The Fish Tank

Have you ever done something just so you didn't feel left out? You went to a dinner or get together already way over-committed. You had no real desire to go but you didn't want to be the only girl who didn't belong or wasn't there. I am totally this girl. I have been there, done that. I commit for the mere fact of being part of the group; feeling part of something. I recently decided to make some changes in my life. Nothing too grand but changes nonetheless. If you know me, you know I am NOT a change girl. No-siree-bob. I like to know what's coming and have a schedule. A few years ago I was forced into change. There was a situation in my life where, for the betterment of my family and I, I had to make some hard and serious changes. I knew that if I made these changes and I was honoring God He would open new doors into a new chapter and He did in a mighty and tremendously wonderful way. He molded me into a new person and I am forever grateful for the change that oc...

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 These are some super packed verses. Insecurities, judgment, fear, belonging, trying to be something we are not, pride, expectations. Us ladies can be so tough on one another. We make lousy friends and encouragers at times. Guys even tell their friends to, "stop being a chick" and this got me to thinking. God calls us to encourage each other building one anot...

**Disclaimer...In no way am I trying to knock supplements or any of the multitude of health related items anyone of my numerous friends sells. I rejoice in the happiness and success these products create in their lives. I know this is not going to be a popular post but feel like I have to write this out. This is MY opinion and what I feel works best for our family. This is solely my opinion and possibly some encouragement.** I remember being in first or second grade sitting on the side of the pool in our little bikinis with my friend comparing fat rolls on our bellies. First or second grade. I mean, this is just ridiculous. Yet, this memory is clear as day for me. I have always been a little insecure with my body. I have always been a little thicker than my friends and was a giant taller than all the boys beginning in third grade. I never liked the way I looked in pictures with groups of people because I was always the tallest and stuck out like a sore thumb. I remember going with so...

Words. Words. Words. I love words. Words are a beautiful expression of life. I know everyone already wrapped up 2013 and spoke about 2014 with many words. I sat on my words quietly pondering what they meant to me and if these words truly described the life I journeyed through last year and helped shape me into the person I am today as I conquer these first days of the new year. Four words stick out to me from 2013. They were so powerful yet gentle in the beauty of their unique purpose. The year began with the word fearless. Oh, how I needed this word so desperately at exactly the time it entered my life. I had just come off of a roller coaster year of fear, fret, worry, and anxiety coupled with numerous changes in our life and watching loved ones hurt so deeply I could do nothing short of weep. I needed fearless to gain courage to conquer the road He had placed in front of me. Fearless taught me to truly find joy in trials and challenges; to not be afraid of the bad stuff that happen...

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus tells us there are two things He finds important for us to know and live: love God and love people. Everything else "hangs" on these two principles. Most Christians will say they do exactly that: love. However, we fall short. If we loved as God intended and created us to, churches would be bursting at the seams not losing members. Our world has become a place of intolerant tolerance. We say we are a giant melting pot tolerating everyone no matter what yet if we don't agree with what you say we become intolerant because they do not agree with us and thus, are wrong. And because they don't agree and are wrong (according to our opinions),...

My mind is boggled down with topics. I think in terms of chapters and I have many ready and waiting to be written. I have one "chapter" I have been putting off for weeks to write but this one, for some reason, took precedence. I feel like it is imperative for us to talk about this especially in the present time and world we live. So, here I go... Our pastor's daughter wrote a song about the believer and the church. It talks about losing our pride and gaining more of Him; longing for Him to move mightily in our lives; to move in such a way that the world is shaken for Christ. One part of the song talks about the church and sings, "We will rise" repeatedly. I began thinking about my experience in the church for the past 21 years and whether or not the church is "rising." Are we, as believers, rising for Christ? Are we living in such a way that the world is turned inside out for Him? Are our lives so changed that we do not have to speak His name but His ...