"Do everything without complaining or arguing." (Philippians 2:14)
Do I have your attention?
Have you ever wanted to tell someone, "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it!" or "If you're so miserable, then leave!" I have to say that I have, especially with the professional complainers and whiners (as if they don't have anything better to do with their time). I want to say, "Get a life!" or "Get happy in the same pants you got mad in!" or "If there is a problem, then be the solution not another problem."
I quote this verse to my kids on occasions only for God to remind me of it later that same day when I complain.
We all have things we struggle with, don't like, or want to change, but we're told in God's Word to do EVERYTHING without complaining. You have something negative to say about someone or something -- ZIP YO' LIP!
By refusing to ZIP THE LIP, we are refusing to submit to God's authority, and that, girlfriend, is not a place I care to tread. And I don't want any of my gal pals there either.
"Submit" is a difficult word. It requires humility. It requires us to give up our own agenda, our own actions based on our opinion, and requires us to follow and be obedient to His will, His plan.
Maybe when we open our mouths to complain, we should retrain ourselves with another verse in the Bible -- "Pray continually."
(1 Thessalonians 5:25) Pray for the situation you are wanting to complain about. Pray for the person you are wanting to complain about. Prayer changes things. Prayer changes people...especially the one doing the praying.
I guess the reason I write this is because God has dealt with me on this subject from time-to-time, and if you can learn it at my expense, please do because I don't want someone else to have to go through it as well.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (I Thessalonians 5:11)
His Daughter,
Kristy
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
"Sunday Face"
Have you ever laughed at someone just to go and do something as foolish or goofy yourself? One night I was watching the Discovery Channel. It was one of their E.R. shows, and this lady had accidentally been putting her husbands Nitroglycerin ointment on his hemorrhoids, and his hemorrhoid medicine on his heart. It almost cost him his life. I laughed thinking, "How could you possible confuse those two?"
The very next morning I was getting ready for work and before putting on my make-up, I realized I had put my lip ointment that plumps and prevents my lipstick from running under my eyes -- GREAT! Now my eyes would be puffy all day long. My under-eye treatment was to reduce puffiness, lines and lighten any circles under my eyes had been applied to my lips -- GREAT! My lips would be pencil thin (SOOO attractive). It would be interesting to see how the rest of my make-up would look by the time I'd get done.
It reminded me of the time when I was a newlywed living in Dallas and work required I wear dresses or suits. I'd get dressed the same way every day. Under garments first (That makes sense, right?), then I'd try to figure our what I'd wear for the day. One morning I had gone to work, had been social speaking to almost everyone in the office, worked some files, went to the restroom and the breakroom, but it wasn't until I went back to my desk that my support person told me I needed to go home at lunch. I said, "Why? What's wrong?" That's when she informed me that she could tell I was wearing hot-pink panties under my white dress! I sat down the rest of the morning and tried to make my exit as uneventful as possible.
We try so hard sometimes to put on a good face, to have the right look especially when it comes to going to church. But how many times have we already had an altercation, had to referee a disagreement, had a bad hair day, couldn't find a shoe, etc., before we ever enter the premise of the church only to slap on a happy face right before entering the doors. Sometimes we enter the sanctuary or our small group room with so much baggage that our hearts aren't prepared to praise and worship. We are doing it because it is the right thing to do. We are doing it out of obligation. We aren't doing it out of our relationship with God. We aren't doing it because we are prepared to enter His presence expecting a word or touch from Him.
I remember there was one Sunday I had to leave during the middle of the Sunday school lesson. I just couldn't hold it together any longer. I drove home crying my heart out to God under such conviction, and I met God at my kitchen table. It wasn't pleasant, but it was necessary. There have been times when I just wanted "to unload," "to be heard," or "to be encouraged and loved on," but I didn't get it at church. You know why? It wasn't the people at church fault. It was mine. It was pride. I didn't reach out and tell someone I needed help. I didn't find a godly, growing lady to take aside to say, "Would you please pray for me, I'm struggling?" Why didn't I? Why don't you? Healing, support and encouragement is a person away...God can use godly, growing women to touch the lives of other women.
If a wise, godly, growing lady were available during the Sunday school hour in the Women IN Ministry office, I wonder how many visitors would she have? Who would have the courage to share their heart with another woman of such class, wisdom and character? This is something I've been praying about. I'd love to have your feedback. Words are one thing. Action is another.
Real worship begins when we let down our defenses, when we lay down our burdens at the foot of the cross and live as if God has already handled it. Sometimes we may just need a little help doing it. And God isn't all that impressed with how your make-up, hair or clothes appear. He is more concerned with your heart.
The very next morning I was getting ready for work and before putting on my make-up, I realized I had put my lip ointment that plumps and prevents my lipstick from running under my eyes -- GREAT! Now my eyes would be puffy all day long. My under-eye treatment was to reduce puffiness, lines and lighten any circles under my eyes had been applied to my lips -- GREAT! My lips would be pencil thin (SOOO attractive). It would be interesting to see how the rest of my make-up would look by the time I'd get done. It reminded me of the time when I was a newlywed living in Dallas and work required I wear dresses or suits. I'd get dressed the same way every day. Under garments first (That makes sense, right?), then I'd try to figure our what I'd wear for the day. One morning I had gone to work, had been social speaking to almost everyone in the office, worked some files, went to the restroom and the breakroom, but it wasn't until I went back to my desk that my support person told me I needed to go home at lunch. I said, "Why? What's wrong?" That's when she informed me that she could tell I was wearing hot-pink panties under my white dress! I sat down the rest of the morning and tried to make my exit as uneventful as possible.
We try so hard sometimes to put on a good face, to have the right look especially when it comes to going to church. But how many times have we already had an altercation, had to referee a disagreement, had a bad hair day, couldn't find a shoe, etc., before we ever enter the premise of the church only to slap on a happy face right before entering the doors. Sometimes we enter the sanctuary or our small group room with so much baggage that our hearts aren't prepared to praise and worship. We are doing it because it is the right thing to do. We are doing it out of obligation. We aren't doing it out of our relationship with God. We aren't doing it because we are prepared to enter His presence expecting a word or touch from Him.
I remember there was one Sunday I had to leave during the middle of the Sunday school lesson. I just couldn't hold it together any longer. I drove home crying my heart out to God under such conviction, and I met God at my kitchen table. It wasn't pleasant, but it was necessary. There have been times when I just wanted "to unload," "to be heard," or "to be encouraged and loved on," but I didn't get it at church. You know why? It wasn't the people at church fault. It was mine. It was pride. I didn't reach out and tell someone I needed help. I didn't find a godly, growing lady to take aside to say, "Would you please pray for me, I'm struggling?" Why didn't I? Why don't you? Healing, support and encouragement is a person away...God can use godly, growing women to touch the lives of other women.
If a wise, godly, growing lady were available during the Sunday school hour in the Women IN Ministry office, I wonder how many visitors would she have? Who would have the courage to share their heart with another woman of such class, wisdom and character? This is something I've been praying about. I'd love to have your feedback. Words are one thing. Action is another.
Real worship begins when we let down our defenses, when we lay down our burdens at the foot of the cross and live as if God has already handled it. Sometimes we may just need a little help doing it. And God isn't all that impressed with how your make-up, hair or clothes appear. He is more concerned with your heart.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mistaken Identity
I love this project. I went to El Salvador and worked with our missionary and his wife this summer encouraging women, and I have to say the orphanage broke my heart. It was all I could do to not to burst into tears and pack two of them away in my luggage to bring home. I looked down into their faces and saw my son's who is Mexican not Salvadoran, but the coloring is similar.
When my son Pearce saw this photo that went out on postcards to all our members, he saw something I hadn 't seen before and unfortunately this photo cuts it off. In the right portion of this picture is a little boy dressed in shorts and some stars have been placed around him. Pearce studied the picture and said, "Mom, this is me!" Sunni was there and told him those were children from the orphanage in El Salvador. Pearce's next question -- "Then why am I there?"
I tried to explain that it wasn't him, but he didn't want to be confused with the facts, so I told him the stars around him was fairy dust. Sunni piped in saying Pearce went to El Salvador when he slept at night. My children aren't warped for no reason!
Have you ever heard that everyone has a twin somewhere? When I was in high school there was another teen with dark, big hair (it was the 80s after all), fair complexion, and pencil thin who attended church with me. My dad one time walked up from behind put his arm around her shoulder and started walking with her. It wasn't until he looked down into her face that he realized it wasn't me. Fortunately, she knew how goofy my daddy was and thought it was quite funny. During college, I was told there was a waitress at Clancy's (A restaurant that use to be on Youree that I loved!) that was my twin. I never spotted her.
Pearce's mistakenly identifying himself in the picture and my memories got me to thinking about mistaken identities. Peter was hoping that people wouldn't identify him as being a follower of Christ, but it was undeniable. Even though he tried three times. Have you ever been identified when you were in a moment in the flesh? What do you do? Do you back out of it and act like it never happened? Do you pretend what you did was okay?
I make my children go back and apologize when they have acted in a way that is not appropriate or respectful. Should I go back and apologize to the person who saw me acting in the flesh or when I was acting too big for my britches like my momma use to say? How humbling that would be if we practiced that. To humble means to lower ourselves. When was the last time you lowered yourself, humbled yourself before the Lord so that others could see Christ's identity in you? When was the last time you acted in the flesh and God did the humbling? I would much rather humble myself than have anyone humble me.
See here's the thing, we can't live like Christ is the center of our world, the Rock of our foundation and others not know it. Are Christians perfect? ABSOLUTELY NOT! If they were perfect they wouldn't need a Saviour! But when we mess things up, we should handle it differently. We shouldn't wish and hope that people don't identify us as a Christian when we get all up in someone's business. We should do our best to act in a manner pleasing to God, and when we mess up, own up. Take possession of it. Humble ourselves. Apologize for not being the example we need to be.
Let me encourage you to wear the title of Christian with humility. Serve in humility, and when we royally screw things up like I am proned to do (After all, if you do something, do it well!), apologize and show there is a difference between being a growing, active Christian than others in the world. People are watching to see if we are going to be Christ-like. We may be the only Jesus they will ever see. Who will others identify you with?
Just some questions to ponder.
His Daughter,
Kristy Mullins
Friday, October 9, 2009
Question
If you are on Facebook, you may have seen or taken the quiz about what Biblical character are you most like. I'd like to know the answer to that question and the why or what characteristics make you like that person. It will be interesting to see the answers. We have an Avalon CD to give away to one who answers the question. We'll put your names in a hat and pull one. So let's get started.
Monday, October 5, 2009
5K and Forward
For those of you who don’t know me and my family, we are all very sports-oriented, and I am a runner in training. When I first began running, it was oooh sooo hard. Often times, I wondered if I would ever get stronger and if my runs would ever get easier. I set my goal (1 mile), and my desire to reach my goal kept me enduring the challenge even when I wanted to give up.
First , I just ran. But then I realized that to get better, I needed more knowledge, so I read, researched, studied, and talked to other runners who were more experienced. I ran with friends, signed up for races, placed myself around others which, in turn, motivated me and kept me wanting more. I began to understand what was needed in order to reach my goal. I became better and stronger, and what started out as just one mile became two, then three, five, nine and now 13.1--or the ½ marathon. Because of effort, time, perseverance and my heart’s desire, I realized that what once was so difficult had become easier. I was able to reach beyond my initial goal. Wow, had I actually made it this far?
My runs became more fulfilling. Fulfilling in the sense that running was time I spent with my Lord, thanking Him for the beauty around me, focusing on my life’s purpose and praying for myself and others. I realized that if I had the “heart” to succeed in running, how much better I could be in God’s work if only I channeled that same desire to build my relationship with God. What would His goal be for me? What would His distance be for me? What is my life’s purpose from Him? The motivation I got when I thought of my heart’s desire to live for Him combined with His almighty power PUMPED ME UP! Wow, with that combination, things could really get done!
I don’t know about you, but I truly do believe God can move mountains. I desired to be in His presence and have His almighty power work in me. I desired to know what He had in store for me. As with running or any sport, if you don’t have the heart, you will be just mediocre or “middle-of-the-road,” but if you have the heart, you go beyond the norm, being extraordinary, superb, first-rate! I wanted to be first-rate in my service for God. I surrendered to Him, and things began to take shape. God began giving me direction and understanding of where and what He was wanting me to be doing. My God-given gift began to surface. With God’s help, I was running in the right direction and placing myself around others who were teaching me, motivating me to use my desire and passion to help connect with women in crises, women who suffered heartache, felt jaded, alone, helpless, going down, and unnoticed.
Now, as with running, I am increasing my distance in God’s purpose of my life, and so can you. With God’s help, you can begin to use your God-given gifts. Although there will be challenges along the way, God will steer you, and other Christians will motivate you to stay on the path. We will gain the strength we need to persevere and never give up. We, as Christian women, just need to start, set out, get moving in the right direction. With God as our coach, we will become better and stronger, and we will be able to reach beyond what we ever imagined we could do. God desires that we run the race for Him and take others along with us. As Nike states, “Just Do It.” Join in the run for connecting the hearts of women by using your God-given gift . When our work on this earth is done, then the final race will have been run, and will all cross the finish line together. We will all be winners!!
By: Donna Melancon
First , I just ran. But then I realized that to get better, I needed more knowledge, so I read, researched, studied, and talked to other runners who were more experienced. I ran with friends, signed up for races, placed myself around others which, in turn, motivated me and kept me wanting more. I began to understand what was needed in order to reach my goal. I became better and stronger, and what started out as just one mile became two, then three, five, nine and now 13.1--or the ½ marathon. Because of effort, time, perseverance and my heart’s desire, I realized that what once was so difficult had become easier. I was able to reach beyond my initial goal. Wow, had I actually made it this far?
My runs became more fulfilling. Fulfilling in the sense that running was time I spent with my Lord, thanking Him for the beauty around me, focusing on my life’s purpose and praying for myself and others. I realized that if I had the “heart” to succeed in running, how much better I could be in God’s work if only I channeled that same desire to build my relationship with God. What would His goal be for me? What would His distance be for me? What is my life’s purpose from Him? The motivation I got when I thought of my heart’s desire to live for Him combined with His almighty power PUMPED ME UP! Wow, with that combination, things could really get done!
I don’t know about you, but I truly do believe God can move mountains. I desired to be in His presence and have His almighty power work in me. I desired to know what He had in store for me. As with running or any sport, if you don’t have the heart, you will be just mediocre or “middle-of-the-road,” but if you have the heart, you go beyond the norm, being extraordinary, superb, first-rate! I wanted to be first-rate in my service for God. I surrendered to Him, and things began to take shape. God began giving me direction and understanding of where and what He was wanting me to be doing. My God-given gift began to surface. With God’s help, I was running in the right direction and placing myself around others who were teaching me, motivating me to use my desire and passion to help connect with women in crises, women who suffered heartache, felt jaded, alone, helpless, going down, and unnoticed.
Now, as with running, I am increasing my distance in God’s purpose of my life, and so can you. With God’s help, you can begin to use your God-given gifts. Although there will be challenges along the way, God will steer you, and other Christians will motivate you to stay on the path. We will gain the strength we need to persevere and never give up. We, as Christian women, just need to start, set out, get moving in the right direction. With God as our coach, we will become better and stronger, and we will be able to reach beyond what we ever imagined we could do. God desires that we run the race for Him and take others along with us. As Nike states, “Just Do It.” Join in the run for connecting the hearts of women by using your God-given gift . When our work on this earth is done, then the final race will have been run, and will all cross the finish line together. We will all be winners!!
By: Donna Melancon
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