Do I really have to surrender!?!?

So ... I said I wasn't going to post this week, but God is showing me otherwise. He's testing me to see if I really meant what I said in my last post about surrender.

I mentioned that we were going on vacay this week. We're in Birmingham, AL visiting my family for the weekend and our plan is to head to the gulf on Monday for the week... but it's looking like old Isaac is going to put a damper on things. If you know me, vacations are my escape. What I look forward to... and now a days are very rare. I've been looking forward to this for SO LONG and it's looking like we will have to cancel! My insides want to throw a temper tantrum.... a really big one. I'm going bonkers as we sit and wait. George has prepared himself and thrown in the towel. But my irrational thinking says, It will only be category 1 (ok, maybe 2 now) and that's if it hits where we are. I still want to go! I'm really struggling here!

Now that you're feeling sorry for me, how about I practice what I preach! Surrender... everything ... even my vacations and what they look like.

This weekend I started reading a book recommended to me called Getting Unstuck by Linda Mintle. It has a great message which I can apply to this situation. Life is about loss (change), whether it be with people, jobs, identity, things or situations, etc. Our lives are filled with change and unmet expectations. The question is, will you dwell on that, or will you embrace it? Will you look for the good (the new beginning) that God will bring out of it?

As I said last post, God just wants us to want Him more than other people, situations or things. He wants us to surrender to His will; Not to give us something we don't want, but instead, so He can bless us. I need to remember this.

... So ... confession time... I'm wanting this vacation more than I'm wanting Him right now. I don't know what's going to happen and where this hurricane will actually hit. It may go out to sea or it may be a direct hit on the coast. No matter what, it's shown me an area where my flesh is winning. I need to be more concerned with the people who will be affected physically or materially by the storm instead of what I want and feel I deserve right now. I need to surrender my expectations of my vacation. Just because there is change, doesn't mean there can't be a vacation. I need to trust and allow God to bless us with His plans.

So here goes ... it's painful ... and I don't feel it yet, but I CHOOSE to speak it until I feel it.
"Lord, I surrender this vacation to you. I remove all my expectations and instead trust you. Your will, not mine. Change my heart and make me desire you over anything ... even my precious vacations!!! I CHOOSE to look for the good in all circumstances... especially this!"

Three Times a Lady ...

If you know me well, you know that I have wanted to have a little girl for many years now. This week was my big ultrasound and ... I'm excited to say ... "WE'RE HAVING A BABY GIRL!!!"... And yes, I cried a little when the tech told me. As she poked on my belly with the magic wand and all sorts of images popped up on the screen, It went something like this ...


Christie - "That's a wee wee isn't it?"
Tech - "Nope. That's NOT a wee wee."
Christie - "Really!?!?" (obviously I don't know what I'm looking for)
Tech - "Yep. It's a girl."
I laughed and cried tears of joy for a moment, then looked at George and said, "Well .. What do you think?"
George shruggingly - "I don't know, I'm so hungry." (that's my husband... Mr Laid Back).
Christie - "Really!?!?! Your hungry! Really!?!?"
George - "What... I just had orange juice this morning."
Tech - "Yep. That's definitely not a wee wee!"
Hope you can picture the moment. It was quite humorous!

I had prepared to write this week's post the same way regardless of what the outcome was going to be. THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME. We all want certain things in life and we pray and ask for them. He always answers.

1 John 5:14-15  There is one thing we can be sure of when we come to God in prayer. If we ask anything in keeping with what he wants, he hears us. if we know that God hears what we ask for, we know that we have it.

However, these things have to be in line with His perfect will for us. Sometimes we get them. Sometimes we don't. And sometimes we have to wait awhile. No matter the outcome, we must trust! For a LONG time, this prayer had been answered with "wait". And I did, however, not too patiently some days. This time, He answered with a "Yes."

God is in control. He knows what's best. I feel like this time I finally got that and was at peace with it. Of course I wanted to have a girl, however, I surrendered that want, prepared for what He had already ordained and trusted Him. I think many times, that's all he's waiting for us to do. When we want something so bad, we have to make sure we don't want it more than we want Him or His plan for us. That becomes idolatry. All He asks for us is to surrender our control - not so He can do something we don't want, but so He can bless us.

The same thing happened this year with George's job. Once George released control of where he would be working next (even if we had to move out of state - that was the biggie), the Lord provided and just with two weeks of going without full time pay. He wasn't even asking us to move. He just wanted surrender. Pretty awesome.

What are you trying to control? What wants are you making higher than His plan? What have you not surrendered completely to God? What area are you afraid to trust Him with?

All He's asking for is surrender.
Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it can be done, take away what is before Me. Even so, not what I want but what You want.”

You may be surprised by the outcome. He may have something in store that you never even imagined.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

No matter what. It's a win win. So... what are you waiting for!

We're going on family vacay this next week (pray for no hurricanes in the gulf which is looking more and more like a possibility). There will be no blog update next wed ... unless I have some really cute family pict! See you in September!

Obey for Today

Since stepping off the plane from Africa this past November, I've done my best to listen to what the Lord's calling me to do and most importantly, to OBEY. God doesn't show us the big picture. His plans require small steps....Step by step... One day at a time. He does it this way, for many reasons ...so we will depend on Him, instead of trying to make our own plans...so we won't try to figure things out on our own...  and so we won't get overwhelmed. It is so freeing and a relief to know that I don't have to figure things out or make my own plans. All I have to do is obey for today.

These past 9 months, I've taken small steps and He's doing things through me I could never of imagined. I can't explain the feeling of being a vessel for Him. I encourage... no, plead with you to start listening and obeying (even in the tiniest of thing) and watch God work through you!!!

My next step is so exciting that I want to share it with you ... Creating and leading a ministry study called Battles of the Mind. Its foundation is from Joyce Meyer's book Battlefield of the Mind, which brought me my huge breakthrough, but it also encompasses so much more that I have learned over the past six years.

The study will begin on Tuesday, September 18th at 6:45pm at Seacoast Church in Mt Pleasant, SC. It will run for 10 weeks (all classes except the first will be from 7-9pm; Childcare is available). God has given me a passion to help women who were like me. Stuck. Who can't move forward in their walk with God OR cannot be a light to others because they are in bondage to something (an event, a mindset, a stronghold). My goal for this study is to:

• Inform others of the battle going on in our minds and who our true enemy is
• Help others identify the lies they are believing about themselves or others
• Share how to overcome these strongholds and find the freedom that Christ died to give them

I'm telling you the details for two reasons:

1. Are you "stuck"? Is God calling you to join us this fall? We've had a lot of interest which God has graciously pulled a team together to help me facilitate. Registration is open now through August 31st. If you have any interest or questions about the study, please email me at michaudchristie@gmail.com with the subject "Battles of the Mind."

2. Will you partner to pray with me for

• The continual anointing of the Study as we finalize and put the details into place.
• The leaders who are called to make this happen.
• The women God is nudging to take the study. That they will take that step to obey and join us.
• For freedom and breakthrough for the women who will be participating.

I pray and believe that the next step is for this study to become an ongoing opportunity. It's in His hands and I will continue to obey for today and leave the future up to Him.

Measure Up

We all compare ourselves to others in some way. The question is how do you? In the looks or size department? How about personality? Whose got the most "toys" (see Not Enough and Test Me)? Sucess? Better Spouse and kids? Most activities?

Mine is appearance... more specifically size. If you are a woman, fess up, we all deal with this to some extent. I think we look at other girls, as much if not more than guys do, out of envy or covetness. We must realize, in God's eyes, that is no different than a man out of lust (Matthew 5:28).

Confession Time:  I'm doing it this very moment with my expanding body... I'm in my 17th week with a bun in the oven. From the begining, i've obsessed over gaining weight back... I don't want to look fat this time. I'm starting to dread weigh in days at the doctor again. (No need to worry, I love food too much to deprive myself so the wee one is getting plenty of calories.) My focus is all wrong. I compare my pregnant body with other women. "How come I can't have that perfect basketball belly!?!? How come, I just look like I've gained some LBs." Yes, I kid you not. I've heard it a few times in past pregnancies .... Please note... NEVER say this to a pregnant woman!!!

That's my weakness right now. Now, now Christie ... tell the truth... Ok, actually, this has been a lifelong weakness of mine. I've always wished I had six pack abs and upper arms that do not wave back at you when my hand does. I've always had a love affair with food... love / hate is more like it. I walk around comparing and condemning myself for not being smaller. However, what I have found is, no matter what size I am, it's never been "good enough."... Wait ... What was that? "I'm not good enough," there's that lie again. Once again, I'm being decieved.

Ready for the Truth: When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12b

Why is it not wise?
1) We lose our freedom that Christ died to give us. Our identity is in Him only (Col 2:9-10)
2) When you judge yourself by the world's standard, you will fail. If only you would accept yourself by God's mercy and grace, you would win every time.
3) Our focus changes from becoming more like Christ on the inside to perfecting ourselves on the outside. One day, this body will wither away, but my spirit will live forever. This is where my focus needs to be... growing fruit (Galations 5:22-23) and not shrinking my frame. Besides, if you're working on the inside, outside change is a byproduct and with right motives.

Ready for MORE TRUTH - FREEDOM: I praise you for I am fearfully and wondefully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

If you are talking against yourself or comparing yourself to others in any way, you are basically in DISAGREEMENT WITH GOD. You are saying what He created (you) is wrong. We have to stop... Stop looking at the world for the thumbs up approval (that will never come) and start looking at the Creator who made you and said, "It is good" (Genesis 1:31).

I CHOOSE to be at peace with who God made me to be. I CHOOSE to get into agreement with God and take care of my body (His temple 1 Cor 6:19-20) so I can be all that he created me to be... not what size I think I should be (pregnant or not).

Test Me...

My last post (1%) was about how we have this poor me, we don't have enough money perspective. My friends, we are so blessed even if you are not the 1%. So, now that we know this, what do we do if we're living paycheck to paycheck and have no margin???

FIRST, Recognize how we got there. In this world, there is a backwards approach to stewardship... a careless attitude to money management and a warped thinking of "I deserve more." We all do it... We compare our situation and belongings (or lack of) to others: the amount we make, the house we have, the car we drive, what we own ... It's our identity. This kind of approach is Satan's perfect trap for deception and ultimately destruction. (1 Tim 6:10).

It's an endless cycle. Our flesh always wants more.... and so we GIVE IN resulting in no margin to GIVE OUT. And then we rationalize by saying, "I don't live lavishly like "they" do." The problem here is, we are never the ones living lavishly... it's the ones who have more than us. There will always be someone who has more or makes more than you to justify this way of thinking. Be careful, It's a lie.

Our Situation: George and I are house poor. We've lived paycheck to paycheck our whole marriage. This is no ones fault but ours. What happened? Unwise choices, unrealistic expectations, verbal promises unfulfilled, a booming market that went bad... An "I want this and deserve it" mentality. For the most part, we live off of one income since I am at home with the kids. This is a wise choice in our minds, however, we must recognize our limits and make sacrifices for this decision.

Our Consequences: Because of our decision to purchase a house we can't afford, there is stress from living paycheck to paycheck. A Savings that is slim to none. And I catch myself feeling worry over financial security, as well,  guilt for not bringing in extra money. Stress, Guilt and worry ... these are not from God. THIS is why He wants us to live within our means.

SECOND, become good stewards of what we do have. God has given each of us a specific portion to manage. Most look at their amount as "not enough...I need more!!!"... I CHOOSE to look at our amount as a blessing. I know myself and where my attitude used to be in this area. I am thankful for the hardships that I've faced. I no longer have a me, me, me, more, more, more... I deserve it mentality.

A good steward ...
1. Gives to the Church. A Tithe is giving back to God (remember it's His anyway) your first 10%. In return, He will bless the other 90% (Proverbs 3:9-10). We do this to release control and trust Him. Blessing: When business was down, George took over a 30% paycut for close to a year. Things were already tight so you can imagine things got really tough. We refused to stop tithing. In fact, one time, scattered me wrote the tithe check for George's WHOLE paycheck instead of the 10%. Oops!!! We noticed it, but decided to give it anyway out of faith that He would provide. Guess what?!?!...He did!!!! I'm not sure how, but our checking account never overdrew! Pretty cool, huh? Pure and simple - we were obedient and he blessed us. Give it a try.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (emphasis mine)

2. Provides for his family living responsibly within his means while creating margin.

3. Sacrifices wants to give to others. Blessing: I've been stretched to be creative in my giving. When we had no extra, I started giving my time at the Dream Center and giving them things we no longer needed (clothes, baby stuff, blankets, household items, etc.). That is where I learned to appreciate all that I have and I developed a servant heart.

I'm so thankful for what George and I have been through. I've learned to depend on God's provision regardless of how the outlook appears. Our situation has allowed Him to show us how He is the true provider and that our security is in Him and not money. For this, I am truly thankful and blessed!

Not enough

Have you ever caught yourself saying or thinking ...
- Why is money always so tight?!?!
- Poor me, we never have extra money!
- If I had more money, then I would give...
- I will be able to give one day when I have margin...
- There is no way I can give right now...

Or how about ...
- THEY have plenty of money ... THEY should be giving ...
- I'm not rich. Whew! Good thing the "camel passing through a needle" verse (Matthew 6:24) doesn't pertain to me!

If this is you ... and I admit this WAS me.. you need a change in perspective. Want to hear something disturbing... or better yet, something that will rock your world? In a sermon a few years ago, my pastor said something so impactful that forever changed my "poor me" view.

"If your combined family income is more than $40,000 a year, you are considered to be in the top 1% (YES, ONE PERCENT) of the world's wealth!!!" This means the vast majority of Americans are considered wealthy. I am rich! These verses do pertain to me!!! Yikes!

Are you familiar with the story behind the verse mentioned above (Matthew 19:16-26 The Rich Young Ruler)? In this story, the ruler asks Jesus what "good" thing he could do to have eternal life. He believed he had kept all the commandments which is how Jesus responded to his question. Jesus then told him to go and sell all of his possessions if he wanted to be "perfect". The man "went away sad."

I believe Jesus was inferring two things. First, he used the phrases "if you want to be perfect" and "there is only One who is good" to illustrate that we cannot earn eternal life. This, however, does not let us off the hook which bring me to my second point. The problem wasn't that the man had a lot of money ... God blesses many with prosperity (King Solomon, Abraham, etc.). The problem was that He loved it more than Jesus. That is why Jesus asked him to give it up. The man was, in fact, breaking a commandment - Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me. His love for money was greater than his love for God. It was his idol. This story poses a question for us all (no matter what your income is) - Is money an idol in my life?

BOTTOM LINE - WE ARE BLESSED WITH MORE MONEY THAN WE NEED
We need to stop having such a narrow perspective and change it to a kingdom perspective.

I CHOOSE to change my focus from "poor, poor me" to "richly blessed me." The Lord provides and gives us everything we need (Psalm 16:5). He's almighty God and knows what's best. Everything He instructs us to do is for a reason ... for our own good! When we are NOT good stewards, it opens the door for stress ,worry, greed, jealousy, etc. Many times, destruction follows. Why are we to be good stewards? To release control. God knows what Satan can do with money in your life if he can get a foothold.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE EXTRA?

Would you be able to give IF you had more money? The truth is, if you're not giving now (monetarily, materially and in service), you won't give later ... It will already be allocated elsewhere.

In the end, I will have to answer to God as to how I chose to handle what he has blessed me with ... not how better I did than my neighbor.  

Are you the One percent? What are you doing with your riches? What does the Bible say we should do?

Been there?

Overwhelmed? Overcommitted? Got too much on your plate all of a sudden? Struggle with saying no and trying to please everyone? I totally did it to myself and I'm trying to do it in my own strength....again.

My accountability partner gave me some wise advice today... wait for it ... "You put too much pressure on yourself. Just chill and give yourself some grace." Profound, isnt it? My first thought was ... I can't... I have to get this... and this done... And, then the stress and anxiety start to take over.

Once again (thank you God for your grace), I have to stop, recognize my feelings and then CHOOSE to live by what I know. I KNOW those feelings and situations are not from God. He is not a God of disorder, but of peace (1 Cor 14:33). It is deception and it's trying to pull me down. It's something I created without God and I need to stop, be still and give it back to Him. Otherwise, I will fail because I am in my own strength.

So God, here goes ...

"I give you my dirty ... oh, so dirty house... even though people are coming over tonight!"

"I give you my children who are driving me bonkers at the moment.. mainly because my stress has distracted me from them and they are acting out."

"I give you this blog and the deadline I place on myself ... It is your blog anyway. Use if for your glory and not mine."

"I give you my time.. .May I focus more on being in your presence than filling up my calendar and striving to live up to it's demands."

Bottom Line: I give you my feelings of inadequacy and CHOOSE to find my Identity IN Christ and not myself.

I am ALIVE with Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and FREE from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)

I have the MIND OF CHRIST and hold the THOUGHTS of his heart (1 Cor 2:16)

I have the PEACE OF GOD that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7)

I am more then a CONQUEROR thorugh Him who loves me (Romans 8:37)

I am the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21)

I am the TEMPLE of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Cor 6:19)

It is not I who live, but CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME (Gal 2:20)

It's now the end of the day... and as I look back ... all my worries from 10 hours ago are gone ... completely. My house is pretty clean, my kids are good, my blog is complete and I simplified my day. Most importantly... I have been at peace all day since I gave it all back to Him and stopped trying to do in my own strength. Wow, may I always remember this moment!