I'm Moving the Blog Site

Greetings!

In case you missed it, my blog will now be hosted on my website www.miakoehne.com

Come on over. New BLOG LINK

Peace out,

Mia

Will You Stand With Me?

There are times when I look back, not so far back to places that I see clearly the victory that God has done in my life, but looking back to places where I have been weak. Times that I have talked harshly to the people I love, times when I have totally messed up worship leading, times when I play all the wrong notes while playing in the band are the moments where I do not see the victory, only the failure.

Today, this verse is a blatant reminder for me to forget those past mistakes and trust in the grace and forgiveness of a God who loves so deeply that he sent His only son to be the remedy for my sin, a God who can take my blunders and mask them by the power of the Holy Spirit and use them for His glory. Today, I am reminded to forget what is behind and move forward to what lies ahead. And what lies ahead is good in Jesus Christ.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Today, won't you stand with me as we press on toward the goal, the wonderful prize that God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus?

Whatever tempts you to peak backwards, lay it down at the foot of the cross…daily. I pray that whatever it may be, that it would be would lighter each day until you are able to forget it with ease.

Blessings, brothers & sisters!
I love you in the Lord,
Mia

The Snooze Button

Top of North Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Because the daily temps are well into the 100's here in Phoenix, AZ where I live, my hiking schedule in the summer has my alarm going off at 4:30 am so that I can be on the trail by 5am. Three days during the week, I meet a friend at the trail head so I have to be on time, but then there are days like today....

Today, the alarm went off, no one was waiting for me and I hit the snooze button about four times before I mustered enough energy to get out of bed. Finally, around 5:30am, I got up, got moving and was on the trail at 6am.

But, at 6am, the sun had already risen and the air was quickly heating up so the hike was more intense and more taxing on my body as I made my way through the winding trials and steadily (and sometimes rapidly) climbed the mountain. How I wished I had gotten up an hour earlier, but at that point it was too late and I had to power through the ascent.

Regardless of my prior relationship with the snooze button, I was moving, but the delay just made what I had to do a bit more difficult and a bit more dehydrating. Which leads me to this question...

Do you ever feel like you're hitting the snooze button? You know, the snooze button of life? As I reflected on this, I know there are times and areas in my life that I do. I think about the plans that I have to reach out to my neighbor, to call that friend I haven't talked to in a while, the songs I want to write, the people I want to help, the places I want to volunteer and the areas I want to serve. Yet, what do I find myself doing? You guessed it, hitting the snooze button and telling myself "I will do it later, I just need a few more minutes (which sometimes turns into months) before I get up and go."

The reality is the longer we hit life's snooze button, the more likely the alarm is to get stuck and soon it just stops going off at all. The nudging to move is silenced from neglect. Oh, that we would respond quickly when the alarm goes off, the alarm in our spirit that propels us to love, to serve, to respond and to move SO THAT others will know the love of Christ before He returns.

Blow the trumpet in Zion;

sound the alarm on my holy hill.

Let all who live in the land tremble,

for the day of the Lord is coming. Joel 2:1-3

I pray that what was learned today will remind us of the urgency of the call and I hope that the bee sting I got on top of the mountain this morning, that I am convinced I would not have gotten if I would have been there an hour earlier, will remind me to get up when the alarm goes off.

Blessing, friends!

I love you in the Lord,

Mia

Order’s Up! A One Course Meal

This article originally appeared on Deliberate Women (deliberateowmen.org) July 3, 2015 

written by, Mia Koehne 

“Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it!” Have you ever heard that or some variation of this sentiment before, or better yet has anyone ever said that to you? I don't really have a problem with "taking it", but please don’t fact check this with my husband. In my defense, I only use the pouty lip as a tool of self expression and creativity, not weakness.

I’ve learned over the years though life experiences (and the music industry) to grow a pretty thick skin and not take critique and opinions too personally. As a friend once said to me “let it roll, like water off the back of a duck.” So when things come at me, I repeat the words “water off the back of a duck, water off the back of the duck” and then I tend to waddle on.

What I do have a more difficult time with is this “You can take it, but you can’t dish it out!” This reversal of the old saying in my life is referring to GRACE.

I can take all the grace people are willing to give, but when it comes to extending that grace to others when they repeatedly irritate me, repeatedly say the rudest things and continually get under my skin, finding the grace in those situations tends to come a bit more slowly. Those are the times when I need to dig a little deeper and dish out what has so generously been served to me.

Do I do this perfectly every time? No, but ironically that’s when I need His grace even more in order to extend it. It’s a never ending cycle. Dish it up and serve it out.

Are you anything like me? Do you struggle to show grace to the people that need it most. Not the ones where it comes easily, but to the ones that challenge you, push your buttons, take more than they give….you know, the ones that down right get on your LAST nerve?

The reality is that there are times when I am THAT person. There are times when YOU are that person too. In those times, I am glad that people chose to show me grace so that I could learn to show grace to others.

May I challenge you today, to serve grace. Set it out on a beautiful platter and enjoy the feast. Your preparation of this main course may just teach someone else how to cook, how to dish it out and how to take it in

Orders Up!

Love you in Him, Mia

Sunrise

Lately, (and mostly because it's summer in Phoenix and if you are not up early, it's way to hot to be outside) I have been fascinated by the sunrise. Aside from the beauty of it, I love the beautiful picture that it paints in our lives. It is a picture of second chances, a picture of newness, a picture that reminds us of God's faithfulness to do a new thing.

I'm not sure what time the sun rises where you are, but can I encourage you to rise early one day, drive to a place where there are no obstructions and just breath it in. Take in all that the sunrise, the new light, the new day, the faithfulness of God has to offer.

I think you will be blessed.

I pray that the newness of each day would be an encouragement to you in all that you go through in life.

Enjoy a few of my sunrise moments and feel free to share some of yours!

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun."

Ecclesiastes 11:7

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,

the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3

"His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand,

where his power was hidden."

Habakkuk 3:3-4

"This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24

Things I Learn on Twitter

Aside from being a wife, mother, singer, songwriter, traveling worship leader, speaker, writer, and newspaper editor, I have another job. My official title is Business and Community Relations Director. It's a fitting title as I love building relationships and I love the organization, Extreme Faith Productions, that I get to work with.

One of the biggest events that we do is this week! It's called ELEVATE and it's a three day music festival in Prescott Valley, AZ, with some of the top artists and bands in the Christian Music Industry. It's a blast and extremely exhausting. As part of the planning team, this event can also test the limits of one's patience.

This past week I came across a powerful quote on one of my favorite social media platforms,Twitter, and it has been running through my head like a tape recorder. And honestly, the playback feature on these words have made me a much nicer person to be around.

If you are struggling to be patient with others this week (or anytime in the near future) may I share these words with you.

"Patience means adjusting my speed to someone else's pace. 

It's another way to show God's love to another."

I have found that when I want to move faster with the vendors and businesses that I am dealing with frustration subsides when I simply slow myself down and adjust my pace. When we walk at the same pace it is miraculous how in-time we are and how well we communicate. That's the pace where harmony happens.

May you hear the sweet melody of patience this day, the harmony as you slow your speed to another's pace. And through it, may you show God's love in simple and magnificent ways.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12

I love you in the Lord, Mia

GREAT! Another Made Up Holiday

If you know me fairly well, one thing you've found out is that I am anti-Hallmark Holidays and anti-made up holidays. I'm not a fan of Valentines day in the respect that people are made to feel like they "have to" buy cards, presents and chocolate. I love my Mom and always call her on Mothers Day, but I have no desire for people to go out and spend money on me to tell me they love me. I already know they do.

So, when June 8th rolled around and my friend sent me a very celebratory text message telling me that it was National Best Friends Day, I thought to myself "ok", but then I started to reflect on the friendships God has weaved into my life. So many.

Then it happened, I got all Verklempt and started posting pictures of those gals that were my lifelong BFF's (Best Friends Forever).

But here's the thing, I call many people friends. Friends because God has in someway connected me with them. I call you who read this, friend, as we are connected through words, hearts and prayers. I have several dear friends who I have spent countless hours with, struggled with and rejoiced with. Then I have a very small group of friends that have been so instrumental in my life that I truly do call them my Best Friends Forever, my BFF's.

Ironically these are also the women that I see the least amount of time, have the fewest selfies with, live the farthest from and talk to less than most. Yet, these are the women who love me and whom I love through time and distance. These are the women, that when we get together after MONTHS/YEARS of not seeing each other, do not miss a beat. These are the women who know they are loved by me and the women I know love me, NO MATTER WHAT!

My sweet friend Margaret, who I lived next-door to since I was six weeks old has never left my side. She has been there through it all. Loved me even when I was crazy off my rocker. It has been the sweetest of friendships that has spanned my entire life.

My precious high-school friends Ellen and Lori are the two girls who took me in when I abandoned my regular lunch-room table (high-school drama) and loved me. Two girls that pretty much taught me most of what I know about music and ministry. Above that, they both lived life with me during those crazy High-school years and beyond.

So in honor or this completely sappy made up holiday, I encourage you to reflect on the friendships you have been given...life long, or simply so deep it feels like you have know each other forever (I could list several more like that.)

Take time to pray for these special people or that special person in your life, that God would continue to guard your relationship and bless it for the years to come.

Love you in the Lord,
Your friend,
Mia

Rumors-My Heart on the Chopping Block

As I sat down to write this blog, I had a completely different focus until my fingers hit the keyboard. I was going to share a funny little take on rumors that I thought would encourage you, but instead, I find myself standing in a place of tension. On one side, I hear a whisper of what I am to write and on the other side, I hear my flesh saying "Don't share that, it's one of the secrets that no one knows, the one you have kept hidden for so long.

Yet, as I sit here, I wonder......I wonder if anyone else feels this way...so I write.

Before we jump in, here was my original post. "I heard a rumor, God can do all things" and then I was going to tell you how some rumors are true and aren't we glad this one is, but instead, a shift happened and this is where we are left. Rumors... they have the power.

It is no secret that I was very reckless in my past, emotionally, physically and sexually. But, there are vivid moments in my life that I remember as turning points. Today, I am going to share one of those pivotal moments with you.

As a senior in high school, I sat confidently at the chemistry lab table talking with friends, minding my own business and doing my work. Then, I heard the whispers. I saw the way the girls looked at me and I found the note that someone had written. I remember it like it was yesterday. It said what a slut Mia was. It listed the names of certain boys that I had sex with and all the things I had done with them and it labeled me a whore.

That note crushed me. That note wrongly confirmed all the things I believed about myself. The only thing was.....I WAS a virgin. Now I am not saying I was holier than thou, I repeatedly put myself in situations that allowed boys to make up stories about me, but what I did know is that the words in that note were not true, but still, I allowed it to speak to me. I allowed it to change me.

I remember at that moment giving up. I consciously decided to not try anymore and just become wholeheartedly what everyone else already believed about me. I allowed it to become my truth and I set out to act on my new identity.

I turned into what they said I was. And for lack of better words, I was "on a roll" and I didn't know how to stop. I remember keeping track of all the men I had been with, writing their names in a secret place in the corner of my closet wall, clinging to a (false) truth that a "real whore" wouldn't know how many men she had slept with, but this too became tangled and hard to manage and I would spend years sinking down into a false identity, self destruction, unplanned pregnancy and adultery.

Now, I share all of that (even though I didn't want to) not to say that all because of that one note, I became the way I was....and to be honest, I don't know why I am sharing this at all.

But maybe, if we realize that the words we say have the power to build up and also destroy, we will be a bit more attentive as to what comes out of our mouths and more importantly what is in our hearts. Maybe, we will realize that rumors, gossip and slander, can really hurt the spirit of a person. Maybe we will even realize that rumors (most of the time) are not even true. And maybe, just maybe, we will realize how powerful we truly are.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." 

Proverbs 18:21

Or perhaps, we will realize that rumors DO NOT define us. Perhaps someone will be reminded that no matter what the world says about them, God speaks a truth into us that can not be tangled, distorted or disproved. Perhaps we will realize that sometimes people are just mean, but God is good.

Maybe, my friend, (who this is specifically for) you too will realize, 

as I now realize, that "I am who the Great I AM says I am!"

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 

 "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:14

I sign off, with a rock in my stomach, nervous to post this, but more nervous not to.

I love you in the Lord!

Mia

My sweet friend Rachel Barrentine sings it perfectly. Take a listen HERE: SAYS I AM

Be Still and Know

One of the treasured milestones that a mother looks forward to with her little girl is...getting a tattoo...right? OK, well maybe not all Moms. But, since I am a fan of tattoos, it really did warm my heart when Baby Girl asked if I would go with her to get her first tattoo on her 19th birthday.

With excitement, she shared with me what she wanted eternally printed on her body. It was two words, Be Still. I thought it was beautiful, but it was when she shared with me why she wanted it, that my heart became overwhelmed with joy.

Instead of trying to explain it, I am simply going to show you what she, in her own words, shared on her Instagram account with all her friends.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalms 46:10 

"Earlier this year I was sitting in the prayer chapel when I saw the words "be still" written on the wall. When I saw those words my mind was cleared from all the distractions going on in my life and it was just me and God. In that moment of stillness I was filled with this joy and peace that is hard for me to explain. It was then that I decided to fully give my life to Christ and let me tell ya, it's been the best decision that I have ever made❤️ "~ Miriam Koehne

Over that past few weeks God has used this verse to minister, to teach and to grow me in so many areas. It is in the stillness that we are able to hear. It is in the stillness that He fights for us. It is in the stillness that we are comforted and in the stillness that we wait. It is in the stillness that the storms cease.

I am overjoyed that she knows. I pray that you know His peace, His love and His strength. I pray you know that He is God.

Where do you need the stillness of God in your life today? 

Where do you need to know that without a doubt He is God? 

Know, that as you are still, He will be known.

I love you in the Lord, Mia

Work it out!

I love my time at the gym. Going in the morning really helps to start my day out right. Thanks to my husband, I have a detailed, focused and effective workout routine. Every few weeks the plan gets modified and my weights and reps increase. I can see and feel the effects of my workout.

I know that I am not suppose to judge people at my gym, but I can't help but notice that some of the members wander around aimlessly with no consistency, no focus and no real results. They don't have a plan. Some do more mirror time than actual lifting of weights.

The more time I spend in the gym, the more I see how it directly correlates with faith and life. Proverbs 29:18 says

"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

When I lacked a plan at the gym (which I did for years) my results come up lacking. I didn't grow stronger, I didn't feel any more fit, I didn't feel physically complete.

Like the gym, but, oh so much more important, is my relationship with Christ. When I lack vision, a plan to be intentional about my faith, my joy shrivels. Those days when I am distracted by the silliest things, all things which conspire against me to keep me from my time with the Lord, days when I think I can fit in "one more thing" before I steel away with Him only to find the sun has set on my time and the pillow is my best friend....Those are the days when my joy is incomplete because my vision is lacking.

So where are you today? Do you have a plan, do you lack vision..do you feel like you are drowning or are you feeling the effects of working out your faith life?

If you are struggling, sometimes it starts with a simple acknowledgment that you need help, some encouragement, some direction and some spiritual discipline. If you are feeling strong in Him, spiritually fit, maybe this is the season where God can give you eyes to see those that are wandering and need someone to walk alongside them.

Yes, we stand in the "NO JUDGEMENT ZONE", but God has given us eyes to see, hearts to feel, a discerning mind to call out when we are drowning and the wisdom to know when to throw a life jacket to those around us.

One of my favorite  devotionals is Oswald Chambers ~ My Utmost For His Highest. It challenges me each day. If you feel it might be a blessing to you, follow the IMAGE BELOW and if you get it, write me back and let me know what you think. It's compact, short and filled with great thoughts on a particular Bible verse each day. Maybe that's a start for you.

God bless you & I love you in the Lord, Mia

CLICK IMAGE TO LEARN MORE: 

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The Nature of Love

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love." 2 Peter 1:5-7

Love....Love wraps it all up in the end. As I grow older, I have come to realize that the reason God says over and over in His Word that we are to love others and love Him is because He has to. He has to repeat it to us continually, because it may be the most difficult act (and the most important action) for us to do and live out. The stirring up of this understanding is vital in our Christian walk. Without it, we are just annoying screeching voices clanging in the wind, we are blind, we are cold.....without love, we are nothing and of no use to anyone.

As I meditate on these verses and walk through my daily devotion, it is clear to me that God loves us, not because we are worthy or easy to love, but because that is what He does, that is who He is. He calls us to that same character trait that He displays in overwhelming abundance to us.

My prayer today is this "God, let it be in my nature to love the unlovable the way you love me, simply because I can't help it. Amen."

A little prayer with a world changing impact. Pray that you will be able to love your neighbors to Jesus. Love as we have been loved, the way He first loved us. You know, He laid down his life for us and He is just asking us (He's asking me) to simply love a few more people that happen to cross our paths.

I love you in the Lord, Mia

(Again, this is one of those "I'm preaching to myself" kind of posts...can I get an AMEN!)

It's All About Me!...right?

April 1st means more to me than April Fools Day. It's the kick off of my annual Birthday Month. And just in case I'm  not clear, let me clarify......it's MY birthday month, celebrating ME! No, it's not just ONE day, like my husband gets for his birthday (which is ten days after mine), it's a WHOLE month.

Now if you don't know me well, let me just say that I am the baby of seven children and any stereotypes that one would generally associate with the youngest child all apply to me. Yep, I'm the baby...even at the age of 43, (I mean 29) it still is very evident (at least that's what my family says.)

Now....back to me and my birthday month.... (you see, youngest child syndrome). Another characteristic about me that some people find surprising is that I am extremely shy, introverted and really struggle with a bit a social anxiety. Going out of the house and into social settings is terrifying for me. I hesitate too admit the amount of events I have ducked out of, left early from, or just all out avoided because of the anxiety of being around people.

I think this is hard for people to understand since what I do for a vocation calls me to be in front of people, on a stage, talking, sharing and ministering to people. Yet, here I stand, touched with a bit of anxiety.

What does this have to do with my birthday. EVERYTHING! Like I said before, my birthday month is all about me. It's all about me getting outside of me, all about me loving, all about me serving, all about me reaching out to others even when every ounce of me wants to hide in my home where it is safe and stress free. So, just a heads up...someone check in with me in 20 years and make sure I have not turned into a hermit! Is my social anxiety rational?...NO, yet, it is something that I have to battle consistently.

So there it is. Birthday month IS all about me, not thinking about what holds me back...making the steps to be social...socially awkward all be it, but still social. It's all about me celebrating the life God has given me and the joy that overflows so that I can fellowship with the amazing people God has put in my life.

This is that month that it's all about me catching up on the "Let's do coffee sometime" conversations and actually make a date to do coffee!

This is the month that it's all about me giving of myself until it hurts.

This is the month that it's all about me loving the way God has called me to love.

This is the month that it's all about me going to that party I was invited to and not making excuses.

Yes, friends. This is my birthday month. This is the month that it's all about me!

Sometimes we need a pivotal moth to remind us how God calls us to live each day. Maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling others may struggle with the same thing!

So Happy Birthday Year to all of us!
Love you in the Lord!
Mia

My Food Addiction, My Butt-crack and more....

In the past, I was addicted to cigarettes and I used to drink a lot and smoke pot (and stuff). I rejoice that I have been delivered from those patterns and addictions and celebrate the fact that I am not who I once was. God changed my life! But now as I learn more (and get older), I realize my addiction to food has been the longest, trickiest addiction I have had to battle.

Becoming educated in this area (and I know so little) has changed my mindset, it is changing my life. I have lost 25 pounds since January, 2015 and I still have about 20 to go. Obesity is literally killing us, it was killing me and I was in pain everyday.

The thing with obesity is that it is one of those "addiction" consequences that no one wants to talk about for fear that people may think we are judging people. Well, If I was high on Meth, you would (I hope) confront me because you love me and tell me to stop killing myself. We don't want to point our finger at obesity and plainly put, fat people. It's a tough addiction and probably one that many of us struggle with. I know I do! It's food, we need it, companies need to make money and they need you to come back, so they create a really good product to keep you coming back for more. Hence...the addiction is created!

I am a pretty frugal person, I love resale shops, sales and I pride myself on not spending over $20 for a pair of jeans. Well, when I burst out of all my jeans and my baggy shirts became skin tight, I had a very good excuse for why this was happening and basically lied to myself in saying that it had nothing to do with the ice cream, cookies, fast food and snacks that I was eating.   **Even when I went and spent almost $200 on a pair of jeans that would fit my new "curves" so that I could spare my kids from having to look at my butt-crack hanging out of my pants, I still didn't recognize the problem. **

I could buy new jeans, but I still felt sick. Headaches, migraines, joint and muscle pain were everyday struggles I dealt with. I had a constant flow or Excedrin Migraine, Motrin, Aleve and sleep aids going through my system and always close at hand. I just thought that this was my life and I would always feel this way.

Today, I am on a journey and I have some incredibly inspirational and passionate people that have inspired me as I continue going forward.

Let me say it again, It stated with knowledge (and grace). First from my Lord and Savior and the example that He gave in His Word. I recommend the 21 Day Fast through YouVersion. I wasn't setting out to lose weight or to change my life, I just wanted to spend time with the Lord and through it He revealed to me my strongholds and one of the major struggles I had was food.

The Lord brought people into my life to walk alongside me. Helping my body to heal through JuicePlus+, my sweet friend and coach, Cheri, taught me so much about the body and what it needs to function properly. I started using the fruit and vegetable powders faithfully and saw much of my pain go away. I have now added the Complete Protein to my routine as well. Love it!!

Then I watched the movie Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. This movie did such a great job of making my health and how my body works understandable and it really motivated me to take it to the next level. I started adding juicing to my daily routine.

With the added juicing, I saw my body completely detox, the inflammation go away and the weight fall off. An interesting bit of info I heard (and don't quote me, but it made sense in my journey and testimony) was that 15% of weight loss is exercise, 35% is what you eat and 50% is detox. I found that so much of what was keeping me fat was that I was poisoning myself with killer toxins through all the crud I was eating and putting in my body. I could go to the gym all I wanted, but the weight never budged because I was full of poison.

So there I was, my relationship with the Lord growing stronger as I began to grasp the importance of keeping the temple of the Holy Spirit healthy SO THAT I can continue to do His work.

But, I still needed help on what to now put in to fuel my body. Learning through various sources on how to eat clean, I am still learning. Thankfully as I detox, my cravings for sugar and food-like products have almost completely diminished, minus that 4 day cruise we just took (remember, I operate under grace.)

I have been inspired and motivated by the recipes of Christina Jordan who has an incredible weight loss story herself. She now coaches and walks alongside people on Facebook and through her very own company Fit Body Weight Loss to help them to live a healthy life. She has dedicated her life to loving people in the Lord and teaching them the joys of healthy living.

I am happy to report that my $200 jeans are too big and I bought a new pair (that I love) for $15!
A friend of mine said "Your skin looks so healthy." My pain is 99% gone. I have more energy than I have had in long time. My massage therapist re-evaluated me yesterday and said my posture and muscle functions have increased positively. I LOVE coffee, but don't drink it regularly anymore because I don't "need" it to get me going in the morning. Now, when I have it, it's a special treat on that rare occasion. I sleep well at night and the insomnia is gone and most nights, I can fall asleep even through my husbands snoring (I love him so!)

Please know, I don't claim to know much except what is going on in my own life and in my own journey. Healthy living is changing my life for the best. I am learning through the journey. God loves me and thinks I am amazing regardless of my weight and the food I put in my body. He loves you the same way, regardless of what you look like and what you eat.

But I do know, that God has entrusted me to care for what He has given and He has entrusted you with the same. So how are you doing?

I operate under grace. Grace has saved my life eternally and grace in my daily walk keeps me going on the days when I fall down, when I slip and when I fail. Today I am staying healthy so that I can continue to do what God has called me to do. Lots of ups and downs, but God is faithful.

I love how people have loved me and gently (and sometimes extremely firmly) spoken truth into my life. I love you in the Lord and pray that He would draw you close to Him and speak whatever truth He needs to into your life.

I pray that He would bring people into your life to walk alongside you to keep you strong in Him and strong in body SO THAT you can continue to do His work joyfully and with a healthy temple.

Please feel free to contact the people I have listed, Cheri and Christina. They are there to help and they know way more I do. Their lives and testimonies have encouraged me and I hope that my journey will do the same for you!

Blessings sweet friends!
Mia

PS, as I was scrubbing the tub, this other thought came to me. Food addiction isn't just for those of us who show it through obesity, it's for all of us who struggle. You can be thin and struggle, but maybe your struggle is silent. It comes down to the fact that we are called to be healthy! #GoodChoices

Love ya!

The St. Paddy's Day Struggle

This is my own personal St. Paddy's Day celebration

Today as I reflect on the life of St. Patrick, this is what hits me most as I have been struggling and battling depression over the past few days.

Patrick was a young man who was taken into captivity and enslaved for six years in Ireland. It was during that time, when he had nothing else, that he turned his life over to Christ. It was was in the darkness that he saw light, hope and saving grace. It was then when he realized that he had nothing else but Christ and Christ was enough.

So if you are celebrating this day well, Have fun! Enjoy the corned beef and cabbage! But if you, like me find your self in a bit of a stooper, take heart.....Christ is enough, His grace is enough, He is the comfort and comforts us in our affliction, He draws near to us as we draw near to Him.

So, as I and many others get caught up in the green (which I heard wasn't even his color), let's take heart and get caught up in the example that Patrick was and what God can do in the midst of our captivity, in the midst of our struggles, in the storm of our pain. God is faithful. His word is true.

Look up! He's got this!
I love you in the Lord, Mia

A Message From Michelle

A message from my homeless friend, Michelle... "Anyone who sees my picture, tell them to love Jesus so they can go to heaven"

There is something overwhelming about the call of God. In spite of our present suffering, the call remains the same.... To go, tell and share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus-The perfect sacrifice. Through Him, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone.

May you know this truth today. You are loved!


‪#‎SolaFide‬ ‪#‎SolaGratia‬ ‪#‎SoloChristo‬ ‪#‎SolaScriptura‬ ‪#‎SoliDeoGloria‬

Pruning Hurts! Ouch!!

I have been slacking in the Blogging world, but as a little re-boot, I want to share my husband's blog with you today. It hit me deeply today as God revealed some areas in my life that need to be pruned.

May it be a blessing to you as well.

(Mr.) "Koehne’s Corner"



This weekend I had to cut down all of the bougainvillea plants in my back yard because they were dead from the frost this winter. If you are unfamiliar with these plants they have a lot of sharp thorns. I would have liked to take them all down in one fell swoop, but I couldn’t do it that way. It was one small branch at a time until all the dead parts were removed so the new parts could grow. It was long and painful and I got scratched and pierced by the thorns more than a few times. I pulled thorns out of the bottom of my shoes at least a dozen times through the process. While this was an unpleasant and sometimes painful thing to do, it was necessary if I wanted the dead parts off and the plant to survive.

God does the same thing with us. He wants to cut away the dead parts of our lives so the new parts can grow. Sometimes he needs to cut away more than we would like. We even stick our thorns out to try to protect the things in our lives we don’t want to give up. John 15:2 tells us, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” God has a bigger and better plan, even when it seems painful to us. As the dead parts of our lives are cut away, the new and living parts have a chance to grow. As difficult as it is, lets work together to try to embrace the work God is doing in our lives rather than sticking our thorns out to resist it. -Bob Koehne

Thank you, Bob for your heart and sharing this week!
So, here is the actual finished product. Oh, that I may look like that!