Unveiled Living and the Ladies of BCC

Two heads are better than one! :) tee hee

This weekend I was honored to speak at the "Unveiled" Women's Conference at Baptist Center Church. What an incredible blessing the day was to me. As a Christian speaker, I could go in to these things thinking I'm there to bless them -- it's all about me sharing wisdom, blah blah blah.

The truth is, though, that speaking is way more a blessing to me than from me. It's a privilege to be permitted to share God's word with other women, one I don't take lightly. If I speak my words in my strength, well.... they'll get the gospel according to imperfect, sinful Karen. Not the strongest message. Trust me!

When I share God's word, prayed over, meditated on, internalized and applied, they get something different. Much better. They get God. (Not me!!!!!) When we study His word -- reading it to learn what God wants us to understand in our hearts, when we pray -- and listen, when we internalize and apply His truth, we are changed. Transformed from the inside out!

Sharing God's truth after I've learned it for myself, they get HIS hope, HIS love, HIS peace...

All I really add is the real life example, how God took a selfish, prideful, imperfect girl (me) and is transforming her more and more into a humble, patient, loving, forgiving, hopeful, peace-filled woman.

But, you don't have to be a speaker or have a platform to make the same difference. Friends, let's all live unveiled lives. Don't hide your blemishes -- be honest. Share. Especially how God is changing you from the inside out. Don't be so ashamed of your mistakes that you refuse to share God's redeeming love!

Praying for each one who reads this post today:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in the redeeming power of His holy spirit that lives in you and flows through you... (Romans 15:13). With God, ALL things are possible. Redemption. Healing. Forgiveness. Freedom. Hope. Love. Joy.

In the love of Jesus I pray,
Amen

Protected

My dear Daisy continues to speak to me of God's love. She teaches me much about worship and adoration. The moment she sees me, she's filled with tail wagging joy and can't get enough. I am certain God desires the same expression of love from me. (I'm working on it.)

Daisy is teaching me another aspect of God's love: His protection. Early one recent morning, Daisy was sleeping at my feet when she suddenly bolted upright, growling low. I woke up just enough to notice Rob was already awake. I rolled over and pulled the pillow over my head. Daisy continued to growl, so I got up.

Emmett and Daisy

Heading downstairs, I saw Daisy's little friend, Emmett. She heard Emmett's "dad" dropping him off for a day of doggie sitting. No worries. I gave my husband a quick greeting and crawled back under the warm covers.

Today, our heating system is being replaced. Daisy hears the noise that shouldn't be here and growls low. Large thunks and clangs send her into hysterical barking. She is doing her doggie best to keep me safe from whatever evil lurks nearby. I reassure her, but she remains vigilant. She knows what isn't typical around here, and she's going to make sure I know it too. Annoying today, yes.

But, God is using her to remind me that He wants to guard my heart the same way my sweet Daisy guards our home. The only difference is that sometimes I ignore God. I don't think that's a good thing.

My prayer today is that when God growls a low warning, I wouldn't pretend I don't hear Him, but would respond the same way I do to Daisy. Listening. Appreciating the safety offered. Responding. 

Lord, let my heart hear You. And help me to listen.

Amen

Breaking Free

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom

and broke away their chains.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men,

for he breaks down gates of bronze

and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalm 107:14-16

Daisy rejoices!

Enjoying my coffee in peace and solitude this morning, I suddenly realized what was missing. Daisy! My crazed-romping, bone gnawing cutie was nowhere to be found. I opened the back door and called. Nothing. I ran to the front door, hoping she'd be sitting in warm morning sun. Nope. My heart plummeted into my belly. Did she run into the road and collide with something big? 

Before I panicked, I decided to check the house again....

Opening my son's bedroom door, a flurry of black and white bounced out the door and bounded down the stairs. It zipped into the family room where it tore around in circles -- a blur of fuzz and a long flowing tail. She pounced from toy to toy, then from me to Ben. And back again. Clearly, Daisy was glad to be released from that small, teen-cologne scented room!

Talk about happy!!!

What if we rejoice with that same abandon when God sets us free? 

That's my challenge to you today! Rejoice in your freedom!!!

A Hallmark Holiday

For many reasons, my husband and I chose not to celebrate Valentine's Day. We'd greet each other in the morning with a "Happy Heart Day" wish and that was it. When the boys came along we held to our approach. When Nathan was little, we did provide Valentines for his classroom celebration -- I'm not militaristic about the whole thing. 

And then came Ellie...

Ellie's Valentine Suitcase 

Maybe it's a little girl thing. Or maybe it's just Ellie. Either way, Valentine's Day has arrived. Ellie doesn't care that daddy's birthday is the day before. If there's a reason to celebrate, Ellie will celebrate! To her, there's no such thing as a Hallmark holiday. There's either fun... or there's a regular day. 

Seriously, you should have seen her on February 2nd. She bounded from bed, quivering with excitement. "Mommy, mommy, it's groundhog's day. Do you think Sir Wally is going to see his shadow?" Rainy days are made for shiny boots and her daisy raincoat. Exciting! Sunny days are made for playing with "the kids" on the trampoline. Life, to Ellie, is a giant party. Each day is a precious gift to savor for the specialness it offers.

Maybe she's on to something. Ellie understands love -- and life.

Ellie's class is studying the 50 States this year.
Her Valentines celebrate maps and journeys :)

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A man is not where he lives, but where he loves.

Latin Proverb

For you see, each day I love you more 

Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.

Rosemonde Gerard

Yes,  Ellie understands. Valentine's Day is not a Hallmark holiday. It is a permanent, life-altering condition of the heart worth celebrating.

May your day, your week, your month, your year, your life be filled with life-changing love!

That's a lot of love!!!

Happy Valentine's Day, from Ellie and me!

Love is...

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, 
always trusts, 

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Cor. 13:4-8

Happy birthday to the man who lives this out 

every day in our family. 

Rob, you're an incredible husband and father,

provider, encourager, and friend.

Happy Birthday!

I love you!

Always and forever!

Roaring like a lion

All week, the song "God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys has been roaring in my head!

Take a listen: God's Not Dead...

Does God's love roar in your life?

Or do you live more like a mouse?

I believe in miracles!

Did you read my post on freedom last week? I shared how I sometimes ignore the Holy Spirit's prompting -- on purpose! Really. I've been thinking about that ever since.

Why would I ever ignore God's prompting through the Holy Spirit? Why? Why? Why?

Scripture says:

• "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
• "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." (Psalm 145:9)
• "But as it is written, no eye has seen nor ear has heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
• "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Now, now.... Go back and read the scriptures. Don't skim over them. See, I might say something amazing, but I'm nowhere near as amazing as God. 

So here I am, little old Karen who knows that God's plan is beyond anything I could ever do on my own. He wants me to live an abundant life, which he prepared just for me. He can do more than I can ask or imagine! And I DREAM BIG!!! And what do I do? I take matters into my own hands. I ignore the Holy Spirit. I. AM. CRAZY!

Can you relate?

I'm so guilty of being the holy spirit to my kids. That's not my job, though. God wants me to guide them, instruct them and correct them. He wants me to encourage and nurture and pray for them. He wants to be the one to convict their hearts. Those rare times when I do my job and stay out of His, He does pretty amazing. Okay, more than pretty amazing -- He is jaw-dropping FANTASTIC at being God!

Maybe your marriage isn't all that you want it to be. Are you trying to fix it? Or will you let God work on you and leave your spouse to His care? Instead of pointing out your spouse's every short-coming, ask God to show you where you need to improve. Do it, God's way.

Do you hate your boss? Your coworkers? Maybe hate is a strong word.... Maybe you just find them clueless? Ignorant? Selfish? You know what, God didn't put you there to judge them. (Yes, I'm stomping on toes -- mine included!) He put you there to shine HIS light -- not your judgment -- into their lives. How? By following him. You don't have to do it! You just need to honor God and do things His way, walking by faith not by sight.

And when we do that, the most amazing thing happens. God moves. He intercedes. Problems we dread "suddenly" evaporate. Situations we fear resolve. Relationships we struggle with improve. God moves in every situation -- "[He] works for the good of those who love him." (Romans 8:28)

We get it backward. Bless me, then I'll follow you. He wants us to follow him, and then the blessings will flow.

What challenge do you face today? Will you commit your situation to God's care? AND ask Him to work on your heart while you're at it? Do you believe in miracles? I do! 

Popcorn Cake!!!

Special thanks goes to my dear friend, Danielle, for introducing me to this incredible recipe! And a thanks to Shelly at Cookies & Cups for inspiring my version of this cake. If you'd like amazing pictures and the "original" version of this yummy "cake," check her blog!

My version of popcorn cake:

1 bag microwave popcorn, popped (I used Pop Secret Homestyle)
2 cups pretzel pieces ( I used pretzel rods that my daughter enjoyed snapping into smaller pieces)
2 cups plain m&ms
1 cup toasted almond pieces (almonds make this "healthy")
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 bag mini marshmallows

Pop the corn according to package directions, then spread the popcorn out on a cookie sheet and place in a 200-degree oven for 45 minutes to make it super crispy. Cool to room temperature.

Mix pretzels, m&ms, and almond pieces in a bowl. Add the popcorn.

Melt the butter in a pot. Add marshmallows and stir till melted.

Pour marshmallow goo over the popcorn mixture. Stir till well combined. Put the mixture into a well-sprayed bundt pan. Pack it in tight!

Allow to set about one hour, then turn out onto a plate. Enjoy!

Makes "12" servings... Or one really big serving! :)

Super Bowl 2012!

Here it comes, the big game: New England Patriots and the New York Giants. It's an east coast battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. No matter where you live, odds are, you know about this game. You'll probably watch it, if only for the commercials. Seriously, 111 million people tuned in for Super Bowl 2011, the most watched show ever!

And the food.... Will you be noshing on nachos? Pigging out on pizza? Or gobbling gourmet? This is THE weekend for food, friends and flat screen TVs! Everybody's talkin' about it... or Madonna and the halftime show.

I love the excitement of Super Bowl weekend! GO GIANTS! But a piece of my heart breaks... We're all so willing to talk football, food and commercials. Why aren't we that willing to talk Jesus?

Something to think about.
Love,