Tattoos, Trials & Testimonies

Since my teenage years I've always wanted a tattoo. But I was always too scared because I knew that I didn't just want a tattoo that was "pretty", a "memory" or just a personal meaning.  I knew I wanted something that was more than that. Something that had purpose. Something that would not just show who I am but who my God is. A testimony of who He is and what He has done in my life.


      ~Great Is Thy Faithfulness: Romans 8:28~shoulder~

As our sunday school class started to study the book/life of Job, it was said that Satan wanted everything God had.  But God said No.  Since then Satan has set out to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10) all God loved & created. Satan knew that Job loved God and he wanted to set out to prove that Job would turn away from God. But God knew Job's heart and knew that Job would not turn away from him not matter what.
I may not have suffered like Job did but as I look over my life, I think that since I was born, Satan has been trying to "steal, kill and destroy" my life.  Thankfully God placed me in a family, even with all it's dis functions, that loved Him and where I would grow up hearing His Truth.  I accepted Christ when I was 5yrs old.  But that doesn't mean that I was always in His will for my life. Anyone who knew me through my Jr. High & High School years know that I was NOT living a lifestyle that reflected my christian beliefs.  Growing up wasn't always easy. I had A LOT of problems.  Some due to others choices, some due to my own.  I suffered from an identity crisis and from that stemmed a lot of different symptoms. My trials didn't stop as I got older and became a wife & mother. It was during my mid 20's that the Lord really began to work in my life.  Well, God was always working & speaking to me, I was just ignoring Him. So I should say, it was during my mid 20's that I began to listen to Him. I started getting into the Word, His Truth. And it was through the trials that my relationship with the Lord started going deeper & deeper. 
 My trials haven't stop but I realized that Gods faithfulness hasn't stopped either. He has been my protector, healer, defender, provider and so much more!! It is never ending!!!

      ~My Chains Are Gone, I've Been Set Free~wrists~

For a long time (my early 30's) I lived a life of legalism. A check list. Do's & Don'ts.  And boy was that exhausting!!!  I lived in guilt because I was never good enough.  Or when doing the right thing I still carried the guilt of all the wrong I had done. I had not fully realized what it meant to be free in Christ.  
We went to church because it was Sunday & Wednesday and that is what we do. 
I sang in the choir because I could sing so I checked off my place of service.
I did my 5min devotion/bible studies. 
Etc, etc, etc........
Being free in Christ is accepting what Christ did for me because I was a slave to sin. I was living in bondage.  He died on the cross for me, so I could be free from sin. His blood covered the all!! I am free from bondage & guilt.  I am no longer going through an identity crisis for my identity is in HIM!!  He is my redeemer! I am NOT GUILTY! I don't go to church, sing in the choir, do my devotions/bible studies because I HAVE to, but because I WANT to. Now I am FREE TO WORSHIP!!!  

                ~Walk by Faith: Psalms 25:4-5~foot~

Have you ever had to make a decision you didn't want to? Gone somewhere you really didn't want to go? Or done something that you didn't know what the outcome would be like?  I have.  Some of those decisions I went along with, kickin & screamin!!!  Some I did just because I knew I had to.  No matter what the circumstance, I knew I had to trust God.  Sometimes that is very hard to do. Especially when that takes your out of your comfort zone. It is there, where you are scared of the unknown, that you have to believe God. Obey Him. Trust Him.  Know that He has a plan for you and your life. Giving up control is the hardest thing to do.  It's a pride thing. It's an attitude of "I got this" and God is says "no, I do".  Trust me, the times I said to God "I got this. I'm gonna do my own thing" just ended me up in a mess. Thankfully He was there to clean me up when I decided to surrender! No matter where God has taken me, it has always brought me to a place where God has revealed more and more of Himself to me.  His Truth. His love. His grace. His mercy. His faithfulness. His compassion. His forgiveness. His blessings. His provision. His love through discipline. His promises.
He didn't just reveal His character.  He revealed what I mean to Him. He loves me. He cares. He understands. He's jealous over me. I am His treasure. He wants to protect me. He wants to bless me. He wants me to have abundant life. He wants me to be free! There is no one on earth that could love me like God does. Walking by faith is trusting The One who loves you most. 


                                  ~Amazing Grace~

Gods Grace.  Can you imagine what your life would be like if there was no grace? No mercy? No forgiveness....No Cross?? 
All Satan could do to destroy it, that's what it would be.
I'm lost for words....
My heart cries out,
THANK YOU LORD!!!!!!!!





I know that tattoos are a very controversial topic.  I've heard that tattoo's are a mark of the beast. Your destroying the temple. It represents an idol (Lev 19:28).  
My opinion, it's between you and the Lord.  It's a personal conviction either way.  
FOR ME, I believe that in todays society,  just like FB, Twitter, Instagram, Blogger, women's ministry & music ministry events, Awana, Upward, VBS, etc..., a tattoo can be used as a tool to engage in conversation about God, His Truth and your testimony. 
FOR ME, my tattoo's will speak Truth about God & will give testimony to what Christ has done in my life. 

Now, I have gotten any tattoo's, but if & when the time comes, know that my purpose is to glorify God!!

Will you fall or will you stand?

Just a Thought: 
I've been doing the Daniel Study by Beth Moore. I have learned much. One thing that continues to stick out in my mind is the temple. It's not just a church or sanctuary. It's us. Our bodies, our minds. Since the beginning, satan tempted Eve by having her question God's authority (attacking her mind). And when she fell for the lie, she & Adam defiled their bodies by partaking in something that seemed like no big deal. Needless to say, it was a big deal. God & Satan are pursuing us. Both in very different ways. As my biblical study continues, it is clear that satan uses the same tactics on us as he did Eve-by questioning &doubting God & His authority, corrupting our minds w/ lies & we then defile our bodies that leads us to be used by satan instead of God. So, after finishing the first session of my Daniel study this morning, Ch 1-6 paralleled w/ Revelation ch 17 & 18, it is clear that we are living in a "modern day Babylon". I then listened to my Psalms & Proverbs (specifically Psalms 2 & Prov 2) devotion from You Version, I don't understand why people say that a you can't mix politics w/ biblical truth. It all goes hand in hand. Starting in Gen 10:8-12 w/ Nimrod & Babel (Babylon) God gives us clear warnings & examples (through out the bible) how a nation, people, ruler, king, etc..will fall. Satan wants to entice you into a worldview instead of a biblical view. You may have all you want to satisfy your worldly desires for now, but God's Word is true, it will come to an end. The choice you have to make is which side are you going to be standing on when it does happen? Will you fall or will you stand?

Who Are You???

I haven't blogged in a long time. Although there has been a lot for me to blog about, just not enough time to do it. 
But today I had a little extra after I did my bible study, Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy to sit and blog something. I am only up to chapter 5 so if you have a bible, I would take the time to read Daniel ch 1-5.  If you don't have a bible but have a computer, you can go to www.biblegateway.com and look it up.


God is constantly teaching me through His Word and through my circumstances.  One thing that is constant, is the sovereignty of God.  

Has God ever done something in your life that made you say "that was a total God thing" or "that was all God"  Or maybe said "God's hand was all over that".  I find that it is said the most when something good or exciting has happened in our lives.  But what about those times when something doesn't go as planned or what is considered to be "bad news/times"?  Do we still say " that was all God"???

The thought came to me yesterday when I had learned that the position I applied for was given to another applicant.  I was completely OK with that decision because I knew that isn't what God wanted for me at the time.  But someone said to me, "I'm kinda disappointed."   I asked "why?"  the response was "because I thought it would have been something you would have been good at".  My response was "but that's not where God wants me to be right now".
The word "disappointed"  stuck with me throughout the day......

As I reflected on what God has been teaching me about His Sovereignty in my life and in all it's circumstances, I realized that God's hand wasn't just on me or my circumstances only during the "good times" but God's hand was in on all the  "bad times" as well. 

 God is in control.  Something I hear all the time.  And Yes, He is.  In the good and the bad times. Am I saying that God allowed not just the good but the bad to happen too?? Yes, yes He did. God has me right where He wants me so that I will draw closer to Him!
   
You may ask, "how can a loving God do that?"  How could he not??  Has he not warned us of the consequences of living apart from Him?  Has He not given us the choice to choose life or death? Has He not given us enough examples to learn from?
  
As a parent there are times that we have to punish our children.  This occurs mainly when they get a little too full of themselves. :)   Even though they KNOW, we still have to remind them that there are consequences when they don't follow the guidelines set for them.  We do this because we love them.  They need to know there are boundaries set for a reason. 
  
So why would God, who created us, who loves, and who wants whats best for us not do the same??
  
As I am learning in my Daniel study, sometimes God has to teach us the hard way just like He had to teach King Nebuchadnezzar that we are really not the ones in control.  And it's not through ourselves that we obtain all we have. He does this to remind us that He set boundaries for a reason, it for our own protection.  So that we don't become so self centered that we forget the true meaning of life which is in Him and the purpose He has for us.  

Watching our kids learn the hard way isn't always pretty.  It can be hurtful and painful to watch but necessary because there is always a lesson to be learned IF they apply what they have learned from. If not, the teaching & lessons continue.....

God too has to teach us the hard way sometimes.  But I think the greatest thing I have seen through out my life and even the life of King Nebuchadnezzar (and many others through out the bible who turned from God) is God's Grace. 
How many times do we turn from God and live as if we are our own king? 
How many times do we do things for our own gain or recognition and live content in our own palace? How many times do we take what it holy and make it unholy?

As a parent who loves my children, I will never stop loving them. No matter how much they may dislike me at the time or want to get away from me I will never give up on them.
God, as our Father, will never stop loving us or give up on us either.  Sure He may seem distant by allowing us to go off on our own for a season, but that doesn't mean has given up or stop loving us. God is never the one to walk away, we are. But He is never to far to reach!  God wants us to restore our relationship with Him!!!


There have been times God has given me all MY hearts desire only to have them crumble at my feet.  Maybe your like King Nebuchadnezzar and God is giving you all you ever wanted to satisfy your flesh only to take it all away so that you will come to know that there is only one True King and He is the only One who can satisfy your every need. 
Or maybe God is keeping you at the bottom so that the only way to look is up, up to Him?? 
Maybe your Daniel and God has you in your own modern day Babylon so He can use you. 
What's it going to take to bring you to your knees? What's it going to take so that your desires are what God desires?
No matter where you are at in life, God has you right where He wants you!  

God is in it ALL!!!




  

GOD...He is Faithful & Sovereign!

Have you ever questioned God or ever gotten mad at Him??  I have. Many times.

My life question to Him has been "WHY????"  there was even a time when I ask the Creator of all if He knew what He was doing.  Something I laugh at now. After all He is the ONLY One who established and created everything!!!  I'm pretty sure He knows what He is doing!!   But during times of trials, I have to admit that my faith has been tested.

Does God always answer me when I want him to?? No. Is it mean of Him not to answer me right then? No. Has it always been easy for me to accept that "My thoughts are nothing like your  thoughts" says the Lord " And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine"  NLT Isaiah 55:8  No.  But as I am learning...God has a plan & Satan is going to try to mess it up.  

Reflecting back on my life, I have seen & learned of Gods Faithfulness & Sovereignty.   Not only in my life but since The Beginning-Genesis. If you want to have an understanding of life, you must start at "In the beginning, God.."  I have always been intimidated by how in-depth the bible was. I have always had trouble w/ retaining and comprehension  so starting from the beginning was challenging for me. To start, I did the Genesis study by Kay Arthur.  It was very overwhelming but I learned so much (and still learning).  Which would then thread through every other bible study I did.  It's amazing how much more you can understand about the bible, circumstances, trials....life, once you have a correct understanding of Who established and created it.  

What does this have to do with my questions, trials, hurts, etc...?  It has everything to do with it!  This is where we see Who God is. His Character. His intentions. His Plan.   This is also where we see how things got messed up-sin...But God still had a plan.  I've been asked why would God created all this if He knew man would sin??  Free Will...sometimes the simplicity of this answer bothers people. But isn't that how we live anyways??  Wanting the right to choose?  Not wanting to be controlled by others?  So why is it so hard to understand that God did not create us to be robots? God was honest & laid it all out there for us. God loves us enough to say, this is what I have to offer you, you can take it or leave it.  And He has even given us the pro's and con's, if you will, to our choice.  So why is it so hard to understand why things are the way they are in life?  It all goes back to free will. Our choice to believe and accept God or not to.  To believe and accept that because of sin, Jesus is the only sinless One who could redeem us or not to. To believe, accept & live according to His ways or not to.   

So many things come down to what standards we live by.  Sadly many people are going against Gods standards because it interferes with what they want & how they want to live. And what they think is right & wrong. Sadly, people want to live by what make them happy, feel good, or by what they think is their right so just let people live how they want to to live. UNTIL... someone is murdered.  Until someone robs someone. Until someone is raped. Until someone is killed by drunk drivers. Until someones loved one becomes an addict. Until someone is lied to or betrayed.  Until someones child is kidnapped. Until we hear of sex trafficking. Until terrorist enslave & kill. Until someone is abused. Until our families are torn apart by divorce. Until gang violence fills our streets.  Until,Until, Until.........all of the sudden people living according to how they want to live doesn't sound so good.   

I have heard it said that the bible has good morals/values but but that still leaves it open to ones own opinion of what they think is right & wrong.
 God set the standard. He tells us what is good & evil. Right & wrong. He tells us the consequences. He warns us of Satans schemes & his plans for us to turn away from God.  
Like a parent to a child,toddler, pre-teen, teen.... He tells us, gives examples, warns us, sent Jesus to prove His love for us, He pleads with us to choose Life & not death!!!  But by their own choice, there are those who choose not to follow God yet blame Him......that is a lot of what people do today...quick to point the finger the other way yet failing to realize how many fingers are pointing back at them.

God is love but He hates sin because it separates us from Him and the relationship He wants to have with us!  But at the same time God is Just.  And just like we want justice for the wrong others have done, God will bring justice to those choose to go against Him, His character, His plan....



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

I posted this on my FB page the other day & thought I would share it here as well: 

"Did you know that what you say & do YOU WILL have an impact on the lives of those you know & even on those lives you may not know? As I study Gods Word there is a recurring theme for me lately & that has been Life/Blessings & Death/Curses & Legacy. And realizing family curses and strongholds and that they can be broken! Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone (Chris Tomlin)!! Thanks Be to Our God( Travis Cottrell)!!! 
What legacy are you leaving behind to pass from generation to generation??"

There are a lot of things that I grew up with that I thought was just part of our "family history".  As trials come & I continue to study Gods Word and have a better understanding of who He is, His ways and His plan.  And a better understanding of sin, Satan- his ways, his plans.  God has revealed to me that these things aren't just family history but family curses and strongholds.  I have realized that what was, didn't have to be anymore!  I've heard it said that the Christian life is a lot like a present. When we accept the gift of salvation, it doesn't just stop there.  We have to unwrap, open up the gift and claim what's in it too~~ It's amazing how your perspective changes once you understand Gods Truth!!  What God intended for us is so much more than what we are living for now.  Which has brought to mind, Legacy.  What am I passing on to my children, that they will pass on to their children and to their children.... but it doesn't stop there.  Legacy is not just within the family.  Legacy is something passed on to those who know you  & those who you don"t know.  So many times we think that the choices we make, since they are our choices, it only affects me/you.  But truth is, it affects everyone around you.  Which leads me to Impression or Impact... like it or not you will impact someone.  In a lifetime...many someones.  Your imprint will carry on. What kind of imprint are you leaving around while with your family, in the office, at church, playing sports, hangin with friends, traveling, talking on the phone/texting, when your on FB or Twitter, on the internet, in a long line at Wal-mart, out to eat & everything is going wrong, at a wedding or funeral,  when you think no one is watching???  Every moment is an opportunity to speak blessings or curses into someones life.  

Deuteronmony 30:19 NLT  says "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!"

Which will you choose?  What impact, impression, legacy will you leave??  

  I do not claim to be perfect, or have it all together. But since God created me, created everything, I believe that His ways, His plan is much better than mine or anybody else for that matter. 

I know I have made MANY mistakes in my life time. I'm sure I will make many more.  But the great things about being a follower of Christ is knowing that through my mistakes God is showing me His Grace and teaching me more about Him, His plan & His ways.  Now I know that BECOMING LIKE Christ (not becoming perfect as Christ is)  is a daily reflection of my relationship with Him-there is no better mentor than the Creator!!!  And that with Christ I can over come those "old ways" and replace them with His ways!  

I don't want to leave a legacy that carries forth the "bad family history"  but one that carries forth a new family history of Gods grace!  


Satan is on the move. Seeking someone to destroy through his schemes of deception.
My prayer is that you will renew your mind with Gods truth so that you will be prepared to   face what ever Satan is trying to grip you with.  It may get ugly but stand firm because God will never leave you ...victory is the Lords!! 


Blessings,
Melissa 
   

Europe Trip-Final Post

After lunch at the Gasthof Waldfrieden we came to our last stop in Rothenburg Germany. Loved this fun little village!  Besides the concert, our time was to just relax &  do what you want. I had fun walking the Wall that surrounded the village. Sitting & enjoying a cappuccino in the Town Square & shopping! Out of all the performances, this was the best one. Not just for me but the kids too. It was more formal & they were able to play w/ a Germany orchestra also at the Franziskanerkirche...don't ask me to pronounce that :)  We ended that night hanging out w/ the Germans afterwards until midnight-little after. Got to bed at 1am only to wake up at 3am to get ready, eat, load the bus & be on our way by 4:45am for the 2hr ride to the Frankfurt airport. Waking up early wasn't too bad b/c we had many morning where we had to be up early. We did everything by bus or walking. I did not sleep on the 9hr plane ride so I could recover from jet lag easier. 4 1/2 movies
later we landed at the Atlanta International Airport! It was bittersweet! We all had such a great time. Friendship were made. And it was an experience none of us will ever forget!
I know I have left out a lot but I just wanted to share w/ you as much as I could about our trip. I have post pictures on Facebook if your interested. Again, thank you for the prayers!

Melissa

Town Square

Loved sitting outside a small Cafe in the Town Square sipping on a cappichino!

These Schnezballen (Spelling???) were every where in the town. Reminded
me of pie crust covered in chocolate, powdered sugar, etc...not a favorite though

You could take a tour through the town with the Night Watchman

neat looking jeep

Had no idea what this said or what it was for, but there was a monkey statue on top of
the roof.

An interesting car that the Guest Pastor at the church we sang at drove

Time to walk the "Wall"

While walking the Wall we came across different rooms, some empty
some w/ stuff in it like this one w/ the cannon.

While Hanna Beth & I were walking around the wall we came across this room
that was dark & I heard childrens voices so I said to Hanna Beth "Lets scare them" so against
the wall on the left side of the picture is were we stood and waited for the kids to pass.  As soon
as they came through the opening Hanna Beth said "Hey there" or something like that.  I was going to  yell something
much more dramatic but what she did was enough b/c  we scared the little boy & girl pretty good!! LOL

In the Town Square you would see musicians playing.
It was almost like being in a movie.  Those moments where you say
"That only happens in the movies"....well not here.  It was for real
and it was Great!!! 

Christmas is one of my most favorite times of the year!  I love  Christmas Stores and
Rothenburg has many " Christkindlmarkt"stores that are opened year round.

                                                                               

On our adventures, we decided to go down a little alleyway off the  normal path.   This area was marked off
due too construction, but we could resist the sights.  We are actually stand on the ledge of part of the Wall...
we just had to be careful not to fall off!!

I wanted so bad to find "windows" big enough to stick our heads through for a
neat picture.  Finally on our second time, to finish the walk around, we found a couple of
windows to peep our heads through :)

This sign confused us because on the other side it had the same pictures
but without the big red line through it

A nice stroll on the cobble stone streets of Rothenburg!

Entrance/Exit to and from the garden area

Another great view!  You can actually see the part of the wall
behind us where we took the picture of us standing on the ledge of the wall

In Paris we passed by a photo shoot& here in the gardens we came across another one.

Hannah Beth and I decided to go to the top!

There were lots of stairs to climb and the area kept getting smaller & smaller the
closer you got to the top!

tiny window in the room that held 4 adults.  You had to
wait for the other people to come down before we could go up.
You had to climb a little ladder through a small opening to get outside where you could
walk around the top.  It too was a small area

A top view of the church we sang in

                                                                               

But once you got to the top.....

the views were amazing!!

I was sick a lot of the time, but near the end I was able to sing  w/ the
choir!  It was pretty cool!! Im on the left, 2nd row, 2nd to the end

Beautiful Organ!

The final concert

This was probably Zachery's favorite place to play

It was our last night there and we had to be ready to go by 4am but
after the concert the Germans came back to the hotel and we stayed up until
midnight or so(some kids even later) socializing & making new friends!

One Proud Momma!!

After a long night & long ride to Frankfurt we made it to the hotel.  The man in the
yellow shirt is Hans.  He owned the bus and was one of our drivers

This is Will.  Hans was training him to drive a bus.  He was Awesome!!

Can't leave without one last game of Phase 10

Dr.Brasier playing Words with Friend to pass the time

WE finally made it to Atlanta!  Bittersweet for all of us!!

We spent our 17th anniversary apart.  We have a St.Benard and
Kris has wanted one of these barrels for Bear so while we were
in Zermat I got him a hand made barrel.  It was the only one in town!





It was so much fun going back and looking at all the pictures!  Brought back a lot of great
memories & experiences that I, we, will never forget!!

Hope you enjoyed reading & looking at the pictures as much as I did!!