Another Markism While at Marriage Retreat

This weekend, we had an awesome time fellowshipping with other couples from our church while at the ILC Marriage Retreat. We stayed at the Ayres Suites in Costa Mesa, CA. We had gorgeous weather, a gorgeous room, and a gorgeous gift basket with lots of goodies.

We were blessed with the Word of God, delivered with such wisdom and power by Rev. Steve Pixler. While he was speaking this morning, he said that if we were to spiritualize marriage we would all have to take a vow of celibacy. We would all have to be nuns and monks. It was powerful what Bro. Pixler was saying when all of a sudden, Mark leans over and whispers something in my ear.

Mark said, "If we did that, there would be nun amonks us."

Needless to say, I started giggling yet tried to be quiet about it. After the session, Sis. Cindy Pierce came up and asked me what had been so funny. She said she KNEW Mark had said something hilarious and wanted to know what! So, I told her. She and Rhonda Lee started cracking up. They thought it was a hoot.

We had a blast. Bro. Pixler blessed us in song and the Word. Sis. Booker blessed the ladies with some tips on how to be a loving wife while Bro. Pixler spoke to the men about what I do not know. Between the session Friday night and two sessions this morning, we learned what God really intends for marriage to be; a reflection of him through the unity of man and wife!!! I came away realizing that I need more Holy Ghost to help me to be a respectful and loving wife, even in my thoughts!!! Mark came away knowing that it is his duty to love me like Christ loves the church, sacrificially!!! WE came away knowing that it is time to let God help us have a great marriage and to seek God's help in raising our children to love Him with all their hearts!!

Markism Joy

My husband is a wonderful yet quiet man. However, he has a very funny sense of humor and is always coming up with funny jokes or thoughts. Katie and I decided to call his jokes markisms. LOL

Here is his latest....I think it's really cute!

The cow and chicken were arguing.
The argument kept getting more heated because neither one would give in.
Finally, the cow says to the chicken, "Quit your squawking!
I've got a lot more at stake than you do!!!!"

Get it????

LOL

Hope you enjoyed today's markism brought to you by MJM publications.

BTW, now that this joke has been published here on my blog...it is copywrited and Mark gets to be the one who calls Dr. Laura at Thanksgiving and try to win her corniest joke contest!! LOL

Joy of Being an Artist

It has been a while since I labeled a post with Joy in the title. Not that I haven't had joy, but you can only come up with so many ways to incorporate it into a title!!! LOL

Today, while waiting for my SI class to start, I was reading from Rory Noland's book, Heart of the Artist. I started this book with Chris McCorkle almost 2 years ago. We were going to read a chapter or two and then discuss them and what they mean to our ministries as Music Minister of our churches. Life got in the way and we didn't get too far. So, today, I picked it up and started it all over again! As I read, I came across a passage that spoke VOLUMNS to me!

Mr. Noland was writing about the proven character of an artist in a church setting. He wrote, "Authenticity is a powerful witness to the presence of God in our lives. It doesn't mean that we're perfect. It means that we're real." He goes on to say that when we, the Christian, put on a happy face to cover up our pain, we aren't being honest about our imperfections and struggles. Being authentic means we're real with our struggles and shortcomings. Then he talks about how God wants our character growth to be as high a priority as our talent. We shouldn't hide behind the talent and conceal our real selves, being hypocrits while ministering on the platform.

Now, I will be "authentic" and confess that I haven't always practiced this principle. People have even been aware of things I was struggling with, but I would put on a smile and go ahead and "minister" when I really shouldn't have been allowed on the platform! To those who may read this post and have been privy to my past foibles and failures, I sincerely apologize for my lack of authenticity before you and God. The one thing that consoles me today is that I honestly prayed for forgiveness of my faults, told God to do with me what He felt should be done, and TURNED from my past and determined to do what was right and true.

Am I perfect today? NO...not by a long shot but I AM FORGIVEN and God has blessed my repentance with anointing!! His Grace is greater than I can ever comprehend!!!
I want to follow God's plan for becoming spiritually mature! Ephesians 4:15 says we are to "in all things grow up" into Christ. Grow in areas such as moral excellence, intimacy with Christ, self-control and discipline, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. 2 Peter 1:5-9 says if we possess these qualities and keep growing in them, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus!!! I also want to walk in my home, job, and where ever I go with integrity!!!

I want that authenticity to shine as I minister in song or on the piano during services. My art is a huge part of who I am but without God leading the way, I AND my art are nothing! I pray that my future songwriting endeavors, CD projects, and my ministry of music will reflect the heart of the artist who is writing my song, my story, my life.

Above all else, I want to honor and please God and have my life

reflect my desire to do God's will.