Call me crazy!!

This is my Godstop Friday post Patty! And, I'm feeling wild so y'all bear with me!! :)

This song is not a new one and its on my Ipod bc I simply love, love, love it. And...while out walking a few weeks ago...the sweet Lord told me to hear the words with Him in mind.

And....so I did. And, I can't stop listening to it. And....it's one UNBELIEVABLE song to put on your ipod and hit the streets.

I promise...stop.....take the time...listen to it all....through a different set of ears.

You'll be jammin! You'll be having a blast!! You'll love to get out and go for that walk if you've got this music in your ears.

Take a chance...listen up! I love it!

Happy Friday...

Drama King

Are you wondering who I am talking about??

Could it be this guy??

Or maybe its this guy?



I don't know...these guys could be dramatic couldn't they??



Well, the drama king I'm talking about is not any of these handsome guys.

I don't know about you...but when I hear the phrase "drama queen" I get a little annoyed. I am not a fan of the drama queen adult. And...I'm not sure if I have ever heard a man called a "drama king." Have you??

Well, since it was Wednesday morning and the crew was all still in the bed at 8:30, I had a prime time opportunity to watch our beloved, Beth Moore, on Life Today. I hope you got a chance to see it. If not, PLEASE check this one out on the web.

Something cool I got out of it and want to share is this....

God is the biggest adventure of your life. HE is the ultimate drama King!

However, we all tend to be satisfied, comfortable, and content right where we are. Are you one of those people?? I am. Isn't it much easier and safer to stay in that comfort zone??

She said that if we are compelled by comfort then we will miss the greatest adventure of our lives. In order to "go" somewhere new, we have to leave.

One more time...

In order to "go" somewhere new, we have to leave.

Ouch.

Our calling is probably and most likely way out of our comfort zone.

Ouch again.

My 2 cents is this....If you are feeling content, bored, not thrilled by God, or feeling at ease....it is probably time to see and listen how He is ready to take you to a new place.

I do believe that God has ants in His pants and is completely anxious for us to get them too.

He's completely ready to move us girls.

Think about a crazy, scary, thrilling time in your life when you thought you would never come out alive but could look back on it and found it to be the most fun of your life and one of the closest times with Christ. That is the adventure!!

I want an adventure with Him. I don't want to miss it. I know it's going to be scary and in the uncomfortable zone. I want to go. I really do.

I'm scared to death though.

"Lord, I know that you have new places for me. I have felt it coming for awhile. Would you please increase my belief and faith in You so that I can quit digging my feet in the sand and go with You?"

Let's go everybody! Ask Him where He wants to take you. It's going to be worth it. We can do it. If you have done "Believing God" then you know the 5 statements of faith. I'm going to find my workbook and read them again. And, then pray hard!!

hugs and blessings,

Fran

Wonder what I did all weekend??

This is my life.

These are my boys.

This is my family that I cherish and have a complete blast with!!!

Thank you Franklin TN for a fabulous time!

Hope you are having fun and loving Summer!

Hugs and blessings~
Fran

So thankful....

It's Friday morning and my children....and myself I might add.....have finished another year of school and I'm so thrilled to be done!! Welcome Summer! I just love you!



As I spent so much of yesterday and even this morning as I wake up, my heart is still aching for the Chapman family. Please continue to pray for them. I will not post again for 3 days and will follow suit with the idea set by Beth Moore and her team.



My heart is full this morning as I thank God for the friendship I have with Teri. Y'all, she is just the coolest, most real girl, in love with Jesus, loves her family to pieces, and is a friend for life. Add her to your blogroll and read her entries often. She blesses me deeply.



And, I got to talk to her on the phone yesterday! Yes I did!! We talked for probably 2 hours!!
Oh, how I praise God for each and every one of you and the special meaning you hold in my life!

Press on with Him because He simply shines beautifully through each and every one of you.



I will be in Nashville this weekend to celebrate my dads 70th birthday and spend time with family. My boys are also playing in a baseball tournament there. My heart will enjoy every bit of my family that will surround me. But, I can't help but think of the Chapman's and all they are going through on the very same days.



Hug the ones you love. Tell them you love them. Live hard for Christ. Keep Him at the center of all things!!



Thank you Patty for hosting Godstop Fridays. I love you friend. I wish I could see you this weekend. I'll email you if I think it will work out. :)

Hugs and blessings~
Fran

Today we have to pray for them

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and family and the tragic death over their daughter. I got this text from Fox News and from Travis Cottrell's website. Please pray for them. My heart is breaking for all of them.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

McPherson said no charges are expected.

"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.

She said several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville.

The brother apparently did not see the little girl, McPherson said. She did not have the name or exact age of the brother, only that he is an older teenager.

The girl died later at Vanderbilt Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
Chapman, originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria.

Chapman has won five Grammy awards and 51 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association.


The singer's Web site said that Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, were persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.

The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.

"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing — our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site. "We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."

Chapman also has released a book about being a father entitled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess."

You can read more and watch a beautiful video from a blog set up by his manager here.

Prayers being lifted~
Fran

My heart is oozing!

Well...

How was the weekend?? I have officially become a redneck with this beautiful baseball tan thing I have going on....the tshirt lines, the tank top lines, the sock lines, the flip flop lines, and all the other signs of being outside in the sun with no sunscreen. I've learned my lesson....apply sunscreen. I know.

So, I've been thinking back on this past school year. I am completely grateful for my children's teachers, their level of faithfulness, committment, service, and heart for these kids and the Lord.
I'm also grateful for the people at church that have also lead them spiritually this past year. Their Sunday school teachers and their Wednesday night leaders have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Phil. 1:3 says, "I thank my God every time I remember you."

I'm doing a lot of remembering right now and my heart is truly oozing gratitude and love.

As someone that works in the church, I'm extra grateful for those who have been these spiritual teachers this past year. I have seen this years group be completely creative and truly be enthused about growing these children closer and closer to Christ. What a blessing. I just love them!

I also spend this time of the year looking backwards thinking about children's ministry at church....

What could we have done better?

What didn't work?

What should we have done??

What would I like to see for the next school year?

So, my beloved bloggy friends....here is where you come in. I need your help. I need your ideas.

Tell me something that your church does....especially in children's ministry.....that you absolutely love. Tell me something that you think is fun that is going on in your church. And, if you want to throw in something regarding Women's Ministry....feel free to do so! :)

You are going to help me out so much. I think the sun got to my brain a little this weekend and the brain activity is a little flat. I know y'all are creative and also have some amazing things going on in your own church!

I can't wait for your ideas! Bring 'em on internets!!



I'm grateful for so much. And, you are a part of this oozing heart today!

hugs and blessings~
Fran

God Stop Friday!

WOO HOO!! It's Friday!!! Are y'all as happy as I am?? This time next week, I'll be into full blown Summer mentality!

Thank you Jesus. I truly thank you for another good year of school and teachers.

I just love Patty and the fact that she causes me to stop and reflect how I've seen God this past week. I hope you have a fabulous weekend Patty. You are a treasure to all of us who call you friend!

There are many things that God and I are working through but I believe the biggest one right now....is this....

"We're moving forward, Fran."

I have felt this deep desire within my heart that He is pushing me to go into areas of ministry within my church that I normally don't go. I might dabble here and there, but there is something different brewing and I'm waiting for the glorious revelation! :)

So, in the meantime, I'm already asking Him for the strength and courage that I will need as He reveals His path.

He's also telling me it's time to step it up a notch with complete passion for Him. And, I think He's telling me to live fully in Him. I'm already passionate for Him, but in some areas of daily living and in certain relationships, it's time to step it up and QUIT LIVING IN MEDIOCRITY!!

So....I'm ready. I'm willing. I know I am able through His Holy Spirit within me!!

Have a great weekend doing whatever it is you have going on and whoever it involves! Just don't forget to take hold of Jesus in everything you do and with everyone you are around!!

Be free. Be full. Be alive!!

Hugs and blessings~

Fran