Melissa Mashburn

Real Women. Real Life. Real Faith.

Spring into Action ~ Mother’s Day Celebration

By:

I’ve been working these last few days on finishing up my message for this Saturday’s Mother’s Day Celebration.  I’m so excited to chat with the women and share with them on the topic of “Spring into Action” based off 1 John 3:18.
If you’re a woman in the South Florida area, then you are invited to join us!  This is an open event hosted by the sweet ladies of Sawgrass Community Church.  
If you’re not in the area, then would you please do me a favor?  
Please take a minute and pray for this event…pray for the message, for the worship leader, for the women attending, for the women who planned it, and even a little prayer for me to be a vessel He can use.
Thank you so much for being such an amazing community of women! 
You ROCK!
post signature

Spring into Action ~ Mother’s Day Celebration

By:

I’ve been working these last few days on finishing up my message for this Saturday’s Mother’s Day Celebration.  I’m so excited to chat with the women and share with them on the topic of “Spring into Action” based off 1 John 3:18.
If you’re a woman in the South Florida area, then you are invited to join us!  This is an open event hosted by the sweet ladies of Sawgrass Community Church.  
If you’re not in the area, then would you please do me a favor?  
Please take a minute and pray for this event…pray for the message, for the worship leader, for the women attending, for the women who planned it, and even a little prayer for me to be a vessel He can use.
Thank you so much for being such an amazing community of women! 
You ROCK!
post signature

Godly Gals ~ Shelly Wildman

By:

Precious
By Shelly Wildman

Last summer I felt like God was telling me to read the book of Daniel.

Daniel? 

Really, God?

I didn’t want to read it. I’m sure I had read it before and found the prophecies in the second half of the book way over my head. (They still are.)

But God kept nudging my heart toward Daniel, so I read it. And then I read it again. And I’m here to say that I fell in love with the book of Daniel.

And one little verse was the key for me.

In Daniel 9:23, the angel Gabriel (yes, the same Gabriel who visited Elizabeth and Mary in Luke chapter 1) visits Daniel as he is pouring out his heart before God, confessing his sin and praying for mercy on the people of Israel. 

Here’s what the angel says to Daniel:

“The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. . . .” (New Living Translation)

This verse practically jumped off the page of my Bible and kissed me in the face. I couldn’t believe how wonderful it was to read those words, “. . . you are very precious to God.”

I felt like God was telling me that it’s not just Daniel who was precious. I am also very precious to God. And you are too.

Precious enough that He hears our prayers.

Precious enough that He commands angels to help us.

Precious enough to reveal His word to us.

Have you ever felt like your ordinary life was just a little bit out of control? Like thing just weren’t going your way and you didn’t know how to get things back into place? I have. And if that’s you today, know this:  you are very precious to God.

Wherever He’s placed you, whatever your situation, He has not forgotten about you. You are very precious to Him.

For some reason last summer as I read those words, I knew that God had put them there for me. He wanted me to remember that I matter to Him. And He wants me to tell you that you matter too.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”I John 3:1 (NLT)

A Little Bit About Shelly;
Shelly Wildman’s joy in life is her twenty-five year marriage to her college sweetheart, Brian, and being a mother to her three daughters.  Her professional path has taken many different directions from public relations and fundraising, to marketing, to freelance writer, to adjunct professor. Shelly blogs at “Life on the Wild Side”.
~~~~~~~~~
Shelly, what wonderful and powerful words for all of us to remember…we ARE precious to Him!  What a gift that is, thank you for reminding each of us that!  You are too sweet…thank you for sharing with us today!
Ladies…have you sat here week after week and thought about, dreamed about, or even prayed about the possibility of writing something for the Godly Gals series, but never took the time to even find out what the submission guidelines are?  Why don’t you?
Take a minute today to pray about it then email me at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and just ask for a copy of the guidelines.  That doesn’t mean you have to do anything but it is the first step…maybe to a brand new adventure!  I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon! ~ Melissa
post signature

Godly Gals ~ Shelly Wildman

By:

Precious
By Shelly Wildman

Last summer I felt like God was telling me to read the book of Daniel.

Daniel? 

Really, God?

I didn’t want to read it. I’m sure I had read it before and found the prophecies in the second half of the book way over my head. (They still are.)

But God kept nudging my heart toward Daniel, so I read it. And then I read it again. And I’m here to say that I fell in love with the book of Daniel.

And one little verse was the key for me.

In Daniel 9:23, the angel Gabriel (yes, the same Gabriel who visited Elizabeth and Mary in Luke chapter 1) visits Daniel as he is pouring out his heart before God, confessing his sin and praying for mercy on the people of Israel. 

Here’s what the angel says to Daniel:

“The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. . . .” (New Living Translation)

This verse practically jumped off the page of my Bible and kissed me in the face. I couldn’t believe how wonderful it was to read those words, “. . . you are very precious to God.”

I felt like God was telling me that it’s not just Daniel who was precious. I am also very precious to God. And you are too.

Precious enough that He hears our prayers.

Precious enough that He commands angels to help us.

Precious enough to reveal His word to us.

Have you ever felt like your ordinary life was just a little bit out of control? Like thing just weren’t going your way and you didn’t know how to get things back into place? I have. And if that’s you today, know this:  you are very precious to God.

Wherever He’s placed you, whatever your situation, He has not forgotten about you. You are very precious to Him.

For some reason last summer as I read those words, I knew that God had put them there for me. He wanted me to remember that I matter to Him. And He wants me to tell you that you matter too.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”I John 3:1 (NLT)

A Little Bit About Shelly;
Shelly Wildman’s joy in life is her twenty-five year marriage to her college sweetheart, Brian, and being a mother to her three daughters.  Her professional path has taken many different directions from public relations and fundraising, to marketing, to freelance writer, to adjunct professor. Shelly blogs at “Life on the Wild Side”.
~~~~~~~~~
Shelly, what wonderful and powerful words for all of us to remember…we ARE precious to Him!  What a gift that is, thank you for reminding each of us that!  You are too sweet…thank you for sharing with us today!
Ladies…have you sat here week after week and thought about, dreamed about, or even prayed about the possibility of writing something for the Godly Gals series, but never took the time to even find out what the submission guidelines are?  Why don’t you?
Take a minute today to pray about it then email me at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com and just ask for a copy of the guidelines.  That doesn’t mean you have to do anything but it is the first step…maybe to a brand new adventure!  I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon! ~ Melissa
post signature

Who wants to win an IPAD?!?!?

By:

Seriously…
Nope, not kidding!
My friends over at Master Books a division of New Leaf Publishing Group are giving away an iPad this week!
Yep, you read that right…they are giving away an iPad to ONE blessed winner this Saturday, April 24th (that’s like just days away)!
Oh my goodness…are you totally jumping up and down yet?
I know I am!

Guess what?
The ONLY thing you have to do to be entered is become a FAN of Master Books on Facebook.
Seriously…
THAT’S IT!
What are you waiting for????
When you get there make sure to tell them HEY from Mel’s World!  Thanks!

Oh, yeah…hey, if you win make sure to tell us about it…how exciting would that be!!!

post signature

Who wants to win an IPAD?!?!?

By:

Seriously…
Nope, not kidding!
My friends over at Master Books a division of New Leaf Publishing Group are giving away an iPad this week!
Yep, you read that right…they are giving away an iPad to ONE blessed winner this Saturday, April 24th (that’s like just days away)!
Oh my goodness…are you totally jumping up and down yet?
I know I am!

Guess what?
The ONLY thing you have to do to be entered is become a FAN of Master Books on Facebook.
Seriously…
THAT’S IT!
What are you waiting for????
When you get there make sure to tell them HEY from Mel’s World!  Thanks!

Oh, yeah…hey, if you win make sure to tell us about it…how exciting would that be!!!

post signature

She Speaks Scholarship Contest

By:

Did you ever know that you know that you know what God has called you to do with your life?
I’ve been blessed to have been shown my purpose and it sometimes scares the living daylights out of me and other times completely ramps me up and gives me “glory bumps” (goose bumps).
In 2003 I saw a glimpse of what God has called me to do and since that day I have spent the last seven years trying to take the steps necessary to get there.  There were many years of praying, building, planning, and preparing.  
There were also a few years where I just wasn’t able to move forward…life kicked in, ministry at the church kept me busy, having a family, and everything in between all seemed to jump forward at the same time, which made it even harder to move forward to that dream God had given me.
I’ve been learning, growing, studying and doing what God is calling me to do with my every day, ordinary life (Romans 12:1 TM) and finally feel like it’s time to take the next step.
My heart is to “Encourage women to live life with an authentic faith by being transparent, renewed and transformed” ~ Romans 12:2.  
Right now there is a fan-tas-tic opportunity to continue to learn, grow, connect and build the skills necessary to continue with the dream God has given me to be as a Woman’s Speaker/Writer.  I’ve always loved the ministry provided by the Proverbs 31 Ministries and have wanted to attend the She Speaks conference for the last four years, but unfortunately the time just has not be right.
I’m hoping this year the time will be right!
The She Speaks Conference is hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries in Concord, North Carolina this year from July 30th through August 1st (incidentally my birthday is August 2, so this would be a fabulous way to celebrate my 39th birthday, eek…did I just say my age online, ha!).
They have tracks for Speakers, Writers, and Women’s Ministry Leaders (all of which I would love to go to and benefit from) during the conference.  
For me, at this point in my ministry and life, I would love attend the Writers Track!  As a writer I have a passion to share the words that God has laid on my heart and what better way to improve that by listening to some of the best of the best in the Christian industry.  Let’s face it the publishing industry is wildly complex and I could really use the help in figuring out what the next step is for a few of my ideas and works in progress.
Here’s the deal, I would absolutely love to be considered for one of the three Cecil Murphy She Speaks conference scholarships that are being given away this week, but even if I am not chosen I will still try to do whatever it takes to get to the this year.  What an amazing opportunity it would be to connect with so many wonderful Christian sisters as they seek to be all God has created them to be as well.
In the mean time, thanks to you my friends and family here in Mel’s World.  You continue to inspire me to “Passionately Pursue God Every Day” and for that I am forever grateful for your love, support, prayers, and friendship.  I am truly a blessed woman whether I win this scholarship or not.  

Thank you for being on this journey called life with me…you are the BEST!

post signature

She Speaks Scholarship Contest

By:

Did you ever know that you know that you know what God has called you to do with your life?
I’ve been blessed to have been shown my purpose and it sometimes scares the living daylights out of me and other times completely ramps me up and gives me “glory bumps” (goose bumps).
In 2003 I saw a glimpse of what God has called me to do and since that day I have spent the last seven years trying to take the steps necessary to get there.  There were many years of praying, building, planning, and preparing.  
There were also a few years where I just wasn’t able to move forward…life kicked in, ministry at the church kept me busy, having a family, and everything in between all seemed to jump forward at the same time, which made it even harder to move forward to that dream God had given me.
I’ve been learning, growing, studying and doing what God is calling me to do with my every day, ordinary life (Romans 12:1 TM) and finally feel like it’s time to take the next step.
My heart is to “Encourage women to live life with an authentic faith by being transparent, renewed and transformed” ~ Romans 12:2.  
Right now there is a fan-tas-tic opportunity to continue to learn, grow, connect and build the skills necessary to continue with the dream God has given me to be as a Woman’s Speaker/Writer.  I’ve always loved the ministry provided by the Proverbs 31 Ministries and have wanted to attend the She Speaks conference for the last four years, but unfortunately the time just has not be right.
I’m hoping this year the time will be right!
The She Speaks Conference is hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries in Concord, North Carolina this year from July 30th through August 1st (incidentally my birthday is August 2, so this would be a fabulous way to celebrate my 39th birthday, eek…did I just say my age online, ha!).
They have tracks for Speakers, Writers, and Women’s Ministry Leaders (all of which I would love to go to and benefit from) during the conference.  
For me, at this point in my ministry and life, I would love attend the Writers Track!  As a writer I have a passion to share the words that God has laid on my heart and what better way to improve that by listening to some of the best of the best in the Christian industry.  Let’s face it the publishing industry is wildly complex and I could really use the help in figuring out what the next step is for a few of my ideas and works in progress.
Here’s the deal, I would absolutely love to be considered for one of the three Cecil Murphy She Speaks conference scholarships that are being given away this week, but even if I am not chosen I will still try to do whatever it takes to get to the this year.  What an amazing opportunity it would be to connect with so many wonderful Christian sisters as they seek to be all God has created them to be as well.
In the mean time, thanks to you my friends and family here in Mel’s World.  You continue to inspire me to “Passionately Pursue God Every Day” and for that I am forever grateful for your love, support, prayers, and friendship.  I am truly a blessed woman whether I win this scholarship or not.  

Thank you for being on this journey called life with me…you are the BEST!

post signature

Godly Gals ~ Barbara Collins

By:

Leap over the Obstacles
By: Barbara Collins

Not quite the picture you would expect as an encouraging word for the year. I was reading this morning in 2 Chronicles 30:2-21 and it is all about Hezekiah and his contributions for worship.

He assigned the priests and Levites to minister, give thanks, sing praises and offer the first fruits of livestock and crop. There was so much abundance he then ordered for storerooms to be built and filled with the “heaps” to be saved and distributed to the people of Israel.

He gave everyone jobs, hope, responsibilities, encouragement and purpose to manage and participate in the Lord’s dwelling place…..the temple. v. 20-21 says,” …he was doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.

In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”

This made me think about my own life as we often do this time of year.

Am I doing what is good, right and faithful before the Lord every day?
Do I take my day to Him and offer it to Him as a gift?
In every project that I undertake am I giving it to God first?
Have I faithfully been seeking God and worked wholeheartedly in unison with Him therefore allowing Him access to work through me?

This promise clearly gives me guidelines, clearly marks the way and obviously was what I needed to read as I start this new year.

How often do I only seek God in crisis?
How often do I not turn over the little issues before they become big ones?
Who am I faithfully seeking and working whole heartily for?

This verse is exactly what I needed to read. We can never underestimate God’s orchestration of timing. It’s always perfect. Trusting God with our lives is one of the most important steps in our Christian walk.

We are always wanting to go so fast, to run to the next phase, to leap over the obstacles and to be a part of this fast food generation. Instead, He may be wanting to walk us through these things in our lives in order to fill up our storerooms, so that we can use these experiences to bless others.

“Every good and perfect gift comes from God” James 1:17

What are we filling up our storerooms with?
Are we filling them up in order to help ourselves or others?
Our gifts are not for ourselves, but for Him to share with others.

Since my father’s passing on Thanksgiving Day we have had to get two more storerooms to put furniture from his house I am saving for my kids. I have had storeroom on the brain so it got me thinking about my personal inventory, my storeroom and all that God has blessed me with not only this past year, but every day.

There is that old saying, count your blessings. Well am I? Do I just go about my busy day taking for granted the breath of life? He wants to be in the little blessings as well as the big ones. He wants to walk us through the little issues in our life as well as the big decisions.

When disaster hits like in this picture, do we give from our reserve only then, or are we giving every day allowing room for more gifts? Like Hezekiah this new year my goal is to seek God in everything and work wholeheartedly where everything has become fresh and new. The past is finished and gone.

I pray my motivation will be pure at heart and not for the sake of His promise to prosper. I should solely seek in order to please God and the rest be left up to Him. He is for us and not against us. He knows the plans He has for us. I am filling my storeroom with every good and perfect gift from Him this year.

Is there room in yours for this? I hope so, in heaps. This year as God’s grace and favor fills, covers and blesses you abundantly in 2010.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barbara Collins, host of Madre Minutes on MomTv.com, also writes her own blog madreminutes.blogspot.com, is a wife of 30 years to her sweet William, has six beautiful daughters, is a child of God, artist, volunteer, lover of song, co-creator of Hope is Our Path, Spiritual encourager and blogger for Mamavation, Prayer leader and blogger for Church Online, blogger for Christian Women’s Affiliate, and bible study teacher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
What an amazing adventure this year has already been, I pray that you are being encouraged, challenged, blessed, and stretched by these incredible Godly Gals each Thursday! These are “Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith” in action kinda girls and I love that about each and every one of them.

Next week we have a special Godly Gal, a new irl (In Real Life) friend that I met at our South Florida Praise & Coffee Night in January 2010. I can’t wait for you to meet her and hear her story about Praise & Coffee Night.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the ranks of the Godly Gals here in Mel’s World, then I’d love to chat with you about it. Email me at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com for a copy of the Submission Guidelines, we’re scheduling posts for April 2010 right now.

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Bookmark and Share

Godly Gals ~ Barbara Collins

By:

Leap over the Obstacles
By: Barbara Collins

Not quite the picture you would expect as an encouraging word for the year. I was reading this morning in 2 Chronicles 30:2-21 and it is all about Hezekiah and his contributions for worship.

He assigned the priests and Levites to minister, give thanks, sing praises and offer the first fruits of livestock and crop. There was so much abundance he then ordered for storerooms to be built and filled with the “heaps” to be saved and distributed to the people of Israel.

He gave everyone jobs, hope, responsibilities, encouragement and purpose to manage and participate in the Lord’s dwelling place…..the temple. v. 20-21 says,” …he was doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.

In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”

This made me think about my own life as we often do this time of year.

Am I doing what is good, right and faithful before the Lord every day?
Do I take my day to Him and offer it to Him as a gift?
In every project that I undertake am I giving it to God first?
Have I faithfully been seeking God and worked wholeheartedly in unison with Him therefore allowing Him access to work through me?

This promise clearly gives me guidelines, clearly marks the way and obviously was what I needed to read as I start this new year.

How often do I only seek God in crisis?
How often do I not turn over the little issues before they become big ones?
Who am I faithfully seeking and working whole heartily for?

This verse is exactly what I needed to read. We can never underestimate God’s orchestration of timing. It’s always perfect. Trusting God with our lives is one of the most important steps in our Christian walk.

We are always wanting to go so fast, to run to the next phase, to leap over the obstacles and to be a part of this fast food generation. Instead, He may be wanting to walk us through these things in our lives in order to fill up our storerooms, so that we can use these experiences to bless others.

“Every good and perfect gift comes from God” James 1:17

What are we filling up our storerooms with?
Are we filling them up in order to help ourselves or others?
Our gifts are not for ourselves, but for Him to share with others.

Since my father’s passing on Thanksgiving Day we have had to get two more storerooms to put furniture from his house I am saving for my kids. I have had storeroom on the brain so it got me thinking about my personal inventory, my storeroom and all that God has blessed me with not only this past year, but every day.

There is that old saying, count your blessings. Well am I? Do I just go about my busy day taking for granted the breath of life? He wants to be in the little blessings as well as the big ones. He wants to walk us through the little issues in our life as well as the big decisions.

When disaster hits like in this picture, do we give from our reserve only then, or are we giving every day allowing room for more gifts? Like Hezekiah this new year my goal is to seek God in everything and work wholeheartedly where everything has become fresh and new. The past is finished and gone.

I pray my motivation will be pure at heart and not for the sake of His promise to prosper. I should solely seek in order to please God and the rest be left up to Him. He is for us and not against us. He knows the plans He has for us. I am filling my storeroom with every good and perfect gift from Him this year.

Is there room in yours for this? I hope so, in heaps. This year as God’s grace and favor fills, covers and blesses you abundantly in 2010.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barbara Collins, host of Madre Minutes on MomTv.com, also writes her own blog madreminutes.blogspot.com, is a wife of 30 years to her sweet William, has six beautiful daughters, is a child of God, artist, volunteer, lover of song, co-creator of Hope is Our Path, Spiritual encourager and blogger for Mamavation, Prayer leader and blogger for Church Online, blogger for Christian Women’s Affiliate, and bible study teacher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
What an amazing adventure this year has already been, I pray that you are being encouraged, challenged, blessed, and stretched by these incredible Godly Gals each Thursday! These are “Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith” in action kinda girls and I love that about each and every one of them.

Next week we have a special Godly Gal, a new irl (In Real Life) friend that I met at our South Florida Praise & Coffee Night in January 2010. I can’t wait for you to meet her and hear her story about Praise & Coffee Night.

If you’ve been thinking about joining the ranks of the Godly Gals here in Mel’s World, then I’d love to chat with you about it. Email me at melsworldministry {at} gmail {dot} com for a copy of the Submission Guidelines, we’re scheduling posts for April 2010 right now.

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Bookmark and Share