2007 Reflection

As the year draws near to a close I am left to reflect the past year. I can full heartedly say it has been one interesting year. The year has been full of many emotions, some up & some down.

Some of the greatest highlights have been shared with family. My amazing daughters have filled my days with so much joy. I have watched them grow over the year into these incredible young ladies of substance. They are true blue, what you see is what you get. I am proud of them as a parent. They have walked the walk of faith and have stayed true to their faith. Girls you are mighty young ladies of God with a heart for his work. Well done my sweets.

I celebrated my 16th wedding anniversary with the one true love of my life. In the world we live in I am proud to say that Jason is my best friend & my one and only. ( I still think he's sexy)lol.... After 16 years of marriage & 18 of partnership he still the one for me. Jason thank you for loving me and being my rock during this turbulent year. The world tried to kick us down but as usual you & I together can take anything on. When the enemy meant to destroy us only made us stronger.

As we enter the new year I go in with a renewed vision & a renewed passion for His work. I can honestly say the wind was kicked out of me momentarily but you can't keep a good woman down. I picked myself up, dusted the dirt off, squared my shoulders back and got back in the saddle. So to speak......

As many of you know I am a strong opinionated women & I'm not afraid of speaking my mind. So I could not pass on the opportunity to speak out.
The last six months have been like none I have experienced before. I have kept silent for a long time but I felt the need to clear the air and go in with a clear heart into 2008. Jason & I did not leave our youth by choice we left because we had no choice. Yet people act like we did something wrong. All we did was leave to protect someone else's secret and we remained silent because we had to. It has been a real trip to see so many Christian's act so unchristian. The amount of grace, love, compassion, and ministry showed by these mature grace giving Christians has been a real joke. All I can say is thank you for showing your true colors and for letting us see who you really were. I was really deeply hurt at first by these peoples actions because many I considered friends but now I'm just disappointed in their spiritual maturity.

In many ways you have inspired me to go out and really make a difference, to create an environment or culture of church where people are really ministered to. I want people to know that God loves them all the time and He excepts them just where they are. It amazes me how we judge others so freely but we fail to judge ourselves. We are not perfect we live in an imperfect world but yet we look down on others and pass judgment on sin we've mastered but what about the sin that masters you?

I could go on but I won't. I want out of 2008 a year of sincerity, a year of growth, and most of all a year of healing.

As I go into this year I leave a lot behind. Some great memories with people I love & cherish & some painful memories with people I am trying to forget.

So 2008 look out we are gearing up to Dominate this area for Christ....

What Are Your Actions Saying Part 2

As I keep reading through this book unChristian my main thought is: It is no wonder why society is rejecting Christianity.

Truth is, they are not really rejecting Jesus they are rejecting the person who is selling their version of Christianity. Many things have been said about this generation. This generation of mosaics and busters are diverse and extremely unique but most of all I give them credit for one thing. They can see right through us. It is interesting to hear what they think. The remarks and statistics are staggering.

I apologize if I sound upset but their are over 50 million people out their who feel we are not authentic because our words and actions don't line up.

So, here is my challenge. Perception is truth to the person who feels it is or is living the experience. It is not about being right, it is about validating what the person has experienced.

When prophecy was given about the church being a hospital it was not to heal the hurts the church inflicted on it's people it was to heal the lost and hurting beyond the church walls. We have distorted that tremendously.

As Christians we need to let our yes be yes and our no be no. We need to mean what we say and say what we mean. If you truly are a grace giving church then give it, if you're walking in forgiveness then live it, and if you're truly sorry than say it. Am I saying I am there.... no I'm not. What I am saying is I personally have experienced it firsthand and I know how hard it really is.

All I am saying is we need to get it right. We need to change our approach and how we do church. There is a generation out there lost ..........lost to us and the gap is getting bigger. We are losing ground and yet we remain self absorbed and ignorant to what is happening.

This book I am currently reading called unChristian is about "What this generation really thinks about Christianity .......and why it matters."

It really does matter. If I who have been saved for over 14 years feel or have experienced things that no person should have to at a church, what hope do we have of reaching those who have never been to church. How can we reach them when we can't get it right ourselves.

Simply food for thought.

What Are Your Actions Saying Part 1

Over the past six months I have learned that actions speak louder than words. I was reading a book today my husband got in the mail called unChristian. This really got me thinking about a lot of things that have gone on.

I have discovered that people always give the politically correct answer or they pick the one that sounds the most spiritual in an effort to make themselves appear super holy. I will admit that I have answered that way before. When someone asked, "How are you?" My answer was, "Oh I'm great," and realistically everything is a mess. My favorite, "it's great to see you", and you know they were secretly hoping you did not see them and they just couldn't get out of the isle in time. Not that I have ever done that.....(LOL) The truth is we give lip service. Yep that is right lip service!!!!!!!

Some us walk around quoting scripture. We can quote from Genesis to Revelation. We have a scripture for every occasion kind of like Hallmark has a card for every occasion. But my question is...can we live it? I have heard it all: I forgive you, we love you, were praying for you, and were showing you grace. All which sound extremely ironic because they are "said" not done. They become empty words when delivered without action.

So here is my point......Don't say the words if you don't mean them and surely don't say them if you can't live them. It is awful to hear and painful to swallow.

I can honestly say if one more Pastor says were here to see you through and then you never hear from them again or we are grace with an attitude then they snub you. I can't take one more bloated slogan or tag line meant to catch your attention when I personally have not felt any of what your offering. I might have to repent for the actions that will follow. (jk)

Going Forward

Thanks for the continued prayers and support you guys have been awesome. My mom is doing great and my family is doing well. My girls are amazing. They are the best girls in the whole world. I could not have asked for better daughters. They really have it together.

We are currently looking ahead to our church plant and are excited about what God is doing. He is bringing together a great launch team that has a passion to change this area for Christ. Please continue to pray for us as we begin a new chapter in our lives. We are beyond ecstatic and grateful for God's provision. He will supply all our needs above and beyond what we can comprehend.


It is amazing to see doors open where others had been shut. What the enemy meant to destroy us with God used for His Glory. My advise, keep your eyes on God because man will only let you down.......................

Thank you Father for showing us what real grace looks like and for being there to pick us up when we were down. I can honestly say you were constant in our lives you never left us and you never forsake us.