Then Sings My Soul - My Savior My God

Here's the deal...I don't a single person (at least in the people that I've been talking to) that isn't up against some fiery trial right now. Let's face it with everything like it is right now it can be easy to be discouraged.

I know I have had my share of those fiery trails these last two weeks, but God is good (all the time) and He is faithful. Sometimes we just need to STOP what we are doing and remember those two phrases (God is good and He is faithful).

This week I thought it would be a perfect fit for me to share with you one of my favorite songs by Aaron Shust "My Savior My God". I know you will enjoy it as much as I do. So, sit back , relax, and let the words Sing to your Soul.

For more songs from Then Sings My Soul Saturday head on over to Amy's at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders, you'll be glad you did!

Oh, before I forget...we're going to be starting a NEW online Book Group here in Mel's World this week. We're starting Patsy Clairmont's book "I Second That Emotion ~ Untangling Our Zany Feelings". I would love for you to join us. Click HERE to find out all the details about it.

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

NEW Online Book Study Group

Grab your seatbelts ladies and hold on tight...we're gearing up to start a BRAND NEW BOOK GROUP and you're invited!

We'll be doing Patsy Clairmont's book called "I Second That Emotion ~ Untangling Our Zany Feelings". Patsy asks..."Hey, who supersized my emotions? I don't remember ordering an extra-large wad of rubber band emotions at the take-out window of life, but honey, I've got 'em!"

Description: With her conversational style and wit, Patsy Clairmont tackles a subject most women feel at a loss to approach-their feelings. But she reassures them, "You are not the only one who feels that you have more mood swings than brain cells and more hormones than hallelujahs. Take a deep breath and pop a dark-chocolate bon-bon; we girls are in this together."

And who better to lead readers through a heartfelt journey to understanding their emotions than a recovering agoraphobic with a pronounced funny bone? In I Second That Emotion, Patsy Clairmont walks readers through her own stories and through stories of the Bible. And with a study guide and video clips from her highly acclaimed conference messages, readers are sure to get the fun they want and the clarity they need.

You can order the book directly from Amazon.com by clicking HERE (or on the book title above) or by visiting your local Christian bookstore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We're going to be doing this study in several venue's so, if you are in the South Florida we'd love for you to join us as we walk through this book together.

Here are the different ways you can get involved in the Book Study:

Thursday Mornings from 10am - 11:30am -
Live Group meeting in Davie, FL (at PIC Chocolate & Art Cafe) - click here for map

Thursday Evenings from 7pm - 8:30pm -
Live Group meeting in Davie, FL (at PIC Chocolate & Art Cafe) - click here for map

Friday Mornings ONLINE
(trying to figure out if Skype, Vlog, or Comments would be best)
Virtual Group HERE in Mel's World

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's the timeline for the group so we are all on the same chapters & working through the book together. The timeline is set up with the dates for the Thursday group, so if you are joining us online we'll be doing the SAME topics the very next day when we get together on Friday's.

February

2/12 - 10am & 7pm - Intro to Book Study
2/19 – 10am & 7pm - Session 1 & 2
2/26 - 7pm ONLY!- *+* - Praise & Coffee Night (no book study) -> fellowship event

March
3/5 - 10am & 7pm - Session 3 & 4
3/12 – 10am & 7pm - Session 5 & 6
3/19 – 10am & 7pm - Session 7 & 8
3/26 – 10am & 7pm - Session 9 & 10

April
4/2 – 10am & 7pm - Session 11, 12, & 13
4/9 – NO CLASSES – Kids are on Spring Break in South Florida
4/16 - 7pm ONLY - *+* Praise & Coffee Night ONLY (no book study) -> fellowship event
4/23 – *** Girls Day – AM – Breakfast on Beach, PM – Movie Night

*** Girls Day - If you are joining us in the ONLINE group grab a couple of your girlfriends and go have a Girls Day too!

*+* For Praise & Coffee Nights either 1) HOST a Praise & Coffee Night in your area (see Sue over at the Praise & Coffee Nights blog for details on hosting) or 2) Grab a few of your girlfriends and go to the coffee shop for a night out while you Praise Him for your blessings.

So, come on ladies, order that book, mark your calendars, and get ready for an amazing adventure together. If you are going to be joining us leave me a comment and let me know. Also...if you know a woman (or two) that needs to go on this adventure with you, then grab them and either bring her with you to a live meeting or bring her over to your house and join us online. Whatever you do...don't miss this!!!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Wordless Wednesday - Sweet Boys

My Sweet Boys

I may be one of the luckiest moms in the whole world (I know we ALL think that way, but it's true). It is my job to make sure I raise to strong godly young men that love the Lord and take the responsibility to be men of character (a job I don't take lightly).

This past Saturday when I went to my son from work he surprised me with these beautiful flowers (see below). Isn't he the sweetest thing..."Just Because" is all he said!

For more Wordless Wednesday photos head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Seeking the JOY on the Journey,

Mom Works at Home - Priorities

Hey There Everyone, I just wanted to pop over here to let you know that I am writing today from Take Root and Write!

I run a bi-monthly column and group over there called "Mom Works at Home". This week we are talking a little bit about "PRIORITIES".

I would love for you to pop over there to visit me and read a little more about "Getting it Together with your Priorities".

Here's a little bit of the article...

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23 KJV)

I have to tell you that I have been jumping out of my skin so excited about talking with you about PRIORITIES. I hope and pray that you were able to get a jump start this month on GETTING IT TOGETHER by working on your SCHEDULE a couple of weeks ago.

Today we're going to chat about your PRIORITIES. I am so passionate about this for so many reasons, but to be able to share with you, my MOM WORKS AT HOME friends, makes it even more special. You know why? Because you, as Work at Home Moms, already get that one of your PRIORITIES are our families. Right?

Before we get going, let's take a minute to look at the definition of "priority" to help us get our minds ready for what God is trying to show us.

pri⋅or⋅i⋅ty   (thanks to Dictionary.com)

- the right to precede others in order, rank, privilege, etc.; precedence.

- something given special attention

Well...that's all you're gonna get...so head on over THERE (<-- click on there) to read the rest of the article. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Seeking JOY on the JOURNEY,

Speak to My Soul - What do you do when the storms come?

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

I love it when you sit and think of something them BAM God smacks ya right in the head with exactly what He wants for you to do. Isn’t that just amazing? I’ve been wrestling with what to say, how to say it, and which is the BEST way to get my point across and then right there it is in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NIV).

This whole concept of BE JOYFUL, PRAY CONTINUALLY, and GIVE THANKS seems almost too good to be true, but it is my hope and prayer to be able to walk with you through this today so that we can both come out on the other side, stronger, smarter, and closer to Him.

I have had just about one of the weirdest and toughest weeks this week, and I venture to say that many of you have too. This economy stinks. I mean it is down right unbearable at times. On top of that you have bills, kids, husbands (or wives if you are a guy reading this), jobs, friends, extended family, deadlines, chaos, cleaning…you get the drift.

Just this week the bottom feel out in”our” world a little bit. We had some bad news about my husband’s biggest consulting client pulling the plug on the partnership, my sister, a Senior VP of Marketing for a company was laid off (the entire marketing department was laid off), my mom has a spot that needs a biopsy and further doctors appointments with a surgeon, my dad hasn’t been feeling well, I started experiencing anxiety attacks (and I work at home) and the kids, well, they have lots of activities and things to do (all the time).

My whole week felt like I was on the spin cycle. You know that “round and round she goes where she stops no one really knows” feeling. Believe me, there were times when I wanted to crawl into a hole, grab my family, and cover up while the tornado of life blew by, but then I realized this. That I need to 1) Be joyful always, 2) Pray continually, and 3) Give thanks in ALL circumstances. You notice that verse doesn’t say “give thanks in SOME circumstances”, like when things are going your way, or you get a nice fat bonus check, or when you have a fabulous hair day, but no it says to Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances.

Well, how does that work? It’s actually quite simple and yet also so very hard. You see, it is a conscious CHOICE to not think and dwell on the bad stuff. Besides the fact that we know, as believes that God uses ALL things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), if we believe that verse then we know that whatever tornado that life throws at us that it MUST be something that God will use for His glory.

Now…I can see some of you shaking your heads saying, come on, you have no idea what I am dealing with in my life right now, and guess what…you are right. I don’t know what you are dealing with but I do know the ONE who does and in His word it says this, that we should Be Joyful, Pray Continually, and Give Thanks!

So, what does it look like if we break down a little more…

Be Joyful

Psalm 68:3 (NIV) ~ But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Romans 12:12 (NIV) ~ Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Pray Continually

Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV) ~ Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Acts 10:2 (NIV) ~ He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.


Give Thanks

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) ~ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 30:12 (NIV) ~ that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Here’s what I’ve figured out, life on this planet (in this world) is never going to be easy (sorry to be a bummer), but that doesn’t mean that I can’t CHOOSE to look at things differently. Does it mean that you ignore the storms and tornadoes blowing through your life, no, it doesn’t.

Unfortunately for you and for me they are a reality, but they are not the end of the world. If we can start to teach ourselves to Be Joyful, Pray Continuously, and Give Thanks in the midst of the mess, then maybe, just maybe we can walk through this fiery trial and come out on the other side shining brighter for Him.

What do you say? Will you stop looking at the things that are wrong or messed up and start looking for the JOY while you PRAY to Him all day long while you give THANKS to Him?

I will be praying for you as you embark on this new path on your journey. If you ever need a prayer, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen to you, then you are in the right place. May you be blessed as you seek to be more like Him by being joyful, praying continuously, and giving Him thanks.

Enjoy the Journey,