On Purpose!

It would be wonderful if there was a place called Purpose and once you got your high school diploma you could go there and find out what our life's agenda is.  I am probably one of many who feel that I don't know my True purpose.  I have a Bachelor's degree and 18 hours towards a Master's degree but no fire behind pursuing that degree further.  I don't want to be in a job, possibly making good money and just feel ok about getting up and going to work.  I want to LOVE getting up and doing what I feel I was Born to do!

Sure I had an agenda, I had a game plan.  In college I never thought I would be where I am right now.  I didn't plan this but this is where I was placed.  It has all been apart of the plan all along.  Bishop T.D. Jakes had the most uplifting sermon on the 1st Sunday of this month.  He spoke about purpose and how just because we have an agenda does not mean it is what God has for us.  He created and put us here to accomplish His agenda.  So I was thinking like others watching and the whole congregation well how do we know what His purpose is for us, how do we know if we are following His agenda?  So he broke it down...  When we are walking in our purpose, He will provide protection and provision.  Then look at what you are passionate about, it will lead you to purpose.  Passion is the key!  Your passion and purpose must be in alignment! I was like a cartoon character and my light bulb turned on at that moment!  We must pray in our passion and believe that we have already received it and we shall have it.  He gives us want of our passion of what he has predestined us for in this life.  Passion leads to Purpose!

Everything that has happened is designed to push you into your purpose.  It's no accident you are reading this right now.  All the things that have happened thus far shaped you into the person you are and its the path you need to take to get to where you are suppose to be.

My last post was about 10 ways to grow spiritually and that will definitely help with finding purpose.  As the relationship grows with the Lord so will the understanding of your/my purpose.

It's 2012 so let's get it!!!

10 Ways to Grow Spiritually in 2012

Good Morning!  A blessed morning it is!  I went to bed and prayed last night asking the Lord for guidance as to how to achieve my one and only "resolution" for the year, getting closer to Him.  This morning I was directed to this article that was just the answer I needed!  I wanted to share with everyone who may be at this point in their lives wanting more.  I am so excited I cannot contain myself!  Here are the 10 ways to grow spiritually in 2012.  You can find the link back to the original article at the end!  

1. Read through the Bible in a year. There are several good resources available to help you do this. If you've already done it, do it again, but in a different translation. (Even better, team up with a friend to do this with you and hold each other accountable).

2.  Choose a book of the Bible to study. The next step after simply reading the Bible is to study it, go beneath the surface, uncover the truths, principles and insights in Scripture. You may want to study one book of the Bible each quarter...or one for the entire year. Try picking up the New Inductive Study Bible which actually teaches you how to study the Bible on your own. Make sure you regularly share with others what you are learning.

3. Study a topic that will help you grow. Ask yourself where you want to be in your relationship  with the Lord by the end of the year and then set tangible goals for getting there. For instance, if you want to know Him better, consider a study of His names in the Old Testament and Jesus' "I am" statements in the New Testament. If you need to slow down and learn to listen for His voice, study all the Word says about "rest" or "hearing" or  His "voice." If there are character traits you know you need to work on, consider an in-depth study of some or all of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

4. Participate in a weekly small group Bible study or lead one among your friends, neighbors, or co-workers. We can grow at a faster rate in community because we are able to share our experiences with one another and hold each other accountable.

5. Read three books to deepen your devotional life. Set a goal to read a book every month, every three months, or whatever is realistic for you. Also consider reading books that will challenge and convict you...that's where the growth comes.

6. Start a weekly prayer group with others who share similar concerns on your heart.  (For example, praying with other moms for your children, praying with other wives for unsaved spouses, praying during your lunch hour with co-workers, or  praying with friends or church members for a specific burden God has placed on your heart.)

7. Start a journal to record your growth.  Start journaling your thoughts as you read the Word. How did a certain passage compel you to pray? What changes are you asking God to make in your life? What discoveries have you made about His character or His Word? Date each page. By the end of the year, you'll have a record of where God took you and what He has shown you through the past 12 months.

8. Record your blessings and answered prayers. Keep a "blessing book" in which you record every blessing that comes your way throughout the year, adding a prayer of thanks or praise. In addition, write out your prayer requests and record the answers as they come. By writing out these types of things, you will not only be more keenly aware of how God is working in and around your life, but you will be able to see your progress in becoming one who does "everything without complaining or arguing" (Philippians 2:14) and a person who gives thanks "in all circumstances" (First Thessalonians 5:18).  

9. Disciple a young believer. We learn the most when we teach it to others. And seeing them grasp truth for the first time gives it a fresh impact on our lives as well. Pick up the One-to-One Discipleship manual fromMultiplication Ministries and take a young believer through the adventure of living the Christ-directed life.

10. Pick a 'theme verse' for the year. Say it aloud every day. I guarantee if you do this, by the end of the year -- and probably a lot sooner -- you will have memorized that verse. And that's one more verse in the Word of God that you will have memorized during your lifetime. Choose from Psalm 90:12, Psalm 119:32, Psalm 119:133, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 4:6-7, or find one of your own.

Thanks for reading and be Blessed!!!

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/breaking-the-complacency-habit-10-ways-to-grow-spiritually-in-2012.html?utm_source=Crosswalk&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=010212&ps=0

Happy New Year!

Wow another year has gone and a new one is here.  Thank God for letting us see another year!  I don't know about you but 2011 was a roller coaster of events.  Some very good highs and some very bad lows.  One thing is for certain, we made it and hopefully have learned from it.  Everyone has the urge to set resolutions for the new year to make up for our short comings from the previous year.  I too feel like there are things I want to accomplish but to actually make them into resolutions, ummm maybe not.  I don't like the thought of not obtaining them.  I think by changing one aspect in my life then the others will fall into place like dominos in a line.  The one thing will be to decrease me and increase God.  Sure everyday won't be perfect and there will be times I will want to throw up my hands but as long as I know I have  someone to fight my battles when I am weak then I know it will be alright.  Here is a little New Year's Blessing to read and remember as you take your seat on the roller coaster of life and enter 2012.  Buckle up and enjoy the ride!!!

Just call me Martha Ray!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I had to channel my Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray this Thanksgiving, hence the name Martha Ray lol!  I was making homemade pie crusts and fillings, and my first turkey which was a 10 pounder.  SO I needed all the help I could get from my favorite cooking and baking ladies!  I cooked for 6 fully grown professional basketball players, a pregnant woman and my toddler.  Needless to say I was exhausted.  We had our feast yesterday, Wednesday the 23rd.   There is no "Thanksgiving" day the last Thursday of November in Germany so the guys had 2 practices today.   I like to keep their spirits up over here and cook a traditional southern meal with all the fixings so that missing home wouldn't be sooo bad for that short period of fellowshiping.  


I woke up feeling HORRIBLE!  I have been feeling ill since Friday!  I have not gotten much better since my last blog entry and have developed new symptoms!  Well The hubby felt bad for me and told me to let him know if I didn't feel up to cooking for the guys and I couldn't back out knowing they were looking forward to it.  In the morning I opened my eyes and looked at the wall at the foot of my bed and saw this,

If it's kind of blurry but it reads, With God all things are possible!  I love it!  It comes from Matthew 19:26.  (a dollar store find, that I brought over with me to Germany) I said out loud, "Ok God I am putting it all in your hands!"  Boy did he deliver!  Not only did I cook this meal for these men who eat 3 servings, but I did it with very little coughing and fatigue.  They were happy, watched the Cowboys football game through slingbox, laughed, talked and said they ate well.  So I am very thankful this Thanksgiving for everything!  The Lord keeps on blessing!  

So may you have a wonderful day of official thanks but everyday is a day of Thanksgiving! 

1 Chronicles 16:8 - Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Too Little Too Late

I am sitting here sipping on my hot green tea, wrapped in a throw, coughing and feeling weak.  You would have never known I had a wonderful afternoon that included a relaxing back massage and a wonderful facial/massage.  I was sooo relax I almost fell asleep.  I think the only reason I didn't was because I was wondering if my daughter was behaving at my friends house.  They have a lovely home with light colored furniture and rugs.  All I could imagine was her dirty little hands touching things!  I also wondered how the hubby was and was his physical therapy treatment going ok, what would he eat for lunch, were there enough left overs from dinner???  So much running through my head!  I couldn't fully relax.  As a wife and mother I as many others often put myself last.  Girlfriends you guys do it too with your significant other, kids, families and work!  They both were sick with colds and I dealt with that plus the regular household things I normally do.  Well now I think its my turn to slow down and recuperate.  My massage came too little, too late!  It was a wonderful birthday gift from my German friend who thought I could use a break.  I must make time for me more often.  When I do this I must also leave the worries at the door!  Relax fully and enjoy my hour or two of total alone time!  Well lesson learned!  

Here are a few shots from the Day Spa, I wish I could have taken a few more!  So beautiful and peaceful in there but I would have been looking like a tourist for reals!

 Translates : Who Begins the Day with a Laugh Is Going to WIN!

My wonderful Masseuse

Here are some words of wisdom.  I don't know about you but I am reading them, and taking note!  We have to do it!  Before our bodies say enough is enough!

Quick Meal Idea - Zucchini Pasta

Yesterday evening I just wasn't really feeling like cooking at all!  I waited until the last possible minute to get up and go in the kitchen to make dinner.  Since I am not technically working outside the home I feel that it is nice for dinner to be ready when my husband gets home for working so hard at practice.  He is an athlete and practices twice a day.  Some nights he walks in close to 11pm.  Well I really didn't feel like hovering in the kitchen and cooking for a long time.  He had brought some zucchini home that afternoon so I decided to find a recipe that would include it.  I found one that was only rated 4 stars on allrecipes.com.  So by the advice of a friend decided to make it and turn it into a 5 star, thanks K.P. lol.  So all I basically added to the recipe online was some shredded cheese (I'm sure any kind will do use your favorite), cut a few small tomatoes up and used Italian seasoning blend.   It was a hit!  Took about 13 minutes and is including boiling the pasta and letting it simmer a little at the end.  I made enough that we had some for lunch today and with a splash of basalmic vinegar it was still very tasty!  Serve with a garden salad and crusty bread.  YUM!

11-11-11 My Birthday and New Beginning

          Wow God is so amazing! I feel so blessed to be able to see another wonderful year. I have good people surrounding and supporting me and above all else God on my side. Some people look at getting older as a sad thing, especially after the age of 21 lol. I look at it as another chance to do what I am suppose to do. Another opportunity to reach the goals I have set and to set new ones. I sometimes look at my life and say I am yet to do what I was put on this earth to do. I came across this piece of writing...

So I believe that even though I feel I am not where I want to be, I am where I am suppose to be. God has the final say on my life. I can not wait to see what He has in store for me! Be blessed!


CeshaJ