God's Anvil

I haven't posted an inspiration post in months. I suppose it is due to the fact that I am extremely busy and have numerous term papers to write. I have been studying the book of acts digging deeper into the stories of Paul and his missions, praying that the Lord would give me insight and draw me closer to him.

I have to admit that these past few months, I have felt stagnant and dry. I have been longing for t the spirit of the Lord to fall afresh on me and waken me up. With many pleading cries out to God I have been reminded that I am a laid upon the anvil of God.

I know that many people have experienced lack of desire, motivation wanes, slowly sink into a valley of doubt. Passion slowly slips out the door and the light switch is off and darkness fills my little apartment.

I am on the anvil. (Anvil: a block, usually iron, where tools are bent into shape)

Now, I don't want to give the assumption that I have fallen into a big dark hole, but in light of some relationship struggles lately I feel like God has lead me to a valley. I can sit here and truly begin to know who I am and who He is.

Max Lucado said it best, "He may lead us through a storm at age thirty so we can endure a hurricane at age sixty"

This stormy valley of singleness, I am truly embracing. May I keep my eyes focused on the author and finisher of my faith and truly grip the promise that I am not alone, He will never leave me nor forsake me. I am a tool that is laid on the anvil of the Almighty God, being shaped and molded to advance His kingdom.

Here I am Lord...Send ME!

Every time that I plan my future after I graduate from college, the Lord empresses on my heart that I belong elsewhere. I have made plans to teach high school, move to Mississippi to be with my family and move on to obtain my Masters in Education. Then I hear a small whisper that I need to be doing something else.

Two weeks ago I heard the whisper again, and I have stepped out in faith. Lord willing by February of 2013 I will be moving to Honduras. I will be a missionary to a community of people in the city of SanPedril on el Monte de Santidad (Holy Mountain). I have listened to the Lord and committed two years of service.

Every imperfection and inadicuacy has entered my mind, to why I should not go. I am reminded of the story of Moses is Exodus 4. Moses tried every excuse in the book of why he could not go before Pharaoh and set the Israelites free from slavery, but God always had a rebuttal.

I may not be ordained, have a ministry license, under a large church fellowship or have years of experience but, I have a calling on my life from the Almighty God of the universe that continues to equip me everyday. I am sitting at the feet of Jesus with my empty cup and taking my first steps out of the boat!

So its official. I'm a missionary to Honduras.

Good and Gooder

Well the healthy eating is still in progress...I have been exercising to Shawn T dancin and groovin. It has been a hilarious workout every morning since I have no groove. Aside from eatin, I have another fork in the road.

I remember a great man of God say that as a Christian we know the difference between good and evil. Along our journey though we will come to a fork in the road where we have to chose between good and gooder. Sometimes God's perfect will in our lives is not that clear, fireworks don't go off and trumpets do not sound. Two choices are before us that seem great kingdom building opportunities, yet we have to choose which is the path for us.

For example, I have the opportunity to sing with the worship team and church or help the youth every Wednesday night. Both are great evangelizing opportunities yet I have to choose which is for me. At these moments in life I wish God would send me a memo and say "Michelle, pick this...go this way...choose this".

Sometimes there is no flash sign above the pathway, we need to listen to his still soft voice. Look past what I want and pray for what God wants. So...God what do you want?

Day 546

So I lost count of my days. I was on vacation. I am sure that many of you know that on vacation there is no such thing as eating healthy. Even if I try I end up drawn to the chip bag. My vacation to Mississippi has been a success! I have stepped on the "scale" and lost 1lb.

I think that it was the tubing and holding on for dear life that allowed me to be 1 pound lighter! Thank God I am not 1 pound heavier. Onward with my journey, I have a lifetime to go but I feel confident.

Day 6

You know you are older when your Saturday consists of weeding your flower beds. Yet in the moment of pulling weeds I found a small, glass and colorful marble. This small and simple marble brought such a big smile to my face. It reminded me of finding these remarkable glass toys in the back yard of my grandma's house.

It reminded my of how much freedom there was. I had no responsibility but to know how long it had been since I ate so I could go swimming, what time the street lights came on, and how boys had cooties. This small little marble reminded me of my dad.

God's word says "unless you become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). I would run to my dad with all my scraps and bruises. When I fell, once again, getting into the pool or fell off the tire swing, I ran to my dad looking for help. That is how God expects us to come to him; like little children running with our arms out looking for help.

I think we make our lives more difficult than what they should be. Today I look to my heavenly father with my little marble in hand and everything seems so simple, childlike.

Day 4

Today was an extremely long day. I am extremely tired and feel like my dinner was not that healthy but I did walk this morning, so I guess it makes up for it.

I am empty of words of wisdom today, my eyes are slowly shutting and I need to find my pillow and call it a night.

Tomorrow may stir some words of encouragement and more adventurous stories of the FOOD WAR!

Day 3

I think that shopping in a healthy food store, makes you feel healthy. Thanks Trader Joes! I feel like I can make it another day eating healthy.

I promised that I would not mention this is in my blog, but I can't resist. Morning devotional was on the scripture from Joshua 6 and the wall of Jericho. Joshua defeated God's enemies by being obedient and walking around the city 7 times. On the 7th time the walls of the city fell down and God's enemies were defeated by Joshua and his small army.

To explain my long story, real short and less embarrassing, I experienced the walls of Jericho falling down by walking 7 times this morning during exercise! God can make what seems impossible, possible! and the walls that we build up in our lives can come crashing down!

The enemy has been defeated, death couldn't hold me down, I'm going to lift my voice in victory, I'm going to make you praises known. Click on the link below, GREAT SONG!

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

Day 3, SUCCESS!!