling down, down, down
You have that brazen look of a prostitute
You refuse to blush, no shame, no shame, no shame
but God says......

Return, oh return
Return, return, oh return

How gladly I will call you child
How gladly will I give you this land, this nation
Just return, oh return
Return, return, oh return

Just a Thought~Romans 12:1-2

2011-01-21T09:35:00.003-07:00

I think what struck me in all it's simplicity today when I was reading and praying about Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's perfect will is-His good,pleasing and perfect will", is that it is so simple.

How many times do we ask what is God's will for us in our life and talk of our struggles in knowing His will because life is so complicated and there are so many variables. I think the answer could be, often. But here it seems so simple. If I do not conform to the pattern of the world and renew my mind with His word, so becoming transformed, THEN, I will be able to test and approve God's good, pleasing and PERFECT will.

So, walk with Christ, let His Word transform me and renew my mind so that I can test and confirm, and then I will know. Seems so easy, yet maybe the lack of daily renewal, the tiptoeing in the pattern of the world, and forgetting to test and approve what His will is, makes God's instruction appear more difficult than it is.

Just a thought running through my heart and mind today. Lord, be with us this day that we might daily, hourly and moment by moment be transformed and renew are hearts and minds through your word, so that we will know Your perfect will in our lives. God you are great and worthy of all our honor. I am humbled by your grace over my life and the lives of those you love. Amen!!!

Remedy: Remember

2011-01-21T08:29:00.004-07:00

Jeremiah 2:13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

It seems that so many of my struggles today come from the same two sins. When I forsake God, when I forget that He is sovereign over every detail of my life, that He holds this whole world in the palm of His hand, when I forget that He knows the plans He has for me and that they are good, when I forget the passion I once had for him, when I forsake speaking to Him about every detail of my life, when I forsake Him, I fall into sin. I fall into doubt. I fall into worry and most of all, I fall into forgetfulness.

Then there are moments of my life when I too dig my own cisterns, my own vessels to carry the living water. I may do this by putting my trust in someone else, in something else. I may run to others first instead of running to the true Spring of Living Water. The vessels that I build out of my own resources crack and fade and lead me to disappointment, frustration and forgetfulness of the One True God, the True Living Water, the one who has no cracks, my Savior and Lord.

Sadly, sometimes I can walk through month like this. I have walked this way, in the past, sometimes for years. As of late, it may be day, a week, or even a moment. Yet, even in those moments it is a still painful reality, a painful memory. It's the pain of the shame of forgetting, but it's a shame that turns me back to the One, the source of all strength, the Bread of Life, the water for my soul.

"The only remedy for forgetting is to remember." What a joy to remember daily what He has done. What a joy to speak of His love for us that caused Him to send His only son to be sin for us, His son, who knew no sin so that we should be called righteous and holy. What pure joy to remember that I am white as snow, even though my sins are as scarlet. What a joy to remember that through faith in Jesus Christ my sins are as far as the east is from the west. What a joy to remember that I am redeemed. Oh to remember and never forget.

What a joy to remember that My Lord sings over me and quites me with His love. What a joy to remember that He is my strength when I am weary, that he is my strong tower and that I, being righteous, can run to Him and I am safe. What a joy to remember that He loves me.

What a joy to remember that he remembers me first and will never leave me or forsake me. What a joy to remember that His love knows no bounds. what a joy to remember that He first loved me and calls me His own and has made me an heir to His kingdom and that His kingdom will know no end. What a joy to remember that His mercies are new every morning and that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. What a joy to know that He is coming soon.

Who would ever want to forget theses things. Lord Jesus, help me to never forget. Thank you for your love and your faithfulness. To You be all glory, honor and praise, AMEN!!

Main Topic~GOD!

2011-01-02T15:37:00.004-07:00

Habakkuk 3:1-6

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.
2 LORD, I have heard of your fame;
I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD.
Repeat them in our day,
in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.

What a way to start a prayer~acknowledging His fame, acknowledging that He is the topic of all our praise as we stand back in awe and wonder of who He is. Lest we forget, God make Yourself know and remind us by all means necessary. Wow!

3 God came from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran.
His glory covered the heavens
and his praise filled the earth.

His Praise! God is the topic, the main point of our praise. What else is there to boast about, surely nothing in me except my weaknesses, as Paul says, that once again really boast of the Lord's strength. He IS the topic of the Praise of our lips.

4 His splendor was like the sunrise;
rays flashed from his hand,
where his power was hidden.

What a picture of magnificence. Rays flashing from His hands as the glory of the Lord rises among us like a brilliant sunrise coming out of nowhere, hidden no more. FLASH~BANG! There He is!!

5 Plague went before him;
pestilence followed his steps.
6 He stood, and shook the earth;
he looked, and made the nations tremble.

I'm trying to imagine how a mere look, a mere glance in my direction from the Lord can cause the nations to tremble. Who is this God? How Mighty is His name! Who is there in Heaven, but You, Oh Lord? Where can I go that you will not see me, where can I hide?...No where! You are there! Who is this King of Glory? God Almighty is the topic of my praise!!

The ancient mountains crumbled
and the age-old hills collapsed—
but he marches on forever.

Oh Lord, Heaven and earth may pass away, but the name of the Lord marches on forever. He will not fade away. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Yet my prayer and hope is that in my life, and the lives of all of you, day after day, He would grow brighter in our eyes and that we would grow in knowledge and understanding and most of all, awe of Him. May God be the topic of our praise. May God be on our lips. May His goodness be evident and march on though this world wastes away. May God be the topic of all praise. GOD BE PRAISED! I can't say it enough. God be praised!

Hebrews 12

2010-12-21T10:40:00.002-07:00

I am considering Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that I will not grow weary. I am remembering the man who endured the cross because of the joy set before Him. Seriously, I have not even resisted to the point of shedding my blood in my struggle against sin.

I have been called back to Hebrews 12 repeatedly over the past few months. It seems that so many of my personal struggles against sin and my desire to live a life of Joy are summed up and addressed in this chapter. All scripture is useful for teaching, correcting and guiding me, but the Lord keeps bringing me back to this section. I could chew on it all day. Maybe part of my problem is that in actuality I don't chew on this section all day and so easily forget all that it says as I go through certain days and certain situations. But, the Lord in His mercy keeps calling me back, keeps molding me and shaping me. Thank you Lord for not growing weary of me.

I think it is easy for me to discern incorrectly certain struggles in my life and think I am suffering for Christ when in fact, I am suffering because of pride and selfishness. That is not the kind of suffering that produces the joy set before me. My prayer is that those struggles would be crucified daily and taken captive and crushed into obedience to Christ. I pray that my suffering would be the struggles that result from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being obedient to his call.

It is here where I must remind anyone that reads this that I am not a prolific writer or expounder of the Word. I simply know what the Spirit reveals to me, or I am taught by those who know it well. I do not claim to be a Bible scholar, just a lover of the Lord and His Word in my life.

I pray that each of us would chew on His Word, love God, love others and serve in obedience out of the love and grace that God has poured out onto us through His son Jesus Christ. This is my prayer; these are the cries of my heart. These are the things I pray for in my life and for you the one that reads this.

KOEHNE'S CORNER

2010-12-01T10:35:00.004-07:00

I think that today is the day of me getting to share all the wonderful pieces that other people write that inspire me and hopefully will bless you too. Among one of them is my dear husband who simply writes a blurb each week at the High School he works at. I really enjoyed what he said this week, so I would like to share that with you....And as I say "you" I do wonder who "you"are, let me know. Regardless, be blessed this day as I have been.

Here it is. . . . . .

KOEHNE’S CORNER
Advent is here. A time of preparation, but what are we preparing for? A lot of our time is spent preparing for a concert, or a party, or buying gifts for friends and family. I wonder what Mary’s time of preparation was like? What we know is that Mary’s response to the angels was “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38) Will we have this same attitude as we prepare? Will we take the time to be the Lord’s servant when it feels like there is so much to be done? I hope this Advent is a time for all of us to be able to focus on the coming Christ and the opportunities that we have to be like Mary and say, I am the Lord’s servant. ~Bob Koehne

Some Food for your Life

2010-12-01T10:10:00.004-07:00

I read my dear friends devotions each day that she sends them. Today spoke to me deeply as I was in the midst of doing my own Bible study dealing with loneliness and the Apostle Paul was one of the followers we learned from. I learned how Paul dealt with the possibility of loneliness, being imprisoned and isolated in that cold damp prison. He even wrote to Timothy wanting him to come and visit. Yet even in that loneliness Paul ran to His Father, He sought comfort and safety in His Lord, Jesus Christ.

That is really all I have to say, the rest I wanted to share with you through my friends blog. Enjoy. May theses words bless you today where ever you are at and remind you of what a great and faithful Lord we have.

http://robinsfoodforlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/despair-hope-and-prayer.html

Status Update

2010-11-28T18:39:00.003-07:00

I will be the first to admit that I kinda have a deep fascination (some may say an addiction) to Facebook. I love to stay connected and I love to see what my friends near and far are up to. Yes, sometimes it's a little much, but I enjoy the positive inspiration, the prayer requests and scriptures that several of my friends share. And I enjoy the funny banter that we exchange between friends.

But there is that side of me that struggles with the easiness of it all. I wrote my friend an actual email the other day. Even though I got her updates and photos, I realized that it had been a while since we talked or even wrote to each other. I told her that she was worth so much more that a status update to me.

I am so thankful that our Lord who calls us friends, see us as more than a quick status quote or daily update. I'm so glad that I mean so much more to Him than that. I pray that God allows me to be more than a one liner in the busy lives of my friends, family and neighbors.

I'm so thankful for His word that blows the top off the status box. I love His word for His word is life. His word is Salvation for all who believe.

So each time I am on Facebook, I pray to remember that these Facebook friends are more than that, they are God's beloved and He desires that we all come to a saving knowledge of Him through Jesus Christ.

I pray that Facebook, yes even Facebook, would be a means by which people will see our light and give glory to God in heaven.

One of the last Facebook statuses I put up said this... ‎

"Facebook is proof that we DO have time to pray"~John Piper

Lord, help us to be more than an update in the lives of those we love and help us to be more than a one liner in the lives of people who desperately need our time, our ear, our hearts and our hands reaching out to them. Amen!!

Happy Thanksgiving~Happy Day

2010-11-25T19:55:00.003-07:00

A friend share today in her daily email devotions what she was thankful for and then asked what we were thankful for. This is what I said.........

Sometimes I feel like it may seem that I am a bit cliche' but really, I am so thankful for a Savior that has redeemed mankind and draws us unto Himself. What else matters. I am thankful that our God who knew us before creation, who knew that we would turn our backs on Him, still loved us enough to create us, knowing full well He would have to redeem us by His own shed blood. It blows my mind.

I am thankful that he allows us to worship Him, serve Him, love others and share His story. I am thankful for my family, my friends, opportunities to love and be the hands of Christ to others. I am thankful that God forgives me in the name of Jesus because as much as I am thankful for all this, I fail at it so miserably. Yet, He still loves me.

He still loves us. Wow, I am thankful! So I give thanks with a grateful heart to the Holy One, because He HAS given Jesus Christ, His Son. I am strong and I am rich because of what the LORD has done. I give thanks!!

Maybe not my most eloquent note, but simply stated, I am thankful to God for it all.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Day that points us one day closer to celebrating the birth of our Savior which points us one day closer to celebrating His resurrection. I'm thankful that we walk each day in the celebration of that day. Death has been defeated. Thank you Jesus!

Dare 2 Share

2010-11-17T14:26:00.003-07:00

I have so much to write about, I just don't know where to begin, so until I get it all straight, I'm just going to say. . . .I can't wait to go to the Dare 2 Share Conference in Denver. I have been given the great opportunity and entrusted with four (one is my own daughter) amazing kids from our church.

I pray that the Lord sees us safely to and fro. I pray that the kids (and myslef) are motivated, encouraged and suppoerted to be unashamed in sharing their faith. I pray that the Spirit of God moves us all in ways that are evident to the world so that others are impacted by our faith in Christ and begin to see the truth of the Gospel of Salvation.

I pray that we all fall crazy in love with the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

Dare 2 Share, Dare 2 Pray

Pray for us.

http://www.dare2share.org/thecause/

God's Encouragement to me this day

2010-11-01T09:54:00.004-07:00

. . . my thought of the day as the Lord speaks to me through His Holy Word. . . "Mia, Don't try and be somebody that your not, cause there is already somebody filling that spot-don't be a greedy "somebody" snatcher-God has ordained you to your "own body" for HIS body. You are crafted by the hand of God to do specific work for His glory. Mia, go reach the people for the Gospel that no one else will, the people that God has placed for you to reach. If you don't, then who, If not now, then when? They might be different people than your friend or neighbor will reach. It's all for His glory. . . One body. . . MANY parts . . . One Lord. . . One Mission. . . . Saving Souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! . . . .

Feel free to insert your own name. God be Praised!!

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner~Lamentations 2:19

Keep Us Forgiving

2010-10-25T11:19:00.006-07:00

This past weekend, I was the guest speaker at a Lutheran Women in Missions Fall Rally. I was given 40 minutes to speak and used every last one of them. When I finished speaking, I looked at the timer and it said 1 second. The 40 minutes were packed with scripture, personal testimony, and lessons to learn and encourage us as we desire to live lives of worship. I had my speech written out as a guide, but knew it well enough that I was not tied to it; some things were added and some things were left out as the Lord lead me.

The one thing that struck me this day was one of the thoughts that I spoke passionately and with conviction that the Lord brought out of my mouth. They were words that I had not written down and words that I had not even thought about as I prepared, but they were words that are ministering to me this day and hopefully to anyone that the Lord put there to hear them.

What I said, when talking about releasing bitterness and un-forgiveness that we harbor, was this. . . "Ladies forgive, It could change someones life, It changed mine!"

My main viewpoint in un-forgiveness that day was the need for us to be obedient and to show grace as God has shown us, but the turn it took at that moment was the effect that our forgiveness to others can impact their life. This hits me tenderly and deeply, because my life would look very different today if people, if my family, if my husband, if my children had not forgiven me for what I had done to them.

My life is different this day because of what Christ did once and for all and because others followed his call to forgive.

If you (if I) have people, that to this day, we are separated from because of un-forgiveness that we have refused to show them, lets start following the example of Jesus Christ and forgive. It can and will change someone life. If not theirs. . .then ours.

Luke 11:2-4

"When you pray, say,
Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil." The Message

My Proper Place

2010-10-20T08:42:00.004-07:00

This was my prayer today. . ."God, put me in my proper place so that I have a proper and right perspective of how You want me to view things."

How often do I ask to be "put in my place?". Most the time "putting someone in their place" takes on a negative connotation; it's like knocking them down a few pegs, forced humility of the sorts.

But lately (and often) I have been asking this of God for myself. When I get out of place and follow my desires and my own will, my view tends to get obscured. I can very easily rationalize why what I am doing would be for the good, but I have a blocked view of what God is calling me to when I do this. I'm viewing the prize from the wrong angle. God can not be fooled, God will not be mocked, God knows my heart and my motives.

How often I recite Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

And how lovely it is when He searches my heart and leads me back into his will. Quickly and swiftly He straightens out my motives and my desires, and takes away my anxious thoughts. He plucks me out and leads me in His way everlasting. Daily. . . . daily crucified. . . . daily.

Because of what Jesus Christ did on the crossed, because He allowed the Father to put him in his proper placed, because he humbled himself on the cross and had the perfect view of OUR sin, because he took it all on, conquered death and rose from it, I. . .WE are redeemed when we put our faith and trust in Him. He made us holy, sanctified, justified and righteous. He became sin, He who didn't even sin, EVER. He knew no sin so that we could become His righteousness. Thank You Jesus.

Oswald Chambers writes "Receive Jesus to be made sanctification to you in implicit faith, and the great marvel of the Atonement of Jesus will be made real in you. All that Jesus made possible is made mine by the free loving gift of God on the ground of what He performed, my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound humble holiness......The effect in me is obedience and service and prayer and is the outcome of SPEECHLESS THANKS and adoration for the marvelous sanctification wrought out in me because of the Atonement."

Believe in Him this day for the salvation of your soul. May we all be put in our proper place, standing clothed in the righteousness of Christ, loved and adored by the Father, received into life everlasting!!

Mmmmm, thank You Lord.

Curly Toes

2010-10-10T15:38:00.012-07:00

One of my nick names when I was young was "Curly Toes" because I had curly toes. They weren't long and straight, they were just cute little baby toes. I am resigned to the fact that my feet are not one of my greatest beauty assets and I'm ok with that.

Now as my daughter comes into her teen years, she increasingly says (as she did a minute ago, which prompted me to document this) that she wishes she had prettier feet. Yes, she inherited my feet! What she said to me this day is "Mom I wish I had beautiful feet." So with that I simply said "You know the Bible says 'How lovely are the feet of those who bring Good News, so if you want beautiful feet, Go tell someone about Christ and the promise of forgiveness"

With that she responded "ok, but how come your feet aren't beautiful yet?" She always makes me laugh!

What is our definition of beauty, Aren't the beautiful feet those that are worn from walking it out for Christ. Aren't the beautiful faces those that are carried with wrinkles from the years of smiles that they shared. . . . our hands, rough from the years of service. . . . . and our hearts so full from the joy that God fills us with until that last moment when they cease to beat and we are instantly in the presence of God . . . .

Yes, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" ~Isaiah 52:7

When I look at this picture of Mother Theresa, I pray that same beauty upon myself and to you.
I had the opportunity to serve at Mother Theresa's Home for the Sick and Dying in Port Au Prince, Haiti. There are no words to express it and no cameras allowed inside to capture it, but as a dear friend told me "The people who come here, do not come to die, they come to live" Those words made it possible for me to enter, to serve and to have engraved in my heart beautiful tears of life.

Peace Out! I'm off to do a beauty check!

My Mom's Hot Pursuit!

2010-09-29T14:16:00.003-07:00

Before I posted this, I asked my mother for permission. More moving to me than the writing of this is my mothers response. . . oh, and the printing of her response, I did NOT ask for permission for. . . . think I will ask for forgiveness later:) Please read her response following the written piece. My portion may not be very eloquent for I had actually written this in my private diary, but I felt compelled to share it with you. . .Strong language is alluded to (well for me it is).

"......You didn't grow under my heart, but in it. . . ."

I was adopted and my mom loved me with an everlasting love.

My mom pursued me to Christ, prayed me to a right walk with Him, yet her pursuit of me is nothing compared to the pursuit that Jesus has for my soul.

I remember when I was a teenager, making some really poor choices. I always thought that my mom was nuts, crazy; I didn't get it. She was on pursuit. I had the ability to bring out parts of my mom that no one could have ever imagined. My mother was disgusted with sin. Sin brought out in her a holy anger, propelled by the mandate to raise her children in the way they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it. She was a lioness, protecting her cubs. I just didn't get it.

I didn't get why she cared where I was, who I was with, what I was doing, who I was "messing" around with. She just bothered me and got in my way.

I remember one day vividly, like it was yesterday, thank God it wasn't. I was up at my High School, my Christian High School, hanging out with my boyfriend, who by the way was a drug dealing gang member who thought it was ok to hit me. I know, I was classy and had high standards. Well, my mom came marching across the field this day and went head to head with him and said "YOU WILL NOT F*!# MY DAUGHTER!!" She then grabbed my arm and marched me, a junior in high school, home. I have to note that the only time I ever heard my mom use the F word was in dealing with me and the outright visible sinful lifestyle that I led. Nothing else got her riled up like my sin.

At that point, after my mom just verbally declared a battle for my life, all I was was thinking (and probably saying) was how embarrassed I was, how dare she come up to MY school and talk that way to MY BOYFRIEND. Plus she didn't even say it right, she is so uncool. I know there were giggles and laughter at this lady marching across the field like that, but had I known (with eyes that see) at the time what was driving her, I probably would have backed off. She was driven by something greater than herself, fully armed with the love, driven by the word of God and the Holy Spirit was paving the way.

I still to this day don't think she knew who she was going to bat with, but it didn't matter. I was her child, she was called to protect me, be wisdom for me, love me to Christ and raise me in the ways of the Lord so that when I got older, I would not depart from it. My mom, my "crazy" little mom, who wouldn't let me be. Man, I love her.

So the battle didn't end there. Many more times, I strayed. It took another 15 years after that for me to grasp the reality of who I am in Christ, where my identity lies, and that God's passion for me to walk in His ways isn't just a cute phrase, but a desire that drives Him, who created me, to pursue me unrelentingly every day to the point of sacrificing His own son, Jesus. If I thought my mom was relentless, Man oh man, she doesn't come close to the love and relentless pursuit God has on my life.

This life is not about me and what makes me happy and comfortable, this life is serious, it is the beginning of eternity. My eyes are on eternal things. And how awesome that in those eternal things, God grants a deep Joy in walking it out. God has a great command and commission. We are to go, teach, reach, and love people for Christ's sake. It's not a game. This life is serious, this walk is serious, it is eternity, life or death.

So as I now stand in my mother's shoes' raising three children, (ok, she had seven and sometimes more depending on the foster kids) I remember that pursuit. Nobody messes with my kids. It's enough that Satan is out to lie to them, steal from them and destroy their relationship with Christ. He's NOT messing around and neither am I!!

Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross, so that we all could be restored into a right relationship with the Father and be given freely the gift of eternal life. Thank you for faith in Jesus Christ and Christ alone. Thank You for Your word, God, Your true Word. You are God alone. Thank you for Your Spirit that guides. Thank You God!

MY MOM'S RESPONSE WHEN I ASKED HER FOR PERMISSION TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC. SHE IS AMAZING!

Oh, Mia ... whew! ... yes, I did know who I was going to bat with, it was the Evil One ... and if he won with you, it was going to be over my dead body. My small bible has all kinds of verses circled ... lots of markings ... from those days when I needed His comfort, wisdom, and strength from above. I felt such failure, that I had failed Him and failed you. I poured out my heart to God, for you - because I knew He loved you even more. And I loved you with all my heart. I definitely was not concerned with my popularity! I wanted to be loved by you, but if that was not to be in those years, it was not so important to me. I loved you unconditionally - and "through it all" - but that would have been hard for you to understand at that time in your life.

(I knew what we had promised God, at your baptism, and long before that. You were an incredible gift from God, dropped into our family circle like a little miracle. We weren't sure how long you were staying, but in about 2 hrs we knew we wanted it to be forever. In fact, Julie wrote a note and put it on my pillow the evening of your first day with us - saying "Mom, can she please stay with us forever and ever???" )

Until you lay me in my grave, I will forever be amazed at God's remarkable redemption and HIS unconditional love. Dad and I are thankful forever for what He did to turn your life around. He was the one 'who would not let you go"!! Then I will be in heaven praising Him forever for bountiful blessings and tender mercies beyond belief.

I don't think about those troubled days very often - I really don't care to go there as 'the slate is wiped clean', praise God. Often Dad and I will marvel at the joy you have brought us, and the blessing you are as a godly wife and mother ... loving Bob and being wonderfully loved by him, and raising 3 precious gifts from God 'in the way they should go'. No wonder you can write your music, over and over pouring out your praises to our Awesome God.

Yes, you may do with your blog what you wish. I have no secrets from my Lord, or any one else, and what others might think of any of this, it simply doesn't matter to me. You not only write wonderful music, Mia, you also have the gift of writing (and speaking) from your heart of love and thanksgiving, to reach and help others in their walk towards eternity. I really have to find another word for my vocabulary besides AMAZED !!!

Mercy

2010-09-27T09:08:00.007-07:00

I stand here this day thinking to myself, "I know God is real." So many ways He has revealed himself to me and to this world, but this day in my heart I giggle in a joyful response to His mercy over me.

Today as of 9am, I have swept the floors, wiped out a few toilets, started the laundry, emptied and loaded the dishwasher, made the lunches, begun to prepare in my mind what I will make for dinner, vacuumed the rugs, brushed the dog, gone for my walk, did my crunches and push ups, Praised the Lord, talked to my Savior, practiced my memory verses and a few other daily things that I do. Yet, it was during the time of sweeping the floors that I became overwhelmed at what an amazing life I have.

I am so honored and humbled to be Mr. Koehne's wife and the mother of his children. I am so honored to sweep the floors and clean this house (that is a miracle that we could even buy) so that when they return they have a place to relax and call home. I am so honored to cook for my husband after he has had a long day at work. I thought to myself, "It just doesn't get any better than this."

I think abut the life I have lived. A greater percentage of my life was lived for me as evidenced by many of the choices I had made(Thank You Lord for Your mercy!) I think about the the things in my past that I saw as priorities that were so far from God's priorities for me in my life. I think about the fact that I am so undeserving of all that I have been given eternally and temporarily. BUT GOD. . . WOW! He has given me so much more than I or any of us deserve. Through His son, Jesus, sacrificing His own life so that we could be forgiven, loved, redeemed and given eternal life. . . . .WOW!

Because of what Jesus did on the cross and then in the grave, being raised from death, I now walk in grace, I now serve in humility, I now find joy in cleaning, cooking, scrubbing toilets for the glory of God in this ministry to my family.

No, it just doesn't get any better for me.

Colossians 3:23-24~Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Being Blown Away

2010-09-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

My 14 year old daughter, my precious little girl, has been attending a girls Bible study that she found out about and joined without any parental promptings. . .THANK YOU LORD!

Yesterday she said, "Mom, Bible study was so great, we studied John 1." I said, "Did you talk about in the beginning was the word?" And she proceeded to tell me they had and how she was trying to get it in her brain and understand that God always was and wasn't created. She was having glorious trouble grasping this. I validated her struggle with my own. The times when I sit and try to grasp the thought that He always was, no beginning and no end, it's then that my mind starts to hurt and I feel like it will explode. I told her that no mind can conceive it all.

So, we just smiled and marveled together at the beautiful complexity and the mind blowing simplicity of it all. God IS. To rest in that soothes my soul, my mind, and reminds me that THIS God, the one true God, who was there always, has got and has fully grasped little old me in His mind.

We are more precious to Him than rubies, rare rubies who have a greater earthly value in their imperfections and when hit with the proper light source in just the right way, these flaws add value. So, my God, who is my source of light shines on my imperfections and makes me glorious in His eyes.

I praise this Mind blowing God. Blow us away today Lord, Blow us away!

In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.
John 1:1

Beautiful in Haiti

2010-09-08T11:45:00.005-07:00

Mia & Rachel in Haiti 2009

I am moved to the point of tears this morning as God allowed me to pray with and for one of my dearest friends, Rachel, as she counts down the hours until she moves to Haiti. Yes, we are across the country from each other, but thinking of her in another country is a whole different kind of "missin" of her that I will do.

What fills me now is the hope, the expectant hope of what is to come. I know that God has amazing things in store as she goes to literally be His hands and feet.

I love her so and I love that the Lord joins us with people to walk this life with and then sends us out to do life with and for others. What an amazing God we have.

Please check out her blog, support her and the ministry in prayer, and if so moved support her financially. http://livinghaiti.blogspot.com/

Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Busted!

2010-09-01T23:16:00.004-07:00

This is the change that I took from the store yesterday by accident. It was in the coin dispenser with my change. I think the person before me forgot to take it.

By the time I realized I had to much change, I was at my car and didn't really feel like turning back, but I knew I should have.

Well, short story made long, I felt so guilty this morning that I had to take it back to the store today. So glad I did. I know that .60 cents doesn't seem like a lot, but 60 vs. being a disobedient child of God when He clearly tells you this is not yours is so not worth it. I don't like guilt. I like truth!

I tried to rationalize the extra change as a "blessing" from God, but He wasn't having that. I tried to tell him, I will give it as an offering. He wasn't going for that either. I told Him, I would return it and so I did!

My basic motive is this. I don't want anything that the Lord does not want me to have. If it's not from Him, I don't want it. And I really don't think He wanted what I clearly knew wasn't mine to be given in his offering plate. I find it funny how easily I can rationalize what I have even when I know it's not mine. And before God too, like He can't see through me!

There are many things in our lives, even little things that don't seem like a big deal, BUT to God they mean everything. The little habits that we think no one will notice. The things we hold onto even though we know God sees. Practices in our lives that might not necessarily be bad, but just not what the Lord wants for us. The spare change things in our life that God simply wants us to return and be rid of even if no one notices.

Lord, thank you for being a God of 200,000,000 chances. You forgive so freely, You speak so clearly, You instruct, curb and guide so fairly. Help us to follow you and listen to you as we walk though this life, making mistakes, but knowing that you are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Thank you Lord for dealing with me. I love you.

Spitting Chunks (I'm very classy today)

2010-08-20T10:49:00.003-07:00

I am NOT a Bible scholar, a great Biblical teacher, BUT I love the Lord and I LOOOOVE His word. I am a theologian. I study it, I chew on it, I soak it up, I meditate on it, I listen to it, I hear it, I speak it and I crave it. I simply love His word. It is life to me. I wish I had it all memorized, every word of it buried in my heart to spew out at any moment. Until then, I chew on the parts before me and spit those chunks out (my apologies for the eloquent visuals today).

I was sitting here this past moment rejoicing at a call to prayer I received and immediately His words from Chronicles came jumping out of my heart, only I had one word wrong as I recited it in prayer. I said "When", but the bible said "if".

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

What an amazing word from God, what a great promise He makes to us. I began to think about the difference between "When my people" and "If my people" pray means. I'll tell you right now, I have no answer, at least not one that I can intelligently express. But the word when, would say to me "I know you are gonna do this, it's just a matter of time" and the word if, says to me "You know, it's up to you. You can continue in your ways and I'll hand you over, BUT if you choose to ask me for help and stop doing what your doing, I have great things in store."

What are your thoughts? I'm just chewing for the rest of the day. I'm gonna chew on His words, even the little ones! God, open the flood gates and let your word rain on down. Speak to us Lord!!!!

Dirty Toilets

2010-08-15T08:22:00.005-07:00

Oh Facebook. . . I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. I love that I can keep in contact with so many friends. I love seeing the pictures, catching up and knowing what's going on. But the time it takes to "keep up" with my 247 friends (and a few still pending) takes a lot of time. Yet, I find my self drawn to read their updates, post of few of my own and encourage a few along the way.

A recent post of a friend begged the question of why are there so many nooks at the bottom of the toilet and wondered what company thought we really wanted to scrub down there. Good point! How many times have we all strained our backs trying to get all the crud out.

Well, my response was this. . . "I think the Lord designed it to get us on our knees. So while I'm down there I'm reminded of my posture before an Almighty God. However in glory, I hope I'm not scrubbing nooks. But, in the meantime take it as a reminder to go before the Lord on your knees with all the crud in your life and when you rise up remember how shinny and clean you are before the Lord"

I truly find no joy in scrubbing and cleaning toilets, but for me there is nothing like getting the job done, stepping back and looking at a clean sparkling bathroom, even if it only lasts for about 2 minutes.

And there is nothing better than falling before the Lord, literally on my knees face down pouring out my soul to him, knowing that each time that I rise before the Lord, I stand forgiven. I stand forgiven even before I fall down, but the joy of rising new each day, each moment is sometimes so overwhelming to me.

I'm reminded again of David in 2 Samuel 7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said. . ."Who am I, o Sovereign Lord, and what is my family that you have brought me this far. . . Is this Your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?

What I love so deeply about that is the translation of the word sat. It is a sitting, a sort of falling back in wonder and amazement. It is a posture of awe and wonder at what an Amazing, God we have.

May we take that posture not only in our heart and minds, but in our physical body also. May we fall face down before the One True Almighty God. May we sit back in wonder and awe at how our Lord deals with us. He is God, He is Lord, He is Worthy of all that we can offer because of all that He first offered us.

I love to simply pour out all that He has poured into me to begin with. Pour it out brothers and sister. . .

This is my prayer in the harvest
Where favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow~Brooke Fraser

Joyful Obedience

2010-07-27T14:54:00.002-07:00

I am a big advocate for obedience. I firmly believe that there are many situations in our life that simply require it. Instances when we don't feel like a doing a particular thing or feel any joy in the matter demand it. Joy is a by-product of obedience, a perk of sorts. It can be said without a doubt that I would not be married today if it were not for obedience in the midst of great pain. Through the obedience came great joy, love and thankfulness at what God can do in our lives.

This brings me to what the Lord has been working on in my life. I haven't written publicly for a while. Since I last wrote, I have traveled cross the country and back, stood by and prayed (more like poured out my heart) for my sister in the final days of her battle with cancer before she went on to live with Jesus. I have watched her husband mourn his great loss and the temporary separation from his best friend. I have stood beside four girls whose hearts have been ripped apart at at the loss of their mother. I watched my parents mourn the loss of their daughter and their second child who now stands in glory, cried with my brothers and sisters, my children, friends, and so many others who loved my sister. Basically a piece of my heart was torn out and I miss her.

The stages of grief are real. Lately I simply questioned everything. I questioned the importance of doing anything here on earth cause what does it matter if we are just going to die at any moment. I felt like everything I was doing didn't matter. I lost my motivation to do anything, even good things. It's that morbid sense of reality and a reality that sadly some people go through everyday of their life. To know Jesus gives me the hope that this stage will pass and HAS passed and I continue to stand on what God has done and has called us to.

This past week we visited a different church, but I felt the need to make sure I went to my regular church also that day. I knew God had something for me. And He did. To sit there and here the Pastor say in His message that "Our prayer is for clarity for why we are doing what we are doing" and then to hear him say "What you do matters" was a message from the Lord for me and I'm sure for many others that day. I would like to think it's all about me but. . . . .

Last night I was able to go to a mini seminar on "Two kinds of Righteousness." There was the vertical righteousness (between me and God) and the horizontal (earthly). The vertical Righteousness in my life is sure. I stand before God, covered by my Lord and Saviour Jesus. Because of what Christ did on the cross and through His resurrection I stand before God blameless, clean and full of right-ness. It's that horizontal righteousness that brings me back to obedience. Knowing full well that my horizontal righteousness, what makes me right in the eyes of the world, plays NO part in my eternal salvation, there are still commands that I long to follow, a walk I desire to keep, a hunger to love and serve as Jesus did.

The "good deeds" that we do on this side of heaven earn me NO points or salvation, but they testify to our Lord and Savior and bring glory to Him. The speaker last night touched a little on motivation. What is my motivation for doing these good things here on earth. Yes, we want our motivations to be pure, but as the speaker said we really need to look back on obedience. He stated that if we are constantly checking our motivations we tend to draw more on I and less on Him. There is a balance. I think the reason why this resonated so deeply in me is because I know that there is nothing good in me (without Christ). My heart is dark, my flesh is weak, I walk in constant need of Him. I daily have to check myself as to why am I doing what I do. The battle with my flesh side never ends. I am prideful, I look for glory, I complain, I am never satisfied and the list goes on.

Because my motivations tend to be on myself, I have to die daily to live for Him. So I choose not to follow my heart, my heart leads me astray. I choose to follow the heart of God through obedience. Joy will come, Joy HAS come. The joy that I receive for doing what I do out of obedience overflows. I just know that if I were to follow my heart and my motivations I would be lost. I love the law as it guides me. It does not restrict me, but frees me to walk with clarity and His grace, alone, saves me.

So I continue to answer the call of God on my life with the help of the Holy Spirit. I literally can't do it myself. "When I function the way God intended, I function as fully human doing what God intended. The law fades and I simply do what God intended. The law is simply the will of God for His creation." Dr. Joel Biermann.

The flesh is not pointless. God created the flesh to be perfect. He created us in His image. It's that stinkin' separation and the creeping in (more like slam dunked in) of sin that messed it all up. God intended was for us to live in this flesh, so what I do in this flesh matters. It matters to those in this world that don't know Him. My vertical righteousness that spills over into my horizontal righteousness testifies to people, so it matters. My flesh walk matters to God.

Oh Lord Your beautiful
Your face is all I see
and when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

I want to take Your word and shine it all around
First help me just live it Lord.
And when I'm doing well help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is bringing glory to You Jesus Culture

Weak Sauce

2010-04-29T10:47:00.002-07:00

My children have this saying "weak sauce". I don't really get it or fully understand it and that is probably a good thing. I'll just go with my limited understanding of something being weak, lame or insufficient.

As I meditated on this verse today with my sister from Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen, I found that I go before the Lord with little prayers. Sometimes even half believing that He will even answer them the way that I hope in Him too. I have had "weak sauce" prayers.

My prayers in faith, God says that He can do more. He can do more than I can imagine to even ask for. Wow, how glorious that must be. How amazing to have His spirit interceding on our behalf. This truth was spoken by Paul in the book of Ephesians just after he, Paul lifted up and amazing prayer to the Father for God's people. One of the most beautiful prayers and this prayer was not even touching the greatness of what God has to offer.

In awe of God, I kneel before Him in prayer, knowing fully that he hears my cries, and wraps them into the cries of the Spirit who prays for me. I never know sometimes how theologically correct I am, but I do know, I have a God that is able and willing to do more than I could ever ask and my weak sauce prayers are beautiful music to His ears as they are lifted up in the faith that He first gave me.

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayers. And Your mercy is great!

Life

2010-04-26T15:13:00.001-07:00

I need to do a reality check. . . I am in Chicago, IL. In the past week, I have been in three different states. Yesterday after church, I asked my friend what time it was at my sisters house. Needless to say I was 10 miles from her house.

This morning was my first day with her. Julie is on year three of fighting cancer and now needs 24 hour companionship. I count it a blessing to be able to spend the daytime hours with her, praying with her, talking, and giggling with her. Most of our conversation go to us talking about how great and faithful our Lord is. That's the foundation. That's what it is all about.

This morning as I began our devotions and prayed for the Lord's blessings, I was reminded that His Word is Life. As I thanked the Lord for His word, the tears flowed. Not tears of sadness, but tears of knowing that His Word is Life. Life that leads to salvation. He has given us life in Him, eternally. When you sit with someone and pray for healing and you look into the future which could include leaving this side of heaven, you chew on the word, LIFE. His word is Life. It is what we are about. It is what we breath. I have never wanted Life so bad. I want it so badly for my sister.

My sister has life and life abundant. As I sit with her the only thing that she wants to breath is the word. In and out it flows. My frail bodied sister breaths LIFE. My sister is living Life and living it abundantly.

I love my sister so much. I praise God for her life and how she ministers to me. How she testifies of God's greatness, faithfulness, His strength. How she believes and does not doubt that He is fully able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. My sister ROCKS!!

Thank you God for your Word. Your word is life, Your word is life unto salvation. Thank You Jesus!

Body Parts

2010-04-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

As I was reading in I Corinthians today it stuck me, it again amazed me at how wonderful it is that we are all made differently. We all have different gifts. As the body of Christ, we move and function together, each doing our part, each given by God a different function. We all have different gifts and different passions.

I Corinthians 12:7-11 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

So many times we look at others and say "I want that gift, their gift is so much cooler than mine and everyone can see their gift." How much time is wasted when we watch others using their gifts and not acknowledging our own. We loose out on being the most wonderful instrument of peace that God intended for us to be. If we don't start living the specific life that God called us to live, who will? I can't live out your calling and no one can live out my calling.

I Corinthians 12:15~If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not FOR THAT REASON cease to be part of the body.

Because we do not acknowledge our function in the body of Christ, that does not change the fact that we have received a calling or that we have received a gift. It simply means that we are not living up to the potential that God intended for us, His church and His people.

Now I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste time pretending like I am an ear when I am not. I don't want to act as if because I am not an elbow in the church that I don't belong. The part that I am, I want to be a be FULLY. I just want to acknowledge who Christ made me and be the most wonderful, spirit filled me possible. No matter what part we are, as called Christians, we all have the Spirit of God dwelling with in us. Now that is a gift that we can not deny.

"Oh Praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead"

What's In a Name?

2010-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Band Names. I came across a blog offering up band names. I really liked some of these. Looking for a new band name out here in the AZ.

Temple Outcasts (in the book of John)

Ora Software (ora being Latin for Pray)

Any thoughts?

God is Good

2010-04-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Things that I know today. I know that God is Good. I know that He is Faithful. I know that He does not change and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

But today I find it hard to sing these words "God is Faithful". Today I just want them to be in my heart. Today I want to remember that I know this to be true. Today these truths are going to be words that minister quietly to my soul.

This is the hymn that we sang at the close of my brothers funeral so many years ago. This is the song that my sister sings each day as she stands in need of a miracle. This is the song that I now sing too, praying for a miracle for her. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow

"Lord Jesus who dost love me, Oh spread Thy wings above me, And shield me from alarm. Though evil would assail me, Thy mercy will not fail me. I rest in Thy protecting arms." ~Paul Gerhardt

I'm Just sayin'. . . . . .

2010-04-08T01:13:00.000-07:00

So part of me (and all of my family) laughs at the things I say. Sometimes I can't believe the things that come out of my mouth. Lately my new catch phrase has been "I'm not judging, I'm just saying. . . . ". I have coined a new way to put a disclaimer on all of my ridiculous judgmental statements that I make. My husband likes to remind me that if I have to start the statement out like that there is a strong chance that I am doing exactly what I'm claiming not to do. I would like to credit this to him as wisdom, but this one is a no-brainer.

How many times do I get into the habit of judging others, comparing myself to them, finding their faults in all they do. Shame on me. How many times does the Lord have to remind me to look at the plank in my own eye. And yes, I have been known to ask him to remove it in order that I might be able to see others specks more clearly in order to "help them". I'm a sad case. But I am a perfect example of why the Lord tells me to pick up MY cross daily (not others) and die to myself on a daily basis. When days, weeks or sadly months go by without a self crucifixion, I find myself in a place of saying "Lord, how did I get here and how do you continually deal with me?"

Thankfully, so thankfully, I am reminded each day and especially this past week of how he deals with my failure. He dealt with them on the cross. He dealt His blood for my life. He sacrificed everything to allow me to walk in Victory to be covered by forgiveness and grace. Not only for me, but for EVERYONE!

So what does He require of me?
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

When ever I see a verse where the Lord is asking me to do something, I always try and picture what that looks like in my life. Acting justly and loving mercy looks different in different people. The Lord desires these same things in all of His followers, we just all look different walking it out. So I'm going to go walk my walk and die daily along the way. Won't you walk your walk to?

To Love - II Corinthians 12:15

2010-02-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

I have felt so compelled lately to love people. Is this some new revelation? No, but a calling to rededicate myself to the command that Jesus gave. "A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:31. He said it repeatedly, love one another. I want to spend less time thinking about doing things and then maybe doing some of them and more time letting my heart be transformed into the heart of Jesus and being unable to not love others the way they need to be loved.

II Corinthians 12:15 "So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expand myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?" When Paul wrote this, I don't believe that he was looking for love in return, but to love as Jesus commanded. Oswald Chambers comments that "Natural love expects some return" This is why I hunger to abandon my natural love and take on and be covered with the love of Jesus. How I want so deeply to love people the way that God has loved me, the way that my husband has loved and sacrificed for me, the way that they need to be loved.

To really love is hard, it calls us to look beyond what we feel, beyond our selves, past what we think is best and it calls us to be unlike us and more like Him. It calls us to fight everything that is natural to us and be at the mercy of the Spirit of God. But when we are the joy and the peace that passes our understanding is there and connects us so deeply with the heart of Jesus. That's where I want to be.

My family and I tend to joke about being in the families "inner circle." Granted, I think sometimes my boys may jokingly use it to exclude their little sister from the imaginary benefits of being in the "inner family circle", but to be in the Inner circle of Jesus is a great place to rest ones head. To be in His inner circle means to be called a child of God, an heir to a royal priesthood, chosen and loved, covered by His blood and walking in His forgiveness everyday.

To be in His inner circle is a call to love, to love others, to humble ourselves and spend more time washing feet and less time thinking about it.

Let's go love. "Who's coming with me?" Hopefully it's not just me and the fish, hopefully it's you!

(10 minutes later. . . ) I need to follow that last line up with a credit. "Who's coming with me?" is a famous line from the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire. I put that there simply because I am in a classroom of High School students who had absolutely no clue as to who I was quoting. Then I tried the line "Show me the money" still no response. My final attempt was the line "You had me at Hello" and that, they said "Yes, I know that one, but can't tell you what movie that was from". I must admit I just aged myself by 20 years and realized that the young man in this room was only four years old when this movie was big. But it's a good reminder that movies fade, famous lines dim, but the truth of Christ stays the same and can only shine brighter in the lives of His people.

Now I'm off to love, to live, to serve in the name of a Mighty God and I say now confidently "Who's coming with me?"

The Wee Hours of the night

2010-01-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

I don't really know where to begin, so much has happened to a people I care for in Haiti. So much to recap. I leave these links for you to read on and pray for. http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/ and http://lovingonemore.com/ .They are a few of the warriors fighting right now in the battle against time, to save lives. I'm just here praying with so many others. We pray without ceasing, on our knees. What else is there for us to do. We pray, we give, we plan, we ask God to use us in anyway He can. We humble ourselves as our hearts ache. We cry out to the God who is compassionate, the God of love and mercy.

I sit here in the early hours. 3am to be exact. I was sleeping peacefully, but the Lord woke me up and so wide awake I sit here, praying, listening to worship, and asking the Lord what do you require of me?

He said, go to Isaiah. And so the Lovely words that He showed me again, words that he had spoken so clearly at another time to me, words that in my bible had been highlighted and notes written around it, words that heal, He showed them to me again. He simply spoke through His word and said "I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city . . . I will defend this city" Isaiah 38:5-6

Does God hear our prayers? Does it even make a difference if we pray. The answer written deep in our hearts, the word written by the spirit of the Lord says YES! He hears our cries, He sees our tears. He looks down on the people of Haiti and says, I love you. He is a compassionate God, He is a sovereign God. He is God and He is Good!

Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Call to me and I will answer you and show you great unsearchable things that you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

2010

2010-01-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

I'm really not a New Years Resolution making kind of person, but last night as I sat in a large circle with family and friends and we each took a turn sharing what we were thankful for this past year and what we were looking ahead to in 2010, I began to think. Still no resolutions, but a knowledge of the reality of what I am really looking forward to this year.

A year ago, I never would have imagined myself where I am today, moved across the country, in a new home, new church and some new friends. So much can happen in a year. People have come and people have gone, some with Jesus, others just away. . . graduations, illnesses, broken relationships, mended relationships. . . . bitterness, anger, forgiveness, healing. . . . the list goes on. Yet, through this year I have taken stock of some of the mighty things that He has done, allowed, and redeemed. It has been a good year, not because of what has happened, but because of who He is and because He has allowed me to see His hand moving through it.

So for 2010 what I really look forward to is January 1, 2011 when I get to look back again and recognize His hand at work through good and the bad. Yes, to look back and see what a mighty God we served and will continue to serve. I can't wait to see what He does this year.

Thank You, Lord, for letting me be a part of it all, for revealing Yourself in the lives of Your people and giving us a glimpse of Your goodness and Your Mighty Hand
Amen!

My Kind of Crazy

2009-11-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Not that my life is a life of chaos, but I have to admit if you compared my brain to my husband's brain, my mind would look a bit chaotic. It would have swirls, mountains, valleys, dizzying colors and a whole lot of drama. That's just inside the brain. Thankfully, I still have a filter, (well, half a filter) so that the world is not tormented with my crazy.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful 2+ hour coffee with a friend at the breakfast joint. Literally, it is called the Two Hippies-Breakfast Joint. Great place if you are even in Phoenix. Anyway,It was such a wonderful time of encouragement, prayer, edification and a plain ol great girl time. As we talked and shared what's going on in our lives, I found it so amusing that we are quite similar and have very similar husbands. What a joy it was to talk about the men we love and all their strengths and how much they mean to us. I think I even made a comment at how refreshing it was because there are many times when one might listen to women who have nothing good to say about their husbands. So, on and on we went about our wonderful men.

The greatest insight and thankful point I had from that visit was how grateful I am to my husband and to God for bringing me together with a man who is so wise, has such clarity, so able to love and forgive and above all (and this is the main one) he has the amazing gift and ability to see through my chaos. My chaos, that I sometimes can not see through myself. He looks straight past my ups and downs and just sees me and loves me just as I am.

He sees through the fact that the house is not clean this week and sees that we live in a house of love, prayer, faith and hope. He sees through the pile of laundry in the hallway (ok, two piles) that couldn't fit in the laundry basket and sees that I am tending to bible study, transporting kids, visiting with friends and doing the things that really matter. He sees the beauty of my heart through the chaos of my day, my mind, my ups and downs, my bad hair day, my no shower day. He just sees me and loves me.

Thank you Lord for the wise, clear minded, godly man that you have given to me to lead this family in faith towards You.

A Good Day To Be Found

2009-11-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

There is a saying at my High School Alma Mater. . ."It's a good day to be a Bronco". Today I found myself saying "It's a good day to be found". Was I lost? No, not really, but let me walk with you my morning.

Since moving to the Phoenix area, I have found myself taking up hiking. I have the official camelback backpack to hold my water. All the hikers out here have one, it's essential. I now have my official hiking boots, low rise, as to blend in to the mass of native Arizonians.

Today took me to Camelback Mountain. I have hiked it several times and each time I make it about 2/3 of the way to the saddle. Basically by the time I make it to the saddle, I'm tired and I'm ready to turn around and I tend to be short on time. But, today I made it to the saddle with ease and had plenty of time to leisurely make it to the top, so I persevered. Each step begging the question. . . "Why, what are you trying to prove" And each step replying "I will conquer Camelback, I will persevere and not turn back."

Even though the last 1/3 of Camel back is more like rock climbing up a straight wall, I made it with a little encouragement from fellow hikers and the passing Mountain Ranger.

I made it. I stood on top of Camelback where the air was blowing and I could have full view of the city and the surrounding mountains. What a view. I stood there admiring the birds below and some above, floating and others simply hovering on the wind. It was a great sight and well worth the climb up.

(All I have to say about this picture is that I was so dazed and confused)

It was the climb down that I was not looking forward to. Going down, I definitely felt like the old lady sliding down the mountain on her behind, I could feel my legs quivering with each and every step. Then I heard the Radio call from the Rangers above me. . ."I have a rescue in progress, a rescue in progress". I though to my self, who could be in trouble. I even said a quick prayer in my mind for that person and for the quickness of the rangers. I found myself not wanting to move in case they needed to rush down past me. I wanted to keep clear.

Slightly after the radio call and the quick thinking on my part. I heard the ranger call down to me and say "Hey, you are off the trail. the trail is up here. You need to climb back up here and get on the trail." I was shocked. Were they talking to me? Yes, they were. I was the rescue. I was the lost hiker in need of rescuing and I didn't even know it. How long would I have continued on my way down that mountain before I would have realized that I was lost? Thank goodness for Ranger, for the Shepherd's that have an eye and a heart to seek and save the lost.

So, how many people are out there just like me. How many people are out there on the wrong path and don't even know it? How will they know how lost they are if we don't radio in to our Father in heaven and then throw them the line, the gospel, the saving truth?

What a joy we have been given, what a calling we have been entrusted with, to go and make disciples of all nations. How will they know if we don't tell them, How will they know that they need Jesus, if we don't shine His light on them. How will they experience mercy if we don't share it. How will they know?

Youth Impact

2009-11-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

I just returned home from an awesome time of worship leading for a youth group. It was a group that had just spent the several hours before serving and doing ministry work. Was I as encouraging to them as they are to me, I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if our youth know how impactful they are, how the works of their hands, the fruit of their hearts really reach and inspire others to think outside of themselves. I wonder, I just wonder.

I guess as I get older, I realize how little I know and how much I have to learn. Growing up as a child (and young adult for that matter) who had very low self-esteem and tended to be pretty self destructive, I find myself so amazed and encouraged by young people who are active in their church and are reaching out to someone besides themselves.

I see them learning what I learned a lot later in life. Oh, to imagine what my life would have been like if I would have learned what I know now at a younger age. Regardless, I praise God for journey, for the grace, for the mercy cause I received a whole lot of it.

Thank you God!

Micah 6:8 he has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Emergency Brake

2009-10-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

It was early Sunday morning, I was a little rushed and I had to pick my daughter up from a late night sleepover and get her to church where she would join her choir to sing in the early service.

I made the drive to her new friends house, following each and every turn that the sweet voice of the GPS told me. What perfect guidance and then the announcement "You are arriving at your destination." There I was, right in front of the house, eager to see my daughter after a busy few days, eager to get to church and worship and sing.

I went up to the front door where three sleepy faces happily greeted me. I stepped inside for just a moment to say hello and get the quick rundown of the night. I was engaged, happy to hear how everything went and always up for a good chat with fellow adults.

After a quick chat we were off to church. As we walked out of the house, my daughter asked me why the car was across the street. I confidently explained to her that it was not our car, but another car that looked exactly like ours and that my car was right. . . . "oops". . . not right here, but across the street and rolled over the curb.

My daughter informed me that she saw it rolling backwards, she just thought that her dad was in the car backing it up. Then I remembered that I had not put on the emergency break. The ever so slight downward slant took my little Corolla on a ride across and down the street. My trusty GPS forgot to tell me to engage the emergency break. It lead me to where I needed to go, but left me on my own to figure out the rest (one would think that I could handle this one my own, but apparently not).

As we stood there, laughing at the latest mishap that I found myself in, I was reminded that I too need to engage. I need to engage in the Emergency Brake of Life. When I go out into this world unprepared, I slip, sometimes ever so slowly, but a little at a time.

I need to remember that even when I follow the path to get there, I need to remain grounded. It is so easy to slip without the emergency break on. Sometimes the slant is slow, sometimes it's fast, sometimes we don't even notice until we are down hill and stuck up and over a curb.

Ground yourself in the word. Ground yourself in the truth. Blessed is the man who delights himself in the word, he will not stumble or fall.

Lost and Found in the Desert

2009-08-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. It's been a whirlwind. It's been a process. . . . some of it good, some of it tough, but all of it under the perfect control of this Mighty Savior, our Lord, my Father and my dear Friend.

I have gone from one extreme to another physically (moved from Chicago to Phoenix) and emotionally (connected to unconnected with friends and my faith walk).

I didn't realize how difficult the transition would be. I thought that I would have to be there for my children as they went to new school and met new people, but to my surprise they were fine, excited and ready to go. My husband was settling into work and I was the one that found myself lost in the middle of the desert.

I love these words from the Desert Song.

"This is my prayer in the desert when all that within me feels dry.

This is my prayer in my hunger and thirst. My God is the God who provides."

I love that when all is still and I cry out to the Lord, "I'm all alone" that He swoops in and holds me and leads me to the perfect words of life for that moment, for that day. I love that He calls me friend and that I am His and He is mine. I love that He provides and gives purpose to everything I do, even in the desert. He supplies and quenches all the desires that I have. . . desires to serve and to sing, to worship, to comfort, to befriend and to be befriended. He is awesome and He is my friend.

The book that I dusted off today is by Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest", if you have it, dust it off too and look at September 26. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. John 14:27. Oswald Chamber comments: "When our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace". . . . "Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him". . . "We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity. . . "

How comforting for me to know that when I focus on Him my vision changes. It's when I look at the world and life's situations with my own eyes that I become disturbed. But, with Christ-like eyes the world looks more like a gift and an opportunity to touch and change lives for the glory of God. Yes, the world looks like a wonderful mission field just waiting to know and experience the wonderful grace of God.

"Let not your heart be troubled"

Serve him in all that you do, wherever you are, in the desert, in the valley, on the mountaintop and on the plains. Just serve Him, love him and trust him. He is Good!

Manhattan Mission Project

2009-06-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:14-15

These are the words that blew through the air today as we gathered in the field at the Round Barn Farm for the Installation of the new Mission Pastor for Manhattan, IL, Dan Hudson. The service was held outdoors. . . no walls, no buildings, just people who had prayed for two years, people who were welcoming him, people who were releasing him, people who had seen a glimpse of God's vision and trusted.

Today I was honored to be a part of the worship to send him into a new mission field. It was thrilling, moving, scary, and full of hope. Planting a new church and starting from literally nothing is a calling that few take, but is so incredibly necessary. So as excited as I was for Dan's new ministry, I was even more moved at the reminder that we are all called into this ministry everyday. We all carry this ministry with us wherever we go. We carry with us the power of the Holy Spirit and that is a power that changes lives for eternity. What an honor, what a privilege, what a call.

There is no need to ask the question "What on earth am I here for? What is my purpose?" It is clear . . . . to be sent. We are sent here to declare His glory wherever we are and in all that we do. There is no greater calling.

So teachers. . . declare his glory; CEO's. . .declare His glory;

Fire Fighters. . .declare His glory; Secretaries. . .declare His glory; Janitors. . . declare His glory; Pastors. . . declare His glory; Coaches. . . declare His glory;

Stay at Home Mom's & Dad's. . . declare His glory;

Musicians. . . declare His glory; Investors. . . declare His glory; landscapers. . .declare His glory; Students. . . declare His glory;

Flight Attendants. . .declare His glory;

Garbage collectors. . .declare His glory;

EVERYONE. . . Declare His Glory!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Rain Jumping

2009-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

My Mission today was to get the house clean for the weekend, that way I could have a relaxing few days not worrying about dust bunnies. I was doing great and then all of the sudden I heard the first few drops of rain. Instantly, my summer couch potato (my daughter) popped up and said "Mom, lets go jump on the trampoline in the rain." My initial thought was to say "No, I need to keep working" or "That's not very safe". But, instead. . . . . . .

I said "OK, let's go."

Immediately we ran outside and jumped. We jumped, laughed, slid around and had a great time. It was enough excitement to gain the attention of a visitor in the neighbors yard to tell us how much fun it looked like we were having. I think he secretly wanted to slip around on the trampoline too. I believe trampolines have a way of pulling the kid out of us. How can you be serious when your flying through the air, how can you think about all the things on the "to-do" list when the laughter and smiles of your daughter melt that all away?

The rain continued to grow stronger and then the lighting came, which was our cue to head inside. But, it was the best 7 minutes of my day and I'm so glad I didn't let it pass by. As my kids get older these moments become fewer and fewer. I don't want to miss a single opportunity.

Don't let the rain pass you by. Go have fun. . . . . . .

jump, dance, skip and a laugh in the rain.

Four things you can't recover:

The stone........after the throw. The word........after it's said.

The occasion.........after it's missed. The time.........after it's gone.

Follow Up

2009-05-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

I got to spend the day with an awesome friend who was able to give me her honest opinion when I asked her if she had read my blog about the concert and if it made any sense to her. She very kindly shared with me some of the confusion she had in reading it which explains to me why some may have misinterpreted what I was trying to convey. So in a nut shell (a big one), here goes.

The concert was absolutely awesome, God is great and it was such an honor and a blessing to be able to share the music and be ministered to. I can't wait to do it all again. Coming off of a night like that can sometimes leave one emotionally and physically tired and there is a bit of a down that follows.

God's greatness and mercy is so many times too much for me to even comprehend and I am so completely humbled by the fact that He loves us so. It is humbling to know that He uses people like us to do his work.

So, instead of taking the last post down, I choose to hopefully clarify that I am in an awesome place of praise, amazed by Him, grateful for His mercy and humbled by His love.

God is so good and He walks with us through the ups and downs of this crazy roller coaster life.

God's peace!

A Concert of Worship

2009-05-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to write about what a fantastic concert I had the other night, how wonderful the music was, how amazing the two other musicians that I worked with are and what a blessing it was to have all those people come out and support us and worship with us, because it was all of that and more. But, I find myself here today leveled out emotionally after a roller coaster weekend and just about capable of communicating my heart.

I come to this day, Monday, with a full heart in awe of what God has done, is doing and has yet to do in and through His people. I come off of this weekend filled with the joy and wonder, the hunger and thirst, the fear and love of this amazing God. Even though I was singing in the concert, I came out of the the evening having been ministered to in such an awesome way. Nathan's music, his heart for the Lord and His testimony has the ability to tap into the deepest part of people's hearts and remind me of God's word, His promises and the fact that there is nothing that I can do to earn his love. His love is so great, so deep, so vast beyond all measure and I am amazed that He loves me so.

It is that amazement, that awe, that wonderful knowledge that was felt so deep in my heart that sent this bi-polar servant of the Lord into a plummeting tailspin. It was out of that same grand amazement of His love for me that reminded me that I am so unworthy of it all, so deeply unworthy of His grace and mercy. To the same great extent of His love, so goes the same great extent of my failures and unworthiness.

I guess, only my husband can truly explain what this looks like in me. He is the one who witnesses the irrational thought process, the sadness, the tears, the fear and self unworthiness. I praise God that I have a husband that recognizes when I am under spiritual attack and calls it for what it is and then prays over me, loves me and walks along side me. I love that when we call on His name, He answers. I love that when things are dark, we can go to Him and He will rescue us. I love that my husband can sing to me the words that I sing to others as a prayer to the Lord. I love the fact that when I can't quite get myself to even want to, that the Lord commands my soul to worship Him. I love the fact that I have a husband who reminds me of it all, when I am too blinded by depression to see it.

So here I am today, after going on a three day roller coaster ride, back in a place of praise, worship and admiration of our great God. YES! It was an amazing concert and I can't wait to do it all again. God is so amazing, He thinks I amazing, He thinks we are all amazing as we are covered by the blood of Jesus. I know that I don't deserve it, but His grace and mercy just abound and there's no stopping it. I praise him for it.

"There is nothing I can do

There is nothing that I can do

To earn Your love, it's a gift from Your Son, nothing"

-Nathan Fisher-

It's What the Lord Has Done In Me

2009-05-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the awesome opportunity to sing one of my original songs at the NID Convention. This convention is held every three years and is a call to all Lutheran Pastors, called teachers and lay representatives of all the Lutheran Churches in Northern Illinois. A little intimidating, yes. . . .Thrilling, yes. . . .Humbling-INDEED!

Honestly, nerves did not hit me until yesterday, the day at hand. During sound check and warming up, my nerves were fine. The service came and we worshipped. I sang my heart out in preparation for what God would have me do. I sang my heart out in honor of Him, to worship Him and worship Him hard. He is so worthy of all that I have in my heart, in my mind and all my strength and so I give it to Him, all of it!

Then came time for me to sing. I walked up to the stage confidently with my Pastor and his daughter. I took my place. I stood there and listened to the gentle strum of the guitar and to the reading of the 23rd Psalm. I was comforted by the words that she read so sweetly. While I stood there listening, I could also hear and feel the not so gentle pounding of my heart, ba-bum. . . Ba-Bum. . . BA-BUM! I wasn't sure if anyone else could hear it. It was so loud. They got me. . . my nerves were at full throttle. "God, this is for You" my heart said. "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. . . . . " my spirit continued to pray.

My mouth opened and out came the song that I had written so long ago. Out came words of comfort smoothly and effortlessly. Out came God's spirit through His word. "Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare Your praise!" God is faithful. For His purposes, He is faithful.

I can't even remember how many people came up to me after and shook my hand, told me how they were moved by the song, told me thank you. So many, too many. Too many to think that I had anything to do with it. That is His spirit. So while I stood there thanking people back for their kind words, feeling the glow of knowing that I did a fine, fine job. I couldn't help but be overcome with a great sense of humility.

Under the same umbrella of praise, I felt a great sense of unworthiness. I am humbled by the mere fact that God would place me, Mia, in front of all those people to minister to them. Me, little 'ol me. I will not dismiss the fact that God has blessed me to do His bidding. I accept the gifts He has given. I will not hide them instead, I will use them to glorify His Name and tell of His mighty works. But still, I am amazed and humbled that He chose to use me.

So today, a day after an amazing evening, I walk with my head hanging a little lower, not in shame, but simply resting in the shadow of his glory that shines so bright. I hang my head a little lower today not because I'm sad, but because I am so thankful for what the Lord has done in me. My head hangs low because I am so humbled by a God that loves me so much and died for me while I was still a sinner and so undeserving. I walk today with my head a little lower, my heart much fuller and my eyes fixed on Him.

Thank you Lord for entrusting me with this awesome message.

My Father's Abundance

2009-04-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

Matthew 7:11-The Message
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

I learned a lesson the other day, on April 22 to be exact, a lesson that completely humbled and awed me. I learned it through the extreme generosity of others to me. I learned that people are willing to give far more than I would have ever asked for. I learned that pride so many times holds me back from even asking and admitting I need help. I learned again about a Father's love for his children.

Through this experience, I was struck at how many times I have gone before my heavenly Father in the same way, too held back by pride to ask for what I really want or need. I am so often to proud to ask him for it all, instead I try to figure most of it out myself and then ask Him to just fill in the parts that I can't figure out. Then, when I do come to him for help He doesn't fill in the missing parts, He does it all. He covers it all, more than I could have ever imagined and He does it freely, willingly and eagerly.

All the time that I spend in what I think to be waiting is more often, Him waiting on me to understand, to remember how He operates, to remember how He does things, to remember His usual way of dealing with men.

Oh Lord, is this how you do things?

Thanks be to God for who He is. It is not about what he has done, although He has done marvelous things. It is just about Who He is and He is Amazing! Thank You, Lord!

2 Samuel 7:18-19

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ?

Worship In Spirit and Truth

2009-04-12T12:22:00.000-07:00

Back from Easter worship and I return home, filled, amazed, touched, and reassured of God's love for me and just how far He will go to save a wretch like me. Today Jesus called me by name and again said, "Mia, I forgive you".

The Easter service at Family of Christ, CO would, I guess, technically be described as a blended service. There was liturgy, hymns (old and a new original), and contemporary praise music. But I did not come out of this service able to tell where the division was. It was pure worship from beginning to end. Whether it was a hymn being sung or liturgy being chanted it was all done with the passion that Christ calls us to worship Him in. When the congregation sang, they sang with all their hearts. When the pastor preached , he preached in confidence and truth. When the choir sang, they lifted up beautiful harmonies and when the praise team lead they raised His banner of Victory high.
It was amazing worship, It was an amazing day.

Saviour, He can move the mountains.
My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, (He's the) Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Zephaniah 3:17

Worship Session

2009-04-04T13:44:00.000-07:00

So here I am a day after our recording session and I am still aglow. What a rich feeling it is to come out of a session. The adrenaline, the excitement, the hard work all adds to the rush. It was an amazing night of recording-It was an amazing night of worship.

At times, I found myself lost in worship and forgetting where I was, but knowing that the people I was working with would simply follow where I was going and worship right along with me. Then there was the time when I began to think too much, it was at that time when my husband came in to the recording area and put his hand on my arm and gently whispered, "Honey, your thinking to much." That was all he had to say to instantly steer me back to the place where I wanted to be, in the presence of my Father worshiping Him.

Am I a perfectionist? I don't think so. Did I want the recording to be the best? Yes, but more than that I wanted it to be pure raw worship with all it's joy and with all it's blessed imperfections. What you see is what you get from me. I am not the best singer, I am not the best piano player, but, I love the Lord and I love to worship Him and lead others to do the same.

You may not be the best, but when you offer it up to in the Name of Jesus, He will use it and by His spirit it will not return empty. What do you have in your life to offer up to Him? If you answered nothing, go back and re-think. Ask a friend, who may see you differently, what quality or gift you have that can be offered up in the name of Jesus. He will use you. Offer it up!

Children

2009-04-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

As a children's choir director, I have the opportunity to hear the best and worst of children's voices. The kids that I direct tend to give me the best. Today was no exception, as I stood in front of the choir, I paused from directing to simply basking; basking in the words that they were singing and the message that they were preparing for the ears of those who would come to worship. Do they know how they move me? Do they know the power that is in the words that they sing? Do they know that it is more than a song?

When they had finished singing, I let the last note echo, resonate and just fill the room. Then I shared with them (although they may have thought it preaching by the random outburst of applause and "Amens" that followed my inspirational talk) how they never know who is listening to this song and the fact that someone might come to church that night wondering about God and how to hear Him, how to know that he is real. And then along come my little Ministers of the Gospel to sing these word, the words that ministered to my heart this day, in this little school, by these amazing young instruments of peace.

Are you listening to the voice of Jesus, Can you hear Him calling,

Calling to you, Calling today.

Are you listening to the voice of Jesus, Can you hear Him calling,

Calling to You today.

He speaks through the wind that blows from day to day.

He speaks through the sun that shines so bright.

He made all these things to let you know that he is the Truth and the Light.

He's Calling for You today.

by William E. Green

Who Am I?

2009-04-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

Reflection from today's bible study,

"Walking By Faith-Lessons Learned in the Dark"

by, Jennifer Rothschild

A Worship chorus:

Who am I , Who am I, Who am I

That You love me, That You love me

That You love me?

Psalm 8:3-5 David asks the question, "What is man that you are even mindful of him?" I echo this thought so many times, sometimes more emotionally than other times, but today I am again stuck that He loves me that He came back to find me and save me.

Who am I, that You love me?

In Him, I am the offspring of Christ

In Him, I am the righteousness of Christ

In Him, I am the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit

In Him, I have my being

In Him, I have freedom and confidence

In him, I am everything; Without, I am nothing.

Who am I . . . . . . .

I am His child.

Who are you? Have you asked yourself lately? In whom, in what or where do you find your identity?

Who are you that God is mindful of you?

Extra Ordinary Justice

2009-03-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today, I had the opportunity to go and support a young man at his court case, a young man who is teaching me to learn something new each day. I felt a little odd being there, but his big smile just draws you in and makes you feel very welcome in a difficult situation.

As I sat in the small court room I felt called to pray, called to open my bible and just be lead by the Lord. Aside from the scripture, I prayed according to something that I saw. I saw many people going about their day. To them this appeared to be another ordinary day at the office, but we came into this room nervous and not fully knowing what to expect.

I prayed for the judge who comes into this room each day hearing the same old story, day in and day out. I asked God to refresh him, to bring him into this court room with a different set of eyes. I asked for him to have eyes of mercy to see this day and this young man as extra-ordinary. I prayed for extraordinary mercy, justice and wisdom from-this day.

I prayed for the lawyer who represents many different people on a daily basis. I asked God to give him a sense that this is no ordinary young man, that he would rise up to be the extraordinary voice for an extraordinary person. That he would come with a sense of integrity, truth and determination.

I prayed for young women next to me, I prayed his mom, I prayed for the people there, but mostly I prayed for him, that he would follow Psalm 1 and delight himself in the Lord and His truth.

I claimed these verses for him today:
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
1 Peter 3:14b Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened

I do not know exactly what the outcome of today was, but I trust the Lord for it. I trust him to care for it all.

What verses can you claim this day and pray for someone you know?

Fasting to Feasting

2009-03-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

It's too bad our days aren't lived on mountaintops. I love mountaintop experiences. I love feeling so close to my Lord and Savior that I could reach out and touch Him. I love the high. However, the reality is that we may not always remain there. But, the good news is that no matter where we are, we can worship him with all our heart, soul and strength on a daily basis.

I learned this in a new way a few weeks back. I was called to fast and after a little over a week, it was ended. It was very sad to me. I mourned my utter dependence and the communion that I was having with Him. To go through each minute of the day calling on His name for strength brought me so close and so attentive to Him and His voice. I didn't want it to end.

I was under the belief that this fast would last for weeks as other fasts have and that it was the denial of food that was bringing me close to Him. In actuality, for me, it was the denial of my own strength, my own plans and just listening to His voice that brought the sweet communion. I was reminded that I am called to be in constant communication, constant dependence on Him to get me through every minute whether fasting or feasting.

So, if we are found on mountaintops in Praise, on our knees, humbly fasting from food, in the valley of depression, anywhere, we can worship Him and worship Him hard. Let this retreat, this fast from worldly and self dependence that we are striving for continue each day. Let the Praise and communication never cease.