Give em Heaven! ❤️✝️

As we drove up to Foster’s Homeroom teacher’s house, I could tell he was excited but he didn’t want me to know. We were delivering Christmas gifts to my son’s 6th grade teachers and, he stated, “Mom, I feel so bad for her. She’s the youngest teacher and the students really give her hell!” My blood pressure went up a few points.

This is my son who attends a “Covenant Christian” school. This is 2020. These poor teachers have endured COVID restrictions at school all while including the virtual students at home…at the same time.

As a parent, I have learned to let my boys finish speaking before I interrupt with my opinionated lecture about how to “Fix” their situations. And I have to truly think about what I “Want” to say and turn my focus to what I “Should” say.

So, here we are at Christmas 🎄 delivering gifts and spreading joy all while we discussed the hell in the classrooms. ☹️

So my response was this…”How about you encourage them to “Give em Heaven!?!?” 🤩

Why do we always have to say ”Give em hell!” How about we say “Give em Heaven!”. So we talked about in 2021 bringing less trouble into the classroom and more love, joy, peace, compassion, generosity, and self control. I know, they’re 6th grade boys, how about we change the expectations of the classrooms by bringing them Heaven?

May we be Heaven bringers this Christmas and throughout 2021. Hasn’t 2020 brought enough hell in our life? We really don’t need to add to the chaos. So, next time you want to “Give em hell!”…”Give em Heaven!” Instead. 💫⭐️✨💫

May we “Stay High” and Carrie on. And remember…Jesus Loves you! ❤️

Crawl up and be held🤗

I’ve pictured myself crawling in Jesus’ lap to be held. No words have to be spoken. He already knows.

There’s silent comforting peace in His arms. There’s such hope in being held by the ULTIMATE Man who knows true Love, who created and generously gifts mercy, and who exudes Grace. There’s no man who can know what I’m feeling like Him. Everyone needs His living arms, those “Mighty Outstretched Arms”.

Mid March 2020 until now has had some serious “Daddy!” Moments. There is nothing I need more than a Daddy who truly knows the fear and anxiety that comes with life on earth in 2020.

If you’ve been in touch with truth lately, you know what I’m talking about.

Then God says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything Prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to Him who will give you Peace that passes all understanding through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Philippians 4

And just before these verses, He says, “Rejoice in the Lord Always! Again I say, Rejoice!”

Elevation Worship is on replay on my Alexa. So if Big Brother is listening, Yes, I’m a Jesus girl! Come and get me! I don’t care! For persecution grows the Kingdom of God!

I’ve had to turn off all the triggers. You know those things that cause extra nerves to strike a cord of doubt and fear? I’ve had to turn off the TV, the social media, and the nay sayers. I’ve had to turn on the worship music, open my Bible, and hold out my arms, and pray.

So Stay High my Friends! He sits on the Throne! He’s got this! He’s had this! For a long time, He’s had this!

May The Lord Bless you, And Keep you! And make His Face to Shine upon you! and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and Give you Peace! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen, Amen, Amen! Amen! amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! 🙏🏻

May His Favor be upon you! your family! And 1000 generations, all around you! and your family and your children and their children and their children!

And May His presence come before you, be behind, and around you! before you, in the morning and the evening, and rejoicing! He is for you, He is for you! Alleluia! Amen! Amen! Amen!

He is for you! He for you! He is for you! He is for you! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen!

He is For you!

So Stay High! And Carrie On! Colossians 3:1-4! And remember…Jesus Loves you!❤️

Are you confused about today’s news? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Where did all this came from? I thought our nation was doing pretty good and then, bam! We have a pandemic and fighting about racial tensions. There’s always the ones who can’t get past the past. But on a whole, I thought we were getting healthier and peacefully increasing in reconciliation.

After all, I see a ton of diversity in our entertainment, sports, politics, professionals, education, real estate, and everywhere else.

It’s like it came out of nowhere! But isn’t that how Satan works?

We know where all of this is coming from. It’s Satan. He can’t stand to see unity, love, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, care and concern for mankind.

He can’t stand to see abortion on the decrease or a country based on “in God We Trust” actually getting along.

So, he’s stirring up tension. This is more tension than we’ve seen in a long time.

Personally, when we have tension in our home, we stop and recognize it as Satan. And I say, “Satan out! Jesus In!”

I honestly feel sorry for those who are stirring up all this tension. I know how God works.

As it says in Obadiah 1:15, “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.”

When my boys were little and were fighting, I would ask them, “Are you being a peacemaker or an agitator?”

I step back and ask myself, “Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?”

I pray we can rise above the noise and keep our eyes, hearts and minds on Him who has the whole world in his hands! To God Be the Glory!

May we all stop and seek out what God says about all this. After all, He’s not surprised by any of this. Much worse happened in the Bible to His chosen people.

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? If not, then start today. Revelation warns us of the Birth Pains of the end times. These contractions that we are feeling are part of His return. He’s coming back soon. Come, Lord Jesus, Come! I’m so ready! Are you?

In Jesus name, Stay High on Him who already took care of all this, and Carrie On.

And remember Jesus Loves you!❤️

Do you need a prescription for anxiety? 🙏🏻📖🙌🏻

The best treatment for anxiety is not a pill. Don’t let this answer cause you any more anxiety, but instead, keep reading. I’ve tried the Pill route, and it didn’t work for me. I know many who need it and I’m not judging you. I’m just suggesting that a mind and heart filled with “The peace that passes all understanding” may be better. What I’m about to tell you has totally healed my worry about this world. The best treatment is the Bible: God’s Word.

Open it asking the Holy Spirit to fill your heart and mind with His presence and ask Him to help you. He will give you insight and understanding beyond any thing you have ever experienced before.

A daily Bible reading plan also will increase your knowledge and give you wisdom. This is my 7th year to read the Bible cover to cover and I always find something new that perfectly applies to my current circumstances.

Today’s reading is 2 Chronicles 19-23.

Diving into God’s Holy Word is so refreshing. The Bible is full of intense history. There’s an ocean of information, danger, and victory.

Here are 3 summaries of the Bible: first, people change, but God stays the same. Second, The overwhelming truth of God is this: He blesses those who obey Him, and He curses those who don’t. Third, Obedience requires sacrifice, and disobedience results in death.

Today’s reading got me so excited that I wanted to scream out….”You Go God!” I scribbled notes all in the margins of my Bible, added the date and a prayer for our world and our country. Today’s reading got me pumped up spiritually! I want to shout it out! So instead, I’m writing it out.

Godly Kingdoms worshiped God, The One True God, and Him only. They followed the Law of Moses and cared for the temple.

Ungodly kingdoms worshiped idols, killed babies, sacrificing these precious lives to their idols.

If we don’t study history-ancient and modern-we will repeat the same stupid mistakes.

Here are 4 Acts of Obedience we can learn from King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:

#1: Pray with your eyes on God as in 20:12 “O our God, will you not judge them? We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

#2: The spirit of God is upon you! Do not be afraid! “The spirit of the Lord came upon them…” 20: verse 14 “This is what the Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid and discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but Gods.” 20:15

#3: The Lord, Jesus Christ, will be with you! Believe it! Verse 17 says, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your possessions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, oh Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, Do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you.”

#4: The Peace of God rests on His children. Verse 18 says, “Jehoshaphat bowed down and worshiped the Lord with his face to the ground and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship. Verse 22: as they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah and were defeated!” Verse 30 says “and the Kingdom was at peace for God had given them rest on every side.”

Amen! Praise the Lord! He Wins EVERY TIME! So may we all Keep our eyes on God, invite the Holy Spirit to help us, believe the Lords presence is with us, worship Him, Thank Him, and enjoy the peace of Victory!

Now that’s good treatment! The weight of worry is gone. So may we all Stay High in Him and Carrie On.

And remember…Jesus Loves you!❤️

Don’t BeLIEve the lie, Be Positive 😁

The word “Believe” is everywhere. We see it on signs and pictures. We see it in movie titles and on commercials.

When I was teaching my boys how to spell the word Believe, I would remind them the “I before E” principle applies here. And I would say “Don’t believe the lie. The word “lie” is in Be LIE VE”.

As a Jesus loving Christian, Satan attacks me and you when we are spiritually strongest to attempt to bring us down. His attacks are heavy with lies and fearful thoughts.

As Christians, we know Jesus takes the LIE out and replaces it with Truth!

So if we write Be – Truth – ve , we get Be Truth Positive!

“VE” is placed at the end of words as a shortened way to say “Positively”. Look at the word “Positive”. It even ends in “VE”.

So the next time Satan tries to get you down with the lies, (Jesus says that Satan Is the father of all lies in John 8:44) just say out loud, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, Get out! Your lies are not welcome here. The Truth is that Jesus won over you and I’m no longer believing your lies. I have replaced them with the Truth! I am who God says I am.”

Who does God say you are? The book of John is full of Jesus teaching, “I tell you the Truth…” and “If you Believe in me,….” read it and claim it.

Speak it out loud…

1. You are loved by God John 3:16

2. You are worthy of His gift. John 4:10

3. You will have life that is not condemned John 5:24

4. You will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12

5. The Truth will set you free. Free Indeed! John 8:31, 36

6. You are known by Jesus. And He laid down His life for you. John 10:14

Maybe the trials that you and I are experiencing are only to help us to look forward to eternity with Him. James 1 says that we are to “take joy in various trials”…They are only to sharpen us.

We are to serve Him here on earth, but not like it here. John 12:25, 26 says, “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ….My Father will honor those who serve me.”

And my favorite…Colossians 1:22, Because He died and rose again “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight; without blemish, and free from accusation.”

Colossians 3 says since we were crucified with Christ, to set our hearts and minds on Him who is seated above…To set our sights high…To Stay High…On Christ…Where we will appear with him in Glory!

Now that’s the Good News! 😁

So Carrie On and Stay High!

And remember, Jesus Loves you!✝️❤️

Love your enemies. ❤️Pray for those who persecute you. 🙏🏻

For this is how a Christian is different from those who don’t love Jesus. I don’t always get this right, but I’m getting better.

Who is your enemy? Satan! He is! And He will work vigilantly to break down Jesus’s strongest soldiers. You! And me!

We will fight this battle until Jesus comes again. Ephesians 6 tells us that we can thwart the flaming arrows of Satan with our full armor of God.

I love the shirts that say, “Not today Satan!”

If you are a Christian, Satan has no hold over you. Jesus is in your heart. He won this war.

When Jesus has fasted and prayed for 40 days and nights, Satan came to tempt him. Was Jesus hungry? Was he tired? Was he angry at Satan for testing his authority? Was He angry at Satan for saying “If you are the Son of God.” Instead of claiming that He was? Was Jesus lonely?

Did Jesus have many excuses as to why He could have given in? Yes, He was God and yet fully man….And, yet, He fought Satan with God’s word and Jesus won over Satan. He always does.

Jesus wants us to be strong enough, through Him, to rise above Satan’s lies and hateful foolishness. He wants us to have compassion on those who say and do hurtful things. To love those who make us their enemies and to pray for them.

It’s also important for us to always be in communication with Jesus so we can hear him say, “Away from her / him Satan.” And we can know to walk away.

When I was in 8th grade, a girl stole my wallet. The only valuables I had in it was my lunch money for the week and a few photos.

I knew that she stole it, so I confronted her in the school restroom. She admitted it. I asked her to bring it back to me. She did bring it back with the photos, but without the cash.

I had a choice…To love and pray for her or to be angry. I chose to be her friend. I knew that she had trouble at home. She was in rebellion to all who were around her.

That same year, I dropped my tray in the cafeteria. She laughed and called me names in front of everybody. I was embarrassed and just picked up my stuff and walked on.

Just because we choose to do the right thing, doesn’t mean that our enemies will change. They may never apologize. We may never see how God will use our prayers to change them. And, unfortunately, they may not ever change.

I was experiencing a lot of tension in my own home at the time with my siblings. Fortunately for me, I had great parents. Unfortunately, they were raising my older rebellious siblings. Life can be tough no matter what stage we are in.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone would have a little more sympathy and a lot less criticism?

I pray our world will becomes a more peaceful place. Lord please give us more sympathy and compassion and less grief. Give us peace in our homes and in our community.

I’ve often wondered, “Shall I write a note to those who just can’t stop hating on me?” I probably should let them know that I am praying for them. But I don’t want them to think that I think that I’m better than them. I’m just more at peace.

Whether spreading gossip, malice, or anger…sin is sin and all these are listed among the sinners sins. It only tears down and hurts. The things that are said in the dark will come to light.

We must be willing to stop the vicious cycle.

But what if they continue to talk? To spread malicious hate, or anger. Well, that’s on their record.

Remember Colossians 3. Luke 6 has a lot about this too. If we want to be forgiven our sins, we must forgive others. It’s not a request. It’s a command.

So remember, Jesus Loves you!❤️

Keep your heart and mind on things above. Stay High and Carrie On 👆🏻Fight the good fight. 💪🏻🏹🛡⚔️

King Cake 👑👼🏻👑

Don’t you love this time of year? Colorful buds are all around us! Mardi Gras brings hopes that Spring is just around the corner. A few hints of warmer weather and a weekend in New Orleans is just what southerners look forward to in February.

Mardi Gras King Cakes are on every grocery and bakery shelf. Last year, 25 Almond Cream Cheese King Cakes were loaded in my car as I was driving around town delivering them to some of my husband’s best referrals. I had an epiphany. It occurred to me that King Cakes have a baby on them.

As the aroma of sugary cakes swirled in my car, I thought, “Jesus is King, and He came to the earth in the form of a baby.” Now here’s the part that gets weird! ….Wait for it….

“Sweet Jesus!”

He’s everywhere this time of year! He can take a Festival in New Orleans that isn’t a Christian event and turn it in to a day of worship in my car.

As I researched the history of King Cakes, there is a reference to the 3 Kings (Magi) who searches for baby Jesus to present Him gifts. So as in the cake, we search for the baby. Well, nobody had ever explained that to me before.

That’s the God we serve y’all! If we are willing, He will meet us where we are. Whether we are anxious, or at peace, If we open our hearts, minds, eyes, and souls to looking up, gazing on the goodness He has for us, He will show up. And oh how Sweet!

There’s a hymn that sings, “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus.” And don’t you know that was playing in my car while those King Cakes lured me in to worship with the One True King…Jesus!

So as you enjoy the last piece of King Cake, remember “Sweet Jesus!”

He loves you! Carrie On and Stay High!

😘👼🏻👑🍰

Why? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏼🤷🏻‍♀️

This is often a response from our children when we ask them to do something for us.

“Why?”

It’s strikes a negative nerve to hear “Why” instead of “Yes Sir” or “Yes Ma’am”.

Wouldn’t it be nice for our little cherubim Angels to fly when we say “Fly” and jump when we say “Jump”?!?

Instead, we get excuses or whining. They’ve even been known to ignore us or outright refuse our requests.

It’s very frustrating because we, as parents, desire immediate obedience. We are good parents, provide well for them, have always had their best interest at heart, and loved them daily. Wouldn’t they love to wake up every day and serve me in appreciation for all I do for them???

As a parent, I’m often reminded how God feels when I, His child, refuse, hesitate, or even make excuses as to why I can’t do what He asks of me.

I’m convicted. How does he react to my disobedience?

He is patient, kind, and loving, just as I should be with my children.

There are many examples of Gods Children disobeying in the Old and New Testament.

Yesterday I read Exodus 4-6. When God gave Moses the assignment to free the Israelites from Egypt. 6 times Moses doubts his abilities to carry out God’s command, makes excuses as to why he’s not the right person for the job, or begs God to choose someone else. And 6 times God helps thoroughly and patiently explain to him why he is the man. He even tells him that he will be like God. He even provides Aaron as a helper or his “Prophet”. However, in the middle of all this dialog, the Bible says God almost kills Moses…for arguing with him. Gods righteousness and His righteous anger is sometimes His response to our disobedience. He has to take us down before He can build us back up again.

I loved reading these chapters at this point in my parenting. God is the perfect parent. And although, I am not, He gives me a perfect example to follow.

Please don’t criticize parents for their children’s behavior. But instead pray for parents. We need supernatural wisdom and strength. Pray for children to seek God, His word, and obedience through Christ. We are navigating so many troubled waters while the world tries to steal our children away from us. Parenting is constant and tiresome. And it’s only by the Grace of God and His work in their life that they have success on this earth.

So, remember Colossians 3. Set your minds and hearts on Christ. Stay High on Him who is seated above at the right hand of God. Carrie On and remember…Jesus loves you!❤️

“Don’t be “That” mom!”

I just laugh when I hear my boys say this to me.

It’s usually when I call them in for a “Heart to heart ❤️ ” talk. They’re preteens and teenagers now, so the topics are getting less comfortable and more serious.

Our world is complicated and raising them to know truth is important.

They have no idea what they’re saying to me when they say…”Don’t be “That” mom”…

If they only knew how they’ve rocked my world…and how many times I’ve wanted to say, “Don’t be THAT kid…”

How about when they were born….

Don’t be “That” mom that reads every parenting book before your baby was born…..only to realize once he’s born that the authors of those books never met your baby. So I did what was best for my baby at the time. Because we’re all created different with unique needs. Gods good like that.

Don’t be “That” mom that breast fed for a whole year without bottle feeding him ….for 3 boys….because he wouldn’t take a bottle. Lord knows I wish he would have taken a bottle sometimes. God’s got a plan, and you won’t always need me every few hours.

Don’t be “That” mom that reads and talks to your baby (before he can even utter a word) because you want him to know your voice and see all of the greatness around him. God has so much to share with you, I’m just helping you get a head start.

Don’t be “That” mom that sings to her baby …even though your voice is not angelic. Singing to him off key is one of the only things that calms him down…for the first year of his life at least. Because that crackling voice singing “Jesus LOVES You” keeps him calm and quiet on the 3 hour ride home. I had to sing it 1000s of times to make you calm. God says to make a joyful noise to Him. God gave me this voice, so I’m going to use it.

Don’t be “That” mom that keeps a strict bedtime routine because it’s what helps you sleep at night. If we Bathe, brush, read, sing, pray….and in that order…our nights just go better. Lord knows skipping a step would be drastic. I can’t tell you how many times I prayed, “God help him sleep.”

Don’t be “That” mom that takes him to every play date she can find just to get some “mom” time and adult conversation in. And, then, gets kicked out because you want to wrestle every kid in there. I can’t help it if dad thinks wrestling with you is fun. So you think it’s a normal thing to physically challenge every boy and girl there. God made you extra physical for a reason. I’m praying you’ll use all that physical energy to glorify him one day.

Don’t be “That” mom that used to carry a Pampered Chef Skinny scraper in the car door and in her purse when y’all were little just in case a spanking is needed while we’re out. You 2 used to fight like cats and dogs everywhere we went. In fact, other moms asked to borrow it. I can’t help it that you want deny a need for boundaries. God says to “Spare the rod is to spoil the child.” Lord knows I don’t want a spoiled child.

Don’t be “That” mom that keeps a first aid kit in the car and a mini kit in her purse. Every time a need arrives, being prepared is what this mom does. Don’t hold it against me, it’s Gods gift to me to want to help you and your friends feel better. I pray you use your gifts to help others too one day.

Don’t be “That” mom that home schools. Well, we never would have if you wouldn’t have begged me not to drop you off every time I needed you to go to “Mother’s Day Out”, Preschool, or even your elementary school. It broke my heart every time you would cry and scream at the drop off. Or when you wouldn’t let go of my hand when I volunteered in your classroom. Lord knows we both needed a break from one another. But I felt the Lord leading me to teach you. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make because you asked me over and over to stay home. It was sweet times and I’ll cherish those days with you. I hope you too follow the Lords leading in your life, even when it’s hard.

Don’t be “That” mom That…

Whatever God has placed on your heart to do as a mom is exactly what is right for you and your children at the time.

All moms are different. As my dad used to say, “It’s what make the world go around. Thank goodness we aren’t all the same. Now wouldn’t that be boring.”

And whenever you doubt your choices as a mom, and your head says “Don’t be that mom.”…. just remember that they are “That” kid that God made for you at this time.

Follow your instincts and remember…your doing a great job! ….A thankless, hard, demanding, job that may never be truly rewarded until we get to Heaven.

So Be THAT mom that leans in close to Jesus. Be THAT mom that makes sacrifices and smiles inside knowing that you and your baby are fearfully and wonderfully made for each other. No one can take that away from you.

I don’t know why I’m writing this at midnight on a Sunday night. But God knows.

Blessings to all you moms. Stay High and Carry On. And remember…Jesus Loves you! ❤️

Happy New Year 2020 🎊

My family spent the first few days of 2020 in Colorado enjoying the majestic mountains and the dazzling white snow. We’ve had beautiful weather for skiing. 3 days straight of snow makes for some real powder. And for you who know skiing, fresh powder makes awesome ski conditions.

Since we are in Colorado where Marijuana is legal, of course my boys have several questions. And oh, you know I don’t have all the answers. But I do know what I want them to hear…”Don’t touch it’!”

This blog was created from a conversation I had with God about how much I hate drugs. He led me to read Colossians 3 and He spoke these words to me, “Stay High”. He reminded me that He is higher than drugs. He sent Jesus to show me how to live among it, show love among it, forgive among it, and to be close to Him among it. He reminded me that Jesus is seated High among it.

Colossians 3 tells us to keep our minds and hearts on Him because he is Higher. Inhale Him and live higher. Therefore, we who are His, are also able to be higher, spiritually and mentally because we have been crucified and given new life through him.

I know, it’s a glorious mystery, and it takes wholehearted faith to take hold of it. And when we do, it’s a great feeling.

As my 10 year old and I were riding the chairlift after a fresh glistening sunny snowy morning, I reminded him that Jesus washes our sins away as white as snow. That snow was so beautifully sparkling white. He gave us a great visual.

So, in an effort to get our minds off of the Colorado High and on to a Jesus High…

We found ample “Stay High” moments here in Breckenridge.

1.The view of Mountains all around. Amazing!

2. Riding the ski lift 🚠 up to get a better view of Gods awesome creation all around us.

3. The altitude in thin air with less oxygen is a reminder of just how high we really were. Thousands of feet above our normal Mississippi sea level. God knows just how much air we need to breath down here in the valley. He knows everything.

4. The reminder that health and physical abilities are a blessing. And we have much to be grateful for.

5. Family. We have had many sweet moments together traveling, touring the city, dining together, and skiing together.

So Stay High, Carry On, and remember…Jesus Loves You! ❤️