Story

I have to say a huge thank you to my Pastors, Chilly and Netta Chilton. Last week I was given the opportunity to attend Story, a conference at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL. I cannot say enough about my leaders, who continually inspire, teach, love and give me an opportunity to serve. I was so blessed and encouraged as a person, in my relationships, as a minister and leader, and also challenged as a communicator. Thank you!

Wisdom, insight and joy were among things added to my life through this conference. I’m not really into finding the latest and trendiest speakers and getting excited about the next event, but I went to this conference expecting God to blow my mind and He did. Again and again, every session (except one) was truly inspiring. One thing I know is that God speaks every time I open His word, and reaveals himself to us. There is no way that I could sum up everything in one blog post, but here are a few quotes that stuck out to me.

“Everyone wants to reach people, until you start reaching people!” Ed Young

“There is no one-size-fits-all; people are more complex than that.” Dave Gibbons

“Don’t be afraid of your pain. Surrender your falseness.” Mike Foster

“When there is vision, the means take care of themselves.” Skye Jethani, Preaching to the Imagination

“People are more open when we consider them. It is not only what we say, but what people hear.” Kem Meyer, Less Clutter. Less Noise.

“I’m a proud man (woman) seeking humility.” “…the intensity of my pride in creativity…” – Thomas Fluharty, Picasso Said

“Maybe you cannot change the world, but you could change it for one person.” – Mike Hyatt, What American Christians Can Learn From the Poor

The stories found in the Bible are amazing. The words tell stories of love, wonder, tension, hope, hurt, redemption. The Bible is all about the almighty God who wants to know us and wants our lives be part of His life. As I listened to various speakers and presenters at Story earlier this week, I was challenged with this idea that my life story intersects The Story.  God made a way for my life to be meaningful, through Him. Without him, my life means absolutely nothing! Instead of just surviving, we can really live, because He is alive. This is the basic Christian Faith, but lately it’s been overflowing in my heart. Daily I thank God for his amazing love, salvation and His plan for me. Isn’t it amazing that a loving God would want me and you, and that He calls us to be like Him!? Wow.

By the end of two days my hand hurt from writing notes, my brain was tired from learning and my butt sore from sitting. It was so worth it. God was showing me how to see needs around me. How to have a heart for others and why I should take time to listen to their stories. Now I’m at home and more alert, living my life to tell His story!

For pictures of the Story Conference in Chicago, click here.

 

Forward!

Lately life has been an amazing journey! Every day is something new and fresh and challenging. My goal is to life in abundance, and use everything God has for me! I cannot just coast through. I’m not looking back (too much), but looking ahead and moving forward!

What a moment You have brought me to. Such a freedom I have found in You.
You’re the healer who makes all things new. Yeah!words by Israel Houghton

I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead. I’m here to declare to you my past is over.
In You all things are made new. Surrendered my life to Christ; I’m moving, moving forward.

You have risen with all power in Your hand. You have given me a second chance.

You make all Things new!
Yes, you make all things new and I will follow You forward…

Self Matters

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…”

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Philippians 2:3-5, 12b-13

It can be difficult to think about anything other than myself sometimes. It takes determination, focus and spending time with God to get my mind off of me. I’ll admit it, I spend a lot of energy trying to please others, instead of God. Not on purpose, but without even knowing it at times. We have to work extra hard and long to change the behaviors that come naturally. Really, we’re supposed to be like God, but for some reason I hold tightly to the dumbest things. Like self. God has been changing me as I allow Him too and as I have opened the Word this past week. The biggest change I know is Him helping me to redirect my thoughts, energy and resources to be about Him. I know everything I have and everything I am, is from Him and FOR Him. What a freedom it brings to live for God, and no one else! (Not even myself.)

Football, Weddings, and Stuff

This weekend I went back to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, which is where Mo and I met and lived before moving to Dearborn, MI last year. It is always fun to go back and visit, and neither of us had been back for nine months. I checked on Mo’s house that we are renting to a friend, did some planning and outlining of landscape work that needs to be done. Honestly, I would love to do the landscaping myself, it seems like such a fun challenge. I love creating things, especially when I have a vision for the finished product! I can’t wait to have a yard, even if it’s tiny. I love projects.

I also became a wedding crasher this weekend. You see, I made some friends right before moving away last year, and DJ Shape (who did an amazing job at our reception) married Grace this weekend. I was invited to the wedding, but not the reception. Which is understandable, since I am not around and barely know them. But I went anyway. I know, it’s bad! I mean, I made sure I knew there was someone who wasn’t going so as not to incur cost on them. It was kinda weird, but then Grace kept giving me the thumbs up whenever we made eye contact. I guess that means all is well. I decided I’m going to be BFFs with them now. Congratulations Grace and Stephen! Honestly, it was one of the best weddings I’ve been to, mostly because they are both seriously in love with Jesus and each other. The love was absolutely overflowing, and it was a party!

I got my first issue of Real Simple, I love this mag. And got it online for $5 a year! Can’t wait to get new ideas.

Decided to pay more attention to College Football this fall, and now with these new developments in Minnesota, I will watch the NFL, go Vikes! I do think it’s weird that those of us who grew up despising the Packers are now excited about Brett Farve. Oh well, there are more strange things than this.

If there was a reality show about my life…would I make things up just to make it exciting? I think that’s what some people do. Whatever.

While having fun in Illinois, I did miss Real Church and my friends here, and I missed the big announcement! It is good to be back, I feel more excited than ever to be a part of what God is doing in Detroit!  You can read all about the latest miracle on Pastor Chilly’s blog!

 

Grace and DJ Shape’s wedding…beautiful!

Reghan, my tiny wild crazy fun friend!

Jarron Schaeffer

The girls with Pastor Terry…and Keghan

Update

Well I finally went to prayer this week after missing two days due to illness. I really don’t know anyone who likes being sick, but it’s funny to me how I become totally dead to the world when I get sick. I don’t want to talk to anyone, or do anything, just keep my eyes closed and rest. I am grateful for all the friends who asked about how I was, and for the prayers, and most of all for my patient husband. He is really good at serving me, and bringing me medicines. Did you realize that NyQuil has 10% alchohol in it?! No wonder we can only drink 2tbsp. at a time! For some reason I thought it only had 4%, but Mo reassured me it’s always been 10. Anyway, prayer was awesome, so good to be with people pursuing Jesus.

This past weekend is long gone, but we heard an incredibly practical message about the
Bible. I say practical, because, until practiced, it is just a good message. I’m trying my best this week to read, study and pray more. Tonight’s Logos Study was awesome tonight as well…we talked about Power, relationships and the armor of God and how it relates. Good stuff, great discussion. I love being challenged and changed by the word, and by discussion and accountability…I love church!

I have a 7 hour drive all on my own tomorrow! I’ve already been planning ahead, making pre-choice choices about how I’ll spend the time. I don’t always like being alone, but I think this will be good. There are some specific situations I need to pray about, some bible reading (don’t worry I have the audio on my ipod) I’m in the middle of, the third book in the series I’m reading, and maybe phone calls to some far away, long lost family and friends. Of course there will be frequent stops, but I know how to plan out the stops so there’s a starbucks nearby :). Life is good.

A positive report came from the Neurologist last week. In his words, “my brain is normal“. I could go so many different directions with that, but I’ll just take it for what it is. Good news. God has a plan and I’m so glad my trust and faith is in Him. It makes facing the unknown not so scary.

Oh Happy day.

Alice

My husband, who is very smart by the way, introduced me to this site called Alice (.com). Actually, it’s not just a site, but an idea of automating household purchases. Mohan is always on the lookout for new things to try. I really admire his motivation, he’s always finding technology or creating a better, simpler or even more fun ways to do things. And I’m always up for organization and streamlining. Sometimes I really like the old ways of doing things; you know tricks and tips you learned from your parents, or the way it’s always been done! But, that’s not always the best way. Over the past year I have developed little methods, processes, and ways of going about making sure our home and lives are somewhat put together. I suppose that is generally what you do once you get married…I certainly never put this much thought into all of it before! It has been fun talking with friends, strangers, looking at sites, and taking in lots of ideas, and I really enjoy this!

Last week I implemented a menu planning system using Google Calendar, I got the great idea from a site that Netta posted last week, and it is working so far! It seems easier, to me, to have the menu separate from my personal planner, plus it emails me what I have planned for that day. If I’ve attached a recipe to it from another website, I get that in a morning email as well! It’s really fun, and I never have to worry about what we’re eating – well, unless I decide to change it up, or we skip a day for some reason, or run out of something. I haven’t really perfected it, but it’s really fun to try! I feel like it will save time, money and energy in the end.

This week I am giving Alice a try. It’s an online shopping site which takes low prices (plus any coupons offered) and allows you to buy from them, and then they ship it to you for free. The idea is to free up your time, avoid running out of something and having to make an extra trip to the store, and be able to track your expenses. If you use essentially the same products all the time, it seems to work. There were a lot of good prices on there, a few things I know I can either get a generic much cheaper, or I know of a better deal. They only have a few food items, like baby food, cereal, snacks, coffee and tea, the rest is cleaning products, paper good, cosmetics, toiletries, and household essentials, etc. Once you add all the items that you would normally buy, you tell it how often you need a certain item, then it reminds you to order, and it comes to your house in a couple days. I’m looking for my first order today or tomorrow.

Putting systems in place and having things automated, whether in finances, or this type of thing seems to be very helpful. Sure, you’ll have to make an initial investment of time to learn and set up systems, and maybe it will work for you, or maybe not. There’s nothing better than saving time and money and freeing up your mind to be able to do the really important things in your life! And there are a lot of important things to do! More on the important things later…

Homework

Here’s my homework from last night! It’s short and sweet, but it’s my prayer.

God,

I want to know you more. Thank you for Your Spirit that gives me wisdom and helps me know the TRUTH for my life. I want to see with your eyes, so I can really know the hope of a life lived in your will. I know you have unlimited resources for me and nothing I could get for myself would even compare to you.

 

 

in my mind

This weekend was awesome, one of those personal breakthrough times for me. He’s changing me, and I’m working on doing my part. Constant growth takes WORK! I’m ready to get dirty, and work hard.

Reading 1 Samuel and Psalms is changing my perspective, getting the truth in my life and helping me – the Bible really works.

Mohan turned 29 today. He’s trying to catch up with me, but he will not! I hope he enjoyed his presents, I always think too hard about what to get. Oh, I should have got him a puppy!

Can’t wait to hang out with friends this week! Seems like we’ve been gone so much, good to be here, and connecting with people.

Doing my homework from Logos last week – it is definitely helping me.

Planning a quick trip to Illinois – check on the house, check on the peeps. Will it be in the next couple weeks, or in September?

I’m now seeing a Neurologist for some strange numbness that I’ve been experiencing for a while. Keeping my eyes on Jesus, not on a condition or possible scenario.

Responsibility is a good thing, sometimes it’s hard to get started, but once you take responsibility things start working.

At this stage in my life, I am not interested in pets.

I have been thinking about my family more lately, especially my grandparents. Jesus bless and keep them.

I really don’t want to clean the bathroom. Ugh. Oh yea, responsibility J

Following up on possible Xmin students this week. I know God will bring the right ones.

I’m working on stream lining my menu planning and grocery shopping. Thanks for the tips and links Netta!

Be happy

God’s word is so amazing. I am convinced that it is truth and the more I read it, the more it becomes a part of me, and I am changed! It’s not just a spiritual answer, it’s a practical answer.

Life is hard sometimes, I know things come up and struggles can seem to come out of nowhere. But we have more than an advantage as Christians; we have a living God in us, who is the author and finisher! There is no need to let life ruin you, not for a moment, or a week or a year. You may not be exempt from bad things happening, even if you are a super-good person. But in everything, there is purpose. And it is my choice and your choice to find God’s purpose for your life…and glorify him. I can’t say what God’s answer is for every need that you or I have, but I can reassure you that He is sovereign, and if you look to Him, he will eventually show you his plan. Don’t get consumed with the situation you are in, find God’s perspective. Listen to those around you that you trust, and listen to God. Find comfort in the fact that God is in control, and stop trying to control your life through the good or the bad times.

God brings hope, love, joy, a future – all you have to do is take it. Don’t be bound by this thing that is consuming you, declare that God is love, is true, is life. Declare it until you believe it, and you’ll start to see the many ways that God is working, even in your pain. Choose to smile, and choose to take the hope God gives you.

“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” Psalm 62:8 (AMP)

“But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just.” Psalm 71:14-15 (NLT)

 

Last night we met for Logos, our Wednesday night study/small group time. Every week God speaks to us, and last night we focused on making plans that will allow change to happen in us. After all, if we’re attending church multiple times a week, and we’re not growing then something is wrong – with us, not the church! Make a plan and take action, I love it! Now, we just have to do it!

I’m really happy being back in Detroit, back to work, to ministry and Real Church. I feel so passionate about living with passion, purpose and to Glorify God. Even pain can glorify him, if you give him glory through it.  I’m praying for miracles all around me!

I can see Russia from my house

We just returned from Alaska. One week in the Last Frontier. I learned a lot. It was a great trip, full of adventures and fun times, but the challenge is how to put it all into words, do you ever feel like your mind is going so fast, but you can’t really figure out what’s going on? It always takes me time to process, so I’ll try to give a recap.

Mohan and I, along with his parents who currently live in Fairbanks, traveled to Denali National Park and to Valdez, AK. I knew we would be doing some sightseeing, but still had no idea what to expect. The scenery, the wildlife, and the views were completely overwhelming. Alaska is so big, the mountains and va leys and landscapes go on and on for as far as you can see, for hours! And you see the animals in their habitat; it’s nothing like the zoo. I don’t know if every tourist has as great of an experience as we did. You don’t see the good stuff unless you stick it out and pay attention. There was a lot of time spent driving, and waiting, but our patience certainly paid off. There was a bus tour through the national park, and a boat tour to the glaciers. Every animal or creature spotted would get fingers pointing, and cameras clicking.

I love history, and learning about cultures, I found myself interested the entire time. I read up on the places while driving, or ask questions to anyone who seemed to know. If you’ve heard enough you can stop here. The rest are some things I learned, and some observations about our travels:

Alaska is very remote, and life can be isolated. On an 8 hour drive we went through maybe 3 towns that were on the map, but honestly if you didn’t slow down, you had no idea you just drove through a town. We ate at roadhouses, and used outhouses.

Public restrooms are a learning experience, and a test of character. We used so many ‘questionable facilities’ while traveling in Alaska. Yea, you might think you would hold it at that point, until you realize there won’t be another toilet for a hundred miles or more. When you gotta go…

They definitely drink coffee in Alaska, but no starbucks or caribou instead they have these tiny buildings equipped with all the coffee shop equipment and a drive through window. You find these everywhere you find civilization, or a highway. You can get any espresso, coffee, tea, and food, and they all have funny names! They are open all year round, what a great idea!

Keep bug spray, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and toilet paper with you at all times.

In the summer the sun doesn’t go down, right now Fairbanks has about 22 hours of sunlight. You have to get these heavy duty shades to make it dark enough to go to sleep.

I don’t think you should wait until you get the senior discount to see Alaska, it’s too awesome.

Mt. McKinley is 20,320 feet high, the highest peak in the U.S. We only saw a third, or maybe ½ of the mountain because of the clouds that were covering it. There were 243 people attempting to climb it on the day we were there. Maybe next time.

Pack a lunch and bring extra water. You never know where you’ll be and how long you’ll be there; there are no McDonalds in the wilderness. We ate lots of sandwiches, granola bars, and vitamin water.

Alaska has 1.1 people per square mile, millions of acres of wilderness, and has only been a state for 50 years. Half of the state’s population of 680,000 lives in Anchorage.

You can have fun anywhere – if you are a fun person! We planned the end of our trip to have a couple days in Anchorage, over July 4^th, also known as our anniversary. It was super fun to celebrate our first anniversary together in such a crazy place. I think both of us were expecting more of a booming metropolis, some of the Alaskans had talked it up. But it was fun times in the city. We found a really cool restaurant, but it was still bright outside at midnight, so no fireworks for us. Anchorage has a pretty cool art scene, and it seems that many Alaskans have their own little business ventures going on…Alaskan crafts, biscotti, getting trinkets shipped in from China. There was a weekend market which had tons of street food and live entertainment. A three member worship band sang “victory in Jesus” and others; there was even a hip hop crew that gave a performance!

To appreciate Alaska, you must embrace the outdoors, but more than that – God’s wonderful creation! “Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God!” Psalm 36:5-7

Every time I return from a trip, no matter if its ministry, family or vacation, I always find myself so happy to be home. My head is spinning and my heart is full! Go to Alaska if you get a chance, for now there’s work to do in Detroit.