One Word Challenge

For the last few years I have chosen a word to focus on and this year my word is:

The root word of persistence is persist.  One meaning of persist is to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition. The origin of the word according to Merriam-Webster...

         Latin persistere, from per- + sistere to take a stand, stand firm

I love that!  "To take a stand, stand firm!"  Yep that is what I am gonna do this year with the journey to a healthy life spiritually and physically - healthy weight.  I shall reach my goals and strive towards what God has for me personally and as a family.

What is your word of focus for the year?

The Slide

What a journey I am on! You never know what you will encounter on a journey, good and bad, you may have to face both on a journey.  This week has been one of many emotions.  Some great, some not so great.  My attitude has not been the best and I have fallen a few times.  Fallen to the temptation of Halloween candy, carbs and just not wanting to exercise at all.  Attitudes and thoughts such as, "When do I get to stop exercising, why do I have to fight for every ounce?"  Just mucky thinking.  Then something happened! Something remarkable!  Something awesome!  Something that just proves to me that I have to PUSH through those mucky thinking days!

What in the world does this slide have to do with pushing through you wonder?!  EVERYTHING!  This is similar to what I faced at Kingdom Karnival with my children at our church.  It is a 24 ft tall slide that you have to climb to the top of.  Oh, it's easy you say, NO IT IS NOT! It was a true work out!  It was a climb up that thing and I had NEVER done anything like this in my life.  Not even in my childhood.  But I DID IT!  I climbed to the top.  Okay, let me back track a little.   You see I got half way up and my legs started hurting.  I was fearful I was going to injure my knee or ankle again. (I did aggravate the tendonitis in the ankle.) I was using the ropes on the sides to pull myself up.  It literally was like climbing for my life.  I even stopped and thought I can't do this, I am just going to go back down.  But when I turned around all of these kids (including mine) were there climbing up too.  Then this precious little girl named Kayleigh, who I just love to death, came climbing up to me and said, "You can do it Messa! I know you can!" It was exactly what I needed to hear! I climbed up there and then sat at the slide thinking WOW I did it!  I slide down and it was crazy fast.  But I did it!
   Kayleigh's words reminded me that God is FOR ME!  He will never forsake me in my weakness!  I know He is for me and He used Kayleigh to remind me that He is there saying, "You can do it Melissa!  I know you can!"  Thank you Lord for sending Kayleigh up to encourage me!

This song says it all.... God is for Me by Kari Jobe

Changing

 

Don't Leave the Ministry ... Spiritually, remove your safety net!

Today's blog is by a guest speaker and a good friend from college, Pastor Charlie Hughes. Take time and read this and let it sink in and resonate in your spirit! You can read more of Charlie's writings here!

1 Kings 19:20-21 Elisha said to Elijah "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by, then I will come with you. Elijah replied. Go back. Then verse 21 says "So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook and the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah ...."Wow! Now that's a response to the call of ministry. Remember, this is how Elisha responded after Elijah the great prophet came and threw his cloak around him. This meant that God was calling Elisha to become a prophet like Elijah. But, look at his response. He slaughtered his oxen, burned the plowing equipment, and followed ... Basically, ELISHA BURNED HIS SAFETY NET IN CASE THE MINISTRY DIDN'T WORK OUT.It's no secret how many ministers are leaving the ministry these days, but could it be that we haven't "spiritually" burned our safety net yet. Become resolute, that God has called me, and there's no turning back, no matter how difficult it gets.In the gospels, Jesus said, no man who puts his hand to plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom. And in the words of GENE JACKSON "Never Quit, You Can Never Quit."I just felt someone needs to hear this.