2011 - Another Blog To Start The Year

Well...it seems as though I'm right here every year at this time trying to start a blog journey. Only to give it up right after I post my first January blog. So, I won't make any promises to be better about this, but just give you all some personal updates. How's that for a New start to a New Year.

2010 was the most awesome ministry year. I hit over 18 different state throughout the year! I was on the road for over a month this last summer traveling with my ministry from Ohio to the west coast. Something I have always wanted to do. It was excited to see what God had in store. I met so many wonderful God filled people who walked through a lot of fire and was on their way to healing. A healing only God could do in their hearts. I was so blessed to hear so many stories and look people in the eye as they were sharing their hearts, struggles and joys. Man, that just doesn't get any better!

I also want to take this time to thank all the groups, organizations and churches that took a risk in having me in. In a time when money is short for everyone, faith is a little weaker to some and doors aren't as wide open as they use to be, you brought me in. You followed your heart, you stood strong and you moved forward to growing towards God's plans for your groups and your own personal lives and didn't allow anything to get in the way. I always say that God is so much better than money but sometimes money is so hard to get past. Satan has a stronghold to our pocketbooks and sometimes getting past that is tough. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to share with your groups or church. It was such a blessings to me and along the road in 2011 I grew from it. I learned that God has a lot of love and it shines through his people. That sometimes people will let me down but it's OK! That things I don't always understand just aren't for me to understand but none the list God is still in control. I learned although I'm in ministry God uses that ministry too, to reach me, grow me and teach me. It is about me at times! LOL! I give and God gives back though you all! I love that!

This year also came with some scary moment. Easter this year my husband was in the hospital. Many of you don't know that he has a heart condition that he picked up when I was tour with him in South Africa. 2011 his heart wasn't doing so well and it landed him in the hospital. That began our journey to healthy living for both of us. I'm glad to report that my husband(Jan) has bounced back 100% since April! His heart is doing really well and he's walking, biking, exercising and I can't keep up with him. But, that journey in April stopped my world for a few weeks. I wasn't sure how I was going to get through my husbands illness. I had fear I never knew before. Fear I never want to know again but fear that will probably come into my life at some point again. Fear is something we all have at one point or another. We can deny we have it, we can cover it up, we can lie we don't have it or we can step up to the plate and simple say...YES, I do have fear. What's important is what we do with that fear. If we hold on to it, it will bring us down. If we walk with Jesus and give it to him to carry we live a fuller life and allow him more control.

What do you have in your life that's controlling you or bringing you to fear? Today, you can hand it over and allow God to hold on to it. I'm not saying you walk completely fearless. I'm just saying you allow God to be your partner in this fear and allow him to comfort you, to direct you and to lead you down the right path. Things are going to happen in our lives that we simple aren't going to have control over anyhow so why not just allow God to have the control that we don't have. It will make our lives so much easier, bring more joy, more hope and more trust. I learned that in 2010. That right there brings me to a better 2011. Are you ready to have a better 2011 simply by letting God be your guide? We can all do this together. We can all join in and say...I'm working with God to make my future better than my past. I hope and pray you take my challenge for your life today.

I'm excited about 2011 as you can see and I want you all to be just as excited. Leave 2010 behind and move on with God as your driver.

Blessings!

Leah

(P.S...look for a NEW CD for 2011) - GOOD DAY!

Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Sleet...

Wouldn't you know it! Snow! Yes, this year I decided to book several January concerts while I was home here in Ohio. I knew that January could be hit or miss weather wise, but we can't let snow get in the way of anything around here. So, first night out and BAM! Snow! I think it snowed all day. Not a big flake kind of snow but a small you almost can't see it kind.

I kept looking out my window going, really? Snow? First concert of the year and you're already challenging me to see if I'm going to let snow get in the way of what God called me to do? Well, that's not even a consideration so have fun making my little world look beautiful with this nice white snow.

Last night was a wonderful time of sharing. First time in a long time that I was able to go back out with hubby by my side and have him running the sound for me. I miss those times! We don't get to do that much but this year we're working on getting back out there together more. That's why I love going out around the area because those are the times he can be with me. Last night he was able to do the driving to the event and help with lots of stuff I needed help with so that snow was not a challenge for me. God had it covered! I love that! You know God always has it covered! Sometimes, we just don't stop long enough to see that whatever we are going through he's got us covered. We're to busy not listening, trying to fix it or just not paying attention to him to see that God is trying to help us.

So, today look for him! When you run across that small problem you think you can solve all by yourself, or you have that huge huddle to take care of today. Look for him! You don't have to fix anything by yourself, you don't always have to have the answer. You just need to stop, pray and wait to see where GOD is going to lead you. Let him take care of you! He's pretty good at it, has lots of experience with it and always has the perfect answer to whatever it is we're going through. He is the one person you can depend on for the rest of your life who will always come through for you.

Blessings!

Make Every Day CHRISTmas!

Well, I hope you all had a great CHRISTmas, didn't forget Christ and learned something new about him! CHRISTmas is always special! I don't think it's because of the gifts, the food, the snow or family coming together. I think there is something special that comes over us every year where God is trying to speak to us. Where he's trying to get our attention.

Though all the musicals, the messages, the gifts and everything else that comes with CHRISTmas, God's love is there. Trying to reach out to those that are lost in a time that brings them closer to searching. In a time where they are the loneliest. There's something magical about God's presence.

This year take this CHRISTmas moment with you throughout the year. Wake up every day as though it's a CHRISTmas morning. God doesn't want you to just see and feel him at Christmas but feel him every single day of your life.

Sometimes he's the loneliest throughout the year because he's waiting to hear from us. Don't wait till Easter to catch back up with him again and then again at CHRISTmas. That doesn't make for a lot of good days in between. Make a effect to connect with him daily in 2010.

The Genealogy of Jesus!

Thought this would make a great read just before Christmas. Have you ever taken the time to read his genealogy? Here it is! Enjoy!

Matthew 1
The Genealogy of Jesus
1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,
Perez the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,

4 Ram the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,

5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,
Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,
Obed the father of Jesse,

6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,

7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,

8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram,
Jehoram the father of Uzziah,

9 Uzziah the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah,

11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[a] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.

12 After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

13 Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,

14 Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Akim,
Akim the father of Eliud,

15 Eliud the father of Eleazar,
Eleazar the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Galatians 1 - Dieting?

This morning I decided to head over to Ephesian for devotions. Once I got over there I saw Galatians and thought hm, I'll just start there. Not really knowing why there, just doing it.

So I started with Galatians 1 and read. It started out with a greeting from the Lord, Paul's new life then went into why he was doing what he was doing and that by no means was he trying to please men but to please God! Then he ended with If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ!

See that's not new to me! I totally understood it the same way I've always read it but today something was added. Keep in mind that I was going to read Ephesians but apparently God directed me to Galatians. Was it for the actual scriptures? Yes and No!

Once I stopped at the end of the chapter I began to read the side notes that came with my new bible. Here is what it read:

Paul was intent on please God --not others--so he didn't change his message to please the crowds. what does this have to do with dieting?

That's where I went WHAT? What does that have to do with dieting or where did it even say I was looking for something on dieting? They really pulled that one out of the blue!

Reading on:
Because we like how it feels when people notice and say we look good...so others will find us more attractive...so we can win their approval.

But God wants us to focus on pleasing him. Women diet for many reasons, Ask yourself: When I diet, is my goal to gain human approval or to please God by improving my health?

OK, I wasn't heading in that direction today. I have been almost every other day but not so much today. I mean every day I start a new diet and I fail, I lose sign of my goal and I quite hoping to start back the next day.

I really didn't know what my true goal was. In my head I've always said I'd feel better but I wanted to look better to. But today God opened a new door of thinking for me. It's not about how I look to others it's about what I do with this body he has given me and honor him by making myself as healthy has I can for him.

I had the wrong goal. I didn't know I had such a desire to please others when I was dieting. I really hadn't thought about it that much. But I did like the notices. Who wouldn't like it when someone told you, you look good? But maybe I liked that more than I was even willing to admit and put more on that then I should have? People's approval matter to me, always has! So, dieting fits right into that bad thinking.

God clearly directed me to Galatians today. I have a new goal! A goal to please him in my dieting and forget about appealing to others. That's going to take some work I'm sure to keep reminding myself that my focus is not how I look but how I'm making myself healthier because God is asking me to be healthy to continue serving him as I know I've been called to do.

Let's take this challenge together!
Leah

Back In The States!

Ok...so I had some time to spare and decided to once again changed my blog. I keep thinking it's going to motive me to write something really creative but so far I can't seem to really get motivated here on Blogger.

I just got back from Denmark a few days ago and the sleeping thing has got me but I think I'm finally bouncing back. It was great to visit like always but there always seems like something is missing there. Well actually there is a someone missing and that's God. Denmark feels like such a lonely place for people. There's not a lot of peace, hope or love. There's a lack of emotions. Even Jan my hubby can feel and see it all around him.

People are honored for what they have or accomplished rather than just saying hey I love you to them. They just can't seem to bring those words out regularly.

Going to Denmark revives me to work at growing closer to God and what he has called me to do because...I'm free to do that! Not all nations are and I want to take advantage of my freedom to do so and reach others for Christ.

So...as I get ready for this next tour I'm praying for God to do some big things with the people that come our way. I want to see lives changed. Not by me but by him. I'll let you know how it goes or I'll at least change my template again. LOL!

I'm Sorry Was That A Truck That Just Hit ME?

I love it when you are going along thinking life is great and all is well and then bam! In one moment everything changes. How come that happens? Why do we have to have ups in our lives and downs? I'm an even keel kind of person, well at least I think so. I don't like things going up and down for a lot of reason. I sure hope tomorrow is different. I know I'm being vage just don't want to go into it but man I had no idea that this thing was going to hit me so hard like a truck hitting a wall.

Denmark!

Well...in a few days I'm headed for Denmark! Like Denmark, Europe. My hubby is from there and his parents are celebrating their 50th anniversary! Yeah, for them! That's an accomplishment anyone should be proud of these days!

The flight is long and once we get there it will rain alot and be cold but one thing I can be sure of, we'll have great food. I love danish food. Other than fish there isn't much I don't like. One thing I like is Danish Hot Dogs! They are nothing like American Hot Dogs. They are so great! Hard rolls and liver pate'(yeah sorry for that) is one of my favorites too.

I'm singing over there. I've been requested for the party to sing something. I still haven't as of yet decided what that should be. I hope I can figure it out before I leave. LOL!

Next month I head out on tour. I'll be heading to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. If you are in those area's please let me know. I'd love to meet you.
Blessings to you all! LOL! That might just only be me the typer! LOL!

Lovin' These Templates!

I can't believe I finally found a template for Blogger. Man, this has been the process. There use to be hardly any choices and now I have the world to choose from. For all you people out there that don't care for purple much you are going to hate my site. LOL! It's ok! I hate green so I totally understand you! Just dropping by on this freezing cold bright sun shiney day to say HI!

Hubby sick! It's only a matter of time!

Man...this has been the year of sickness. From November to now both myself and my hubby have been sick. Now...he's really down and I'm counting the next couple of days down because it's only a matter of time before his bug will be my bug. We have a trip to Columbus planned and by the way he's reacting, there is no way I'll be leaving this house. LOL! Ok...off to take some stuff to beginning fighting this. Proactive! Is it possible? I sure hope so!

Don't Be Offended!

Well...as you can see it's 3:54 am and I am up. Hubby had a coughing fit and woke me up. Don't worry about him though because he's sound asleep and I am not. LOL! I finally found a blogger template. I guess it took me being up early in the morning to do that. But I noticed I lost all my links. I didn't have many but I did lose a couple of links to other blogger sites. So...if that was you please let me know and I'll put you back up. For now you are lost forever and I have no way of finding you. I'm sure that no one is reading this. I haven't been good at all keeping this up. I'm going to try harder this year. Hopefully, I'll have some great things to say. LOL! Let me know if you are reading. That will help me keep coming back and posting. Hope you all are having a great 2009. Blessings!

IT'S BEEN A PRETTY BIG YEAR!!!!!!

I haven't taken the time yet to count how many concerts I have done this year. I can say that I never ever expected to do what I've been doing in the last few year. I just wanted to be faithful. All I wanted to do was use the talent I was given. I knew I wasn't the best singer ever, I know I didn't fit a lot of things people tried to tell me I had to be. I knew I had passion and desire. I knew that all I ever wanted to do is reach people and use my talent to do that. So...today I was reflecting. God has been so good to me. I don't take what I do for granted. I'm humbled that he's allowing me to serve him. I've worked hard to get to this place along side him. I'm just so excited to be where I am and do what I do.

Last week on tour Beth and I spent lots of hours in the car. We wrote I believe 3 songs. Three GREAT songs. I know GREAT! I know the difference between ok, good and great. I don't push my songs because I know the difference. God placed Beth and I together for so many different reasons. We haven't figure them all out but you can see it in the writing, in the serving and in the heart of what we have been called to do. But more importantly you can FEEL it. You can feel God's arms around what we are doing. There is joy and peace and love all wrapped up in this journey.

So what am I saying? I love this place I'm at right now. It's peaceful!
Thank you God for investing in me and allowing me to serve you in the way I get to serve you.

I pray that all of you at some point in your life get to experience the closeness of serving your maker as I have. Invest yourself in people! When you do you'll see a return you can't explain.
leah

Verse for the Weekend!

I love this verse! You'll see me post it from time to time. It's a reminder to me that God doesn't just call us to do something he calls us to do it well. But not for anyone but him! A lot of problems could be solved with this verse in the world today.

"Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men"
Colossians 3:23

Why is this so hard?

I don't know why this is so hard! Why I start this blogging thing and then stop! Maybe it's because I can't find anything of any value to say. I don't know. Or maybe it's because I don't think I'm talking to anyone. But really...isn't a blog about your thoughts? Blogging started out as an online diary. Something you do to get your thoughts out and the bonus was people could read them. Well...here I am writing about blogging and why it's so hard to keep going. I'm not in a time in my life to go deep. It's been hectic. Strange stuff has happen this year and great stuff has happen. Life is moving fast and ministry is booming! Yet...I don't want to go deep! I'm afraid if I do to much would come out. So...for a time I'll stay shallow! LOL! Well...if anyone is reading please comment! Maybe that will keep my blogging! Blessings upon Blessings!

It's a lookin to PINK around here!

Well...I'm giving this blog spot here another chance. I really need to find a template that works for me because this pink isn't doing it. I have yet to find something that works for me though. They don't have enough templates here. I'm going to be on the look out though. If you happen to know where I can get some cool blog backgrounds give me a shout out. Have a great and wonderful Monday!

My little blog here on Facebook!

Well...I've added the Mirror Blog! Hope I can write here from time to time. We'll see. I've only been able to keep on blog going and you all know where that is. LOL! I think this is cool though that it's hooked into Blogger.

Facebook Mirror Blog!

Welcome to my first Facebook Mirror Blog post! I'm hoping this will work. I really need to start using my blog here on Blogger. Well...nothing exciting to write as of yet. leah

Hubby's Golfing With A Friend!

Yep...Jan just walked out the door to golf! He hasn't done this for a long while so this is what I'm going to expect when he get's back!

I stunk! LOL!
I'm almost sure he's not going to do well and he'll be unhappy with his swing or putting. But...why? It's not like he put time into it. It's not like he's a professional or goes out that much to really get better. But...for some reason he expects to be surprised with a good game.

We want results with little work! That's our society today. Show up and hope we look like the best! Now...in golf that's not going to work. In most things that's not going to work. So...why is it we keep aiming for that over and over with no change or time applied to making us better?

I want to be the BEST christian I can be! I'm sure you do too! Yet for many of us(me included at times) we show up for the day hoping someone will see us as the best christian without putting the work into it. Day in and Day out we show up for a day doing the same thing but not applying God's word to our life. If we don't take the time to read the word to see how God would have us grow for that day it's just as bad as my hubby showing up to play golf and expecting to do well.

Just a reminder to change a bad pattern that might be in your life. Starting off every day in the wrong way won't achieve the right goals.

The Bible!

Read it! :)

I'm going to be WRITING!

Yes...today I'm headed to my good friends house Amy and Kerry! I'm going to be spending sometime writing with Kerry. I'm excited about that! One because...in the last few days I've had some stuff I needed to work through. That stuff might be able to surface through the writing. Two...because we are writing for NO reason.
Usually...I'm sitting down at the last minute to write with someone. Which is great but...time is never our friend. So...today I'm hoping to walk away with a song, or idea or music. Too cool!

Rain! Rain? "Rain" !

Well...we missed another rain! Yeh...I'm not wanting a ton of rain because twice now our basement has flooded within the last 4 years. But...we are also trying to keep the new grass that was planted alive. All the rain is going either East of us or West of us. We can't seem to get any. Then next year...we will probably have more rain than what we really know what to do with.

Weather tends to be the one thing that God clearly can say to us "I'm still in control"! It doesn't matter if you believe in him or not you'll have to question his existence. You might not admit it, confess it or even believe but...you'll wonder! I know you will!