Football at Chris' mom's house on Thanksgiving weekend.

There’s an old saying that “We tend to judge others by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions.” The truth is, we cannot rightly judge anyone else, because we do not know the contents of their heart. We should be content to judge only ourselves and seek to bring our own lives in alignment with God’s Word (1 Cor. 11:31).

This was part of a devotion I read today and boy is that the truth! I think we could all spend more time judging ourselves and our own hearts - I know I could (and should) and will.......

Praying everyone has a safe and happy weekend! Love - Melissa

Charity: Water

If you have time, please watch the video below and definitely donate some money to Charity: Water. You can text 85944 from your phone and $10 will be donated to help drill a well for a village in Sub-saharan Africa. The money will be added to your phone bill at the end of the month.

Drops Like Stars Tour

So I got to meet Rob Bell last night and most importantly got to hear him speak on his Drops Like Stars tour. AMAZING. Still trying to digest everything I heard him speak about. He spoke about suffering and the art of agony and how suffering is purposeful and necessary in our lives in order to fulfill who God is shaping us to be. He gives a whole new perspective on suffering and I encourage anyone who can go see him on this tour to do so. I know it was lifechanging for me. I have a whole new desire to use the suffering I have endured for the good of others and to really give some long hard thought as to what I am doing here during this very short span of time called "life".

I want to help be a Repairer of Broken Walls

Isaiah 58:6-12 (New International Version)

6 "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?
7 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?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Well, life is good and God is good and the Browns are doing great! Busy, but great. We just found out the dates for our 2010 trip to Pine Ridge Reservation and we can't wait. We will be serving on the Reservation June 13th through June 18th, 2010.

On the homefront, all is well and we have somehow managed not to have any sickness at our house so far. the kids were H1N1 vacinnated and had their regular flu vacinnes, so hopefully we will be stay healthy over the winter. The sunshine, the falling leaves and the the cool breeze are making for beautiful days here in Tennessee and I am trying to enjoy them before the cold sets in. We are going to try to get out and hike some this Sunday while we still can. Blessings to all!

Isaiah 64:4
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, and no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Halloween 2009

Blog from Beth Moore

I am posting a blog post from Beth Moore today. After reading this, I encourage each and everyone to think of those things that tiny masters over us. It could be shopping, food, emailing, Facebooking, etc. A wide array of many things can be tiny masters over us. Read on.....

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/10/like-slaves-in-search-of-little-masters.html

Well, it seems that I have been called into a season of "work my butt off"! I am working three jobs right now and whew, boy, am I tired. Exciting news is that I get to spend the weekend with Abby and Emma in Nashville dog-sitting for my sister. It will be a very nice break from the madness.

On another note, we are still trying to sell the house and make a decision as to what to do as far as moving. Chris' territory is now Knoxville, TN and he is driving endless hours back and forth. Yes, he still has the Chattanooga stores, but the ones in Knoxville and Virginia are very hard for him to travel back and forth to and he is wearing himself out. We are reducing the price on our house in order to just get out of it and hopefully it will sell soon. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and woke up this morning counting my blessings for all the good things in my life!

Wishing everyone a great weekend! Love and hugs to all! Melissa

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)