Pastor' Appreciation Month

I can't believe it’s almost November, yet I couldn't let this month pass without acknowledging some special Pastors in our lives because October is officially, Pastor Appreciation month. To Our Pastor colleagues, Pastor friends and Pastor mentors:  You may feel forgotten, but God has NOT forgotten you. He takes record of every sacrifice made. Every time you gave when it went unnoticed, every prayer prayed for a decision to be made, for a lost soul, for direction for the future and the sheep you lead...He remembers. He took notice when He asked you to leave your hometown, your commonplace and by faith travel to the unknown. He hasn’t forgotten when you turned the other cheek or stood up for someone who couldn't stand up for them self. When you spoke the truth in the face of duplicity, and when you forged through difficult terrain to conquer new ground, He took notice. The times you stayed up late with the family member who lost a loved one by death and the many Saturdays you sacrificed to study and prepare a spiritual meal to feed others on Sunday, He kept record. Thank you for the many times you forfeited attending your own children’s ball games, music concerts, school plays, awards ceremonies, because being a Shepherd is a calling not a job and a calling goes well into overtime, many times. When you stood by hospital beds praying for those facing surgery, or those who received a negative report to offer a hand of comfort and share the good news that Jesus cares.  Yet, little did they know you got a costly speeding ticket trying to get there on time- I won't say names (Mitch Corder and my husband)! When you willingly moved to regions you were burdened for and gave up your desires for God's. The times you stood in the pulpit, hurt, sick, or in pain and no one knew simply because you understand the possibility that someone would be there that Sunday who needed a reminder of God’s redeeming grace and love. Thanks for the many burdens you carry for the people you serve, and the many hours you've invested. ONLY ETERNITY WILL ACCURATELY RETURN YOUR REWARD. (I Tim 5:17 and I Thes. 5:12& 13)

We are forever a part of this circle of likeness, and only a Pastor or a child who grew up in a Pastor’s home can truly understand the demands, the unexplainable burden you carry weekly, the warfare that must be endured and the sacrifices you make daily.  I commit to praying for you until the Lord releases me, because I know the future ahead will be difficult for us. I will agree and declare with the word of God in Haggai 2:9, that your latter will be greater, in John 4:38 that you shall not only reap where you have sown but you shall reap where you have not sown. According to Psalms 126:5 that every tear sown you shall reap joy, and that you shall complete with success what God has started, according to Philippians 1:6! Be encouraged for the labor of love you have given, God keeps good records.

To my husband, who has already read this because I sent it to him privately and but I choose to honor you publicly here on I posted it on my blog! I LOVE YOU! YOU ARE THE REAL DEAL!!!!!!!!!!! No not perfect, but humble in heart, a servant leader, and a man of great character! This journey has been abundant alright with its ups and downs but I wouldn't trade it. I bless you today Torrey Herrin and I honor you for leading and pastoring me for the past 21 years. You deserve my praise, honor and unending support and I do it gladly. Noah & Karson are blessed to have you as their father and pastor.

To all the pastors I have had the privilege to sit under or serve with, Thank you!

Thank you for the investments and sacrifices you made in my life personally and the lives of my children. There are too many to name but if you wondered if you made a difference, you did! I am a life forever changed. I want to tag my senior pastors: B. Loyd Womack, Jerry Noble, Roland Pendley, Ron Scott, Mitch Corder, Robert Herrin and Lee U campus Pastor Robert Shephard. “Do not grow weary in well doing (because we need you) but in due season you shall reap ALL you have sown!” Galatians 6:9 

#neverforgotten #praying4you

Blessings, Polly

Press the Mute Button

After the fall, Adam tried desperately to explain to God that he was ashamed and afraid because he was naked. I love the way God responded. He asked Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?"  

Obviously by his actions Adam had been influenced by a voice other than the voice of God. Up until this point God never mentioned to Adam that he was "naked", although he had been naked the day before and the day before and the day before… So the question is, what voice convinced Adam he was naked? What voice told him God wouldn't accept him that way, leaving him feeling so inadequate and ashamed that Adam felt he had no other choice but to hide.

If you've lived in this world long enough there have been other voices competing for your attention. Voices that have spoken loudly and without relent, trying to convince you to hide behind the veil of secrecy, shame and guilt. Convincing you to hide from a loving Father full of grace and mercy. 

How often have you and I chosen to listen to some other voice, besides the voice of God? Imagine the grieving heart of our Heavenly Father when we choose to believe something other than what He has said about us.

Who told you it was too late to start over?
Who convinced you, that you didn't belong?
Who threatened that you could never be forgiven?
Who intentionally made you feel incapable, inadequate and unaccepted?
Who whispered you'd never accomplish anything significant? Who said you couldn't do it?
Who refuses to forgive you?
Who has denied you a second chance?
Whose convinced you, your dreams don't matter?

It certainly was not God!

He said, "You are the head and not the tail." He declared, "You are an overcomer!" He gave you "all authority in heaven and earth" and He promised, "In your weakness you would be made strong." God said, "He loves you unconditionally" and nothing can change His mind about you. He promised, "To never leave you or forsake you" and His desire is for you to be blessed beyond measure.  He proved that you were worth dying for, that's the love He has for you and He has prepared a place for your future. 

It's time to press the mute button to the voices that contradict God. The enemy loves to deceive us into thinking we aren't worth it, there is no good in us. Well the truth be known there isn't much good in me, but "while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me" (and you). That's amazing love…


You don't have to get in the ring with the enemy and argue your point. You just have to remind him, God's word is final! Shut out the negative voices, saturate your mind with God's word and be free from past mistakes and imperfections. Today I hope you realize friend, God loves you just the way you are!

Blessings, Polly

The heart  is heavy tonight because the boy leaves again in the morning… Headed back to college starting his sophomore year seems impossible. Don't be mistaken I'm very excited for him but reality concurs, as quickly as the first year passed the second, third, and fourth years will just be a memory before long. Is it wrong for a mom to yearn for the days that held naptime and walks pulling him in the wagon with the little brown dog tagging along? Is it wrong for a Mom to miss picnics in the back yard, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, playing in the sprinklers, hide and seek, little league baseball, my baby girl needing help putting up her pony tail, painting her tiny toes and finding the match to her favorite sock? I reminisce about nights I gave them bubble baths together because it saved time and really for a Mom of toddlers it was the only way to keep them contained long enough to stare into those pairs of dark brown eyes and tell them, you are important, you matter so much, you are loved! I would remind them one day you will leave Mommy and Daddy and make your own choices, sing your own song, walk your own step. Please always remember the love of home will forever be your constant foundation to return to, to catch your breath, recoup from hard work, and be reminded of who you are and whose you are!

Her same brown eyes stare me hard tonight but now her lids are colored and lashes are long in length...and when I tell her I'm proud of her and I love her deep, she smiles, wraps her arms around me and says, "Thanks Mom, I love you too!" 

His same brown eyes stare hard at me tonight, no longer smells of baseball game and outside dirt but of polo cologne and fresh breath. When I reach for him to kiss his face all over, he reaches back, stern hugs, defined biceps engulf me and we embrace. A wink seals our love! I look up into his eyes to stare the boy back as we exchange an I love you...

Can't stop the tears when you settle down long enough to realize life is moving on...so I head to the bedroom to find solace in my husband. Searching into his brown eyes to find the strength I just don't have right now. He stares back his eyes strong and comforting...he reminds me this is life and what parenting is all about. We embrace tightly and linger awhile, a sigh of satisfaction knowing the blessing of parenting, the love of family, and the inevitable change of seasons! 

 

#lovemyfamily 


Blessings, Polly

The Pink Envelope

A few years ago I went to my mailbox to retrieve the mail. I don't even know what prompted me to, usually my husband is home before I am and he delights in getting the mail. (inside joke) Opening the door to the mailbox buried beneath the pile of bills, magazines, and coupon advertisements a pink envelope solicited my attention! I love the color pink, so naturally leaving the other mail inside the box, I reached for the pink envelope first.  I quickly flipped the envelope over and to my delight the envelop was addressed to me and written in the most beautiful calligraphy penmanship I have ever seen. In the top left corner the out of state return address was written in the same penmanship, but I didn't recognize the address or who it was from. My curiosity was heightened and naturally I couldn't wait to see what was inside so without delay standing in the middle of my driveway I opened the envelope. The inside flap was decorated with beautiful black & white velum paper meticulously decorated with pink, black and white glimmer jewels. It sparkled in the sun! The penmanship continued as the note read:

April 28, 2011

Dearest Polly,

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me, but I just couldn't resist. I guess I could have just as easily sent my message through Facebook or email, but I knew God was prompting me to hand write this for you. I will take the credit for the color choice and design of the card (I hope you like it and I hope your favorite color is still pink.) however the message is inspired by God. 
     
Polly, your love for God is strong, unwavering and contagious. Yet it makes you a great target for the enemy. In my prayer time today I was drawn to find this quote for you. I had to dig a little deep to locate it but I am so glad I did. I have penned it below. Reading it again for myself, it brought strength to my soul and joy to my heart. I hope it will do the same for you. 

     
Remember God has a great plan. My husband and I are praying for you, Torrey, and the children. No matter what you face today, don't every stop dreaming, don't ever stop trying, don't ever stop obeying, don't ever stop speaking....your destiny awaits. 

Love,

(Mrs. -------)

 Quote by Theodore Roosevelt

It’s not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the door of deeds could have been done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.

Deuteronomy 1:21

 "See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

(Polly adds)
The pink envelope was a word in season. God always knows what we need and exactly when we need it. I hope this quote inspires you to keep moving forward. Many who jump on the ban wagon to criticize those who are actually in the arena, are only doing so because of the lack of determination and motivation they have within themselves.

Those who compare become critical. I have since learned people who are intimidated by you, will talk about you in hopes that others won't find you so appealing.....even so TALK GOOD ABOUT THEM! You will sow a harvest of good.

I am so thankful for my dear friend's letter to me penned with God's message. I hope it encourages you. Don't give up  my friend. You may be tired, weary and worn, but you are still in this journey and He hasn't forgotten about you.

Challenge: even through your struggle take a moment and send a note of encouragement to someone else. You will see even in its simplest form you are sowing good seed and you just may be the words of encouragement they need to take another step.

Blessings,

Polly
Blessings, Polly

Climb Higher

We just returned from a wonderful family vacation in the mountains in North Georgia. Our first day we decided to tour a few of the popular hiking trails and we landed upon some beautiful waterfalls and landscapes where it was impossible to believe there isn’t a God. The landscapes of His creation are overwhelming! 

Every time I stood in front of those rushing waters, rumbling down the side of the mountain, I thought about God and His amazing power and might. He spoke the mountains into existence and with the same voice told the waters where to go..... if you have any doubt in who God is, take a hike up a mountain. 

The hike up is hard, but worth the view from the top. If I would have stayed in the car, given in to many of my excuses and chosen not to climb the mountain I would have missed the experience of the mountain top. I may have heard the rushing waters from the bottom and even experienced some of it’s left over, puddling around my feet in the pool of water at the base of the mountain...but I would never have seen it’s origin. I would never have been able to see the might and beauty of it’s entirety. 

When we stop climbing we miss the view. When we stop climbing we forfeit the beauty. 

The climb to higher ground is a spiritual one, though some physical work may also be required. The climb is rough and traveling light is necessary. We didn’t take much up the mountain, a bottle of water, bug spray, of course the camera phone to capture these awesome pictures. Oh and one of the kids may have had a pack of gum in their pocket but nothing more, because traveling light was a priority. We needed to conquer ground, quickly. 

Traveling light on this road of life will require us to let go of the past, and let go of other hindrances to our progress that weigh us down. Burdensome thoughts, negative thinking, the desire to control things we can not change...these heavy things don’t help us to climb, they keep us sitting at the bottom of the mountain, wishing we could be at the top. 

When you decide to climb you resist the urge to listen to the whispers of the doubting spirit that try to talk you out of the “hard work”. Instead with every level higher, you renew your mind and encourage your spirit. 

Torrey and I picked up the rear for most of our trip up the mountain (that means we were in the back, ha). I should note we are at least 25+ years older than our company of kids and their friends and that would have been a good enough excuse, but age didn’t stop us either. We changed our attitude and we started to "think" like we were 25 years younger, we encouraged one another (YOU need an encourager in your life!), and we believed we could do it. Oh friend I am so glad we did, the view was worth it.  

The experience was unexplainable, never could the others have put into words what they saw, we had to take the challenge to experience the climb for ourselves. 

The experience you forfeit because you decide not to climb can never be articulated to it's full capacity by others, you must get up, get going and experience the climb for yourself. 

There's so much more ahead for you beyond the valley. Yes the christian is required to go through the valleys but we are also encouraged to walk out of them. How? Renew your mind, mature your thought life, and change your attitude. Encourage yourself and those who climb with you and BELIEVE God is able to get you to the mountaintop. He can, you just have to be willing to climb. Go get your hiking shoes, I'm ready to go with you!


Blessings, Polly

When I said, "YES"!

When I said "YES", He changed my wavering days into days of purpose. He wiped away my past and showed me a favored future. Instead of walking alone, He now walks with me. He gave me hope when I was hopeless and He clothed me in His righteousness when I was unworthy. He transformed my mind.

He traded my ashes for beauty and crowned me with His everlasting love. What others may have thrown away and discarded in me, He uses for His purpose. 

He gives me shelter under the loving care of His mighty arm and covers me. I am my beloveds and He is mine. 

He walks with me and talks with me, and the love letter of His word comforts me daily. He continues HIStory in my heart, in my next step, in my future and in my legacy. I will forever share my love story because He has changed my life.

I still have uncertainty about the future and this life on earth has made me shed a few tears, but He has promised never to leave me or forsake me! He has made me a home in heaven, where one day I will see Him face to face.

I've said, "yes" many times but the most significant yes was to Jesus! He can change your life, He's just waiting for you to say "yes".

Blessings, Polly

Give Yourself A Break

Each of us has an internal dialogue of conversation going on every day. In fact we probably talk more to ourselves than we do anybody else. This can be an important concept to evaluate considering a positive self image is necessary in order to be successful in this life.

So what do you say to yourself? Who do you say you are? What are you speaking to the inner chambers of your heart? That repeated conversation that captivates your attention at random moments throughout the day, that unconscious interruption that comes out of no where, most of the time that voice tells us who we're not.

"You'll never be capable of handling this situation?"

"You don't measure up to the qualifications they need for that job?"

"You'll never change!"

"You have no will-power, you can't commit to anything more than a day."

"You don't measure up."

"They don't like you, they'll never accept you into this family."

Constantly our brain bombards our heart with conversations like these, acknowledging everything that has ever been wrong with us. These recordings continuously replay negative thoughts of who we are not, until we believe that's who we are!

If you have one of those recordings it's time to destroy it. 

This negative self image keeps you in
bondage and hinders your potential. So what, you've made a few mistakes, you didn't get the job you planned for, you still have a bad habit you haven't been able to break, your in-laws still don't give a rip about you and it's been twelve weeks and you haven't lost a single pound. Give yourself a break! Stop being so hard on yourself and instead of feeding your thoughts with who you are not, start telling yourself who you are and who you will become.

God thinks you are pretty amazing and He knows you have undeniable potential. As a matter of fact He went to great lengths to prove it, He sent His only son Jesus Christ to die for you. Now that's amazing!

So start today by telling yourself who you are in Christ. Remind yourself daily you are loved and accepted by the one who holds your future. Don't let comments or mistakes of the past confound you in the prison of failure. Release yourself to be free, to be all that GOD has called you to be. I'll be the first one to tell you, with God you can do it!

Blessings - Polly

Stay Focused

When my daughter was just old enough to talk she always repeated things to her Father and I as if we didn't hear her the first time. As she got a little older her technique for communicating important information was still to repeat it but it always was proceeded by, "Mom, are you listening to me?" Waving her little arms toward her face she would motion with her index fingers to her eyes, "Right here Mom, right here, I have to tell you something."  If in her opinion I or her father, didn't engage enough eye contact she would literally grab my face with her tiny chubby toddler hands and turn my eyes towards her begging, "Please Mom look at me, I need to tell you something." What my toddler had to tell me was never life threatening or an emergency, as it would appear but it was important to her and she wanted my complete and undistracted attention focused on her.

Now that Karson is a teenager we joke with her about her behavior as a toddler and she will sometimes now in her cute but annoying way, mimic her toddler behavior just to get a laugh from us and the not so funny smirk from her older brother.

Life can so easily throw distractions our way weekly, daily and for some even hourly: Flat tire, loss of a job, illness, diagnosis of a disease, death, financial loss, tragedy, terrible news via a phone call, war or a government shut-down. It's easy to get side-tracked and focused on our problems, especially when they seem to come on the hour every hour. By the end of a typical day we are exhausted physically and mentally, consumed with the what if's, the how comes, and the why not's! 

All the while God is waiting for our attention. He is wondering why we continue to focus on the problem instead of the problem solver. I sometimes amuse myself and think He may be looking down waving his arms like my toddler and saying, "Hey you, focus on me!" Then with His loving and caring hands he would grab my face and turn it back towards heaven and he says, "Now why are you so pre-occupied with temporary circumstances? Lean not unto your own understanding, my child....just trust me!'

Oh the lessons we can learn from our children. When we turn our focus COMPLETELY on God He gives us peace and in His peace we are able to stop focusing on the problem and start praising the one who can solve the problem. 

Distractions are inevitable, choose what you will do with them. Be determined to keep your eyes upon the Lord who is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think". (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Do you desire to be victorious in overcoming distractions, then look to the PROBLEM SOLVER, keep your focus towards him and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim. 

polly herrin

His Voice

She now walks in places she never dreamed possible. Her past no longer haunts her. The mistakes she made she is now wiser for. There's a new gleam in her eye, a steady confidence in her step. She's moving....yes, she's moving forward.

 

She's very aware that adversity is still certain to be around the corner, voices of opposition are still waiting to tell her who she is not, but this time, yes this time she has learned one valuable and important truth:

 

God has not changed His mind about her...

 

Regardless of what the world would say, regardless of the opinions of her friends and enemies, she is determined to hear His voice. His voice says, "I am with you" and His voice declares, "I am for you". His voice so tender and sustaining, affirming all she had forgotten. His voice catapults her forward into her destiny, all because she was determined to hear Him speak and to follow.

 

Blessings, Polly

Who Told You That?

After the fall, Adam tried desperately to explain to God that he was ashamed and afraid because he was naked. I love the way God responded, He asked Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?"

Obviously by his actions Adam had been influenced by a voice other than the voice of God. Up until this point God never mentioned to Adam that he was "naked", although he had been naked the day before and the day before and the day before... What voice convinced Adam he was naked? What voice told him God wouldn't accept him that way, leaving him feeling so inadequate and ashamed that Adam felt he had no other choice but to hide?

If you've lived in this world long enough there have been other voices competing for your attention. Voices that have spoken loudly and without relent, in complete contradiction to the voice of God convincing you to hide behind the veil of secrecy ashamed and afraid. Convincing you to hide from a loving Father full of grace and mercy.

How often have we chosen to listen to some other voice, besides the voice of God? Imagine the grieving heart of our Heavenly Father when we choose to believe something other than what He has said about us.

Who told you it was too late to start over? Who convinced you, that you didn't belong? Who threatened that you could never be forgiven? Who intentionally made you feel incapable, inadequate and unaccepted? Who whispered you'd never accomplish anything significant? Who said you couldn't do it? Who lied to you? Who threatens,  you will always be lonely?Who refuses to forgive you? Who has denied you a second chance? 

It certainly was not God!

He said, "You are the head and not the tail." He declared, "You are an overcomer!" He gave you "all authority in heaven and earth" and He promised, "In your weakness you would be made strong." God said, "He loves you unconditionally" and nothing can change His mind about you! He promised, "To never leave you or forsake you" and that His desire is for you to be blessed beyond measure.  He proved that you were worth dying for!

It's time to press the mute button to the voices that contradict God! You don't have to get in the ring with the enemy and argue your point. You just have to remind him, God's word is final.

Blessings, Polly

2013 - Just Let Some Baggage Go!

I've tried, believe me I have, but since an early age I've had this desperate need to be prepared especially when it relates to packing.

Don't ask me to pack the car for a DAY TRIP! I'll include enough food for two weeks, and I'll pack a few pillows, blankets and extra clothes for everybody just in case we have an emergency and need to spend the night somewhere. I seriously drive my family crazy.

I just don't know how to travel light.

...and when I check in at the airport, I will be the passenger with that extra piece of luggage solely for those necessary outfits, in addition to the ones I have already packed. Who knows what the weather is going to be when you arrive at your destination and besides, a girl has to have a few options on stand by!

Hey don't act like you have never been caught with a few excess bags!

Maybe even today I could find you over at the baggage carousel loading up. Don't remember seeing that baggage carousel? That's because it was not in the airport, it's the one in your mind and the bags you grabbed aren't made of leather, decorated in Vera Bradley designs or manufactured by Samsonite. Nope;  these are made of burdens!

I saw you pick up the suitcase of REGRET, and the second bag is filled with GUILT. Over your shoulder you tote a bag of WEARINESS and another labeled HOPELESSNESS and if that wasn't enough you have to have your briefcase of UN-FORGIVENESS, where items are stored in chronological order and kept close, so later in the day you can rehearse them. Oh and don't forget the purse of SHAME, filled with MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, MISTAKES and FAILURES, it's small but hefty and always with you. Pretty soon you are pulling more stuff than the skycap and you wonder why month after month and year after year you are so tired, so weary, so exhausted.

I'm hear to scream to you today, "Drop some of that baggage! You can't get to where you're going if you are distracted and burdened with needless weight."

The truth is God has a great race for you to run and under His care you will go where you've never been before, never served before and in ways you've never dreamed, but you have to be willing to leave some stuff behind. How can you give hope, when you can't let go of your bag of hopelessness. How can you teach forgiveness to someone who needs it, when you have a briefcase of files from the past of those who have hurt you? How can you expect to make it a better year, when you hug so tightly to shame? How can you lift someone else's load if you have too heavy of a load yourself?

To get to the place God has destined you to go, you must travel light! To run the race He has prepared, you have to discard the excess baggage. There are just some things you were never intended to carry.

I remember a trip we were taking from Tampa to Baltimore and we were trying to catch our connection in Atlanta. Of course we had more bags than my husband and I could carry alone... mostly my fault I'm sure. We were trying to hurry and catch the tram that seemed far off in the distance and only came every five minutes.  We didn't have time to go and retrieve a cart, so we grabbed our bags off the carousel and placed them anywhere we could on our bodies. We looked utterly ridiculous and  unfortunately we were unsuccessful in our attempts, there were just too many bags for us to carry. My son noticing our dilemma, attempted to pick up a large and heavy duffle bag. Immediately the skycap came over and laid his hand on my 5 year old's shoulder and said, "Son put that heavy bag down, it's too big for you. I'll carry it for you!"

That's what your heavenly Father is whispering to you today, "It's time to put down some of the bags you are carrying, they're too heavy, you were never intended to carry them in the first place!"

Psalms 68:19  - Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Let 2013 be a year you Let Go of the baggage you were never meant to carry and allow God to pick up the load. Run your race with less of you and more of Him! I promise you'll get there faster.

Blessings, Polly

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

I approach this weekend with bitter sweet emotions as I sit on my living room floor amongst the packed moving boxes and sixteen years of wonderful memories. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday my husband and I rented a large uhaul truck loaded it with our simple but treasured items and made the 20+ hour drive from Salisbury, Maryland to Plant City, Florida with our 18 month old baby boy. We didn't know a soul here, well except Pastor Mitch Corder, who hired us and even then we had only known him for a few short weeks.

We would soon find out that Plant City was a small agricultural community that hosted the best strawberries in the nation, and the most caring group of people in the South East. It didn't take us long to make new friends on the soccer fields, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, school or community events. We were welcomed with open arms into our church family as Youth Pastors, serving several years in that position and then onto serve other positions in the church like Worship Arts Pastors and now Executive Pastors, as it grew and the need arose. Looking back through old picture albums we are both proud and honored to have led the most AMAZING youth in all of Florida because they were Soul'd Out to Christ. (Hence the name we chose for the group.) Today they aren't so young, toting toddlers and preschoolers of their own and some even moving to other states, yet they still make us proud when we see and hear of their dedication and commitment to serving Jesus Christ.

The next few years we were privileged to help hire some new staff some of whom went on to serve in other ministry opportunities through the US, we helped to implement our church daycare, our School of Music and Family Care programs, build a new sanctuary (currently the PCCOG) that we reside in now. Fast forward almost two decades later and my heart is heavy knowing we will leave behind many wonderful friends and friends who have become family, whom we love so dearly! Yet we know without a doubt, this is the will of the Father.

David said in the book of Psalms, "The steps of a righteous man (woman) are ordered by God!" I have to believe that every detail of a believer's life is strategically and intricately ordered by the Sovereign hand of God and He doesn't make mistakes. It's safe to say, in our lives and I'm sure many of your lives, there may have been times you and I have questioned His will, and we've wondered if maybe somewhere along the way He had closed His eyes, taken a nap, or completely forgotten about us. But the older I get and the more I spend in His presence reading His word, I find just the opposite is true. When doing great things for the Lord, we will often times travel down paths we may not have selected for ourselves, but God knew we needed to travel them, to refine us, purify us, strengthen us and build our faith in Him!

Like Job, some of you have suffered seasons of disease and sickness, loosing houses and lands, often you've questioned where God is and how could He be directing your life. Others are like Joseph, who was pursued by the hands of his jealous family members because of the evidence of a favored life. He was intentionally rejected, thrown into a pit and left to die by those who he loved deeply. Joseph had to wonder if this was part of God's will and I'm certain He questioned where God was those thirteen years of hell!

What about Esther, born in unfavorable circumstances with life's odds against her, she was destined for greatness but had a rough beginning. Who would have ever imagined a jewish orphaned girl would endure such tragedy yet still be in the perfect will of God! And David, the one whom God called, "A man after my own heart" was allowed to suffer persecution from a tyrant jealous King who hated him because he was favored by the Lord and positioned for the throne. Saul drove him to the caves, running for his life, tired, abandoned, weak in spirit and mind, yet He was still in the very center of God's will!

Today the world has painted a different picture and yes sad to say even in the church we sometimes have suggested a life with hardship, sickness, abandonment, strife and warfare is not God's will, but that my friend couldn't be farther from the truth! God uses all of these circumstances for and to His glory. The real truth is, if you didn't need a miracle, you would never need God.

Job, Joseph, David and Esther each needed God to show up miraculously on their behalf in order to accomplish something they couldn't do within themselves. We must recognize that God delights in making you triumph! He delights in positioning you in places and situations where you can't make it on your own, and yes He even allows the enemy to harass, taunt and threaten you for a season, just as He did in Job's life.

The good news is, God planned your victory before He allowed your struggle. He has positioned you in the midst of the season of difficulty and He has made a way of deliverance for you. You may not see it in the natural realm right now, but you don't have to see it, God has already planned it! David reminds us that "God works all things for our good" and if He has allowed this difficult season in your life, it's for a reason------that He may be glorified. All you need to do friend is trust Him completely and I promise you won't be disappointed. He has the master plan and He knows the beginning and the end of your story, therefore you can be confident in Him. It's History....(HIS - STORY), He is the author and no matter what direction your story may take, you can be confident He is working it all for your good. When we come to the place where we know it's all about Him and has nothing to do with us, we can make those detours alot easier.

So today although we say goodbye to sixteen years of wonderful experiences, great people, and treasured memories, we know that we know that we know, He is in control and we are confident in the decision we have made. It is with great anticipation we press on toward the prize, that Christ has set before us, finishing the race knowing He has ordered our every step. Until we meet again whether here on earth or when we are called away to our eternal home, please never forget, to keep it ALL ABOUT JESUS!

Blessings, Polly

Strive For Excellence

Someone once said, "Excellence is doing ordinary things, extra ordinarily well."

To achieve excellence we must go the extra mile; do more than what is asked. Yet often I think satan uses our known inadequacies to keep us from making the effort to give our best effort.

In contrary to what many may believe, excellence does not necessarily mean the absence of mistakes, but it does mean the presence of determination. A person who strives for excellence doesn't give up when faced with criticism, nor does he avoid the task for fear of failure. To be excellent, one must first determine to accomplish the task with the best effort he can give and then make it his goal to endure to the end.

In my opinion, a great modern day example of excellence can be found in a young man by the name of Tim Tebow. If you haven't heard of him by now, check your pulse it's possible you may be dead. (Just kidding!) Tebow is the handsome, devoted, outspoken Christian quarter back who played for the Denver Broncos, currently plays for the New Your Jets and formally a Florida gator. He isn't perfect; his critics would say he didn't deserve to be drafted into the NFL. They would argue his techniques are flawed and they projected he would crumble under pressure. Yet, I think that's exactly why the world is so attracted to Tim Tebow, because he is real. Yes he has made a few bad plays in his profession, he has often been publicly scrutinized by his haters, but he continues to get back up determined to become even a better player than the season before. His drive to give his best and his determination to stay focused through adversity, is motivating. Through it all, he still acknowledges Jesus Christ as his first priority.

I'm very thankful for Tim Tebow and the life example he is to so many. When we strive for excellence, keep our focus and align our priorities in the right order we will eventually make the ordinary seem extra ordinary and hopefully encourage others to follow on the same path.

Colossians 3:23-24 encourages us in whatever we do to  "work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward."

Blessings, Polly

I received this devotional from a dear friend in Georgia today and I wanted to share with my blog family:


...And the violent take it by force (Written by Jeff Anderson)
Jesus said, "The kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) I often despise victim mentality so I try to posture myself to not be a victim, and to recognize that pain is a standard occupational hazard for human beings, and particularly those who pose as a threat to our enemy. And so today dawns and through the people I know who were hurting continue to struggle, I personally am not back on my heels reacting like a punching bag for the enemy of my soul. In fact upon reflection, I like the ebb and flow of this life. I won't be surprised or sideline by pain, and I'm going to make the enemy pay for coming after me. It's not braggadocio: it's just a fact in the spiritual sense, I'm a violent man determined to war on behalf of those I love, the kingdom He has established, the widow and the orphan. We Jesus-followers, if our eyes are fixed on his kingdom and his righteousness are forever encroaching our enemy's territory. We're at least a nuisance to him and for some, we are a spiritual force to be reckoned with. I love meeting people like that and aspire to be one myself.  Our enemy's general strategy is to keep humans hopeless and isolated but in the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring them hope and connection. The enemy despises that! This looks like force to the enemy the kind of force that comes when you're gritting your teeth and have filled the cup of your soul to the brim with determination. My prayer is that many of you who have been wounded, sidelined, benumbed and restrained, would regain the gleam in your eye. Be a man or woman of violence. Seek the kingdom as the focus of your life, don't be deterred or distracted! Let's do it.....Jeff


Wow, what an inspiring and motivating blog by Jeff Anderson. Why sit back and watch the enemy hold captive the land and it's inhabitants that God said was yours? Proceed forward, with confidence, determination and a violent strength to have all He has promised. He can't give it to you if you won't get up and take it! I'm walking by faith but acting on what I already know....
Be Blessed,
Polly 

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Mom & Dad with their grandchildren (2010)

I received this poem from a friend and wanted to share it with my blogger community but first I want to wish my mother a Happy Mother's Day!

My mother is the most incredible mother in the world. Her giving heart has touched so many far beyond the scope of her reasoning. Her constant but quiet strength and faith in her God has has been an unshakable and firm foundation. Words can not express how grateful I am to have been given such a mother. I know this Mother's Day she will spend it like she has the last several years taking care of my father who is beaten down with the deadly disease "Dementia". Most likely she will be unable to take a much needed trip to the spa because time won't allow, nor will she willingly slip away to the mall to shop as we woman so often like to do. Her commitment to my father's care keeps her right by his side, caring for him, loving him when he can not reciprocate that love. Yet you will never hear her complain, no not once.

While other mothers have been in search of higher paying jobs, accomplished titles and degrees, catering to themselves, my mother has been the steady current of unselfish, unconditional love to her family.  My mother is amazing!

Note to Mom:
Mom, the years of sacrifice will never go un-noticed or unrewarded. You have taught me so much with your quiet strength, your committed faith and your unconditional love. If I can give my children half of what you have imparted into my life, they are far beyond blessed. You deserve to be honored today and everyday mom. I want the world to know the woman I am lucky to call, "Mom".  While many will receive their reward on this side of eternity your rewards will far exceed them all. Only eternity will accurately give an account of the many deeds of love you have sown, not just for your own family but also to so many others.


Happy Mother's Day ~~ I love you Mom!

Somebody Said

~Author Unknown~

Somebody said being a mother is boring. That somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a good mother your child will turn out good. That somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said good mother's never raise their voices. That somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother. That somebody never helped their fifth grader with her math homework.

Somebody said you can't love the fourth child as much as you love the first child. That somebody doesn't have four children.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery. That somebody never watch her baby get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. Or on the interstate headed to college, or on a plane headed for military boot camp.

Somebody said the most difficult days have been when they were sick. That somebody never attended to a child with a 103 fever in the wee hours of the morning.

Somebody said a mother could do her job with her eyes closed and her hands tied behind her back. That somebody has never organized a 16th birthday party, or planned a family vacation.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married. That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings and prayers.

Somebody said a mother's job is finished when her last child leaves home. That somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her so you don't need to tell her. That somebody isn't a mother.

Where Are You?

I loved playing hide and seek with my children when they were young. Who am I fooling? We still play the game and they are teenagers. Now that they are older it takes me a lot longer to locate them. They get impatient and tired of waiting on me and start yelling, "Mom you coming? Mom where are you?" It would seem that I should be yelling that to them since they are the ones hiding.

In life we can experience seasons when we just don't know where we are! I don't necessarily mean in a physical sense, although I'm sure that's possible. I'm referring to seasons of life when we don't know how we ended up in our current condition.

You didn't mean to get over your head in debt, but it happened. The frivolous spending and mis-managed budget resulted in consequences of lack. Or maybe it was your selfish need to win every argument with your spouse and now a few years into the marriage and the damage is done, communication is little to none and intimacy has disappeared altogether. Or perhaps you have drifted so far from your original goals of raising your children to love, respect, honor and worship God and instead you overbooked your weekends and substituted family devotions for ball games and ballet lessons. Now years later you don't understand why your teenagers want nothing to do with church.

How did we get here?

You may not know where you are, but God does! He has followed your every step watching as you continued to do it on your own. So many times He longed for you to recognize His prompting. With His still small voice He was urging you back. He's been waiting on you to get tired of hiding and for feeling ashamed because of the decisions you made.

He longs to be with you...

He loves you, unconditionally. He never walked away, you did.

Now matter how far gone you feel you have traveled away from Him, or how lost you think you may be, He would do anything to hear you say, "Father where are you? Please come find me!"

Matthew 18:12-14 "If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray?  And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

Vain Imaginations

The older woman and her electronic shopping cart quickly annoyed me. She seemed to purposefully drive it in the middle of the aisle so I couldn't pass her with my overloaded cart of groceries. Usually it wouldn't bother me, but today I was in a hurry. I had ten minutes before the first pitch of my son's baseball game and I still had to get home and unpack the groceries. I politely said, "Excuse me". Hoping she would move over to one side of the aisle so I could pass by her. She didn't respond, she didn't even acknowledge me.

Maybe she didn't hear me, I thought, so I said it again, this time a little louder, "Excuse me, could I move my cart past you please?" With that she jolted the brakes and quickly turned around to get a glimpse of me. I was a little taken off guard by the look on her face; it was a surprised look as if she didn't see me. I thought she was going to respond, but she didn't say a word. She just sat there, staring at me. I was still constricted behind her because the cart was directly centered in the middle of the aisle, I wondered what she was doing and the point she was trying to make. By now I was infuriated, surely this woman was intentionally blocking me from passing her and I couldn't figure out for the life of me why!

As she starred me down, I explained again that I wanted to pass her because I was running late for my son's baseball game. She paused for a few seconds and then used her hands to communicate with me. As she began to sign and point I then realized she was deaf and she hadn't noticed I was behind her the entire time. I was completely embarrassed and tried quickly to scoot around her as to not look any more ridiculous when she reached out to grab my arm and pointed to the top shelf. I asked her if there was something on the top she needed me to get for her, I think she was able to understand me because she intently watched my lips. She nodded her head yes. I began to aimlessly reach for items on the top shelf, she kept shaking her head no until my fingers reached the can of baking powder and she nodded yes. She held up two fingers so I grabbed for two cans of baking soda and then placed them in her cart. She gestured back in sign language "thank you" and smiled, giving me a wink as I finally made my way past her.

Life is all about perspective. Sometimes we "presume" something to be when really it isn't that way at all.  We drive past a co-worker in the neighborhood and we wave but they don't wave back. We jump to the conclusion they are really rude, but the truth could be they didn't know you drove that car. We pick up our child in the car rider line and wave to our child's teacher on duty. She doesn't wave back and we immediately begin to rationalize why she didn't. It could be she has too many little kids to watch and she didn't notice you from the glare on the car. Or maybe she wasn't even looking in your direction, sunglasses can be deceiving at times. A friend blogged about a certain subject or put an inspirational image quote on her FaceBook wall that just happened to be relating to an issue you were struggling with and immediately you presume her blog or post was directed specifically towards you.

Perspective is the way in which one regards situations, circumstances, reactions and makes a judgment based upon limited facts.  When we have limited information and make assumptions about a situation based upon our perspective we can sometimes be wrong about the entire situation. Sometimes (like in the example I encountered at the grocery store) we can create a problem when there really isn't one there.  This is what the bible refers to as "vain imaginations". Vain imaginations are any thoughts or reactions that are rooted in truth but perverted by imagination.

The truth is the only real power the enemy has over us is the power of deception. Most bondage to the enemy can be directly tied to some form of wrong thinking. It's important not to play into the enemies "mind games" and presume or make assumptions. We could find out that we were completely wrong in our thinking and suffer irrevocable consequences because we simply let our mind wander.

Live life without presumptions, assumptions or vain imaginations. Don't be so quick to analyze everyone around you and everything they did or didn't do. It's possible you are seeing into things more than you should, and if so, the enemy has you trapped in a place where he can wreck havoc.

II Corinthians 10:5

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought and make it obedient unto God.

Blessings, Polly

Don't Miss The Important Things

We were planning a 16th birthday party for her oldest daughter. I gladly offered my help since she had invited over sixty people. "What do you need me to do?" I asked her.

"Anything you want", my friend replied. So I offered to make the party favors, address the invitations and help with the food. Over the next few weeks we talked periodically going over the details and counting down the days before the big event.

Now I must paint a picture for your of my friend Karen; she lives for details. Tell her a story and she asks for more details. Give her directions to a certain location and she wants to know how long it will take to get there and what coffee shops are close by. So it didn't surprise me when she handed me the party planning book she had purchased for this special event. Being so specific in the details of her daughter's 16th party she even drew out a map of her backyard, locating where every chair would be placed and in case it rained, she rented several huge canopies to cover the event areas.

On the day of the party, guest began to arrive with gifts for the birthday girl, while perfect party tunes selected, could be heard in the background. The decorations of light blue, silver and hidden pops of glitter looked beautiful as if the moment was captured in a dream and recreated. Up until now, this day was nothing less than perfect. 

About an hour after the guest mingled and ate, it was time for the birthday song and cake according to the detailed list Karen had printed. So I motioned to the hired DJ to get ready with the "Happy Birthday" disk and headed back inside the house to get the candles and cake. I'd been to parties she hosted in the past so I assumed the cake would be kept in the refrigerator in the garage and I headed in that direction. When I turned the corner to the garage I could see my friend Karen already standing in front of the refrigerator with the door opened. Glancing at her facial expressions I could tell immediately something was wrong. In desperation she blurted out, "Oh no, I forgot to pick up the cake!" Tears streamed down her eyes and she clinched my arm with her fingernails. I attempted to console her, however the birthday song playing on que in the background was difficult to compete with.

In my friend's obsession to manage all the miniscule details she forgot the most important item, the birthday cake.

Sometimes in life we can be just as guilty. Obsessing over the little things and forgetting the more important.  Detailed obsessions over unnecessary items like a clean house, vegetables with every meal and over crowded schedules will drain our energy from more productive tasks and ultimately can distract us from doing God's significant work.

What parenting priorities should come first? Do you need to rearrange some things in your schedule? Are there more important items you should be doing that have been overlooked by less important things? I know I have been guilty of allowing the little details to consume my days, yet God has a way of getting our attention when we loose focus and in those moments it's critical to listen to Him. Don't miss the important things!

Prayer
Lord I acknowledge the importance of you in my life for direction, guidance and wisdom. Please give me specific insight on how to live my days pursuing the more important things.  My greatest desire is to fulfill your plan for my life.  Show me the areas where I am failing, give me clear direction to better guide me on this journey. May my life exemplify the importance of living a life consecrated to you, for you are most important. Lord, I need your help.