A Step At a Time

First Snow Day of the Year

2012-01-13T21:00:00.000-06:00

Here is what the girls and I did this afternoon. I get a little weepy thinking about how Jacob doesn't bake with us anymore. He is 16 you know and much to old to do such things! ;) What a joy to spend a few hours with my amazing daughters making some snow day treats. Click below and you shall see:

Monkey Bread and Butter Mints

2012-01-12T20:50:00.002-06:00

As I gear up for my trip to Haiti, I am trying to clear my head of many of the things that have been consuming my time and energy for the last few weeks, months, geez - years! (Good luck with that, right?) I am fervently trying to just focus on the upcoming opportunity to help at the school in Fond-des-Blancs and let myself truly receive the experience. So, with that being said, I am not worrying about finances, when we will find a house, how the kids are going to eventually adjust to this move, and all the changes I want to make in my life. Instead I just want to sit back and watch, enjoy, experience, and feel. And that's exactly what I am going to do.

2012-01-04T18:36:00.003-06:00

Well, the hubby is traveling. I pushed the kids out the door to youth and finally have some quiet time to myself. (insert sounds of happiness here)

I have been putting some thought into my One Word for this year and believe that I may need to focus more on contentment than consistency. Well, to be honest I need to focus on both. Yet, it seems that the Lord is speaking to me lately to find contentment in certain things, such as my marriage and my finances. NOT complacency. No, the two are very different things. I do not believe we are ever to be complacent, but I do believe we all need to seek contentment in certain areas of our lives. In this culture, it is very hard thing to learn to be content. We are constantly bombarded with things that will supposedly make us healthier, wealthier, skinner, prettier and ultimately happier. Contentment is hard to find. Yet this year I will choose to seek it out, search for it, hunger for it and hopefully learn how to live in it.

One Word 2012

2012-01-01T17:54:00.000-06:00

Consistency - "The achievement of a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time."

My one word for 2012 is CONSISTENCY. This is something I struggle with in so many areas of my life. Maybe it is my "ADD" characteristics, but I am notorious for starting something strong and finishing it fairly weak. This year I want to focus on consistency in my habits, my relationships and definitely my parenting. It seems overwhelming for me to think about being consistent, since I am 41 and have not conquered it yet. But, my God is a faithful God and I know He will give me the power to at least make a little progress in this area this year.

Instead of making a New Year's Resolution, want to choose a New Year Word? If so, my friend Alece's link is shown below. Give it some thought, pick a word and go for it!! :)

One Word 365

Prayer for 2012

2012-01-01T13:07:00.003-06:00

Cross Point Church has a prayer for all of its campuses this year. This morning, I chose to make it my personal prayer for 2012.

"God change us. God grow us. God connect us."

That about sums it up, huh? Can't think of much more I would ask of God this year. It is my heart's desire - all three.

God change me - change my bad habits, my bad attitude, my selfishness, etc.
God grow me - grow my faith, my knowledge of you, my marriage, my mothering.
God connect us - bless me and my children with godly friendships, connect us with our church family and knit me closer to my husband and children.

What is your prayer for 2012?

My Flesh vs. My Desire to Please God

2011-12-18T22:26:00.000-06:00

Romans 7:15
I don't really understand myself, for I want to what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

This is a verse I have ruminated on quite a bit throughout the course of my life. It convicts and haunts me because I feel like much of my life has been spent living out this verse. I wonder quite often what it could have been Paul did that he hated. I know the things I do that I hate - getting aggravated and yelling at my children, time spent resenting my husband for all his time on the road, taking steps backwards in my faith when all I want to do is take steps forward. Then there are things like becoming impatient with people at work or impatient when people's conversations take longer than I want them too. The problem is this, these seemingly small things end up breeding bigger things. Trust me.

This is why it is so important to daily take our junk to the cross. Take it there and leave it there. It seems lately that I have been wanting to hang on to my junk and I HATE when I get to that point. I hate when I get to the point that I think my junk it too much for Jesus. Do you have junk you think is too much for Jesus? I know I do. But, reality my friend is this. Nothing is too big for our Saviour! Cry out to Him. Find someone to share your burden with. He loves you and cares for you. This I know.

Fear

2011-11-13T18:57:00.001-06:00

Pete (our pastor) delivered a wonderful message this morning on "Fear" (crosspoint.tv) It was so interesting to find out that the only two fears we are actually born with are the fear of falling and the fear of noises. It seems that all of our other fears are fears that are "learned" or that we are conditioned to.

As I meditated on fear and how we are likely to stay inside our comfort zones, it really hit home with me that I am this way with my marriage. After 20 years of togetherness, it is easy to build up walls between each other and I realized that I am scared most of the time to let those walls down. Opening up and allowing myself to be vulnerable to someone I have known over half my life shouldn't be that scary, yet it is.

I am not afraid to parasail, jet ski, ride on motorcycles or fly overseas to a country I have never been to, but am afraid of opening my heart up sometimes. It doesn't seem logical, yet it is a fear and one that I need to have enough faith to overcome.

What are your fears?

Serving Haiti

2011-10-28T18:35:00.005-05:00

I have an amazing opportunity to serve this coming February in Fond-des-Blanc, Haiti. John Lovelace (a friend and one of my personal heroes) put me in contact with a group of people who are going to to Fond-des-Blanc to help work on a school building. After putting me in contact with the group, he then pledged money to help send me. :) After putting much thought and prayer into it, my boss then told me she wanted to pledge some money to help me go. Then another individual pledged more money and then another. SO, I decided to go to an informational meeting about the trip last night (which was exciting, sort of scary in regards to aspects of the trip, but all in all, the deciding factor for me to take a step out in faith and GO.) So, after I raise the rest of my money to go (approximately $500), I will be leaving February 8th to head to Haiti! Exciting, scary, and a little overwhelming. Everyone who knows me knows that my heart is in missions and so this is a very happy and humbling opportunity for me. If you are interested in helping me make my way to Haiti this February, please message me and I will give you more information as to the aspect of the trip. Love and blessings to all ~ Melissa

2011-10-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

What a beautiful day today with my family walking the woods at Radnor Lake. I asked God this morning to show Himself to me today and also give me the eyes to see. And boy did He. He showed Himself to me while browsing all the beautiful pumpkins, vegetables and fruit at the Farmers Market. He showed Himself to me in moments of silence af Radnor Lake, the noise of the birds and squirrels in the woods and hugely through the occasional bickering and MANY moments of family gut-laughing.

I count my blessings today. I may be living in a cramped apartment, missing teaching women's Bible classes and working with Youth, and lonely for new friendships, but I am so incredibly blessed by my God. He shows Himself to me if only I choose to see Him. No matter what the circumstances.

2011-09-21T22:00:00.001-05:00

Settled? Well, yes in the physical sort of way. Mentally and emotionally, um....almost. We are getting there. This move worked out so perfectly and was smooth in so many aspects, yet I feel an underlying current of "disconnect" and a sense of not quite knowing where we belong. God is working mightily, yet I still am a little "out of sorts". I am sure this is normal, yet want to feel rooted. Yet, being rooted takes much time and that is something we have not had yet. But, it will come. We will root and we will grow and with God's grace we will thrive here.

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

2011-09-14T20:33:00.001-05:00

I was at a ministry luncheon meeting yesterday afternoon and an older pastor there told me to try something out. He asked me to pull out a measuring tape to full length and plot out where I was on the tape in regards to my age with the end of the tape being the end of my life. He uses this technique to encourage people to see how much longer they may have left to live; and, therefore, to encourage them to GET ON IT. Do what God has called you to do. Don't hesitate!

I must admit that I came home and tried it out. After I got over the initial shock, it really did encourage me to LIVE. Try it out - see what you think. ;)

It's Football Time in Tennessee

2011-09-08T21:53:00.002-05:00

This time of year always does, and always will, remind me of my brother. Some of my most favorite memories are watching UT games with him or talking "play-by-play" with him over the phone during the games. I know if God gives us our favorite-colored mansion in heaven, that Jeff's is orange.

Here's to another season of Volunteer football and to the fourth football season without my brother. Here's to singing "Good 'ole Rocky Top" and here's to another season of growing past the grief and growing deeper and deeper spiritually.

And here's to you Jeff - It's Football Time in Tennessee! And "give. them. six.!"

James Franklin Shields, Jr.

So, this weekend I realized I have to go back......

2011-08-29T08:21:00.003-05:00

back to these precious children who touched my family's heart so much!

Pine Ridge 2010 - click here. :)

Life is Good!

2011-08-22T22:23:00.000-05:00

Quick update from the Brown House -

Love my job! Getting paid to help feed and clothe people everyday is pretty darn cool. :)

Kids are adjusting VERY well to school and new area. They miss their friends back home, but I think they love being back in Nashville very much.

Apartment life is very challenging but also very simplifying. I have definitely learned to use space to the best of my ability and its potential. :/

Chris - working hard as usual - I am blessed.

Melissa - so happy to be back near family and longing to meet some new friends and foster some intentional Christian community. Blessed to be part of Crosspoint North!

Chris and Melissa - started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace and are on week 2. Trying to save $1000 as quickly as possible for our emergency fund.

Oh, yeah and we got finally got a Mac - see pic below! :)

She deserves a second chance? Come on!!!

2011-08-18T19:15:00.001-05:00

Just like many followers of POTSC I felt a little "uncomfortable" about the new campaign poster of Casey Anthony.

It brought out feelings that I did not know how to deal with. I mean, I am the queen of needing forgiveness, grace, and second chances, but HER? Really? She deserved it too? No way.......she killed her child, right?

So, just like many others, I have battled through many different feelings this week. Did I deserve a second chance when I wasted my parents money and failed out of college the first year? Did I deserve a second chance when I made horrid decisions during my college years? Did I deserve a second chance when I failed miserably at my marriage? Of course, I did! Because I was "me" - and "I" always deserve a second chance, right? "We" always deserve second chances, but "those people" who do really bad things, um, not so much.

My brain numbed......I had a hard time figuring this out. I love Jesus. I was saved at age 8. I have done missionary work and helped out in many different ministries. Good grief, in my job right now I love people at their worst and try and help them get back on their feet, but Casey Anthony. Hmmm.......

I searched the Scriptures and that is what I would encourage you to do also. Dig deep within yourself and listen to Jesus' words. NO one is beyond a second chance and that doesn't mean just "me" and "you". That means EVERYONE - all God's Children. So, if the new POTSC campaign offends you or makes you angry inside, then GOOD - that's the point. Search yourself. Search the Scriptures and most of all remember how many second chances you have had. Most of all, the hardest part, is remembering that Christ did not just die for you. He died for us all, even Casey if she receives Him.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9

Ending A Chapter

2011-08-14T21:54:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow we travel back down to Winchester to empty out the last belongings and close on our house. I am excited to get it done and close that chapter of our lives and move onto the next. We were so blessed to meet so many wonderful people in Winchester, but now that we are here we know that we are beginning another new and exciting chapter of our lives. When we moved to Winchester, our marriage was completely in the dumps and we were both mentally and emotionally exhausted from many situations we had gone through. Looking back, I can see how our time in Winchester both gave us some time of healing and also some time of battling through issues as a couple. It also gave us the opportunity to minister to those in need in South Dakota and minister to Youth within our church. It gave me time to learn that I really needed to show Christ's love to Chris no matter how wrong I felt he was or how right I thought I was. I also needed to come to a point of surrendering our marriage and family to God. Lots of Christians think they "surrender", but when it comes down to it, I don't believe many of us truly have. True surrender involves humility and brokenness. Our Christian life is a journey, but I can see now that he had us in a place during these past 6 years to teach us some pretty deep stuff and now we are ready to move on. We are a little stronger and ready to be more and more radically devoted to Christ. We struggle, but we keep moving on.

Our pastor today spoke about being a "fan" of Jesus or being a "follower" of Jesus. Being a fan involves being "religious" and "legalistic" while being a true follower of Jesus involves being transformed daily into a closer image of Christ. My prayer is that I keep journeying on trying to become more like Him. My prayer for you is the same. He has us all at different places for different reasons - just don't quit journeying on.

What more?

2011-08-10T18:48:00.001-05:00

We knew God was up to something months big before we made our move back to Nashville. You know that feeling? That anxious, exciting feeling that He is working, but you just don't know what He is up to? Well, I had that "gut" feeling for about a year before we moved, but just didn't know where He was leading us. And now here I sit. Here in my little apartment north of Nashville. Here where He led us. Here I sit with a job that God literally handed to me (thanks to some pastors from Cross Point being open to God's leading). We know we are where we are supposed to be, yet I still feel that nudge - that "gut" feeling that He is up to more. And quite honestly, I don't have time for that right now Lord. I have a new challenging job and three teenagers who are transitioning into a new school system and have left all their closest friends. I have a husband who travels, meals to cook, bills to pay and a Dad to help get moved up this way. Yet, I still feel Him calling. I hear Him saying "you are almost there, My child, but not quite yet." So, here I am. Listening. Wanting to know what more it is He wants from me. Is it my life story He wants me to share? Is it our marriage story He wants me to share? Is it a ministry He wants me involved in? I just don't know. So here I sit. Here in my little apartment north of Nashville. Listening.....

Settling

2011-08-07T13:22:00.000-05:00

The last week has been a complete and total blur. Seriously. We have had a ton of things to accomplish before school starts and I begin my job tomorrow, and thankfully I "think" we are ready.

God has been good to us. We were blessed a welcoming meal the first night here at our apartment, things went smoothly with the transition into the apartment, and registration for the kids at school went off without a hitch. Of course, there have been challenges with our mail being forwarded and some banking issues, but nothing to complain about in comparison to the blessings we have received this week. We feel at peace. We feel at home. We feel closer as a family and we feel "lighter".

I am sure there will be days of feeling homesick and days full of challenges, but overall we feel sure God called us here and can't wait to meet new people, make new friends and see what all He has in store for our family!

Barreling down the tracks......

2011-07-27T10:31:00.000-05:00

The "move" is really hitting home now - almost in a surreal sort of way. We are four days out from driving our moving van away from the home we have spent the last 6 years in. There have been good and bad times, as there always are, but my focus seems to be honing in on the good the past few days. Thinking of new friends made, porch-sitting time with my husband, times out on the lake with friends, working our butts off on remodeling this 120 year old home, homework with kids at our dining room table. The list goes on and on......I will miss it. But, I do know that the Lord is calling us forward for some reason - why? - I have no idea. I am looking forward to making new memories in Hendersonville and hopefully making some new friends and spending time with old ones from Nashville that I haven't gotten to see in awhile. God is good - He has a plan and no matter how much I wish I knew it - I don't. And that's okay.....

I Don't Know Much

2011-07-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

I don't know what is coming for our family. I don't know how badly we will miss living here. I don't know much at all right now. But here is what I do know.......He is God. And this is my favorite song and I choose to worship Him no matter what.

Hosanna!!!!

My Miss the Most List about Winchester

2011-07-19T08:12:00.002-05:00

#1. B.J. Mathis and the most awesome yutes in the world at WCPC. I have been so privileged and so blessed to have help serve B.J. and the youth for the past 5 years. I will SO miss helping with the 30-Hour Famine each year. Great times and great memories. I love you all very much. Love ya Beej!

The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37: 1-14)

2011-07-18T08:21:00.000-05:00

The past year to me has felt like wandering through a valley of dry bones. Read Ezekiel 37: 1-14. And these past few weeks and days I have felt myself very thirsty and dry.

During my quiet time this morning, I found myself asking "Can these bones live?". The answer is YES - God can always bring us to a place of spiritual renewal and life. The real question I believe is - "Do these bones want to live?". In our journey with Christ, we definitely go through seasons of spiritual struggle - if we aren't we may need to question our growth. But there are also times in our journey with Christ where we may feel the desire to "quit". The past year has definitely been a time of spiritual struggle for me, and there have definitely been times where I wanted to "throw the towel in", but it is time to ask myself - "do these bones want to live?". The answer is, and for my entire life has always been - YES. So, today I pray for a renewal of my spirit, for a fresh wind of new life to blow through. I pray forgiveness and grace and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I pray it this morning for all of you too.

Have you ever found yourself in the valley?

Word of the Day

2011-07-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

anx·i·e·ty

- a noun

1. A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

2. Desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.

2011-07-13T09:05:00.001-05:00

"I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn't popular to talk about it in some circles today. I'm not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love, I'm talking about a strong, demanding love. And I have seen too much hate. I've seen too much hate on the faces of sheriffs in the South. I've seen hate on the faces of too many Klansmen and too many White Citizens Councilors in the South to want to hate myself, because every time I see it, I know that it does something to their faces and their personalities and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we are moving against wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who has love has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

THE MOVE!

2011-07-10T17:40:00.001-05:00

If someone asked me to describe my emotions and also my house at the SAME time with one word, it would have to be DISARRAY. And one thing I don't deal well with is disarray. I can handle clutter. I can handle a little chaos. I can handle even handle massive multi-tasking. But, THIS, THIS I cannot handle. For, you see, not only do we have to box up and move (with the obligatory and much needed yard sale), but I have to break them down into categories and different parts of the house. The categories would be: APARTMENT, STORAGE, YARD SALE. I don't like this. I don't like it a bit. I have never had to do APARTMENT or STORAGE category before and the amount of brain work involved is obviously something I have surpassed due to old age. :)

So, once again, I ask for prayer. Prayer that I won't put something very much needed into the bottom of a box that ends up in storage. Prayer that in the midst of trying to divide said categories Chris and I will not kill each other. Prayer that we make it through this change...........love and hugs ~ Melissa

need to breathe....

2011-07-05T20:48:00.001-05:00

some days, many lately, i have to stop and consciously repeat this verse over and over. It calms me, it helps me breathe and as I say it, I picture my Father holding my hand and leading me down life's uncertain pathways. Uncertain, yet tranquil.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)

Letting Go......

2011-06-15T20:13:00.000-05:00

This Old House

The last few months have been overwhelming, stressful, tiresome and sometimes just plain out exhausting. And guess what? I am so grateful! I am grateful because I have been getting to really experience true life - new circumstances, a new job, teach a 16 year old boy how to drive (or maybe not), learn how to care for an elderly father, and see our finances s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to an all time "stretchiness". :)

You see, I always have prided myself on not being attached to "things", not worrying about having the "big house", "nice car" or "having to have more", but through the last few months God has shown me the areas where I do hold onto the things of the this world and the areas where I need to let go. He has shown me the places in my heart where I do want "more" for my kids. Well, what is this "more" that I want for them? Seriously? More money, more acknowledgment, more friends, more academic success? Not that these things are bad in-and-of-themselves, but are really the true morals I want to pass onto my children. As my girls would say "heck-to the-no!".

I want to pass onto my children the simple things of this very short life we live. Growing a garden, visiting with friends, listening to the people around them who need an "ear", going for walks, cooking together, being silly, learning to appreciate silence and not the constant noise of radio and TV, taking a meal to a friend in need, porch-sitting, etc. But most of all to love their Heavenly Father.

So, all-in-all, even though the past few months have been some of the most trying of my life I have tried to listen to what the Lord is teaching me and I think I am finally starting to get it. It will never matter how big my house is, how large my salary is or what car I drive. Never. What will matter is that I spent time with my kids, my husband and my father in his last years. What will matter is that my kids don't see me preaching one thing to them, but striving for another. I am in a hard place right now (I would put it up there with my Mother and Brother passing away), but it is a joyful place at the same time because I have had to give it ALL over to God and just let go........

This Old House

2011-06-01T20:13:00.001-05:00

The Brown House: (click this link)

Yes, folks it is true. After falling in LOVE with this historical home and then spending almost 6 years of blood, sweat and tears (oh and a ton of money) renovating it, we are putting it on the market.

We covet your prayers as we try and sell......

Much love and a big hug to all ~

Melissa B.

Times they are a changing.....

2011-05-27T18:41:00.002-05:00

Well, our house is on the market as of today. Times are tough. Not just for us, but for many of our friends. SO, we have decided to TRY and sell the house and downsize. I have spent about two weeks purging all the STUFF that we have. Stuff in closets, stuff in drawers, stuff in attics, stuff in sheds, man do we have a lot of stuff! Ridiculous really. I feel so much lighter in spirit knowing that I have gotten rid of things that I did not use and probably never needed to begin with. Time to lighten the load which in turn lightens the spirit. :) I realized I had been holding on to stuff of my mom's and brother's that I needed to let go of. Why is it that holding on to a physical possession of a lost loved one, makes me feel better? I am sure it made me feel closer to them in some way, but I made the plunge and tossed things away. Healing. Peace. Growth. Always a journey. So, as I get ready to hit the couch with my beloved Kindle I send a prayer, thought, whatever it may be called to my Granny, my uncles and aunts, Momma and Jeff that 'I love them' and crave the day I run to them and hug them tight. Peace.

Perspective - A View or Vista

2011-04-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

My week started off badly due to my father's diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease on Tuesday.   I was very shaken while watching my father undergo the testing and realizing that he was testing positive for Parkinson's on all the tests.   It was hard to even finish out work that day, but I kept trying to focus on the fact that we now have a true diagnosis and that he was able to be put on medicine to help stop the symptoms. On top of that we have been trying to get an old truck we have up and running for Jacob to drive now that he has his license. Money is very tight and there seems to be many things that need to be fixed - one after the other.

And now it is Friday and our beautiful South has been ravaged and devastated by massives storms with a death count this morning of 297 which is expected to rise. We have all seen the incredible video footage and pictures and I have talked to a few people in areas that were hit.   The destruction is unreal.   And, SO, once again I have been given perspective.

Funny, I have been begging and pleading with God the past month or so to speak to me. To settle my soul regarding certain family concerns, church concerns, and financial concerns and as I awoke this morning I realized that this was my answer - perspective. Yes, my dad's condition is not great, but he has lived a long life.   Yes, my children may not always act the way I think they should, but they are healthy and strong and overall, good kids with incredibly good hearts.   Yes, our finances may not be in great shape, but we have a home, food, and power!   Perspective. I suppose sometimes all I really need is just a good dose of it!

Come to Me with Empty Hands

2011-04-27T16:38:00.000-05:00

Come to me with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive abundant blessings. I know the depth and breadth of your neediness. Your life-path has been difficult, draining you of strength. Come to Me for nurture. Let Me fill you up with my Presence: I in you and you in Me. My Power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need fr Me. Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith; they are links to My Presence.

Excerpt from 'Jesus Calling'.

Good Friday, 30-Hour Famine and Easter!

2011-04-21T14:20:00.001-05:00

Well, this will be my 5th year helping lead our Youth through World Vision's 30-Hour Famine and I am so excited! We will begin fasting at noon on Good Friday and continue our fast through 6 p.m. on Saturday evening.   Please pray for our youth and leaders that we would feel the Spirit's presence with us as we go without food for 30 hours and also that we would raise a sizeable donation for World Vision.

It is going to be an amazing weekend! Spending time with our youth, Good Friday service Friday night, service projects on Saturday and ultimately communion together and breaking our fast on Saturday evening.

All of this blessing leading up to the greastest day of the year - EASTER!   We will be traveling as a family to Nashville on Sunday to spend Easter with my sister, so I will have to miss the Youth that are going to be making professions of faith this Sunday and also being baptized Sunday afternoon.   Know that I will be there with you in spirit and in prayer. Believe it or not, I was going to get dunked Sunday also, but spending Easter as a family is tradition. God is faithful and I know He will open up another opportunity for me to make the journey of "immersion" in the future.

Blessings to all this Easter weekend and remember that Jesus paid it all and set us free!   Love ~ Melissa

Seasons

2011-03-17T09:17:00.001-05:00

Not sure if anyone follows my blog anymore or not, but for anyone out there who might be reading:

My dad is coming home from Nashville back to his house in Winchester.   :)   This means that he has made it through the hardest part of his recovery and is on the mend! Praise God for restoring his health and bringing us all through this trial.

Life is full of so many trials.   This should not be a surprise to us - the Bible told us it would be this way.   Our job is to figure out how to navigate through our trials, do what we can to make our way through them and leave the rest to God. Life is hard. Our family seems to have been through MANY trials the past few years and I often wonder how much more we can bear, but then I stop and think of those people who are suffering major trials in life - the death of a child, the terminal illness of a loved one, a family member away at war.......and I am forced to stop and be grateful - to count my blessings.

I am in a very hard place right now. A place of decisions.   A place of trying to decide what is best for my children.  A place of feeling like I am alone with no support. It is a hard place to be. But, we all come to a point in life that we have to do what we know is right for us. A place where we quit trying to live for others expectations of us.

I have made so many mistakes in my life and REALLY "should have listened to my mother".   Funny how we learn that way too late in life, isn 't it?   There is so much irony in the fact that we don't listen to our mother's advice until we ourselves become mothers.   But, I am learning to forgive myself and to let go of my guilt and my burdens and to realize that God's grace abounds.   His grace is never ending. His love for me is even bigger than that! Thank goodness, because I need to know that. I embrace it and cling to it right now and it is what helps me through every day.

My sister and I are moving into a new season of life right now with taking care of an aging parent and I am moving into a new season of my life with raising teenagers and the increasing possibility that we will be downsizing our home fairly soon if possible.   Life changes, and with that change many times comes difficulty and I praise God that I have faith. I simply do not know how people get by without it.

My blog today was more therapy than anything and for anyone who happens to read I hope you glean something from my babbling.   Love to all ~

“Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made. And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.”

Love

2011-03-08T09:02:00.000-06:00

I am endlessly amazed by the people who only show love to others based on the conditions they place upon them. This concept confuses me and I have never understood it. I so many times have seen it cause hurt to others and also the name of "Christianity".

I pray today that we would all show the love of Christ and not our own self-centered love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

“But groundless hope, like unconditional love, is the only kind worth having.”

The Coma and a Vessel of Mercy

2011-02-09T19:46:00.000-06:00

The past 6 weeks have held MANY challenges for my father, my family and myself. In order to spare you all the details, let's just start with "my dad had a bad fall" and go from there. After the fall he had to undergo surgery on his brain in order to release a build up of fluid and blood. This is a fairly common surgery performed by neurologists and we knew he would spend a few days in the hospital, but NEVER did we expect what actually happened. We took my Dad to the hospital, spent some time in the pre-op dressing room joking around with him and praying over him and told him "bye" as he headed off for surgery. We met him in a room after recovery and talked to him a bit and decided to leave the hospital for him to get some rest. This is when our world as we knew it turned upside down.

My dad suffered post-operative seizures that left him in a coma for 10 days. He developed pneumonia during that time and had to be placed on a ventilator in order to get adequate oxygen to his lungs for healing. The outlook was bleak in our eyes, although the neurologist kept telling us to pray and that he was optimistic. So pray we did and I mean we PRAYED!!

On day 9 of my dad being unconscious, they began to talk to us about the possibility of a feeding tube and performing a tracheotomy. My sister and I discussed the issues and decided that a feeding tube was not an option and I prepared myself for the worst, for you see I had already been down this road with my brother and it was long, hard, dark and ended in having to tell my brother goodbye.

Day 10: I walked into ICU to talk with the nurses and physicians and see my Dad. Imagine my surprise when I got into the ICU unit and my Dad's nurse said "your dad is waking up. His eyes are open." And, she wasn't kidding. My dad was waking up and not only waking up, but trying to talk and pull his ventilator tube out. PRAISE GOD doesn't even capture the joy I felt - as a matter of fact, I don't think I would be able to put into words the way my heart and soul felt at that moment and the moments following when I was there to watch my Dad come back around.

But, this isn't even the most amazing part. The most amazing part was my Dad's telling Chris and I (and the next day telling my sister and her family) that he had been in heaven. He had seen my Mother and he had seen Jeff. He had been there with them........and that my friends is where my story of healing begins. I hope to be able to put into words the way God used that experience to heal a huge hole in my heart. I pray I will be able to verbalize it in a way I can share with those around me. I want to testify to God's grace and mercy in my life and also in the life of my family through this entire experience. So, for now, let's just say this story is to be continued............

I Never Win Anything!

2011-02-09T08:33:00.000-06:00

Wanted to share a great post by my friend Julie this morning. Once, again I PLAN on getting back to blogging soon. I have a LOT to share, trust me. God has been showing me so much - He is good that way! :) But, for now, please read Julie's post from today. So challenging and true.........

His Love Extended Ministries

It is Definitely Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2010-12-06T20:21:00.002-06:00

I FINALLY have my decorations and tree up for Christmas. Not we just have to trim the tree and we will be done!

I have been very spending a lot of time this year thinking about how much time, energy and money we can put into Christmas decorating, shopping, etc., and how biblical all of it really is. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas and I certainly love celebrating the birth of my Saviour, but I have really been contemplating on how our family spends our Christmas this year. We have always tried to give a lot of our time and resources at Christmas to those less fortunate, but this year it just still doesn't seem to be enough to me. If we are buying more for ourselves and our kids than we are giving away to others - especially giving the news of our Savior's birth, then are we really doing what Jesus would have us do? Just something to think on this year. It is so easy to fall into the commercialism of Christmas, but this year I think we will just slow down, enjoy time with friends and family and not worry so much what the decorations look like or how much we spend. I think we will try and get back to the basics. How 'bout you?

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

Great Expectations!

2010-11-24T19:28:00.000-06:00

Within 24 hours of committing to start blogging again, I had two job interviews, a job offer and a very bad cold! (Oh and let's not forget Chris' 40th birthday and Thanksgiving!) Needless to say, this is my first post in a week. Such is life......

But I did did want to jump on here quickly and post a few things I am so incredibly grateful for this year:

A husband who loves me and three healthy, good kids! :)
A new job that I love!
A sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephew who are preparing the Thanksgiving feast!
My dad living here in Winchester with us.
New friends and old ones too.
A roof over my head, shoes on my feet and food to eat.

And this year I am especially am thankful for "contentment".

Praying all of you feel peace and contentment in your hearts as you gather around your Thanksgiving tables tomorrow. Praying that you take every moment of it in - relish the smiles, the smells of yummy food and the laughter shared with those you love. Praying that you feel much gratitude in your hearts! Love and a big fat hug, Melissa

Letting Go of the Wheel.

2010-11-13T01:30:00.000-06:00

not sure if you have ever had the experience of teaching a child to drive, but i have. it is one of the most challenging things I have been through in my life, honestly. In a nutshell, it is called "letting go of the wheel".

jacob drove himself to school this morning (as usual). i was sitting in the passenger seat trying not to overreact at his every move, and it hit me that this was such a perfect example of my relationship with Christ.

we say that we are going to give God control, but the honestly, do we? no. most of the time we sit in the passenger seat saying "slow down" or "speed up" or "don't get too close to that car". of course, we do this in order to protect ourselves or others. but, ultimately not we aren't trusting the Driver.

there is a crazy point you reach in your journey with Christ where you have to let go of the wheel. it is hard. it might put you in danger and you might crash. but, the point is, do you trust the Driver?

Repost from June 2010

2010-11-11T19:13:00.002-06:00

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010

The Brevity

Some of you know my story, some of you don't. But it occurred to me this morning that it is really good for us to look back sometimes at where we have been so that we can reevaluate where we are headed. I also believe it is good cleansing for the soul to share where we have been and the things we have dealt with in life. So, with that said, let me give you some background. I was raised in Chattanooga, TN by my stay-at-home Mom and Army serving Dad. My parents sacrificed a lot so that I would be able to attend Christian schools and I am so fortunate for that. My brother and sister were 12 and 10 years older than me and I was the "baby" of the family. From the time that I can remember, I always felt SO much love in my heart for others. I remember thinking that I wasn't normal because I loved people with such a fierce passion. I was also very insecure, due to many different reasons and this eventually led to my "falling in with the bad crowd" during high school. I was a people pleaser and I loved to make people laugh - I wanted them to like me.

When I was 20 years old my Mother suffered a massive heart attack and died. My world was blown apart. I was devastated. We weren't on the best terms when she passed away and this obviously was a crucial point in my life that defined me.......shaped me. I was angry with God and I walked away from Him completely.

Fast forward 5 years and my first child was born. I don't know why, but it has been my observation through the years that the birth of a child brings many "prodigals" back home to Christ. And that is exactly what happened with me. I wanted Christ again, I wanted Him for my children.

Three years ago, my brother (an alcoholic) suffered a fall that left him quadriplegic. He lived in Chattanooga and at this point we were living here in Winchester and thus started an almost year-long process of driving back and forth to try and make sure he was receiving adequate care, etc. It was excruciating. I loved my brother dearly. He had such a sweet heart, but let his addiction rule his words quite often, but God gave me the eyes to always see his heart and not his actions. In 2008 we received a call that my brother had choked while in the nursing home he had just been moved to. He had to be airlifted from that facility to downtown Chattanooga and as a result was without oxygen for over 20 minutes. We rushed to Chattanooga and our family had to make the decision to take him off of life support. As his caregiver, I had to sign the papers to do so. Once again, life changing......life shaping. I held his hand as he died and as he slipped away I wondered once again - "why God?". So, I decided to seek Christ like I had never sought Him before. If God really did love me like his own child then I wanted to know him more about Him, figure out what I believed and get some healing.

And this is why I share this very brief version of my 40 years here on earth - God is good! He IS faithful. He can heal you heart. He can make you whole. He has done it for me - I am living proof. I am a testimony of His love. Is my life perfect? - well, heck no! Do I still struggle with sin and disbelief? - well, yeah! But I have a peace. A peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. And learning about and getting to know my God has brought me to places I thought I would never be. Like taking seminary classes and doing mission trips. I guarantee you no one thought that was where this girl has headed!

So my question for you is this? Have you given God a try? Have you read His Word and tried him out? If so, why not? What would it hurt? For you see, this life is brief. The brevity of it is overwhelming, trust me I have lived it.

So it fell by the wayside.....

2010-11-11T18:54:00.000-06:00

My blogging has absolutely fallen to the wayside this year. Just one of those seasons where blogging had to take backseat to my family, service in the Church and my jobs. But, I am determined to start gearing up for another year of blog-madness. I would really love to be able to start writing devotionals again and help come along women and encourage them in their walk with Christ. One thing I have learned this year ( that I knew in my head but had not completely settled into my heart ) is that God really honestly never does waste a hurt! Those of you who have faithfully followed my blog have seen me write about taking care of and eventually losing my brother, watched me battle with bouts of depression at times, stood along beside me as I felt God's call for me to ministry and then ultimately, this year, try to discern where in the world He wants to use me. Well, guess what? I am pretty sure he wants to use me right where I am at. :) It isn't difficult. I think what is difficult for me is that I love serving in so many different capacities and I have to decide on one and stick with it. So, please join with me in prayer as I get "settled in my skin" about God using me where He has planted me for right now. I ask you to bear with me as I start getting back into the practice of daily (or maybe bi-daily) blogging and would love for you send me ideas or feedback. Love to you all and I can't wait to see where 2011 takes us all!

John 3: 16-17 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

2010-09-30T11:08:00.000-05:00

Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?" Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." Matthew 9: 9-13

Respost from September 2007 - Sacred Marriage

2010-09-23T11:41:00.001-05:00

I am reading a wonderful book titled "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. I highly recommend it. It is very well written and a fairly easy read. I wanted to share an excerpt with you this morning.

"One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have read "Here's to helping you discover what you are really like." quote by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.

"What is humility? Fenelon tells us "It is a certain honesty and childlike willingness to acknowledge our faults, to recover from them and to submit to the advice of experienced people; these will be solid useful virtues, adapted to your sanctification." We must not enter marriage predominantly to be fulfilled, emotionally satisfied or romantically charged , but rather to become more like Jesus Christ. We must embrace the reality of having our flaws exposed to our partner, and thereby having them exposed to us as well. Sin never seems quite as shocking when it is known only to us; when we see how it looks or sounds to another it is magnified ten times over. The single or celibate can "hide" frustration by removing himself or herself from the situation, but the married man or women has no true refuge. It is hard to hide when you share the same bed.."

Isn't that the truth? We all are sinful creatures, but tend in marriage to point the finger or get into a pattern of blaming our partner. We should first examine ourselves and see where our own sin lies. Whether it be a critical spirit, an angry heart, addiction, etc., we need to first focus on our own sin and repentance because our job is to become more like Christ. We are not in control of our partners' behavior. We are ultimately only responsible for ourselves when we stand before Christ on judgment day. Trust me, I lived the life of blaming another for many years. Guess what, it didn't change anything. Maybe the problem lies within ourselves.......

Just a little humor.

2010-09-22T10:50:00.000-05:00

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business….

Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities , but feared her enough to maintain their silence…

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's
only bar one afternoon...

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there
WOULD KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING!

Frank , a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away…

He didn't explain, defend, or deny…

He said nothing….

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ...

walked home

.....and left it there all night !!!

Empty Promises

2010-09-20T14:40:00.000-05:00

Great new sermon series from Pete Wilson at Crosspoint on "Empty Promises". This series is about idolatry and how to identify the idols we have in our own lives. Guess what? We all have them..........

Click here for sermon:
Empty Promises

Quick Update from the ever-crazy Brown House

2010-09-16T10:41:00.001-05:00

I hardly know if I am coming or going and sanity is something I have long ago given up hope on. Emma is cheering this year, Abby and Emma both are playing soccer (practice everyday and sometimes 2 games a week) and all three of the kids are very involved with church - not to mention school. I know that one day I will look back and miss these days, but right now I am just praying to make it through them. We have all remained healthy so far this school year and I am praising God for that! As a matter of fact, I am trying to make it a daily practice to look around and give thanks for all the good things in my life. Why not? - it sure is a lot better than dwelling on the negatives! I am still trying to work on my own school - which seems to fall to the bottom of the list most days, but still wanting to work towards completing my Religious Studies degree at Berea. Chris is traveling a lot these days and I am co-leading a Wednesday night study at my church and will be hosting a girls only study this Fall for the girls in Youth at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian. That is my love. If I could study God's Word and/or lead studies every day I think I would die a very happy woman. It has taken me a long time to realize my calling, but finally I know that I just love to help others in their journey to study the Scriptures.

Praying that this post finds all in good health and in constant pursuit of their journey with Christ. Love to you all - Melissa

2010-09-15T08:11:00.002-05:00

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

A Fig Tree Can't Bear Olives

2010-09-09T20:02:00.005-05:00

The Fig Tree

We have been going through a situation in our now "previous" church that has caused some great division and dissension amongst the family of believers. Needless to say, this has mad me very sad. It seems like this "thing" has grown legs and sprouted tentacles and is entangling people. Rumors are being spread and there has been division caused between people who love each other and have such good, sweet hearts. It is so sad to see the body of Christ act the way I have witnessed it acting the past few weeks. But, God is good and I know he is working all things together for the good of His people and for His glory. Yet, it is still a hard thing to witness.

A sweet friend of mine reminded me this morning of the following verse and I thought I would share it with you. It comes from the book of James, chapter 3, verses 8-18:

New International Version

8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11Can both fresh water and salt^a water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

My prayer for all of those still drudging through this situation is for them be peace-loving, full of mercy, bearers of good fruit, impartial and sincere. You see, when we align ourselves with Scripture and what God's Word says, there can be no room for division - He will show you the truth and the light and, in turn, you will know where you are supposed to be, whether that be at your current church or another. He is truth and light. He will reveal Himself to you and show you Truth. No darkness can dwell within us or around us if we are in His will. Oh if only people would we humble their hearts then God would turn His gaze upon them and bless them. Lord, help us to be humble..........

Peace ~ Melissa

What Have You Learned?

2010-08-22T23:27:00.007-05:00

Is it just me or were our parents right? I sure do remember mine telling me to enjoy my childhood - that it wouldn't last long. Boy, they were right about that! I also remember them telling me they knew more about life because they had lived it, and I remember thinking I didn't want to know that they did. You know why? - because I "knew" more. I was smart, I was educated and I was going to change things! I was going to be different! I was going to be a better parent, a better spouse and a better person for my community. I was going to help change things, but first and foremost I was going to have a much more exciting life! I was going to go places, do things, and never, EVER think like my parents did.

And now I am 40. I am married. I have three kids. I haven't "changed" things much that I know of, except a lot of diapers and my hair color. And, to beat the band, I find myself thinking and saying the same ridiculous things my parents did, except they don't sound so ridiculous anymore. They sort of ring true. And the ringing in my ears of the "truth" of their words, has a certain bite. No matter how true, there is still the bite!

But, the bite for me, honestly and much to my dismay, is not that they were right. Oh no! the bite for me is that I know they were right. You see, I miss the slow pace and smallness and security of the world I grew up in! I miss the fact that without a doubt I could meet up with my best friend on our bicycles every day after school. I miss going out to the garden with my mom during the summer to pick the ripest tomato for lunch (yes, that was our lunch, along with some slices of white bread and mayonnaise.) I miss the fact that I knew we were going to sit down as a family every night and eat dinner, and I even miss the fact that I had to clean EVERY Saturday morning without fail. My most favorite is the fact that no matter what, we were going to go to church every Sunday morning as a family. Those were some of my best memories.

Our world is so vastly different today. I have given up any chances of a career for 15 years in order to be at home with my kids and STILL can't seem to find the time to make sure we have dinner together EVERY evening. As hard as I try, I still can't seem to keep up with the pace of our lives. As educated and willful as I have always been against such a fast-paced culture, I still can't help but be sucked in! And honestly, I can't even at this point put into words what I feel inside.

All I know is this - Lord, help us. Help us to slow down. Help us to live simply. Help us to go visit with someone on a Sunday afternoon without thinking about where we need to be next. Help us to sit on our porch and talk with our kids and tell them how things "used to be"..............

Are You Joking Me?

2010-08-18T14:00:00.002-05:00

Last week a friend of mine was telling me about a lady at our church who makes prayer shawls. She told me what a ministry it was for this lady and how much comfort and love people feel when they receive one. They are not "magic" nor do they make you "closer to God", but they are a symbol of positioning ourselves in prayer and reminding ourselves that we are covered by God.

Long story short, I wanted one. I thought "that is so cool!". I wanted to ask the lady at our church for one, but didn't want to impose upon her, so the thought left my mind........until today! No joke, look what was on my porch when I got home. I told NO ONE about wanting one of these, but guess what??? God heard me! He loves me so much he sent me a prayer shawl from the wife of a co-worker of Chris who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. I laughed out loud as I opened the box!!!

Unshaken

2010-08-17T19:41:00.001-05:00

Over the past week I have had many people ask me how I have remained so positive during the health issues I have been facing. I sat down tonight and tried to put some thought into that. Why have I not been fearful? Why am I not spending time worrying about the outcome? Let me tell you why. I BELIEVE God. Very simple. I believe His Word and I believe in Him.

Let me tell you, getting to this place in my life has been a long hard road - and it came at some very big expenses and tolls on my marriage and family, but I wouldn't trade it for the world, because this is what I know - God is faithful. No matter the outcome, He has a plan for you and for me!   So tonight I leave with you two passages of Scripture that are dear to me and I also pray that if you are feeling discouraged or down-trodden, that you turn you eyes upon Jesus. Call upon Him. He will answer - I promise.

II Corinthians 4:8
We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed.

Psalm 62: 1-8
¹ My soul finds rest in God alone;
       my salvation comes from him.

² He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

³ How long will you assault a man?
       Would all of you throw him down—
       this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

⁴ They fully intend to topple him
       from his lofty place;
       they take delight in lies.
       With their mouths they bless,
       but in their hearts they curse.
       Selah

⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
       my hope comes from him.

⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God ^[a] ;
       he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;
       pour out your hearts to him,
       for God is our refuge.
       Selah

The Day God Whacked Me Over the Head! :)

2010-08-10T07:57:00.001-05:00

So, in my usual hurried state, I left work last Friday at 1 p.m. got into my car to head to get some lunch for the kids and then rush home to start work at my second job by 2 p.m. I got into the car, started it, drove to the edge of the parking lot to pull out onto the main road here in Winchester and BAM - cold sweat drenched my body, I felt like I was going to throw up, and the my left arm went completely tingly and partially numb. WOW - let me tell you it was a scary feeling. I immediately called Chris and stayed on the phone with him until I could drive myself to our home. I went inside, told Abby something was not right and asked her to call her Dad back while I changed into more comfortable clothes and tried to lie down. Chris in turn called my Dad and he came over and immediately took me to the hospital. While at the E.R. I felt worse and thought I was going to pass out and also noticed that my left leg then went tingly and numb and that I was having trouble talking. The left side of my face was drooping. It was at that point I looked at my Dad and said "Daddy I am scared I might be having a stroke" and he replied with "yes, I think so too, but I didn't want to say anything." I was monitored and given Ativan (in case it was an anxiety attack), taken for a CT scan and had an EKG - all results were normal, but still things were not right. I was admitted to the hospital for monitoring overnight and then released the next day on a regimen of aspirin until I can get into a local cardiologist. It was decided that I had suffered a TIA - even though they are fairly rare at my age and I don't have many of the factors that would predispose me to such an event. A TIA is sort of a "warning stroke" - many people call them "mini-strokes". They manifest all symptoms of a stroke, but do not cause any actual tissue damage in the brain - which is a very good thing. Bad thing is that most people who suffer one, have a very high risk of suffering an actual stroke within the next year - sometimes within the next week.

Now on a positive note - God has been so faithful to show me many things this past weekend as I have had the time to quietly listen and seek His voice. I knew I needed to slow down. Actually I had already withdrawn from most of my volunteer work at church and was looking at ways to minimize my work a little in order to lessen my stress. With a husband who travels and 3 kids, it is very hard to hold down 2 jobs and manage the children's coming and goings to school and sport activities. For those of you who know me well, you have probably heard me say over the past 6 months that I have been trying to discern God's will for me right now and where he wants me in ministry. You have also heard me say many times "I wish he would write in on a big white board in the sky for me so I didn't have to try and figure it out on my own"! HA! It occurred to me as I was sitting with a dear friend on my porch yesterday morning, that he did just what I asked Him to do - only He wrote it on the white board and then whacked me over the head with it! I love it! It made me laugh out loud. You see, I am a fairly strong willed person and although I had been trying to lower my activity level and slow down in order to figure out where God needs me to serve him, I was only slowing down "just enough" to suit myself and still be able to do the things I wanted to do. Well, my friends, it seems God has something entirely different in order for my life. So, as I sit here this morning with time to blog, I ask for your prayers for my physical recovery but most importantly that I will now sit quietly and listen to what God has for me to do and obey His call WHEREVER it may be He is leading me. He is so faithful and good to us and He knew exactly what it would take for Melissa to stop and listen. So, I sit quietly before Him this morning and listen and wait upon Him to speak........

That feeling....

2010-08-05T12:30:00.001-05:00

Is it only me or does this time of year evoke a feeling of new beginnings? As the kids start their preparations of going back to school and we get all our supplies in order, I always feel the need to clean, organize and get a calendar together detailing all our different schedules. It makes me feel like somehow in control of what the school year brings.

Control......what a word. Let's think about control -

God is ultimately in control..........
We can't control other people - nor should we have the desire to.......
We can't control many circumstances, i.e. sickness, death, etc.......

But there is one thing that we are called to control and that is ourselves. We are to have control over our own bodies and minds. We are to control our anger, our eating, our drinking, and especially our tongues. So, as we start this school year off tomorrow, I am making it my goal to to focus on controlling my situations or those around me - my husbands, my kids, etc., but to concentrate on what Christ tells me to concentrate on: SELF-CONTROL. Many people are in places of bitterness, resentment, anger or depression because they try to control things that are out of their control. Wives want to change their husbands. Moms want to change their kids. Husbands want to change their wives. Then, when this doesn't work, people are left wondering why. The reason is because we are called only to control ourselves. Today I encourage us all to take a look at our own lives and see what we might to be rein back into control. Whatever it is, there is one things that remains true - through Christ we can bring our lives back into order and back under control. His grace is never ending! Thank you God!

"Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."

It's That Time of Year

2010-07-30T16:03:00.001-05:00

Well my friends, school is getting ready to start back up and I think we are just about prepared here at the Brown House, except for the fact that I have been "itching" to get more organized! This is usually where I call in my sister, but this year I think I am going to try and do this thing myself. I am looking for ideas on how to get my laundry done more efficiently and sorted and distributed to all three kids in a more organized manner. After it gets to their room, it's their problem! :) I am also looking for weekly menu ideas and lunch ideas for the kids to take to school. If you have any ideas, please share them with me!

On a deeper level, we are in the midst of making some decisions regarding our church and whether or not the Lord may be calling us to another place of worship. Please be in prayer for our family as this is a very big decision for us and not one that we take lightly. As we step out in faith regarding the calling God has on our family and how we are to be serving him, I would ask that you be in prayer for us - that we will hear God's voice clearly on this subject. This I know, my God is faithful and has a wonderful plan for our lives and that is what I am standing on today. Love - Melissa

Fall Bible Study Announcement

2010-07-28T12:40:00.000-05:00

Ladies,

It was decided at last night's meeting that we would continue meeting this Fall on Tuesday nights at my house at 7 p.m. Below is a link to the book I was talking about - 'Life's Healing Choices'. This is a book and study guide combination which I can purchase through Amazon for about $23.00 per person. It is an 8 week study and an 8 week commitment on working towards healing in any area of your life in which you struggle. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend and also a great opportunity to not only get healing, but also train ourselves how to help others in difficult situations.

http://books.google.com/books?id=JpvFmietwI0C&dq=life's+healing+choices+by+john+baker&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=6TZQTJChBJHY8gaizsjVAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFIQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

If you are interested in joining our group this Fall, please email me or call me at 931.307.0760 and let me know for sure that you will be attending so that I can make sure and purchase enough books. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 31st!

Feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in joining our group this Fall. I will say this, this small group of ladies has truly been a blessing in my life and I pray that you would consider joining us as we press forward in growing to be more like Christ.

How Are We Supposed to Speak??

2010-07-28T12:37:00.000-05:00

What does God say to us about how we speak, yes that means in our homes, to our family, to everyone else around us? Well, here is a little blerb I found. And guess what, God means what He says in the Bible. Sometimes I think one of the biggest sins we deal with his how we speak. Does your life speak words of life or death?

Speak to edify. In the same Bible verse 8 of Philippians 4, Paul says that we should speak words of virtue. Virtuous words are words of excellence and value, words that produce good fruits, that build up the speaker, listener and everyone else.

Speak words of praise ---- words that praise the great works of God. Talk about His great creation in all of his wonderful glory. Talk about God's Work on earth today ---- the Work that's spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God. Speak words of praise about the good in other people. Encourage others to do their best. Comfort other people when they are discouraged.

In short, use your tongue to bring life ---- not death!

2010-07-23T10:40:00.001-05:00

Finally, I have the chance for a quick post!   We have been sick, been doing the summer stuff and just living the crazy life and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

I have been mulling over some things as of late, the primary thing being that we MUST start living the Christian life out through LOVE.   It is the number one commandment - to love the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself.   I find that so many people call themselves Christians and do the "church" thing but aren't truly living out love in their day to day lives.   I am completely guilty of this, so I am not trying to cast condemnation, but come on people, do we really believe what we say we do?   Do we love those who don't look like us, don't have the money we have, might be down and out, might smell bad or offend us?   If not, then we might need to reevaluate whether or not we love Jesus Christ.   This is something I am challenged by daily. I pray that we will ask the Lord daily to change our hearts, to renew our minds and transform us into His image.

Here is a great video by Beth Moore from this week.   Hope you enjoy!   Love to all!

The Guarded Heart - Beth Moore

Sorry for the delay

2010-06-25T18:26:00.001-05:00

It has taken me quite awhile to recover from our trip to Pine Ridge! Exhausted isn't even the word! So, here are some pics and I hope you enjoy. We had a wonderful time serving others as a family and I pray that we get to return next year, as it was very hard to leave the kids (as usual) this year! Love, Melissa

Trip 2 to Pine Ridge (2010)

We have arrived!

2010-06-12T20:33:00.001-05:00

We are resting up in Hot Springs, SD tonight before heading onto the Reservation tomorrow morning! Had another good 8 hour day of travel and I must just say - I am SO glad to be out of the car! Hey, how about the pic of the truck from Estill Springs, TN? We passed that truck in mid-Nebraska. I am fine sitting in the hotel room the rest of the night getting my VBS stuff ready. Chris, of course, wants to drive the 25 miles over to Wyoming to turn around and drive back to the hotel so he can say he has been to the state of Wyoming! HA! :) Here are some pics from the last 24 hours - God has blessed us with great travel!

Well, Lincoln we have arrived!

2010-06-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

We rolled into Lincoln, Nebraska tonight and it is such a pretty city. And OF COURSE we had to eat at King Kong's and I had the best gyro of my life - no joke! Love it! Tomorrow we have about 8.5 more hours of driving tomorrow before we get to South Dakota. We are so excited to hit the Rez and can't wait to share many photos and stories with you when we return. Thank you all again for supporting us with your contributions and prayers. Love, The Browns

SOUTH DAKOTA BOUND

2010-06-08T23:28:00.003-05:00

Well, guys we load up Thursday afternoon, pick Jacob up from Synodic camp at 7 p.m. and head to St. Louis. After sleeping in (hopefully), we will drive to Lincoln, Nebraska for one night then head on out to the Rez. Please keep us in your prayers as we go love on the Lakota Sioux children and bring them some hope, love, joy and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so excited and can't wait to share our experiences with you. I plan to blog along the way, Lord willing. Remember two things - I love you, but most importantly, God loves you.

Melissa B.

The Brevity

2010-06-04T11:26:00.002-05:00

2010-06-02T10:05:00.002-05:00

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

Pruning

2010-05-31T19:20:00.000-05:00

I was outside today trimming a HUGE out-of-control ornamental grass that grows in our front yard. Those who drive past our house know exactly what I am talking about. ;)

I forgot to cut it back last year like I do every fall and what the plant had become this Spring is really unexplainable.   It was just huge stalks of dead leaves and barely any new growth was able to make it through. I had to cut back the big huge tall dead stalks and then get down to the middle of the plant and rake out all the dead and rotted (from all of the rain) dead grass that had become stuck and tangled up in the plant.

WOW - is this not exactly how God works on us if we allow him?    We often forget to run to our Savior for confession and repentance and eventually get covered up in our sin to the point that we are just one big stuck and tangled mess with nothing "living" growing from our lives. So, my experience is that we eventually get bogged down by all the dead growth in our life, which produces nothing and give us no joy, and realize that we must do some personal pruning in order to truly live again - to produce the fruits that God would have us produce.   God is so faithful to prune us if we honestly go to Him with a realization of our sin, see the sin for what it is and bring it to His feet, lay it down and ask him "Lord, prune me."    Not that this has every been an enjoyable experience in my life - no, in fact, it is painful, but on the other side of it, God brings us joy, peace and is then able to work through us to give us new green growth!

Love to you all and I would ask for your prayers for our upcoming trip to South Dakota in 10 days.

Melissa

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

2010-05-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

Can you believe the year is almost halfway over??? Time seems to fly by these days.

Want to wish all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. We are headed to Nashville for a couple of days to celebrate Hudson's 2nd birthday and to do a little swimming. Bring on the sun!

Turn up the Music

2010-05-21T08:50:00.000-05:00

The Greatest Commandment

2010-05-20T20:22:00.001-05:00

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" ²⁹ "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.³⁰Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' ³¹ The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12: 28-31

Well, folks, it doesn't get much clearer than that. The greatest commandment of ALL is to love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul. After that, we are to love our neighbors (friends, family, all......). Bottom line - there it is. The greatest commandment from God to his followers.

Here is my question to you - if you have given your life over to Christ and professed belief in him, are you following this commandment? Are you loving the Lord with everything you have? ALL of your heart, mind and soul? My friends, we are commanded to - it is not a suggestion. And guess what? God commands this to us for our own good. For you see, after giving him ALL of ourselves, we are in a position of humility, love and obedience for him to bless us and show His favor to us. I encourage you this day, week, weekend, whenever, to go the Lord and confess any areas where you are not loving Him with everything you have. I know that I need to continually ask the Lord where I can be loving Him more. Then, let's commit to making some steps to spending more time in His Word and in prayer. He will take care of the rest. All we have to do is be willing and He will empower you. Then we can begin living the abundant life He came to give!

It All Comes Down to Love

2010-05-19T09:50:00.001-05:00

I am sure that most of us are probably very familiar with this passage of Scripture, but today I wanted to introduce it out of "The Message". Hopefully, it will stand out to you in a fresh way and define more clearly the love God calls us to.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
   Love doesn't strut,
   Doesn't have a swelled head,
   Doesn't force itself on others,
   Isn't always "me first,"
   Doesn't fly off the handle,
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn't revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end. (from I Corinthians 13)

I know that personally there are a few of these statements about love that I am not living out daily nor truthfully living out in my heart. Do I really try to "put up with anything"? Am I pushing forward and "not looking back". It seems, I struggle the hardest with these things in my marriage and family life. The people whom I really do love the most don't seem to get these attributes of love shown to them outwardly every day.

Let's read these words, pray for the Lord to humble us, cleanse our hearts and help us put into action the love the Lord wants us to show to "everyone", yes even when those who are on our very last nerve! :) "Lord, I pray that I look deep into the Scriptures for your instruction on how to love people today and Lore, please help me put it into practice. Amen."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!

2010-05-14T12:29:00.001-05:00

12 years ago today Miss Emma Elizabeth Brown came into this world. Happy Birthday to my baby girl! I am so proud of her and can't wait to see the young lady she becomes. She is quiet and thoughtful by nature, but very smart and so beautiful. I am so thankful for her and hope today is the best 12th birthday EVER! And guess what, she even cleaned her room for 4 hours last night to prepare for her slumber party! For anyone that knows Emma, that is HUGE! Way to go girl!

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Mission 2010

2010-05-13T16:10:00.000-05:00

Our family will be serving this year on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We travel with a group out of people from Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. This will be our second year serving and just as we did in 2008 we are raising money for our travel expenses to the Rez and this year also car rental, as Chris' new company vehicle will not accomodate our needs. I have been asked to direct the VBS this year and will be having to carry supplies with me also. If we have any money left over from what we raise (hopefully), we will be leaving that with Pastor John Lovelace to use as winter propane money for the people on the Rez. They suffer very cold winters there. We will be heading out on June 10th for the 20+ hour drive and then returning on the 18th. We ask for your prayers for safe travel, guidance in my VBS role, and that God use our family to plant a seed of faith while we are there.

If you feel led to help us with travel expenses and the cost of the mission trip, please mail any contributions to:

Winchester Cumberland Presybterian Church
200 2nd Avenue NW
Winchester, Tennessee 37398

Note on your check that the contribution is for Brown Family Mission Trip and your donation will be tax deductible.

Our church will also be taking up a love offering on May 23rd.

Here is some information about the community we will be serving (third world country statistics - hidden away in the land of plenty):

* Median income is $2,600 per year with 85% to 95% unemployment
* Infant mortality rate 300% higher than the U.S. national average
* Diabetes and Tuberculosis rates 800% higher t than the U.S. national average
* Elderly die each winter from hypothermia (freezing)
* At least 60% of the homes are severely substandard, without water, electricity, adequate insulation, and sewage systems
* School drop-out rate is 70%
* Recent reports state the average life expectancy is 45 years old while other reports state that it is 48 years old for men and 52 years old for women.
* With either set of figures, that's the shortest life expectancy for any community in the Western Hemisphere outside Haiti, according to The Wall Street Journal.
* And the list goes on and on….

How He Loves Us

2010-05-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here with Jacob at my office and he is playing a song called "How He Loves Us" by David Crowder Band. My son is such a blessing to me. Thought I would share....

David Crowder*Band - "How He Loves" OFFICIAL Music Video

2010-05-13T12:09:00.000-05:00

My Long and Winding Road

2010-05-11T20:02:00.006-05:00

Have you ever felt completely at a loss as to where your life was headed? Yeah, me too. As a matter of fact - right now. Right now as I sit and type I have no idea where the Lord is leading me. I am sure that he is calling me out more and more in faith to follow Him to a different place. I know that He is calling me to be used to reach people, but I don't know where that place is. Really, I have no clue. There are several options that have made themselves available and many roads that I could go down, but I don't know which one.

And strangely enough, I am okay with that. There are many things going on in our lives right now with my feelings of going into ministry/missions, etc. and there also many outside circumstances occuring within our spiritual community that leave me confused and doubtful at times. But, I know that I serve an incredible God and that He has a plan. I have so many options ahead of me right now and I am in deep prayer over which way to turn - where He wants me to serve and what is best for my family. And the best thing is that I know He will answer - beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know that.

We are also winding up the school year - Jacob's homeschooling is almost complete, the girls are finishing up a ton of projects and we are anxiously awaiting summer break! We head out to South Dakota on June 10th to serve the people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and then after we return I plan on getting two of my classes finished before we launch into another school year.

Two nights ago, the Lord gave me a Scripture and I will end my post with it. I pray that as we each face our own struggles and/or upcoming decisions, we will think about the wisdom God gives to us to make it through those times.

James 3:17-18 (New Living Translation)

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

My Nights These Days

2010-05-06T07:13:00.001-05:00

The Lord has been waking me up about this time every night for awhile and I know that I meant to take the time to go before Him in prayer. That I am to serve in a ministry is decided (this was a long process).

Which particular area of ministry is not. What city this ministry is to be in is not. Whether it is to be a "family" ministry (as in all of us serving together) has not. Many unanswered questions.....but this I know, in the stillness of the night my God is in control. He knows the outcome. He knows the end result and He is the one doing the whole thing anyways. For you see he is "doing a new thing" in me.

I ask that you please partner with me in prayer as I position myself before the Lord to hear His voice? My prayer at this point is simple - "Lord, please show me." Amen.

Proverbs 1:5 - Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

So, I call on my prayerful friends, my prayer warriors - whether they be from Facebook, blog posts or my "reality of day to day living" and ask you to lift me in prayer that He show me the way and then give me the eyes to see it and receive it! Love to you all each and everyone one!Melissa

Had to Share.....

2010-05-05T16:17:00.002-05:00

We lived in the Nashville area for 9 years and let me tell you this article hits the nail on the head! We love you Nashville and you are in our prayers!

We Are Nashville
By Patten Fuqua
Published: May 4, 2010

Allow me a moment to step away from the usual voice of this website. What I am about to write has absolutely nothing to do with hockey. If you live outside of Nashville, you may not be aware, but our city was hit by a 500-year flood over the last few days. The national news coverage gave us 15 minutes, but went back to focusing on a failed car bomb and an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While both are clearly important stories, was that any reason to ignore our story? It may not be as terror-sexy as a failed car bomb or as eco-sexy as an oil spill, but that’s no reason to be ignored.

The Cumberland River crested at its highest level in over 80 years. Nashville had its highest rainfall totals since records began. People drowned. Billions of dollars in damage occurred. It is the single largest disaster to hit Middle Tennessee since the Civil War. And yet…no one knows about it.

Does it really matter? Eventually, it will…as I mentioned, there are billions of dollars in damage. It seems bizarre that no one seems to be aware that we just experienced what is quite possibly the costliest non-hurricane disaster in American history. The funds to rebuild will have to come from somewhere, which is why people need to know. It’s hard to believe that we will receive much relief if there isn’t a perception that we need it.

But let’s look at the other side of the coin for a moment. A large part of the reason that we are being ignored is because of who we are. Think about that for just a second. Did you hear about looting? Did you hear about crime sprees? No…you didn’t. You heard about people pulling their neighbors off of rooftops. You saw a group of people trying to move two horses to higher ground. No…we didn’t loot. Our biggest warning was, “Don’t play in the floodwater.” When you think about it…that speaks a lot for our city. A large portion of why we were being ignored was that we weren’t doing anything to draw attention to ourselves. We were handling it on our own.
Some will be quick to find fault in the way rescue operations were handled, but the fact of the matter is that the catastrophe could not have been prevented and it is simply ignorant beyond all reason to suggest otherwise. It is a flood. It was caused by rain. You can try to find a face to stick this tragedy to, but you’ll be wrong.

Parts of Nashville that could never even conceivably be underwater were underwater. Some of them still are. Opry Mills and the Opryland Hotel are, for all intents and purposes, destroyed. People died sitting in standstill traffic on the Interstate. We saw boats going down West End. And, of course, we all saw the surreal image of the portable building from Lighthouse Christian floating into traffic and being destroyed when cars were knocked into it. I’m still having trouble comprehending all of it.

And yet…life will go on. We’ll go back to work, to school, to our lives…and we’ll carry on. In a little over a month, I’ll be on this website talking about the draft. In October, we’ll be discussing the new Predators’ season with nary a thought of these past few days. But in a way, they changed everyone in this town. We now know that that it can happen to us…but also know that we can handle it.

Because we are Nashville.

http://www.section303.com/we-are-nashville-4366

Melissa's Musings on Avatar

2010-05-04T15:48:00.002-05:00

I loved Avatar and let me tell you why! I want an Avatar machine. I am sure there is a technical word for that machine which I don't know, but wouldn't it be so cool to have one that was customized for Christians? I would wake up every morning, put my sinful natured self into the machine, push a buttong which would appropriately read "DIE TO SELF", shut myself up in the machine, relax, close my eyes and live just like Christ wanted me to live all day long. For you see, that is what we are called to do and boy is it hard!

Romans 8: 6-8 (from The Message) tell us:

"Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored."

So until the machine is invented that I can immediately climb into every morning and die to myself, I will just start my morning as usual praying:

"Lord, help me to die to myself today. Put aside my selfish intentions, habits, behaviors and attitude. Help me to be more like you and less like myself every day! In Jesus name, Amen."

Brown Family Mission Trip 2010

2010-04-30T17:58:00.002-05:00

Our family will be serving this year on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. We travel with a group out of people from Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. This will be our second year serving and just as we did in 2008 we are raising money for our travel expenses to the Rez and this year also car rental, as Chris' new company vehicle will not accomodate our needs. I have been asked to direct the VBS this year and will be having to carry supplies with me also. If we have any money left over from what we raise (hopefully), we will be giving leaving that with Pastor John Lovelace to us as winter propane money for the people on the Rez. They suffer very cold winters there. We will be heading out on June 10th for the 20+ hour drive and then returning on the 18th. We ask for your prayers for safe travel, guidance in my VBS role, and that God use our family to plant a seed of faith while we are there.

If you feel led to help us with travel expenses and the cost of the mission trip, please mail any contributions to:

Winchester Cumberland Presybterian Church
200 2nd Avenue NW
Winchester, Tennessee 37398

Note on your check that the contribution is for Brown Family Mission Trip and your donation will be tax deductible.

Our church will also be taking up a love offering on May 23rd.

Here is some information about the community we will be serving (third world country statistics - hidden away in the land of plenty):

* Median income is $2,600 per year with 85% to 95% unemployment.
* Infant mortality rate 300% higher than the U.S. national average.
* Diabetes and Tuberculosis rates 800% higher than the U.S. national average.
* Elderly die each winter from hypothermia (freezing).
* At least 60% of the homes are severely substandard, without water, electricity, adequate insulation, and sewage systems.
* School drop-out rate is 70%.
* Recent reports state the average life expectancy is 45 years old while other reports state that it is 48 years old for men and 52 years old for women.
* With either set of figures, that's the shortest life expectancy for any community in the Western Hemisphere outside Haiti, according to The Wall Street Journal.
* And the list goes on and on….

When God Calls....

2010-04-28T10:22:00.006-05:00

The Beth Moore conference this weekend in Atlanta was wonderful! A worship experience that I am literally unable to put into words. I highly recommend reading Beth's new book "So Long Insecurity" - well worth the purchase!

I have known for many years that God would call me into some type of ministry, but always thought it would be missions (since that is what I dreamed of doing for God when I was a child). Lately, God has opened several different opportunities up around me and I am really trying to discern where God is leading me. I am in prayerful decision mode right now. For an ADHD person, trying to find where you are supposed to be HAS to come straight from God, because the Lord knows we can't figure it out on our own AT ALL!

I have been chewing on the thought all morning that if we wait until we think the "time" is right or we are "right" or we are "good enough" to do certain things for God, then that time will never come! I am an imperfect person. I will never be good enough or feel like I fit the bill. Therefore, we must step out in faith. We must know that God will only take us where He wants us to be and that in that place there will also be provision. Come with me and step out in faith!

Beth Moore - So Long Insecurity!

2010-04-23T10:17:00.008-05:00

So even though it seemed like it wasn't going to happen - I am going to be in Woodstock, GA tomorrow get to see my sista Beth Moore speak live on her new book "So Long Insecurity". Those of you who know me, know that I love how God has used her to teach so many women about the Word of God and that she is SO down-to-earth.

I pray for safe travels for myself and my little car and I can't wait to hear a word from my Father this weekend! Praying for you all to have great weekends and wonderful time with friends and family!

Busy, Busy, Busy......

2010-04-22T12:15:00.003-05:00

Haven't had time to blog lately, but wanted to drop in and update. We are all doing well. Chris is VERY busy with work this time of year so he has been gone quite a bit. Jacob is trying to finish up school for the year and the girls just finished TCAPS which they said "were a breeze". :) I am busy with work and school myself and am also preparing for our trip to South Dakota coming up on June 10th. We will be serving again on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and I will be directing the VBS there this year. Please pray that I can get everything ready to go and that the Lord will use our family in a powerful way to help the people there on the reservation.

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

Jeremiah 32:17

Jacob

2010-04-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

Well, another year has passed and I wish time would slow down. Jacob will be 15 tomorrow and eligible for a learner's permit! Wow, can you believe it? I am so blessed to have such a wonderfully unique son and can't wait to celebrate his b'day tomorrow! Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Melissa

The Messiah Tour - Atlanta

2010-04-08T19:29:00.002-05:00

Chris and I are headed out tomorrow at noon to help chaperone a trip to the CIY Believe Messiah Tour in Atlanta. We are really excited and blessed to be able to take such a great group of Middle Schoolers to the event. Please keep us in prayer for safe travels and that it be a changing event for our Middle Schoolers.

www.ciy.com

Melissa B.

A few Easter pics

2010-04-08T19:21:00.005-05:00

Easter.........

2010-03-31T09:08:00.006-05:00

My favorite holiday is, and always has been, Easter. I have many great memories of great Sunrise Services, yummy homemade Easter meals and Easter Egg Hunts at my grandmother's house. This year my family will be coming to my house (as has become tradition) and I am SO excited. We will also be celebrating Abby's 13th birthday this weekend and I am so thankful for her! She was born on Easter Sunday 1997 and this is yet another reason Easter is so special to my heart.

As we draw closer to the day we remember Christ's crucifixion and point our eyes towards the cross, let us all be thankful and remember the ultimate Sacrifice. Are we sacrificing it all for him? Do our lives generate sacrificial giving and do our lives shine for Christ? Take time to ponder on His journey to the cross. Take time to reflect on your own journey to the cross. Are you making one daily?

God's Timing

2010-03-22T19:57:00.002-05:00

"But everything has it time, and the main thing is that we keep step with God, and do not keep stepping on a few steps ahead - NOR keep dawdling a step behind.

- Listening Hearts

Discernment in Your Calling....

2010-03-16T19:46:00.002-05:00

Discernment comes from the Latin word discernere, which means "to separate", "to distinguish", "to determine", "to sort out". In classical spirituality, discernment means identifying what spirit is at work in a situation: the Spirit of God or some other spirit. Discernment is "sifting through" our interior and exterior experiences to determine their origin. Discernment helps a person understand the source of a call, to whom it is directed, its content, and what response is appropriate. Discernment also involves learning if one is dodging a call, is deaf to a call, or is rejecting a call. (from Listening Hearts)

Lord, give us discernment.

A Calling.....

2010-03-15T13:11:00.004-05:00

I am currently reading a book called "Listening Hearts" and for the next few weeks am planning on sharing some excerpts from the book with you. As I am discerning with prayer and scripture, God's own call on my life, I encourage you to do the same. From the first excerpt I think it is most important that we realize that God "calls" each of us. We, each and everyone one of us, have a calling. That's so cool! So, here we go, Exerpt #1

"God calls each of us. There are a variety of calls, and no one call is inherently better or higher than any other. The call of a priest, monk, or nun, however sacred, is, in and of itself, not a suuerior call to the call of an architect designing a house or a mechanic repairing a car, or a nurse caring for the sick. It is our faithfulness to God not our station in life that honors a call."

Advice from Melissa.......

2010-03-10T20:03:00.002-06:00

Even though you have extensively off planned and actually pullled a pretty cool Middle School Lesson for your Wednesday night group, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, let them burn their sins in a coffee can INSIDE the church. That is all I have to say about that........

How to Live!

2010-03-10T12:02:00.000-06:00

From my friend Tammy Maltby:

The book is called “In a Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day”, by Mark Batterson. Mark calls this the “Lion Chaser Manifesto”.

Loved this quote...

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Random Thought for the Day......

2010-03-09T13:36:00.003-06:00

I was staring out my window during work yesterday (one of the benefits of working from home!), and noticed a female cardinal hopping around in the little area beneath a butterfly bush near our house. I immediately thought of how God's eye is on the sparrow and how he provides for even the birds of the field. I have grown up knowing this all my life and boy am I glad! Something yesterday, however, sort of just knocked me for a loop - one of those "struck by lightning" moments. The bird was having to cock her head and LISTEN for the worms! Well, duh, Melissa....I am sure you are saying, but to me is was so profound. We must try hard to listen to what the Lord is telling us - where He is directing us, etc. Lots of times there are many distractions, as we know, just as there were for the cardinal (cars, wind, man sawing next door), but she still kept cocking her head to listen! I pray that I take that lesson to the spiritual bank and deposit it. I pray for God to reveal Himself to me, but most of all I pray that I make the time to sit and listen for Him.

Let's Hear it for Friday!

2010-03-05T09:39:00.003-06:00

WOW I am ready for the weekend! It has been a great week, but also a trying one mentally so I am ready to get out enjoy this beautiful TN sunshine and take some time this weekend to reflect and meditate on what God is saying to me right now in this season of life. We are going to be meeting up with my Dad tomorrow and hiking near the Ocoee River or maybe somewhere closer to Chattanooga (not sure yet). I am so thankful to be able to get outside with the kids and also get some exercise. As for the rest of the weekend - nothing.........yay!!!

God has really placed on my heart this week to be in a time of prayer and to be living in a spirit of constant prayer. If you have prayer requests, please email me and I will be in prayer this weekend for you! Love to all - Melissa

Whew!

2010-03-03T12:17:00.003-06:00

I am completely not kidding you when I tell you that it took me until yesterday (TUESDAY) to completely recover from the Famine. I am getting old my peeps! We had a wonderful 30 hours of fasting which ended in Communion and a break-fast feast! Total raised to date is right around $3300.00! All proceeds will go to feed children in Haiti.

Redemption Art

2010-02-24T11:39:00.003-06:00

So the Famine is quickly approaching (beginning Friday at noon) and I am trying to get all my ducks in a row. I have to keep reminding myself that things will go smoothly - they always do, and that God is in control. I have to remind myself of that EVERY DAY as a matter of fact. One thing I am very excited about is that Caitlin Beidler will be joining us this weekend to paint with the Youth and also paint a mural on the stairwell leading down to our Youth Room. Check out her Facebook page - Redemption Art. And here is a link to her website:

http://www.caitlinbeidler.com/

She will be staying at the Brown House for the weekend, so please pray that I will be a good hostess and that she will feel comfortable and loved in our home. I pray that you all have a great weekend and think of me when you eat something yummy this weekend!

Life......

2010-02-18T11:15:00.004-06:00

One of the things I enjoy the most about blogging is that I can look back over the years and see what our family has been through and where God has brought us so far. I came across this post from 2 years ago this week, and thought I would repost it (link below). God has been SO good to me. I can remember feeling so lost and just plain exhausted during that time, and wondering how to keep going on. God never wastes a hurt or a tear my friends. I miss my brother so much and yes losing him and the way we lost him was EXTREMELY painful, but through his death I learned SO much about myself and the human condition. I learned about the brutality of addiction and how it steals lives and destroys them. Most of all, I learned that our time here is short. So short.....

http://brownsrus.blogspot.com/2008/02/emptiness.html

Great Calendar for Your Family for Lent

2010-02-17T20:53:00.004-06:00

At our Youth devo time 2night at church, our youth pastor handed out these Lent calendars from Mars Hill Church. They are AWESOME! We started ours tonight and I encourage you to do the same. And remember it isn't about "not missing a day" or how you "mess up" and don't do something on a certain day. It is all about just being more mindful of Christ in our lives daily.

Just click on the title of this post (above) and will take you directly to it. Love to you all!

Lent

2010-02-17T09:17:00.004-06:00

Although our religion doesn't REQUIRE us to observe Lent is not a bad thing to observe. It is a great spiritual discipline as a matter of fact. Why not take 40 days and put aside something that takes up too much of our time or requires us to endure a little hardship? Why not do that and instead truly focus on Christ for 40 days? We should focus on him all of our days that is why observing Lent is a good exercise. It can help us build up our spiritual "muscles".

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnPaaIuhmcU

Gearing up....

2010-02-15T18:20:00.004-06:00

This is the time of year that things tend to start getting a little crazy at the Brown House. We are approaching the 30-Hour-Famine in 2 weeks and then will be preparing for our mission trip to South Dakota in June. Also, there is always the general chaos of three kids finishing up the school year. In order to spend more time with Jacob and his homeschooling, I made the decision to cut back on hours working at the pharmacy and am know just working 2 jobs during the week - typing and working at Christ The King. We are in prayer that God will sustain us financially as I give up those hours. I will also be starting classes through Berea Bible Institute in Chattanooga through "distance education". Basically I will work my way through the classes from home and all tests till be proctored by my pastor here in Winchester. My plan is to finish my bachelor in Religious Studies with an emphasis on missions within the next 18 months (at most). A lot of my college credits transferred over and I will only need to complete 14 classes.

On a more personal level, I have really felt the Lord refining me in many different areas lately and although it is a good thing - it is also a painful thing at times. ;) I ask that you pray for me as I (or if I) come to your mind in the next few months.

My prayer is that all of us seek what it is that God would have us to do and then follow His leading no matter how uncomfortable it may make us. I pray that we all step out of our comfort zone and ask the Lord what He would have us do to serve others and show love to ALL of His children.

Eat Local!

2010-02-10T11:55:00.004-06:00

A friend has started a website for those who would like to start, or already try to buy their foods locally. I think it is a great resource and recommend you check it out:

http://www.eatlocaltn.com/

Relief for Haiti

2010-01-20T10:32:00.004-06:00

All three of my children will be participating in World Vision's 30-Hour-Famine this February and all proceeds will go towards relief for hunger in Haiti. Below are the their online donation pages. You can donate as little as $5.00 or as much as you feel led. They will all three be going without food for 30 hours to raise awareness for hunger. All donations are tax deductible and your name nor amount will show up online. Thanks for your donation!

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-001

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-002

http://www.30hourfamine.org/portal/onlinegiving/donate/100760248-003

Haitian Relief

2010-01-15T08:51:00.001-06:00

http://www.worldvision.org/

Lord, we lift up every person affected by this earthquake and ask that you give them peace, healing, wisdom, and everything they need to make it through the next day, hour or minute......we pray for mothers who have lost their children, fathers who have lost their wives, children who have lost their parents and all those who are hurt or wounded. Your ways are higher than our ways and we do not ask "why" but "how" we can help. Amen.