What Will You Do?

Today a friend of mine placed a link to a video on my FB page. The video is discussing Barak Obama. I don't consider it to be an Obama bashing though I can see how some would feel that way. It basically depicts Obama as a puppet in the hands of those(the video producers feel)that are truly in control of this nation and that he is simply a pawn in what they are trying to do in creating the New World Order.

Now, anyone who knows me I would hope would say that I am not a conspiracy theorist. I do not look at a situation and condemn the person involved because I know there are other factors at play. I am not saying that anything in this video link is true or false. Actually, what burdens me today is not really the video link at all.

Today my heart is in turmoil because I know the desperate state that our nation and world is in. To say that the world is not like it was when I was growing up is laughable and almost ridiculous. The world isn't like it was 7 years ago or even 2 years ago! Times are changing and we as people sit back and take what is fed to us without even a second thought.

We get caught up in the propaganda of the hour and loose sight of what is truly happening in our nation and world. For anyone, this is a horrible compromise. For the Christian, this is equals self-annihilation.

We often hear it said that those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. It's become sort of cliche. Nonetheless, it is true.

Do we know our history? I don't mean simply US history or even modern world history? I mean biblical history. It's ALL important and critical that we know and understand. Do we care? Or do our lives, our small corner of the world and it's comfort consume us so that nothing else truly matters? It's so easy to have strong opinions about political candidates and situations going on in the world, but what is fueling our opinions? Is it truth?

My challenge to myself and to those reading is to step up to the plate. We MUST know for ourselves what is happening. Study, read, learn. Some of us will stop there and that's fine once we've searched for truth found it and share it. Others will go further. They will get involved and become voices of change. What will you do? What will you teach your children to do? They need to learn how to make decisions and hold their ground in this world of ours. It's more important now than it ever was before.

This is not about a man. This is not about a party. This is about all of us taking a stand for truth, justice, and integrity. It is each of our responsibility to know and then to act in whatever way we are led to. Generations to come are depending on what we do in this hour.

God is SO SMART!

God is SO SMART!!! I've heard myself saying that lately as if it's this new big revelation! I think God really gets a kick out of me sometimes. I KNOW it's not new information. Of course God is smart, HE KNOWS everything. The problem is I have trouble consistently living as if HE knows everything.

So recently when I realized that God is taking everything in my life; every past relationship and friendship(ones I thought were long since over or fairly insignificant); every conflict, emotion, and trial that I'm currently facing and using it all to teach me who HE is while at the same time bringing me to a place of healing and wholeness, I had to stop and say, "God is SO SMART!"

He's so smart that the revelations I've been too angry or scared to grasp have been shown to me through the people HE's put in my life. We SO NEED each other. HE knows this!

HE knows exactly what we need, how much of it, and who needs to be a part of it. As I prepare for my trips this summer, I have to keep at the forefront of my mind that my God is SO SMART. I did not just wake up one day and say, "I think I'll go to Guatemala and Nepal this summer." It was a process of discovering what God was leading me to. I started off with just a knowing that I was going on a trip. Then came the knowing that I was going to Guatemala. It was after I was solid in that belief that the trip to Nepal came up.

I KNOW God is SO SMART because if HE would've told me about both trips at the same time, HE would've met with a lot more resistance than HE already had from me(notice there was still resistance!) HE KNOWS me and HE KNOWS you too.

Because I KNOW that I didn't just wake up and decide about these trips but that God informed me about them, I KNOW that HE will take care of everything concerning them.

He will take care of what concerns you too. God doesn't ask much of us. Love HIM wholeheartedly and believe HIM. If you can get those two things down, I believe everything else will flow from there. He's so much SMARTER than us. So whatever is going on in your life today; whatever the unknowns are; whatever the emotions are; WHATEVER IT IS....ask God to come into it and take it over. Lay it down and let HIS SMARTS take over. I KNOW you will be so glad you did.

A New Season Has Begun...

I did it! I made it through what turned out to be one of the most challenging positions I've ever had. I was a nanny to a family of 4 children. I came to this family when they were on the brink of falling apart and I just happened to walk with them as they did. That was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to be a part of. I'm out of their home and my body hasn't even adjusted to the lack of stress yet.

I did take away many lessons about life in general and I learned a great deal about myself as well. I know that one day all that I've experienced with this particular family will help me in my own home as well as the many couples and families that I encounter.

That was such an intense time for me and now I'm walking into a new season filled with traveling, spending time with friends...AND building a business and ministry. It's an exciting place to be. It can be challenging to though. The last season was really using me as a support to others. Right now, it's really about what God is doing in me. What God does "IN" you is not always exciting and fun feeling. It's painful when God shows you YOU and then says, "This is not allowed to stay" or "This relationship must end" or "This really isn't your decision". I experienced these kind of conversations with God even when I was with the family, but almost as soon as I left the family they intensified because a new season has begun.

A new season of what God is doing "IN" me. What season are you in? What is HE doing "IN" you? It's important to recognize and understand the seasons that God has us in. It doesn't always make it easier to walk through for me, but somewhere deep within it does give me a reassurance that it is working together for my good.

So, I ask you. What season are you in? What is God speaking to your heart? Is he showing you something needs to change or increase? Is he showing you a friendship needs to end or be mended? Is he saying move forward with that idea? Or might he be saying wait on me, spend time with me? Whatever it is, HE is speaking and each of us are in a specific season with HIM. Take time this week to quietly listen and evaluate where you are....

Perspective....

Today is Easter.....Resurrection Sunday. The day we as Christians celebrate the day that Jesus rose from the dead. His POWER demonstrated.

I loved how Pastor Dan distinguished between the cross and the grave today. He said that our sins were taken care of at the cross. It's the empty grave that empowers us to live victoriously once we've been forgiven.

I haven't been feeling too victorious lately. I've been weighed down by life....decisions....uncertainties...loneliness...deferred dreams...I was trying in my own strength to snap out of it today. Even hearing the Word from Pastor Dan today wasn't quite doing it. I left church feeling heavy and deeply saddened on what should be a day of total rejoicing in the LIFE that I have because of Jesus.

And then, my perspective changed. Why? I walked onto the Oncology Floor of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter in Downtown Norfolk. A couple that attends my church found out on Tuesday that their two-year-old daughter has Leukemia. When I found out, I had this strange wall up, I guess to keep this information from truly penetrating my heart and mind.

I ended up going to visit James and Jackie and their little girl today even though, for many reasons, I didn't want to. I'm so glad I did.

My eyes scanned the room as I walked in. I was so nervous, I guess because of the unknown. They have four children in all ages 4 and under. All of them were there. As I listened to Jackie explain to us how they found out about the Leukemia. My eyes welled up with tears. I was so taken with her strength and the peace and confidence which she exuded as she discussed the tests and procedures that her baby was having to undergo. I just kept thinking life is pretty good and I NEED to praise HIM.

Jackie talked about the schedule that they were needing to develop with their support system and the way she would have to administer treatment once they went home....my eyes welled up again. I felt so helpless, but wanted so desperately to offer any and everything I could to make her journey more bearable.

It was almost more than I could bear to see that precious little girl with all her tubes. I just wanted to break down there in front of everyone....My eyes....my focus....finally OFF OF ME....

God, help me to find the good in each and every day. Help me to LOVE fully and GIVE generously and be GRATEFUL to YOU always....

Please pray for James and Jackie Taylor and their daughter Jaylon. This diagnosis is only a week old for them. Doctors say they have at least a two year journey ahead of them. I know that when things seem challenging for me, I will think of this Mommy who has to care for her sick baby while still being loving Mommy to 3 healthy babies....AND a loving wife...

Pray for strength, discernment, wisdom, and HEALING....

Write The Vision

As the summer gets closer, I get more excited about all the adventures I will be going on. This will definitely be one of the most eventful summers I've had in a long time. However, along with the excitement of the summer and this next transition, comes the reminders that I haven't even scraped the surface of all that I feel like I'm going to do with this life of mine.

I have many ideas rolling around and seemingly not a lot of acting on any of those ideas. It's at the points of transition in my life when I am glaringly reminded of that fact. Hence the reason for my recent habitation of Panera Bread for hours upon hours. I needed to write the vision out.

As I sat there sipping my Chai Tea, the thoughts began to pour out on paper. I wrote out all of these wonderful plans for my business and ideas for community outreaches. And then I just sat there staring at it. What now? Where do I even begin? I was feeling extremely small in comparison to all the plans. It seemed that all the planning and organizing of ideas had created just more questions. It paralyzed me. I haven't looked at those plans again yet. Maybe today? :-)

I wonder how many other people feel the same way. Do you have ideas and visions that God has given to you? Ideas that you know will benefit a specific group of people or area? That concept is the main thing that keeps me pressing toward the goal! I know that my success is not really about me, but all those that will be positively impacted by my perseverance.

Today, I just wanted to remind you to keep pressing on. I'm reminding myself as well. Whatever is in your heart to do is there for a reason and a specific season. God told the prophet Habakkuk to .... "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:2-3.

I've written it out. Have you written out your vision? Are there dreams you have that need to be put on paper so that they can become manageable goals?

Mary, Jesus' mother was given an impossible task of having a child while still a virgin. She was troubled at this news, but the angel reassured her saying, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37.

The same is true for us. If God has ordained something for us to do, no matter how impossible it may seem to us, it IS POSSIBLE for HIM. We simply need to understand the plans are truly HIS. He knows the timing, the strategy, and the resources needed to get the job done.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Thanks for coming along on my journey with me. I hope I inspire you to start, restart, or re-route your own journey to realizing your VISION....

Summer 2009

The past few years have brought about many changes for me. I've changed jobs, changed homes, changed jobs again, changed churches, changed homes again and here I am yet again about to change homes and jobs one more time!!!

Those of you who know me well know this is absolutely NOT the way I planned it, but that's one of the major things that has happened on the inside of me over these past few years; God has made very clear that HIS plans for me and their fulfillment are more important than what I thought my life is supposed to be.

So, as another summer approaches there are many exciting things on the horizon for me. I'm going to Canada to visit a friend. My first time in Canada!!!

I'm traveling home to PA for a wedding in Philly.

AND.....I'm going on my first two overseas missions trips this year to Guatemala and Nepal!!!

In addition to all the traveling, I'm working on branching out in several different areas in my business, Simplicity by Nicole. People are always asking me what's new in my life or what I'm up to. Most of the time, I find that question so hard to answer. So, hopefully this blog will help me keep you guys up to date with "The Life of Nicole."

When I'm out on the mission field, I plan on keeping you up to date with what the team and I are doing. Stay tuned for pictures and random updates.