Something Borrowed

Sweets & a good read!

I hardly ever read books that are purely for entertainment just because I have been in school for what seems like forever....I had so many different books to read on a weekly basis! So as you can see entertainment reading had to be put on the shelf until now! I got this book for my birthday from my lovely [one day...soon to be!] sister in law Jelli! And I must say it was one of the best books I have read in a long time! I couldn't put it down and literally stayed up until the wee morning hours finishing it. I haven't purchased the next book just because I am in the middle of 4 other books that must be read asap for church & leadership training. I just know that if I buy Something Blue I won't be able to put it down. So I am practicing self control for just a few more weeks.....ahhhhhhhhh!!!! So if you are looking for a good read then I recommend this one for starters!

Happy Reading lovely peeps!

Called by a King?!

I am reading a new book called "Worship: It's not just Sunday Morning" and I am really enjoying it! I am only 2 chapters into the book but, WOW! It really put some things into perspective for me. What do you really think about worship and what it is meant to be? It starts with the chapter called "Worship is all of life" and I was impacted immediately! This is an excerpt that I loved "Every act of obedience to God in thought,word or deed is worship. Our entire life and all its activities bring either glory or disgrace to God." Wowwww!!!

This weekend while I was in worship service I was thinking about how crazy we all can get [myself included!] when we come close to a famous person...the craziness of speaking to them or being close to them is unbearable! It's strange....and yet, that person will never care more about us than the One who created the Heavens and the Earth. This doesn't make sense to me? How come I don't get that crazy over God? Hmmmm...I think that we often take for granted the depth of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I have been saying that I would begin a fast in order to pray for some serious things going on, both in & around my life but every time I set a date I somehow weasel my way out of it. But Sunday it hit me!! I am being called by my King, the one who made the Heavens & the Earth. THE KING of KINGS wants to talk with me and foster a relationship with me?!?! What on Earth could possibly be more important [or thrilling!!] than that? NOTHING! Then I thought about an excellent Bible study I did on the book of Esther. She mentions how she cannot enter the Kings presence unless she is called or it may result in death! That is scary but then it makes me think how favored we are because we can enter the presence of the King of Kings without such fear because He is always calling us to His presence....that's amazing to me!  I'm done wasting my time and talking myself out of the very thing that He is calling me to. I choose to live for God and now I need to reflect that! Needless to say, I fell in love with my God all over again....

If you are being called by the King! Then it's up to you to answer....this may change your life!? 

Be Encouraged and Blessed today, because God would like to dine with you! 

Revelation 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."

CVI is my Motivational DNA!!

Melissa’s Motivational DNA Type is: CVI
(Connection-Variety-Internal) The Relater

Relaters are caring and creative. They relish life and cherish relationships. Relaters are outgoing, friendly and well-liked. They are resourceful and inventive, with an ability to compromise to get the job done. They are team players that bring out the best in others. Warm and enthusiastic, they balance concern for others with a zeal for personal growth.

Relaters are personal and practical in their approach to problem-solving. They have an innate ability to creating win-win solutions. Relaters value what is really important and desire to make a positive contribution to society. Blending loyalty with adventure, Relaters are fun friends and devoted partners.

CVI Motivators: Genuine appreciation for a job done well, opportunities for personal growth, fun co-workers, teamwork, new experiences and an inspiring work environment.

CVI De-Motivators: Isolation, rigid routine, pressure-cooker deadlines, quenching creativity, disapproval and conflict.

Pretty interesting: find out yours at http://getmotivatedbook.com/

1. You are a people person, so the best way for you to achieve your objectives is to collaborate with a partner or group of people who share the same purpose. Find or create a support group that will cheer you on until you reach your goal.
2. Follow-through is a challenge for your motivational style. You must become accountable to your goal and do something each day, no matter how small, that moves you closer to your target.
3. Take some time to soul search and ask yourself why your goal is important. Write down those reasons and refer to them often. It is the “why,” not the “how,” that inspires your motivational type.

Becoming a God Chaser

I am reading the book, God Chasers by Tommy Tenney, and it has inspired me in numerous ways but mostly to seek God's face and not his hand.
Here is an excerpt from the book:
The Israelites died in the wilderness because of fear and unbelief yet that was not God's original plan. They demanded Moses to stand between them and God. We often prefer that a man stand between us and God... run into his presence and really get to know him. We must die to get closer to him.... He is attracted to the smell of death. That means we are supposed to die to ourselves and deny our flesh. That is pleasing to God!
As we look at our churches we are full of people from all walks of life. Some have been there for years, months, weeks. Some are brand news believers and some of us have been delivered from illness, bondages, suffering and all kinds of personal hell, but we come together and stand at the bottom of the mountain just like the Israelites. We have a decision to make, will we be scared of the smoke, fire and lightning on the mountain and demand that a man or pastor to stand between us and God? (Exodus 19:10) Or will we go up the mountain to Encounter him ourselves?
We face the same challenge as the Israelites but will you make it to the promised land or run away and die in the desert? Today we stand at a critical crossroad...the only reason we are delayed is because of our reluctance to press into God.
We can respond in 2 ways:
"I've come too far to turn back now!" Or "I'm real tired, can I just sit and rest?"
So we either grow into a relationship with him no matter the cost or turn back to where we came from, captivity, bound by sin and enslaved by law and trying to be good or righteous on our own merits rather than submitting to God. The choice lies within our hands.

One of the books that I have most recently read is called "The Church that never sleeps" written by Matthew Barnett. That book is so amazing it opened my eyes to the reality of ministry and giving your life for it. Sometimes as Christians we are so comfortable just doing "enough" to get by but the reality is that is not right. When Jesus gave his life...He gave his all!! Not just enough to save the world. He gave his best, his life. God gave his all, his son. Why are we so arrogant to think we can give him bits and pieces of our lives and expect him to change everything and we get upset when certain areas of our life don't work out like we want them to. Maybe we need to surrender more to him =)  Back to "The Church that never sleeps" That book is so amazing because it truly captures the heart of a man that just wants to give his life to change and impact this world for God. It is a must read! Be blessed!