The Right People

Read 1 Corinthians 12:7-18

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! 

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!!!

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!)

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

1 Samuel 1:19-28

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.

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

Danielle @ The Design Girl Studio

for our awesome logo!

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

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