The speech I gave at my sisters wedding.

My name is Shelly, and for those of you who don’t know me I am Kim’s older sister.  I feel so honored to be a part of Derek and Kim’s special day, so I’ll try not to mess it up too bad.  Tonight I want to give the perfect speech that shows exactly how I feel on their wedding day.  However, I realize that some emotions are simply impossible to put into words.  Right now I feel like laughing and crying all at the same time. 
My little sister is all grown up and she’s getting married!  It seems like just the other day that we were in our back yard fighting over the rope swing at our little brothers’ birthday party.  I can still hear her high pitched screams as I violently shook the rope trying to fling her tiny body from it so that I could have a turn and take the spotlight from her. 
Well sis, no one in the entire world could take the spotlight from you tonight.  You are absolutely beautiful- inside and out. 
Derek you’re a lucky man!  And I’m so glad that you are marrying my sister.  I know that you will truly cherish her and treat her well.  I am so happy that I can call you my brother.  Welcome to our family, and good luck, because you’re going to need it. 
So Kim, I know that you and Derek have been together longer than Matt and I, but as your Maid of Honor I feel it’s my responsibility to give you some good marriage advice.  So here it goes…
As my sister, you’re bound to be clever, so you'll always have the last word in every disagreement.  However, if you are VERY clever, you won't use it.
Derek, when all else fails remember these magic words..."You're right dear."
Because a happy wife, makes for a happy life!
To the both of you, a good sense of humor and short memories are required for a happy marriage!  And luckily, between the two of you, the short part is more than covered.  
On a more serious note… whenever you are wrong, admit it. Whenever you are right, be quiet. 
Take each day and cherish your time together. Love one another and take the time to talk to one another.
Put God first, your love and your family second, and your job and hobbies third.
(Raise your glass)                                                                                                            
Derek and Kim, may your love be like the wind, strong enough to move the clouds, soft enough to never hurt, but always never ending.  So here's to love, laughter, and happily ever after.

What Is Ministry

Last week I was truly blessed with a teaching from Pat Kaveny that shook the dust off my understanding of ministry.  

Since every child of God is called to ministry I had to share!

Matthew 28: 18- 20

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Just remember who you are is not what you do but what you become.  

What Is Ministry?

It is taking care of the needs of God through a relationship with Him.  God is looking for someone He has a good relationship with to carry out His will.  If ministry is done without that relationship it is just religion and is made into a career.  *Never let your ministry turn into a career!

Want to know if you have a good relationship with God?  Ask yourself:

Do I love God?  If so obedience is the proof.  If you love me you will keep my commands. John 14: 15

Well now that we have that clear- lets look at some of the things God is looking for in you:

God Is Looking For

1)  Brokenness- Knowing that you can't do it alone and you must give it all over to God.

Thus says the Most High, who dwells on high forever, Holy in the holies is His name, the Most High resting in the holies, and giving patience to the faint-hearted, and giving life to the broken-hearted...Isaiah 57:15

2) Faithfulness- Wait on God and do things His way.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. Hosea 4: 6  * The knowledge of obedience to God!

God will say NEXT if you are not faithful to carry out His will.

Saul- wanted a kingdom through God for himself.  *Career Minded- what can I get out of this?

David- Just wanted to honor God.

¹³ “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.” 1 Samuel 13: 13-14

3) Honor- Glory.

When God finds you seeking His will- He will honor you.  When you seek honor from people instead He can no longer trust you.  *Career Minded

Ask God:  What do you want?  Your response is your worship to Him.  Out of that worship comes honor.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4: 23

4) True Biblical Authority- God Given.

1st You must be under the authority of the Holy Spirit.  Listen to Him and obey because what the Holy Spirit gives you the unction to do is what you do.  No less and no more!  

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  Romans 8:14  

God gives us different authorities through our walk with Him.  He uses all people in authority for His purpose whether they realize it or not.  

¹ Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13: 1

I pray that this has pulled things to the surface in your life that need to be put in order- 

as it did in mine.  God Bless,  <><  Shelly

Your Majesty

I can’t wait to see your face while standing in the presence of your grace.



Feeling loves warm embrace as you wipe away the tears from my face.


I gaze into your deep and endless eyes as I hear “Child you are mine.


Your sins have been forgotten and you have been set free. You will be with me for all eternity!”


Savior your mercy knows no bounds. Creator draw closer to my soul.


You opened my eyes so I could see all that you have made for me.


I fall to my knees taken by your simple peace. I can finally rest here at your feet- your majesty.

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Southern Savers Chrstmas Giveway

8 Days of Giveaways: 3 Awesome Presents

To Celebrate Christmas they are having 8 Days of Giveaways on Southern Savers! Each giveaway will last 24 hours and winners will be announced with the next day’s giveaway.

Need help getting a great present for someone?  Today they have 3 different Southern Living at Home products.  They will give away one of each.

Check it out!

Easy No-Bake Cookies

Chocolate Haystacks

Prep Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
1 Hr 10 Min

Makes about 44 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 2 cups chow mien noodles
• 2 cups Miniature Marshmallows
• 1/2 cup Salted Peanuts

Directions

1. Microwave chocolate chunks and butterscotch chips in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after 1-1/2 minutes. Stir until completely melted.
2. Add remaining ingredients; stir until evenly coated.
3. Drop teaspoonfuls of the chocolate mixture onto large sheet of wax paper. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.