Will this be the year you decide to step out of complacency and into the call that God has placed on your life… or will you continue to dodge what you know He is asking of you?

I get it, though.

Sometimes playing it safe seems like the smarter move. 

It’s less risky. 

There’s a smaller chance of failing.

Sisters, I don’t have time for that.

To be honest… WE don’t have time for that.

God has given each of us a specific role to walk out for the Kingdom, and we cannot afford to be content with doing… nothing.

Remember those famous words that Mordecai whispered to Esther to spark her out of fear and into action?

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) 

Well I’d like to suggest that just like Esther, you are on planet earth for a time such as this…too.

It’s not a coincidence that you are here… now.

And as daughters of the King, you too hold a royal position.

You’re in the family business.

So I’m humbly calling you on to the battlefield.

No more of the same ole’ excuses.

No more desire to sit in complacency.

No more ignoring God’s call.

This year… 2013… is YOUR year to step out of your comfort zone and into your calling.

Are you ready?

When God first called me into ministry 8 years ago, I fought it tooth and nail.

• The walking-it-out concept was scary and it seemed too big.
• What God wanted of me required a lot of trust, which I struggled with.
• He was asking me to do something I wasn’t comfortable doing.

And to top it off, I was fresh off a tough season in my marriage and I just wanted to chill.  I wanted to coast for a while.

But God had different plans.

A wise friend of mine said this to me, “When God calls you… He equips you.”

She reminded me that He would give me what I needed to do what He was calling me to do.

Hint:  He will do the same thing for you.

So, I said YES to God… and I’ve been so blessed through the process.

Has it been easy?  No. 

Has it been a smooth ride?  Not at all. 

Have I wanted to walk away at times.  Yes.

But I love being a part of something… bigger.

I love knowing that the God of the Universe uses… me.

I love being on the front lines of the battlefield, uncovering the Enemy’s plans.

It’s a wild ride.

Sisters… it’s time to step out of your complacency and into your calling.

Not sure what that “calling” is?

Start by telling God you are ready to co-labor with Him.  And then ask Him what He has in store FOR YOU… and what He wants FROM YOU this year.

Ask God these questions:

1. In what areas should my heart be tendered towards Your children?
2. Do I need to change my direction to stay aligned with Your will for my life?
3. Where do You want me to engage in a more significant way?
4. Is there a particular scripture that You’d like me to walk out?
5. Do You have a specific word that will help focus my efforts?

I continue to say “yes” to God, and I’ve been asking Him to show me what He wants from me in 2013.  He did.

God gave me direction through a specific WORD He wants me to live out loud for this year.

Wanna know that word?

C O L L I D E

To be honest, I’m not sure what that is going to look like.  But I am stinkin’ excited to walk this one out.

So friends… what’s your plan?

Maybe instead, the question should be… what is His plan for you?

• Ask God to show you what He wants from you and for you in 2013. 
• Keep asking until He reveals it to you.
• Be listening for His answer through consistent, persistent messages.
• Meditate on these trust-building verses:
  • Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Then once you know what God is asking of you, be obedient and say YES to His vision for your 2013.

†††

REALITY CHECK:  Make a decision to allow God to use you.  Trust that He doesn’t call the equipped… but equips the called.  That means YOU. 

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

Let’s Connect!  Subscribe to my newsletter, Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Ministry Page, Visit me at Moms Together.

Christian New Year’s Resolutions

How can I use the New Year
To better serve my Lord?
I’ll read my Bible every day,
And be more in accord.

I’ll find new ways to serve others;
I’ll love my neighbor, too.
I’ll focus on “give” instead of “get”
In everything I do.

I’ll forgive the people I’m mad at;
Angry feelings I’ll discard;
I’ll try to love my enemies,
Even though it’s hard.

In the new year, I’ll lift people up,
Instead of putting them down.
I’ll fill my heart with love and joy,
And never wear a frown.

I’ll let go of my worries;
I’ll put it all in His hands;
I’ll repent and try to sin less,
And obey all His commands.

These new year’s resolutions
Are difficult, at best,
But there’s something I can do each day
That will put my soul at rest:

I’ll love my Lord with all my heart,
With all my mind and soul,
And if I do that essential thing,
All the rest will be in control.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 © 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

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Joy to the world… YOU have come.

♥

♥

Let all the world rejoice…

that Christ is with US!

CHRISTMAS VERSION OF I CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13

♥♥♥

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family… I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family… I’m just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not how love to my family… it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ… I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things. Believes all things. Hopes all things. Endures all things.  Love never fails.

Video games will break. Pearl necklaces will be lost.  Golf clubs will rust.  But giving the gift of love will endure.

Wishing you a joyous and meaningful Christmas!

♥♥♥

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

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I’ve enjoyed digging a bit deeper with you by looking at the sisters, Mary and Martha, and the fact that they celebrated the arrival of Jesus so differently.

Mary sat at His feet, letting go of all worldly expectations and responsibilities. 

Martha worked to make others happy, and missed the heart of the celebration.

I’m wondering which sister you more resonate with.

My guess is that most of you feel a closer kinship with Martha.  As women, we are just naturally “doers” aren’t we?

And because of that, our hearts are sometimes not in it.

But what if we could find a happy medium between these two sisters?  What if we could find a way to knock out our seemingly endless to-do lists AND connect our hearts with Jesus?

Well… I’d like to suggest an idea.

Why can’t we have Mary Moments in the middle of our Martha days?

What would that even look like?

Maybe something like this…

My family was decorating Christmas cookies – a tradition they love, and one I loathe. 

Why? 

Because the icing ends up everywhere but on the cookies and I have to resign myself to sweeping up sprinkles for the next 3 weeks.

I do it because every good mother bakes with their kids, right?  

The truth is I had a million things that needed to get done.  But instead of letting my Martha tendencies to take over, I decided to grin and bear it.

Well in the middle of the chaos, I begin to tear up as I looked at my sweet family.

• I remembered being told we couldn’t have kids… but God provided.
• I remembered how close we came to divorcing a few years ago… but God intervened.
• I looked at Sam remembering how he stopped breathing his first day of life… but God restored. 
• I remembered when Sara contracted RSV when she was only 8 weeks old… but God healed. 

And in the middle of that VERY Martha afternoon, I had a sweet Mary Moment.

I could have let it pass… I could have blamed it on allergies… but I’m so glad I allowed my heart to be tendered by the Spirit.

God blessed me with a Mary Moment.

And you know what I’ve come to realize?

Being a Martha with Mary Moments is not difficult… it’s just deliberate.

Friends, take the time this season to experience all God has in store for you.

Allow Him the opportunity to tender your heart. 

Appreciate those He’s placed in your life. 

Be open to His leading. 

Let yourself connect with your emotions.

When you do… you’re leaving space in your day for God’s Holy Spirit to bless your sweet Martha hearts with precious Mary Moments.

What a gift.

And remember, when you are deliberate in allowing yourself to soak in those Mary Moments… you are teaching your children to do the same.  It becomes normal.

Let’s decide to be women who love God enough to allow Him space to tender our hearts regardless of our schedule… the season… our mood… or our location.

As a matter of fact, let’s ask God to bless us with those Mary Moments all year round.

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

Let’s Connect!  Subscribe to my newsletter, Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Ministry Page, Visit me at Moms Together.

Yesterday, we discussed about how Mary chose to sit with Jesus while her sister sweated it out in the kitchen.

She refused to sacrifice her time with the Messiah by getting caught up in worldly expectations.  Mary challenged us to examine our priorities during the holidays.

If you missed Monday’s post, you can read it here.

Today we’re going to see things from her older sister’s perspective.  Martha offers a different approach to the Christmas season because unlike her sister… she worked her tail off.

Being the oldest… Martha had the irritating tendency to take control. 

If there was a job to be done, she was your (wo)man. 

This sister could multi-task with the best of ‘em.

Martha wanted everyone to relax and enjoy their time in her home. 

Sound familiar?

With all that needs to be accomplished at Christmas time, we need Martha’s.  They play a vital role in making it all come together.  And without them… we’d be in quite a pickle.

• No presents would be under the tree…
• The house would be empty of yummy treats to munch on…
• Visiting family would sleep on dirty sheets…
• The tree would be barren…
• The family Christmas letter wouldn’t happen…

Amen?

Without a doubt – I’m a Martha.

Chances are you’re one, too.

We make sure the family is fed, the bills are paid, the house is presentable, the trash is taken out, and the homework is done.

But… we have to be careful.

Why?  Because unlike Mary, as Martha’s we can struggle with missing the heart of the holidays.

We become so engrossed in tackling our “to-do” lists, that we lose sight of why we’re even celebrating the season.  In our minds, we don’t have the time to just sit and celebrate Jesus.

• We work behind the scenes to make everyone else comfortable.
• We don’t seize the moment to sit with Jesus, because we have laundry to fold.
• We miss experiencing Christ, because we need to go to Wal-Mart.

As Martha’s, we must be intentional in engaging our heart…. because while our brains and our hands are fully awake and on task… our hearts may be asleep.

And if our hearts are asleep, we’re gonna miss the joy of Christmas.

Am I describing you? 

Let’s check.  You might be a Martha if…

• You are already looking forward to the ball dropping in Times Square signifying the end of 2012.
• You suggest skipping church because your ankles are swollen from shopping.
• The employees at the grocery store know your name.
• You have a VIP parking spot at Target (actually that would be kinda cool).
• Hallmark wants to hire you for your wrapping skills.

Anyone?

Well, back to the story.  Our girl Martha was getting angry with Mary’s decision to abandon her hospitality duties, and so she marched right up to Jesus in her frustration.

… She tattled on her younger sister, hoping for sympathy.

But listen to Jesus’ response.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Hear this, sweet Marthas friends.  Jesus wasn’t blaming Martha’s efforts to make her guests comfortable.  He was only asking her to examine her priorities.

While Jesus was in her living room… Martha was in her kitchen.

She was missing it. 

Are you?

Martha (yes, I am speaking to you)…

Remember to keep your heart in what you are doing this season.

Make sure your priorities are in the right order.

Be intentional about engaging your heart, because in our craziness… we can miss the reason for the season.

And ask yourself:  Am I celebrating Jesus like… Martha?

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

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Mary sits with Jesus… while Martha works.

I appreciate how these two sisters perfectly contrast the holidays.  Each one suggests a different approach we can have to the Christmas season.

The question is, which one of them has it right?

Today, we’re going to look at Mary. 

Tomorrow, we’ll turn our sights on Martha. 

And on Thursday, we’ll make sense of it all… so make sure to read all three!

In this scripture, we find Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus.  If she had plans, she pushed them aside. If anyone needed her help, it could wait.

Her priority was to celebrate Jesus.  She wanted to press in and she wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop her.

By doing this, Mary broke protocol because as a women in that day, she was not allowed to be a part of a teaching moment… but it didn’t matter.

She also chose to let down her sister because she didn’t help out with hospitality… but that didn’t guilt her.

Mary didn’t get weighed down by the world’s expectations.  When she had the chance to be with Jesus, she took it.

At that moment, it was all that mattered.

And later in that same passage of scripture, Jesus recognized that her priorities were right.

… Are yours?

This Christmas season…

• Are you celebrating Jesus like Mary did and sit at His feet? 
• Are you focusing on His holy birth.
• Are you taking this opportunity to press in and bask in His glory?

OR

• Are you celebrating in a more “secular” fashion by getting caught up in the world’s festivities? 
• Are you focusing too much on the sales and bargains, blowing your budget?
• Are you working hard to compete with others, seeing who has the most elaborate Christmas decorations, the best gifts, or the biggest parties?

So, friends… who is getting your time and attention this season?

Mary’s example of having the right priorities really challenges us.  She sets the bar high.

… right where it should be.

If we follow her lead, then we’ll be intentional to let go of our self-imposed schedules as well as the holiday protocol dictated by the world… and just sit with our Jesus.

Are your priorities in the right order?

Are you choosing to celebrate Jesus like… Mary?

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

Let’s Connect!  Subscribe to my newsletter, Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Ministry Page, Visit me at Moms Together.

♥

Twas the month of December and all through my house,

The kids were annoying and so was my spouse.

˜

We had parties to attend and a tree to adorn,

In an effort to celebrate the babe who was born.

˜

The kids were excited at the prospect of toys,

Which I reminded were for “good” girls and boys.

˜

The crowds were frustrating but the sales were great,

And with so much to do I was always running late.

˜

No one was helping and I was falling behind,

So much to do, so I complained and whined.

˜

The gift list was long and our money was tight,

So I used a credit card… my shopping goal was in sight.

˜

“Everyone’s happiness is important to me,”

I said, justifying my shopping spree.

˜

Next came the baking, many treats to create,

Again in a hurry… I was still running late.

˜

Baking into the night and up early the next morn,

Just how was this celebrating the babe who was born?

˜

Next was my house which needed Christmas lights,

But getting my husband to help was causing many fights.

˜

“The house has to look good… We have to compete!

Now get off your backside and onto your feet!”

˜

Well… tension was filling the rooms in our house,

And no one was quiet, not even the mouse.

˜

Between shopping and baking and ribbons and bows,

I was a wreck… but Venti Peppermint Mocha Latte… helped my woes.

˜

We were fighting and yelling and I led the way.

How was this helping to celebrate “the day?”

˜

“Next year will be different,” I say to myself,

And then keep on going like a little elf.

˜

There was no joy and I was having no fun,

I just ready for this season to be done!

˜

And my standard reply was “I’m tired and cranky,”

When my husband suggested some good ole’ hanky-panky.

˜

“How in the world do you enjoy this season?”

I ask a friend, looking for her reason.

˜

Her decorating was modest and her calendar uncluttered.

It started to make sense, I smiled and muttered.

˜

She had made a decision to celebrate with her heart,

And then it became obvious… THAT was my missing part!

˜

I was busy and frazzled and completely off base,

And certainly not modeling Christ’s love and grace.

˜

If my heart was not right, my kids would miss out,

And the reason for this season… they would certainly doubt.

˜

So I loved and I celebrated and even stranger…

This time I did so remembering the importance of the manger.

†††

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com, poem by Carey Scott

Check out my resources HERE.

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That’s a pretty powerful statement.

And to be completely honest, the word “unrestrained” describes most of my life.

I lived for… ehem… me.

Oh I had vision alright.  But it was on…  me.

… Oh tell me I am not the only one!

You see, when we look only at ourselves and our plans… we do things and believe things that lead to destruction.

Why?  Because there is nothing set in place to restrain us.  We won’t let anyone restrict us.  We are out of control.

We want it our way.

But God.

When He tells us we need vision, He means vision with an eternal purpose.  The need to have our mind and heart centered on God and His will is critical.

But wait… there’s more! (sounds like an infomercial, yes?)

That scripture goes on to tell us that when we do, the result is happiness and blessing.

Now I’m not a math whiz… but I like how this adds up.

With 2013 right around the corner, we need to find our vision – His vision – for the coming year.

Sometimes it’s a scripture.

It can be a word or phrase.

Sometimes it’s a quote to live by.

Regardless… it’s divinely defined.

And we need it!  Because you see, having God’s direction in life helps us:

• Be effective for the Kingdom
• Make better decisions
• Align with His plans
• Have inner peace and rest
• Connect better with our Creator
• Be happy
• Receive blessings

Sign me up!

What about you?  Are you ready to learn God’s plan for you… your family… and your marriage.

Here are four ways to FIND YOUR FOCUS for 2013:

1.  Ask God to reveal it.

God never hides from us.  As a matter of fact, He tells us when we seek Him with all our heart… we find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

Want to know God’s direction for your next year?  Ask Him.  Spend time praying about what He has in store for you until He reveals it.

2.  Ask for spiritual ears to hear it.

So, faith comes from listening, but it’s listening by means of Christ’s message. (Romans 10:17)

Often, our calendars are cluttered and our minds on overload.  When that happens, we struggle to hear God’s voice.  We miss the signs He places in our path.

Be intentional to listen for His plans.  Be available to hear Him.  You can do this by spending time in His Word, listening to worship music, attending church, etc.

When you begin receiving consistent, persistent messages… it may be the answer you’ve been praying for.

3.  Ask for protection and provision to follow it.

It’s no secret that what God builds, the Enemy tries to destroy.  It’s a textbook tactic that can distract and discourage us.  And when it succeeds, we find ourselves out of alignment for God’s plan in our lives.

But when we stay focused with eyes on Him, God continues to strengthen our frame.  He equips us.  And Philippians 4:13 promises that through Christ, we can do all things… including keeping our hearts centered on His desire for our 2013.

Ask Him daily to protect you, and provide a way to walk the path He’s determined.

4.  Thank Him now for the blessing that comes from it.

Hebrews 10:36 tells us… “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

This past year, God’s word for me was… surrender.  At first, I was certain I’d heard Him wrong.

But I didn’t.

I surrendered to my husband (ouch) and food (bleh) and expectations (doh!) and many other things.

Can I be real? 

It was HARD. 

SO.  HARD.

But I said, “yes, Lord.”  And you know what?  He blessed me…

• My marriage is the best it’s ever been.
• Food doesn’t control me anymore.
• Grace moved in where expectations used to live. 

Thank You, Father.

Friends, ask God His focus for YOU in 2013.

Ask His vision for your FAMILY (include your kids in praying for it).

Ask for the direction of your MARRIAGE (maybe pray with your husband).

And then listen for it… receive it… and decide to walk it out next year.

You’ll be saying yes to freedom… healing… restoration or something else amazing that God has planned for… YOU.

♥

REALITY CHECK:  Don’t walk into 2013 without God’s direction for your year.

†††

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

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I get so excited when something I’ve cried to God for finally comes into full fruition.

Because let’s be honest, we often pray for months and years as we wait to see our situations shift.  The Bible tells us to be patient and wait on God, but sometimes that a tall order.  We find ourselves desperate for restoration or provision.  We wonder if our prayers are bouncing off the ceilings or falling flat.

… Faith can be hard at times. 

Why?

Because it requires us to trust that God is active in our lives, even when we can’t see it.

And we walk out that faith by continuing to press in, believing that…

• His ways are wonderful.
• His plan is perfect.
• His script is supreme.
• His timing is – well – timely.

And that mindset steadies us.

It gives us strength to trust God is who He says He is… and will do what He says He’ll do.  It grounds our belief that He hears our prayers… and will respond.

It fuels our resolve to keep asking God for His touch.

It builds our faith.

For years, I’ve ask God to bless my 11-year-old son with one good friend.  For those who have been reading my blog for a while, you know the struggles he had with a bully.  If not, you can catch up here.

It’s been the cry of my momma-heart for so long.

Countless tears have been shed as I prayed for His intervention.

I’ve been face-down, asking for His favor over my sweet boy.

And this year… God gave Sam that friend.

Hearing them laugh from the other room fills my heart with joy.  Listening to them talk on the phone makes me smile.  Watching them stand up for and support each other gives me hope.

I desperately needed that.

God heard me.

And He answered my prayer bigger and better than I ever imagined.

It’s been a faith-builder.

… Thank you, Lord.

I bet if we sat together over coffee, you’d have similar stories to share about when God replied to your request with such favor.

I’m sure we’d reveal times where our faith was challenged, yet God showed up.

We have certainly walked similar paths where our hearts have ached for our marriages or our children and have seen Divine intervention.

We need to remember these times.

Because they are faith-builders.

And in all honestly, we need to see God be BIG in our lives that sometime seem bigger.

We need to see…

… our Goliaths slain.

… the walls of Jericho come down.

… the Jordan River waters part.

… and the sun stand still.

Amen?

I wonder…  are you desperate for a faith-building moment right now?

Well sweet friend, keep asking God for the desire of your heart.

He is listening.

 “So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and God brought them out safe from their desperate circumstances.  God quieted the storm to a whisper; the sea’s waves were hushed.  So they rejoiced because the waves had calmed down; then God led them to the harbor they were hoping for.”  (Psalm 107:28-30)

Continue pressing in for answers.

Be expectant.

And remember…

• We serve a God that hears us… and responds.
• He knows exactly what we need, and when we need it.
• God works all things for good.

The result is a… faith builder.

REALITY CHECK:  Where have you experienced faith-builders in your life?

†††

© 2012 careyscotttalks.com

Check out my resources HERE.

Let’s Connect!  Subscribe to my newsletter, Follow me on Twitter, Book Me to speak at your event, Like my Facebook Ministry Page, Visit me at Moms Together.