Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Right People



God has set the member, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:18

The film Miracle tells the true story of the 1980 US Olympic ice hockey team as it marches to an improbable gold medal. At the outset of the story, coach Herb Brooks is shown selecting the players for his team.  When he gives assistant coach Craig Patrick a list of names he has chosen, Craig says in surprise, "You're missing some of the best players." Brooks responds, "I'm not looking for the best players, Craig - just the right ones."

Brooks knew that individual talent would take the team on so far. A willingness to fit into his style of selfless play would be far more important than talent. Clearly, team success, not individual glory, was the priority.

The biblical call to service has a similar emphasis. In God's purposes, each believer does his or her part, but the results are team-oriented. After explaining the wide differences in the spiritual gifts of believers, Paul says, "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all" (1 Cor. 12:7).  When we use the skills God gives us, His purposes are accomplished, and He gets the glory. In God's service, it's not about being the best, the most talented, or the most gifted.  It's about being the right people - the ones God "set...in the body" ---joining together to serve the same team.  
---Bill Crowder (Our Daily Bread)

"Mountains 2 Molehills"
M2m Missions Crew
Jordan Dennard, Kim Wood, Darlene McDonald, Susan Hambrick, Beth Stewart, (Me), Aaron Holley

We are back from our first mission trip to Peytona, West Virginia.  I simply cannot find the WORDS...there are not enough words to describe what our eyes and hearts have seen and felt. We all went one way and came back changed forever.  Our hearts and constant prayers go out to the precious people of West Virginia and especially to our newly adopted parents in Christ...Papa & Mama T
(Brother Howard & Twala Alford).

Thank you Lord for choosing this wonderful, loving, caring, giving, & compassionate group of believers to be YOUR hands and feet. The lives that we touched and more so the ones that touched us will be a part of our souls forever.  We were blessed so much by people that have so little.

M2m Crew...THE RIGHT PEOPLE!!!

 Also, I would like to say that there are others (many others) that are a valued part of this group that even though they could not make the trip...this mission would not have been possible without them. 
Natalie & Rob Raines
Natalie & Chad Keadle
Stephanie McDuffie
Alison Humphrey
Jake Stewart
Marie Mizell
Scott McDonald
Hope Smith

THERE ARE NO UNIMPORTANT PEOPLE
IN THE BODY OF CHRIST!

...more to come soon about our trip! 

Saturday, June 5, 2010

All I Need

We all face battles in our every day lives.  Some bigger than others; yet, we all face them. Today as I was thinking of an upcoming battle that will be before me in a few days, many things ran through my mind...good things, bad things, unbelievable things, disappointing things, predictable things, surprising things...the list could go on and on. 

In few words or less, I was down in the dumps and upset because someone that I thought was going to be able to endure this battle with me was now unable to be here due to unforeseen circumstances...I already for a moment felt defeated.

My attitude and thoughts almost took me down the all so familiar road of doubt and discouragement, but thankfully I made the choice to not allow anyone or any situation choose how my day will go, how I felt about myself or my situation. So I made a choice to "practice what I so often preach share."

I immediately began to redirect my way of thinking.  I chose positive over negative...good over bad...encouraging over discouraging...confidence over doubt...trust over fear and joy over defeat.  I cannot explain to you what a difference this made...with the change of my attitude and way of thinking, I began to pray. 

I didn't ask God for answers or even why things were playing out like they were...I didn't ask for Him to reveal his plans or what the outcome of all of this was going to be...I just prayed that He would give me strength and help me find peace, but if He wanted to do the other it was okay by me...(I am so glad that our God has a sense of humor!) The last thing I said in my prayer was..."God just please speak to me now...and speak loudly!" After I finished praying, I opened one of my favorite devotional books -- New Day New You by Joyce Meyer ...

and this is what the devotion was for today...


DEPENDING ON HIM ALONE

Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So 22,000 men left, but 10,000 remained.   ---Judges 7:1-3
Instead of telling Gideon, who was facing a major battle, that He would give him more men, God told him that he had too many for God to give him the victory. Interestingly enough, sometimes God works through our weaknesses better than through our strengths.  There are times when we have too much going for us in the natural for God to give the victory. We are not in line for a miracle if anyone but God can help us. God was telling Gideon that they were too strong in themselves, that He wanted them in a position where they would have to depend entirely on Him. Pride and boasting ruin the best of men so God has to help us stay humble and, under His mighty hand, totally dependent on Him.

I may not have men in numbers, but
I have ALL I NEED!!!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

MY SHOWKID



My little one, Jordan, had his SHOWKIDS performance Saturday night at the Warner Robins Civic Center. Words cannot express the appreciation and admiration I have for Jordan's music and drama teachers, Ms. Tracy and Ms. Yvonne.  It was an incredible, funny, entertaining and amazing show.  GREAT JOB to all the performers and everyone involved in the production.


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...
MEET THE "PERRY SHOW KIDS"!


 

"We are thankful for the USA!"



 

remembering the 50's...


...and the 60's


 

 

...and even the famous --- "HEE HAW" days!

 

 
Tell me my boy "dutten" feel the music!



 Our favorite songs are about Jesus... 

 

...like "Jesus Loves Me" & "I'll Fly Away"


...because "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands!"


BRAVO!  BRAVO!
(posted by ONE PROUD MOMMY!)

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Race


A couple of weeks ago, Joseph, Aaron and I participated the RUN4MISSIONS 5k and Fun Race in Macon, Ga.  What an awesome experience...especially for my Jojo since it was his first race. What an event!!!


The RACE...



Getting Ready for the RACE...




Joseph's 1mile race was first!

so excited and nervous..how cute is this!!!

look at him go...

and go and go...

he sees the finish line up ahead...

...and the girl behind him..."aint no girl going to beat me!"



 My baby came in 2nd Place in his first race!!!

 
 


We are so proud of you JOJO!
  

Then it was time for the 5K...



 
meet my coach...my best friend...
my "super"man!

 

Aaron ran with me...I mean stayed with me (he could have beaten me by 10 or more minutes I'm sure) but he never left my side...he pushed me, encouraged me and supported me.  Thank you God for blessing me with such a wonderful man.


 
"you can do this...you got this Mel...you're doing great..
I'm so proud of you...check your breathing..."
  
Looking up, I saw the finish line...
I saw that I had beaten my last time by nearly 4 minutes.
It was an accomplished goal...
I finished and I improved!

I know it's not a "time" to brag about, but it's
improvement for me that I am very proud of.


Then it was time for the awards ceremony...



PROUD...PROUD...PROUD
2nd Place in his first race!!!

 

The simple things in life make me the happiest...being with people I love, contributing to a cause, finishing something you started, encouraging others, improving ourselves and just doing life together with LOVE...tons of LOVE!

HEBREWS 12:1 
  

Devotion: Motherhood

I found this devotion very interesting and valid.  I thought it was worth sharing.

The Mother Every Child Needs


READ

No perfect model of motherhood exists. Children have different temperaments and personalities, and it takes all kinds of mothers to raise them well. But as different as kids are, they do have some common needs.

First, every child needs a mother who wants her children. Nothing is more devastating to a youngster than to grow up feeling unwanted or unloved. A broken connection with Mom can haunt a child throughout life. This may hinder relationships with Jesus Christ, friends, and spouses. As a future adult, that child may struggle with a suspicion that he or she is unlovable.

Second, every child needs a mother who cares for her children. To be healthy and stable adults, kids need a mom who invests in their body, mind, and spirit. Busy parents too often substitute material things for emotional and spiritual support. Buying the latest fashionable clothes may meet a desire. But talking and listening to understand a child's feelings meets the needs of the heart.

Third, every child needs a mother who surrenders her children to God. From an early age, boys and girls should understand they belong to the Lord. Whatever God calls them to do, Mom needs to support His plan with love for them and faith in Him. In 1 Samuel 1:28, we learn children are a gift that parents should return to the Giver's service, just as Hannah did with her son Samuel.

Mothers aren't perfect nor do they have to be. But God is. Through Him and ONLY through Him, a mom can fulfill her calling to want, protect, and surrender her children, no matter how old they are.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

M2m

...if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:2

 
...more to come soon!!! 
Many thanks to
for our awesome logo!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Mother's Day 2010

Why is Mother's Day
so special to me? 


  

...the gifts of course!!!



Especially when you get two!!







O-N-E...

"Mom, I couldn't do life without you. 
I hope you have the best Mother's Day ever. 
I love you Jojo"

(written on my Mother's Day card from Joseph)




T-W-O!!!

"I love you mom. I love you varemuch.
You are vare spshl to are famule.
We play with you.  You love me.
I love you too Boo"

(written on my Mother's Day card from Jordan)




Every good and perfect gift is from above.
James 1:17

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Let Us Run

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.   Hebrews 12:1

Thursday, April 29, 2010

My Smoke Signal


Posted using ShareThis


This is a video podcast from Aaron's church, Chestnut Mountain Church @ Flowery Branch.  Jeff Benefield is one of the most amazing preachers I have ever had the privilege to hear and get to know.  This past weekend I was visiting Aaron and on Sunday, Jeff delivered a message that changed my life. 

His sermon was on..."living a life with discouragement".  Yes, we all get discouraged.  I do regularly; I did today; I am sure I will again.  The thing that came to mind when I got home was Jeff's sermon.  So, I pulled up the church's website and went straight to the video podcast to watch the sermon again.  I will have to be honest with you...this sermon you DO NOT WANT TO MISS! 

Jeff tells the story of his son, AJ, pitching in a high school baseball game against what we may call "the giants".  As he shared with us what happened, tears rolled down my face.  I felt AJ's pain, and I felt Jeff's pain as a parent.  You will have to listen to this sermon to get the whole story...it is incredible...it will change your life! 

The main point in Jeff's sermon was that so often when we get discouraged we tend to look to Jesus' hands to fix the problem...

WHEN...we ONLY need to look at Jesus' face.  Just like Jeff (in the press box at his son's game) kept saying to himself about his son..."just look up here kid".  All Jeff wanted as AJ hung his head in the dugout was for him to look up there at his dad so Jeff could tell him that he loved him...no matter what...he loved him. Jesus is saying the same thing and wanting the same thing from us..."just look up here kid". He wants us to look to him so we will know that He loves us no matter what.  He already knows of our heartaches and disappointments.  He knows the very things that make us feel or get discouraged.  Jesus can fix anything, but the one thing He wants most is for us to just look at His face...to trust Him...and to know and believe that He loves us more than we can comprehend.

I got discouraged today when something happened that was out of my control, not my fault, but was very embarrassing for me.  I first called Aaron, then two of my closest friends and my hero... Mrs. Catharine.  All told me that it was going to be okay, and that God uses these things to get us to rely on Him and Him alone.  Mrs. Catharine told me that no matter what people said that it only mattered what God thought and that He knew the truth and that He will protect me and my reputation and the truth would be revealed.  People can be so cruel however, and yes, it hurts.  I immediately did what Jeff said we often do...I looked to Jesus to fix it...I looked to His hands...I wanted it fixed right then.  I even in my own strength tried to fix it but realized very quickly after thinking of Jeff's sermon...I just needed to look at Jesus' face and believe that He will take care of me. 
Jeremiah 29:11 ~ "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Not only did I get some incredible advice and comfort from the people I love and that love me, but one of my dearest & best friend that lives in Canada sent me an email today that included the story below.  How amazing that I got this particular email today of all days...I love and thank you Jolene!  MISS YOU TONS!!!

The email went like this...

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him!

'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.