My Husband Ralph.............

There are no words to describe how much I love my husband. He is the greatest. We met in High School and began dating the summer of 1992 or 1991. I think 1992. My husband wouldn't be happy that I can't pin down the date but I do remember it was in July. He is the greatest and God has truly blessed me with a great God fearing man who loves me despite my faults. Neither of us are perfect by any means but he never gives up on me and knows I have more to give than anyone. He knows my moods and he knows when I say "fine" it's not always fine. I have to admit it does bother me but it also makes me feel loved. He is my best friend and my constant and I can't imagine doing life with anyone else. He is the father to our two beautiful daughters and I can't wait to see what our future holds. He is a Pastor and has a heart for our city and for those that are lost. I proudly serve alongside him and in my opinion were a great team. I love you Ralph!!!

Your Partner In Crime..................

Final Story: Courage, Self-Awareness, Kindness, Soul-Care and Vision

Welcome Back!!!

Yeah it's been awhile since I've blogged but I was just too busy with things going on that I got sidetracked. I was finally able to finish the book by Jodi Detrick and I just wanted to finish out with some of the great points she gave from her book. I pray that you enjoy these points and that they apply to areas in your life. Again, I recommend anyone in ministry to read this great book.

Chapter 6: Courage
Great leaders make gallant efforts to take risks, even when the odds are overwhelming and the outcome uncertain.

Some women in the bible were braver than they believed, stronger than they seemed, and smarter than they thought. By looking at their lives we glimpse why Jesus-hearted women must be brave if they're gong to lead and last.

If you give fear the upper hand it will displace courage every time. And if those who serve in ministry don't deal with their personal specters of fear, they will be stunted as leaders-or possibly taken out of the game altogether-no matter how gifted they are otherwise.

Chapter 7: Self-Awareness
A wise, Jesus-hearted woman in leadership will guard against defensiveness and self-protectionism.

Having people who honestly tell you the truth is critical.

Jesus modeled for us a non-fragile leadership that cultivated authentic loyalty while allowing for honest expression of thought.

Chapter 8: Kindness
The heart of a great leader and her true effectiveness is based on, and sustained by, kindness.

But being a "first-clapper"-especially applauding those in the rookie stage of life and ministry-is a great place to begin.

Self-righteousness catches the mistakes and misdeeds of others.

We don't correct every small error that others makes.

We don't show others up.

Your demeanor says more than you realize about the kind of leader you are.

Just a few, kind words make all the difference.

Proverbs 16:24 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Chapter 9: Soul-Care
Not getting enough sleep or exercise. We forget to leave any white space in our busy calendars just to be: be with our families and friends, be engaged in activities that replenish, be quiet and hear God's voice, be still enough to let His love refill our depleted souls....just be.

When your are sustaining your activity for God with very little relationship with God, you will crash.

But God works to grow us as we help others grow, even when we haven't arrived yet.

We can talk honestly about what God expects of us, and what He provides for us, even when we're still on the journey to live out both fully.

Life with ease starts on the inside as we answer Jesus' quiet, simple invitation to the weary and burdened-to those who have lost their enthusiasm and sense of peace about life.

Rest well, Listen closely, and Produce nothing.

Three crucial components of soul-care to consider: (1) Limits, (2) Boundaries and (3) Replenishment.

1) Life without limits is not good for us.

We humans live life best when we live it in portions, honoring the God-designed limitations placed upon our existence.

2) Enough is Enough (Boundaries)

Limit the number of times I check my email or social media per day.

Live with fewer luxuries.

Limit the number of meetings, speaking, writing or coaching assignments per month.

Limit personal expectations.

Take care of relational obligations.

Replace worry with trust.

"Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear," "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strength."

Limit the times I say yes.

"Don't let others, or even needs, set your priorities. Needs and opportunities are not necessarily true indicators of God's will."

3) Replenishment

Gods plans for us to live as a light source for others while we're on our way to see Him face to face, we had better make sure we have, and keep, enough lamp oil to burn brightly through an extremely long and dark night.

God doesn't ask me to solve everyone's problems for them, even in my area of experience or expertise.

He gave attention to the one He was with, in the moment.

When it came to the crowds, Jesus wasn't intimidated. Yet He put space between Himself and the throngs.

Jesus didn't hesitate to withdraw from the multitudes for prayer and solitude.

We simply must be replenished because life drains us.

Chapter 10: Vision
God sometimes conceals, and also reveals, secrets in smallness-if only we have the vision to see.

We catch that vision in different ways: through the inner desires God places in our hearts, by outer circumstances that stir us, and because of the gifts-those God-given talents, abilities, and interests-that beg to be used as an expression of our faith and love.

There's one thing about a vision-once it captures your heart and stirs your passion, it becomes a rudder that steers the course of your life....if you pull up the anchor of hesitation and go with it.

The right vision starts and ends with seeing God more clearly.

Don't let others define or limit your God-given vision.

Vision requires feet. Vision requires us to act on what we see.

Jesus-hearted leaders keep their vision open to course correction.

Jesus-hearted vision shows us the unseen, the things that others miss.

Rest in knowing that your vision is just one part of the bigger picture God sees, and oversees, with great precision.

Passion

Steven Furtick Sticks and Stones Message
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/sermon-series/sticks-and-stones/

This is an old well not that old sermon from Steven Furtick on Passion. He had four great points regarding passion in people. Isn't always true when we are passionate about something is what we always think about. I know some passionate people that I get to serve with every Sunday. These individuals love what they do in and for the house of our God. There are so many things that we can be passionate about. Think about what your passionate about and how that ties into your relationship with Christ? He gave us those passions but are we using them for selfish reasons or for kingdom reasons?

Point#1 Passionate People carry out small assignments with a willing spirit

Point #2 Passionate People must guard there strength or it will become a double weakness

Point#3 Passionate People interpret intimidation as an invitation to something great. Things that intimidate you; we must press pass the intimidation but see it as in invitation to experience God in a greater way

Point#4 Passionate People will fight to the finish in the battles that matter the most.

Five for Friday

So much has been going on these past two weeks and I honestly don't know what happened when but here are some pics from the past week.

 

Micah is learning how to Multi-Task. Watching TV and working on her laptop.

 

I went to Corpus for a Baby Shower of a friend. They have been so faithful in serving in His church and He has blessed them with a Baby Girl due in April.

 

Micah making sure her stuffed animal is ready for dinner.

 

We've gone to Soy. For Micah that is. She's been suffering from some constipation so we made the switch to see if it will help.

 

Eating her sister's Ice Cream. Once she saw Elena eating it she had to have it. She had it in her hair and all over her bib and hands.

 

The joys of memories.

Happy Friday and Happy Valentines Day!!!

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 "For we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I can't even begin to say how much this verse means to me. Twice this week I've either read or heard it. God is so good. I'm so thankful for the blessings and the favor He is pouring out on our church. He is pouring vision upon our Senior Pastor and upon my husband. He is answering prayers and opening doors. Things we wished and hoped for are slowly coming together. I'm so humbled and so very honored for this journey that God has my husband and I and our family on. It's not about what we want and it never has been. It's always and forever will be what God wants and what He wants to accomplish through us in our city. His will be done. So much has happened today and I wish I could go into more detail but let me say this. Romans 8:28.....in ALL THINGS God WORKS for the GOOD. No matter if it's a rough season or a bad day. No matter if it's a smooth season or the perfect day. God is working everything out for the good. He has His plans, He has His purpose laid out. He has called us; and my husband and I are going to be obedient. We are going to conquer our city and tear down the walls. I have no idea on where to begin but I know that God does. I don't know what tomorrow will bring but God does. We will be part of this for as long as He calls us too. We are part of a great church. Who loves people. Who wants to reach the lost and restore Hope and Life. 

Dear Lord,

I'm so thankful, so honored for this journey. For your calling on our life. 10 years ago when we surrendered our life to the ministry I never imagined where we would be today. Use us for your purpose and your will. Lead us and we will follow you faithfully. We are your servants Lord and we are grateful for the things you have provided and for the things you have in store for your church, your city and your people. 

Amen!!!!!

Snow, Sleet or Both?

This is what we woke up to at 5am on 2/6/14. Our first snow of the year. It really sounded more like sleet. All I know is it took my husband 45 minutes instead of 15 mintues to get to work but thank goodness he got there safely. Once it all stopped I went out and took a few pictures. Micah woke up and went to the back door and didn't know what she was seeing. She kept saying uh oh. It's not much but when you live in Texas it's a whole bunch. We don't know how to drive on this stuff in South Texas.

 

 

 Micah didn't know what this foreign substance was that was on our back porch.

 

 Snow? Sleet?

 

 It looked really nice just thankful it wasn't like the rest of the country getting the heavy stuff.

 

 This morning at 5am

 

This looks more like styrofoam crumbled up instead of snow.



Resilience

Resilience

 

I just wanted to share some points from the book that I've been reading and blogging about. This Chapter : Resilience was really great. Lots of times we have to have resilience to get going and keep moving when things get tough or when we do get knocked down or the wind knocked out. Leadership is not easy. It can be rewarding and challenging all at the same time. Pretty much like Texas weather. I really want to be encouraging though because I wouldn't trade the season my husband and I are in. We love being the Campus Pastors of our church. We love the people, our leaders and our church.

Here are some points from the book by Jodi Detrick:

When life knocks you down, let me encourage you to focus on the truth of Proverbs 24:16 “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” That is resilience and it beats the Cringe Factor every time.

Great leaders overcome regret with resilience

Leaders are learners, and learners make mistakes

You will need resilience if you want to last in leadership

You are not defined by your last big mistake

Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a sprint to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterday.”

God has called us to a life of resilience even when things are too bad

So remember that God is in every detail of your life. Keep going and don't stop.