To Speak Your Mind or Keep MUM - Choose To Be A Blessing For Life

Have you ever studied your geneology?
With St. Patrick's Day coming up tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to share this little tidbit with all of you.
I have often been described as head strong, a fighter, independent..............
Well, let's see.......
My maiden name is Williamson - We were Irish horse thieves back in Ireland... (yep, head strong.)
There's also a bit of Scotish on that side too. (the fighter).
On Dad's side is Cherokee Indian and on Mom's side is French and Blackfoot Indian (independent)
So yes, I can very well be described as head strong, a fighter and independent - and I'm proud of it!

Problems arise though when faced with confrontation....... How to handle it?
The red headed Scotch-Irish in me says to "pounce on them and give them what for!"
The Cherokee and the Blackfoot.......... sometimes I feel like scalping them!
and the French side me - It just tells it like it is, period.

But as a Christian........ Jesus wants me to handle things quite differently, and it's not always easy, in fact it's down right hard.
In Luke 6:29, Jesus says, "If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."

Turn the other cheek.
Forgive and keep mum.
"But God, I've got red hair........ let me at 'em!"
Sometimes it takes everything I got to turn around and walk away. But I'm learning.......

There's an old song made popular by Twila Paris and Gary Velenciano called "Warrior Is A Child."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYn_NqkHSS0
The lyrics say....

"They don't know that I come running home when I fall down

They don't know who picks me up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child"

It's comforting to know God is always with me.

Whenever I need to, I climb into His arms and cry for just awhile.

This warrior is yet but still a child.

So how do we handle conflict God's way?

Choose to be a blessing for life!

John Waller does a song called "The Blessing."

I heard this song early last Saturday morning, and God has used that along with Mark Schultz's "He Is" to remind me all week,
" I'm still here. I'm still in control. I got this. Just do your thing and watch and wait."

Mark Schultz's song says, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1dElIkD3hU

"Father, let the world just fade away

Let me feel your presence in this place

Lord, I’ve never been so weary

How I need to know you’re near me

Father, let the world just fade away

Till I’m on my knees

Till my heart can sing

He is

He was

He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

He is"

and then he reminds me.... when I'm face to face with those people who have chosen to speak their minds, when I'm hurt and want to lash back......

CHOOSE TO BE A BLESSING FOR LIFE!

Remembering what's really important....... Love, Family, Heritage, Legacy.

I choose to be a blessing for life.

They can't hurt me anymore.

I hold my head high and remember what we were taught: We love each other. We may not be perfect, but we've had some great role models in our heritage to teach us how to love: God, fathers, mothers, grand-parents. To all the ones who have gone on before us, they left us with their lessons and their legacy....... what legacy will we leave behind?

Walk away from confrontation, keep mum.....smile.....be at peace with God......

and choose to be a blessing for life!

The Blessing by John Waller/Mark Hall

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKUYjrSK8Tw

"Let it be said of us while we walked among the living

Let it be said of us by the ones we leave behind

Let it be said of us that we lived to be a blessing for life

And let it be said of us that we gave to reach the dying

Let it be said of us by the fruit we leave behind

Let it be said of us that our legacy is blessing for life

This day, You set life, You set death right before us

This day, every blessing and curse is a choice now

And we will choose to be a blessing for life

Let it be said of us that our hearts belong to Jesus

Let it be said of us that we spoke the words of life

Let is be said of us that our heritage is blessing for life

'Cause blessings and curses are choices

Will we build up, tear down? The moment of truth is now

For your kingdom, for our children

For the sake of every nation

For your kingdom, for our children

For the sake of every nation

We will choose to be a blessing for life"

These Are The Words I Would Say

It's been an interesting week.
Many, many changes going on in my life.
It seems like God is shutting doors on one side of my life, and opening doors on a completely new side......
And, you know what? It's ok. It feels good.
Change is good.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

It's been a month today....... our lives changed forever, one month ago today...... but it's going to be ok.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

Where others have failed us, where needs were not met, where we can not comprehend and where others misunderstand......... God is here, He loves us and He meets our needs.

God, thank you for meeting my needs.
Psalms 28:6-7 "Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

A month ago, I laid on a gurney in the ER and wondered what God wanted from me.
I didn't understand. I still don't, but God is good.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "

Changes needed to be made, and sometimes, there not easy.... but sometimes we find life is better on the otherside. God knew what was needed.
It wasn't until I felt I had nothing else to give......... that I gave it all,
and He picked me up
and filled me with love,
Thank you Lord for healing me.
Thank you Lord for direction.
Thank you Lord for Hope.

I leave you tonight with the lyrics and sounds of Sidewalk Prophets new song
These Are The Words I Would Say - it has become my inspirational theme song.
Click to listen, you'll understand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thLdWPr32yY&feature=related
Until tomorrow,

Quiet Time - Wake up with God telling you He Loves You

As my journey continues, I find the closer I pull toward God, the more He talks to me.
Now on a regular basis, God will send a little message through song just for me. I love that. It's so comforting.
Yesterday was a rough day. I know you've had those days. Full speed ahead and nothing seems to be going right. That was my Wednesday, and it carried over right into my Thursday. I've had very little sleep, and I long to put on my headphones and go do 3 miles. ( I will, but I wanted to share with you first.).

When I got up this morning, God instantly placed these lyrics in my head......

(David Crowder Band - He Loves Us)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI

"Oh how He loves us,

Oh, oh how He loves us,

how He loves us,

how He loves us all. "

This song has become kind of a security blanket for me, an instant hug from God. I know I shared it with you a couple of days ago.

God is here. God is always here. " And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (from Matthew 28:20)

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

This song How He Loves Us, the lyrics start by saying.

"He is jealous for me,

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realise just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me. "

so the next time the world seems to be gaining up on you, or even just a few people in your world...... step away from it all, go to quiet place, and know He loves you..... and it's all going to be o.k.

Until next time.

Sunday - A Day of Rest - Very Much Needed

Ever wonder why God told to Jewish nation to rotate the fields, let the fields rest ever 7 years?
Everything and everyone needs rest, we can't keep going full speed ahead.

The whole reason God has instituted the Sabbath and commands us to keep it Holy is for two fold, one we need to rest, and two we really need to remember what's most important in life, beyond all things, our relationship with God should be the most cherished and important thing in our lives. A day of rest allows us to slow down and focus on that.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Let's face it. We all go 90 to nothing 24/7, and there are times when no one is going to understand us and we are so tired and so frustrated and so overwhelmed, we don't know which way to go.

Don't let yourself get to that point. Take the day of rest. Lay it all down at His feet, climb into His arms and let Him hold you.
He loves you. Don't ever forget that, above all, He loves you.
Song Today - Oh How He Loves Us - by David Crowder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgeUrD4MHI
Until tomorrow,

Give Me Your Eyes For Just One Second - What's It Going To Take To Get People To Reach Out and Help Others?

I spent a day out shopping today with my 9yr old daughter today.
It was a special time for us.
We enjoy listening to music, looking for great bargains, and share a special treat together.

On our way home, my daughter saw a group of homeless men on the side of the road and commented that there was a lot of homeless people in the world.............

We had a long discussion on the way home.
As I travel on this journey, my heart is filled with passion and emotion that I just don't know how to clearly express. Tears come easier than words these days.

"God of wonders, beyond our galaxy

You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy"

This passion and this desire I feel to share the message of God's love continually grows.
There are so many people who need to know there is HOPE, there is HELP, there is LOVE and there is PEACE and it is all found in personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Do you feel the need to share Christ with others?
Bloom where you are planted.

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. " Jeremiah 29:11-13

God has special plans for each and every one of us.
What He has planned for me, He may not have planned for you, and that's OK.
Not everyone was meant to be a foreign missionary, an evangelist, a pastor or a teacher.
Some of us are just meant to be ordinary people, going about our everyday lives........ and through those everyday lives God will open up doors of opportunity to make a difference for His glory.

Are your eyes open to the possibilities?

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21

Take joy in the little things God has set aside for you: your homelife, spouse, children, your work and your friends. As you find peace and contentment in these daily things, don't be surprised if God begins to reveal more of the world around you. The more you share, the more you feel, the more you give, joy and peace will increase.

I'll close with this tonight, Paul said in Ephesians 1:17-18 "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Dear Lord,
Give me your eyes for just one second. May I continue to see this world and the people in it in a whole new way.  (Listen to Brandon Heath's Give Me Your Eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY  )

Keep walking this Faith Journey with me.
Until tomorrow,

TGIF - Thanking God I'm Free!

Ok, so I know it's cheesy, but it is Friday
and for most of you, you are thinking TGIF - Thank Goodness It's Friday!
 But for me this has been an interesting week, and I'm just basking in the SON.

On Monday, the doctor gave me a clean bill of health,
On Tuesday, I turned 38 years old, and received a brand new portable CD/FM player from my husband,
and two brand new CDs from my mom
Casting Crowns Until The Whole World Hears
and Wow Hits 2010.

A little over two weeks ago, I began walking as a means to regain my strength and deal with my emotions.
It has now become an anticipated daily 3-6 mile quiet time between me and God,
I love it! I feel so good! so Free!
Our neighborhood is a little circle sub-division, and every circle I make is about .5 miles, but the best part is most of our neighborhood is still empty lots, (we just built in March 2009),
most of my neighbors fall into two categories: working or elderly
so basically 9-5P M-F my neighborhood is very, very quiet,
For about an hour, (sometimes twice a day), you can find me walking to the beat of the music, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes hands raised in worship, sometimes head raised high toward the tops of the trees in awe of God's wonder and power and love.......for me!!

How good God is to us.
" For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

When I was 14 years old, I went to a Super Summer Camp at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. the theme that year was Free Indeed - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

I feel free!
I have been through so much these past 6-7 months, maybe you have too,
that I am just enjoying the peace and the freedom that comes from giving it all to God.

I'm leaving you today with the Newsboys - song entitled " I am Free!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR7bBEBIC9g

This weekend, I encourage you, grab your favorite Christian Cds or Christian radio, go outside!!!!
Enjoy being free in God's great big beautiful world!
Enjoy a picnic, dig in your yard, go for walk, or just start running!!!!!!!
Bask in the light of the SON!

Until tomorrow,

Living By Faith - My God Shall Supply All My Needs

As I travel this journey, I'm in awe of the little ways God speaks to my heart.

Each day, as part of their schoolwork, my children review their AWANA assignments for the next week. This week, my 6 year old daughter was asked to find a book or a picture about a missionary who lived long ago before she was born. She will take this book with her on Wednessday and show it to her leader.

This was an easy assignment. On our school shelf this week is a copy of George Muller's biography. For those of you who may not know, George Muller is a man who lived by FAITH and prayer alone. Back in the 1800's, he started up an orphanage with no money and no resources. He depended solely on God to supply all his needs. George Muller read his Bible and prayed everyday, knowing in his heart that whatever they needed, it would be provided.

As I shared this story with my daughter, I was reminded of a song I was taught when I was 12 years old.
It's amazing what sticks in your heart, years later as a constant reminder of God's love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYlac9kB37k&feature=related (this is a faster version than I was taught, my own version is more of a Praise & Worship style, slow & meaningful, but you'll get the idea.)

Jehovah Jireh My Provider
His Grace Is Sufficient For Me, For Me For Me
Jehovah Jireh My Provider
His Grace Is Sufficient For Me

My God Shall Supply All My Needs
According To His Riches and Glory
He'll Give His Angels Charge Over Me
Jehovah Jireh Cares For Me.

So here I was singing this to my little ones at the kitchen table,
and explaining to them how God supplies all our needs........
and I couldn't get through it all without tearing up.

How great is our God that we can lay it all down at His feet and know that He will provide all that we need.

Trust The Lord With All Your Heart
And Lean Not On Your Own Understanding
In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him
And He Will Direct Your Paths
Proverbs 3:4-5

Until tomorrow,

I'm back, changing the name of this blog to Faith Journey

Hello all,
I know several of you tracked me down over the past two weeks, after I deleted this blog.
We lost our little one, at 12 weeks of pregnancy on Feb 13, 2010, and basically no one knows why but God.

I didn't think I'd write anymore, definitely not as Called To Be Momma, I figured the door was closing, it was over, but if you surrender it all into God's hands........ he brings healing and sometimes answers to prayers.

After much soul searching, tears, frustrations and prayers, my husband has decided to rest in God's hands.
We walk hand in hand on this FAITH journey with God and whatever comes, comes.

I told friends here
My husband and I are continuing to walk hand in hand with God on this

journey and know God loves us and He takes care of us.
What is the song in my head today?

"Lead me to the Cross" by Hillsong,
I'm posting the Praise & Worship video with lyrics for you here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_24IdbJ0Tw


This whole journey these past two weeks, everything that has happened and all that we see, hear and experience, This is a major FAITH journey for me.... I am not the same
person I was before Feb 13th. I feel God's arms around me, I sense his
refining, I see his efforts in changing my heart, my perspective, how
I see others, how I view life. I pray we never go through another
miscarriage again, but I know that through all the trials and journeys
that we walk through with God, he is just strengthening us so in all
we are reminded to God be the glory.

That's it. This life, it is a FAITH JOURNEY.
I'd be honored if you'd like to continue following with me,

Walking with God,
Surrending it all,
Amy Wingfield