>Love this article written by singer Mandisa.
How I Pray for My Future Husband
If we've been friends on Facebook or Twitter long
enough, you know that I refer to myself as "Super
Single". Until recently I would often employ the
Twitter hashtags #SingleAwarenessMoment and
#SingleAwarenessDay for that special February
holiday. Can I be honest? I was bitter; often mad
at God for taking so long to introduce me to my
husband. Sometimes I would cry at night in
loneliness and ask God if there was something
wrong with me. Then I realized that there's
something wrong with everyone, so that's not why
I'm still single! God knows what He's doing and I trust Him.
There have been rare moments when some
"Extra-Grace-Required" person learns that I'm
single and before they think asks, "What's wrong
with you?" At those times I have often thought to
myself, "The same thing that's wrong with
everyone else in this world! We're human,
imperfect, and prone to sin...just like
YOU...sucka!" (See? That last little phrase is a
perfect indication of how easily I can wander
into flesh! God is still working on me!)
Thankfully, like the "Come Thou Fount" hymn
writer expressed, God can bind my wandering heart
to Him. I am thankful that our merciful Savior is
patient. If He were not, He'd have given up on me
long ago. But when He looks at me, He sees His
holy Son, and lavishes His blessings on me. While
my righteousness is like filthy rags (see Isaiah
64:6), I am clothed in the righteousness of
Christ (see Philippians 3:9) and pray to look more like Him each day.
James 5:16 tells us that God hears the prayers of
the righteous and that those prayers are powerful
and effective. So because my future husband falls
under the category of "human, imperfect, and
prone to sin", like me, I have made the choice to
pray for him regularly. I may not know who he is, but our Father does!
One of the most important ways I have learned to
pray is with scripture. I've heard Max Lucado say
that his wife prays Psalm 112 over him regularly,
so I decided to do the same for my future
husband. Here's an example of how I turn a few of
those verses from The Voice translation into prayers:
(From verse 1)
I praise You, Eternal God, for how You work in
the lives of Your children, including my future
husband. I pray that as You teach him how to
revere You, he will be blessed. Make him a man
who turns from evil and takes great pleasure in Your commandments.
(From verses 4 & 7)
Holy Spirit, when life is dark and difficult,
please shine a light and lead him to live
rightlycultivate mercy, compassion and a pursuit
for justice in his heart. I pray that You would
build his faith; that he will not be afraid when
the news is bad because he has resolved to trust in You.
(From verses 8 & 10)
Create a confident and fearless heart in my
future husband, Eternal God. Make him Satan's
worst enemy and give him an expectation to see
the Enemy defeated! Strengthen him to resist the
devil and his wicked desires. May the demons
clench their teeth and dissolve to nothing as
they and their evil temptations flee from his
life because of the authority he wears in You, Lord!
In Jesus' Name...And all my single peeps said, AMEN!
After you share today's song and devotional for a
chance to with the prize pack below, drop back by
my FB post and leave me a comment. If you are
single, share how you turn verses 2, 3, 5, 6 or 9
into prayers for your future spouse. If you're
married, I'd love to hear what Bible verses and
other things you pray over your husband or wife.
And if you're a big, Black, Born-Again Believer
with a Bald-Head and a goatee...call me!
Hehehehehe...just kiddin'...sort of. ;-)
- See more at:
https://raincontest.com/mandisa/shareandwin/#sthash.5OP6vMHU.dpuf
>
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Sidewalk Prophets go to the fair
Here is a funny video of the Sidewalk Prophets created when they went to the county fair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEp4eCyDZ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEp4eCyDZ0
Friday, August 09, 2013
Secret Keeper Girl – What is this Crazy Hair Tour?
Thursday, August 08, 2013
If You Seek A Pleasant Peninsula...
Michigan offers endless opportunities for summer activities in state.
By Brian Dumont
Summer is quickly waning. Kids will be back to school before you know it and with the little time we have left you may be thinking, “I need a vacation!” But before you pack you bags and head out of state for one last hurrah, I would encourage you to consider Michigan’s state motto: “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice.” Or in the common tongue, “ If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”
Staying in state not only saves you money on your fuel budget, but also boots the local economy, which is good for all of us. Those factors aside, there are a lot of cool things you can do right here in Michigan. There are too many to list in this article, but here are a few ideas worth considering.
With the advent of smart phones and GPS navigation systems, geocaching provides a fun, free avenue to modern day treasure hunting anyone can try. The process involves some basic compass and map reading skills and often times will relay something of educational or historical significance. Other times it’s just fun. A quick internet search from my home computer turned up dozens of caches within a few miles of my house including some titled “R2-D2 Is Lost.” How cool is it that somewhere out there is a lost little Star Wars action figure who needs my help. And he’s been right under my nose this whole time! I’m ready to go find him right now. Start Geocaching!
MADE IN MICHIGAN
.
A lot of consumer products are made right here in Michigan, from cars to food to hundreds of other items we use everyday. But what you may not know is that many Michigan producers offer tours of their facilities so you can actually see how it’s made. Again, there are too many list, but a few I found interesting include Morley Candy Makers in Clinton Township, Michigan’s largest candy maker. They create Sanders Candy Pecan Torties and Coconut Clusters among other treats. The tour explains how chocolate is made and how the company got their start in Detroit. And of course there are free samples! http://www.sanderscandy.com/factory-tours-a/250.htm
Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. offers free tours of their 35,000 sq./ft. warehouse/production facility and Toy Museum located in the historic Clock Tower Complex in downtown Chelsea. The display features over 100,000 teddy bears, including the World’s largest Teddy Bear. For more information visit http://www.chelseateddybear.com/home
http://www.jiffymix.com/
It’s no secret that Michigan has its share of agriculture bragging rights. But we also have a few farms you may not be familiar with. Centennial Cranberry Farm in Paradise is Michigan's only historic cranberry farm. http://www.centennialcranberry.com/ . Groeb Farms in Onsted is the world’s largest processor of honey. http://www.groebfarms.com/ . And Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns is the oldest, continuously family operated mint farm in the United States. http://peppermintjim.com/ . And of course they all offer tours. One last tour suggestion I have to mention is Michigan State University Dairy Complex located in Anthony Hall on the campus of MSU in East Lansing. The Dairy Store is not only an educational and outreach center, they also make, package and sell delicious ice creams and cheeses. And if you go at the right time, you can pick up a container of ice cream that was made during the switch over of their product lines, resulting in some unique flavor combinations you won’t find anywhere else. For more information visit http://dairystore.msu.edu/
WATER WONDERLAND
Finally, any discussion of things to do in our state has to include Michigan’s water features. After all, the Great Lakes are the largest fresh water lakes in the world and no matter where you are in Michigan, you’re never more than 85 miles away from one of them. There are numerous beaches and lighthouses to explore. My suggestion, however, has to do with one of our inland bodies of water... the river! If you have not done so before, you absolutely must take a canoe or kayak trip down a Michigan river. There are several options to choose from. I have a certain affinity for the Au Sable River.
Growing up in Michigan we used to gather in Grayling for family reunions. Many of my extended relatives lived on or near the river and one of the big highlights of the weekend was hopping in a canoe and letting the current take us downstream. Often we would ditch the canoes in favor of inner tubes, splashing and playing for hours in the crisp, cold water. We haven’t had a reunion with extended relatives in those parts for some time, but occasionally I will make my way north to relive that part of the experience with my immediate family.
A canoe trip of that nature can be as brief or involved as you want with trips ranging from a couple of hours to several days. Many businesses rent canoes and kayaks and there are options for camping along the river as well. It’s a great opportunity to see wildlife like never before and enjoy a peace that only comes from knowing God’s grace through His creation. That is, if you don’t tip over! One of the best benefits of a canoe trip is the element of built-in marriage/family counseling. You might think I’m joking at this point, but I kid you not. Steering a canoe, while not difficult, does require some degree of effort and communication with the person at the other end of the boat. The first time my wife and I shared a canoe it was a good hour into the trip before we both stopped yelling and settled down. But once we figured out how to work together we enjoyed the rest of the trip and it has become one of our favorite shared experiences. Since then we have both agreed, a canoe trip should be a requirement of pre-marital counseling. If you can survive the river and each other, you can get married.
Like I said, there are a lot of cool things you can do in Michigan, too many to list here. But if you stick to the state motto and “look about you,” I’m sure you’ll find the pleasant peninsula you seek. Until then, I have an R2-D2 geocache to find, a dairy store to tour and Michigan river that begs me to float in its gentle current until summer’s end. Enjoy!
Brian Dumont is
co-host of the Morning Espresso with Jenn & Brian on Smile FM. He
lives in Lansing with his wife Jennifer and their three children Daniel, B’Elanna and
David. Brian and his family are active at Mount Hope Church where they are involved in
creative arts ministry. When not on the radio or at church, Brian enjoys collecting
Transformers action figures and 45 vinyl records for his jukebox.
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Making A Difference The Morning Espresso Takes To The Road
One of the biggest challenges that comes with operating a network of 22 radio stations is connecting with individuals on a meaningful level. It’s one thing for a single business to be plugged into a defined community, but when the audience Smile FM serves spans nearly the entire state of Michigan, it’s a whole different ballgame. That’s where the idea for the Morning Espresso Making A Difference Tour came from.
Jenn and I were talking one day about how much we enjoy connecting with people face- to-face. I said, “We should just pack up our families in a camper, take the show on the road for a week and meet as many people as we can.” The vision was born, but we wanted to make the experience more about the various communities we visit and less about promoting our show or the network. So we decided to get a sponsor, bring a band and give back to those who are making a difference, really getting in done where they live.
The 3 rd annual Morning Espresso Making A Difference tour is scheduled for August 13 – 18, 2013. Each morning of the tour we'll be broadcasting on location from a different community, and hosting a benefit concert each night with Smile FM artist Julian Drive. The tour itinerary is as follows:
Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: KDR Challenge Dream Makers Theater, Sault Ste. Marie, MI The mission of KDR Challenge is to increase awareness to youth of the dangers of distracted driving, especially using a cell phone while driving. Bonnie Raffaele created the non-profit organization after the death of her daughter Kelsey Dawn Raffaele. She travels speaking to high school and college students throughout the state and country.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: Big Brothers Big Sisters Bay Pointe Community Church, Traverse City, MI Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan is looking for mentors to invest as little as one hour a week and provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.
Thursday, August 15, 2013, 6:00 pm Supporting: Habitat for Humanity Bayview Park Band Shell, Alpena, MI Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan brings people together to build homes, community, and hope. They are looking for volunteers as well as home sites and potential new home owners needing assistance.
Friday, August 16, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: Ennis Center for Children Kensington Community Church, Lake Orion, MI Ennis Center works with children who have experienced abuse and neglect through Michigan’s Foster Care program. Their mission is to preserve families when possible and create new families when necessary. Ennis Center provides services to over 3,500 children and families each year with an emphasis on southeastern Michigan.
Saturday, August 17, 2013, 7:30 pm Supporting: The Refuge Lapeer Event Center, Lapeer, MI The Refuge is operated by churches throughout Lapeer County who take turns providing temporary overnight shelter on a weekly basis November through April. Their mission is to equip the congregations of Lapeer County to provide shelter for the homeless and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are looking for volunteers as well as funds to purchase a permanent building.
Sunday, August 18, 2013, Approx. 5:00 pm (Following Lansing Lugnuts baseball game) Supporting: Lansing Teen Challenge Cooley Law School Stadium, Lansing, MI Lansing Teen Challenge is a 12-13 month live-in residential facility for men 18 years old and older. They are also affiliated with Sisters Maternity Home for pregnant young ladies that are 18 and over. Both organizations need donations of personal hygiene items.
We’re excited to have Julian Drive with us on the tour this year. You may have heard their songs “From His Hands,” “Always There” and “Move Mountains Again” on Smile FM. Each night of the tour they will be performing a free concert and an offering will be collected for the respective non-profit organizations. The final concert stop of the tour will include a charity auction featuring an electric guitar autographed by several Smile FM artists. All donations collected on the tour go directly to the non-profit organizations.
The reason we’re able to make this effort successful is due in large part to Great Lakes Christian College, the sponsor of the Morning Espresso Making a Difference Tour. Their support allows us to keep costs at a minimum and offer the concerts free of charge. Big thanks to GLCC for their involvement again this year.
We’re really looking forward to seeing you on the Morning Espresso Making A Difference Tour. If we’re coming to a town near you, or if you can make the drive to one of our stops, we would love to meet you in person. Please come out to visit and let us know how you’re making a difference!
Monday, August 05, 2013
How many times left to visit your parents?
Here’s a website that will determine how many times you have left to visit your parents.
The Diceman was shocked when he found out he only has 15 more visits with his parents!
Perseverance Pays Off
It was so hot at Big Ticket Festival in June of 2012, I was literally melting away. I had ice packs stuffed in my pockets. At almost 300 pounds, it was hard to take that much heat and humidity! After a performance of the Stand Strength Team, Bryan “The Marine” Beaune came up to me and said, “Jenn, if you want to work out with me, I can get in great shape by next Big Ticket.” I took his card and told him I’d think about it. I thought about a dozen excuses why I did NOT want to work out with the intimidating body builder: he would want me to go on some crazy diet, he wouldn’t understand how to work with someone so out of shape and the biggest excuse of all....he would KILL ME (or make me wish he had!)
I packed all my excuses into my gym bag and went to meet with him. He told me about his eating plan, several mini-meals throughout the day, clean eating, with all whole foods from the grocery store. I didn’t have a problem with what was ON the plan, however I had big problem with what was NOT on the plan, no processed foods, no fast foods, no pop, no popcorn, I was in BIG trouble. One redeeming part of Bryan’s plan, a weekly cheat meal, whatever junk food my body demanded, as long as I faithfully followed the plan all week long!
A few days later we started working out. While Bryan’s first workout didn’t kill me, it certainly hurt. So did the next one and the next one. However losing 15 lbs the first month and better fitting clothes was enough motivation to keep on going. My body fought back against the new eating plan throwing crazy cravings at me right and left. I felt miserable for months as I had to go through a junk food detox. I actually had to block friends on facebook who often posted pictures of their delicious dinners online triggering a new batch of cravings for me to overcome.
In April, 2013, Bryan opened his own CrossFit box and I got introduced to the exciting world of CrossFit. I had already done many of the moves working with him as my personal trainer, but now they come at me much faster and harder! I also moved from working out with just Bryan, to working out in a group setting with others who are much younger and in much better shape than myself. It has been a struggle. I know I should not compare myself to others, but it’s hard not to feel like a bit of a failure when it takes twice as long to complete a workout. But I DO complete the workouts! And I probably burned more calories than those skinny minnies too!
All my life I’ve used food as a reward and a comfort. Food would take me to my “happy place.” I’ve had to learn to find a new ways to be happy, something new and healthy to look forward to. I’m seeing God slowly release me from the bondage that food had on my life. I still love food, but I’m trying to learn to “Eat to Live” and NOT “Live to Eat.” I can’t believe how much I’ve changed this past year. The obvious changes include losing 60 pounds going from “Morbidly Obese” to just plain ol’ regular “Obese,” getting so much stronger, (Did I mention I can dead lift 200 pounds! Oh Yeah!), and wearing smaller clothing, goodbye size 24, hello size 14.
It’s the changes you can’t see that I’m most happy about; moving from strictly following an assigned food plan to living a new healthier food lifestyle automatically without having to measure every bite. I used to love it when I got a break from my workouts because of travel plans. Now, I really miss it when I can’t make a workout. I “enjoy” CrossFit and I actually invested to create my own basement gym. Now when I travel I take my jump rope with me and grab the weights at the hotel. I rarely miss a work out and now I am learning how to work out by myself when needed. For the first time in my life I have confidence that I will reach my healthy weight loss goals and eventually even master the jump rope, handstand and the burpee....someday!
Jenn Czelada, co-host of the Morning Espresso with Jenn and Brian, lives on a small farm in the thumb area with 12 hens, too many roosters and her husband Ed and 6 year old twin daughters Hosanna and Hallelujah. She blogs occasionally about her healthy lifestyle efforts at www.incredibleshrinkingme.com
Bryan Beaune is the owner of Building Your Temple CrossFit in Oxford, MI and offers meal planning and 8 CrossFit classes at day at his box. www.BYTBootcamp.com
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