A MUST read!

This was taken from www.shieldsofstrength.com blog.

Self looks out for self. Love looks out for others.
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Last week, while on vacation, I was sitting in my car in line waiting to order at a fried chicken restaurant drive through with my wife Tammie. Our two beautiful little girls Faith and Grace were in the back seat. The speaker on the drive through was broken, so I pulled up to the window to order.

At first glance I suspected the clerk was not the customer service award winner. She was looking more like, "What are you doing here?!" than, "May I help you?"

Well, I just pretended everything was great and placed our order.

The lady was so mean throughout the entire order process that when she stepped away from the window Faith sat up in the back seat and said "Daddy, is that lady mean?"

I just said, "I'm not sure, baby, but she is at least acting that way."

When the lady came back to the window, she said to me, "Why didn't you just order the 12-piece? It would have been much easier and saved you money!"

About this time I am thinking I am just about to take a stand. She was being rude to me for no reason and in front of my family. I had tried to be nice, but her attitude had gotten progressively worse. I bit my tongue and just told her, "Hey, if you can get me everything I ordered and save me money with the 12-piece, that would be great!"

I think at this point she finally started feeling guilty for being so rude, especially since I had never barked back at her. While she was away putting our order together, I asked Tammie to grab me a Shield of Strength and a neck chain.

When the lady returned to the window, I just told her the Shield had one of my favorite scriptures on it and I wanted to give it to her.

In that moment she really did not know what to say. She turned around and showed it to another employee and then asked if she could have four, so that all of her co-workers could have one. I gave her three more and her eyes began to tear up. She then said to me, "You have no idea how much I needed this! I have so much going on in my life right now and I don't know what to do."

All the time she was taking my order, she had been staying way back from the window, making it an effort for me to be heard as I gave my order. But, by now, she had her whole head hanging outside the drive-through window telling us how much she appreciated that tag.

After she handed us the food, I told Tammie to get ready, because I was about to pray for this lady. I have never prayed for anyone in a drive though before, but I just knew this lady was begging for prayer, so I asked if she would like me to pray for her.

She leaned all the way out of the drive-through window (shoulders and all) and reached both hands into our car so I could pray with her.

We prayed a very simple but powerful prayer as we agreed that God would bring her wisdom, direction, peace, and strength as His will would be done in her life. As we drove away, I looked back in the side view mirror to see the lady still hanging out of the window watching us drive away with big tears rolling out of both of her eyes.

I shared this story and I will share a few more in the weeks ahead to say this: Nothing on this earth is more powerful than the word of God. That lady did not need a Shield of Strength. I could have torn a piece off of my chicken bag and wrote the same scripture on that piece of torn sack, and the same thing would have happened. She needed to be reminded of Gods word and that His word is true, regardless of our circumstances.

If you want the power of God in your life, then live out of love. Live out of love and the law of love will govern your life. It would have been really easy to think of myself and how I was being treated badly, but I may have well ruined my day and added to the sorrows of the lady working the drive through that day. Instead, we shared a blessing I will never forget, and maybe she won't either. One thing for sure, we were both encouraged in the Lord and felt His presence and love as we prayed together and after I drove away.

I make Shields of Strength for this very reason. For years, I always ran into situations just like this one, but had no way to break the ice and bring God in. I found that when I was wearing my Shield as my personal reminder, I always had one with me and I always ended up giving it away. Today I wear them just to give them away. I keep thirty or so in my truck so I can keep one around my neck at all times. The next time you find yourself in a situation where you have that "Man, I wish I knew what to say or how to put God into this moment and encounter -- His word, His love and covering -- I encourage you to tear off a piece of paper, write down your favorite scripture or one that comes to your heart, and hand it to that person. If you are too uncomfortable, then give it to them as you walk away. Nothing you can ever say will compare to what God has already said. Share it! Share His love, and love will begin to rule your life.

He who has God has love and he who has not God has not love. For God is love.

Kenny Vaughan

Thanks Maria...

Too good not to share with everyone.

Believe in Yourself
by Jillian K. Hunt

Set your standards high
You deserve the best.
Try for what you want
And never settle for less.

Believe in yourself
No matter what you choose.
Keep a winning attitude
And you can never lose.

Think about your destination
But don't worry if you stray.
Because the most important thing
Is what you've learned along the way.

Take all that you've become
To be all that you can be.
Soar above the clouds
And let your dreams set you free.

Back/Triceps

Tonight I will mark off another successful workout.

This past week was BRUTAL, but I must make this week as brutal if not more. ;)

I am in the "ZONE" and ready to succeed.

It's so nice to read all the inspiring blogs. So many it is hard to keep up. But I want to thank ALL of you for your inspiration. It really keeps me going in the right direction.

thirtysomething posted in her blog about English Toffee Stevia. I must get me some of this! ;)

Let's keep Eating Clean, Training Hard and DREAMIN BIG!

Thanks again Elizabeth!

Just what I needed to hear today.

As a believer in Jesus and a child of His, God is on your side today! If you haven't thought about it yet today, remember, you are created for greatness. You have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no obstacle that can stop you. There is no disadvantage that can hold you back. You're in the palm of God's hand, and He has equipped and empowered you for everything. When God is on your side, He sets the right people in your path. In fact, He's already released favor into your future. He's planning for you to come in to new seasons of increase. Have you given up on a dream? God is on your side, and He wants to resurrect it. Have you given up on a family member? God is on your side, and He wants to restore that relationship. God is on your side, and He has a plan for victory in every area of your life. Let that sink down into your heart today. Begin to expect His favor. Expect Him to work in your life. Focus on the fact that God has equipped you. He has anointed you. Your best days are still out in front of you! If God is for you, no one can rise against you! As you meditate on this promise, it will become real to you. You will walk in the favor and victory God has in store for you!

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for being on my side today. Thank You for equipping and empowering me to accomplish everything You've called me to. Give me a deeper revelation of Your love for me today so that I can live the abundant life You have prepared for me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Dream Team is in Motion!

Well, week one is behind Maria and I. WOW..was it BRUTAL!

I am SO EXCITED to be heading toward the stage again. It is the absolute BEST feeling ever. Lots of tears of sweat, but the feeling of accomplishment is so worth it.

Jonnae Taylor is my INSPIRATION and reason to push harder than I ever have. She is an amazing person who I hope to meet in person some day. I want to thank her and give her a HUGE hug.

Big thanks out to Maria for all your text messages and phone calls. Love,Love,Love you girl. I sure hope to see you next week. ;)

Lots of cool things in the works. I am SO BLESSED.

Family Updates...

Austin took 1st place again yesterday. WOOHOO!!!

Dustin took the time to draw a picture for our wrestling teams jackets. He did an incredible job. THANK YOU DUSTIN!

By the way I have to take a pic of the picture Dustin drew on my Grandparents satellite dish. He free handed the whole thing. INCREDIBLE TALENT!

Tom is working hard and getting ready for some serious hunting this month. He also joined the gym. :)

Christa looks icredible. She is really healing nicely. I truly believe she WILL be at an EAS event in 2008.

Well, I better get off my bootay and get to the gym.

I will update later I want to post Day 2 from Until Today. What a GREAT book.

Until Today! Day 1

Life will work for me when I realize.....
I must put first things first!

The Law of First Things is a mandate for all of our lives. This principle encourages us to acknowledge, accept and embrace God first in all things we do. First, inquire of God. Then, listen to God. when you hear God, respond. Then trust God to lead and guide you. If and when we do these things, the Law of First Things ensures that God will reward us ten times over.

When you breathe, that's God. When you move, that's God. When you think about where you need to be and what you need to do, that's God giving you the power to take the through and translate it into action. When you speak, that's God. When you eat, it's God. For without God's love, God's mercy and grace, nothing you consider important would be possible. Truth of the matter is, God is FIRST. The law of First Things simply asks that we acknowledge it.

When you take your first breath in the morning, remember it's God who is making it possible. When you swing your feet over the side of the bed, acknowledge God for moving through you as the source of your life. Before you do one thing in the day for yourself or anyone else, thank God for every ability, talent, gift and opportunity that lies within you or before you. As you move through each day, keep God informed about what you are doing and ask that you be guided toward right thoughts and right action. And don't forget to invite God to participate in all of your activities. As your activities begin to bring you rewards, thank God first. If you make an earnest effort to follow the Law of Firt Things, you will never have to worry about being left our of God's good.

Until today, you may have believed that you needed to go someplace special to find the power, strength and love of your Creator. Just for today, be devoted to remembering, acknowledging, trusting and expressing gratitude to God for being present right where you are.

TODAY I AM DEVOTED TO PUTTING GOD FIRST IN ALL THINGS!