Friday, January 30
Wednesday, January 28
A Dream List - Why Not?

Many times I have been encouraged to write down my goals and dreams both personal and professional. It is interesting to review those goals and dreams several years later and evaluate your list. Some may be accomplished and others may no longer be important to you.
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Goals
Tuesday, January 27
In "other" Words - Faith

In chapter 5 of the Book of Mark, the woman with the issue of blood had such passion, determination and FAITH that she overcame what seemed to be illogical. Logic said, "There are so many people around Jesus. You cannot possibly get through that crowd." Logic said, "You are ceremonially unclean and cannot go near Christ."
But her faith and passion and determination said, "I can get to Jesus no matter what my situation or circumstance. He will make it right."
A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." (Mark 5:25-28, NLT).
This woman had suffered enough, and she was determined to get her healing. Her faith led to a release of Christ's power. "Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my robe?'" (Mark 5:30, NLT). Jesus was not angry with this woman for touching him. He knew she had touched him, but he stopped and asked who did it in order to teach something about faith. Although this woman was healed when she touched him, Jesus said her faith caused the cure. Genuine faith involves action. Faith that isn't put into action is not faith at all.
As Christians, we must demonstrate faith in our lives. God wants to perform an incredible work in each of us but we limit what he can do when we doubt him. He has placed passion in our hearts and we demonstrate a lack of faith when we are not willing to take that first step to pursue that dream and passion.
God selected twelve disciples. He is choosing you and I today. He is calling us to be world changers for the Kingdom of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. He has placed passion and purpose in each of us. When we have faith in Christ nothing will be impossible.
Blessings!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Faith, In "other" words
Thursday, January 22
Thankful Thursday - Prayer
Sometimes God says "Slow down". Sometimes God tells us to grow more. And sometimes God gives us the green light to go! I am thankful today for prayer and a God who listens and answers my prayers.
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Thursday, January 22, 2009 8 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Thankful Thursday
Wednesday, January 21
God Is Asking Us To Use Whatever Is In Our Hands
This is a post from three years ago but it certainly is applicable today.
God is calling us to be Great for Him in 2009. He will never ask us to go where He has not provided the means to assist us. He will never call us to do a work without completely equipping us to be successful in accomplishing the task.
In Exodus, chapter 4, Moses is involved in a discussion with God regarding his suitability to represent the Israelites.
"What if they do not believe me or listen to me?"
he asks God. "What is that in your hand?" the Lord
replies. "A staff,", Moses says.
Then God tells Moses to throw the staff on the ground, and when he does, it immediately becomes a serpent. God gave Moses the ability to use whatever was in his hand at the moment to demonstrate not Moses' power, but God's power!
A shepherd's staff was commonly a three-to-six-foot wooden rod with a curved hook at the top. The shepherd used it for walking, guiding his sheep, killing snakes, and many other tasks. Still, it was just a stick. But God used the simple shepherd's rod Moses carried to teach him an important lesson. God sometimes takes joy in using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes. What are the ordinary things in your life - your voice, a pen, a musical instrument? While it is easy to assume God can use only special skills, you must not hinder His use of the everyday contributions you can make. Little did Moses imagine the power his simple staff would yield when it became the rod of God.
What's in your hand that God wants to use for this New Year? Is it a wooden spoon? Bake a cake or cookies and take to a neighbor or a shut-in. Is it a steering wheel? Volunteer to drive an extra carpool or take an elderly person to the doctor. Whatever is in your hand, God can use it for His glory. He has blessed us with many talents and gifts. How can He use you to further the Kingdom of God?
Blessings!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Sunday, January 18
Expecting great things in the House today! I am excited about what God is doing!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Sunday, January 18, 2009 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Friday, January 16
Don't Wimp Out on Jesus
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Friday, January 16, 2009 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Intentional
Thursday, January 15
Awesome Prayer
Someone sent this to me today via email and I wanted to share it. It is an awesome prayer!
I understood God to say,
'You need a miracle tomorrow'
so here goes...Prov. 29:25
Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see
and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are
a forgiving God and
an understanding God.
You have done so much for me
and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything
I have done, said or thought
that was not pleasing to you.I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe
from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day
with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day
to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind
that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper
over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray,
You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be
a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak...
Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost
and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged
and misunderstood.
I pray for those who
don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You that I believe
that God changes people and
God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member
in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy
in their homes; that they are out of debt
and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this
knows there is no problem, circumstance,
or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received
into the hearts of every eye that sees it
in Jesus' name. Amen!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Thursday, January 15, 2009 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Encouragement
Wednesday, January 14
Focus
3. Would you identify yourself as a worrier?
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Distractions
Monday, January 5
Oh, That Rotten Fruit
My grandchildren love fruit. Especially Luke. Almost every time he visits I can expect him to ask Grammy to wash, peel and slice an apple for him. Fruit doesn't have a chance to become rotten in my house.
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to join you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Luke 7: 15-20 NIV)
Have you ever given much thought to false prophets? What exactly are they? There seems to be persistent chatter these days about false prophets preaching false sermons in the last days. Maybe you know some of them. Preachers not teaching truth. But what about other false prophets? Is it possible that people in our congregations can also be false prophets without being a preacher? Don't bail out on me. I have a point I want to make.
It seems that people in churches all over the world are constantly stirring the pot of discontentment. These same people profess to be Christians but behind the scenes they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing. They dress the part. They somewhat act the part but they certainly don't live the part. And most of all they bear totally rotten, stinky fruit. Am I being cruel? Absolutely not! I am merely being honest. You are familiar with the ones I am speaking of. They are nice to your face but look out when you disappear!
I am sick to death of Christians, or those who profess all over town they are Christians, constantly spreading negative comments about everything in the church. Consistently finding fault with everything and everyone. Constantly bashing the pastor and/or his wife. Threatening to leave the church week after week after week. No real reason other than discontentment. Could it be they are discontent because the fruit in their lives is soft and squishy, stinky and rotten? Is it possible that their relationship with Christ is also rotten?
The devil uses Christians and non-Christians to accomplish his work. The constant undercurrent in the church is not a positive thing. Church is not about you and it isn't about me. Church is about Jesus Christ. People become anxious when it isn't all about them. They wear their feelings on their sleeves and when something doesn't go exactly as planned BAM! It is ridiculous and I am tired of adults acting like a bunch of preschoolers. How in the world can we expect God to do great and awesome things in our lives? All we can think about is how someone didn't ask me to do something so I am going to pout or someone didn't look at me at the right time so my feelings are hurt. Me, me, me.... it is all about me..... No it isn't about ME. It needs to be about HIM.
Rotten folks produce rotten fruit. Christians who are sold out for the Kingdom of God do not produce rotten fruit. Christians who put Christ first in all areas of their lives do not produce rotten fruit. A fruit tree that is properly cared for produces beautiful fruit.
We have been given an opportunity to do something incredible for the Kingdom of God this year. I challenge you to focus on God and what He wants for your life in 2009. Are you discontent? If so, seek God's face and ask Him to show you what you need to do in your own life to produce good fruit this year. Ask Him for a "gut check inventory" and then be willing to do something about it. Pruning is not an easy process but the results can be outstanding.
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Monday, January 05, 2009 5 Joining me for chocolate and coffee













