michellesingleton.com // Confessions of the Preacher’s Wife

Nathan and I hit Brueggers Bagels after a tough Saturday morning workout.  As we munched on our bagels filled with strawberry cream cheese, we talked about how God chooses to give us small glimpses of His will for our lives rather than letting us preview a movie of our future.  We also discussed how God allows us to take risks for Him as we step out in faith — which often leaves us with uncertainties and unanswered questions.

Later that day, I picked up Dangerous Surrender, a book by Kay Warren that a friend loaned me.  I couldn’t believe it as I read Kay’s words about the very topic that Nathan and I had tackled over breakfast.  Here is what Kay, had to say:

Through the years, I’ve found that discovering God’s will often resembles looking at an undeveloped Polaroid photograph.  When the camera spits out the picture, the images are gray and shapeless, but the longer you look at the picture, the clearer it becomes.

With the advent of digital technology, Polaroid cameras are outdated.  Now we are impatient with such a slow process — we want instant clarity!  We don’t want to wait for the picture to develop.  When we sense God leading us on a new journey, we want all of the information up front.  We want God to fill out the travel forms in triplicate, give us a detailed road map before we start the journey, and guarantee our safe arrival at the destination.  We want the rewards of living lives of faith without actually having to demonstrate faith.

For you to become a surrendered person of faith, you will have to be willing to say yes in advance — to give God your answer before you’ve heard the question.

I shared this with Nathan.  I don’t believe in coincidence, rather, I am certain that God is speaking to both Nathan and to me.  We each committed to search our days for opportunities to dangerously surrender to Jesus… oh, the excitement of the journey!  So happy to have Nathan on board for the adventure.

Until a few weeks ago, it had been 13 years since I had done any running.  A chronic foot problem prevented me from the repetitive pounding associated with distance running.  For unknown reasons, my foot has had no pain this summer.  So what do I decide to do?

Well… one friend suggested that I run a half marathon.  Another friend asked if I would help her train for Thunder Road.  And yet another begged me to join her in training for a distance event.  What are friends for but to join in their insane running pursuits?  There are now 10 crazy friends bonded by our training runs.

We just started our training 2 weeks ago:  Speed work on Tuesdays, Trail Runs on Thursdays, and our long runs on Sunday mornings at 6am before church.  In addition, we weight train 2 days a week and cross train on bikes and in fitness classes at least twice a week.  I love it!  Look out Thunder Road — Here we come!

I’ve always enjoyed movement!  What a gift from God… the exhilaration and freedom as well as the endorphin rush… but even better is the blessing of sharing this whole experience with some really neat friends! 

Of course, the greatest race in life is the journey God takes us on as we commit ourselves to living for Jesus Christ.

I love this quote from Eric Liddell, 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist and Missionary.  Many remember him from the hit movie, Chariots of Fire.

You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It’s hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you’ve got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you’re dinner’s burnt. Maybe you haven’t got a job. So who am I to say, “Believe, have faith,” in the face of life’s realities?

I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.

Jesus said, “Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me.” If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.

May all of us, runners and non-runners alike, run a “straight race” for the love of Christ.

Juliana’s first week in middle school started off with a bang and a bash!  Or a crash and a smash! 

She was very excited about not having to wear full uniform.  This year, the school dress code allows sandals on certain days of the week.  So Juliana started her first week of middle school sporting some highly fashionable flip flops, confidant about the location of her classes (changing class rooms is a big deal), and she had commited her locker combination to memory.

At the end of World Studies History class, the bell rang.  The student in front of her, anxious about making it to his next class and avoiding “lock-out,” went wildly “spastic” and “kamikaze” as middle school boys will do.

He jumped up grabbing his book bag and sent chairs and desks flying in all directions.  In the commotion, he managed to flip Juliana’s desk, landing it on her right foot. 

Dr. Moorefield took one look at her foot and said, “Oh oh — that doesn’t look good.” His diagnosis was a “crushed” big toe.  Ouch! 

After a BIG needle to aspirate the fluid, a hole drilled in her toenail (which she will eventually lose), lots of blood and a bandage, Juliana limped out of Dr. Moorefield’s office.   

My girl is tough and her only comment was, “Mom, how long did he say ‘til I can dance?”

Such focus.  And dedication to her sport.  Despite her setback, Juliana’s eyes are set on the finish and the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:23-25 (NIV)

Where is your focus and your dedication?  Are your eyes set on your spiritual finish and the prize?

I was so impressed with our great turnout for the return of Southbrook’s Saturday Night Service.  I have always loved the Satuday night crowd.  And I was impressed with how many of you brought your friends.

Let’s do it again! 

Meet you Saturday at Southbrook!

Last night we had an unpleasant encounter with a bad attitude.  Before saying goodnight, I asked the guilty party if there was anything else they needed to do before they went upstairs, hoping for an apology indicating a change of heart.

The response?  “Mom, I don’t feel like saying I’m sorry or telling you that I love you.”

I pulled out the Bible and showed them this verse:

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry… Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

We talked it through and discussed the consequences of not following the commands in God’s words… what if you couldn’t sleep, what if the person you offended died in their sleep and you never got to ask for forgiveness, what if…

“Mom, I am so sorry but that is an awful thing to say.  Don’t talk like that…”  No one likes to think about tough things but they do happen.

God is most interested in the state of our heart and He knows that keeping a right relationship with others keeps us in a right relationship with Him.  That keeps our heart clean.

Is there someone you need to apologize to today, before the sun goes down?

Have you ever gone to the grocery store and passed someone in one aisle only to see them again the next aisle over?  And the next? 

This happened to me today and it absolutely made my shopping experience delightful.  A daddy was pushing his 2 young daughters in the cart.   The 4 year old was inside the cart and the 5 year old was standing on the back of the cart.  I first passed them in the baking aisle where they were asking for brownies… very cute girls… and of course, the dad caved and put the brownie mix in the cart.

As I rounded the next aisle, I saw them again.  This time the girls were all giggles.  Daddy was gently bumping the cart into a pallete of Charmin Tissue… over and over dad pushed the cart and the standing 5 year old into Mr. Whipple’s “squeezeably soft” toilet paper display while pretending he had lost control of steer the cart… the girls’ giggles were contagious and I couldn’t help but laugh outloud myself.

I headed to the next aisle to pick up some doggie treats for our family canines but the dad and the girls beat me there.  I knew right where they were.  I heard a distinctive daddy-daughter band break out in:  “Who Let the Dogs Out?  Who… Who… Who?”  They were singing their hearts out~ no holding back ~ made the Baha Men look like amateurs! 

This dad took great delight in his girls.  Let’s give it up for dads!  Total unconventional fun! 

Even more than this dad, we can be sure that God, our Heavenly Father, delights in us and enjoys our company.

For the Lord delights in his people…  Psalm 149:4 (MSG) 

It was a perfect morning.  I completed a challenging boot camp class at the Y and then stopped by our local Farmer’s Market for some fresh, organic produce ~ even got Rob a few “never ever” ribeyes from a local farmer.  I was physically exhilarated and so happy and thankful for the beautiful day God had given me, I was compelled to break out in praise songs as I drove home, loudly singing along with the radio.

I turned the corner only to find blue police lights in the oncoming traffic.  Out of respect, I pulled over and watched a black hearse followed by a long line of cars drive by with their lights on.  A funeral procession is never easy to watch.  As I paused for the procession, my heart was sad for the motorists.  I turned off my music.

Unlike me, the people passing by were not having a perfect morning.  They didn’t appear to be talking much less singing.  Someone very close to them was forever absent from their lives. 

My eyes welled up with tears.  I wondered what they were thinking.  How deep did the loss pierce their hearts?  How would they cope?  How would they go on?  I silently prayed for them — that they would know the comfort of Jesus and His perfect peace.

The line of cars finally passed by, I pulled back on the road and turned the radio on.  Softly playing was Natalie Grant’s song “Held.”  I’ve found comfort in the chorus during times of loss in my own life:

This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We’d be held

This morning pause reminded me how fragile and uncertain life is and yet, how faithful God is to hold us during the tough times… as well as the good times.  How we need a Savior.

(May) the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    Philippians 4:6–8 (NKJ)

 May God bless you today, with an extra measure of His peace.

Per your request, I am posting some general info regarding the fall detox programs (Sept. 7 and October 19) that I offer at my Murphy Chiropractic & Wellness Center:

Toxic Overload

Toxins— they are in the foods you eat, the water you drink, and the air you breathe.  You are probably aware of most environmental toxins:  pesticides, heavy metals, chemicals, pollution, caffeine and preservatives.  But what you may not realize is our bodies produce natural toxins, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide, which linger in the body.  The liver, lymphatic system (related to the immune system), kidneys, lungs, intestines, blood and skin filter these toxins from your body.  When overloaded, your body becomes inefficient and toxins can build up.

If these toxins aren’t eliminated, your well-being may be compromised.

Have you experienced:

• headaches
• fatigue or difficulty sleeping
• digestive or other G-I problems
• immune challenges
• food cravings
• weight gain
• reduced mental clarity
• low libido

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you would likely benefit from the Standard Process Purification Program.  www.standardprocess.com  

For more information visit our website:

www.carolinaschiropracticcare.com 

or call my office at 704.847.8308

The fall classes are filling up and space is limited.  Call now to reserve your seat.

I met a new friend at the Y who attends Southbrook.  We’ve got a lot in common: like to workout, we both have 2 kids in middle school, we both love our church… just to name a few!

Martha has taken the challenge that Pastor Rob gave seriously: to invite our lost friends to church.  She told me of a friend and of a neighbor family that were on her list of folks to bring next Sunday.  Wow!  She gets it!

How about you?  Are you praying for the people whose names you wrote on the wall?  Have you trusted God for the outcome and taken the initiative to invite them to church and then to lunch?

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday (or Saturday night) for the first installment of Diary of a Wimpy Christian.  Don’t miss it.  Invite your friends and expect God to do BIG things! 

We’ve got a world to impact for Christ!

After a night of Lazer Tag and Bowling fun, a carload of middle school kids headed to our house for pizza and a sleepover.  Such energy!  Such humor!

Nathan and his friends were actually rather quiet and busyed themselves unlocking new levels on a Wii game.  Juliana and her girlfriends got louder and sillier as the night turned to dawn.  It has been my experience that a house full of middle school boys are actually easier to manage than a house of middle school girls… but both are fun! 

This age is such an interesting time of development in kids’ lives.  They have some wacky ideas which are really a combination of weird humor and brilliance.  And they still will listen.  In fact, they are very interested in what adults have to say.  They want our input! 

The topic came up of what makes a girl “hot.”  I listened to what both the girls and boys had to say.  Then I was able to talk to them about the importance of looking at a person from the inside out instead of just their outward appearance — We talked about godly characteristics and qualities that God wants to cultivate in our lives.  It made for some interesting discussion… so glad I was there to offer my point of view.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)

Based on the traits listed above, how would a car of middle school students describe you? 

Something to think about!