Being Intentional.

Hearing our Pastor tonight keep using the word “intentional”, I thought I would share this post again.

A Grace Filled Home

Whether it is a diet or a relationship, we have to be intentional in our thoughts, steps and pursuit of doing the right things and making wise and Godly choices. Like the STOP, DROP and ROLL drill that people have learned and and to think about if their clothing catches on fire, we need to intentionally think about STOPPING, PRAYING and LISTENING to the Holy Spirit to guide us before we speak, Facebook, text or snapchat that boy or girl, or eat that wrong food. The question crossed my mind if Jesus had to be intentional in making good choices and being obedient when he was growing up. Many times when I asked my kids when they were growing up and even high school or college age, why they did what they did, or why they made that wrong choice, many times I would get the answer “I don’t know”…

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Being Intentional.

Whether it is a diet or a relationship, we have to be intentional in our thoughts, steps and pursuit of doing the right things and making wise and Godly choices. Like the STOP, DROP and ROLL drill that people have learned and and to think about if their clothing catches on fire, we need to intentionally think about STOPPING, PRAYING and LISTENING to the Holy Spirit to guide us before we speak, Facebook, text or snapchat that boy or girl, or eat that wrong food. The question crossed my mind if Jesus had to be intentional in making good choices and being obedient when he was growing up. Many times when I asked my kids when they were growing up and even high school or college age, why they did what they did, or why they made that wrong choice, many times I would get the answer “I don’t know” or “I just didn’t think about it”. I guess I can understand those answers to some degree, because I have no idea why I just stuffed down a large glass of sweet tea, combo meal and a blizzard at Dairy Queen knowing I just ignored all my food sensitivities and the bad affect sugar has on my health. Maybe there are times we just don’t care if we do what’s good for us, or maybe we don’t think down the line to see how we will suffer from those bad choices. Have you ever heard of H.A.L.T? When we are either Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired we so easily lose it and break down. We can slowly let the small bad choices come in so often, that after a while we can grow numb, complacent, blind and deaf to what is the better, and Godly path or choice. Choices can either draw us closer or farther away from good and healthy things. I believe we should practice being intentional in making right choices. Anyone ever heard of the book “Practicing the Presence of God” or heard Bill Johnson from Bethel’s teachings on Practicing walking in the presence of God? Making good choices might not come easily or naturally for many of us but I believe that we can and should practice more and more being in the presence of God daily, hourly and minute by minute, and that we will begin more and more to develop a strong desire to have a heart after Him. If we can begin to think more intentionally of wanting to follow HIM, I believe we will then naturally begin to hunger and thirst for more of HIM, and will want to stay in constant conversation all day with the Holy Spirit telling Him of our love, devotion and desire for HIM. Oh Lord How Beautiful….Your Face is all I seek, and when Your eyes are on this child, your grace abounds to me.

Raising Our Family in Church

My mother and father raised our family in a Christian home and in the church, and when Bob and I married in 1977,  we knew we wanted to do the same.   Each week we looked forward to Sunday, to fellowship, worship and experience life together with other fellow believers. I can’t begin to tell you all the happy times,  good memories and life-long friends that our family has made through belonging to a church, and serving alongside others.    All the Christmas pageants we were a part of, where our three sons were either lambs, wise men, kings or shepherds, and our daughter an angel.  All the youth mission trips, youth leader meetings, youth camps, children’s choirs, adult choirs, musicals, serving in the nursery, teaching Sunday School, etc. etc. etc.     Bob and I are so thankful as we now watch our son’s and daughter-in-laws begin to plant their lives and families into church, as well as our daughter Abbey, serving, using her gifts, and loving her youth group at our present church, Destiny Worship Center. We are looking forward in a few weeks, to our granddaughter and grandson’s baby dedication.  As I stand there on that special day I will take a deep breath of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord for my family, for HIS love, mercy and faithfulness…..and how the circle of life continues….and pray we will always keep Christ in the middle of that Circle.

I ran across this article by Greg Laurie, a Christian Post Contributor, entitled “Why Going to Church Is Important, Part l” and found it worthy of re-blogging.

By Greg Laurie | Christian Post Contributor

Some people claim to be Christians but don’t attend church. But if you really love God, you will love His people and long to be with them.

“Well, I haven’t found a church I like yet, and I work and Sunday is my only day off!” The Bible indeed commands us to go to church, and-even more-to be a functioning part of it.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

I like the way the New Living Translation puts it: “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.”

The Bible does not say: Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves together unless Sunday is your only day off…or unless you want to run in a triathlon…or unless it’s a great beach day, in which case you are excused, because you just don’t need fellowship as much as other Christians do.

Yes, if you love God, you will love His people and long to be with them. If you don’t really love God, you won’t love His people. Some will say “I’m so over the church; people are critical and judgmental. It’s so full of hypocrites!” My response to that is: There is always room for one more!

Understand, I am not justifying hypocrisy of any kind, but honestly, we have all been hypocritical at times. But that is not a reason to not attend church. The church has its flaws because people are in it. However, Jesus both started and loves the church. He died for it.

Being in fellowship is a proof that you are indeed a child of God. It says in 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” Psalm 133:1 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Studies show that if you don’t go to church for a month, the odds are almost 2 to 1 that you won’t go for more than a year. Being a vital and active part of the church is something we pass on to our kids. A study once disclosed that

•If both Mom and Dad attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful in attendance.
•If only Dad attends regularly, 55% remain faithful.
•If only Mom attends regularly, 15% remain faithful.
•If neither attend regularly, only 6% remain faithful.

What legacy will you leave your kids? Are you committed to demonstrating to them that going to church is important?

The Schmidt Family…established 1977

When I was a little girl, like most girls, I dreamed of growing up, getting married and having a family. This dream came true. After Bob and I were married on March l8, 1977, God not only gave us our hearts desire in having one another, but blessed us, entrusted us and gave us our hearts desire, with the most precious gifts that we value, cherish and hold dearly to this day ……..our children. I am the proud momma and grandmother of this Schmidt Family! Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold.” So I speak blessings today and each day over this family. Since Bob and I moved to Destin in the 80′s we have poured ourselves into our family, schools, community events, friends and church. We are thankful for our three sons, Paul, David & Kevin, their beautiful wives, Sarah Lyn, Shannon and Natalie, our beautiful daughter, Abbey, and our precious grandchildren. We knew the challenges before us in raising a Godly family in today’s world, but with the promise that God gave us— “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world”, we knew it was possible. Bob and I committed our lives to the Lord as children and it was important for us to commit our children to the Lord even before they were born. We raised our kids to be polite, say yes mam and no sir, do chores, take their baseball hats off when you entered the church, put your hand over your heart while singing the Star Bangled Banner, ask to be excused from the table after you ate, tell the host you enjoyed the dinner, respect authority, the importance of good morals and values, to be kind to animals, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and other Godly principles such as forgiveness and unconditional love. We encouraged our children as they were growing up, and still do, to thank God for their gifts and talents that God gave them, to use them and bless others. Being the matriarch of the Schmidt family, one of my favorite Bible verses is from 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth”. That’s not only our heavenly father’s desire for us, as HIS children, but my desire as a mother, for my children. I am blessed that each of my family members have entrusted their hearts to the Lord. It is such a peace to know we will all live together forever. While Bob and I have raised our family, we have shared joy, laughter, tears, and like most families, have also had our heartaches, hiccups and bumps in the road. It’s through those heartaches, hiccups and bumps in the road, that our family has gained strength and grown closer. Bob and I don’t seek perfection in our marriage or children, but seek and pray for perseverance in having a heart after God, like King David did. We pray this perseverance in having a heart after God will not be just for this generation but be passed down the generations to come. The Schmidt family is a circle of strength and love; founded on faith; joined in love; kept by God; forever together.

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Prayers for Biopsy

I am very thankful and appreciate the prayers for my biopsy that is coming up this week.  For those who haven’t heard about it, I’ll share with you what’s happening.  While on a trip to the Bahamas with Bob, I felt a sharp pain behind my left eye. There was not much pain, but swelling and pressure started soon after.   After several doctor’s appointments and tests, I am finally undergoing a biopsy to rule out  lymphoma in Jacksonville with a Mayo Clinic physician who specializes in the orbital/lacrimal gland area.  Even though lymphoma is the doctor’s concern, I believe and know that God is a healer and has a purpose and a plan for my life as well as each of our lives.   God is in control and the author of peace.

David and Shannon are married!!!

This past Saturday my middle son, David, married Shannon Lindsay. Shannon first came into our lives about five years ago. We love her dearly and are so excited to have another beautiful daughter-in-law. (that makes three!) Bob was so honored that they asked him to marry them, as nine bridesmaids and nine groomsmen witnessed the vows. There was standing room only as the breeze, music and beautiful bay view all surrounded us. So many friends, family and the presence of God were there as we celebrated this special day.

My oldest son, Paul and youngest son, Kevin were among the nine groomsmen. They all looked so handsome. My brother Blake, and four nephews were the ushers. I loved it when David walked me down the aisle and gave me a kiss on the cheek and said “Love you Momma”. He always says “Love you Momma”.

Bob was so good to us all, and rented a three bedroom penthouse in Baytowne Wharf for all to be together. The groomsmen used that as their headquarters, to come eat, visit and dress for the wedding.

I was so impressed with Shannon and all the detail that she put into the wedding and the reception. Her southern theme was truly charming. I can’t wait to upload more pictures as soon as they come in. Her family and all the people Shannon worked with hosted a beautiful wedding. We are truly blessed to come together with the Lindsay family and begin a new chapter.