Hey Mighty Warriors! I hope you all have had a great week last week! So I apologize I did not get a blog update for the month of March except for this one here. But my plan is and I usually never give out information on my upcoming blogs because I like to surprise my readers but I also am doing this because I don't want to loose readers. So my plan is to do a Good Friday blog and an Easter blog update. So it will be 2 updates. So stay tuned and continue to be Mighty Warriors!
Blessings to y'all!!!! Have a great week!!!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
We are Gods masterpiece!
Hey Mighty Warriors! How was your week? Was it busy? Did the week feel like it would go on forever? Anyway's this blog update is going to be about us and how we are Gods masterpiece. So lets start from the beginning actually lets go back even farther to when we were in our mothers womb. God knew us even then. He knew what you were going to look like, he knew what personality you were going to have. In fact He knows every hair thats on top of your head. What do you think of that? God creaated you. God designed you. To put you in even more awe....you....YOU are Gods MASTERPIECE! He is proud to call you His son/daughter! He rejoices over you! Now maybe for some your thinking "I can't see myself being a masterpiece" Maybe for some of you your thinking "I am broken and I am unfixable" Can I tell you something. You are made new in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! There is nothing that God can't fix and make new. There is nothing to bad for God to forgive. God sent His son to this earth to forgive the unforgiveable, love the unlovable and fix the unfixable....you are made new and you are redeemed by the blood of your Mighty Savior Jesus Christ. if you read this and don't remember anything remember this....GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK! His love for you has no boundaries. Another verse comes from Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. YOU ARE GODS MASTERPIECE! When I hear this verse I imagine me hanging on the wall of a famous museum (like the mona lisa) popular piece of art! When you go into a museum you look at all the cool art that people create and you think "WOW" what beautiful art...thats what God thinks of us. He is in awe of us. Now I was trying to find a song that would fit this blog update and I think I have a good one because it happens to be one of my favorites. Its by a band named Gungor-Beautiful Things Enjoy! While you listen to this song soak in the words. My favorite line out of this whole song is this. "You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust. You make beautiful things,You make beautiful things out of us!!!"
He is in awe of his creation and how He created you. He loves you for you. Your unique and special self. Blessings to all you Mighty Warriors out there. Have a safe and blessed weekend.
If you have a prayer request feel free to send it to my email mightymariah.84@gmail.com or if you want to connect with me through social media like Mighty Mariahs Facebook page! Send your prayer requests to either of those and I will write you back with a written out prayer by me. I would love to pray for you and encourage you through!
Friday, February 7, 2014
In honor of Jan Vande Voort 1/27/2014
Jan was a great lady,mother ,grandmother,sister,aunt, friend, teacher and much more! The things she loved to do. She had a smile that would light up the room! Jan loved her family very much and even though shes gone she hasnt really left...because she remains in the hearts of many FOREVER! Jan later in life started the battle against cancer. At first it was found in her lungs but the doctors were able to catch it and get rid of it. Than it was found this past Thanksgiving she had cancerous cells on her brain. Doctors did treatment but in the end Jan overcame the cancer but with that she left her earthy home and went to her heavenly home for eternity. Where there is no cancer, there is no pain, there is no death! There is nothing but love and freedom and a life everlasting with the one true and mighty savior! Jan knew that she inspired so many people. I remember when I went to go visit Jan in the hospital the day before her last treatment for her cancer. I remember her and my mom talked and I will never forget helping her get resituated in her bed to make her more comfortable! Jan also told me that I was a mighty warrior. She actually read that from a hat that I was wearing that day and I remember I told her "You are too Jan" we all are. I want you to know if your reading this you also are a mighty warrior! You are a mighty warrior for Christ. Jan was a strong and faithful believer and that is what is for me so inspiring also for others as well. A week before she passed my sister and my mom went to hospice to visit her. At the time we didn't know when she was going to go. My aunt said to us that " You know I am going to get up and I am going to walk out of her and I am going to get through this. Now I was like "Whoah" Thats being positive in a very hard situation because my mom always told me your attitude goes a long ways. When Jan said that it just inspired me more. Because when your in a place like hospice thats a place where doctors just make you comfortable and some people walk out and some people dont. Jan was positive she reflected the positive light on such a dark situation like cancer. One thing I want everyone to take away from this update is inspiration. The impact you make on others can change there day/week! If your about to walk into a football game with some friends and you see a family behind you and they have there hands full hold the door open for them. Or help a neighbor with the yard work, just smile at someone as they pass you along. Those small gestures that you do to someone else can just change their day. One more thing before I wrap up this blog update. Life is a journey but its a quick journey. We don't realize have fast this journey really is. In the blink of an eye this life is over. We aren't guarenteed tomorrow, we aren't guaranteed the next 2 hours of our life. What I am trying to say is make the most of it. Live the now! Right now is what matters. When you say goodbye to someone like "see ya later" we arent guarenteed that quote. We dont know if we will see them later. I remember I said that to Jan before I left her room I said "See ya later Jan" That quote will only come true when I am called home to meet my Savior! Do hear what I am saying? Each one of you have in some way inspired someone. Keep it up! I want to end this blog update with 2 special songs! That I want to dedicate to Jan! The first song is called "I still miss you" By Hawk Nelson
The second song is called "Favorite Flowers" by Luke Bryan!
Blessings to all you Mighty Warriors out there!
~Mighty Mariah
If you have a prayer request feel free to send it to my personal email:
mightymariah.84@gmail.com
Friday, January 3, 2014
Happy New Year!!!
Hey Everyone! Hmm...how should I start this blog off how about this....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Hows that for a great way to start off this post! My first blog update of 2014. Wow! Can you believe 2013 is already behind us? Does it feel like you had so much to do and so little of time to do it? As you look over your year of 2013 what are some highlights of that year that were you most favorite? Maybe it was someone in your family that got married, or someone in your family who got a promotion at there job. Then also what were some of the lows of 2013? Maybe it was someone who got diagnosed with Cancer, Or maybe you got demoted at your job, or maybe you lost your job,or maybe someone in your life you were close to passed away. Whatever your year looked like I want you to know Christ was with you through the high and the low through the calmness of the year and through the storms that you battled that year. Now I want to focus on 2014 because we are already beginning to write out our personal story book that we hold every year! In 2012 we had a story to tell but it was different than 2013. Life comes and goes its like a roller coaster. You get on an before you know it the ride of that year is over! 2013 will be different then 2013 because we meet new people we try new things and we experience different situations. So what is your 2014 new year resolution? It may be I am going to work hard and save money to live on my own. Or maybe from a parents perspective to listen to my kids better then I did before. Or I am going to reach my goal of getting that job I want so badly. Whatever it is God will guide you and he will walk right along side you as you strive to reach that new goal you have set up for yourself. I have a quote I want to share with y'all today and its from a well known Author, you may have heard of him he wrote the book series the Chronicles of Narnia...thats right C.S Lewis and this quote says "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." That quote says a lot right there and I think for some and I speak for myself as well but I think when a new year comes we always think we can't set a goal but goals are just accomplishments in the making. Your everyday life has some insight of the goals you will one day achieve and you will. Having faith and believing in yourself is a BIG part of just helping you once again reach that goal. Goals don't happen overnight. Its a process a learning process. It might take a couple of stumbles and falls to reach it but let me tell you something Mighty Warriors...it can happen if you just believe and keep the faith that one day that accomplishment will come true. I hope y'all followed that. I want to wrap up with a prayer and this prayer is called the Serenity Prayer and I want this to be your prayer for this new year that we are in.
God grant me the
serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day
at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
That is my prayer for this year, and now I want to end with a song by a couple of great country artist and I love how this song says to not look back and to not turn around and to also not back down. Enjoy! The only way I know! Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Eric Church--Reinhold Niebuhr
I hope y'all have a great and blessed day today!
~Mighty Mariah
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/cslewis119176.html#khQCrLDwuUSRWqTA.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/cslewis119176.html#khQCrLDwuUSRWqTA.99
Monday, December 16, 2013
Building Hope Together 2013
Hey Everyone! I hope you all had a great week! This blog update is going to be about my church Lutheran Church of Hope-Ankeny. Let me just say Lutheran Church of Hope started in West Des Moines and Hope Ankeny was one of the first campuses to be launched in 2006. Lutheran Church of Hope is One church in multiple locations.
First off, will you join me in praying for Lutheran Church of Hope-Ankeny!
Father, God we come before you and we want to lift up Hope Ankeny to you and take a moment and praise you for all you have done through Lutheran Church of Hope and all its campuses.
With One Spirit we ask you to nourish us in your Spirit so that we may be faithful stewards of your gifts.
With One Hope we ask you to humble our hearts and center our lives on your soveriegn purpose.
With One Love may the sacrifice of our joyful giving be an outward sign of the true treasure we hold in you.
With One Faith we commit ourselves to your service and rely on being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
In your Mighty name we pray, Amen!!
Thank you for praying with me. That prayer I got from a prayer guide through our Building Hope together packet.
So now I am going to share a little bit about the history of Hope Ankeny and how and when it got started and so forth. I got the answers from Scott Rains Hope Ankenys Campus pastor. I also did a little reading up on Hope Ankeny myself as well. So I hope you enjoy reading this and learning and seeing what God is doing through Lutheran Church of Hope in Ankeny.
Lets start from the very beginning...
In the Spring of 2006, after years of visioning, and months of prayer and planning, Lutheran Church of Hope Ankeny (originally called Hope NorthBranch until July of 2011) was launched on April 22, 2006 under the leadership of Kingdom Expansion Pastor Molly Juntunen and Student Ministry Director Mark Brandt and the volunteer support of a committed Launch Team. Hope Ankeny is the first Satellite congregation of Lutheran Church of Hope – Hope Ankeny is a worshipping community of Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines and is under Hope’s mission, vision, values, and structure. Hope launched Hope Ankeny to reach out specifically to the Ankeny community by discerning God’s vision for His church there. But once again we are ONE CHURCH in multiple locations. Then in the Fall of 2006 through a partnership with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Ankeny, Hope Ankeny began worshiping on Saturday evenings. A focused effort was made to provide Children’s Ministry and to also offer Alpha. Then later in 2006 in the month of November, Hope Ankeny called its first Campus Pastor, Scott Rains. Who has just a great heart for Christ and shows great leadership in the church and to his congregation. Worship attendance through the fall of 2006 was approximately 100 and 15 children came to Roots. The Hope Ankeny Christmas Eve service saw 200 people celebrate the birth of Jesus. Praise the Lord!
Then in the Spring of 2007 Hope Ankeny began worshiping at Northview Middle School in Ankeny on March 11. Almost instantly, worship jumped to over 200 people every Sunday. In July, God’s Champions Vacation Bible School saw over 100 children come to a park in Ankeny for a week of Bible stories, activities and diving into the word of God. Than in September of 2007 Hope Ankeny started a second worship service on Sunday mornings.
Attendance at Hope Ankenys worship services has jumped to nearly 400 each Sunday with over 100 children participating in it's Children's Ministry programming. Ministry for middle and high school students is added to what is happening for children and adults. No later than two years, Hope Ankeny has shown itself to be a church that is growing wider and deeper. What God is doing in the hearts of the people of Hope is changing them from the inside out. Secure in our identity as beloved children of God, Hope Ankeny is reaching out to Ankeny and the world with the everlasting love of Jesus Christ. Which is following through in our mission statement for all of Hopes Campuses. Some of the mission work we do at Hope are:
Adopting Villages in Ghana, West Africa by sponsoring pastors, building churches and digging wells. Begin the process of funding and staffing a no-fee adoption agency called Bringing Hope Home Serving at the Iowa Homeless Youth Shelter and participating in various other local mission opportunities.
Than in the Fall of 2008 Hope Ankeny moved into The Station. The Station is a seven day a week ministry space and has offices for the Hope Ankeny Staff.
So Everyone that is the history of Hope Ankeny. I really hope y'all enjoyed reading that and it gave you a glimpse of what God is doing through his church and his people.
Now I am going to introduce the Hope Ankeny Staff:
 |
| Ankenys campus pastor: Scott Rains and his Wife Wendy. |
 |
| Worship leader: Dustin Antoine |
 |
| Childrens ministry Coordinator: Angie Rathbun and her husband Troy! |
 |
| Production Coordinator: Jared Wells and his wife and kids Britni, Grayson and Sloane |
 |
| Childrens Coordinater 1st-5th grade, Jackie Keuker |
 |
| Nursery Coordinator: Kathy Pilch, and her Husband and daughter |
 |
| Adult ministry Coordinator, Jen Segar and her husband Travis |
 |
| Childrens ministry leader: Brent Rauch |
Dustin Antoine (worship leader) He said "I enjoy being the worship leader and looking out and seeing familiar faces but than also being able to meet new people in the process. Then I look forward to gathering in one place worshipping God together!"
Brent Rauch: (Childrens Ministry leader) "I love joining together in community with others and celebrating what God is up to! Time of worship is always something to look forward too!
Scott Rains (Hope Ankenys pastor) "I love seeing so many people taking a step of faith and trying something new in terms of serving God through the church." John 10:10
That is what some of the staff answered. Now I had a chance to ask some people that attend Hope Ankeny and heres what they said:
Sherri Stych said "The energy/the Holy Spirit in the room, I most enjoy the opportunity to serve and be a part of a growing church centered on the love of Jesus Christ!
Scott Rains (Hope Ankenys pastor) "I love seeing so many people taking a step of faith and trying something new in terms of serving God through the church." John 10:10
That is what some of the staff answered. Now I had a chance to ask some people that attend Hope Ankeny and heres what they said:
Sherri Stych said "The energy/the Holy Spirit in the room, I most enjoy the opportunity to serve and be a part of a growing church centered on the love of Jesus Christ!
Geneva Ross "I enjoy everything. Worship music,the fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, the sermons, and an opportunity to focus on God. I always leave church refreshed,connected to God and ready for the week"
So that is feedback from a couple people that attend Hope Ankeny! Hope Ankeny offers classes to let people be a part of and to start getting connected and diving into the Word at Hope Ankeny! KQ (Kingdom Quest) KQ is Hope's version of Sunday School involving Bible-based teaching, music, activities and more. Hope also offers "Powerlife" (for middle school students) PowerLife is an innovative approach to confirmation ministry that gives youth in the community an opportunity to experience the abundant power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Blessings to all!
So that is feedback from a couple people that attend Hope Ankeny! Hope Ankeny offers classes to let people be a part of and to start getting connected and diving into the Word at Hope Ankeny! KQ (Kingdom Quest) KQ is Hope's version of Sunday School involving Bible-based teaching, music, activities and more. Hope also offers "Powerlife" (for middle school students) PowerLife is an innovative approach to confirmation ministry that gives youth in the community an opportunity to experience the abundant power of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Ignition (Gathering for High school students) Ignition is a ministry geared toward high school students. The goal is to build community, deepen faith and have some fun!
So Hope Ankeny is just one out of four locations and just because Lutheran Church of Hope has many churches in many different locations just means that we are "Reaching out to the world around us and sharing the everlasting love of Jesus Christ! I enjoyed writing this writing this blog and I LOVE HOPE ANKENY! It feels like home! In this house of worship we will serve the Lord! Amen?
I want to wrap with a song called "while I am waiting" Hope Ankeny has been waiting and praying for Gods timing on when we should get our own building! That time has come for this church! Have a blessed week everyone! While I'm waiting- John Waller
 |
| Future home of Hope Ankeny! |
Mighty Mariah
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
The 6th Commandment
Hey Everyone! I hope you all are havig a wonderful week so far! So let me tell you where I hope I can take this blog today. I hope by the end of this blog update that we find some bodies that have been murdered. Hows that for a weird way to start a blog update?
Exodus 20:13 says: 13 “You must not murder." What does the 6th command require?
That e should not revial, hate, injure or kill our neighbor Either by thought,word or look must less by action. So I have a question for you "Is there anyone besides me who has committed murder?
So lets back up and lets take a look at what is at the root of murder.
MURDER - envy,hatred, anger and the desire for revenge.
And God inplies all those as murder. So murder isn't just something we do with our guns and our knives and bodies but its also something that comes from within, it comes from what we do to people and what we say and what we think and even what we write. The American culture does not stop killing. Our attitude towards murder is deturned by what our fundemental belief about what life means. And so as our culture believes in God has declined, murder of attitude and action has been epidemic. We will not stop killing or loving until we get commandment number 1 right. There is a spirit of death and murder that is being released in the nation. The spirit of death and murder is now so persuasive that how many video games can we play that do not include killing? How many movies can we watch that do include a horrific amount of killing? How many activities involve violence. Now I am going to say something that is very contreversial and I do not intend to be hurtful in anyway so I say this very carefully,very respectfully. But it is my opinion that we have affirmed abortion as the law that we have released in our country a spirit of murder. Because if violence can occur here violence will occur everywhere. So now the spirit of murder is out there. So I sometimes wonder why are the emails so loud and angry? Why is our discourse so violent and vial its because there is a spirit of murder that has been released. Jesus says to LOVE. Lets look at Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. What this means is that, the measure that you sow so you will reap. So lets stop for a second..If murder includes what we think, say and do Jesus never murdered with His tongue, He never murdered with His mind and He never murdered with a knife. Bottomline Jesus never murdered anyone. Jesus is holy and we will be terrified because He is SO HOLY. So can we talk about love for a little bit? I know this is a long blog update but I think this is a great topic to write about and for you to read. So bare with me. 1 John 3: 11-16 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in DEATH. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
So this is not the love that is all kissy and lovey dovey. This is the kind of love that hangs on a cross bleeding bloody murder poured out butt naked as people laugh and mock THATS LOVE. This is waht John is talking about. So hear this God loves life! And when you see someone with a disability physically, mentally or emotionally let me remind you that God loves life! And wether we are tall,small or skinny or fat, young or old, black or white God loves life. I say this carefully. Life is not sacred the issue is not the sacred of life the thing is we have lost the sense that God is creator. When God is not our creator when God does not create and give life then something horrible happens. So 10 commandments if you get the first one wrong then you get the second one wrong and so on and therefore we release a spirit of murder. That is why we can send out emails that are mean. We align ourselves with the evil and the evil one. When I choose to murder by what I say, think or do I just joined the devils team. When I choose to send an email that is mean I just joined the devils team, when I say something in a joking fashion about someone I am making fun of I just joined the devils team. Why? Because I am choosing not to stay in step with the spirit. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. There is an old Proverb that says " The blood of the dead one is heavy it makes the journey hard. Amen?
Will you pray with me right now?
Merciful God our Father there are many things we casually express hatred and angry for. We confess that we readily say angry words or we think hateful thoughts towards those people who displease us. Yet your word reminds us that anyone who hates a brother or a sister is a murder and no murderer as eternal life. So your holy and annointed words put all our angry and hatred in perspective. So Holy Spirit we ask that you examine our hearts and quicken our responses. Lord bring to our minds those whom we have murdered. Some of us have been painfully violated and seriously abused by those whom we were trained to trust. Help us to see the ways that we are becoming and that we hate. Bring us back to gospel sanity, bring us back to freedom, return to us the joy of your salvation sooner rather than later. We pray this in your mighty name Amen!
Thank you for praying with me.
Now to end my blog I want to end with a song. Its called Speak Life- TobyMac! Enjoy.
Do you speak life to those around you? Or do you speak destruction?
Blessings to all
If you have a prayer request feel free to leave a comment or "Like" Mighty Mariahs Facebook page!
Exodus 20:13 says: 13 “You must not murder." What does the 6th command require?
That e should not revial, hate, injure or kill our neighbor Either by thought,word or look must less by action. So I have a question for you "Is there anyone besides me who has committed murder?
So lets back up and lets take a look at what is at the root of murder.
MURDER - envy,hatred, anger and the desire for revenge.
And God inplies all those as murder. So murder isn't just something we do with our guns and our knives and bodies but its also something that comes from within, it comes from what we do to people and what we say and what we think and even what we write. The American culture does not stop killing. Our attitude towards murder is deturned by what our fundemental belief about what life means. And so as our culture believes in God has declined, murder of attitude and action has been epidemic. We will not stop killing or loving until we get commandment number 1 right. There is a spirit of death and murder that is being released in the nation. The spirit of death and murder is now so persuasive that how many video games can we play that do not include killing? How many movies can we watch that do include a horrific amount of killing? How many activities involve violence. Now I am going to say something that is very contreversial and I do not intend to be hurtful in anyway so I say this very carefully,very respectfully. But it is my opinion that we have affirmed abortion as the law that we have released in our country a spirit of murder. Because if violence can occur here violence will occur everywhere. So now the spirit of murder is out there. So I sometimes wonder why are the emails so loud and angry? Why is our discourse so violent and vial its because there is a spirit of murder that has been released. Jesus says to LOVE. Lets look at Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. What this means is that, the measure that you sow so you will reap. So lets stop for a second..If murder includes what we think, say and do Jesus never murdered with His tongue, He never murdered with His mind and He never murdered with a knife. Bottomline Jesus never murdered anyone. Jesus is holy and we will be terrified because He is SO HOLY. So can we talk about love for a little bit? I know this is a long blog update but I think this is a great topic to write about and for you to read. So bare with me. 1 John 3: 11-16 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in DEATH. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
So this is not the love that is all kissy and lovey dovey. This is the kind of love that hangs on a cross bleeding bloody murder poured out butt naked as people laugh and mock THATS LOVE. This is waht John is talking about. So hear this God loves life! And when you see someone with a disability physically, mentally or emotionally let me remind you that God loves life! And wether we are tall,small or skinny or fat, young or old, black or white God loves life. I say this carefully. Life is not sacred the issue is not the sacred of life the thing is we have lost the sense that God is creator. When God is not our creator when God does not create and give life then something horrible happens. So 10 commandments if you get the first one wrong then you get the second one wrong and so on and therefore we release a spirit of murder. That is why we can send out emails that are mean. We align ourselves with the evil and the evil one. When I choose to murder by what I say, think or do I just joined the devils team. When I choose to send an email that is mean I just joined the devils team, when I say something in a joking fashion about someone I am making fun of I just joined the devils team. Why? Because I am choosing not to stay in step with the spirit. Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. There is an old Proverb that says " The blood of the dead one is heavy it makes the journey hard. Amen?
Will you pray with me right now?
Merciful God our Father there are many things we casually express hatred and angry for. We confess that we readily say angry words or we think hateful thoughts towards those people who displease us. Yet your word reminds us that anyone who hates a brother or a sister is a murder and no murderer as eternal life. So your holy and annointed words put all our angry and hatred in perspective. So Holy Spirit we ask that you examine our hearts and quicken our responses. Lord bring to our minds those whom we have murdered. Some of us have been painfully violated and seriously abused by those whom we were trained to trust. Help us to see the ways that we are becoming and that we hate. Bring us back to gospel sanity, bring us back to freedom, return to us the joy of your salvation sooner rather than later. We pray this in your mighty name Amen!
Thank you for praying with me.
Now to end my blog I want to end with a song. Its called Speak Life- TobyMac! Enjoy.
Do you speak life to those around you? Or do you speak destruction?
Blessings to all
If you have a prayer request feel free to leave a comment or "Like" Mighty Mariahs Facebook page!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Keep calm and fight on!
Hey Everyone! I hope you all are have a blessed week! Tomorrow is Friday so the last day of the week before the weekend! So this month is Breast Cancer Awarness month. I was thinking about what my blog update would be about and when I heard that it was breast cancer awareness month I knew exactly what my blog update was going to be about. So on March 25 one of the teaching pastors at my church (Lutheran Church of Hope we are one church multiple locations) Nicole Woodley was diagnosed with breast cancer. And with her permission she said I could write a little bit about how she got through the tough times that came her way with having to get through treatments and doctor visits and some hospital stays.
So let me first start of by sharing one of the bible verses that Nicole had on her caring bridge site.
Psalm 91:1-4
Those who live in the shelter of the Most Highwill find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
That is one of the verses Nicole shared on her caring bridge page. I think this verse speaks a lot of wisdom and truth the whole bible does this passage to me is saying that the Lord is my refuge and a place of safety. How comforting is it to know that the mighty Lord will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease? That just gives us a sense of peace you don't have to have a disease to be moved by this passage it can be for whatever your going through. So I want you all to picture this. He will cover you with his feathers and He will shelter you with his wings. Can you imagine what that looks like? So if you look at a bird soaring in the air you look at its feathers and you see his wings spread out just imagine your Heavenly Father sheltering you and covering you. What power that passage brings. I had a chance to email Nicole and get some information from her about her ups and downs of journey that God brought her on and I was inspired by one of the things that she said and here is what she told me "There is no doubt cancer has changed my life, but no matter what stage of cancer my body may be dealing with, clinging to faith in Jesus through cancer allows you to thrive no matter the circumstance. With cancer, and with life, there are no guarantees. As I see it, the only guarantee is that Jesus is there to meet us in whatever circumstance life may throw at us. As for my cancer journey, who knows what tomorrow may bring, but remaining in Jesus, the vine, allows you to live life fully and gratefully no matter what ~Nicole Woodley. Shes right Jesus is there to meet us where ever we are in life. He will never leave us or say "your too far away I won't come get you" Instead He comes and meets us right where we are in life. Nicole also had on her page lyrics to a song and I will post the lyric video at the end but the song is called "The Hurt and the Healer" by MercyMe I listened to this song and I was moved by this song what a beautiful song and such a great message behind it.
So I could write a long blog update on Nicole because she is just an amazing teaching pastor at Lutheran Church of Hope,she is a great mother to adorable kids and shes an outstanding friend and a great wife but most of all she is A FIGHTER,SHE IS A CONQUEROR and last but not least she is AN OVERCOMER. Nicole did recently finish up her Chemo treatments but she is still getting some treatment but she is making outstanding process PRAISE THE LORD! So now I am going to post some pics so enjoy!
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| The Woodley Family |
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| Nicole |
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| Grant and Nicole. |
Now here is the lyric video to the song The Hurt and The Healer By MercyMe
Now for my final music video I would like to dedicate this song to not only Nicole but to all women out there that are battling Cancer!
This song has touched my heart and it moves me so much everytime I hear it.
Its called Overcomer By Mandisa (One of my favorite Christian Artists).
This song is the music video because some people in this video are getting treatment for cancer and you will see that in the video.
I hope y'all enjoyed this update and reading about my friend Nicole!
Blessings to all
Mighty Mariah
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