Closing the Gap

Today I am blogging for Compassion International and my post is dedicated to children around the world who are surrounded by devastating poverty.  Poverty that tells them they are not special, that they can't escape its clutches and no one cares....

Dear God, 

I remember all those years ago. 

It was Christmas. 

Our hearts broken by another miscarriage. 

We thought we needed to turn our attention from ourselves to others who were in need. That perhaps through your love we could bless someone. But the blessings? They were all ours...

Sponsoring Pascaline in Rwanda, and now Elibie in Burkina Faso, has been the most incredible experience. As a mom it encourages me and fills my heart to partner with the girl's parents to help bring them out of desperate poverty...to give them hope for a better future. 

I love how Compassion International focuses one child at a time 

to ensure they can thrive spiritually, economically, socially and physically. By doing this they reach their potential and are released them from the poverty that has trapped their families for generations. 

Now you have blessed us with two biological girls of our own. And as a family we pray for our Compassion girls several times a day. We conserve water and food as we want to honor what you have blessed us with and while remembering children around the globe who don't have enough. 

My girls love getting letters from their sisters half the world away. Their cousin Kade helps as we make art work for them, send stickers, coloring pages and share bible verses. We have pictures up on our refrigerator of the girls and their families. We've made photo albums of letters we've received where they share their daily lives with us. 

Our families will forever be connected, thanks to Compassion International. I so look forward to the day when we will meet in person. 

This week my three year old Teagan asked me to make her a map that would take her to Pascaline's house. Isn't that wonderful? 

Thank you for being that map, God. For closing the gap of thousands of miles to bring these precious children into our homes and lives in a very real, personal way. 

But there are so many more out there that need the love and compassion of a sponsor! We pray for them today, God. 

They need us .

We pray you will touch the hearts of anyone reading today and let them know that for the cost of one meal out a month ($38), they can make a tremendous impact on these children and the people around them. 

In Jesus' Name I Pray, 

Michelle

Will you join us in sponsoring a child? And if you are a Compassion Blogger please link up your post during this month long season at Linking Up for Compassion.

Blessings, Michelle 

God Will Make a Way: Learning Via the CFA Uproar

Hurting Hearts.

Angry words.

Mistrust. 

Accusations of ignorance and judgement.

I stumbled smack into all of this recently on a mommy forum. Our group of women were once united by a love for our children. But on this day? Words typed angrily out on a computer threatened to tear us apart.

These conversations continued for days with our moderators eventually shutting down all discussion pertaining to Chick-fil-A. I walked away with a sad heart. I believe our group missed something crucial here. 

God Will Make a Way

Can I be honest? It makes my heart scared to hear people think Christians hate based on who you love. Anger boils over at the mention of who is saved versus who surely must not be. It blows my mind when some (but not all) on both sides seem to forget...we are all sinners. And it makes my heart break to think as we go into a political election season that Christians are reserving harsh words for each other. 

This brings to my mind the story of Jesus forgiving the adulterous woman in John 8. In that story, men wanted to trap Jesus by bringing the accused woman before Him. If he showed her grace He would be violating Moses' law. But if he ordered her stoned to death He would reported to the Romans for violating their rules. So, what would Jesus do?  

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

John 8:7 New International Version (NIV)

Wow. Can you imagine the looks on the men's faces? Talk about being convicted! One by one, they dropped their stones. One by one they slowly drifted away leaving not one person to execute her. 

My point today is not to rehash the debate surrounding CFA. Instead, I want to spread a message of hope. Yes, we ALL sinners. With one Savior. 

But wait...I still have issues with all of this!

Because

 - the bible says I can't love whomever I want

- the bible says I can drink what I want (smoke, get divorced or rid of my boss, et)

-I had a bad experience with "Christians"

-the church is a place for people I don't understand...I'm just not like them

-I have done some terrible things in my life. God could never love me...

Ah, those issues.

Put them away, my friend. 

Don't let Satan take away a glorious eternity from you by preventing you from accepting the free gift from Christ. 

Salvation. 

You see, no matter who you are or what kind of sin you have in your heart, it doesn't prevent you from accepting Christ. The rest of the stuff? Let God take care of it. I promise He will. 

Just for today, will you consider taking a step toward faith? Trust? Will you admit to Christ you are a sinner (just like the rest of us) and ask Him to be your personal Savior?  

One step at a time. 

God will make a way. 

Dear God, I am a sinner. Thank you for sending your son...your only son to live and die for me. So that I may spend an eternity with you in heaven. I pray for your forgiveness and ask Jesus to come into my heart and life today. Help me to set aside the "stuff" and focus on your love for me...a child of God. 

In Jesus' Name I Pray. Amen.

If I can pray for you please leave a comment below or email teaganstravels@yahoo.com.

Blessings, Michelle

Today I wrote my post as part of Faith Barista's Thursday Faith Jam. Head over to her site for more inspiration, encouragement and letters to God. You'll be hooked!

Blogging for Compassion: Be the Voice

Would you chose to be a hero today?  Could you let your mouse lead you to a new, great, big role that promises to change at least one life, not to mention yours....forever???

One Christmas morning Brian and I became sponsors of a little girl in Rwanda named Pascaline. Our hearts ached from another round of fertility treatments that ended in miscarriage. We believed God called us into the sponsorship experience so we could take a break. Reset. Focus on someone else's needs for a bit. And in the process? Our sponsorship, in Jesus' name, would bless them. 

But God is so good and always full of surprises. We quickly realized that we were the ones being blessed! Our partnership with Pascaline's parents is so powerful. So moving. It healed our hearts and continues to provide daily joy half way around the world from her little village! We are truly family. Forever connected in a powerful love based in Christ's love for us.  

I quickly signed up to be an Advocate for the organization. Recently, we recently began a new sponsorship of Elibie, a sweet little girl from Burkina Faso. 

Today, using my blog to help change the lives of children around the world has enriched an already tremendous blessing!

Compassion is a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. The organization was founded in 1952 and today it helps more than 1 million children in 26 countries.

In my opinion? Compassion International provides the best and most effective means for making real change in the lives of children devastated by poverty!

Challenge: Be the Voice!

Use your blog to speak up on behalf of children in poverty. 

You can sign up to blog for Compassion here. 

Blessings! Hope to see you back here for Tuesday's Destination: Inspiration Linky Party!
Michelle

Until The Whole World Hears - Part 2 & Destination: Inspiration Linky Party #15

In April 2011, I posted Until The Whole World Hears. I wrote about my role as an Advocate for Compassion International. We are blessed to sponsor a little girl in Rwanda named Pascaline, along with a little girl in Burkina Faso named Elibie. These girls have become such a part of our family! We treasure receiving letters and progress reports from them. And we believe we are in partnership with their parents to provide them with the best future possible. But most of all we love seeing how Christ is working in their lives and using compassion from around the world to release them from the devastating affects of poverty. I pray one day I will have the joy of introducing Teagan and Isla to their sisters in Christ!


This week I've been singing away in the car to the song that inspired my post. It is by my favorite band, Casting Crowns....

Isn't that an amazing song? It reminds me that in our world there are places where there is little hope, much darkness and people who have simply never heard of Jesus Christ. I believe we have a vital role to play in getting the message of His love, salvation and hope to others. 

That's why I am simply giddy that the BIG week is finally here! Starting Thursday I will be in Concord, North Carolina for Proverbs 31 Ministries' She Speaks conference! There will be 650 women from around the world attending this as leaders, speakers, and writers who have been called to ministry by God. I am so honored to be part of the group this year and can't sleep due to the excitement! 

I have been praying God would use my love of writing and my blog to grow His kingdom. This conference will provide me with so much information and the tools to do so! Stay tuned as I can't wait to share what He is doing in my life and others attending the conference!

In the meantime, I am really looking forward to this week's Destination: Inspiration submissions! Show us what ya got! 

Passport to an Awesome 

Destination: Inspiration Party!!!

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*I  am trying to grow my little blog so I'd really be excited if you would follow me using Google  Friends Connect or Linky Followers on my sidebar!

*Grab my button and post it somewhere on your blog if you want to totally make my week.

*Link to your post instead of your overall blog address.

*We all love comments so spread the love to at least one other blogger.

Have a great week! 
Blessings,
Michelle

The Promise

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

Genesis 9:16

The South finally received some needed relief from the oppressing humidity and heat wave that had our country moving cautiously about. Teagan and I made our way to a doctor's appointment today. On the way, we talked about what a blessing the rain was because it was God's way of providing for people, birds, grass, and even my toddler girl's favorite snakes (insert a sigh and shake of the head here). All are blessed by this rain with water and means of nourishment. 

As we drove the sky became darker. Ominous, even. Now friends, you should know I am a nervous former Texan. When I see crazy skies my heart beats a bit fast ... and with good reason as I grew up in Tornado Alley! My Irish husband gives me no end of grief, in the form of good natured ribbing, when I pile pillows and blankets galore into our food pantry, TV blaring the latest updates from Weather Center One! 

Anyhoo...to keep us calm I told Teagan, "This is the kind of storm that God allows to bring us something beautiful. So keep your eyes open, toward the sky and you just might see it!" 

As I said these words to her, my thoughts quickly flashed through my previous blog posts. Those entries captured my tender feelings. My vulnerability. My grief. 

And they captured my hope. 

Visions paraded through my mind of Noah, his ark, and his family with their eyes turned up to see the symbol of God's promise never again to destroy His earth or its people.  

In that moment I realized that I, along with my precious family here and around the country, am in the midst of a storm. And not just any storm, but the kind of storm God uses to bring something beautiful to life.  

And just like that my spirit became quiet. I became calm. My heart sang to my sweet Jesus. My Savior. My King: "I praise you in this storm."

We did see a rainbow that day and it was just as exciting for me as it was for Teagan! When you see a rainbow you will take a moment to remember God's unending love for you? Will you take a moment to remember His promise to never destroy us? And you will look for the sun to follow? For with the sun it brings a new day full of hope that surpasses our expectation or understanding. 

I hope you are having a wonderful and blessed weekend. We are off early tomorrow for a fun day at the zoo. I can tell you there are some verrrrrrrry excited persons in our house tonight. And that we will probably be forced to visit the reptile house. *Sigh.*

God Bless!
Michelle

I'm The Map

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

John 14:6 (NIV)

I had planned a different day today. It is busy with floors to be cleaned, laundry to be folded, a trip to "The" Costco (as we call it) waiting, Easter crafts that are begging to be completed before Sunday...and speaking of, our bunny hasn't procured a single item for special baskets! 

But as I scrubbed our kitchen floor today I couldn't get Dora (as in The Explorer) out of my head. There is a song on that show that sings, "I'm the map, I'm the map...et". Cute? Yes. Not so fun when you can't get it out of your head! But as I cleaned I was reminded of John 14:6 this Good Friday, a day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Today Christ whispered to this tired momma, "I am the way, the truth, the life."

A Map for Every Day

It is amazing to me that the Bible acts as our daily map for life. Our gift from God. Leading us to His greatest gift. The Way. How incredible that an estimated 44 writers could compile their pieces of divinely inspired work to provide one cohesive message proclaiming Jesus Christ as The Messiah. Our Savior. The Great Rescuer. 

Imagine picking this map up from an airport Avis car rental as we navigate the rough roads in life! Using the Bible as our guide we can see and understand what happened in the past! And we can marvel at the prophecies written 100 years before Christ. Our Bible gives us a very defined path to Him, The Way along with a permanent address at the most beautiful kingdom surpassing imagination.

A Beggar Searching For Food

I am no scholar. Trust me on that. I am a sinner and no more than a beggar trying to show another beggar where to find food. But I do care for you. All of you reading. And so I share. I hope humbly by turning all eyes upon Him. 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..."

Revelation 3:20

A New Destination

If you haven't accepted Christ as your Savior  there are no special ceremonies needed. No meetings, nor classes. You can do this now through saying a simple, even silent prayer. 

 "God, I know I'm a sinner. I know I'm not perfect. But I want You to come into my life. Be my God for the rest of my life. I turn from my sin now and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Help me to stay with you all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen"

May you and your family be blessed this Easter holiday. Please let  me know if you have a prayer request or questions in the comments below or at teaganstravels@yahoo.com. It would be my honor and privilege to pray for you and your family. 

In Jesus' Name, Michelle