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I've got my spurs out!!! Can I count on you?

2011-10-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 10:24-25

The Message (MSG)

^22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

I can not tell you how many times people will leave the church because no one called them to say they are missed. I can completely understand where the people are coming from, BUT....... when they were here who were they calling to say they missed them? It goes both ways. I do good to make sure I have 6 heads in the car, mine included, going to church and then getting back home. I can hardly think who was not there. But the one way to make sure we are constantly encouraged is to be an encourager. Kind of like to have a friend, you have to be a friend. The Christian life is nothing more than a constant giving of ourselves. If we receive anything back, then praise Him, but do not expect it.

With that giving mind in perspective the verse above says "let us consider". That consider there means to contemplate. "How we may spur one another on" That spur means to move someone in a direction for results and it actually means doing something for them. So giving... it might take some work. Many times it will not be a rash or rushed decision. Now just because you get a quick idea doesn't mean it is not a valid one or one to not take seriously in doing for someone. Do this or that................now! Sometimes i react, sometimes not. But the main point is that we are to consider - contemplate, look for ways, be creative (ugh) - how we can spur one another one - move each other in the direction to be encouraged.

The last verse says that we are to "encourage one another". That is not needed to be explained, but I did look up encourage. We are to be like Christ and He is our encourager. Advocate is the most common word used for Jesus as it pertains to encourage. He speaks to the Father on our behalf - praying for us. How cool is that??? In the Greek it is parakletos!! I love that word.

So friends - it is going to take a movement, effort on our part to encourage one another to achieve what He has called us to. We have to encourage one another - spur one another on towards love and good deeds - and good eating. When we feel a moment of weakness coming on - to overeat, to eat cruddy food, to not go to church, not attend Bible study, to skip out of aerobics, to not meet with a friend.................... pick up the phone and call someone. Because here is the deal, if things work the way the Lord intends them to - someone calls you for a "spur on" and you do just that. Encourage them off the ledge and back to right thinking - rational thinking - you do not need another Little Debbie Swiss Cake roll. Then when it is your turn for a 'spur on' you have someone to call for encouragement. That is what God means when He says to not give up meeting together. Come together as often as possible, but when you are down do not give up on one another - spur on!!!

Who is the one you can call for a "spur on"??

Its a Crappy Day

2011-10-05T04:42:00.000-07:00

I think we all know that serving the Lord has days of much crappiness. We are not immune from hardships and sickness. But what will make it better?

3-16-10 Side by Side

2011-09-30T04:19:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered what Speaking Thru Me Ministries is all about? Watch this video and you will get a better understanding. And then if you dont mind, you would please post this to your facebook or send in an email to others helping us to get the word out. Thank you so much!!! Shoulder to Shoulder!!

All of a sudden my wheels fell off!!

2011-09-29T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think we get so caught up telling people to die for Christ, to reject yourself, to think only of others.............. Don't get me wrong all of that is so true. Paramount in being a true follower of Christ. But i also long for others to know that following Christ is a lot of fun. Jesus is a blast. Because I find such joy in being with Christ and following Him the latter things mentioned don't seem like such a drag - much like they are communicated at times. So today I have a funny I found as I was studying Ex. 14.

Exodus 14 is the story in the Word about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. They were all complaining and Moses set them straight with a huge statement that really needs to be put to memory!! As my buddy, Ryan Warren always say, that'll preach!

Ex. 14:13-14 ¹³ Moses spoke to the people: "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you're never going to see them again.

¹⁴ God will fight the battle for you.
And you? You keep your mouths shut!"

So then Moses, through the power of the Lord, parts the Red Sea. So all the Israelites are crossing over on DRY ground as the Egyptians are still pursuing them. As the night went on the Lord wanted to up the confusion of the Egyptians and frustrate them all the more - i call it toying with them. Destruction is on the way, but He is allowing them to get toyed with to make an even bigger statement - He is Jehovah God!!

Verse 25 cracks me up - ²⁵ He made the wheels of their war-wagons come off, so it was hard for the wagons to be moved. So the Egyptians said, “Let us run away from Israel. For the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”

I know I'm being sarcastic here - but yes, it would be very hard for any vehicle to move if all the wheels fell off!!! Isn't it great that something so weird as all of a sudden wheels on wagons falling off made them have an "awe-ha" moment! As they looked around and were not doing really well pushing the wagons on their own, one of the brighter warriors, must have been an wheel engineer, must have looked up and said, "Wait a minutes guys, this must be their God. We gotta get out of here. The wheels just fell of - who knows what is next...our heads!!! Let's go".............but it was too late!!!

Just having some fun today. Some Leigh interjection there! Have a great day and please keep your wheels on!

Is it worth it - does anyone care?

2011-09-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

Are you wore out and sick of fighting?
Are you not sure it is worth it?
Not sure if anyone will ever come to your rescue?
Is all your strength gone and courage fading?
Not sure if you believe HE will come and do as He says?

We have all been there and sometimes these lies of Satan can ruin our day, week, month, or even longer.

Take a few minutes to read this scripture OUT LOUD and find rest in its word! Speak it over and over again until you believe it and feel its power. Please speak it out loud so that the defeated one, satan, knows you mean business and will flee from you! Do business with the Lord and may He see and HEAR your faith!!

^3-4Energize the limp hands,
   strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
   "Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
   on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
   He's on his way! He'll save you!" Isaiah 35:3-4

Friend - I am praying for you and so is Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father!!! Find comfort today in the power of His word and in Him!! I love you!

He said, "Destroy"!!

2011-09-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Is your place of refuge also a place where your enemies are destroyed? I think that is a pretty cool idea!! I can think of all kinds of places that I go to seek refuge. There are certain friends houses I would go to. There are even certain ones I would call on the phone. I know I can always go to my momma's house. I count it a huge privilege to cuddle up with my hubs and find refuge! But even at the safest times these places make me feel, I'm not sure any have the power to just speak and destroy my enemy!

I find great refuge on the alter of my church and in prayer services on Wednesday nights. These are places where great power reside! I know I can go to the Lord at any time and at any place, but these are the Lord's and I feel so much closer to the Him in these places.

However, I do not have to be in a church to find refuge AND for Him to destroy my enemies! I don't even have to be in prayer at that very second when enemies are taken down. I believe the Lord is fighting for me...always. He is constantly destroying things set out to annihilate me. And He is doing this with just words!! "Destroy"!!!

Deuteronomy 33:27

New Life Version (NLV)

²⁷ The God Who lives forever is your safe place. His arms are always under you. He drove away from in front of you those who hate you, and said, ‘Destroy!’

Take rest in that - seek confidence in His refuge!!! Tell Him out loud so the defeated one can hear!!! You believe in His destroying words and appreciate it as well!!!

Friends - there is power in His words - so much more than we realize or will possibly ever realize!!! Say His words, share His words, and live His words!!

Our softball and baseball teams won last night!!! Oh Lord - may they have the same success again tonight!!! We are praying for State Bound teams!

I love you Lord!!

You gotta know this - your hormones do!

2011-09-23T04:06:00.000-07:00

We, women specifically, "feel" so many things each day - and most of us are moment by moment, changing constantly. This is one reason I am so thankful to live in a day of a plethora a Biblical translations and interpretations. Here is a scripture that YOU NEED TO KNOW and I have put it in lots of different translations so that no matter what mood or hormone that is working in this moment you can hang your hat on it - live by it - receive life and healing from it!!! That is the way scripture is and should be in our lives - LIFE! HE has got you covered and will handle your stress and burdens if you allow Him to! See below!

Psalm 68:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens. (This is the translation I usually study from.)

Salmi 68:19

Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (CEI)

¹⁹Sei salito in alto conducendo prigionieri,
hai ricevuto uomini in tributo:
anche i ribelli abiteranno
presso il Signore Dio. (maybe you are feeling a little sassy Italian?)

Psalm 68:19

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

¹⁹Blessed [is] the Lord, day by day He layeth on us. God Himself [is] our salvation. Selah. (I love the way it says HE layeth on us - nothing will touch us! We are covered.)

Psalm 68:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!
For each day he carries us in his arms. (Again, protection, but we are in His arms.)

Psalm 68:19

New Life Version (NLV)

¹⁹ Honor and thanks be to the Lord, Who carries our heavy loads day by day. He is the God Who saves us.

Psalm 68:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah (much benefit to following Him.)

Psalm 68:19

The Message (MSG)

^19-23 Blessed be the Lord—
      day after day he carries us along.
   He's our Savior, our God, oh yes!
      He's God-for-us, he's God-who-saves-us.
   Lord God knows all
      death's ins and outs.
   What's more, he made heads roll,
      split the skulls of the enemy
   As he marched out of heaven,
      saying, "I tied up the Dragon in knots,
      put a muzzle on the Deep Blue Sea."
   You can wade through your enemies' blood,
      and your dogs taste of your enemies from your boots. (The Message can hardly ever say anything concisely, and neither can I.)

Psaume 68:19

La Bible du Semeur (BDS)

    ¹⁹ Tu es monté sur la hauteur en emmenant des captifs.
      Tu as prélevé des dons^[a] parmi les hommes,
      même parmi les rebelles, pour ta demeure, Eternel Dieu. (maybe for the french in you!)

Psalm 68:19

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁹ May the Lord be praised!
Day after day He bears our burdens;
God is our salvation. ^(A) (This is not just a one time thing - this is day after day after day.)

Psalm 68:19

Darby Translation (DARBY)

¹⁹Blessed be the Lord: day by day doth he load us [with good], the ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¹God who is our salvation. Selah. (little Hebrew(???) added to explain a characteristic of God more fully.)

Psalm 68:19

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

¹⁹We praise you, Lord God!
   You treat us with kindness
   day after day,
   and you rescue us. (I love thinking about His kindness, such a gentleman.)

詩篇 68:19

Chinese Union Version (Simplified) (CUVS)

¹⁹ 天天背负我们重担的主，就是拯救我们的神，是应当称颂的！（细拉）(Done forget I think you read this one backwards!)

And here is what Knoxville thinks of them!!

2011-09-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

My mom and dad have always been so faithful to exercising and staying healthy. After his stroke on Dec. 8, 2009 - which still baffles the medical community because he is SO healthy - working out and "getting it done" is still part of their every day life. They do everything together, I mean even more so now!! This is beautiful article written by their workout facility. Mom and dad are an inspiration to all they meet - even if you never meet them, but are just observing. I have been to this place to watch them workout and do their thing. All eyes are on them watching with anticipation and "hopefullness". Sometimes their eyes say, "Wow, I cant believe this has happened." And many other times the eyes say, "I hope I find someone to take care of me the way she does. What a team!" I hope you enjoy this article even half as much as I did! Sorry the picture didn't copy - I will try again! (Yes, I look just like my momma!)

News

Thursday, September 01, 2011 - Living the Healthy Life

Rob and Susie Hargis

Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center isfull of amazing people with inspiring life stories. As a staff member here, Ihave the privilege of meeting those people and sharing their lifelongcommitments to healthy lifestyles.

From the first words out of Rob and Susie Hargis’ mouths, one thing is clear –this is going to be a truly great love story. 48 years of marriage and theystill act and talk like a couple of teenagers in love. This great relationshipis built on trust, love and dedication. They’ve also been dedicated to livingactive lives, even becoming Senior Olympians several years ago.

Senior Olympics is just one competition this active couple enjoys. Australiafor The World Masters tournament in 2009 is where we set the stage for Rob’sgreat triumph. Competing in full court basketball, he brought home silver andgold. Susie, of course, proclaimed him the MVP! This past July, Susie competedin a 3-on-3 National Senior Games basketball tournament in Houston, Texas.While she and her team lost by one point, they did win the silver medal, andsecond place is still great when you are competing against thousands ofathletes.

Time Out

On December 8, 2009, the Hargis’ fun and games came to aracing halt. Rob was exercising at the Fort when all of a sudden simple thingsbecame difficult to understand and the left side of his body started to losefunction. He told Susie, “Take me to the emergency room.” Susie says she couldtell something was wrong.

A trip to the ER revealed Rob had suffered a stroke. It would be devastating newsfor anyone, but especially for Rob, who realized his Olympic days were behindhim. He spent three grueling months at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Centertrying to regain strength and function on his left side. Now, after nearly twoyears of hard work, Rob has regained ankle strength and is hoping to havemovement back in his left hand soon.

Getting Back in the Game

Rob’s therapy includes many types of treatment, includingexercise at Fort Sanders. His exercise regimen has increased productivity inhis other treatments. Through it all, Susie has been his cheerleader andsometimes even his coach. Together, they play a little basketball, workout onthe weight machines, and walk on the treadmills. With each step the Hargis’keep their eyes on the prize. For Susie it’s a victory in the next tournament.For Rob, it’s simply to improve everyday life.

Through all the wins and losses on and off the court, this couple has had agreat sense of humor. They are always there to cheer each other on – workingout as a couple, doing therapy as a couple. In fact, they take on life as acouple. Susie’s next tournament will be the Huntsman Senior Games in October.This time, Rob will be her coach.

Not for the Weak!

2011-09-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Boy oh boy how i know this message to be true. What about you? Ever had to take a beating for the Faith? Love to hear how you got through? Thanks and much love!!! Leigh

I saw the unseen!! Incredible day!

2011-09-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Lord Jesus, going to a Children's hospital is not always my favorite thing to do. #1, I'm there for a reason - there is something going on with one of my children and so therefore that is always reason for concern. #2, the other families are there for a reason as well. Many that you run into look very sick or their parents have the face that tells all.

At the same time it is a very tough trip, I am always brought to a very grateful place. It is as if I am saying thank you in my mind the whole time I am walking from one room to the next knowing that the particular stages of sickness that are so visible in so many of the kids we have not entered into. Thank you!!

Much like always, we didn't park in the most convenient location and had to do quite a bit of walking to get to our building. Passing the patients outside still hooked up to all kinds of medicines AND smoking was something that Sarahjane could not understand. "But mom, if a doctor is making them stay in the hospital, cant he make them not smoke too?" I thought she had a very good point.

The further we got into our journey I began to think about each family represented. This was the last place anyone would have ever chosen to spend even a small amount of time. No one asks to be sick or even given something that is curable. Sickness, in any form, is not something we as humans raise our hands to be chosen for. BUT, i saw the unseen. I really did - it was not visible, but I saw it!

¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18

As i passed each family I allowed my mind to go to a place where there would be no sickness. A place where no doctors would be needed. A place where there would be no pain - no need to even draw blood. A place where the sick would never cry again and those giving care would never cry as well.

The Lord allowed me to envision Heaven and these precious lives walking, running, playing, singing, jumping, and even sitting.........at peace. I quickly took my mind to a scene in Heaven when some day when both my dad and I will meet up on the corner of Gold Street and run to worship the Lord Jesus. He will hold my hand with his left hand that will be fully functioning and we will together RUN to the Father as fast as we can - no cane, no delays, PERFECT.

For now I saw the unseen. But someday I will see AND experience the unseen all at the same time. I pray for those families that are living in the seen, that have no hope of the unseen. I pray they come to find the hope that will help them make it until they see the unseen! Lord, may they come to know the one that freely gave His blood once and for all. May they all come to know and trust The Doctor! May we fix our eyes on You! I love you Savior!

PS - Update on Sarahjane - the doctors are running more tests on her thyroid. They also are doing a test to find out what stage of growth her bones are in. All in all - the doctor had no serious concerns. Praise You Lord!!

Pain Does Have an Answer

2011-09-19T04:05:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord - I cannot say enough about the incredible-ness of this past weekend in Washington. WOW!! As i showed you on facebook, they thought of everything! It was again a church of much vision and passion and followers of Christ with guts to try! I don't see this kind of church everyday, but when I do it is like a taste of heaven. It is almost one of those things that you have to be there to understand! So next time, I will take you!!

After serving at a church for a weekend I am always reminded of the hurting people. I get the opportunity to speak and pray with all kinds of ladies that are going through things I cannot relate to, but can relay my Jesus to for hope and healing! It is like I always carry the answer - we DO!!! Jesus!

In my devotion I came across a verse that offers so much encouragement and hope for anyone and everyone. No matter if you are in the midst of a trial or just got out of one - another will be coming - this scripture will speak comfort in your heart!

^13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don't quit.
   I'll say it again:
      Stay with God. Psalm 27:13-14 (Message)

Another translation

¹³ ^[a]I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the ^(A)goodness of the LORD
In the ^(B)land of the living.
¹⁴ ^(C)Wait for the LORD;
Be ^(D)strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD. (same scripture but NASB)

There is an answer for your pain - Stay with God!!! The writer here must have just gone through a pain or trial and this is their final word on it - Stay with God! Wait on the Lord.

"Land of the living" or "exuberant earth" simply mean the day we live in today. The earth as we know it. Here and Now.

This you must hold on to not matter what the trial is - You may have to look hard especially if your mind's eyes are clouded by depression or even frustration, but you will see the goodness of the Lord. You may have to wait a bit longer if you are clouded for whatever reason, but take heart you will see His goodness!! In the wait be strong and may your hope be encouraged knowing the visible goodness is coming!!! Take heart!

I don't know about yall - but I needed to hear that!! Pain does have an answer - or there is an answer for the pain - wait on the Lord - you will see!

Today after I lift weights with my trainer girl - killer woman that I love - my daughter Sarahjane and I will take off for St. Louis for her appointment with the pediatric endocrinologist! I am excited for this meeting to find out more! Yall please pray for clarity and definite answers. Either way - I know we will see the goodness of the Lord on this earth - even today. I will wait on the Lord and be strong and have a courage heart. Even if it takes longer than I want - I will wait on the Lord!!! Amen Jesus - I love you!

Emmajoy Gray singing Carrie Underwood's I'll Stand By You

2011-09-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

This is my second child, first daughter, Emmajoy Gray. We are very proud of her - That's ok, right?

Learn to Acclaim? Huh?

2011-09-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord, Your Word has not left me empty this morning! Thank You!

So many times my kids will ask, "Mom, when will I be able to pray like you and daddy? When will I be able to shout out praises to the Lord and not feel weird about it? When will this relationship of talking to the Lord not feel so weird?"

I understand their asking and actually appreciate their honesty. I love their desire to grow and pray often this passion never leaves them - even though it looks very different in my older kids - appears invisible at times. (I have had to really learn to be patient with that. A wise friend told me you can not force a rose open before its time.)

¹⁵ Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. Ps. 89:15

I was directed to this Word from my Jesus Calling devotion this morning and really sat on it until the Lord spoke this over me;

A relationship with ME is a learned thing. It does not come naturally. We have to work on it. We see in Ephesians that Paul encourages us to "workout" our salvation. That does not mean work for our salvation. That means give it a workout like I gave my shoulders a workout yesterday. UGH!

We see the same thing here in this particular Psalm. Do you see it - "Blessed are those that HAVE LEARNED to acclaim you". There seems to be a learning process and possibly a learning curve.

Notice at the end of the this verse it explains how learning to acclaim - applause, proclaim with enthusiastic approval (dictionary.com) - we have to walk in the light - consistently and habitually some translations said.

Learning our relationship with Christ, learning to talk with Him, and learning for it to be more natural, will not come natural. We have to work on this daily and that requires us praying, praising, and yes, reading. It will come, you will learn, but you have to do IT - and it will look different for many of us.

Lord, thank you!!! Thank you for your patience as I learn to acclaim you! Thank you for your teaching Word and the passion You have placed inside of me to push through the weirdness I had so long ago. May all those who read this push through as well. You are so worth it My Lord!! I love You!

Emmajoy sings in the talent show at 6 tonight. and also for the whole student body today as well. She is excited! I am scared! ha Tucker's team has won all their games this week. Won the conference last night!!! Yeah! SJ and EL are cheering their little hearts out!!! Things are good.

Monday's glance at the week

2011-09-12T04:29:00.000-07:00

Lord Jesus - you have given my family a very exciting and busy week ahead. We have 3 baseball games this week alone. That right there makes homework tough and all the other things that the girls want to do. There are times it seems like Tucker's events rules the house. But the girlies are good about supporting him.

On Wednesday Emmajoy will be in a talent show at her school. She is singing the Carrie Underwood version of I'll Stand By You. Yeah - that is what I thought too - cant you start with a tad bit easier song?? But actually she sings it pretty well. She is feeling it!! ha (Mom, I will tape it and post it on here or Facebook.) She also made student council this week. Her daddy helped her write the speech and I helped with all the other crafty stuff! I had so rather help with speech. lol!

Sarahjane and Elleigh both have gymnastics and cheerleading this week as well. We have to fit that in during the games. I am thankful for my friend Nathalie that is so willing to help me out in a pinch! There have been a lot of pinches since school has started!!

This weekend I'm traveling to Washington, In. to speak to a group. I'm very excited. It is a small group of 60-70 ladies, but that usually means a lot more fun and intimacy. I will be speaking on "What Does God Require of Me" based on the scripture Micah 6:8. One of my favorite messages. It will be a weekend of having another stand in the gap for Clay and I. He will be traveling home at the same time I am to be there. It happens like that often, but we have some great sitters to help us out if need be!

Lots is going on with Speaking Thru Me Ministries. This week I am fervently praying Ps 90:17 "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands - yes, establish the work of our hands." There is a really cool opportunity on the horizon and I want to know if this is something STMM is to be part and ask for the favor of the Lord to be all over it! We shall see!

Lots of feelings and thoughts. But this i know to be true - I am serving the Lord. I love the Lord. He loves me. He is my judge. He is weeding out my schedule to refine my "business". Lord, establish the work of my hands!

Do I Have To Be What God Calls Me To Be

2011-09-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry - didnt mean to cry - it just happens!!

It's Not Just the Bad that is Wrong

2011-08-31T04:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord, So often I am just a half a day to giving up all social media because of different stuff I see. I don't know how to explain it, but so much of it is all about ourselves. I'm including myself in this observation. But then you bring something to me and help me to know my time is not done there yet and to keep on. In fact, I felt Your conviction so as to discern that not taking place, not participating in this avenue of ministry, not even using this for Your good and Glory........... it would be sin!

Lord, as these thoughts come to me it almost causes me to go to my knees because I don't understand it at all. I have even thought I have to be making this up in my mind. But after much prayer, conviction, and confirmation - I will obey and in that obedience there will be action.........again!

" If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17

I really appreciate this verse so much! I appreciate the specificity of it! It doesn't just say that anyone that knows good and doesn't do it randomly is sinning, but it is specific to me! When I know something He has called me to do no matter what it is - no matter how silly it may seem - no matter how many other times I have done it - no matter if it has never worked before - no matter what - IF i don't or chose not to follow through on this "good" - that is not just general sin, but this is sin for me!!!!

What is it in your life? What is it that you keep passing by for some reason? What is it that you hear Him saying - I need you to do this "goodness" and you don't make time, you done feel like it will be effective, you don't want to get involved, you think it is stupid, you are embarrassed, you are don't see any good that could come from that....................

It is not just the obvious bad that is sin in our lives, it is not doing the obvious good that is sin as well. Oh Lord, may we hear you! Oh Lord, may we respond to you. Oh Lord, may we have joy in our hearts. And Oh Lord, may You be pleased!! I love you Savior!!

Doing my work release hours!

2011-08-24T04:43:00.000-07:00

³ Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: ⁴ “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Haggai 1:3-4

Dear Lord, It has been a long time since I posted just simply because I have so many things going thru my head and I am trying to hear correctly. Sometimes being quiet and having less distractions helps to hear You better.

This past Sunday I taught a wonderfully written lesson by our youth minister from the book of Haggai. Basically the whole 2 chapter book is talking about a people that have beautifully decorated homes, but the temple of the Lord was in ruins. Chris made lots of great examples in the lesson that I was to expound upon and did so with much conviction. (I'm not sure the students got much out of the lesson, but I was forever changed after that hour.)

You see, the Lord of course knew before time began that on my way into church I need to be appalled by the amount of grass and weeds that had been allowed to grow up on our sidewalks. When I saw it I immediately began to place blame and get angry at what a terrible representation this was of our church. I was ready to make heads roll - ha ha! I remember even peering down the sidewalks to see if our street neighbors' sidewalks looked like ours - nope!!! UGH!!

So as I began to teach, very loudly to much of the other classes dismay, I could feel the conviction of the Lord sitting heavily on my heart. It was if I could be preaching to the kids and a conversation going on at the same time in my head with the Lord - quite surreal.

At the very end of my class I was so burdened by the lesson that I told the kids - "I'm not just up here preaching to yall in hopes that you change your life, etc... This lesson has impacted me in a huge way." I went on to explain the sidewalks and if it were my house that would never occur. I don't even want a weed in my flower beds or near my shrubs. So why would I sit by and let my church, the Lord's house look this way? Why would I let the more important place be falling apart while my own house is shining. - Haggai 1:3-4

So I had to take action. I marched myself up to the church and bent down and begin to pull weeds on Monday. I tried to do it after school was in so that less people would see. But my lands it is on Main Street and there is no way to cover up this deed. Oh my stars - my hams are so sore, my fingers want to fall off, and my arms can hardly be brought over my head!! It has been so interesting the looks I have received, suggestions made, and also the help.

One wonderful lady - Debbie - sent a text thanking me and then met me there the next day to help. Many cars would give me a little toot as they drove by. One man in his work truck, Donnie, stopped by to give me a shovel and stayed for a few minutes to help as well - in his work clothes!!! Another stopped by, Bryan, to tell me he would just spray it and then weed-eat it. And still others would look quickly at me and then kind of shake their heads as if to say, "wonder what she did to get put on work release or community service hours?" ha ha

You know - it was great to have help, I could easily make a roar about why this is not done, I could just spray and let time and the wind take the ugly away, but that is not what any of this is about. This is about me responding to the Word and conviction the Lord Jesus placed in my heart. This is about obedience. This is about living out what I know to be truth - the Word of the Lord!! This is about doing what I was called to do...this week! This is about not taking the easy way out!!!

I wrestled Monday and Tuesday because I knew the Lord wanted me to write about this. I was not embarrassed to write about it, I was scared people would judge me and say I was looking for applause. That is why the Lord and I have argued much of the time out there. But I relented after Him playing over and over in my heart - Leigh, this is about me and You. This is about obedience. This is about making sure My house is taken care of. This is about people learning from conviction. You tell this story and encourage others to take a look at their place of Worship. You tell this story so others can see that My Word is alive and living and still convicts. You tell this story in hopes that others will turn to my Word to receive a Word. You tell this story as an example. You tell this story - because I say so.

So I want to end by asking for forgiveness. Lord, forgive me neglecting Your house. Forgive me for by-passing certain parts of Your Word subconsciously thinking it may not apply. Forgive me! And I want my own church to forgive me for not doing my part in taking care of my church! I have not done my part and please forgive me for not acting sooner. Forgive me!

For Me

2011-08-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

Too often we keep His gift for us, salvation, too impersonal. It was for ME - and for YOU!!!!

I can know...NOW

2011-08-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

There may not be time to pray for hours or even minutes when we want to know what the Lord would have us to do - here is why and how to cope!! Have a wonderful day!

Watch out for prayer

2011-08-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

Are you doing all the talking - is there anything else about prayer than just talking to God - let's see!

Yes, Search ME!!

2011-07-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Are you scared of God? Are you scared of what He might find? He is so loving - let Him in and what Him do a work in YOU! Search me Lord - Lord, change me!! Be near!

Talking Sex with my kids

2011-07-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

I dont think this needs any explanation - ha ha

Deaf Man Worship

2011-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Too inspiring to not repeat!!! Thank you Jesus!

Smoothie Leigh!

2011-07-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

Is there any benefit of going to church?

2011-07-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

I wanna spend time with family, I want to spend time at the beach, I want to spend time in the bed, I want to catch up on the week, I want to go.............. on Sunday!! But is there blessings with those decisions?

You tell me.............. What are some deal breakers for you as to whether you will attend one church but not another....? Very curious...

Gray Girls say Who Says

2011-07-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Just having some fun at the tail end of the movie, Monte Carlo - great show!!! Fun girls!

Unproductive and Ineffective, but Why?

2011-06-30T06:15:00.000-07:00

We have been given what we need, but we have to claim the promises and keep adding to our faith - this is what keep us from being ineffective and unproductive!!! Come on now - walk it out!!!

Show me the Money!!!!!

2011-06-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

We pursue humilty and have reverence and awe of the Lord - then He blesses!! But not the other way around!

Turtle lover is Me!

2011-06-28T11:44:00.000-07:00

Did you know that ppl act a whole lot like turtles! Come see a great animation and explanation of how we are turtles and God saves us from being squooshed!

Not gonna worship in a box.

2011-06-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick word from me, Leigh! Look at that still shot - wowsers!!

Made To Crave Bible Study starting soon!

2011-06-03T04:04:00.000-07:00

Made To Crave

by Lysa Terkeurst

Summer Bible Study at Leigh’s

Are you sick of the yo-yo dieting? Do you want to come to the end of the diet road? God made us to crave, but the problem is that we usually crave everything but Him. This Bible study is the most logical and direct approach I have seen to losing weight AND keeping it off!!

WAIT – maybe food is not what you crave more than Him…shopping, coffee, money, all consuming thoughts of your size even if you are able to keep your weight down…it can be anything. This study can also address those issues as well.

I want freedom and I know you do too. Come, let’s do this together and tackle these issues once and for all.

845 Co Rd 1350 N Carmi, IL. – 618-383-4856 6:30pm

June 14, 21, 28

July 5, 12, 19

Aug. 2, 9

By the first meeting date you need to purchase Made to Crave book and the Bible study participants guide. You can purchase these at www.madetocrave.org.

Please call me with any questions or email me at cletus104@gmail.com.

Please let me know you are coming!!

Can’t wait to do this with you!!

955 - Made To Crave Summer Bible study at mi casa!

2011-05-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

Made To Crave

by Lysa Terkeurst

Summer Bible Study at Leigh’s

I want freedom and I know you do too. Come, let’s do this together and tackle these issues once and for all.

845 Co Rd 1350 N Carmi, IL. – 618-383-4856 6:30pm

June 14, 21, 28

July 5, 12, 19

Aug. 2, 9

By the first meeting date you need to purchase Made to Crave book and the Bible study participants guide. You can purchase these at www.madetocrave.org.

Please call me with any questions or email me at cletus104@gmail.com.

Please let me know you are coming!!

Can’t wait to do this with you!!

954 - Reliabilty Comes Before Teacher-ability....

2011-05-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 2:2 (New International Version)

² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Father, the verse above stuck out to me like a soar thumb today. Constantly I hear the words mentor, mentee, pour into others, give back, soak up, etc. running through my head. This verse reminds me of that.

All of our Bible studies, sermon listening, dvd watching, cd consuming - it has purpose other than just for us. We are to pass it on. But according to this scripture - pass on with a purpose and pass on purposefully!

We pour into others whom will learn and grow from our own learnings, but also pour into others that will teach others. It is almost like...it may not be completely beneficial to invest in ones that just sit and soak. We want to invest in those that are reliable with what they are taught and those that also will take and pour into another!!

Too often we see people, myself included at one time, dieing to be teachers, but not willing to be sold out to the learning and training of another! We must find ourselves reliable to what has been taught and then move on to the teaching. Do the homework first before spreading the "learned".

I hear you Lord - I hear you!!! May my reliability increase before my borders of teaching expand!! Do Your work, Lord - please!!

Oh Glory - what a night and morning. I had a huge jewelry party and man was it ever a big hit. It wasn't one of those kind where you listen to a talk and then order from a book - this was one where you make it and take it - FUN FUN!!! My friend, Malea, and I EACH got $250ish in free product because the show was so good. We had a ton of fun and it was just the perfect evening! You can find this jewelry and my new friend/owner on Facebook, Kristie Brinkley at Silver Chics. FUN!

My sweet and ever so patient friend Andrea and I went running this morning. She is way better shape than me (you cant get in much worse shape than my 20 extra pound body though) and is being patient as I try to work my way up to her status. I wont get to her "shapeness" cuz she is a fast runner, but if i can get to not having to walk that will be good. Thanks girl!

Today we are preparing for a long weekend of baseball. We leave early tomorrow for O'Fallen. Tucker has a cagillion games with the Bullets team. I pray he plays better than last week. It takes him a good long time to get through first gameS jitters. Like 5 games or so! But Coach Winter got his swing back to proficiency and so hopefully we will see results!

I am excited for warm sunshine and good friends!!! Need that self-control!! See you Monday!

953 - Self-control. I confess, I struggle...big time!

2011-05-26T05:04:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Lord - We, my family and all those hunkered down last night in our basement, made it through the terrible storms. It actually was not near as bad as the one on April 19 - at least here in Carmi. I know it was a totally different story for those in Joplin, Mo. just a few days ago. Oh Lord, continue to help them find their loved ones...alive!! God, show them where to go and the perfect time to get there!! Oh Jesus, have mercy on them and restore that place like only You can!

This morning I found myself in Titus 2:4-5 "⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." This is the passage that is talking to the women of the church and pleading with the older women to train the younger and some specific things the younger women should aim to do and be.

⁵ to be self-controlled and pure - This part of the verse really pierced my heart as i read it - that is the working of the Holy Spirit within me. My commentary said that this word for self-controlled is 'sophron' which means "to voluntarily place limitations on one's own freedom". It reminds me of the other scripture that says, "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial."

To subject myself to certain limitations within my own freedom is difficult! Not an easy task for someone that many times lacks self-control. I struggle with when enough is enough. I find it hard to say no to anyone. I find it hard to stop when the food is so good. I find it hard to put down Facebook. I find it hard to demand my body to exercise because it hurts. Hello, my name is Angela Leigh Hargis Gray and I struggle with self-control. PERIOD!

So while I may want to dismiss this verse and keep pressing on in a comfortable life, the Lord today is reminding me of my responsibility if not to anyone else - to myself and to the little girlies He has placed under my roof.

We said a long time ago, well really is was me, that we were going to have a media free summer. That means a whole lot of different things for us. Not a total good-bye, but if it is pretty weather the TV will not turn on until after dark. There will be no computer gaming or PS2 or stuff like that. Continued absence of Facebook - except I can not figure out why my pictures still get on there when I take one with my phone!! grrrr. oh well.

Self-control, a voluntary placement of limitations on my freedom and the household, will begin today. Oh Lord Jesus - help us!! Help me!!! I love you!

No Devotion, No Wonders...

2011-05-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning - Just a short hello and check in. This past weekend in my very own town we had a youth event on Saturday called Break Free at the Children's Home and then had youth Sunday at our church. IT WAS FABO!! We had the incredibly awesome Ryan Warren speaking and what a mark he has left on my church! He touched us all through the Word that we have not moved in a long time!!! even to tears!!

I have been off all media, except for a few emergencies, since the middle of March. It has been wonderfully freeing. But after some prompting from some friends and loved ones AND the granted permission from the Lord, I am coming back to the blog. I am so glad to be coming back to this. After I have my time with the Lord in the morning, I need a place to let it out or allow it to become real for me and that is done most effectively through writing it out or speaking it through...........on this blog! (I still am not sure when FB or Twitter will come back, but thanks for asking.) So here we go!

Heavenly Father - thank you again for the wonderful message we received on Sunday through Ryan. He preached from Acts 2, verses 42ff.

⁴²And^(A) they devoted themselves to the apostles’^(B) teaching and the^(C) fellowship, to^(D) the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And awe^[a] came upon every soul, and^(E) many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

God, I am no different than the average bear. I long to see amazing things in this world that You are part of. I want to see signs and wonders. I don't want to miss it. I want to be there where the action is. I want to stand in awe when I see your wonders preformed. I can honestly say that I don't desire every time to be part of the wonders and signs, but I just want to be there.

But before I go any further I recognize I must have on eyes that work like Yours. These miraculous things that are done through Your hands may not be what the world is looking for. These wonders may be a friend coming to church for the first time. A stranger opening up themselves to a sweet conversation about YOU! A wonder can be the very power within me allowing me to walk away from cookies - that is a wonder folks - huge!! I recognize that I must see things through Your perspective.

But the bottom line here is that there must be devotion. Yes, there may be a few times that You allow me to see things during a spiritual drought. The purpose may be to bring me out of that drought. But most of time according to this scripture I will see signs and wonders - like 3000 getting saved in one day- because I am devoted to the cause - knowing my Lord Jesus Christ.

Being devoted, committed, sold out, on fire, lit up, freakish for Him - will give me the perspective to see sign and wonders. It will give me the opportunity to discern the Heavenly things here on earth. It will close my earthly eyes and allow me to see through His. But only after there is devotion!!!

Too many times I do not want to work hard. Too many times I just want to sit back and coast. Too many times I want to take the "spiritual" excuse of "I'm just waiting on God". That is hogwash!!! Devotion happens everyday when we meet with Him personally - that private devotion!!!

Oh Jesus - it is so good to hear from You in this incredible and wonderful way. I thank you for the powerful way you spoke through my new friend Ryan! He really rocked so many of us!!! I ask that you bless he and Katie in incredible ways. I have never met Katie, but after the way Ryan spoke so highly of her so often, I pray for that gift. Jesus, I want devotion - I want YOU!!! Jesus, help me to be faithfully on fire!!! I want to see and be part of your movement, signs, and wonders!!! I love you - amen!

My Big Forhead and Other Tasks

2011-03-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

Beware of a big head!!! and a lot of reasons to laugh!!

950 - Worship Me not the deliverer.

2011-03-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Let me hear from you friends!!

Much love, Leigh

949 - Prostitute's Promise

2011-03-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Father - Thank you for another wonderful day. Jesus I pray right now for my friends that are hurting and going through a terrible time. Lord please be their shield, guard their hearts and mind, and show them the way to joy once again. Lord, some have found themselves in a pit that was not dug by their own hands, but by another! Lord, be their redeemer and counselor. Please do something in their life to redeem them from the pit. Oh Lord I hurt for my friends and want things to be different as well. Jesus, most Precious One, be large in their lives right now. They are having trouble seeing you in any of it. Help me to pray for them throughout the day and days! Thank you in advance!

I found myself again in Joshua, but mingled through Ps. 138 after "talking" Holly from Crown Laid Down. She said, "Did you know that when I was looking up God making us strong and stout-hearted (from Psalm 138) that Rahab was the Hebrew word for stout-hearted? Rahab means strengthen, overcome, proud, make sure and behave proudly. Isn't that neat? Love your heart for His Word!" So that comment alone made me really do some digging and investigating a bit more. I want to be strong and stout-hearted!! I will come back to that!

On into chapter 2 of Joshua we get to the part where the deal is made there is an interesting word used. Rahab asks for her family along with her own house to be saved during the invasion and killings. There was going to be some bloodshed. Side note: Many times in the Bible God sends out His people to shed blood, kill, destroy, leave not one single human alive........as much as i hate it too that means everyone! God has ordained war many, many times in our history. The war we are in right now with Iraq is very, very serious - I know everyone knows that. But God wants us to stand up for those that can not stand for themselves - Micah 6:8 - (Iraqi people) and I think God wants us to do any and everything to make sure His Word and Mission is pursued throughout the world - that every man has the chance to hear the gospel! I know it seems more like a economic war and it is, but I know that our Lord and Savior has a greater good in store - there will be good come out of it. I need to have more of a spiritual perspective, see things through my Lord and Savior's eyes. I promise there is going to be good and there already has. It takes war at times, I do believe.

Whoa - that was a tangent! So anyway there is going to blood shed. In verse 12 Rahab says, "please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family because I have shown kindness to you." That kindness is the "hesed" love in the Old Testament. That is a reciprocating love - meaning that if i show you kindness or love you will show that back to me and I can expect it! It is usually seen in those that have a close relationship, but as in this case and many others that is not always the case. Hesed love is incredible. It is like when you are waiting in a huge line at the fair and someone even a stranger allows you to cut line. I would never do that........ ha ha. Anyway, you cut line and have a merry ride. The only thing is that as you are waiting in a long line and that person walks by wanting to go on that ride too. They have every right according to this kind of love, hesed, to ask you if they can get in front of you, cut line - reciprocating love! This is exactly what Rahab had done! She has kind to them and she wanted and made them swear by oath that they would do the same back for her. After all as we discovered yesterday she KNEW the Lord and wanted to be on that team now!! Plus emanate death had to play a part as well!

Now let's think about this with our Lord! My commentary - this is really getting exciting, praise you Lord - says that Hesed is central to God's character. That means that He can not help but have a reciprocating love. Even though we are unfaithful at times and forget to allow that person in the line at the park with us, God's hesed love can never forget. His hesed can never not be perfect. It also says, "God's hesed, however, is not bound by the covenant itself (Old Testament covenant)" simply because men may prove to be unfaithful - there is no "may" about it. We are unfaithful. God's hesed is everlasting. Oh my - i am jumping!!!

OK - hang in there Leigh - this is coming full circle. Holly lead me to Ps. 138 about Rahab meaning strong and stout-hearted. At the end of that Psalm is verse 8. "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your LOVE (hesed), oh Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands." (Did you see how the psalmist, David, used a hyphen there in that verse. He must have been a speaker too. I write like I am speaking and have lots of interjections and hyphen thoughts i like to call them. David did it, so can i!!! yeah baby!!!) OK - here it comes. I need to settle down.............. I am so pumped!!

Rahab was strong and stout-hearted for many reasons. But i can see here one reason she went on to have her name written in the Hall of Faith - a prostitute in the Hall of Faith!! God made her this way simply and then He used her strong and stout-heart personality to continue on His good work. I am assuming, but this encounter with these Israelite guys and her up close and personal encounter with the Lord may have been the first for her. Maybe not, but maybe too! So God not only showed her how His love - hesed - works, but He was able to do it through these men. From that experience she was changed. Her whole family I bet! She had to have been strong because I am sure much ridicule was left to be had. "Oh there is Rahab - wasn't she that prostitute in Jericho?" Can't you just hear it now from other women on the street or shopping mart? Turning up their noses and strutting themselves in pride like they have no sin! But she was strong and stout-hearted. She experienced first hand the hesed love of our Lord, her God that she KNEW (yada) and never turned back. As we just saw in the verse in Ps. 138:8 - God did fulfill his purpose in here and it happened to be with a hesed kind of experience! He is just that way - He can't help it!!

Even in this war with Iraq, God will fulifll His purpose. For those that have lost loved ones He can not forget you nor can He NOT love you back!! Your time is coming, all our time is coming if we know His as Savior. He will have the last word, rest assured! Vengance is His, not ours!

Father, Savior, Redeemer, Lover of my soul, Forgiving One...............thank you thank you thank you! You have bestowed so much hesed love on me i can hardly stand it. And to think you are not even finished. You will fulfill your purpose in me just because that is who you are. You are a reciprocating Hesed God. Even when i fail to love back, be faithful to your promises and commands, when I worship other gods, when i bow to things that have no purpose in my life - you can not help but love back!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Jesus - I love you!!

Judging Actions

2011-03-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

The popular statement - Don't Judge me" is so not of the scripture. This is a bit long, I admit, but please take a few minutes to check this out and understand what we ARE to judge. Micah 6:8 is soooooooooooo what the Lord calls us to!!! Take a look and let me know your honest thoughts. Thanks

Rend Your Heart - Stop Playing Games

2011-03-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

I will post tons of pictures soon - thanks, leigh

Hello - we finally in Sicily

2011-03-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

940 - Deaf Man Worship

2011-02-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

Please forgive my bangs as I meant to just chop off a tad.............wow - hello forehead!! ha ha

Have a great day and let me hear from you - Love, Leigh

Leigh's Promo Video www.leighgray.com

2011-02-24T08:40:00.000-08:00

This is from the beginning days when I just started on my own. Hope you enjoy!!!

939 - When Do you move on - Calling it quits?

2011-02-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

How long do I keep sharing when they don't believe or are even making fun of me? How long do I hang in there?

Yall have a great day!

Leigh

939 -Lookin Good, But Still I Stink

2011-02-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

There is a serious movement of service going on throughout the world. We are challenged by Micah 6:8, Is. 58, etc constantly. What good is it if you insides stink? Looking good on the outside, but you stink on the inside!

Let me know your thoughts - thanks friends!

938 - You Don't Have To Take Your Clothes Off

2011-02-16T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hey yall - this is a bit dated video, but one of my most viewed video - I guess something about taking clothes off or something.... Just so you know - I don't take my clothes off!

I am sick sick sick and couldn't record anything anyway.... I guess i got a bug after being in hospital with my son! BTW - he is much better!

This is one of those videos that would be appropriate for your younger women in your life - feel free to pass on.

Hoping for less sick days!

937 - My Boy, Valentine's, and Prayer

2011-02-14T08:39:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of what I found today - MUCH BETTER!!!

If you will look at the others below you will see what I mean.

This was day 1 in the hospital and it actually got much worse than this. If you care to look I think I have a few more on Facebook. Thank you again for the prayers. They are thinking we will go home tomorrow!

Here is what happened to my boy!!! I also want to report to you that he is doing better, finally!!!

936 - I Miss My Time With You

2011-02-11T07:27:00.000-08:00

Listen to the words of this song - it will touch your heart if you can get passed the 80's feel!!! I promise - it is worth every minute of it!!

Have a beautiful day!!

935 - Missing in action

2011-02-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been absent for a few days!! Lots going through the old nogging! Hopefully will be back tomorrow!! Much love, Leigh

934 - Why You Here?

2011-02-07T05:11:00.000-08:00

Did HE just light you up with the fire of Christ just for you to do nothing - I think not - see here!

933 - It WAS about me!

2011-02-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

This is one of those times we can say - it was all about me!! It was for me!!! Come and be encouraged and loved - it was for you!

932 - Word from the little old lady

2011-02-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

This is what I was talking about the other day - the thing that i didn't have to tell you!!!!

It is about me, ministry, and a little old lady!!!

Ever feel this way - or has God ever come thru for you in this way....

Cant wait to hear and rejoice with you! !

love, Leigh

My Head May Blow Off If I Dont

2011-02-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

How do you take step in not becoming angry quickly. Sometimes it feels like my head is going to blow off!!

Tell me your "tricks"!!

Love much, leigh

Pain or praise - what's is gonna be?

2011-01-27T05:20:00.000-08:00

Hey yall - another quick devotion! Thanks for letting me know how this speaks to you. As always you are welcome to steal it and post wherever or send to whomever the Lord asks you to!

Have a fabulous day!

Much love, Leigh

Not for the Weak!

2011-01-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

This is super short!!! I think that is a good thing!

Working together can be hard, but taking a beating together can be even worse. Christianity is not easy nor is it for the weak! Come be encouraged to encourage!!!!

I love you!!!

Leigh

Disputable Matters - Can we go there?

2011-01-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

So good to see you again - but i aint too pretty!!! Made it through my exercise today!!!

WHat is going on with you??

927 - We are in this together - side by side - and that is a good thing!

2011-01-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey yall - hope you are doing well. We are out of school today due to snow, and really impending snow. It is snowing to beat the band! We are suppose to get 4 to 6 inches. WoooooHoooo!! Except our basketball games will probably be cancelled - booooo!

My parents are here hoping to see all kinds of things IF the doesn't cancel everything. Please pray everything is not canceled!! My son has 2 games, my daughter has a tournament, my 2 youngest will be cheering, and my youngest is to get baptised!!!!!!!! YAHOO!!

Busy, busy, busy weekend and I hope they get to see it all!

Yall have a great week and weekend!

Love much, leigh

926 - I'm Gonna Demolish You

2011-01-18T20:47:00.000-08:00

Please continue to pray for my friend Joanne Heim that is suffering from a stroke last Tuesday. Things are not going well.

Thank you so much for your interaction from the last blog. I have not had a moment to get on and comment back, but I thank you so much!!

Have a beautiful day !

leigh

925 - Can you do it??

2011-01-14T07:10:00.000-08:00

Confession - I struggle with being content!

2011-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

We place these dreams and thoughts before the Lord - are they too big? As we wait to see things come into fruition do you ever struggle with being content? I need to hear from you!!!

924 - What Cha Doin'

2011-01-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

This is from a few years ago. A skinny moment in my life - ha! But a quick devo, and i do mean quick - less than 3 min!!! yaaaaahooooo!!

Someone asked me the other day if they could post some of these vlogs on their blog - most certainly! This is not so much my stuff, but just words He is Speaking Thru Me. Use it and post it any place you can to get His Fame known!!

For His Glory alone!!!

leigh

923 - Gonna Quit!

2011-01-10T12:15:00.000-08:00

You just gotta watch to understand.... Much love, Leigh

923 - Why pray - does it do anything?

2011-01-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

I totally forgot to mention anything about my 1/2 swollen tongue yesterday!! We still are not for sure what it is, but think it was just an allergy. I had forgotten about having just a few small bites of a cake that had pecans in it. I have never been allergic to pecans before and I ate soo soo sooooo very few bites.... I was actually just tasting it so that I could tell my kids what it was. IT WAS GOOD! So anyway - I am back to normal! I wish I could just take a benadryl and other parts of my body would go back to normal size! ha ha

Yall enjoy - this is a bit intense, but I think He spoke thru me! Love you!

When God says Stop - Can you know it is Him?

2011-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry - got a little fired up today and went a tad long!!! and i havent had a shower either......at that time!! How do we know how to discern God's voice??? Beth Moore shares 6 easy ways in my qt this morning!!

Love ya - Leigh

922 - Receiver or Transmittor

2011-01-04T09:47:00.000-08:00

Hey yall - another word from my time with Him!! We see lots of stuff on FB and Twitter, etc., but do we really take it to heart?? Are we just retweeting or are we really digesting?? Come find out!!!

921 - Hello, How ya doing?

2011-01-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to say hello!!! please leave a comment and let me know a little bit about you!! Let's start the year off NOT being strangers!! Thanks and cant wait to hear from you! love, Leigh

920 - Dont Stop Till You've Breathed Your Last

2010-12-29T20:13:00.000-08:00

This vlog was made back in the summer -- July I do believe. But I have had computer trouble and haven't been able to publish it until now. I am thankful for my Mac friend that has cleaned up my computer and fixed a few things!

So here you go - enjoy!!! Not very dynamic cuz i didn't want the kids to wake up, but still good message!!

919 - headed to the "store" to get a new foot!

2010-12-08T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hey yall - i am headed to the hospital to get a new ankle!!! I appreciate sooooooooo much your prayers!! I am nervous about this one!! I guess the older you get the more privy you are to information about other things happening in simple surgeries! God reminded me of this -

"God protects those who look to Him."

Ps. 18:30

I praise you Lord - U r my life!

918 - Life is good??? Really???

2010-11-30T04:13:00.000-08:00

Why is it that as we sit around a table and discuss how life it tough, things are not a piece of cake, hardships will come, etc..., but when it actually happens we then tell each other that this is not the way it is suppose to be? I have done it and actually I will probably do it again, sadly.

The fact is that I have no guts. When I sit across the table from someone that is going through some really tough stuff I don't have the guts to tell them that yes God might have planned this for their life. If He didn't plan it then He allowed it to happen. Nothing goes through His hands that He doesn't filter. I don't know for sure, but if I believe in His sovereignty, then that should be what I ultimately believe. He allows.

And why no guts - for some reason or really 2 reasons I can think of right this very second - 5:44am - I find myself too often by the words coming out of my mouth or by my actions obviously not believing God for who He is or Believe Him for what He says He can do. The other reason is that I feel a responsibility to make the Lord look good or as if He needs help so that the person will not be mad at Him or blame Him. UGH - therefore I have seen myself or heard others too making excuses for why they are going through something. Trying to help the situation or trying to not allow the Lord to look bad!

THE LORD CAN NOT LOOK BAD! HE NEEDS NO HELP!

HE CAN HANDLE OUR ACCUSATIONS! HE IS SECURE!

God's will for our lives comes in so many forms. By that I mean, we have according to the scripture His plan for our lives - "plans for hope, not to harm" Jer. 29:11 and various other scriptures. But that doesn't mean easy and great! It doesn't mean it won't be hard. "We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of Heaven." Acts 14:22 We just have to more aware of the what we tell people. I do!! I have to have the guts to allow the Lord to work in and through someone or their situation. He will always come out beautiful and doesn't need my help!

And then there is the whole situation of consequences of sin. It can get ugly, the sin and the consequences. Hardships certainly can have a direct correlation to sin in our lives. Now that is really, really hard to sit across the table and be honest about. Or worse, look yourself in the mirror and say that there is a huge indication that I made this bed and now I have to lie in it. yikes!!!

The bottom line for me when I am going through a hardship or trial or whatever you want to call it - I must be on my face before the Lord and seek Him. I must be in the Word to receive a word of correction. I know my Lord to be a God of redemption and reconciliation. He wants me to be in right standing with Him, but there are times that after the forgive is sought and received I still have to go through a hardship so that possibly I will remember and never act that way again. (I am a hard learner though.) Even the smallest of my sins deserve death - consequences as hard as it may be is still grace because I still deserve death. "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

Life is so tough, but He really is so good. Isn't it interesting that we buy all the Life is good stuff, myself included, but none of us really believe it..... He is good. He is really, really good! Praise You Lord!

917 - Just plainly thankful!

2010-11-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

Woke up early this morning to find another gloomy day! Lots of blowing rain, cold whipping wind, and darkness. I am not sure if it is still shot gun season, but I certainly wouldn't want to be out there! But my heart is full!

As I rolled out of bed my mind went straight to Ps. 100 before my feet hit the ground. My mind strolled back to 4th grade SS class when we were suppose to memorize this Psalm. I remember being extremely embarrassed that I didn't fulfill the task. My parents were even helpers in the class, but for some reason I missed the memo - or didn't care. I remember now thinking how awful I felt because even the boys that didn't want to be there had it memorized.

I think that began my "never agains". Never again would I NOT do what was asked by someone in church! Hate to disappoint and I tried to never again do that!

I went back to that scripture this morning and read it today with fullness and no 4th grade guilt. I have moved on from that day because of the joy in my heart and the thanksgiving from my mouth!

Check it out - Psalm 100 (The Message)
^1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
      sing yourselves into his presence.

³ Know this: God is God, and God, God.
      He made us; we didn't make him.
      We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

⁴ Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
      Thank him. Worship him.

⁵ For God is sheer beauty,
      all-generous in love,
      loyal always and ever.

Isn't that great!!! I love that version.

Is there anything that can hinder our praise?? I am glad you asked... These are 4 things that we must pay close attention to as we come to the Throne of Grace.
1) Ignorance
2) Tradition
3) People centered worship
4) Hidden sin

When I think back on this last year I think I am most thankful for the incredible recovery my dad has made from the Dec. 8 stroke and the incredible example of love, devotion, and sacrifice my mom has shown towards my dad, but example of "in sickness and in health" to us all.

It is overwhelming how good the Lord has been - I am thankful for...
my salvation and the joy of knowing the Lord has saved me from the pit of hell and saves me from myself daily,
my husband and the way he accepts me, loves, encourages me, makes me laugh until it hurts, and provides for us all,
my kids that are my joy and crown, they are my life, they are my everything,
my family both near and far,
my friends that don't try to understand my weirdness, but just love me for me,
my ministry partners and all that God has allowed us to do thus far,
my church, pastor, and leadership,
home, schools, and this incredibly friendly town,
teachers that push my kids toward excellence,
coaches that see potential and want to bring out the best,
Christmas presents under the tree,
driving around the town to see all the lights and brightness of Hope,
Lulu,
cars, trucks, and SUV's that get me to and fro all year round,
our SS class that has gone above and beyond in putting feet to their faith,
Maya,
the Holy Scripture that is life to me and discipline as well,
doctors that will heal my ankle so that I no longer walk around in fear,
insurance that will help us make this happen,
my brother that has been so faithful and available to helping my parents out through this time of relearning and acclimation,
Gojo that gives my hubby opportunity to put food on the table,
swimming pools that will bring lots of kids to the house this summer,
baseball, basketball, and cheerleading events that are so fun to support my kids,
clothes and jewelry,
elliptical machines that will become my best friend once I get to walk again,
stretching clothes that make a growing body feel better, ugh!!!!!!!
hot shower and smell good to put on after,
rain and sunshine,
Olive Garden, Dimaggios, Gottzs, Taco Tierra, Mackies,
friends that meet me for lunch,
places of work ,
cute little salad and sandwich shops,
land to watch wildlife from my back porch,
neighbors that share their butter all the time,
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and EMAIL,
smart phones,
computers,
technology that I cant figure out - not!!!
TJ Maxx and Marshall's and Ross when I am in Tenn.,
my momma's green beans and fried green tomatoes,
money for tomorrow,
stocked kitchen,
flip flops,
beach,
Lifeway,
people like Vicki Courtney that are helping me to raise my kids,
Beth Moore and her incredible way of helping me to pursue the Lord with everything in me,
indoor plumbing,
basement to send the kids and to seek refuge during a storm,
pizza and card night with friends,
Tamiflu,
Vandy Children's Hospital,
Delta Airlines,
Ronald McDonald House,
friends from Liberia,
chocolate,
hot cookies,
cold,cold,milk!!
etc!

916 - Rescue doesn't always mean you won't feel pain!

2010-11-24T05:19:00.000-08:00

I learned something really cool this morning in my QT and something that speaks preciousness and peace to my heart!! Praise you Lord!!

I was reading in Acts 14 the actual account of Paul being stoned, once again and living to tell, in Lystra. This was Timothy's hometown. They were praising him for one second and then all of a sudden they changed on him and drugged him out of the city left for dead. But like a cat, Paul has at least 900 lives. ha

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul is discussing this incident and a few others and how the Lord rescued him. Verse 11 at the very end says, "Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them." That rescued right there in tail end of the verse according to my commentary means to "to draw or snatch from danger". But it gets cooler - hang with me!!

Sometimes when someone like a ref "rescues" a wrestler from certain death or more pain or at least defeat, or even an animal in a real fight, they are pulled them from the danger and possibly left to mend. The wounded will either get right back in the fight and get after it again or will just be left to recover.

BUT - this is awesome!!! You ready - here is comes!!!

This rescued means to "draw to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something". Did you get that? This is saying that in the midst of Paul's many beatings it had been made known to Him that Christ was not just rescuing him from the danger, but drawing Him in to Christ.

I like to think of it as the daddy that is teaching the little girl to ride a bike. He knows what is going to happen, probably a little pain before she "gets it". As he trains and trains her to do it right there are many times he has to sit back and watch the fall. After each fall he not only rescues her by picking her up, dusting her off, and encouraging her to ride again, but he draws her to himself, loving on her and making her feel safe and confident to try it again!

Don't you just love that! He is not only rescuing us, but drawing us to Him all the time. I love that!

I think it is interesting that Paul was aware enough to know his rescuing always came, but sometimes it was before the pain and sometimes after the pain!!! He always received that Holy hug we so desire!!

Oh Jesus - thank you for your Word!! Thank you for the rescue! Thank you for the love and encouragement!! I know of many, many times you have rescued me!! Most of the time it is from myself!!! I am my worst enemy!! I thank you and praise You for your presence in my life! I want to be more aware of your working in my life!!! I feel like I am spinning my wheels. Lord, you know I so desire a mentor in ministry!!! God - would you please send that my way!! I love you - Leigh

915 - R U ready?

2010-11-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

Good morning - got a busy day and a busy week. Definitely having ankle surgery on Dec. 8 and so I will not be walking like a real person for at least 6 weeks. That means I must get some Christmas shopping done NOW!!! But you know that really is OK - I like to get it all done and then relax!

Today Clay and I are heading over to Evansville. He has a check up and I just thought I would tag along. Makes me think of an older couple in retirement that goes too all their appointments together. The future is so bright - i really do look forward to those days.

I spoke in Kenton, Tn. this weekend and had a blast. I was able to take my 2 littlest with me. They were wonderful. We laughed and giggled so much!! I love hanging out with them! I want them to better understand what I do and feel more secure in knowing this is what God has called mommy to!

This event was not just bathed in prayer, it was smothered!!! It was so wonderful!! There was a group of young girls there as part of a signing team - INCREDIBLE!!!! I loved having youth in the audience!! But they were so awesome!!! I hope to bring them to Illinois!!

This morning God reminded me of being ready!! Acts 14:1 "...There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed!" This past weekend I said something while i was speaking that was incorrect. It was a terrible mistake and all was corrected, but it really "shook" me to the core!!! One of the very reason I would walk away from speaking, even if it were disobedient, is the fear of portraying the Lord incorrectly or His Word in not a truthful manner! It scares me greatly!!

I want and long to be an effective speaker! I want to display the Word for the Truth and have His name made famous. I want to bring glory to Him and speak in such a way that others are drawn to Him. I want people to see Jesus working through me and His power made known! I want to be ready and so effective that whether it is a planned engagement or a personal "street" encounter that He is made known! PERIOD!!!

But to be ready and effective - you must prepare - I must prepare!! And most of that preparing is on my knees through prayers!!!

God, thank you for your grace. Thank you for the women that delivered grace and mercy to me that day when i spoke incorrectly! Thank you for the one that showed my err. Thank you for helping me and training me to be more effective!!! Jesus, I want to do whatever and be available whenever!!! Oh but Lord, help me to be effective in such a way that they BELIEVE!!!!! I love you - amen!

914 - Need to see a miracle - Watch this!

2010-11-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

On Dec. 8 my daddy began on the most difficult and unexpected adventure of his life. Dad was working out when he realized he could not process which weight was the 5 pound weight. He didn't think a whole lot about it - very common of one having a stroke - and went down to take his shower. By the time he got out of the shower he could not figure out how to make the towel stay around his body. It was at this time he realized he was in a full blown stroke. It was impossible to get his shoes tied now.

Making his way to the lobby where my mom was waiting he said in his normal quiet way, "Susie you need to take me to the ER. I am having a stroke." Mom freaked and so would I!!!

After 3 days in ICU and many scary nights of not understanding the unknown we came to find out that there are 2 kinds of strokes. There is a blood clot stroke that 85% of the population have. These are the kind that you hear of people being paralyzed for a time, but regaining everything in a matter of time - short time, back to almost 100%.

But my dad had the "bad" stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke are the ones you do not want to have. This is basically a brain bleed. Where a blood clot stroke causes a lack of blood, O2 to a certain area of the brain for a short amount of time, a hemorrhagic stroke has blood that explodes in an area and kills all cells it comes in contact with. Surprisingly the brain detests blood. It doesn't want it anywhere around and certainly not uncontrolled! This kind of stroke is one that you do NOT want to take a blood thinner or any kind of aspirin that you hear about. This kind of stroke usually has permanent damage, but usually results in death within the first month.

So far my dad has beat the odds. He has had one set back with a seizure back in April or May, but worked hard and is back better than ever! But dad could not sit up on his own, he could not do anything!!! Very slowly, but diligently dad has worked so hard to regain so much!!

This was so unexpected as my parents are the healthiest individuals EVER!!! Both my mom and dad were/are Senior Olympians in basketball and have competed and WON all over the world. Both mom and dad never miss a shot - it just doesn't happen. This video below is where my dad is now. We are coming up on his 1 year anniversary. He is such an inspiration to so many. All those days we would just dream of being like the guy next to us in therapy that was so much further along is now where my dad is! People in his situation now look at him and want to be where he is! He inspires all the other patients!! You will see why when you see this video!!

I would certainly be remiss if I didn't give credit to my momma for all her hard work. Her life has been redirected and she has with 110% step up to the plate. Mom and dad are constantly together and that is not always a good thing. ha But mom makes sure to take dad to therapy 3 times a week and then on the off days they will go to the workout place to do their other "therapy". This is no doubt tough on the one affected, but I am not sure that it might be even more difficult on the care giver! My mom has taught me so much through this all. They both have!

I will never forget the therapists saying in the beginning that my 70 year old dad was actually like 50 year old or so having a stroke. He was in such good shape and for that reason alone he would do extremely well! They were right............and the grace of our Lord!

If you want to be inspired and encouraged watch this below. It is a miracle right before your eyes. And the music - that is my brother!!! Brain Hargis!

Thanks for allowing me to share!!! This is my daddy!

913 - It's a fear - probably my worst one!

2010-10-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

Do you have any fears? I don't really feel like I have a lot of fears, but there is one that I wrestle with a ton! What if my kids grow up and do not love the Lord??? This is a nightmare to me!

I don't really know where to go with my words, but there is a part of me that needed to get this out. Getting it out is how I cope, it is how I adjust, and it is my own personal process of thinking through a situation. Because I really believe that keeping it in and not at least expressing my fear, even if it is sin, is Satan's plan to destroy my joy, peace, and faith.

I love the Lord, I really do. This is not a fake thing for me, this is not just a good idea, this is not just something that I saw in my parents and so I am gonna live this way too. It is my life. I think about the Lord ALL. THE. TIME. I don't say anything of that to be boastful, but to just explain who HE has made me to be. I love the Lord.

I have many, many benefits of serving the Lord. I have grown to love Him from a very young age. I have seen countless friends and strangers take a different road and there are so many consequences to pay, but the worst may be the miserable life they live until on the straight and narrow. This is what I fear the most for my kids!!

I so desire for my kids to get it right the first time. I don't want them to go down the path of testing to any degree if at all possible. But I must be realistic. Not realistic that the testing must occur - it doesn't have to, I am living proof - but I will be realistic about their relationship with the Lord. It must be their own. Please do not hear that I think I was perfect - far from it. I may have been the worst because all my sin was private and the Lord had to break me to solidify our relationship. It was equally painful!

And this is where I am stuck and get a bit overwhelmed. How do I get out of the way so that their walk with the Lord is their own and not something they are copying from me, faking for my benefit, or just riding on mine and Clay's coattails? It happens often and I personally think more times than not!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.

The only part that I am a little disappointed in with that verse - I am not sure I am allowed to say I am disappointed in a verse, obviously I don't quite have the faith - "when he is old he will not depart from it". OH NO - does this mean that my kids have to be old before they come back to what they have been taught? LORD, I want them to get it now!!! I want them to digest it now!!

Do I think that my kids are going to be missionaries, preachers, speakers - all things of Him or for Him? NO!!!!! Ministry is really hard, possibly hardest on the family! I am fully aware that my kids may be the wildest in the town. I am fully aware they are not prefect. I am fully aware that they are making big mistakes even now at their young ages. I am fully aware that while my walk is such theirs may be the direct opposite at this time and days to come.

But this all goes back to...........their relationship with the Lord must be their own!

Oh Lord, keep me on my knees for them! Keep me pressing into the Word so that I can reflect you in a loving way and not harsh. Lord, Jesus, make yourself real to them so that they know You for who You really are in their lives. Oh God, protect them from the evil one. Make them kids that stand up for things that are right and of you! God, give them a heart that longs to know You. May you give me the answers to their questions! May Your love abound in our home!! Oh Jesus BE REAL to them!!

912 - Baby Grace Pics and Update.

2010-10-22T04:56:00.000-07:00

Here is an article my home newspaper did on Baby Grace. http://www.dailyregister.com/features/x549835468/American-miracle-for-a-child-family-urged-throw-away?photo=0

I have not heard this morning how the night went, but I am believing well. So many of you have asked what do they need now. They need phone card minutes to fill their phones. We need a few people to sponsor the hotel rooms that the mom's sister and husband have been staying at - it was roughly $45 a night. They are students at Wheaton College in Chicago that are extremely poor themselves. 5 kids and will not ask for anything - culture! Many nights of no food, etc. right in our own country. All they want is an education so they can go back to preach to their people!!! WOW!

Thanks friends. Our website is up and running again. If you so felt led you can donate from that page. Sorry to always talk about that, but this adventure is very expensive and we are getting close on funds and have until Dec. 11. I am 100% confident that HE will provide through His people!! Thank you in advance!

Much love yall! Leigh

911 - Baby Grace is in surgery - PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-21T04:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone - thanks for stopping by. Today is the day we have prayed and prayed about as a ministry and one that the parents of Baby Grace Dorbor have prayed about as well...........for months! Today, right now as you read this, Baby Grace is having her intestine placed back into her abdomen the way it is suppose to be - like in you and me. I know why she was born this way..........For HIS glory and to bring others closer to Him - that is for His glory as well. As a believer and lover of the Lord, a minister of the gospel and one that seeks Him in many situations, have been changed and challenged!! I will not be the same, ever!

I didn't do this on purpose, but my devotion today led me to the scripture below - Pastor David, Baby Grace's dad, favorite book of the Bible. This is beautiful as it pertains to them!! My thoughts are in red.

Isaiah 51:4-8 (The Message)

^4-6"Pay attention, my people. I have not been paying attention - He has been right before me and I could not see. My eyes are open and I can see clearer now having been with my Liberian friends!
   Listen to me, nations.
Revelation flows from me. Oh Lord, why do I seek others more often than you for revelation and instruction? Jesus, keep my mind on you!
   My decisions light up the world.
My deliverance arrives on the run,
   my salvation right on time. Surgery for Baby Grace was not a minute off - this miracle after miracle is right on time!
   I'll bring justice to the peoples. Even in the remote places of Liberia!
Even faraway islands will look to me
   and take hope in my saving power.
Look up at the skies,
   ponder the earth under your feet. He is so much greater than we know or can even fathom.
The skies will fade out like smoke,
   the earth will wear out like work pants,
   and the people will die off like flies.
But my salvation will last forever,
   my setting-things-right will never be obsolete. Praising the Lord - big time!! He will make all things right. He will make all wrongs right! He will make sure all is taken care of at just the perfect time. His salvation is forever and to everyone!!
^7-8"Listen now, you who know right from wrong,
   you who hold my teaching inside you: Father, help me to live by what you have placed inside of me. Help me to walk according to your Word. Help me to hold fast the convictions you have placed in my heart!
Pay no attention to insults, and when mocked
   don't let it get you down.
Those insults and mockeries are moth-eaten,
   from brains that are termite-ridden, I need to remind my kids of this....often!! You will be ridiculed and even have your feelings hurt, but once again, HE will make it all right!
But my setting-things-right lasts,
   my salvation goes on and on and on." Oh Lord, make it all right for Baby Grace. Make it all right for her parents that are so concerned for her. Give them peace and understanding of what she is going thru. Lord, all that are involved please bless with your peace and mercy. May the right decisions be made concerning all. Oh Lord, guide us!

Jesus, thank you again for this word and thank you again for this opportunity!! I love you Savior. Please lead your church to continue to support this endeavor. It is costing way more than we predicted and funds are getting low. We have until Dec. 11 to make it!! Oh Lord, please rise up your generous givers like you have so faithfully done in the past. Thank you Lord for the way you work in the lives of so many!!! I love you Father!

910 - Prejudices - do they still occur?

2010-10-18T04:18:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder if you are prejudice? If you ever look at a certain people as less than you? This does not even have to do with skin color, but possibly labeled in another way - adulterer, addict, divorced, poor, etc... When I just think off the top of my head I tend to lean toward the side that I don't possess any prejudices. But then in the moment I can see where they do pop up and oh how ugly they are!

This past week had to have been one of the greatest weeks in my life. The Dorbor family from Liberia stayed a week at my house. They are an extremely poor, God fearing, gracious, beautiful black family. They are here for their daughter will have surgery on Thursday to put her intestine back into her abdomen properly. Speaking Thru Me Ministries has been "in charge" of this adventure and extremely blessed through it all.

In Acts 10:9-28 we find our man Peter confronted with his own prejudices. God gave him a vision to help dispel his thoughts toward "betterness", if you will, and at first he did not oblige. God was revealing to Him that the Gospel is for the Jew and Gentile. Yes, he was called to minister to the Jew, but it was very much for the Gentile as well. God broke through to him in a profound vision and the use of another man - all of great faith to know where to go without reason and to know to believe and not cast away as just a silly dream!! (Read the scripture and you will know what I mean.) Peter was won over by the love of the Lord penetrating his heart and obedience! Love and obedience are a winning combination!

The Dorbor family said over and over, "My black people will not accept my Baby Grace. They want us to throw her away because she is not perfect. But your white people love on her and accept her. It is so strange to me."

That was such an encouraging thing to hear and made me so proud of "my" people! We are not always that way, are we? I wonder how they would have been received if they had no sick baby. Or what if they were not the poor of the poor that caused ones heart to feel so much sorrow? What if they were wealthy and all well? Hmmm?

I have to say and believe with all my heart that even in Carmi they would have still found much love and acceptance. A town I have heard from various other towns characterized as snobby and to themselves has totally blown their cover! Carmi took in this sweet family as their own and came out of the woodwork to love and receive them into their lives. Each family did differently for the Dorbors, but it was always with much grace and mercy and love! I am forever indebted!

All hours of the night and day would families stop by to see the faith staying with me leaving gifts, money, and supplies! Stopping by to bless them and leaving with a heart full of blessings! Dorbors are a family so aware of where they come from and totally fine and grateful for the Lord leading them into a life of suffering! It amazed us all. I WILL NEVER be the same!

I ask that you all check your heart for prejudices - I certainly have mine. We all need the Lord and He wants us to all love unconditionally. Please be in prayer for the family especially on Thursday as Baby Grace goes in for what I am believing will be her last surgery!

Oh Lord - may I never be the same. I have so few words to pray as my heart cant find words right now. I never thought I could consider adoption in fear of not being able to love one as my own. Baby Grace showed me this was not true. I don't feel the call to adopt, but I do know that I could! Jesus, I am full!

909 - Under Armor - or is it Over Armor?

2010-10-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

I saw this referred to on twitter by Dr. John MacArthur. This is his material and so relevant to today!! Enjoy my friends - Armor Up!!

DAY 5: Why does Paul insist in Ephesians 6:10–17 that Christians must be prepared for spiritual battle?
The true believer described in chapters 1–3, who lives the Spirit-controlled life described in 4:1–6:9, can be sure to encounter spiritual warfare. So Paul closed his letter with warnings about upcoming battles and instructions about victorious living. The Lord provides His saints with sufficient armor to combat and defeat the adversary.Ephesians 6:10–13 briefly sets forth the basic truths regarding the believer’s necessary spiritual preparation as well as truths about the enemy, the battle, and the victory. Verses 14–17 specify the six most necessary pieces of spiritual armor with which God equips His children to resist and overcome Satan’s assaults. The spiritual equipment parallels the standard military equipment worn by soldiers in Paul’s day:

1. Belt of truth—The soldier wore a tunic of loose-fitting clothing. Since ancient combat was largely hand-to-hand, the tunic was a potential hindrance and danger. The belt cinched up the loose material. The belt that pulls together all the spiritual loose ends is “truth” or, better, “truthfulness.”

2. Breastplate of righteousness—A tough, sleeveless piece of leather or heavy material covered the soldier’s full torso, protecting his heart and other vital organs. Because righteousness, or holiness, is such a distinctive characteristic of God Himself, it is easy to understand why it is the Christian’s chief protection against Satan and his schemes.

3. Boots of the gospel—Roman soldiers wore boots with nails in them to grip the ground in combat. The gospel of peace pertains to the good news that through Christ believers are at peace with God, and He is on their side (Rom. 5:6–10).

4. Shield of faith—This Greek word usually refers to the large shield that protected the soldier’s entire body. The believer’s continual trust in God’s Word and promise is “above all” absolutely necessary to protect him or her from temptations to every sort of sin.

5. Helmet of salvation—The helmet protected the head, always a major target in battle. This passage is speaking to those who are already saved; therefore, it does not refer to attaining salvation. Rather, since Satan seeks to destroy a believer’s assurance of salvation with his weapons of doubt and discouragement, the believer must be as conscious of his or her confident status in Christ as he or she would be aware of a helmet on the head.

6. Sword of the Spirit—A sword was the soldier’s only weapon. In the same way, God’s Word is the only weapon that a believer needs, infinitely more powerful than any of Satan’s devices.

908 - Can you really raise your hands in church???

2010-09-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

I am so amazed at the things that churches will fight about! I am so amazed at what people will judge one another for. Why am I amazed..........because I have been the very one doing all the fighting or judging or whatever you want to call.

I remember having a preacher that would not engage in worship. At least that is what it looked like to me. He would just stand there rocking back and forth and look as if it meant nothing to him. Once I finally got to know him I understood that his way of worship was to look down at the floor and really concentrate on the words. He was not into looking around, raising his hands, and closing his eyes. His way of worship looked so boring.............but who made me judge of who is worshipping right or not - NO ONE!!!

God has shown me through the years that just as he has made everyone so individual, he made or encourages everyone to worship individual as well. It can beautiful if we have the right perspective seasoned with a bit of Romans 13 and 14.

Ps. 150

¹ Praise the LORD. ^[a]
       Praise God in his sanctuary;
       praise him in his mighty heavens.
We cannot just save worship for church? We have got to praise Him in all locations of life!! Praise must happen here on earth (He inhabits the praise of the people), but if don't enjoy worship here on earth - you just might not be ready for worship in heaven!
² Praise him for his acts of power;
       praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise Him for all the things He has done and will do, but we must also be compelled to just praise Him for who He is!
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
       praise him with the harp and lyre,
Sometimes our praise will be loud and boisterous, but there will be and should be other times our praise will be such a small, sweet, angelic sound much like a harp.
⁴ praise him with tambourine and dancing,
       praise him with the strings and flute,
There is room for movement in praise. There are times I can not sit still. I have trouble in church not moving some part of me! There will be those whose praise may even look crazy (running laps in church), but those that are calm and somber doesn't mean their hearts are not running laps.
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
       praise him with resounding cymbals.
Your praise may be a clashing sound and even seem inappropriate, but true and honest praise will be heard all throughout the nation. Your praise must go on and on!
⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
       Praise the LORD.
Bottom line, we must praise. We must come before Him in any situation and praise! We must develop a praise that honors Him. Praise no matter what form must be part of our every day if not moment!!! If it has breath - it needs to be making known His praise!! He will make sure the rocks cry out, He just wants us to make sure His greatest creation cries out to the greatest Creator!!!

Oh Jesus - forgive me for all the times I have casted judgement on those that don't praise like me! Forgive me for being something that I am not at times!! Forgive me for my heart can be so ugly!!! Oh Lord - I praise you!!! I love you!

907 - Gargamel, from the Smurfs, doesn't want you to be energized by his unbelieving belief!

2010-09-28T04:26:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord, what an exciting yesterday. Both the boys and girls teams of Carmi Middle School are going to state!! Our girls, which actually have a chance at winning state, won their final game yesterday pretty easily. There are so many awesome rockstars on that team it is incredible! I love to watch them play! Great group of girls too!

Our boys were not favored to win. We really were not predicted to even get this far. They are real young - all the infield are 7th graders except our catcher/pitcher - just depends on where he is playing! But that one 8th grader, Tyson, pitched an incredibly awesome game. Even though they were hitting us, we took our turn and hit them as well. It was so tensely exciting! Had one good inning and jumped ahead with a 7 run lead, but then they came back. Finally we jumped ahead again! For the final inning they about made me throw up by putting my son in as pitcher. He doesn't throw near as hard as Tyson, is a lefty, and his ball has lots of movement. I guess the change up that was needed.

Really good batters up and the pressure was on........on me it felt like!!! Tucker pitched his heart out and the team backed him up with some great plays! We WON - 14-11. The team that was suppose to just going to have a "learning year" is going to state!!! I am so pumped for all these young boys and girls!!

Anyway we are excited! Who knows what the Lord might continue to do through these boys! and girls!

As directed in my devotion I read Acts5:27-42. This is a time that Peter and some other apostles were being at the very least jailed for not shutting up about the Lord even after being warned time after time. Finally it came to a court like decision and the room wanted to have them killed.

A man by the name of Gamaliel, reminds me of Gargamel from the Smurfs, asked that the prisoners be removed from the room for other discussion. After the guys were taken out he reminded the room of others they had killed and the problem disappeared. But the others they had killed had nothing to do with the Lord. This wise man of the Word even though not a believer in our Jesus remembered the days of long ago. He knew of how God had worked in the past. He also reminded the room that you may shut them p, but you cannot silence God......and you certainly don't want to found fighting God - He always wins!

There is so many things about this passage that I love and could do into greater detail.
1) I love how the apostles do not back down. They are willing to die, but still will not quiet down even when in front of those that will and can kill them!!
2) I love the fact that even the unbeliever had heard of the Lord's power and didn't want to mess with that!
3) I love the fact that Gargamel had the apostles removed from the room. It was like he didn't want the apostles to be energized by the unbelievers belief in God's power.

Lord, this could be a great message brewing for a youth group or a group of youth! Show me if/where am to spur on another by Your great Words to live by!!! Oh Father - may I have the faith that would be willing to die for you!! I love you Lord!!!

Today I have so much laundry to do. Elleigh has a dentist appointment and then I will be taking off for the alter sanctuary for prayer! I love that time!! I will be ready to hear from you again!

906 - The TV man asked What???

2010-09-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ^[a] ⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deut. 6:4-9

I don't have a lot of time right now as I will be quickly heading out the door to go serve a huge group of ladies in Nashville, IN, but they are from Indianapolis, IN. I am so very excited. My friend, Nathalie Huff, is coming with me too!

I just have to ask - do you decorate with God's word? One time we had the tv guy ask as he was fixing the stupid cable which I wish we didn't have...."Sir, are you a minister? You sure do have a lot of crosses and stuff in your house."

When Clay told me he had asked that I just shined with such great approval....or at least it was a compliment to me! To me I was trying to say - yes, we love the Lord. We want to remember Him all day long in everything we do - even sitting down to tie our shoes or stuffing our face!!! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

I know today this verse means more about internalizing the Word such as to memory, but I don't think there is much wrong with decorating with it as well. What do you think?

Do you have the Word on your door posts?

Do you talk about the Word with your children?

Is scripture on your mind often? coming, going, sit, lie, down?

Is the Word on your hands or your forehead - or in your forehead?

Do you decorate your life/house/children, etc. with the Word?

905 - Traditions - do they have any place in church?

2010-09-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

Nowadays driving down the road one will see a church sign that explains the contemporary service is at 9am and the more traditional service is at 11am. Never has it been a strange thought to me to read that. Actually after reading it I usually sigh in relief that there is one service with a little life. Sorry, honest truth there.

I find these days of traveling all over tarnation that there is much pride taken in the kind of service one "performs". I am not sure what is more wrong with that statement - "pride" in a service or "performs" in a service. Oh well - honest truth again.

There are many churches that divide and split hastily not just over the kind of music in a service, but if the whole service is now taking a more traditional roll or contemporary. People will walk out because they are not comfortable, don't agree with the new ways, or just flat out hate change.........never to return........to any church.

Needless to say - this is something that needs to be considered and certainly prayed over.

If I am most honest, I prefer a contemporary service. I am not so much a hymn girl anymore. But I come from the era that praise chorus, for example, were being introduced and hymns were being used less and less. I remember hearing about the churches that allowed drums in there service and thinking wow, I am not sure if they love Jesus. ha ha I also remember hearing that some churches were moving away from offering an invitation each and every Sunday. YIKES! And here is a BIG one - some churches were even moving away from not having a bulletin. Holy cow - what in the world was i going to doodle on, what was I going to check off as we go along, what was I going to write notes to my friend about??

Traditions - they provided comfort!

This morning I was in 2 Thes. 2 and Paul is addressing the people whom he had ministered. He was admonishing them to hold fast to all that he had taught them........even the traditions. Verse 15 - "So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." The word "teachings" there can be interchanged with traditions. Of course, Paul, a good Jewish boy, knew all the traditions and knew they had their place. Of course he also was one that so often preached the freedom in Christ, but knew we shouldn't neglect or abandon the things of old entirely!

So I see this morning that traditions do have their place in this world. They certainly have their place my personal walk with the Lord. Can I be free to have freedom as I serve and worship Him? Certainly!!! But I think the important thing is to remember how we got to where we are. Remembering why we do things instead of doing things just because it feels right or makes us more comfortable! Modern day scripture, New Testament, implore us to not let go of the old ways that brought us to this saving grace, but at the same time be willing to learn new and adopt new as times are changing!

Above all "STAND FIRM" in the faith and work it out - constantly!!

Headed to Evansville today to see my gyno - JOY! ha Now that is one tradition I would love to abandon! Praise you Lord - my heart is so full!! What a wonderful Wednesday night!

903 - What Do I Do w/"bad" thoughts that come to me?

2010-09-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

902 - Big Stuff Doesn't Always Mean God is There!

2010-09-21T04:13:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Lord Jesus - i failed to go to aerobics again this morning...on purpose. Not that I don't need it, but I just had too many other things to do this morning. I do miss that kind of exercise, but better time spent right here with You!

My devotion directed me to I Kings 19 this morning. This is the chapter where God is going to pass by Elijah and speak to him. I love the first question that the is brought to Elijah, "What are you doing here?" How many times do I ask myself the same thing too. Such a rhetorical question for God to ask as well because He absolutely knows why Elijah is standing there. God knows our actions and the reasons behind them way beyond our understanding. Cracks me up and many times I will find myself in a place, position, situation and ask the Lord, "What am i doing here?" Why not ask the one that knows!

On down into the verses is when Elijah looks for the Lord in the wind, earthquake, and fire. But the Word says about all 3 elements (if you will) "but the Lord was not in..." Oh yes oh yes, the Lord made it and had His hand in the creation and commanded the movement of the wind, earthquake, and wind, but was not in them.

DING DING DING

Too often in life we look for God in the big bad things. We look for His presence in those that look to be powerful and have it all together - total package. We have to be so very careful not to put all our eggs in a basket that the Lord may be "not in".

Wind, earthquake, and fire are three things that make you take notice. And for someone else God could be just displaying His creation and marvelous works. But for that time the Lord says, "I need to give you instruction, I need to give you direction, I need to show you myself" - don't be so quick to look in the huge obvious things.

The still small voice of the Lord can come in so many forms!

Reading the scripture in your prayer closet and something coming alive!

Listening to a sermon and hearing the Lord convict your heart.

Singing praises and then hearing Him sing over you.

Hearing a child ask for your help or love.

Seeing love displayed in various ways.

Feeding the hungry.

Clothing the naked or unkept.

Providing shelter or help to one not able to do for themselves.

Oh God - may I hear Your still small voice! May I be patient enough to wait for the big show go by and wait for you to come in and speak. Jesus, I know so well this is the very thing I struggle with. I equate size with success and powerful anointing. I know in my head that is so not true, but I sure do find it hard to adjust in my heart. Lord, thank you for the way you work. Remind me so often it is not the way I would always expect. God, deal with me as You know best. May your grace and mercy abound!! I love you!

901 - Ruined, Overwhelmed...I'm Done

2010-09-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

Lord Jesus, how can I ever thank you enough. The things You do in our lives each and every day drawing us to you - amazing!! Working with the youth at our church I so often just want to put their lives on pause and so that they can mature and know that serving You is worth it and soooo very much more. But it is the very life they are going through that enables their walk with you to grow and mature. So often they can't see the forest for the tree and want to give up!!! It is then that I want to pause life and advance them to the point where they can rest in knowing God is faithful and trustworthy. But life must go on.

Lord Jesus, I have seen so many miracles lately and I just don't know if I can contain myself. Just yesterday I went and spoke at Emmanuel United Methodist Church here in town, in Carmi. I was briefly telling them how you have interwoven Micah 6:8 all through my life even when I was so unaware of what that verse actually says! I then went on to tell about the most recent drop in my lap or STMM's lap of Dolly, the infant from Liberia that was born with her intestine on the outside. At the end of the service the pastor added some completely profound words imploring their congregation to miss going out for dinner on this day and giving to this cause. I was overwhelmed - I was overcome - I was ruined!!

I could not contain the tears and just wanted to melt into a puddle of gracious exhaust! Lord, those are your people. Those are the ones you touched and told to give - they did!!! Over $2600 was raised in that one day! Again, my legs got weak and I was floored!!! I wanted to run around the church singing the hallelujah chorus and at the same time drop to my knees and just be quieted by Your singing over me! That was it - I could not handle anymore!!

Lord Jesus, thank you thank you thank you!!! I can not express the thankfulness in my heart to EMUC for their generosity, but also for YOU allowing me to be this messenger and part of the plan to make a difference in this precious child's life. It matters to this one!!!

I love you Lord - thank you for ruining me with Your Love!!! I love it! I'm done!

900 - Nine Hundredth Post - Shouldn't I do something...

2010-09-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hey yall - nothing real spiritual here, but I updated my calendar... If you will go here you can see where I will be and how we can meet up!!!! I love to meet up with people along the way!!!

So, any questions you have since it is my 900th post? Whatever it is - I will answer....

If you ask a question and I can answer it I will put you in a drawing............. for what - not sure yet!!

Ask away and let me know when we can meet up!!

Much love, Leigh

899 - Living the Vertical In a Horizontal World - GIVEAWAY!

2010-09-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

For some reason all the links below are not working to just click on, so you will have to copy paste them into your browser.... Thanks for your patience!!! Satan is at work in even the siliest things to discourage! NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

Hey yall - Above is the subtitle name of the book I published about a year ago. The main or head title is Loving God, Loving People. I want you to have this book for free! Yes, it is time for Christmas, well almost, and this could give you an early jump! Read on... Or you can go here............but come back.... http://books.google.com/books?id=TrLU6pIt_SgC&dq=loving+God+Loving+People&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Hope you are doing well. We are still trying to raise funds for the little girl Dolly that is coming in from Africa to have surgery. This is something that the Lord placed in our laps as a ministry and we are doing everything possible to walk in this with obedience. But we need your help! Prayers and finances! If you have no clue what I am talking about go here http://leighhargisgray.blogspot.com/2010/09/895-starfish-it-mattered-to-this-one.html

If you will donate $25 towards our Dolly fund I will sign and personally send you a book and cd of my speaking. The CD will be whatever I feel the Lord has told me to send you - sounds very spiritual doesn't it. Ha ha - I will send whatever I have made! ha

What you need to do is go to our website and click donate. Make sure you leave a note saying you are wanting a free book and cd too! Make sure, or I may not know!!!! www.speakingthrume.com

OR - you can go here and donate http://apps.facebook.com/fundrazr/activity/2a8e93b5ffac48d7958f6f3a59de5866 This one is a Facebook fundraiser kind of thing. All still secure giving. You have to be careful on this as to put the right amount.

OR - you can just send us a check and make sure you leave a note about the book and cd!!!
Speaking Thru Me Ministries
PO Box 512
Carmi, Il. 62821

I know there are bazillion places to give and most are very noble and good. But if the Lord prompts you to give to this particular cause I pray you will. I have never had quite this much responsibility placed on my lap as far as needing so much to provide for another, but it is amazing how HE is coming thru for us. I have enjoyed this faith builder!

Will you help us today? If i could give you a car I would, but all I have to offer this time is my book and a cd. I know I am not any big name or anything, but that is what I gots!! (yes, I meant that terrible grammer.) I love you all!!

898 - Don't Mess With........The King

2010-09-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Lord - Wow, I am a bit in shock over the scripture this morning. 2 Samuel 1 tells of a soldier that came to David to verify that King Saul and his sons were dead. He went on to say he knew King Saul was dead because he was the one that finished him off because the enemy was about to make a major sport of him. So this guy escape from where he was to tell David and I am sure in hopes of being rewarded. I know he is thinking he has done a great thing. Well David freaks and has the man killed. This is a hard scripture to understand.

This man thought he was doing the right thing and then was glad to tell about it. Maybe his motive was impure in seeking reward or hoping to be the hero for the day, but when telling David of it, I feel like he thought he was bringing David relief and peace. I think he was thinking - I am going to tell David that the man that has been chasing him for years and causing such havoc on his life, is now dead and here is the proof. He might have been thinking - David is going to be so proud to know that he can now rule freely without any hiding or opposition from the same team. He is going to make me a position in his kingdom. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!

David stuck to his guns about not doing away with the anointed. He had opportunity to kill Saul himself, but never went for it. Until his last breath, Saul was King and David would have honored that. I am just unsure how to apply this to my life. Was David grieving so badly that he did something that he might have regretted? Did David do wrong in taking another's life because he put Saul out of his misery? Was this guy really looking to be honored or was just telling it like it was?

Lord, I know there have been times in my life that I have sought recognition or glory. Maybe in that i have tried to bring another down through words, maybe i have hoped things would turn out differently, maybe i have looked for the honor. Bottom line - even when someone is at fault, we never go to any length to seek recognition. We never take things into our own hands and hope it is right. We always seek - we always ask - we always search out the heart of God before we do anything. Who knows - maybe this guy would have just left Saul there and told David his whereabouts and the situation he left Saul in. Then would David have been mad that he left Saul to die? Would David accused this guy for doing the actual killing? This may have been a no win situation for this poor guy - after all everyone does strange things in times of mourning and grief. David wanted no one to mess with King Saul except the Lord Almighty. Don't mess with God's anointed!

897 - 3 Step plan to NOT being confused!!!

2010-09-09T04:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been confused and have no clue which way to turn or what to do? I have been there and way more than I like to admit. I find that often it is not a matter of lack of faith or lack of trust in the Lord, it i just I don't know which way I am to go. I trust in the Lord and I trust the Lord AND I have faith, but I just cannot discern the way in which I am suppose to proceed in a particular situation!

There are a lot of quotes many people recite and yet actually have no clue it is scripture. Yes, I have done it myself, even recently! I have counseled at times telling friends and family that God is not a God of confusion and do believe it with all my heart. (I think that is part of the problem - my heart gets in the way.) But did you realize that is a scripture in 1 Cor. 14:33. "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace."

It got me thinking.

What is my problem when I get in a situation when I have no clue which way to go next???? IF God is not a God of confusion and disorder, then what is my problem???

Turned me back to one of the first scriptures I have ever memorized... Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." In this verse is so much simplicity and direction. This verse has the answer to your confusion and frustration and disorder in your life!

When I am confused and don't know what to do....... 3 steps plan

1) Trust in the Lord with all your heart - look at where and in whom you put your trust. mom, dad, friends, money, house, status, fb friends, twitter, food, car, etc... We need to redirect any security we feel with those things or people and give it back to the Lord. He may have provided all those things above, but we hold them lightly knowing He is all we need - those are just gifts.

2) Lean not on your own understanding - this can be a tough one. This is where we have to try to have a Heavenly perspective. Many times His ways will not make a lick of sense to us. I think often times it is not suppose to. We cannot have His perspective and therefore things will look disorderly and confusing. This is where we go back to step one and TRUST!

3) In all your ways acknowledge Him - there are times that we have to move forward even when we are unsure of what we are to do. I call that faith! It is does not take a huge amount of faith in my opinion in certain circumstances to just sit and wait in faith! I think more times than not God asks us to move forward not knowing what it is going on. As we move forward we are acknowledging Him and claiming His promises and His faithfulness! We keep moving even though we don't understand - lean NOT on your own understanding! And we can do all of this because we are trusting in the Lord with all our heart!

BAMMMMM - 1, 2, 3!

Thank you Lord that you are not a God of confusion! Thank you that you will direct my path and align my steps if I will take the time to seek you and your plan! Help me to remember steps 1, 2, 3!!! Oh Jesus - I see You so clearly in so many things right now!!! Thank you!! May my time today with Jerrica and Briley be sweet! Thank you for them allowing me in their lives!! Sweet, sweet girls!! I love you Father!

896 - This is MY plan!

2010-09-08T04:36:00.000-07:00

This morning I studied in I Samuel 16:14-23 again. I have been over this passage many times, even blogged about it, but it still strikes me as very interesting. I have always found it so interesting that the Lord, God Almighty, place an evil spirit on Saul to torment him. Wow - all i really know to comment on that is that God IS in control of even the spirit world, good and bad. The Holy Spirit had the liberty to come and go on people in the Old Testament. He left Saul many times and finally for good later on.

To strengthen him and get relief from the evil spirit Saul would call on David, our little shepherd boy, to play his harp. I love the verse when the servant is telling Saul about David being able to play the harp real well. He says is verse 18, "He is brave and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him." I wonder if the last sentence was kind of whispered off to the side in such a way that maybe the king, Saul, would not hear. The servant, i am sure, wanted to get Saul relief from the evil spirit even more than Saul wanted to get relief. He was having to put up with all Saul's complaining and griping. But yet knowing Saul was a believer, not always a follower, the servant didn't want to offend the king so it kind of like he snuck in that -"And the Lord is with him."

Lord Jesus - the other thing i can never forget about this passage is that David had already been anointed king by Samuel. Actually just a few verses ahead of this. So technically David is the king, but is waiting for his appointed time to reign. Oh I know i could never be that patient or that incredibly serving. David was playing his harp and serving for the dude that God "had left" and was no longer empowering as His king of Israel. David, even as a young lad, knew he was "the man", but was patient enough to wait for God to move and put him into power. I am just blown away by all that.

I know that God has a plan for me, but i think ONE of the reason i don't know the specifics is because i would be trying to help and move the process along faster - providing that i liked it and was sold out to it... Oh Lord, please help me to remain faithful. Help me to be in Your will and be patient to see it fulfilled without any of my doings. Help me to be proud for those that are already in a place i want or think that You have promised to me. Help me to be patient with those promises knowing that You will never let me down or not follow through. Jesus, i want to be your warrior and servant. I want to be your "go to girl". I want to see Your glory. Help to see Your vision and plan for me and not what I want it to be.

I love you Lord and am excited to see You move - even today!

895 - Starfish, It mattered to this one....

2010-09-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

Do you remember that parable about the man walking on the beach and finding a million or so washed up starfish. He begins picking up one by one and throwing them back in the ocean. All of a sudden a "naysayer" comes by and mocks his kindness by asking, "Man, there are thousands of starfish washed up. You are never going to get all of those thrown back in. What does it matter anyway?"

The patient, gentle man replied as he picked up another to toss it back in the ocean, "It mattered to that one."

Friends - that is what we have going on at Speaking Thru Me Ministries. God has called us to find medical relief for a little girl that was born with her intestines and a few organs on the outside of her abdomen. Can we save the whole world with medical problems some have asked?????? No, but it mattered to this one! She is for today our Starfish Project!

Please read this letter below. We need your help desperately!!!! Hang in there!!! If you don't want to read, but are ready to help and give go to our website and click on donate. It is all tax-deductible. Don't assume that everyone else is helping..........we need YOU!!!!!

In June 2010, my ministry Speaking Thru Me was changed while leading a women’s conference in Liberia. By donating to STMM, you are providing life to a little girl, hope for her family and showing the love of Christ to a country.

Cecelia Dorbor was desperate for help when she traveled eight hours to attend the Christian women’s event held in Monrovia, Liberia. Her daughter, Darlene “Dolly” Grace Dorbor, was born with a giant omphalocele, which means her internal organs are on the outside of her body. Dolly had one corrective surgery performed at the J.F. Kennedy Medical Center in Monrovia when she was five months old. However, she needs another surgery to ensure the best quality of life for her.

“When I saw Dolly with her mom, my heart broke,” said Ginger Moore, vice-president and co-founder of Speaking Thru Me Ministries. “Here was a mom who did not have any medical options for further surgery in Liberia. I knew that if her baby had only been born in the states – she would have been well by now.”

Once back in the United States, the conference team went to work finding someone to help Dolly. Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital has agreed to provide the surgery and post-operative care that Dolly needs, covering all medical expenses. Dolly will begin medical treatments on October 11, 2010 with her surgery on October 21, 2010. Her recovery time in the states will be three months.

My goal is to raise at least $12,000, which covers airfare from Liberia for the family, three months of housing, transportation, meals and living expenses while living in Nashville, TN for the surgery and recovery process, as well as cover school and food expenses for the 5 siblings who will remain in Liberia. Please help me reach that goal with your pledge. Your donation is tax deductible. If you wish, you may mail all or part of your payment amount today to Leigh Gray 845 Co Rd. 1350 N Carmi, Il. 62821 or you can make a donation on-line through our secure web site www.speakingthrume.com.

Please make your check payable to Speaking Thru Me Ministries. My deadline to get my pledges in is September 22, 2010. Following Dolly’s surgery, I will send out a brief recap of her health to all my sponsors.

Thank you in advance for your support. Please call me if you have any questions or comments about our efforts to help the Dorbor family. I can be reached at 618-383-4856.

Sincerely,

Leigh Gray

Pres. and Co-Founder

Speaking Thru Me Ministries

501 3 C non-profit

Thanks friends and family!!! I so look forward to hearing from you and watching the Lord come thru in a big way. Why - it mattered to this one!!

894 - Go tell yo momma, I don't care!!

2010-09-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

893 - The Low Down

2010-09-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here's the deal....

A cagillion emails to return - important

House to clean and organize so that people have clothes for school, etc. - semi important

Prayer time at church - important

Walk with my friend - important

5 or 6 churches waiting on responses for dates they want a speaker - important

Thousand fb messages to get up to speed on - important

Raising money for baby in Liberia - important

Returning the love texts from friends and family getting the latest scoop - important

Losing weight - not so much important - ha

Giving my all to Sarahjane and making sure she gets the best - Paramount!!!!!!!! Trumps all!!

Lord, I miss a schedule since we had just gotten in a routine with school starting. But all the above can wait as I minister to my baby girl and her needs. She is on her way back to recovery. We go in for another root canal kind of thing this morning - we need to leave in just a few.

Life will return to "normal" (is our house ever normal?) and life will go on. But for now I have to ignore all and be with her! I love it, I adore this time, and I just eat her up!! God is so gracious. He is so faithful. and He is my Rock!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (homologia - means to agree with His Word), for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23

I will get back with you - important - just maybe not today.

892 - Satan's Convention

2010-08-27T04:48:00.000-07:00

Please tell me how this speaks to you - what are you convicted about in this? Leigh

Satan's Convention

Unknown Author

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken". "So let them go to their churches; let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that relationship with Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!" "How shall we do this?" shouted his angels. "Keep them busy in the non essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,"he answered."Tempt them to spend,spend,spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles".

"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work! Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes. Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines so the husbands will believe that external beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. Ha! That will fragment those families quickly!"

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders.Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. Keep them busy, busy, busy! And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions. It was quite a convention. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy and more rushed, going here and there.

891 - "Don't Judge Me" but you gotta!

2010-08-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

890 - Quick sand had me sinking!

2010-08-25T04:15:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord, way too often I try to involve myself! What I mean is that way too often I feel like You require much more action in my walk with You than You actually want. When you say, "BE STILL and know that I am God", You really do mean something about that Be Still part.

You really want me to remain still, do nothing, just wait.

I am a doer and I want to help. At times my motivation is just to please You and nothing else. So in trying to please You I feel like I need to do something...........especially when I am struggling!

It is those times of struggling that I probably should live out Ps. 37:4 more often - Be Still! When I get caught up in sin and can not seem to shake its grip that is when I try to do everything possible to "fix" the situation.

Ps. 25:15 "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare."

I ran across this verse this morning in my devotion. A verse with a reminder of what to do and all at the same time a verse with a reminder of what you can't do.

1) What to do - My eyes need to never leave the focus of seeking Him. My eyes need to remained focused on Him. My eyes need to concentrate on the One that controls all and allows breath in my life. I need to be still and watch the Lord work.

2)What you can't do - I can not fix the snare I get myself into. I can not release myself from the pit of sin. I cannot win my own battles. I cannot help out the situation by helping out - Only He can release my feet!

It is like being in quick sand. The more you fight the more dangerous the situation. (No, i have never been in quick sand, but this is what I heard. ha) We need to just wait for help or listen for instruction from ONE that has a better perspective and knows all about the surroundings!

Lord, Jesus, Savior, God - forgive me for my involvement when it is so not needed. There are definitely times you tell me to "do", but I would say too often I move, help, involve, get stuck, etc. and you have asked me to remain. Lord, forgive my jump the gun attitude so often! Thank you for your Word! Thank you for your blessings and You "in controlness". Thank you for the power You posses over all the snares that I get entangled in! God you are amazing and I love you!

Today I am going to work at a little shop in town called Logo Graphics. I LOVE IT! We have ball practice, cheer practice, praise band practice, and church tonight too! Here we go!

889 - Make me a Believer!!!

2010-08-24T04:11:00.000-07:00

This too is a post I wrote almost 3 years ago. Still it speaks volumes to me - the WORD never returns void!! Thank you Lord!! This is a tree only a few miles from me. Push through yall - Keep pressing up!

So Lord, You have done it again. I have come to a low place, just wondering if you are going to use me, wondering if i have messed up too bad previously to be used, wondering if you have any use for me, wondering if i can understand what you are doing with me, wondering if you have forgotten me and You have done it again. You have given me a word through my quiet time that speaks life and meaning and healing to my soul.

Isaiah 40:27 were my words yesterday........"My way is hidden from the Lord, my cause is disregarded by God." That is what I was feeling yesterday. Honestly, i don't know what is to come next for me and my life in ministry. I don't know if He will have me speaking on a small scale for my life or if bigger opportunities will come or if any more opportunities will come. I love, love, love being used by Him. I love preparing a message. I love delivering a message. I love speaking to ladies after and praying with them. I love traveling. I love organizing even though i am so not good at it. I love networking and marketing. I love getting that Holy hug from the Lord that says, "well done". I love lifting His name up and praying all will draw closer to Him. I love speaking and listening to the words He causes to come out. I love being in awe of the connections He makes with others. I love seeing the Word come alive and applicable to those around. I love seeing the "I get it" look in the eyes of those around. I love honoring the Father and glorifying His name. I love all aspects to some degree of ministry. HE had me at hello.

So why do i get to feeling like that - the crummy feelings??? It is just doubt and not believing. It is just Satan having a hay day with my mind on a day that i did not begin it with Him. It is just a discontented heart that allows crude to creep in and not stand strong. Oh Lord - it is ugly and it was only ONE day not spent with you first thing in the morning. Oh Lord forgive me for not making you priority yesterday. I can not imagine where I would have been if i went ONE week or more without You.

But as i said before, He did it again. He spoke life through His word because it was opened!!! Isaiah 40:28b states that "his understanding no one can fathom." I am not asked to understand HIS way, just trust them and HIS timing. Verse 29, "strength to the weary and power to the weak." Verse 30 "youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall" BUT, verse 31 " those who HOPE IN (believe) the Lord will renew their strength. They will sore on wings like eagles..." I am renewed!! I am ready to soar. I am ready to be used even if it looks totally different than i am used to! Now that is power - what i mean is power in the Word. I was down yesterday and just by getting up and spending a couple of hours with the Lord I am pumped!!! Oh Lord, thank you!! You are incredible.

The picture of the tree is my life!! I am growing out of the walls i have built up. I am believing beyond my wildest dream. I am growing up in Him and going to fly. I am going to push through my unbelief and stretch up to meet Him. I am going to be a resting place for those young in the faith supporting them and pushing them too towards Him. I will flourish and I will be strong. He is my maker and He is the maker of all. He has plans for me!!!! Trials may come, bad days may surface, doubt may seep in, but I will believe. I will push through!! I am BELIEVING!

Praise you, Lord, Praise YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and only YOU!

www.speakingthrume.com - Plz go check it out!

2010-08-23T04:28:00.000-07:00

Speaking Thru Me Ministries has a new look and information! Please go take a look and give me your thoughts. Especially go take a look at the part about the little girl from Africa that we are raising funds to bring over for surgery. Vanderbilt is doing the surgery for free, but we have to pay for all travel and all expenses while here! Oh please pray for us and give too.

Thank you in advance for your support.

www.speakingthrume.com

Love to you all - Leigh

887 - Is there really anything beneficial about knowing God?

2010-08-20T04:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord, there have been some friends around me lately that have really been going thru some tough tough tough stuff. Terminally sick parents, loss of spouses, wayward kids, marriages falling apart. No different than the rest of the world. But Lord, so often I get scared that I am not going to say the right things. I am scared because I have never been through the situation and have no clue what to do............I don't know what they are feeling and just want to run and hide.

Father, you are all I have to offer anyone. I know and believe and have experienced You are more than enough. But to those that are angry with You or for those that are not walking real close to you or for those that just have never experienced a closeness with You it is sooooo not what they want to hear. It is not at all that I am shamed or scared to share what you have done in my life, but many times people don't want to hear that - they just want the pain to stop and for everything to go back the way it was - even if that was not very good.

I know the head answer to all of this - Leigh, He will never allow His Word to return void. Leigh, He will give you the words. Leigh, you are just responsible to be obedient. Leigh, you give them even what they don't want at this time. Leigh, you......... I know the head answers.

But my heart...

Lord, I want to give them You and all of You!! This morning you showed me some beautiful verses that could so minister to all my friends. God, there are times when people are going thru things that with all due respect and honor to YOU, they need to hear more than just God loves you or I will pray for you! They want to know in this situation how will it benefit them if they trust in the Lord and put this problem in His hands. Oh good gravy, do I feel a revival brewing in my heart!!!

Ps.103:1-5 My prayer, thoughts are in red.

¹ Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise Him with all I got even if it is not much at this time!! I may not have anything but sadness in my heart, but I will praise in the midst of it knowing that in it He will bring a change!

² Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits- I do understand He has benefits - and knowing and living for Him will be beneficial to my life. Heartaches will come, but He will allow me to endure and see me thru!! Don't let me forget your benefits!

³ who forgives all your sins I am full of sin, thank you for Your forgiveness

and heals all your diseases, Oh God, you know my disease or my loved ones disease... You are the healer, I know you can and I ask that you do! Heal, Lord!

⁴ who redeems your life from the pit Father, depression comes to me like a bulldozer at times, but Lord You are the one that can send it away! Lord, do it!

and crowns you with love and compassion,Father, thank you that You see me with compassion and have such a great love for me! Allow me to wear that love as a crown knowing that I am Yours.

⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things God, help me to desire the things of you. Help me to see the good in all your plans. Lord, I want to desire You for You are good!

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. I want to feel the youth of my soul even as my body ages. I don't want to be ruined by bitterness or jealousy. Oh Lord, may I grow young in your love and thank you that I shall never be destroyed as I rest in your hands!

Lord, your benefits are right before our eyes - thank you!!! Thank you for laying them out! Lord, your word is powerful!!! Thank you so much!!! I see your benefits right before my eyes!! Oh God - your are incredible and so awesome. May I be able to show all I come in contact with You and your benefits!!! I love you, Leigh

886 - I'm Fighting - Nope I'm not - yes, I AM!!

2010-08-19T04:14:00.000-07:00

Remember the verse in the NT (Eph. 6) about our fight not being against flesh and blood? Why do I so forget that? It sure feels like I am fighting against flesh and blood often. I mean when others are rolling their eyes at my joy or thinking my invitation to church is stupid or trying to stir up trouble with the kids or even cars that don't do the right thing - it sure feels like I am fighting with flesh and blood. After all, it is a human that rolls their eyes. It is a human that gets frustrated with my unrelenting invitations. It is a human driving the car. It is a human.....

It is a human and that is the main problem. But the problem is not with the other human, the problem is with me! I too often, like all the time, think my issue is with one person or another or the situation that arises with a person. No, my responsibility in everything is not to fix that person, but to respond correctly and in a manner that brings peace. "As much as it depends on me, live at peace with everyone."

But if I could just remember where I started - I am not fighting against flesh and blood. In my devotion this morning I was taken to Psalm 21:8 "Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes." Do you see how many times it mentions the Lord's possession (your). The enemies are HIS, not mine!! I am trying to take on battles that have nothing to do with me. It is all His to take care of and yet I think I have a roll.

That is the key - I am not fighting against flesh and blood! I am not fighting!!! It is His battle and His enemies! It is about Him and He is the Victor!!!! Yaaaahoooo!!

Oh Lord, help me to see with Your eyes. Help me to trust You to take care of all things instead of me having a hand in everything. Protect my feelings that usually leads to reactions! Oh God, I want to exude your love and mercy. I want to deal gracefully with people and I want others to be draw to me because of YOU!!! Oh God - help me to walk in your plan. Today!!! I love you!

yaddayaddayadda

I've got my spurs out!!! Can I count on you?

Hebrews 10:24-25

Its a Crappy Day

3-16-10 Side by Side

All of a sudden my wheels fell off!!

Is it worth it - does anyone care?

He said, "Destroy"!!

Deuteronomy 33:27

You gotta know this - your hormones do!

Psalm 68:19

Salmi 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psaume 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

Psalm 68:19

詩 篇 68:19

And here is what Knoxville thinks of them!!

News

Time Out

Getting Back in the Game

Not for the Weak!

I saw the unseen!! Incredible day!

Pain Does Have an Answer

Emmajoy Gray singing Carrie Underwood's I'll Stand By You

Learn to Acclaim? Huh?

Monday's glance at the week

Do I Have To Be What God Calls Me To Be

It's Not Just the Bad that is Wrong

Doing my work release hours!

For Me

I can know...NOW

Watch out for prayer

Yes, Search ME!!

Talking Sex with my kids

Deaf Man Worship

Smoothie Leigh!

Is there any benefit of going to church?

Gray Girls say Who Says

Unproductive and Ineffective, but Why?

Show me the Money!!!!!

Turtle lover is Me!

Not gonna worship in a box.

Made To Crave Bible Study starting soon!

955 - Made To Crave Summer Bible study at mi casa!

954 - Reliabilty Comes Before Teacher-ability....

2 Timothy 2:2 (New International Version)

953 - Self-control. I confess, I struggle...big time!

No Devotion, No Wonders...

My Big Forhead and Other Tasks

950 - Worship Me not the deliverer.

949 - Prostitute's Promise

Judging Actions

Rend Your Heart - Stop Playing Games

Hello - we finally in Sicily

940 - Deaf Man Worship

Leigh's Promo Video www.leighgray.com

939 - When Do you move on - Calling it quits?

939 -Lookin Good, But Still I Stink

938 - You Don't Have To Take Your Clothes Off

937 - My Boy, Valentine's, and Prayer

936 - I Miss My Time With You

935 - Missing in action

934 - Why You Here?

933 - It WAS about me!

932 - Word from the little old lady

My Head May Blow Off If I Dont

Pain or praise - what's is gonna be?

Not for the Weak!

Disputable Matters - Can we go there?

927 - We are in this together - side by side - and that is a good thing!

926 - I'm Gonna Demolish You

925 - Can you do it??

Confession - I struggle with being content!

924 - What Cha Doin'

詩篇 68:19