What Are You Waiting For?

What Are You Waiting For?

Probably every one of us can think of a time in our life that involved a difficult season of waiting. Maybe you have been waiting to find that special person, get a new job, a bigger house, or you could be waiting for the test results to come back.

Or quite possibly, it’s simply waiting for direction on what to do next. 

My husband and I know that wait very well.  For four years we felt the Lord calling us to do something drastic but couldn’t get clarification on what it was.  During that season, a friend of mine had asked me to help edit her first book as she was writing it. What God did during that time was so beautiful. He gave me a step by step guide on how to wait well.  As I read each chapter I gained wisdom and insight into our wait. 

waitandseeblogtour2 I began to see things differently, look at our situation in a new light, and learned to focus my desires on the Lord instead of the “object of my wait”.  I’d love to share a little about that book with you and who better to give you the details than the author herself, my sweet friend Wendy Pope.
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When God’s Plan Surpasses Yours

When God’s Plan Surpasses Yours

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, for ever and ever! Ephesians 3:20-21

     Exactly six months ago this week, Kevin and I were sitting in the Charlotte International Airport discussing a decision that was going to alter the course of our lives.  We had been invited go to the Women of Faith conference with other Proverbs 31 Donors, and staff.  I had been to NC many times for events with Proverbs 31, but this was the first time Kevin was able to go with me.  He knew that Charlotte had already claimed a special place in my heart, but this time- it snagged his as well. We’ve known for over 3 years that God was doing something big in our life… we just couldn’t narrow down what it was until that weekend.  Sitting in the airport that night we both knew that God was asking us to leave our life as we knew it and to trust Him with our future.  

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Life Without Dr. McDreamy…

Life Without Dr. McDreamy…

Thursday night I sat, along with millions of other fans and my heart broke as one of my favorites said goodbye. It’s been all over the web the past few days… CNN’s headlines: “Death, A Nightmare for ‘Greys Anatomy’ fans.”  Perez Hilton: “Mourn the Loss of Derek Shepherd, AKA Dr. McDreamy.”  Facebook has been bombarded with fans sharing their feelings….and I totally get it! You get wrapped up in a show and the characters feel real. It took me a long time to ever watch ER again without George Clooney, who knows how long it will be before I can handle ‘Greys Anatomy’ again? Think about all of the people mourning the loss of a TV character- He was a major part of the show! Can Grey’s continue without Patrick Dempsey? Yes, but it wont be the same.

Greys-Anatomy

This morning, while taking a walk, I was assaulted with a thought. All of these people (including me), feeling sad about this fictitious death…How many give a thought to what Jesus did for us all those years ago on the cross? A character dies on TV and we are wracked with grief. Do we take time other than Easter or maybe communion at church, to consider what Jesus did for you and for me? Matthew 20:28 says “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Even in death, Jesus continues to save us. I’m certain that no TV character can ever claim that.

What about you? What happens when your “show” ends? Do you know where you are going after you breathe your last breath on this earth? Jesus died a horrible death on the cross for you and I, to give us the opportunity of eternal life. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 4: 6-8

no greater love

Do you know with absolute certainty if you are going to heaven? Many in the world feel that by doing good works, they can punch their ticket. It’s wonderful to do good deeds, to serve others, to pray for others – we all need to do more of that. Unfortunately good works won’t guarantee an eternity with Jesus.  Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not I would pray that you would seek to learn more about Him.  Reach out to a pastor, find a church, go to a youth group where you can meet others who can help lead you to a relationship with the Lord.  Above all- get a Bible- open it up and ask the Lord to speak to you. He’s got all the answers in there – It’s our own personal instruction manual.   It’s simple, really… “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. “ John 3:16

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ will never be the same. What about the end of your story? You have the opportunity to make it a wonderful ending. What will you choose for your last scene? All it takes is a simple heartfelt prayer. It’s your choice.

Lord Jesus,

I know I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will.

In your name, Amen.

When Satan Sugar Coats Sin

When Satan Sugar Coats Sin

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Message)

How did I get here again? I really thought I had figured it all out last time and I was going to be free and clear to enjoy my new life, my new body. To be able to shop without tears, to get up and get ready for the day without dreading the getting dressed part… to be able to go on vacation without fear of the same old thoughts- What will I wear? What will people say when they see I’ve gained the weight back yet again. Y’all, it’s exhausting! This battle satan and I have had for the past 26 years just gets so darn old sometimes and really makes me what to give up. But it’s when I’m at the end of my rope- yet again- that I feel that gentle nudge to return to God…to go to the only One who can help me with this struggle.

Those of you that know me well, know my weight has been a struggle most of my life. I can claim with almost certainty that I am the “Biggest Loser”. I have lost and gained, and lost more weight in the past 26 years that I care to admit. I’ve done it all…the programs, the self help books, I even went as far as to try to listen to some silly cd that was supposed to hypnotize me into a better body. Yet, here I am again- on the road to “recovery”. My biggest struggle is an internal one- a question that nags me each and every day… How can you, Shelley, lead a health and wellness ministry when you can’t get yourself together for more than a few months? Well, I may not have it all together all the time, but I can say that each time I fall I learn something new and these falls are getting fewer and farther between .
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