735 - WHole Heart Faith - last week

The Lord has taken me to a familiar passage for today.  I felt Him calling me to the Gospels, but I was not sure where to land.  He has taken me to Luke 9:51-62.  This passage is absolutely perfect to end our Whole Heart Faith with this scripture.  

Even though we are coming to an end as far as this series of encouragement, we can never stop walking in Whole Heart Faith - in every area of my life and your life.  And I think we see that in this scripture.  

Jesus is on His way into an area that did not want to mix races.  James and John went on ahead and were not welcomed at all.  They wanted to retaliate.  Jesus actually rebuked them and told them to keep walking.  

Has that ever been you?  Have you ever been not welcomed?  I have!  There are times we find this in our own families and there are times I sure we find this in the outside world.  It hurts either way.  But what does the Lord say - keep going, press on, don't give up, do not lose heart!  

In this walk of Faith which is for a life time we can not stop!  There will be persecution, there will be at least hurt feelings, and there will be major and minor rejection.  It happened in Charlotte and still happens today that we are friends with people in the light, but then when things take place in the "night" we are not invited.  It used to hurt and still does a bit to a degree, but it is ok.  No matter what I must be resolute about this Whole Heart Faith walk and pursue this purpose He has for me!  Not retaliate - that is His business!  

We must not look back!!  We have taken these last couple of weeks to take a concentrated look at our lives and what we are doing or not doing for the Kingdom.  We can not look back!  It is not an option to quit or take a break.  

My Whole Heart Faith was to reduce the idol I have with food.  God has been so faithful in so many ways to me in this adventure.  I wish I could tell you - for my own selfish gain - that I have lost a ton of weight.  I have lost about 7 pounds and I am so grateful for that - truly!  But I have gained a whole new perspective.  I have traded my have to have this or that food for have to have this or that peace and obedience with the Lord.  I don't have to have the food, but I do have to have peace that is gained through walking obediently with Him.  I have gained a sense of self-discipline back into my life with exercise and a whole new perspective on keeping things balanced!  It has been huge for me.  Do i still overeat or mess up or lose control - YEPPERS.  But He has instilled in me a "get back to it" kind of resolve that I am eternally thankful for!  

So I ask you - how has it been - how have you changed?  Are you quitting or are you keeping your hand to the plow not looking back?  I would love to hear from you!!

Press on sisters!  Press in to Him!!  Be resolute and keep going!  

732 - We interrupt the regularly scheduled program

Hello Friends!!  

I just realized that I totally forgot Whole Heart Faith yesterday.  I tell you what, when I miss one regular day in my week all seems to go haywire!  If you will let me explain you might feel a tad bit more understanding and then we can go from there!  ha!

1) Thank you all for praying for my dad and for asking again and again how he is doing thus far.  Your concern and genuine interest sure can make a heart rest easier when your rock is going under the knife and not feeling so well!  He is doing so much better and just about all recuperated!!  He is very, very healthy and in shape for his age, my momma too.  As so as he can he will begin training again along with my mom for the next big Senior Olympic Basketball tournament.  I think this next one will take them to Australia - yes, they are beyond good and talented!!  

2) Resolution Conference - things are still going well for the planning and execution on that conference coming on Sept. 26 to Marion Civic Center.  I am so very excited, but getting a bit of fear about me as well.  I need to stand more on the One that called me to this mission instead of doubting that people will not show up.  It is going to be awesome, now if I can just get the word out and convince the people to come!!  Ticket sales are happening, but need to sell a whole lot more!  

3) Tennis Camp - for anyone in the area the week long tennis camp will take place the 3rd week of July.  It is Monday thru Friday from 9am to 10:30am and is $45.  Space is very limited!  Grades completed K - 8.  Contact me soon to get your name on the list.  Thx!  July 13-17.

4) Radio - I am kind of in a holding pattern with the station.  I have set a goal of having a once a week 2 hour program until school starts - then possibly moving to everyday.  The problem is that I can not figure out the programming.  I have a Mac and it just does not act like the PC program and no one else has a Mac.  Love my Mac, but not right now.  So i am kind of stuck at going forward.  I know this is the direction the Lord has for me and I am excited to get started, but this one hurdle is just about to do me in - ha!  Where are all the Mac peeps when you need them?  

5) Did I tell you I have been invited to go on a Compassion International trip along with my ministry partner Ginger More and a few other speakers?  Tentatively we are going at the end of October.  I am so so sos sosososoooooooo excited about this opportunity!  I have wanted to get more and more a feel for what Compassion is all about since I share it with so many other people and this I know will do that.  It will help me to develop more of a passion for the ministry and a greater understanding for what they do!  I am pumped and honored too!  

6) Last but not least, my 2 year project with my cousin Heather Hargis of writing a book is finished.  We have set a release date  for all major bookstores as Sept. 6 I think and I actually received my first set of copies yesterday for presale!!!!  AND i actually had someone come by last night to get one!!!!!!  It was kind of surreal!  "Loving God, Loving People   Living out the Vertical in a Horizontal World"  They are $11.99 plus shipping if you are interested!  I have a limited number, but would be glad to get one to you before I run out!!  I would even sign it for you - that sounds kind of funny.  ha ha!  

I am so very excited, but not sure I would ever do it again.  I don't really enjoy writing for a deadline and do not feel very confident in my writing.  I am too passive and let too many things slide.  Many thoughts of.........."awe shucks, I am sure they know what i mean, I don't have to explain any further!"  Not so good in the writing world.  At least I had my incredible cousin to help pull and pull details out of me that I just was thinking everyone knew and understood.  She was fabulous and so patient!!  With Heather I would consider writing again, but I am not sure she would consider me!! ha!  

7) A Woman Inspired  - I will be speaking at this conference next week.  Leave a comment today and you will be in a drawing for a free ticket.  I am very excited on this opportunity too.  Last time the ladies were so awesome in keeping in touch and sooooooo kind in their comments.  It will be fun, but I am so excited about the topic.  Go to the website to find out all the information!!  

Today is our last day of school.  We go to each school and receive report cards and then are home for the day...............yeah!!!  I have so much to catch up on and so many emails to return and FB messages too.  I have not forgotten all you people out there!!!  Just so you know I am not as regular on my blog in the summers.  I will be waking to run 30 minutes later than normal and QT and stuff.  My home ministry to my family takes much more of a front seat in the summer because they are right at my feet and I love it!  We have so many things already planned plus I will be moving into the new house too!  Keep praying for a buyer for the current home.  I know it is not a good time to do this 2 home thing, but I am trusting He will send the buyer in His time!  He has always done it before!  

Phil. 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."  Oh Jesus, help me to remember that!!  Help me to show that - help me to be that - help me to show YOU!  I love you!! 

Don't forget to leave a comment and be eligible for a free ticket to A Woman Inspired!  

Thanks and Love, Leigh

722 - Resolution Conference - You can't miss this!

631 - Resolution

Lord, I really like the sound of that word. Resolution. Being resolute. Resolve. I remember hearing that word so often after 9/11.

This morning in Luke 9:51-55 verse 51 just shouted out to me. "As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."

Jesus did not just do a few things and then decide or even ponder the decision to go to Jerusalem - no, He just about did an about-face and made a bee line there - almost. In fact the actual word means "to strengthen, establish, to stand firm, to be resolute". He was going and He knew he had to - no options and no backing out.

But what was the big deal? He had gone to Jerusalem before... But this was the end. This would be the last trip. This is why there needed to be strength, He was going to establish The Kingdom, standing firm in His purpose, and resolute in his actions. This was the final straw. This was the final action and the one that He was born to do! There was no turning back. And the whole time, even before the beginning of time, He knew well the pain and humiliation He was about to endure. He was Resolute!

Oh Lord Jesus - if i could have the same focus. Lord, If i could go about my day not thinking of myself, but the purpose that you have for me - NOW. Not in 5 years or even 5 days, but the NOW. Lord, forgive me for not pursuing Your purposes near enough. I get too sidetracked. Lord, I love your focus.

Your grace amazes me. You are kind enough to not let me know what I am headed for...always. There are many things I would probably not be resolute in if I knew what I was to endure both good and bad. Lord, thank you!! That is a display of your grace and mercy and I thank you!

I just peeked down further in the scripture. The next few verses about men that Jesus met on His way to the Cross. Those that wanted to follow, but had one thing they had left to do. Honorable things, but still one thing holding them up. Bury the dead, saying good-bye, etc. But nope, You are asking us to be resolute - set out to do the purpose and have purpose! Dieing was your end and the beginning of all Victory for us!! Oh Lord thank you for not losing your focus, for being resolute, and for following through to the end for our beginning!!! Praise you Lord!! Thank you!!

What a beautifully awesome weekend. Friday night was home with the kids - they still like us. Saturday Tucker went to a fair with some friends. Clay and I took the kids to the movies - oops, I read the Internet wrong and the movie was not there. So after church we tried it again... Longshot - awesome movie. There was some language that I was unaware of, but the message and family meaning was awesome! The big girls had friends spend the night and Tucker got in another trip to Holiday World. Man, great times!! Thank you Jesus!!