HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY

The 4^th of July is celebrated as the birth of the United States of America, because in 1776 Congress officially approved the Declaration of Independence.

I wonder on the 4^th of July if we remember how fortunate we are to be an American. Sad to say that most of us use the day to only enjoy barbeque, drinks and entertainment without even realizing or explaining to the next generation what being an American means.

There are so many other reason to celebrate the 4^th of July besides the birth of America. The history of our country is what has made it what it is today. We must remember the struggles we have had to overcome as a country, establishing a constitution, fighting wars that changed the world, and hanging on to what is the greatest nation in the world. We are so very blessed.

Here are a few things that I make me proud to be an American. Maybe you can add to my list!

1.      The thousands of men and women who volunteer to serve in the military to protect us.

2.      The ability to have freedom of religion, to worship God wherever and whenever I want.

3.      The freedom to speak my mind and express my opinion.

4.      The beauty all around us of what God made for us to enjoy.

5.      Americans who help those in poverty that are making a difference.

6.      Songs like “Star Spangled Banner’, “America”, and “America the Beautiful”. Makes me get goose bumps when I hear them.

7.      The ability to travel where and when I want.

8.      The resiliency of our nation to pull together after a disaster, bad economic times or any other hardship.

9.      Free enterprise where a person is allowed to own their own business, develop new products and advance technology.

10.  And, proud that I have a family, a healthy family that feels the same way, that we all love each other and work together as a family in the name of Jesus.

Let us not forget that freedom is more than just a list of things, freedom is a not found in going wherever you want or doing whatever you wish, it is a commitment. A commitment in letting yourself be wherever God places you, unwavering in your determination to be obedient to Him.

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. Galatians 5:13-14 (MSG)

Wishing everyone a Happy 4^th of July and God Bless!

Kelly

"BLESSINGS"

This is a song sung by Laura Story - beautiful,meaningful words! Laura says , "The song shows that we still have more questions than answers,” Laura confesses. “But there’s a decision that I find God is asking us to make: whether we are going to choose to interpret our circumstances based on what we hold to be true about God, or whether we’re going to judge what we hold to be true about God based on our circumstances".

BLESSINGS

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

GOD BLESS!

KELLY

MIX IT UP WEEKEND

I just read a blog at lunch today written by Melissa Taylor from Proverbs 31 Ministry and it opened a whole new door for me! It is called “I Prefer To Mix It Up”.

I learned something about myself! I prefer to mix it up too and I’ve never given myself the privilege of doing that! Buried deep within my brain, I have always thought that if you commit to a certain type of exercise you should do only that type of exercise at that given time! I’ve believed if you are a “Jesus Girl” you should only listen to Christian music, work friends don’t mix with church friends or personal friends, and the list goes on. Why did I ever think that way, and how boring is that?  I guess you could say I “was” routine orientated! 

This weekend is a new me! I am mixing things up!

I love Christian music, but I also love country music. If I mixed up my exercise routines, maybe I’d have a better chance of sticking to it! I’m going to stop letting the clock dictate what time I go to bed, my body will decide! I’ve had a desire to visit a new church……this just may be the Sunday I mix it up!

I may go from being extremely independent to very needy and not feel bad about it.  It is just the new “mix it up” me!

Haven’t you wanted to bring in some new summer colors to your great room, but they really didn’t match anything in there? Mix it up! It is OK! If you like it, who cares if it does not match!

Stay in your jammies all day and watch the cooking channel or old movies – mix it up!

Doing new things, seeing new places, and allowing myself the time to take “the scenic route” revive my spirit and renew my enthusiasm for life and work.

Now, I understand when you have children you have to be on a routine or schedule to make life less hectic and children need routine, but once the kids have flown the coop, maybe routines should too!

Now how does this new “mix it up” affect me spiritually? I believe to live for Jesus challenges us to change our lifestyle and to live our life differently. I want to strive to live with a merciful attitude, loving the lost, seeking to win souls, to make disciples of those who chose to follow the Lord.  Even in the Bible, Jesus consistently broke routines for the sake of revealing the Truth. (John – Chapter 4)

So come on, get out of that boredom and “mix it up”!

Have a great weekend and God Bless!

Kelly