Then Sings My Soul ~ Blessed

Welcome Back to Then Sings My Soul Saturday's here in Mel's World!

This past week we were in Alabama for Thanksgiving with hubby's family and while we were there one of my all time favorite Martina McBride songs came on the radio, "Blessed", and I knew that this song just had to be my song for "Then Sings My Soul".

Sit back, relax, and thank God for all the blessings in your life too!

For more Then Sings My Soul Saturday songs head on over to Amy's at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.

Lyrics to Blessed

I get kissed by the sun
Each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the
Bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my
Front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given

At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Across a crowded room,
I know you know what I'm thinking
By the way I look at you
And when we're lying in the quiet and
No words have to be said
I think to myself, I think to myself
This love is a beautiful gift

Repeat chorus

When I'm singing my kids to sleep
When I feel you holding me
I know

Repeat chorus

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Godly Gals ~ Susan Norris

Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to be Mary, mother of Jesus?

She was approximately 13 years old when the angel, Gabriel, visited her telling her she was highly favored by God [Luke 1:26-38]. While those words might bring a smile to most of us, Mary was alarmed by those words. It was almost like she knew something else would follow that would change her life forever. Once the Holy Spirit came upon her making her the mother of Jesus, the Son of God; life as she knew it would never be the same.

If you read through the New Testament, you will encounter story after story of how peoples’ lives changed once they encountered Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James and John left their fishing businesses to follow Jesus [Matthew 4:18-22]. The woman at the well began to evangelize to those in her town once she encountered Jesus [John 4:1-26]. A paralyzed man walks after he was healed by Jesus [Matthew 9:1-8]. Peter walks on water when Jesus tells him to come [Mark 6:45-51].

Each of these stories showcases people who surrendered themselves completely to Jesus and how He used them to testify to others about the glory of God.

No one who has an encounter with Jesus remains the same. He changes us and challenges us to step out of our comfort zones- to stretch beyond what we are capable of doing on our own. He does this to increase our faith and His glorify [Matthew 5:16, Luke 17:5-6].

Take a moment today to reflect upon your life since you’ve encountered Jesus. Have you seen a change?

If so, continue to pursue Him for more.

If not, then ask Him to show you areas you’ve held onto that need to be surrendered to Him.

His desire is to develop and intimate relationship with you and to have you partner with Him for the purposes of the Kingdom.

It involves risk;
it involves the unknown;
and it will bless your socks off
and blow your mind.

However, one thing a life totally surrendered to Jesus does not involve is regret.

Run passionately after Him. You’ll be glad you did!

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Susan Norris is a popular speaker and author. She is committed to helping others foster an intimate relationship with Jesus through prayer and the scriptures. Making the Bible relevant and alive for her audience is Susan’s passion. She longs to see others walk out their faith through powerful relationships.

Susan is a CLASS certified speaker and the founder of Righteous Relationships and she writes a weekday blog. She has published multiple devotions with CBN and was a contributing author to the compilation book “Moments of Grace.”

Susan also has a passion for serving in ministry with her children. For the past four years she has served as a sponsor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the middle school level and has also been a featured speaker at their President’s Weekend held in Florida. Susan and her husband, Mark, live in Marietta, Georgia with their children Sam and Laura.

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Right now I am taking submissions for Godly Gals in 2010. If you would like to be considered for the Godly Gals series please email me at melsworldministry@gmail.com for a copy of the submission guidelines. I am looking forward to hearing from you and celebrating all these incredible Godly Gals! ~ Melissa

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Wordless Wednesday ~ 4 Wheeling

Nothing says Thanksgiving in the country like going 4 wheeling in the woods!

Some people have turkey, pumpkin pie, and tons of fixin'...we do too, but we like to throw in some fun too (especially since we don't have a lot of "wooded" areas in South Florida)!

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

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

World Prayer ~ Uniquely Different

Uniquely Different

Hey There Everyone! I'm posting over at the World-Prayer blog today and I would love to have you come by and visit. Here's a little sneak peek from today's post called "Uniquely Different";

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Over the years it used to really frustrate me that I couldn’t parent the one the same way that I did the other. It was only after I learned that we each have uniquely different love languages that I was able to see how each one of them may be the same deep down on the inside that there differences are something to be celebrated and encouraged. When I started to see that it is our differences that make us a complete family I was able to release the control of trying to figure it all out and simply enjoy and embrace how God put our family together.

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Stop on over to the World Prayer blog to find out how it really is incredible that we are Uniquely Different! Have a great day!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,