I woke up early yesterday morning thankful to be alive after Tuesday’s dangerous encounter in the water, and relieved that I had actually slept and was rested. The Monday night before our boating incident had been utterly miserable, I couldn’t sleep at all and was dealing with a pain issue that had me on my knees sobbing out loud, begging God to heal me and give me relief.

The colonoscopy I had a week earlier, along with a set of X-rays, because of pain in my right hip, looked normal, however my doctor did find that the hemorrhoids, along with an anal fissure, had not healed after several months. A probable cause was a severe vitamin D deficiency, symptoms which included wounds taking longer to heal and bone pain.  When the two pain issues joined forces and then teamed up with my hip pain, I wanted to literally come out of my body. I soaked in a tub of hot water, used ice, and when the cream with lidocaine burned instead of numbing the area, I got dressed while trying to see through my tears to make it outside and go for a walk. Once outside, I struggled to walk without passing out. The pain started to finally ease up - but after no sleep, I struggled to keep myself awake and to walk without stumbling. Walking at least helped get my mind off the pain. It was strange, I could feel normal, like I was on the mend and then have an episode come over me with little to no warning that had me begging for relief. That sudden, unexpected shift was eerily similar to how our relaxing outing on Tuesday turned frightening within seconds.

​It was strange, I could feel normal, like I was on the mend and then have an episode come over me with little to no warning that had me begging for relief from the pain. That sudden, unexpected shift was eerily similar to how our relaxing outing on Tuesday turned frightening within seconds.

We passed Cobalt’s bustling seafood restaurant and the tantalizing smells made their way to our noses, which prompted our taste buds to salivate as we imagined what was cooking. The view all around us was relaxing and stunning. The seagulls coasting in the air, while peligans dove their heads in the cool waters to satisfy their hunger. Waving to friendly fellow boaters as we passed each other, noticing the uniqueness of each boat, we heard the sounds of  music flowing from balconies and other boats with some familiar and never before heard tunes. It was a beautiful day!

​​"God is with thee in all that thou doest." - Genesis 21:22 (KJV)

My son snapped a sweet pic of my dad and me. At the time, I never could have imagined how serious our expressions would become just minutes later. Afterwards, my husband said he was glad this photo wasn't one of those posted, "last pic before tragedy strikes!" 

It looked calm, so my dad asked if I wanted to go out to the ocean since my youngest wasn't with us and didn't like going through rough waters. I replied, "Sure!" thinking all would be well. We headed out, passing under the bridge, and started to increase our speed.

​"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

The clouds had just started to roll in, but according to reports the storms wouldn't be coming in till much later. After we passed under the bridge, we started to feel the waters become rougher, but this was expected. Suddenly, as we were just making it out, the waves changed in a betraying manner. They no longer looked like regular waves. It was a unreal feeling as I saw the first large wave coming toward us. My first thought was, this looks like a scene from the Perfect Storm movie, yet it was still sunny and we weren't even out on the Gulf yet! The nose of our boat went up so high that I lost sight of the horizon. As we came down hard, real hard, water splashed over the front and sides of the boat, we held on tightly and had little time to check on each other because the next big wave was right there upon us. I quickly glanced at the life vests inside the boat and mentally yelled at myself for not having made sure my teenage son was wearing his. The door needed to be secured and closed, so I moved it by pressing my feet against the door, which also kept me lodged in my seat.

I glanced back to check on my son and Gammie. She yelled, "It's too rough! We can't do this!" To which my father shouted, "We can't turn around! The boat will flip over!" My father knew he had to go straight into the waves and not panic. From the trough to the crest, the waves were easily seven feet high, My heart sank as I realized how much danger we were in. My son and stepmother were sitting in sturdy chairs behind us, however, they were not bolted down. 

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."  - Psalm 34:7 (KJV)

​Now, at this moment in time, I started to flash back to when we watched the Gospel of John, three days earlier, and the disciples were caught up in a storm, when Jesus appeared to them on the water. This story became very relatable all of the sudden, as I began to call out to God saying aloud, "Jesus! Please help us!" Suddenly my father yells out, "Look at the dolphins!" It was a reassuring sight and pleasant split second distraction seeing them swim towards us over the waves, just before disappearing underwater. Then I said to the waves, "In the name of Jesus, be still." and kept saying it till they finally eased up a bit. Jesus had given His followers the authority to say such seemingly crazy things, and I knew I had to speak it in faith. Another dozen waves came before finally abating. As we made it to the one mile buoy, it became possible for my experienced father to turn the boat around. I felt like I could breath again for a moment, thanking God for saving us and keeping us from severe injuries. However, we still had to stay focused and it was hard to see ahead because the windshield was covered in water and the nose of the boat seemed pointed up as my dad rode our boat on a large wave, like a surfer, back towards the bridge. He carefully avoided going too fast or too slow, finding the perfect spot to maintain our safe return.

Seeing the wall of rocks on our left side, I remembered my father sending me a picture of a boat that had crashed upon those very rocks years ago, during the night (pictured in top photo above), and it was a sobering sight - I thought about those people and how suddenly tragedy can strike. There was no opportunity to take a pic of the unbelievable waves we had passed through, I could only describe how they sharply imprinted my memory. (Before sharing this story, I asked my father to read through this post and see if my memory of the event was accurate. He surprised me when he said after reading it, that I shouldn't minimize what happened. What! Okay! That confirmed that what we went through was as bad as I had originally thought.

So what happened? After fifty plus years of total boating experience and fourteen years of going out in the ocean, my father thought the tide was going out of the bay as the waves, from the coming storm in the Gulf, were riding high over that body of water into Perdido Bay. The mouth of the bay opening was only 100 yards wide, so a great surge was forced into that small contained area. 

​As we were coming in, I saw another boat with children on board struggling to come out as well. They were awfully close to the rocks and I prayed earnestly for them to make it out safely. I wanted to yell out, but they couldn't turn around, they had to go through the waves head on as well. Gammie and my son were soaking wet, but safe and uninjured. Later my son said his chair lifted up off the floor of the boat several times as we came down off the waves. My father said that was the worst he had ever encountered, and he knew he couldn't panic. I had wondered, despite his steady actions, if he was afraid and suspected he had to be. When we got back to the dock, I treasured every moment of seeing us all upright and conscious, thinking on how things could have turned out so differently.  I pulled the verses out of my pack and read all three of them over and over again in amazement. They were perfectly tailored to what we just went through and reassured me that with God there are no coincidences. Here are the verses.

​"God is with thee in all that thou doest." - Genesis 21:22 (KJV)

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." - Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."  - Psalm 34:7 (KJV)

Whether facing sudden shifts and waves of fear in physical pain or in literal waves that take your breath away, God was with us, and He confirmed it with those verses. I know we all go through different kinds of severe pain, hardships and eventually death, but there is great comfort and strength in knowing that He takes care of those who put their trust in Him, especially when our bodies give out or are destroyed. Death does not care if we are ready, but God has laid Himself down for us  to be redeemed, reconciled, restored and renewed.

Oh! And yes, I sat down with both of my sons that evening and shared the three verses that I took on the boat that day. All three had a common theme, even though they came from three different books. Only God! Yes, Jesus was right, He always is, so choose what is better, like Mary, and it will not be taken from you. 

With Love,
​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
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​Youtube Humble & Bold

The apple has for centuries appeared in artwork as the forbidden fruit, even though the Bible does not name it specifically. Could there be biblical clues pointing to the real identity of that fruit? Several years ago, I heard radio station manager, Ray Haynes, on Victory 91.5  talking about the fig tree and how there are some who believe the fig tree was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden, based on a closer look at the scriptures.

Here are two examples.
​
​1) The fig tree is the first tree mentioned in the Bible and the reference is not to the tree itself, but its leaves that were used to cover Adam and Eve after they became aware of their nakedness.

​2) The fig tree is the only tree, on biblical record, that was cursed by Jesus as he was preparing to go to Jerusalem to be crucified, to pay for the sins of the world.

After hearing this, I began to see and hear some more things about the fig tree that I never noticed beforehand. I ran into a friend and mentor who had just gotten back from Jerusalem, and as she was sharing about her amazing trip of a lifetime, she mentioned how delicious the figs were over there. I shared with her the possibility of the fig being the original forbidden fruit, and she nodded her head and said she could definitely see that being the case. Then after my godson's graduation, I hung out with my dear friend, Carla, who is gifted in the gardening and culinary arts. As we strolled her backyard after dinner, she showed me her fig tree, and began to look closely for any fruit. I had never noticed how large fig leaves were until this moment. I wondered if the fig leaves were the first to fall to the ground after Eve and Adam had eaten of it's fruit, thus being picked up and used for coverings as soon as they realized they were naked, or had they been pulled off.

The reason I'm writing this post is not to merely focus on the fig tree, but to focus on exactly what  Jesus did on the cross as we approach Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Passover. I find it interesting that wood carried the forbidden fruit and was on the scene when sin infected mankind, then Christ came and worked with wood as a carpenter's son. Then he curses a tree before laying his life upon the wood of a tree. His covering for our sins was more than any fig leaf could possibly cover. Here is some of what is written about tree of the knowledge of good and evil and other verses where the fig tree is mentioned. 

His covering for our sins is more than any fig leaf could possibly cover.

Genesis 2:8-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

​Genesis 3:2-7 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings
​

John 1:47-51New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:29-33 New King James Version (NKJV)
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

​Matthew 21:18-22 (New King James Version (NKJV)
18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

John 3:14-17 New King James Version (NKJV)14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but[a] have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

​So when you see a fig or fig tree, I hope you think about what Jesus did for you and me, and find your covering in Him! 
​

With Love,
​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

As we were walking along the historical pathway of the Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, the routine sound of gravel crunching under our feet was broken by a small voice that confided, "I'm worried about Nanny."  I shifted from a casual carefree walk to a more serious posture, knowing I needed wisdom to talk to this sweet girl about her concerns over her grandmother's recent diagnosis of breast cancer. How to respond when a child opens up about their fears does not come easily. While internally asking for God's help in answering, I responded, "Aw, I know you are concerned. You know, I have a favorite verse that I think about when I am feeling worried." "What is it?" she asked.  A familiar passage came to mind and I tried to simplify it for her. It comes from the book of Philippians, and it says,

"Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving."  My translation for her was that God doesn't want us to worry, but while remembering and thanking Him for all the many things He has done for us, we should get alone and talk with Him about what is weighing heavy on our minds.

"Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus."​ Then God will give us, an out of this world, peace, that will protect our hearts and minds in Jesus.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things. So think on what is good, true and praiseworthy and don't stop thinking about all the blessing around us." Philippians 4: 6-8 International Standard Version (ISV)
So, little sister, think about and focus on things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, commendable, things that are excellent and praiseworthy and keep thinking about those things and all your blessings.

​She looked up at me and smiled, and then there was a small pause before she asked, "Do you think they will get all the cancer?" I was amazed at the question, because I wasn't sure how much she knew about her grandmother's health situation.  I looked down into her sweet, innocent eyes and said, "I hope and pray that they do. One thing I know for sure is that God is with us through difficult times and trials. When my mother went through cancer, He was with our family. When I went through cancer, He was with me and our family. And He still is." ​​

​As we toured the grounds, I talked with her about what we had just learned in how the furnaces were used to transform the metals into valuable pig iron. I explained that when we go through hardships, it is like being in a furnace. We go into the furnace as one thing, all the time being carefully watched, and then come out completely transformed and much stronger.

​I asked her if she knew about gyms. She looked at me funny and smiled. I said, "Did you know people pay money to go to a gym, to put stress on their muscles? In some gyms, they hire a trainer to push them to their limits. Now, why do you think they do that?" She laughed and said with a guess, "They hope to get stronger?" "Yes! That's exactly right. So we can  know that God is watching over us like a master craftsman, a trainer, to help grow us and make us stronger through difficult times. He is standing close right there with us through the process.

​Since that afternoon, our families have endured more trials and difficulties, and I am tempted to panic at times. But I know, when I stop and get focused, that He is working something in me and through me. He can be trusted through the pain, for He is Faithful and True! 

He is Faithful and True!

With Love,

​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

I wrote the following paragraph, in italics below, about four days ago.  I thought to myself, as I typed my honest feelings, will this make sense to anyone else if I publish this post?  So . . .  I waited. I waited on Him to make sense of it all. Why had the passage from Romans 15 kept coming up every time I opened my Bible? Okay, I had a book mark there, but it wasn't a lonely book mark. It had many other fellow bookmark coworkers holding onto certain passages that I knew God was speaking to me. This passage though kept staring at me, waiting for me to get it. Today, I opened up to it again and it made perfect sense. - I have a broken neighbor in my guest room as I type this, and I have struggled to be strong for this person as I worried about whether I could carry the load, but God was working on me at the same time, and He is strong enough for the both of us.

So I waited. I waited on Him to make sense of it all.

As I write, I am weary, my heart is heavy and I'm pushing through each moment of the day. I'm not depressed as much as grieved over a situation that is over my head, which I am unable to write about at this time. For some reason, I've been drawn to meditate on this passage over the last week, and as I read it again, I am encouraged and given exactly what I need to push through. 

Maybe you are going through an overwhelming circumstance that you feel is crushing you. Please know you are not alone. Let us build each other up and pray for one another.

​Romans 15: 1-13 (ESV)

The Example of Christ 

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
​
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

​7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

In the months leading up to a very critical turning point in my life, my husband came across an uplifting song on the radio titled, Awesome, by Charles Jenkins and added it to his playlist. He would play it for me in the car on our weekend rides together, as we waited to find out what type of surgery I would soon be facing. The song ended up being a way that God spoke to me three times, very clearly, during my hospital stay.

To give some background history, on December 12, 2012, I went to the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack, but the CT scan revealed fluid around my spleen. The fluid was under my diaphragm, placing pinching pressure when I tried to inhale.

The day after Christmas, I went in for a CT scan guided drainage of the fluid. My brother, a medical student, was spending time with us over the holidays was able to come with me to the procedure. However, the fluid had thickened to the point it would not drain. (Sorry, I know! It's gross!)

Then what seemed like a medical scavenger hunt began.

​I was sent to another doctor to rule out infectious disease . . . then to a gastroenterologist . . . then to a surgeon that described the surgery I would have . . . then my case was taken up by another well respected surgical oncologist, after my case was discussed by a team of surgeons. Up to that point, I had been able to keep my sense of humor and practice the art of not jumping ahead in my thoughts . . . until. Until my first appointment with the surgical oncologist who seemed to be the one who would finally have some answers as to the type of surgery I would be having.

​My brother (with miracle timing from the Lord) was again able to come with me to that appointment. We walked in the waiting room on the second floor of the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University to be greeted by beautiful silver words set on a wood paneled, modern wall. It was the verse found in Proverbs 17:22, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." I smiled and felt comforted. My brother took a seat, as I made my way up to the check in counter. Beverly, with her kind eyes, looked up at me over her glasses, sweetly smiled and asked, "How can I help you?" The tears streamed down slowly like raindrops at first and then progressed into a unexpected downpour as I tried to answer her simple question. It was as if the heavy load from the long months of waiting and pinned up emotions all came to a head.

Why can't I hold it together, am I having a breakdown? This is embarrassing!

​Beverly stood up with a sympathetic smile, walked around the big counter desk with arms opened wide coming towards me. I will never forget her big momma hug that day. I finally was able to take a deep breath, but continued to have torrential tears throughout the appointment. All I heard was six to twelve hour surgery, followed by a chemo wash and a two week stay recovery time. It was as if a kitchen timer went off in my head.

DING! I'm done! I can't process any more information!

​My surgery was scheduled for April 16, 2013, and I would need to be there before sunrise to get checked in. One of my prayers was that the Lord would be with me. He was!

​Little did I know, God would use this song to surprise and comfort me during my visit. I was about to find out just how Awesome, Mighty and Holy He really is! My Deliverer, my Healer, my Protector, my Provider, My God, who hears my prayers! This song was just one of the ways He ministered to me during this time.
​

Two days after my surgery, a nurse came into my room and started humming My God is Awesome. I excitedly said, "I know that song!" She smiled big. Scott immediately played the song on speaker from his phone. The three of us had our own little mini concert singing God's praises. Our God is awesome! I completely had a ahh moment where I didn't even feel the weight of my circumstances; just pure, sweet joy focusing on Him.

​About five days later, Scott came to visit me after work. Down the hall, another patient had this song playing in their room with the volume turned way up, enough for us to hear it in my room. This is how some patients roll; we were laughing and smiling as we sang along from my room on the ninth floor. I regret that we didn't actually visit or see that patient. Most friendships formed with other patients were made out in the hallway or through open doors, but every time I walked by their room the door was usually closed. I still hope we still might find each other after all these years and swap stories.

​Finally, on the day of my anticipated release, a nurse stepped into the elevator with me while I was being escorted in a wheelchair down to the lobby. She starts singing out loud, "My God is awesome" and I looked up at her and replied, "Yes! Yes! Yes He is!" I giggled with excitement. I shared with her how I had heard that song two times during my stay and that I loved how she sang it out loud the third time before I left. She smiled really big and I did too, because we both knew . . .our God is awesome!

With love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

I was heading out for a walk, when a young girl from our neighborhood ran up to me and excitedly said, "Here, this is for you!" I looked down and saw a small stone in the shape of a heart. I thanked her for the very cool gift and have kept it now for several years. There are so many verses in the Bible that talk about the condition of the heart. In Ezekiel, there is  mention of a heart of stone makeover. Since I enjoy room makeovers, I see clearly that God loves doing heart makeovers on people!

Turns out there are many parallel principles happening with both room and heart makeovers. First of all, the person with the room comes to a point where they realize that they need help. The current room leaves them feeling overwhelmed, depressed and uninspired. I can relate to feeling this way with a certain room, and also in my own personal life. I've heard many people talk about a room before a makeover, and describe it in a way that reminds me of how someone shares about their life before encountering Jesus.

Secondly, the person with the room has to let the right person in to do the job. Makeover professionals don't come into a house uninvited and Jesus operates the same way. However, the one who knows how to do the best job is very persuasive in trying to convince the home owner to let them come in and help. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Now, as great as it would be to have a top interior designer come to my house and help me turnaround a room, it is with great wonder, that leaves me in awe, that our Creator wants to come into our hearts and bring about a wonderful new transformation!

Whenever I have helped a friend with a room makeover, it is important that they can trust me with some major decisions. For example, I listen carefully to understand their dilemma and then let them know what needs to go, what can be repurposed and what brand new items are needed. God does that with us! He listens carefully and then lays out His master plan for our own good. For example, He said to me in my spirit, "Tina, these things you are holding onto have to go! They are hurting you and keeping you from Me. However, there are some things in your life that I can repurpose for your future. In addition, I'm going to give you some special new gifts for your heart and I know you will love the outcome. Can you trust me?"

It is fun for me to watch makeover shows, when I find the chance, because I see spiritual themes being acted out in the natural. At first, the home owner is so relieved to have help, then there is this struggle and reluctance to let go of some items that they are chained to emotionally. Watching someone finally release control of a room and it's contents over to a professional reminds me of that place we all hope to find ourselves with our creator.

The best part is always at the end, where the new room way exceeds the home owners' expectations. They are in tears as they look over the room and see all that the expert has done carefully on their behalf. As they see all the love and details put into their room makeover, they find themselves overjoyed! Then they tell everyone what an amazing transformation has taken place and how they feel so happy and inspired. They give all the credit to their designer!

Okay, cool side note. I took a break from writing this post to go run some errands. While out listening to Victory 91.5, the radio host talks about the new heart that replaces the heart of stone mentioned in Ezekiel! Wow! I love it when He does that! It has happened more times than I can keep count. Love that He is real, personable and intimate, willing to spend time with us!

The very best part about a heart makeover is that you can have that transformation inside of you and take it with you everywhere you go! He keeps our hearts fresh and updated as long as we give Him full access.

Here is a link to my heart makeover and another link to get started.

With Love,
​
Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina


 

Sharing three poignant paragraphs from my girlfriend, Dawn.

​She writes . . .

​There is so much brokenness in the world. Some don’t even know how broken they are … she gives her body away for male affection that she craves and hopes it will fill the emptiness, even temporarily. He settles for a girl that doesn’t respect him because the fear of loneliness is too great. She struggles with deep insecurities because she’s never known true unconditional love from parents that should have been the first to show it. He only wants to feel accepted so he changes how he acts around each new person like a wave tossed in the ocean only to never be accepted for who he really is.

With Love,
Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit - Psalm 34:18 ESV

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds - Psalm 147:3 ESV

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Once upon a time, there was one so fair -  that even with physical scars remaining  -  his royal beauty inspired a fisherman to jump out of a boat and swim ashore to get alone with the object of his heart's desire, way ahead of his friends. The fisherman's name was Peter and he longed to be in right standing with the one he had denied three times. This is a true story and the full account can be found in the gospel of John 21:1-14.

Recently, I was at the beach over Memorial Day weekend and was mesmerized with the magnificent view of The Gulf of Mexico. Daily we would see all sorts of military aircraft flying overhead, which served as a great reminder that our enjoyment of the beach in a free country was due to all the sacrifices made by our men and women in military and their families. It was sobering and thought provoking. Death is the currency used to pay for freedom.

I noticed all different types of people in various stages of life walking up and down the pristine coastline: laughing, relaxing and enjoying their day. There were many physically beautiful people in their prime spending their day out soaking in the sun. I observed all this while feeling a little like a sand crap - sitting under an umbrella, with hat sunglasses and wearing sunscreen SPF 50 for babies. I even occasionally covered myself with my towel.

​As I looked out on the beach, I thought of the phrase, Beauty And The Beach and Jesus came to mind. His sacrifice on the cross was the costliest of all in purchasing our freedom. I wondered what it was like the morning Jesus was cooking breakfast for His disciples after His resurrection. He appeared on the shore of Lake Tiberias and shouted directions to them on where to cast their nets. He had bread ready and then cooked the fish that He provided for them to catch. I wonder what that moment was like to be in the presence of Jesus, while He served breakfast? I wanted to write a post on the beauty of our Savior, but didn't know how to even start, so right there on the beach, I asked God to help me. And guess what? He did!

The night before we were to leave the beach, my husband and I stood out on the balcony and looked up at the deep, royal navy night sky. In awe of the spectacular display of stars, I asked my husband if we could pray the Lord's Prayer before going to bed and he replied with an enthusiastic, "Yes!" As we recited the part, "for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory" I saw the sky light up in the distance over the gulf with lightning.

During our vacation, I went to my husband's bedside table in the mornings and used his Bible for my daily time in the Word, but the last day of our vacation I noticed he had already packed his Bible. Since he was in the shower, I decided not to bother him. Thankfully, I remembered seeing a Gideon's Bible in the living room's side table drawer and when I opened it, one page was noticeably creased (to be more specific, it was the only page with a defined crease). Since I wasn't sure where I had left off in Scott's Bible, I thought I would read the folded page that stood out from all the rest. I went outside, started reading and just minutes later, my neck jolted back as I read the top of the second column, Psalms 27:4. The whole verse from the psalm of David reads, "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

I went inside to find my husband and said, "Scott, this is so awesome, look!" I told him about how I had wanted to write a blog about the beauty of Jesus and use the title, Beauty And The Beach and how I had asked God to help me with the words. God just directed my eyes to King David's description of Him. I was so giddy, I had to calm myself down. Went back out on the balcony to regroup and finish reading the creased page front and back. As I was reading the other side, there was another "Wow" moment! Psalm 29, verse 2 reads, "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

And if that wasn't enough to make my heart leap, verse 3 reads, " The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters." Which is what I saw as we recited the Lord's Prayer while looking out over the gulf. Lightening seen out over the waters at the exact moment we prayed, "for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory." I jumped up again in awe and called out, "Scott! There's more!" I came in so overjoyed that God was speaking to me so clearly and intimately through His Word. I love it when He reveals that He knows my thoughts, hears my prayers and then answers in such a mind blowing way. He doesn't have to do any of that.

Throughout generations since creation, people have found themselves getting a glimpse of The Majestic King who possesses a beauty so great it is hard to comprehend and even harder to describe. King David, a man after God's own heart, wrote about Him before He manifested Himself into this world. Peter and the disciples were able to see Him in His resurrected body while they themselves were still in their earthly bodies. His love for us and His indescribable nature is truly beautiful. His scars are especially beautiful, so get to know Him while He may be found!

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

With Love,
Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​

Have you ever used the words: please, thank you and you're welcome? Well, chances are you didn't come into this world with an innate sense of manners, but instead learned those words from your mother or someone who cared about your future and your social interactions. As the mother of a five year old, I'm constantly reminding my son of how to ask for something, how to let someone know you appreciate their efforts and how to graciously respond to thanks given. It is a daily repetitive process. Today would have been my mother's 71st birthday, and I just could not help but be thankful for her constant daily repetitive reminders, for they were instrumental in changing my behavior and later, my heart.

The other night, I was having a difficult time with my youngest and then came across this picture. Seeing this photo of my mother holding up my Raggy Ann birthday cake is of great comfort to me as a mother now. My mother was not feeling well the day of my third birthday party, and I was clearly pitching a fit over something that didn't go my way. Yet she pushed through with patience, dealing with my obstinate ways for many years. As I now struggle daily with what seems like an ongoing battle with raising my own children, I am reminded how important the job of motherhood truly is! It is by far, the greatest undertaking of my life. I've had to change my behavior and learn how to be the best for someone else's future.

Everyday, I strive to change my child's behavior (only when it is inappropriate) and direct his steps. To help him grow into a thoughtful and respectful adult, but I don't want his responses to be like that of a robot, with no genuineness behind them. I want his heart to be sincere and honest in using those words. So we have good talks about manners, their origins and why they are so important. That's what my mother did with me. She served as a Sunday School teacher and I still remember her sharing God's love with me and other children as she used a felt board to tell the marvelous story of Jesus. But she didn't leave it there at church, she talked with me at night and during the day of God's love. She continued to talk with me about God and reminded me of manners throughout the different stages of my development. It was her teaching me the two values intertwined that instilled a change my behavior and my heart. Just exactly as the verse goes, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he shall not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

A friend of mine at work told me a funny story about how she handled a certain situation with her children, in a way that demonstrates how God loves and disciplines us. Her children had some candy that she was holding onto for them. In order for them to have the candy, she told them to clean their room and they could have it. They delayed and came back to her asking for the candy and she again told them to clean their room. Well, can guess where my friend had hidden their candy? She hid it in their room, so that when they decided to obey her, they would find the candy. Pure genius! I can see how God does this with us. There is great rewards when we come to Him with a thankful and obedient heart. There is so much He wants to give us, but He is teaching and training us, changing our behavior and our hearts in order for us to receive all that He wants to do in and through us.

So if your a parent, don't be discouraged in all the repetitive reminders you give your children. Know that what you are doing is important, worthwhile and long lasting. Remember that God is training us daily, just as we are training the little ones He has given us. When we obey His voice, we will find way more than just candy and chocolate!

Happy Birthday, Mom and thank you! Thank you for your example, teachings, patience, love and most of all for pointing me to Him!  I'm beyond thankful to God, that He is all about relationship as He teaches us daily. 

Thank you for reading and I mean that truly from my heart!

With Love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

In the early morning hours of July 29th, back in 1981, I was a groggy headed, awkward twelve year girl sneaking my way down my grandparents' dark hallway with excited determination to watch the live televised broadcast of the royal wedding. I was eager and down right giddy to witness the beautiful lady Di become a real life princess. I soaked in every minute wondering what it would be like . . . to be all grown up and to walk down that amazing aisle in her wedding slippers. So many dreams and wonderful wishes for the newlywed couple. The future looked so very bright and happy. Since I was raised on Disney films, I genuinely believed in the fairytale version of happily ever after.

Jump ahead thirty-four years and I now find myself a forty-six year old wife, mother of two boys and cancer survivor. A lot has happened since that royal wedding day. I finally got to be "all grown up" and discovered life was much more difficult than I imagined as a young preteen. Marriage was hard, being a parent was hard and sometimes just getting through the day was an accomplishment in and of itself. I soon realized the fairytale was just that, a big tale. So I learned to do my best and keep going day after day, trying to make wise decisions and choices.

Then all of the sudden and without warning, there it was, the upsetting eighteen year old headline laid out on my dining room table, that brought back a flood of memories. We were celebrating my nephew's eighteenth birthday, when after dinner he opened up his time capsule that my husband had prepared for him after his birth. Immediately my heart was heavy and sad just looking over the front page. I realized I was now ten years older than the Princess that I grew up watching. She died at the young age of thirty-six, way too soon.

After her death, she was referred to as the Queen of Hearts and The People's Princess. It was ironic that she died of injuries to her heart, more specifically a tear in the left pulmonary vein that connected blood flow from her left lung to her heart. She was quoted as saying, "Follow your heart." That always sounded good, for she was well known for her many acts of kindness, good works, charity and a deep love for her two boys.

While recovering from my cancer surgery, I decided to read two books, The Day Diana Died by Christopher Anderson and Diana by Andrew Morton.  I had bought the books about a year after her passing but had never read them until the late summer of 2013. I felt so much empathy for her and also deep sadness over choices made by her and others that ultimately lead to her death.  

I won't dissect her life and point out her mistakes, for hindsight is 20/20 and none of us want our lives to be examined and judged by others that have never walked in our shoes. I can, however, dissect my own experiences with following my heart and share the hard lessons I have learned. My heart has very selfish tendencies and that has gotten me in trouble many times. Which often makes me wonder, does any one of us have a truly good heart that can be a dependable compass for leading us in the right direction? My heart wants what it wants and it wants to run wild and untamed, but that means others will get hurt and ultimately, I will pay a heavy price as well.

I recently read an article titled, Don't Follow Your Heart by Jon Bloom and was rather relieved that I wasn't alone in my thoughts on this subject. If only my heart was as good as I desire it to be. My heart is like a lion in a circus cage, and the trainer with the whip is my human efforts to keep things under control. Just looking at the magazine covers below reminds me that my heart was obsessed with Diana around the time of her death. I had seen her images all through my growing up years, yet I never really knew her but felt as though I had. It was strange. When she died in 1997, I was twenty-eight and coming out of a very bad and self destructive phase of my life. I was starting to listen less to the yearnings of my heart and pay more attention to the voice I had first known as young child.

As I was going through these magazines, I found the book, Invitation to a Royal Wedding by Kathryn Spink that my mother had bought for me. I was in awe of the prayers that were spoken that day over the young couple. The line . . . open the hearts . . .  to the riches of his grace, especially jumped off the page to me.

The One to follow wants to come into our hearts and make His dwelling there. He knows all our hearts are in need of Him and so I will trust Him, He who is faithful and true, to lead me instead of following my heart, which has failed me before so many times.

Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (KJV

Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

​For more of The Word on Following Your Heart, click on this link.

​Interested in a Heart Makeover?
​
With Love,

Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina