#14 - Put the Power in Motion!

Lol! I'm laughing at my thought.... "SHE-RAH, I've got the POWER!" Remember the cartoon from back in the day? Not sure if that was really "She-rah's" slogan... but it sounds like it could've been. :)

Well... that's what we are going to be talking about today. Power. She-rah... yah since we put a Proverbs 31 spin on everything. But IF you grasp this, man or woman, you are going to experience some pretty amazing power in your life!!

Proverbs 10 this morning was pretty amazing! And... right at the last minute, the Holy Spirit directed me to a different Proverbs 31 verse than the one that initially seemed appropriate. Get ready for this one. It is pretty good stuff.

Proverbs 31:17 - She girds herself with strength...

Proverbs 10:11 - The mouth of the (uncompromisingly) righteous man is the well of life...

Man... I had SOOO many verses that I jotted down this morning... we could've went a number of directions. But we are going to camp out on the mouth... our words! As I was re-reading Proverbs 10, it seemed there was no way around it! Do you ever think, "Man Lord, you are getting a bit repetitive here. Uh... I guess you really want us to get this point??" ha! Well, if you read Proverbs 10, you may think that after you are finished. Just look at how many times you see the words: mouth, lips, tongue, words. You could go to town with your highlighter on just those words! Actually, the whole book of Proverbs is filled with the import lesson of the Power of our Words.

Our mouth in these verses (10:11, 13, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32) is a key focus! Using words or restraining from them. What is equally important is when to know the difference, and how to use them.

I flipped open my journal this morning and fell upon a page where I was writing out my prayer and on one page just a few words were in BIG TEXT taking up almost a complete page... they were the words JEHOVAH JIRAH and JEHOVAH NISSI! When I used to be a Bible teacher, we did a study on the names of God.... and how powerful they are. There is POWER in the name when you use it! POWER! Some of the most common names of God I use are:

• JEHOVAH JIRAH - God MY Provider!
• JEHOVAH NISSI - God MY Banner/Victory!!
• JEHOVAH RAPHA - God my Healer!
• JEHOVAH SHALOM - God my Peace!

Those are some of my favorites & most used! POWER in our Words! WORDS, not just thoughts, but WORDS! For example...and actually, not just for example... if you are in a place where you can pray this OUT LOUD, please do! :)

"Thank you Father, that in the name of your son Jesus you are MY JEHOVAH JIRAH! Thank you Lord that you are MY PROVIDER! Thank you that you meet all of our needs! Thank you that you Provide MORE THAN ENOUGH! Not just enough, but you are a God of ABUNDANCE! Thank you that I can not only meet my needs, but also the needs of others! That I can Bless others from our overflow! Thank you that you are JEHOVAH JIRAH of our Finances. That money comes in expected and unexpected ways into our household, that our bank accounts are overflowing (Mal 3:10-12) because we are tithers! Thank you God that you are JEHOVAH NISSI! You  are OUR VICTORY! You give us VICTORY in every area of our lives! You give us Victory in our business, in our relationships, in raising our son! You give us VICTORY in our family. You give Tyler VICTORY in every aspect of his job. Thank you Father that you are JEHOVAH NISSI! Thank you for the VICTORY in books, books, books! In speaking engagements. Thank you for the VICTORY in Impacting the lives of others for your Glory! Thank you for the VICTORY in my physical body, that I am lean, muscular & the perfect size & weight in Jesus Name! Thank you for the VICTORY to get into the 120's! :-D (That is my goal!) Thank you Father that you are JEHOVAH RAPHA over my knee! Thank you for a perfect knee! Thank you that I have NO pain in JESUS NAME! Thank you that you are THE MIGHTY SURGEON! That you are THE MIGHTY HEALER! That you are the same yesterday, today & forever! That you ARE JEHOVAH RAPHA! You healed in the day of Jesus and you heal today! I thank you that even as I sit here, you perfect my knee because you are JEHOVAH RAPHA! YOU ARE GOD MY HEALER! Thank you that you are Jehovah Rapha to both my Tyler's! That we all operate in complete perfection, that are bodies operate perfect, how you created them to function! Thank you Lord that you are my Jehovah Shalom! That you are MY PEACE! That you bring me peace! Thank you that I have peace in every situation and ever circumstance. Thank you that I have peace about my day, my husband, my son, my life, my calling, our finances, our business, our relationships with our business mentors. Thank you for giving me PEACE! I pray all this in the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS.... AMEN!" 

Put some TEETH behind your prayers. Some TEETH behind what you say. Not just to remind GOD who He is, but when you SPEAK IT, you also remind SATAN who YOUR GOD IS! You remind Satan how powerful that YOUR God is and that you have VICTORY in all areas of your life. Despite what the current circumstances may say, you speak the Word over your situation! You speak it into life! You tell Satan how it is going to be because THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS IN THE WORD! When you SPEAK with your mouth & words, you begin to put the POWER IN MOTION! Their is not power in the THINKING, in the sitting, laying, pondering, wondering, scratching your head... you have to SPEAK!

Our Proverbs 31 woman, girds herself with strength. But, do you know what.... she is also human! Do you think that every day she woke up... or wakes up and feels strong? That every day she felt energized?  Can we say.... Heckkk No! I believe she used her words to gird herself up with strength! Because, what does it also say in the Word? Let the weak say what? "Let the weak SAY, I AM STRONG!" I've heard some people say, "Well, I just feel like I'm lying when I say things that I'm not. If I don't feel good, I feel like I'm lying if I say that I'm feeling well or feeling great." Tell me this... if you were laying in bed physically weak and sick would it be a lie to say, "I am strong!" No! You are confessing the Word over your life, and you are doing what the Word says. And the WORD, the Bible, above all else is the Judge. The Bible is the Ultimate Truth & deciding factor in ANY and every situation. It is the Compass. It is the Final Authority. This may help it to make sense... I heard it said once this way: "The fact may be that I have flu-like symptoms, that I have a fever & that I really haven't been feeling good. BUT Praise the LORD that I don't believe the FACTS, but that I believe the TRUTH! The TRUTH in the Word of God says that I am healed! It says I'm am well! It says by Jesus stripes I am healed, so I am healed! It says let the Redeemed of the Lord say SO, and I am saying so! I am saying I am well & healed in Jesus Name because I am getting myself in alignment & in agreement with the WORD! I am going to believe the TRUTH, not the facts." 

Or..... oooooooh! This is a good one!!!! Since Tyler, as the head of our house handles our finances, he has had to use this when we were financially not doing great. "Ok God. I am believing that YOU are Jehovah Jirah! That you are God our Provider. The facts may be that in our checkbook it says we have $12. But, I thank you Lord that we have MORE THAN ENOUGH! I thank you that YOU SUPPLY ALL our needs according to YOUR Riches in Glory and that you have that Cattle on 1,000 hills... so basically you are LOADED... So, I thank you that since I am YOUR SON, you are not going to let me go without. Thank you that as a son, since I have your inheritance, I am RICH. I am wealthy, I am well supplied. My bank accounts are overflowing. Thank you Lord that is says, The Blessing of the Lord, IT maketh rich & you add no sorrow to it! Thank you that YOU meet our needs & our bills because we are living our life for You and to bless your Kingdom! Thank you for providing!"

Everything in red, reflects back to a scripture.... it has TEETH! It says in the Word, and the Word is the final authority. Begin to gear yourself up. If you find yourself hitting the same wall, coming up with with same challenges or problems, find scripture to back up the solution! Don't say, "I'm broke", "I'm sick", "I'm forgetful." Our chapter of Proverbs today tells us in 10:7, "The MEMORY of the just is blessed!" So, you DO remember. You haven't forgotten. Your memory is JUST! Instead of: "I forgot, or I can't remember" how about, "It will come to me. It is being made known unto me. I'll think of it. My memory is just." 

Take it seriously. Put your Words to use for you today! And if you really want to get serious and TAKE ACTION TODAY, I challenge you..... either:

1) Get out a notecard or your cell phone "Memo Pad", and jot down some of these things that apply to you. ie: Thank you Lord that you are doing exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ask, think or imagine in our business. Thank you that you are bringing the right people right now. Thank you that wealth & riches are in OUR house!"

- Do you realize that YOU are the architect for YOUR life! Sure you can ask others to pray for you, and that's great..... BUT do you want to rely on someone else for the outcome of YOUR life? If you want something to happen or want something to change, YOU make it happen! YOU bring your Words into agreement with the WORD! YOU DO IT! I don't want to wait on someone else to "pray for me"... what if they forget? Do you want your life to depend on whether someone else "remembers" to pray for you? Come on! YOU make it happen. YOU! I'm preaching to myself here! Actually... this is exactly what the Holy Spirit told me before I started writing, "Amy. This will be a powerful post that YOU need to HEED! The power of your Words."- Ok... I admit. I'm guilty. I have not been very diligent about speaking the outcome I want into existence.  Calling those things that are not as though they were.  I have been lazy in this area of my life. 

2) Get out your cell phone, watch or alarm clock. Set an alarm that will go off daily, several times a day, hourly.... whatever you want, but have it go off. Let that be your reminder to SPEAK your goals. To SPEAK your outcome! Do you want to retire from your job? Do you want to stay home so you can enjoy your grandkids? Kids? Spouse? Do you need help in your finances? A promotion in your job? Growth in your business? Healing to your body? Pounds to shed, weight to permanently remove? You have got to put some Words to Work on your behalf.

People are fat because they have fat thoughts, they see themselves fat, they use fat words. You can't make a "fat-minded" person skinny. 

People are broke because they have broke thoughts, they see themselves broke, they use broke words. You can't make a "broke-minded" person wealthy. 

People fail because they have failure thoughts, they see themselves as a failure, they use failure words. You can't make a "failure-minded" person a success.

Change your thoughts. Change your words. Change your life. 

Are you going to stop being lazy about it & do something about it? Are you going to do something today? Are you going to do something about it now? 

Mobile update: It's been a great DOR despite the beginning. Now off to enjoy dinner with my 2 favorite boys. :)

#13 - Are you a Value Adder?

So... have you had those days? You go to bed in anticipation about a great next morning? Well.... typically Tuesday nights I just go to bed excited! Tuesday nights are great.... we have our business class, so I get to see lots of friends. I'm typically stretched in some form or fashion to do more or be more. I'm around an association of people who are doing more than the norm.... they are doing more than just sitting at home watching TV at night.... they are aspiring to be more, do more & make a positive Impact in the world. I enjoy the association, it has molded me and made me into a better person. Positive association is so crucial to our growth & development in our gifts. Recently on Tyler's vlog (video blog), he said, "If you do not know your purpose, if you do not know why you were put here on earth, get around people who know where they are going. Get around people who know their purpose and in time, that will give you a clue to what your purpose is." (Check out his YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/tylerhmccart)


Well, got home last night and jacked to see Ms Sherrie had done all the laundry, dishes, our sheets were changed and everything looked very tidy. She has been off the last 2 weeks so we were desperately looking forward to her return. She has been overcoming a lot of bone challenges.... so pray for her to be completely well. (And... I haven't done laundry real regular for 3 years! Ahhh! I could do it again, but wouldn't be too jacked about it.)


Slid into some new, clean, tight sheets.... so heavenly, my favorite and closed my eyes as I looked forward to my DOR (for the new folks.... that's - Day Of Rest). Every Tuesday night I look forward to Wednesday, being off. Not working. Not having a list of "To-Do's". Not setting an alarm clock. Just completely resting & enjoying the day. So, here's where it started out interesting. Not good sign #1: Woke up to the boy crying. I thought... "Bummer.... hopefully he'll go back to sleep." Went down to get my coffee, listened to the boy a bit more and could tell he wasn't going back to sleep, so we'll get him up and feed him. Not good sign #2: After feeding the boy, Tyler asked, "Where are you going with the laptop?" .......so.... annoyance began to set in. I'm thinking, "DUH! I'm going where I usually go." I was definitely getting annoyed at that point. Not good sign #3: Tyler talked about us needing to change up our DOR's and take them different days from each other. Totally annoyed me, but.... is totally true. (Having a child throws a whole new thing into the mix, which sometimes can make it "not" restful or relaxing....especially if you are looking to have a nice quiet time with the Lord.) Not good sign #4: Apologies. I headed outside, totally annoyed with Tyler. I thought, "I just want to start my Quiet Time and now I'm annoyed and annoyed and AHHHH! I don't even feel like I'm at mental place to even want to spend time with the Lord. Even though I apologized, doesn't mean I'm still not annoyed..... and definitely just being in a bit of a bad mood now." I even cried a little. Don't you hate it when you cry and know that there's not really a "good" reason for it?


That's where it all began. Have you ever had days like that? I left out "Not good Sign #5, #6, #7" .... thought I would spare you the ANNOYANCE of having to read!


Here's the crossroad. Road #1 - Just have a crappy attitude. "Well dang it! My day started out crappy, so I'm just going to have the rest of it be crappy. Stomp around. Slam cupboards. Not look at Tyler when I go back inside and just give him a guilt treatment. And just be mad the rest of the day. (Even as I write that, I noticed I'm typing hard on the keyboard! You know when you're mad, you slam the keys down! haha!) Or Road #2 - Realize Tyler was not trying to upset me. He really didn't even do anything wrong. Just start over now. DECIDE to have a positive attitude and enjoy this DOR. Enjoy the rest of this day despite it's beginnings.


Reluctantly, I guess I will choose Road #2. I'm really mentally having to work my way into that road.


So...let us begin! :)

Proverbs 31:20 - She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].

Proverbs 9:3-5 - Wisdom... has sent her maids to cry out.... Whoever is simple (easily led astray and wavering), let him turn in here! As for him who lacks understanding, [God's] Wisdom says to him, Come, eat of my bread and drink...

Proverbs 9:13-17 - The foolish woman is noisy... calling to those who pass.... Whoever is simple (wavering and easily led astray), let him turn in here! And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant...

Voices are going to call out regardless. Wisdom is on a mission to make a difference. Wisdom is on a mission to allow the lost to turn down her path, to bring them down the path of understanding so they will not follow the road that leads to death. Wisdom sends out her maids to CRY OUT, because Wisdom most likely knows that the foolish woman will be yelling too! The foolish woman, whose road leads to death will be calling out, luring and tempting, "Come down my road!"

All the while, our Proverbs 31 friend PRO-ACTIVELY also reaches out. She is reaching out to the needy...... like Wisdom calls out to make a difference, to bring others to her path in Proverbs 9, our Proverbs 31 friend is also PRO-ACTIVELY reaching out to make a difference. It didn't say that the needy came knocking down her door asking for help, food, guidance, direction. Our Proverbs 31 friend chooses to be a VAR. In the "corporate world" which I left... we talked about VAR's a lot.... those companies that were "Value Adding Relationships". Our Proverbs 31 woman chooses to be a VAR. She chooses to be a VALUE ADDER in the lives of others. She isn't counting what she is going to get out of it, she is just choosing to give, to be a VALUE ADDER into the lives of those who need it. She is "reaching her hand out, calling out to those who may be going down the wrong path, and she says, "Come this way. Eat. Drink....travel this path."

Well... I hear the boy inside. Since my day has been a bit "unconventional"... I should probably go "play mom".

Food for thought.... 
First, Who can you add value to today? 
Secondly...what is going to determine your day? When things go bad....do those circumstances control the outcome of the rest of your day? Do YOU control having a good day, or do the circumstances control you?

#12 - The Unfair Advantage

Good Morning.... jacked about my morning coffee....as usual. Sitting on the porch again enjoying a nice morning. Sometimes it is hard to believe how quickly this time goes in the morning....it's like the time just flies! One thing that I have really been excited about is my desire to get up. If you know me well at all.... in the past I have never been much of a morning person. I typically have been the person that can sleep any time, anywhere & for LONG lengths! I actually woke up this morning before my alarm clock. But you know what? I think that as we draw into a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord, we will crave that time to get up. The more you get of HIM, the more you will desire it! That your time in the Word will become a time like Christmas mornings! :) How exciting.....and me being a gifts person... I LOVE GIFTS.... it's exciting to have each morning being like Christmas morning! Where you wake up and you are just excited to hear what the Holy Spirit is going to reveal to you this morning?? Where is He taking you? Where is He leading? And what is He going to tell you this morning? You know, He does speak to us still IF we are willing to listen. Listening is developed.... so, If you have never really feel like you have been led directly by the Holy Spirit.... do not grow weary.... that leading is developed with a relationship. The more you get in the Word, the more you spend time, the more you focus on meditating and really ask questions.... the answers will be revealed. And when you get to that point, the point where you hear His Voice, where you can call on Him and He will answer, now that is a sweet place to be! So, let's get you there!!


This morning was JAM PACKED! So much that I definitely won't be able to go into depth about it all.... but very interesting.... and like normal.... new!

Proverbs 8:17 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. 

Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

The Face of Wisdom.... we are going to search out who Wisdom really is, how to attain her & what value she brings. We see that Wisdom originated from the beginning, before the "7 Days of Creation", wisdom was. As you read through Proverbs, wisdom is referred to as "she."  


1) Where has she been? - She has been: formed and brought forth by the Lord from the beginning (Proverbs 8:22). We see in Proverbs 8:23-30 that wisdom saw and was the helping "master & director" of Creation, the 7 days of creation, she has seen it all! She has seen everything take place. She has knowledge of how everything has happened since before "time" even existed. So, if you want to really learn & know from ACTUAL experience. Wisdom has seen it ALL. She has seen the pitfalls of man, she has seen wealth & riches acquired, she has watched successful marriages form, she has seen the answer to every question. She knows it all. She has been with God before "time" even existed. Wisdom would be the best companion to have with you since wisdom has seen all, been everywhere & knows all things. 
2) Where does she stand? - For you... where is she? It says in verse 2 of chapter 8 that she stands on the heights, where the 2 paths meet, wisdom is there? What 2 paths?? YOUR TWO PATHS! YOUR TWO PATHS OF DECISION! The road that leads the way you SHOULD NOT GO and the road that leads to where you SHOULD GO! Wisdom is there! Verse 1 says that she RAISES HER VOICE, she CRIES OUT! So basically, if you are listening when you get to that path, if you SEEK the Lord's direction....I envision at the top of a hill, two roads, on one side we see HER.... we see a real person of God.... and she is like a coach or umpire standing on the path that leads to where YOU, where I am suppose to go. She is standing there yelling, "COME THIS WAY! THIS IS YOUR PATH! COME THIS WAY!! OVER HERE! DON'T EVEN LOOK down that other road! That road, that path leads to bad things....even though right here at the fork, both paths initially look the same, THEY ARE NOT! Come THIS WAY, travel THIS ROAD!" So, wisdom is at your point of decision. Listen for her and it says she is crying out, she is raising her voice. The way of wisdom is not a mystery IF you are listening. TAKE OUT THE EAR PLUGS! 
3) What does she bring of value? - When you say "BRING IT".... you put up your hands to a friend in jest or fun, you motion for them to come.... "BRING IT!" Well, wisdom BRINGS IT BABY!!! SHE BRINGS IT! What value does she bring? She brings it all. Verse 14, she brings counsel, knowledge, understanding, might & power. You need strength? Mental? Physical - you need big muscles for your profession? - Wisdom has it! Spiritual Strength? - She is bringing that too! Verse 18 & 21 talk about wisdom bringing riches, honor, wealth, righteousness, it talks about her "filling the treasuries of those who love her". In these verses when it is talking about wealth & riches, we are not talking about the cliche or spiritual, "Oh...she gives me riches of happiness, of goodness, of love..." Though "wisdom" may actually bring all this, in these verses the actual Hebrew translation is talking about the BLING! It is talking about the money! Like the old movie with Tom Cruise when he is dancing around saying, "Show me the Money! Show me the Money!" - Well, in this case, wisdom is bring it! She is showing the money to those who love her! In verse 12 (KJV) it talks about wisdom bringing forth "witty inventions". Do you think if you, sought out wisdom and got this brilliant idea for an invention, it could bring you financial prosperity? Of course it could & would & will IF you seek it out. Wisdom is bringing the whole package here!   
4) What does she love? - Call her a romantic, call her conceded (for desiring & wanting your time) or call her "love language"  that of "Quality Time"... but wisdom loves those who love her! Wisdom loves those who seek her out early. Whose priority right when they wake up is to seek her out. Those who seek her out diligently, with fervor. I apologize to those of you who aren't morning people. I found no way around the meaning of early. When I read it in the Hebrew, I found no way around it meaning early in the morning. The first part of your day. The first priority above other things. Early. First. Most important. (Proverbs 8:17)
5) How do you find her? - You find wisdom by seeking. No way around it. You have got to look for her. You have got to search her out. You have got to seek. I heard a great quote the other day, "The finding is left for those who do the searching." 

• The Ultimate reward? - Along with everything else that wisdom will provide to you, in verse 35, whoever finds wisdom will also receive FAVOR from the Lord!

Ladies, (really men too! Men, you realize if you are single, this should be the woman you are looking for! This Proverbs 31 woman! Have you studied her? Do you even know what she looks like? Does she possess these qualities found in Proverbs 31:10-31?)....what does this mean to you? Our Proverbs 31 woman has ATTAINED wisdom. She is friends of and with wisdom. She has done all the things above. She is using the experience of the one who has seen everything since before creation. Now that seems like an unfair advantage! :) To have the one who has seen it all? Talk about an advantage over those walking in the world, or those who do not seek! The unfair advantage is for you! Seek out wisdom! Our Proverbs 31 woman has done this!


Today, give yourself an unfair advantage. Begin to seek out wisdom! Get in the Word. 

"The finding is left for those who do the searching."

#11 - The Road that Leads to Life

God continues to amaze me. Another beautiful morning. I'm out on the porch...screened in away from bugs, in the open enough to be enjoying the shade of the nearby tree, the light breeze & the playful talking of the birds nearby. I cut some purple & blue hydrangea flowers from some of our bushes yesterday, so they sit in a vase here at my table. A special date, just me and my Bible. Can this time just continue forever? It's also a "HORRAY" morning! Our Kahve coffee has arrived, so no more "Black Tiger" and I cut up some melon yesterday, so that has been yummy too! While I sit here, the baby monitor has an occasional dancing of "red lights".... when I turn the volume up, I can hear my boy talking in his bed. It makes me laugh to just listen to it. He is so cute & funny! Then... when I do go and get him up, as I walk into his room, his little face will just turn my way and immediately light up! The big smile, the twinkling eyes & his adorable little dimples.... the boy is simply hard to resist sometimes!!

Well, I have a full day, so lets get rolling!

Proverbs 7:16 - I have spread my couch with rugs and cushions of tapestry, with striped sheets of fine linen of Egypt.

Proverbs 31:22 - She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]

Hum.... sound similar? It sure does.


Let me set the stage.... when you read the preceding 15 verses in Proverbs 7, you know that this woman mirrors the opposite our Proverbs 31 friend. Further down in the amplified of Proverbs 7:22, it talks about how the Proverbs 7, loose woman is leading men like a dog enticed by food to the muzzle. 


When we look at our main verses Proverbs 7:16 and 31:22, the rewards look the same. The rewards of the loose woman (or man), seem the same of the faithful, blessed, virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. They both have the trappings of what looks like success....in that day it was: fine cushions, rugs & tapestries, fine linen. Today it may be the clothes, car, house, jewelry, eating at the fine restaurants. From the outset, it appears that whatever path you choose, the blessings remain the same! UNTRUE! The last verse in Proverbs 7 tells us where the loose woman's house is, Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death. (KJV)


The gifts, the blessings, the possessions look the same, but the life is completely a different one. 


I rewind in my life and think to a time where I was at a crossroads. I was a Christian, but had been led astray by a Proverbs 7 person.... a man in my case....someone not following the Lord, not after God's own heart. I remember being at a crossroads... I had traveled so far down this road that I got to the point of decision. I stood overlooking a lake, his white truck in the distance..... and their I stood with God & my Christian life in one hand and in the other hand the choice of giving up what I had held on to for so long, the last straw that I held of my purity. If I chose this guy, I would choose the way of the world, I would give up my beliefs and I would run with reckless abandon into sin & what it offered. It would be a world of sex, obsession, partying... I would finally be "All-In" in this relationship. It was such a battle, such a hard decision. I know my husband must have been praying for his wife, the woman whom he hadn't even met yet. I chose the way of my God. I drove away, I didn't look back. But I saw how close I was to a life far from God. 


Avoid that road! Proverbs 7:7-8 say, "...I perceived among the youths a young man void of good sense, sauntering through the street near the (loose woman's) corner...." I had many opportunities to avoid getting to that pivotal decision. I could've avoided the danger of almost forsaking my faith by NOT EVEN TRAVELING THAT ROAD, not even visiting that "Corner"! When temptation started to arise in my friendship with this person, I should've began to set boundries. When my guard started going down, when ties & the heart strings in this "unequally-yoked" relationship started happening..... I should have and could have seen the flags along the way and NOT EVEN TRAVELED THAT ROAD! I have seen a visual demonstration of this take place...a person standing on a chair & a person standing on the ground. It was much easier for the person on the ground to pull the person down from the chair and almost impossible for the person standing on the chair to pull the person from the ground up to their level. Same with life. If you are in a relationship or associating with people who are inluencing your life in negative ways, there is a good chance they will pull you down to their level. 


What areas in your life are you beginning to establish habits that aren't good? Is it spending too much time surfing the internet, playing games, spending hours on your Facebook.... are you wasting time on the unimportant, neglecting the important??? Where have you taken the first step on the wrong path? The first step down the road of hard decisions? 


I guaranty it is easier and less painful to make changes now before you get to the point where you have to make a choice...do you forsake your faith for this "addiction" or for  this ungodly relationship? 


Today....take an inventory of your life. In all areas of your life, are you traveling the road that leads to life?

#10 - BONUS SATURDAY: Red Handed

Wow...what good stuff this morning! My goal is to be predictable in my posts, so my "plan" is to post Monday-Friday and take the weekends off.... but I just can't help to not post this one.... Some really good stuff this morning. 


So being that it is the 5th, we are taking text from Proverbs 5....as I read the chapter, there are SOOO many ways to go: the loose woman, the faithful woman... and really go into depth there. But honestly, this morning after reading, I couldn't get past the first verse! 


Let's take a look:

Proverbs 5:1 - MY SON, be attentive to my Wisdom [godly Wisdom learned by actual and costly experience], and incline your ear to my understanding [of what is becoming and prudent for you]...

Wow! So, let's discover who is talking here. Like we found in earlier in Proverbs 4:3 it says, When I (Solomon) was a son with my father (David).... he taught me and said to me...
So, we can assume David continues teaching Solomon in Proverbs 5:1 as he begins with MY SON. What I really thought was interesting was this... be attentive to my Wisdom. 
What is the best way to learn? We often hear, "through other people's experience"! I can hear David saying to his son, "Son, listen to my Wisdom, it has come through actual experience! Costly Experience!" Which makes me then want to look back on the story to see what David is talking about. 
What was "costly" about David's experience? DEATH! DEATH is what was greatly costly. It cost the life of David's seven day old son. 
Let's re-cap the story. About 10 months earlier David writes Joab, a military leader, a letter saying, "Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die." (2 Sam. 11:15) Bathsheba mourned her husband, and when she was done mourning him, David brought her in, made her his wife and she bore him a son. (2 Sam 11:27).


So... here's where it gets interesting. Over the next 9-10 months, David enjoys life with his new, beautiful wife. Her belly grows, she looks radiant and pregnant. At dinner, they likely talk about this new baby. They dream about what he or she may be, hoping it will be a boy to carry on the name. They begin to love this child before it is even born. All the while, David knowing his sin, pushes it further and further under the rug. Isn't that true though. If or when you have sinned, haven't you just had the times where you hope no one finds out. The longer it goes with no one knowing, we take on the attitude of: "What sin.... it's been so long ago, does it really even count..." or we begin to convince ourselves that it didn't even really happen because we have gotten away with it for so long. 
Well, that is when the man of God, Nathan appears. Nathan tells King David of a story of a poor and rich man. How the poor man had ONE lamb, he coddled and raised up this little lamb from infancy, he practically fed it out of his very own hand. In the meantime, a traveler is coming through, and the rich man not wanting to take from his own large flock, takes from the poor man, takes all that the poor man has. Takes the one lamb belonging to the poor man. David gets furious, says, "Surely this man should die!"
Nathan announces, "This man is you!"
Imagine the immediate sinking in the heart of David. He is caught..... red-handed. His sin has been found out. Think of how David must have felt, or how you have felt when you are caught in a sin, the shame that rises from your heart. The warm heat on your cheeks. The agony and disgust you feel in yourself. You just want to get on your knees and cry. I believe, this must have been how David felt. Pain, disgust & sorrow. 
So, his now wife is getting ready to have a baby and Nathan announces that the baby will surely die. On top of the disgust and sorrow, this child that has been growing in David's wife's stomach, this child that they have already begun to love, will die. All due to the sin that David has committed. David pleads with the Lord, weeps and cries before the Lord to spare his Son. He won't eat anything or drink anything. David cries out to the Lord... but after 7 days, the son of David & Bathsheba dies.
David was guilty, but did receive mercy on his life as Nathan told him, "The Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die." 


In Proverbs 5:1, David is speaking from actual & costly experience. We can read in Romans that sin leads to death. If we continued on the road of sin, death is the outcome, their are consequences to sin. 


I think, how many times have I sinned and felt utterly ashamed. Where I just wanted to run and hide from God and hide from my sin. Pull the covers up over my head and hide. But praise God.... though we are often found guilty, though the cost of our sin could and should be our life, he often pardons our sin and forgives. 


The following video shows is just a clip of an amazing video LUMP. It portrays the shame of sin.... the ending, not shown in this clip, shows a father... loving & hugging his boy who dripping in sweat, running from fear & shame is forgiven.

#9 - Your Legacy

Buenos dias! It is a beautiful morning here in South Carolina. The sun is out, the sky is blue & whispy clouds are scattered about. I'm sitting on my back porch enjoying the warm air... a green lizard is traveling down our white drain pipe, birds are chirping...in the distance I hear a lawn mower, my 2nd cup of coffee is luke warm AND I have an egg & cheese sitting on an english muffin just waiting for me to enjoy it! I had my 1st breakfast with my 1st cup of coffee! :) A banana. :) So yes... this is a bit early for me to be up... earlier than normal anyways. I woke up at 6:00 this morning!!! Unfortunately not by complete choice... if their are any mom's out their who have nursed... you will appreciate that sometimes the body calls you to get up!!! 13 ounces of liquid gold later, I was wide awake and figured I might as well stay up. :) I have had a very enjoyable morning so far! Before even getting into my quiet time, the Holy Spirit & I had some very good dialog about some cool things that are happening in my life, and that are coming up in the future. Super excited about that! 


But, let's cut to the chase and go ahead and jump in the Word...

Proverbs 4:11 - I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness.

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her...

Let the stage be set earlier in Proverbs 4, verse 3 & 4 when it let's us know who is really talking here... "When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David]...He taught me & said..."
When we fast forward to verse 11, it begins with "I". A father is talking to his son, telling him "I" have taught you in the way of skillful & godly Wisdom, I have led you in the paths of uprightness. I. I, the parents, the father, the man of God, the head of the house, I. "I, David, your Father. I have taught you comprehensive insight into the VERY ways & purposes of God." 
We know David as being "a man after God's own heart". Granted...David had his pitfalls. He had everything at his fingertips, wealth, fame, women, a decorated war hero & leader, in 1 Sam 18: 7 people even danced and sang about him saying: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." So, among a nation, he was even exalted above that of the King! Though, even the mighty can stumble as we recall David's big fall. One day his eyes gazed upon a woman bathing naked. Not only did he NOT look away, but he had his servants bring her to him, he slept with her, he had her husband murdered & took her as his wife. So, wow! Even "a man after God's own heart" is known also for his BIG FALL!


That should actually bring us hope and encourage us. In my talk with the Holy Spirit before diving into the Word I was brought back to a lot of "skeletons in my closet".... things NO ONE knows about. Things that I am ashamed of, things that I have done or thought and would love to just hide them in a locked safe & throw away the key. One after another, these things began to stream into my head...some that I have not thought about for over 10 years. But the Holy Spirit told me, that even those things would be used to bring Him glory. Even the ugly truth, the "dirties" would be used to glorify our King. 


Well, then we come to read about a father teaching his Son.... the lessons left on from a godly man David, to his son Solomon. That a fathers teachings can be a legacy. A mother's teaching, can be a legacy. Proverbs 31:28, we read how our friend's children RISE UP and call their mother BLESSED! They RISE UP and praise her. We know that this Proverbs 31 woman & mother has poured into her children spiritual truths over their lifetime (31:15). She has led & guided them. She has been up with them in their dark hours (31:18). She has left a legacy. 


I began to think about my own parents. Like David, probably all parents have some sort of "skeletons in their closet." We all probably know our parents more than anyone... we know their faults, their weaknesses, even may know of some skeletons in their closets. But like David, our parents may just also be the people who are known to be "a man or woman after God's own heart." So, I want to leave you with just a few of the "Legacy Leavers" of my parents. 

My Mom - The Legacy of Diligence: 

Since I can remember it, my mom has always been a woman of God. I remember seeing her at night, in her bed reading her Bible. I remember seeing her up in the morning, sitting out at the gazebo by the pool in the Word, reading her Bible. I remember my mom, during my darkest times, praying for me. Praying me back to a life as a follower of Christ, praying me off the road that led to desperation. Praying me to a pure, holy & full life in Christ. I remember watching my mom as my brother or sisters strayed, and she did for them as she did for me. She prayed them back. My mom has left a legacy of diligence. The gifts, talents and abilities that my siblings and I have, is largely because my mom prayed us back. To have a brother as a Hollywood model & actor, but due to my mom praying for him too, he is simultaneously serving the Lord in such a dark industry. There are so many stories of my mom, but I believe her greatest Legacy is the Legacy of Diligence to Pray us Back. 

My Dad - The Legacy of Giving: 

From childhood until now, I remember my dad as a great giver. Every way he knows how, from every joint and sinew in his body, he is a giver. With four kids, all active in sports, I recall my dad giving his last dime to us. We would need new running shoes....our old ones really weren't that bad, but it was a new season so that meant of course, "I, I, I, me, me, me, Dad, I need new running shoes." My dad gave his last dime, probably often where their wasn't a dime to be had, he gave his last dime to us. I remember looking at my dad's running shoes. He never complained, never even said a word, but while we had the newest and best, his running shoes had holes in the sides and were scantily being held together. My dad also gave peace. He was a man of few words, but great wisdom. There was peace knowing how much my dad knew! He was a studier of the Word. He was the smartest man I knew. Greek & Hebrew, you name a scripture in the Bible, he could tell you where it was. He could tell you the history. He was the leader of our house, and that brought me peace. He left a legacy of giving. He studied, went to college, graduated with a 4.0, while having 4 children, a wife & a full time job. The man is brilliant! He entered a field because it offered the greatest financial returns for a man raising 4 children. His dream has always been to be a teacher. But, during a time that he needed, he gave that up.... hopefully just temporarily. My prayer is that one day, my dad will be a teacher. Our generation needs such a passionate, wise man as my father. He has left a Legacy of Giving.

So, what will your legacy be? Have you thought about it?

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Side note: If these devotions have been a blessing to you, would you consider becoming a "Follower" of this blog? Send an email to your "sphere of influence" if you think they would be blessed by it. If you are on twitter, re-tweet this web address, and follow me. @amyjmccart - I'm excited to publish books at some point, and this all greatly helps.
Thank you!!! God Bless. :)

Xoxo,
Amy J

#8 - Taste & See

Good Morning! :) Drinking some STOUT coffee right now! We ran out of our favorite, our Hazelnut Vanilla Kahve Coffee (myxswellness.com)....should be coming in any day now. It actually won in a taste test against Starbucks! It's yummy. So, I'm drinking coffee from our Kerig. The K-cup I'm drinking this morning is called Black Tiger! Yikes! Even my dad said, with a name like that he was a bit scared to drink it! :) haha! It is pretty stout. And...it was a sad morning to open the fridge and realize there was no more cream! Whaaaaaaaa! :-(''''' So sad. So, I had to doctor my coffee up with milk, splenda & powder french vanilla creamer. One day, when I grow up, maybe I'll rise to the level of drinking my coffee black! Definitely something to aspire to do!!


Well, as I was getting in the Word this morning, I was definitely groggy & tired. The boy decided to wake up last night, so I was up for about 2 hours with him. Was quite interesting. But PRAISE GOD that I am in a position to stay up with my boy! And then, be home with my boy all day! What a blessing!! But, I also just thought, "Lord, can you really 'bring it' every day? Can you really open the Word up daily in an insightful & new way? Am I expecting too much?" Well, this morning I reluctantly opened up my Bible & began reading, I really just wanted to go back to bed. 


So, then I began to grab all these nuggets, some of the nuggets that we have developed our life on. Like take Proverbs 3:4, we use this all the time! Application of the Word in real life situations! When Tyler or I are going into a meeting, or a situation, or discussion with a friend or family member that may make us, in the natural, a little nervous - we quote this verse. "Thank you Father that I have favor & good understanding in the sight of YOU God, and man! Thank you that I have favor as I walk into this meeting because your Word says it, I can believe for it!" Then I read a bit further and found a financial nugget that we have built our finances on, Proverbs 3:9-10. "Thank you Lord that since we honor you with the firstfruits (tithe) of ALL (including financial gifts people may give us) of our income, we believe you that our storage places (bank accounts) ARE filled with plenty & our vats (bank accounts) will be overflowing with new wine (money/resources)." Then, going a bit further in Proverbs 3:13-18, we could just choose to tag team off of yesterdays blog and talk about "Skillful & Godly Wisdom" and what comes from possessing it. There are so many ways we could go this morning....but I'm going to choose a different path. 


Again...I always take text from the Amplified....here goes:

Proverbs 3:5 - Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Proverbs: 31:18 - She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good...

Sometimes just thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman can be exhausting. She is so perfect, has it all together, and it makes you wonder, "When does this woman ever take a break? Does she ever have down time? I just don't know if I can 'GO' like her...I don't know if I have the energy or stamina." Well, for that very reason, that is why I like Proverbs 31:18. 


Picture this, our friend has accomplished a lot. She looks back and with a small smile on her lips & satisfaction in her mind she sees that what she has done is good. She looks back on her work, impressed. I think that there may have been times where our friend did this.... she had her work completed, it was a success, so now, she wanders out to a rolling hill. Green grasses as far as the eyes can see, wild flowers planted covering large areas of ground. Looking in the distance, she sees the rolling hills, green grass & yellow, orange, pink, and white flowers. The sky is bright, bright blue with a few scattered cotton ball clouds. The sun is shining and she looks up with the sun on her face, a light breeze in her hair and just puts out her arms in pleasure. Our friend is taking a break to enjoy the fruits of her labor. She has brought with her plump grapes from her vines, and some food that she has brought from afar, and for the next several hours she is just going to enjoy the fruits of her labor. She has tasted & has seen that the work she has done was indeed good. This break to enjoy God & the beauty of nature is just what she needs to keep "doing good" and "accomplishing the good things for God". Her children are not with her, her husband is fine, it is simply her & God. 


Before Tyler & I got married and he was still in college, he took every Sunday and enjoyed a Sabbath, a Day of Rest. He didn't do school work on that day, he didn't train for track, he didn't clean his apartment or gather with friends to work on a project. He took Sunday after going to church, spent the rest of the day, he & a lawnchair, and sat down at the beach. It was Tyler, a good book, his notebook & his Bible. Just he & God. It took a step of faith to do this. To NOT train?! "Olympic hopeful", Big South Conference Champ 4 years in a row, to take Sunday completely off? We continued this "Day of Rest" after we got married...and then, due to help we were receiving from some business mentors, we stopped doing this "Day of Rest". Sometimes the only day they could travel to help us was Sunday, or Saturday and so gradually our "Day of Rest" (DOR) became just another day forgotten. 


About 3 years ago, the Lord got on us about not having a DOR. So, though decided to lean on, trust in & be confident in the Lord...to not rely on our own understanding. To us, taking a day off was almost "blasphemy" to our business goals. To our "GO GO GO" lifestyle. To our constant "productivity"... or so we thought. Taking a DOR, took faith to go back to it, and definitely took trusting in the Lord. 


Well... yesterday was our DOR. My favorite time of the week. A day where we just wake up when we wake up, drink our coffee together, sit side by side on the couch while reading and spending time in the Word. The boy then begins to stir and he gets up, happy & smiling. Mama doesn't do laundry, clean, work on taxes. Mama doesn't do anything that resembles work, & neither does dad. Even being around people, since we are around people a lot, on our DOR, we prefer not to even be around people. We like to just relax, quietly relax. So, yesterday we went to the pool, set up camp and enjoyed reading, getting a tan, swimming with the boy & even taking some sporadic naps. Our DOR is sacred. It is special. Not to mention, it is Biblical. "Honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy." God worked 6 days, and rested on the 7th. 


Take a day & rest. Enjoy the fruits of your labor from the previous week. Taste & see that your work with & for God has been good. Do what seems relaxing to you. Do what is enjoyable to you. So you like to scrapbook, do that. You like to read? Sew? Sleep? Watch a movie? Play games? On our DOR, we do whatever REJUVENATES us mentally, physically & spiritually. We REST. We have even had seasons where we frequently would get a massage on our DOR. Your body & your mind need rest. And wouldn't you know it, we now get MUCH MUCH MUCH more accomplished during the week because we have allowed God to give us a plan, to lead us and guide us on our Day of Rest. So then, our work that we are doing during the week is not in vain because it has been directed from our Father. 


So, taste & see this week. Enjoy the green grasses & wild flowers or the quaint, quiet coffee shop, time by the pool in your gazebo, at the beach, by a mountain stream. Find a place that you can enjoy and have that sweet, quiet, uninterrupted time with your Father. No watch dictating your time, no cell phone with constant interruptions, texts & calls. Just you & your Father. 


Taste & See.  

#7 - There are Rewards for SEEKING

Well, what a blessing. I woke up and had a cup of coffee with my dad. :) He spent the night last night as he has been traveling on business in North & South Carolina. What a treat to spend time with him, walk to dinner, talk with him, have him give "the boy" his bottle for bed....then wake "the boy" up this morning so Grandpa could hold him and talk to him. So cute. It was definitely a blessed time. :) On top of that, I got some GIFTS! :) WHOOP WHOOP! :) Gotta love getting gifts! :) My mom sent a pair of jeans that she had hemmed for me AND mom & dad were over at my grandpa's house, and they found the ALLIGATOR JUICE MUG! So, I will have to post a picture of it to let you see it. How fun! :) What a "cirtsy" as they say in the south. A gift. :)


All right, let's jump into some Word this morning. 

Proverbs 2:4 - IF you seek [Wisdom] as for silver and search for skillful and godly Wisdom as for hidden treasures...

Proverbs 31:26 - She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].

So, WHO is she? Who is this Proverbs 31 Woman? What is she made up of? 
Before we even begin, Proverbs 2:4 begins with the one, not so elusive word, IF. For ANYTHING to happen, for any treasure to be found, any good to be had, we have GOT to remove the IF. 


With that being said, there is SO much just out of these 2 verses that we can take away. 


Let's first take a look at seek and search. The Hebrew word for seek in this verse is baquash. Baquash means to seek, require, desire, request. To seek to find, to seek to secure, to seek the face, to demand, to require, to ask. The Hebrew word for search is chaphas. Chaphas means to search, search out, search for, search through, disguise oneself.


Look at our Proverbs 31 woman, she already possesses "skillful & godly Wisdom", she took the "IF" out of the equation. She made it happen. She already did what Proverbs 2:4 talks about....so, since she already possesses skillful & godly Wisdom, since she is ALREADY opening her mouth in skillful & godly Wisdom, let's take a look at how she got it. 


We already read in Proverbs 31:15 that she rises while it is yet night and gets (spiritual) food for her household. She is spending time in the Word, she is seeking out the Lord. She is seeking to FIND what the Lord has for her, she is seeking to SECURE the Word in her heart, she is seeking the FACE & intimacy of our Lord. Not in a "nonchalant" manor, she is DEMANDING, REQUIRING & ASKING for it! She is not settling for just a "kum-by-yah" experience with the Lord. She is not settling for, "Oh, well, sometime, one day, in the sweet by-and-by." In her time of seeking, she is DEMANDING, she will not be denied, she will not leave empty handed. 


What does she treat this time like? She treats it as searching for silver or hidden treasures. Silver refers to silver or money. Hidden treasures refer to treasures, a place where anything is buried or hidden. Specifically an underground storehouse. 


Our friend, this Proverbs 31 woman, got down & dirty when it came to seeking out the Lord. Just like digging for a treasure, you would have out your shovel (or today, probably a back-hoe tractor), a plan of where to start & expectation that jewels will be at the end of your excursion. Our Proverbs 31 friend, with tooth & nail, dug into the Word. And through digging into the Word, she received her treasure. She received skillful and godly Wisdom and was able to respond to others and answer others through her Wisdom. 


When King Solomon, the richest & wisest man to ever live had his opportunity to ask ANYTHING of the Lord. He did not ask for fame & fortune, beautiful women, to have a great physique, blessings, honor, love. No, he asked for Wisdom. And isn't it amazing, with  Wisdom, the Lord gave him ALL the other things he did not ask for. He not only was the wisest of all Kings & of all men, but he also the richest.  


So, today, can you make a decision to plan to seek. Can you make it a priority to seek out your Creator. Seek out Wisdom. Like King Solomon, many other riches will follow when you first seek out Wisdom. Set a plan. Set a date, an appointment on your calendar to DAILY seek the Lord, his plan & direction for your life. There are books to be written, songs to be sung, music to be made, inventions to be created. The All-Knowing, Wise King of Kings, has great things in store for you if you will just seek Him as seeking hidden treasure. 
Will you remove the word "IF" today?


Have a BLESSED DAY! :)

#6 - Awaken!

Good morning! So many ways I could go this morning. To be quite honest, I'm a bit on the edge of "righteous anger". Hopefully you will continue to read...I believe you will be awakened by reading today's blog, and hopefully be awakened to take action in some way. 


Today's scripture.... as we welcome in June 1st, we are back to Proverbs 1, and we will do some cross referencing with our Proverbs 31 woman. 

Proverbs 1:4 - That prudence (subtilty) may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

First of all, as I was studying this morning and Proverbs 1:5 mentioned the "wise will hear & increase in learning...", I just immediately had a rush of thankfulness. Thankful purely because our GOD loves us so much that he will not just leave us where we are. He will not just leave us to remain the same. Praise the Lord that He gives us eyes to see & ears to hear, that he gives His children, YOU & ME, a moral compass that instinctively knows when we see or hear something that just is not right. 
The cutting edge.... that is what we are going to visit today. The cutting edge. 

A few synonyms for discretion are: judgement, wisdom, sense. 
Let's check out our "Virtuous" Woman. If you are a studier of the Word, you have most likely heard the talk of this mysterious, "Virtuous" woman. But, who really uses that word much these days? So, I looked it up. I wanted some more clarity on who this woman really is.... really, who am I really called to model my life after. You may be a bit surprised when you hear this....
"Virtuous: conforming to moral & ethical principles, morally excellent, upright, chaste."
Ok... all that made sense... but, what in the world does "chaste" mean?? Give me some more clarity on who this woman is!

Chaste: refraining from sexual intercourse that is regarded as contrary to morality or religion, virgin, not engaging in sexual relations, free from obscenity, decent, undefiled or stainless, pure in style. Synonym: Elegant, Classic, Clean. Antonym:  Immoral

Whoa! May sound like a tall order to someone not walking with the Lord...or someone not allowing themselves to follow godly convictions that will lead & guide them in wisdom. For the married woman or man.... yes, this may be an easy area to follow, being "virtuous".


What can we take out of this? What can we apply. How are we being virtuous in our lives? How is your dress? I know a woman who, I know is a Christian, she's a great and fun person... but everytime we come in contact with them, my husband has to bounce his eyes. Most of the time, her shirts are very tight & she has a LOT of cleavage showing. I know I have to be on guard for my husband. So, ladies... are you causing other men... married men to have to be on guard because of the way you dress? That is one way we can practice being virtuous. Free from obscenity... so, how is your speech? Our Proverbs 31 Woman most assuredly does not have profanity slip, gossip, sarcasm, snide remarks to or about others. 
It may sound like a funny remark... but I had to apologize to Tyler yesterday. I was watching a movie with a friend, and Tyler was getting ready to interrupt and  make fun of the movie and how stupid it was. Even though it was in "gest", but I was also serious because he was interrupting, I said, "Please shut your Pie Hole! We are trying to watch this!" Yes... I partially, lol.... but, that is a great example of what the Proverbs 31 would NOT have done or said. Actually, she would've probably turned off the movie, because it was not going anywhere, and ultimately was not a real "virtuous" movie (who knows just because it says PG13, does not mean that it is up to the standards of a virtuous woman!)


Well...that brings me to my real beef! Tyler studies business & entrepreneurship all the time. He has a gift for it! He was reading in the June issue of Fast Company about the Top 100 Most Creative People in Business, well... we were very curious to see who was #1 & why. Wouldn't you know it... as we flip open the magazine, we were surprised to find out it was the cutting edge, hip-hop, great beat, fun Lady Gaga. She was given the #1 position of MOST CREATIVE people in business. Well... Tyler & I sometimes stream "fast/dance" music on our Pandora Radio. Her songs are fast, have a great beat... seem fun. So, Tyler was reading about all the innovative things she has done to give her this #1 spot. But, then... he wanted to see it for himself. So, he went out on YouTube to watch one of her videos. Red Flag #1 - You had to be 18 or older to watch the video. (Yikes! So in movie world, that would be a Rated R!) How do they know you are 18, as long as you have a YouTube profile and your birthday shows you are 18, you can watch it. Nothing is stopping a 13 year old to set up an account and push their birthday up a bit. Red Flag #2, 3, 4 - Her dress was extremely scandalous, she comes out with G-string panties, and a little bit of tape over her nipples. She is in a cage, a jail cell & then proceeds to make out with another female. 


AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! HELLO!!!! Can we say AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!



The teen, pop idol... fun, sweet & spunky. Hannah Montana....Miley Cyrus. Her new released video has her coming out in no less than skimpy lingerie, in a cage, dancing on other dancers and singing the lyrics, "I can't be tamed."


So... you want to know what is influencing this generation? Why is porn being frequented more? Why is having sexual affairs with someone of the SAME sex OK, or even fantasized about? 


Also, recently on a talk show hosted by doctors, teenage girls were asked about their high school experience. 13 year old girls proceeded to tell the doctors that in their school the new thing was to have a list of who you wanted to "be with", have sex with, and the goal was to see how QUICKLY you could get through the list. 


I guaranty, our Proverbs 31 woman would not be partaking in ANY of these activities. In the Hollywood or music industry, to get a "one-up" on the top performers, I would anticipate a common mind-set is, "How can I do something that is more cutting edge, that will draw my viewers in more. Something dangerous, sexy, immorally over the line."


The Calling is out! We need BOLD, unafraid, Godly Men & Women to decide to make a difference. To love more, to pray more, to be in the Word more, to change more, to positively Impact MORE! 


Well, I just want to leave you with a challenge. 

1. Can you change something today in your dress or speech be elegant, classic, clean, chaste, virtuous? 
2. What can you do to begin to boldly change this generation? To make a difference, an impact? Every little bit counts, YOU COUNT! Pray and see how God would direct YOU to impact others for His glory. 
3. In the Spotlight: Pick someone in the spotlight, who is currently influencing this generation. Pray BOLDLY for them! I have added Lady Gaga to my prayer. That she would have a RADICAL, Damascus Road experience. How Saul who tortured & killed Christian, had the scales removed from his eyes. His name was changed to Paul, and he wrote a majority of the New Testament. Lady Gaga CAN be a Paul. Add someone in the SpotLight and commit to praying for them!