CREATING A LIFE PLAN

In Donald Miller's book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life, he talks about a teenage girl who's life is on the wrong track. She was settling for living the best story she could create on her own. To rescue her, and really the whole family, her dad creates a more exciting story that draws her in. How better to keep your family on track then to make sure you have given them a good story to participate in. A story more exciting and rich than the counterfeits Satan has to offer.
One way we make sure we are ushering them into an incredible God-centered adventure is to have an intentional plan. Everyone in our house over 16 is expected to have a life plan. A plan that they evaluate every few months and adjust according to how God has wired them and how their story has played out.

We have helped them create this plan using several tools.  We read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and discussed what a good story would look like.  When they turn 16 they take StrengthsFinder 2.0 and Your Unique Design .   Using these tools along with an amended form of Michael Hyatt's Creating Your Personal Life Plan we work together to map out a five year plan. You can't imagine what a sense of excitement, purpose and power that gives them.

Everyone should have a life plan. Take the time to write it out. Take it seriously. Don't leave them to wander aimlessly, without clear purpose and direction. It is an incredibly exciting way to equip our youth.

Checkout what Michael Hyatt says are the 7 Reasons Why You Need a Written Life Plan

PRAYING FOR MEMPHIS

When Praying For Memphis, begin by thanking the Lord who is "guarding the city" right now!  Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain."

1. Pray for Spiritual Awakening in the Churches in Memphis

Pray the Scriptural prayers found in Eph 1:15-21, 3:14-21; Phil 1:9-11; Col 1:9-14; 1 Thes 3:10-13, 5:23; 2 Thes 1:11-12, 2:16-17, 3:1-5; Heb 13:20-21.

When you pray these Scriptures, insert the name of congregations and assemblies in your city, asking God to bring the fullness of Jesus' life into the church.

2.  Pray Against the Spiritual Strongholds of Darkness over Memphis 
Ephesians 6:12 teaches of the constant spiritual battle in the heavenlies. There are actual strongholds that the enemy has over geographic areas 
(see Dan 10:10-13).

Command the "rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil" in the north, south, east, and west of your city to "give up" those people held in spiritual bondage (see Is 43:5,6). Praise the Lord that people will come to Jesus from the four sections of your city.
(Lk 13:29

3.  Pray for the Leadership and Authorities in your City


Such as the Mayor, the City Council, Police Chief, School Board, etc.


1 Tim 2:1-4.

4.  Ask God to Bless Memphis

             Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted- Proverbs 11:11 
The greatest blessing God can send is Jesus Christ, who will turn people from their wickedness, and bring them salvation 
- Acts 3:26.

5.  Pray for the Welfare of your Memphis

             Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. - Jeremiah 29:7

6.  Pray for the People of Memphis to Turn to God

             Remember what Nineveh (read Jn 3:1-10) and Samaria did (John 4:39-42).

7.  Pray for Peace and Prosperity for Memphis

             
Psalm 122:6,7

8.  Pray for Memphis to Support Righteousness and Goodness


             When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. - Proverbs 11:10

9.  Pray for Memphis to be a Testimony of Righteousness
   

             Matthew 5:14,16

Honoring your Parents

I haven't had the opportunity to post in a while.  My mom came to stay with us for a couple of weeks.  She has been battling cancer for 20 months and began hospice this past week.  What incredible perseverance.  Having her stay with us has not been easy but what a blessing it has turned out to be.   Just tonight she was sad because she has become so dependent and helpless.  I told her not to be sad that it wasn't that long ago that I was even more helpless and dependent on her for everything.  I got to tell her how thankful I was that in my weakness she fed me, changed my diapers, carried me in a sling, bathed me, sang to me and comforted me.  I told her how blessed I was that I had an opportunity take care of her in some of the same ways.  I believe the best gift you can give your parents is the gift of honor.  Whether you grew up in a home full of love or, like many, one filled with hurt and pain, obeying God's command to "Honor your father and mother..." can bring unexpected blessings to you and them.  While she has been here I have been given the opportunity to express understanding, compassion, and forgiveness. My children have seen, first hand, what it means to love, serve, and sacrifice unconditionally.  What a gift that is  in a culture where we fail to train our youth in what it means to honor their parents. Dennis Rainey has said that "The fifth commandment has become the forgotten commandment."

During our time with her we have provided her a lot of entertainment and a few tender moments.  At times I just get to pray over her or sit at the end of the bed and read scripture filling the room with words that bring peace and calm.  She gets to sit with the windows wide open and watch the boys play endless innings of backyard baseball.  Anamarie provided her with antlers to wear while her cap was being laundered.  Jason and Chase enjoyed her wigs and made us laugh until we hurt.  We have talked about death and what that means for us now and what it means for us eternally.  I am blessed to have had that time with her.   Are you willing to see your parents, in all their humanity, through the eyes of Christ?  Have you forgiven them for how they have hurt you? Do you need to ask their forgiveness for anything?  How can you honor your parents?

Jason and Chase loved the wigs!  So many options!

Nana reading to Anamarie.  Anamarie sharing her antlers.

Weren't they on CHiPs?!?

THE MOST EXCITING THING..

Guest writer Sam wrote the following.  Sam is full of life, loves to laugh and such a sensitive spirit.  He loves to snuggle and is full of ideas.  




THE MOST EXCITING THING HAPPENED.  BECAUSE I AM HOME SCHOOLED, I GET TO DO THINGS WITH MY FAMILY THAT PEOPLE IN SCHOOL DON'T GET TO DO.  I GOT TO MEET MRS. SUSAN NELSON FOR ICE CREAM.  SHE MET MY DAD AT FIRST EVAN AND SHE LOVES ME LIKE A FAMILY MEMBER.  SHE SENT ME AND MY SIBLINGS A CARD WITH GIFT CERTIFICATES TO BASKIN ROBBINS AND A POEM.  THAT'S A LOT OF ICE CREAM.  WE ALL MET AT BASKIN ROBBINS FOR SOME ICE CREAM.  I GOT RAINBOW SHERBERT.  WE HAD A BLAST TALKING ABOUT FUN MEMORIES AND WE LAUGHED A LOT.  LIKE REALLY A LOT.  WE HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH HER.  IT'S ALWAYS FUN.  I CAN'T WAIT TO GO TO HER HOUSE AGAIN.  I HOPE IT WILL BE SOON.


SAM

Gallons of Goodness

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Our days are filled with the ordinary and mundane. And yet it is in those things that our home is built, our family knit together and little souls are shaped for God's glory.


How beautiful is the ordinary.....

They were so excited.... Hamburger Casserole!  They said it reminded them of the Smoky Mountains.  Thanks Grandma Martinez!!

Having a blast using our new Pink Palace membership!!  A perfect gift from Nana and Jon! 

We learned about flight....

... then saw Legends of Flight IMAX.

Baseball is in full swing! 6 games in 5 days!!

These pretty Spring days were spent at the ballpark playing Blink, throwing with friends, digging in the dirt, and cheering on our team.  

Charlie and Jessica taught Anamarie to catch.

We wound down the week with a "bomb fire" as Anamarie calls it.   We ate dinner, talked, played and laughed a lot.   What a beautiful way to wrap up a beautiful week.  


“…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10).

MY FAVORITE DAY - CHARLIE

Today's post was written by Charlie.   He is wise beyond his years.  Charlie has such a sensitive spirit and is very intuitive but at the same time all boy!  Thanks for the post Charlie.


MY FAVORITE DAY
BY ME


ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE FAMILY TRADITIONS IS COUSIN'S CHRISTMAS.   YOU MAY NOT HAVE THIS TRADITION BUT IT IS A VERY SPECIAL TIME.  ON COUSIN'S CHRISTMAS ALL OF OUR COUSINS GET TOGETHER AT AUNT LAUREN AND UNCLE MYRON'S HOUSE.   WE ALWAYS START WITH BRUNCH.  MY FAVORITE IS THE HOMEMADE SAUSAGE BISCUITS AND ORANGE JUICE.  THERE IS ALWAYS LOTS OF SNACKS.  


AFTER THAT WE PLAY DIRTY SANTA.  IT GETS PRETTY INTENSE.  I LOVE SEEING EVERYONE'S EXPRESSION WHEN THEY OPEN THEIR PRESENT.  IT'S THE ONLY TIME YOU'RE ALLOWED TO STEAL EVERYBODY'S PRESENTS.  SO FUN!


AROUND THANKSGIVING WE DREW NAMES AND GOT THAT PERSON A GIFT.  I LOVED TO SHOP FOR MY SECRET SANTA - JASON.  IT FEELS GOOD TO GIVE 
A PRESENT AND MAKE JASON SO HAPPY. 


WE FINISHED THE DAY WITH PLAYING NERF WARS, TAKING PICTURES AND VISITING WITH GRANDMA.  IT FEELS SO LOVING TO BE A PART OF A FAMILY THAT LOVES EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.

 A Sweet Family

Crazy Love

Awesome!!!

What a Crazy Bunch!

MY FAVORITE DAY - ANAMARIE

Occasionally we will have guest writers here to describe life on The Frontlines from their unique perspectives.   Today's entry was written (dictated) by Anamarie.  Anamarie has the most a grateful spirit. She is so full of life, always on the look out for an adventure and never hindered  by the fancy dress and sparkle shoes she typically wears.   Here is her "best day ever!"


MY FAVORITE DAY
BY ANAMARIE 


I TURNED 5!  WHEN I WOKE UP I GOT BREAKFAST IN BED.  WE ALL ATE DONUTS WITH SPRINKLES.  I WAS SO SURPRISED BECAUSE I FORGOT I HAD TURNED 5!     
I OPENED MY PRESENTS.   I GOT STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DOLL AND LOTS OF FURNITURE.  I GOT THE MOST FANCY DRESS I'VE EVER HAD.  GRANDMA AND GRANDPA GOT ME A BIKE.  I LOVE TO RIDE.  I'M REALLY GOOD AT IT.   I RIDE EVERY TIME I GO OUTSIDE.  I DIDN'T FALL OFF BECAUSE IT HAS TRAINING WHEELS AND DAD TAUGHT ME HOW TO RIDE.  


I HAD THE MOST FANCY 'FANCY NANCY' PARTY EVER.  MY BEST FRIENDS CAME.  WE HAD TEA AND CUPCAKES MOM AND I GOT FROM MY FAVORITE PLACE.  MY FRIENDS AND I PLAYED THE NEW PRINCESS GAME I GOT AND WE DRESSED UP IN FANCY STUFF.  MY BROTHERS SERVED ME AND MY FRIENDS.  OTHERWISE THERE WERE NO BOYS JUST MY SWEET DAD.  I WORE MY FAVORITE DRESS AND WORE MY CROWN OF FLOWERS.  I HAD THE MOST FUN TIME.  
THE END

Breakfast in Bed

With Dad!

My Bike and My Fancy Dress

Sweet!

My Favorite Picture

My Fancy Birthday Party - I'm 5!!

So handsome!