When Life Turns Upside Down ~ An Honest View Of An Undone Life

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How can a girl ardently seek Jesus every day and still worry? How I’ve wrestled with this question so many times.

“Those who have faith, deep abiding faith in an artist who has all things under his control, have no need to rehash the past or predict the future.”                                                                               Michele Cushatt

Such wise insight from Michele’s new book, Undone.

Bottom line, if we don’t choose faith….we won’t have faith.

Michele’s story is probably similar to the rollercoaster story we all find ourselves riding, yet somewhere between the hurts, the heartaches, the losses, the failures and even the cancer….

Michele finds the beautiful artist, lovingly at work……one brushstroke at a time…..in a life that is undone.

“Faith isn’t rooted in the past or the future. It’s birthed in how we approach and handle today.”    Michele Cushatt

This resolute heart for Jesus has met him in the tender, swollen and irritated moments of weakness…and found….his presence is enough for each moment.

She reminds us that even life with the most imaginable hurts is in the here and now.

You see….when life becomes undone…..in just one phone call or one indiscretion or one bad decision…..we are forced to stop in the middle of the road.

We can catapult to the pits of worry and despair.…

Or we can breathe in the presence of the great artist and choose faith.

Jesus asked…..

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” 

What has worry ever done for you? Nothing friend…nothing.

“Worry like cancer consumes life, eating away at a person from the inside out. It exaggerates the unknown and clouds the known until the worried person sees only the horror of what might be, rather than the beauty of what already is.”                                                                                                   Michele Cushatt

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Worry seeks to take what good there is in life and condemn it with the hurt, the pain, the cancer and the loss.

This beautiful memoir met me in a recent battle that had turned into a stronghold of worry. A blessing from God that I thought was secure in my life….all of a sudden became unsure because of greedy man.

Two days ago I hit my knees at 1:36 a.m. and …..I chose faith.

Life is going to come at us with both fists wielding. It may knock us down, but we can look up before we get up….and remember who is in control…trusting him to help us in each unknown moment.

This is a beautiful book, one that you must read. It is a book for the divorced, single parent, the perfectionist mother or wife, the blended or new foster family, the career professional, the struggling faith walker and yes even the cancer patient.

Michele relays the poignant details of her struggles refreshingly real….. yet agonizingly raw. She can take a simple bible story and retell it in a way that makes you forget you have heard it before.

Filled with gospel truth yet soaked in intimate honesty, I feel like I have known Michele for years.

I can’t wait to meet her face to face one day soon and put my arms around her neck, and give her a holy kiss. This brave woman gives me hope…and a new perspective.

Reading this book will be a wise investment to your spiritual bank…..it will greatly strengthen and prepare you for the undone moments of life.

I just want to share one more nugget of wisdom from Michele, plucking at my heart strings for this undone life I too am living….

“Only a marred life gives birth to the most beautiful redemption.”

It seems we don’t see the richness of the struggle and how we mess it up at times….until after we have experienced the mercy.

What a beautiful work the great artist can do when we trust him in the unexpected and unknown.

Oh thank you, thank you Jesus.

If you find yourself at a place in life that is undone…..take heart my friend….God’s presence is here and now….so choose faith. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you….even when life is undone.

It is an unspeakable honor to be a part of Michele’s launch team for this beautiful book. You will be able to find it in stores on March10th or go to the Undone website and preorder it now. You can also read a sample chapter and find out more about this awesome lady. 

Seven Choices That Will Change Your Life In 2015

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Do you want 2015 to be your best year yet?

Every decision or action starts at the crossroads of choice.

We can choose to do life different than before, or we can walk straight through the crossroads of choice and stay the same.

Realistic choices serve as momentum for change; however, unless you pause and examine what is working and what is not, you will never have a different outcome.

Instead of making resolutions….a few years ago I asked GOD to help me do things different.

First, I prayed for conviction to change. Second, I prayed for courage to change.

Most of the changes HE made in me, started spiritually…..and it all started with a simple prayer…..

“GOD, convict me to change and give me courage to change.”

When conviction becomes the catalyst for change…….HE sets a fire of courage in your soul.

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I want to share with you what started the seasons of change in my life.

Instead of making resolutions….I promise…if you initiate just one of these actions….it will make your life better in 2015.

1 ~ GOD has a word for you in 2015.

What?

Yes, GOD has a specific word, “one word,” that HE wants you to focus on for 2015.  For example…..after much prayer, my word for 2015 is DISCIPLINE.  HE wants me to zero in on becoming more disciplined. If I practice discipline in all areas of my life….I will be more productive and become more like HIM, period.

Maybe your word has to do with patience, love or truth? Perhaps it’s hope, compassion…or faith?  Spend some time with JESUS and let HIM lead you to your “one word,” and go after it with all your heart! Journal your experiences while practicing your word. This time next year…you will be glad you did.

2 ~ Tune in to life.

What in the world, right?

Tune in to what is going on around you. Become aware….watch people….look for JESUS…..HE is there if you will look for HIM.

Recently, I was sitting in a waiting area while my husband had cataract surgery. An elegant, petite woman in her sixties struggled as she brought in a huge man in a wheelchair. She parked him next to a chair and went to sign in.

Returning with paper work, she stooped down, eye to eye with the man, and whispered something to him while smiling.  His catatonic face seemed to reveal a slight smile.

A few minutes later she returned the paperwork and on her way back, she stopped and stooped to meet the gentleman eye to eye, again, only this time…she lovingly caressed his cheek.

The tenderness and care she gave this man….blew me away.

I was mesmerized by her love, gentleness and incredible patience.  When the man’s name was called, she physically strained to push him through heavy doors.

Immediately I heard the spirit whisper…..”You’ve just seen JESUS.”  My heart literally skipped a beat and tears filled my eyes. I had seen JESUS at work….and that changed me.

I took my husband home with a new mindset of mercy. I decided to love and care for my man in the same manner I witnessed….because here is the kicker…..my husband is not a good patient.

In fact…he is horrible. At his request, I usually stay away from him when he is sick. But not that day…I loved on my man….I fed him…I waited on him…I was beyond patient.

At bedtime, he thanked me for being so kind to him…..and he wasn’t even grumpy.  I would have missed a great blessing and my husband would have probably been a bear to tackle, if I had not chosen to show love. Instead, we were both touched by JESUS that day.

Tune in to life. Become aware. Let GOD make himself, real to you in the flesh.

Pay attention….HE’S all around you every day.

3 ~  Do one thing in 2015 that scares you to death.

Step out of your comfort zone. You will never learn to experience GOD’S power until you take a chance and try something new.  What have you always wanted to try? Sky diving? Dance lessons? Going on a mission trip?

This past month, I took on a stage role for a Christmas production and it terrified me.  I am usually behind the scenes but this year found me center stage, acting and singing.  I hadn’t taken on a role like this since college. Fearful I would forget lines or notes….I made it through. After it was over….it was exhilarating! I felt younger, capable and by golly….it was fun!

You will never feel more alive than when you face your fears and do something that scares you!

4 ~ Pick that dream up off the shelf and dust it off.

Go after that dream. Chase down the regret before it’s too late. Take it in baby steps if you have to, but determine to take a step in the direction of your dream.

GOD wants us to constantly be learning. HE wants us to become more. HE wants us to reach our potential for HIS glory.  HE doesn’t want us to stay the same in an unfulfilled life that bores or discourages us.

HE created you with a purpose. Pray for boldness, for courage, and go after HIS purpose for your life.

5 ~ Break a bad habit.

You know what it is and GOD knows what it is.

It may have to do with your health, personality, recreation, or your finances. Whatever it is, determine to break the cycle of behavior holding you back. I gave up sweets before bedtime in 2014. I gave up foods high in fat and started choosing healthier meals. I not only lost 25 pounds but I was able to stop taking meds for high blood sugar.

With the good Lord’s help, I plan to lose more weight and get even healthier for 2015.

Break a bad habit….you’ll be glad you did in time.

6 ~ Hide GOD’S word in your heart.

Memorize one scripture a month. Start with shorts verses because the victory of learning a scripture, will give you momentum.  Buy some index cards and write the scriptures down, then post them on your mirror, fridge, or dashboard of your car.  Post the cards anywhere you will see them on a daily basis.

At the end of the year you will know 12 scriptures you can recall whenever you need to feel GOD’S presence.

Digesting the word of GOD is sweeter than anything you can take in. You won’t regret hiding GOD’s word in your heart.

And finally, last but certainly not least…. the most important action you can choose is number seven.

7 ~ Cultivate a dialogue with GOD.

How?

I have been having a quiet time with GOD since I was a teenager; however, in the last 3 years I started dialoguing with GOD.

There is a difference in reading the Bible and actually dialoging with GOD.

First you must establish a daily practice of meeting with GOD. For me it’s important to start my day with the LORD. I can’t live out the day, spirit filled, if I don’t fill up first thing in the morning.

Read until something jumps out at you and then break it down and ask questions. How does this apply to me? What is HE trying to teach me? What is the overall message? Keep a journal and record the answers to these questions and more.

The longer you linger in HIS presence, the more HE will show you.

It takes time to develop this discipline…and it may take a while before you learn to dialogue with HIM….but stay at it. I promise HE will show up and speak to you in specific ways, at specific times, that will be relevant in your life.

If you will determine to seek HIM with all your heart……you will learn to dialogue with HIM.

Well there you go….the choices I have made for the better over the last 3 to 4 years.

My life looks completely different today and I would hate to be where I was before.

Today you are standing at the “crossroads of choice” friend.

Just making a choice to do something will make your life better, as well as honor GOD.

I leave you with a question to ponder……

What will your 2015 look like if you decide to cruise through the crossroads of choice and stay the same?

Like the scripture says in Proverbs….

“As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”  Proverbs 26:11

Do you want a repeat of 2014 or do you want more of GOD’S abundant life?