Worth the Read

The pain in my shoulder was intense. Each movement brought a new wave of discomfort. With four kids, surgery (i.e. incapacitation) wasn't an option but rehab was. When I first visited Dr. Brad of the Cole Pain Therapy Group I could only raise my left arm 45 degrees from my leg. From the first exam, his confidence was clear. He had the skills and tools to correct my frozen shoulder.

Recently, Dr. Brad asked if I'd write a referral for him on Google places and yelp. I could not be more grateful for his professionalism, kindness and care so my answer was a resounding yes! It took mere moments of my time but I pray God uses my meager offering to attract more patients to this quality practice.

Sometimes the greatest acts of service take the least amount of time to complete. I need to remember that.

Carey Scott

Recently one of my friends asked in a comment here on my blog who are some of the blog writers who most inspire me. The list jumped to my mind immediately. Carey, Heatherly, Teri, Patti and Rachel. It surprised me how quickly I knew the answer but another thought followed in moments. I know how much they inspire me but do they?

Patti Hazlett

If I'm willing to write an internet review for my doctor, how much more willing should I be to write a review of the women whose writing most touches my heart. If you've never read these women, allow me to tell you why you want to.

Carey Scott is one of the most authentic women I've ever known. She writes from the deepest places of her heart. Love spills out with every mark of her pen. If you want to walk through life with a real friend, read Carey.

Heatherly Sylvia

Heatherly Sylvia is the friend you wish you'd met in kindergarten. You read even a few paragraphs of her writing and know life would be smoother if you were walking its' road next to her. She gives you encouragement and strength for the journey through humor and emotion.

Teri Johnson is a visionary. She sees life both as it is and as it can be and equips you with the tools to reach your full potential. She is a cheerleader rooting for God's best in your home, life and family. When you read her, you feel empowered and ready to take life head on.

Teri Johnson

Patti Hazlett is a 360 watt lightbulb of God's grace. She delivers wisdom with such clarity it's like reading a passage of scripture with new eyes. Her supercharged personality shines through her words and gives your heart a new level of resolve and purpose.

Rachel Snyder

Rachel Snyder is a living laugh. She calls herself The Lazy Christian but her readers have no chance at laziness as they read. If her writing doesn't exercise your laughing lungs, nothing will. Better every line is laced not just with wit but wisdom. She talks to the parts of you kept hidden and surfaces God's best within.

I strongly urge you to check out these five women. Your life, home, marriage and parenting will be not only enriched but transformed as you do. They are the epitome of God's best and my life is different because they dared to whisper yes to the call of God to write. Won't you join me as their reader?

Finally!

Sweet Friends, I am delighted to continue my series of December guest posts with some inspiring words from my dear friend, Carey Scott. Carey encourages the deepest places of my heart. She has a way of tenderly peeling back the layers of my heart to allow God deeper inside. I can't wait for you to take this journey with me as Carey shares with us her perspective on the prophetess Anna who witnessed Jesus' dedication at the temple when He was just days old.


by Carey Scott

“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. 
She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 
and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. 
She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”
(Luke 2:36-38)

Finally!

I’ve held hope in my heart for so long and now I get to see – face to face – the Christ. 

The Messiah. 

He is here… right in front of me.

And I knew it was the promised child the moment I laid my eyes on Him.

That beautiful face. Those tiny fingers. The cooing noises gently escaping his mouth.

A limitless God coming to earth in human form to experience the confines of flesh. The Great I AM stepping out of the perfect Heaven into a sinless world… with the goal to save the world.

I am so humbled to be among the first to bear witness to this miracle child. 

With great thanks, I praise the Father for Jesus.

God is so faithful.

While my 84 year old body is giving up and deteriorating, the fulfilled promise of this baby brings a much-needed rejuvenation to my weary bones. I feel an excitement for this long-awaited answered prayer.

Finally… our deliverer has come!

Some may doubt me because I am a woman and not seen as a credible source… some may not believe me because I’m proclaiming that our Messiah has come as a poor peasant child… but nothing will stop me from sharing this exciting news with all the faithful believers that cross my path.

I will to shout to the world that the Redeemer of Israel has come at last!

And now I pass that blessed task on to you. 

It’s your turn to remind others about Jesus.

It’s your turn to celebrate His birth rather than go about business as usual.

It’s your turn to share the miracle and reveal Christ to an unbelieving world.

My friends, don’t be intimidated to speak out.  Be bold in your remembrance!  We should observe Christmas with gusto! 

Because it’s no ordinary birth we are celebrating. 

Joy to the world… the Lord HAS come!

______________________________

An inspirational speaker and writer, Carey is honest about her life journey…stumbles, fumbles and all. Her goal is to challenge others to be real and authentic and she does this through her blog titled “Let’s Get Real”.  She’s a little in your face, always honest and relentless in prodding you to stop living a life of comfort and instead get on the battlefield. 

Carey gets authentic with moms every Wednesday on Moms Together where she serves as a moderator and panelist. She also leads women through her position of speaker and writer for the LeadHer organization.You can connect with Carey online through Twitter and Facebook.  She is a happily married mom of two living in Colorado. 

The Divine Masseuse

Today I'd like to introduce you to my dear friend, Carey Scott. Carey is an authentic woman of God whose message which challenges women to be real with themselves, others and God touches the hearts of women countrywide. I am privileged to have her posting here today and would love for you to welcome her to Jesus & My Orange Juice by visiting her blog, following her on Twitter and liking her on Facebook.

Welcome, Carey, can't wait to hear the REAL truth God has laid on your heart this morning!
_______________________

I love massages.

My husband knows that if we had more money then we knew what to do with, I’d hire someone to massage my scalp at bedtime and to rub my feet in the morning.

He continues to tell me to let that dream go.  I’m holding out hope.

Well, the other day I treated myself to a massage.  Life’s been so big lately and my body is showing signs of the stress.

As the masseuse began to work on my neck, I was so relaxed.  It felt fantastic.  But then… she went a little deeper.  Ouch. 

I knew for me to get relief, I needed to let her do that deep work. 

While it hurt, I knew I’d soon be feeling better.  My job during that massage was to allow the work to be done.

So, I took in long breaths and blew the air back out slowly.  Instead of tensing up more, I relaxed my body and felt the healing set in. 

You know what I realized while lying on that table?

God is like that massage therapist.  He has the desire and ability to work out deeper things in us. 

·         God knows where life is causing us to tense up.

·         He has the perfect techniques to promote healing.

·         He is not surprised by all our areas of stress.

·         He is fully aware of our pressure points.

When we take our pain to God, He faithfully goes to work.  His focus is to bring us… relief.

Sometimes the process of relief is uncomfortable because it makes us look at who we really are.  It forces us to forgive something or someone who has hurt us deeply.  This process causes us to change, which is overwhelming and scary at times.  Old habits and attitudes are hard to break.

But when we decide to be part of the process rather than part of the problem, it can make a huge difference.  When we allow God to work that stuff out instead of us holding onto it and letting it fester and cause pain… relief is imminent.

He is your Divine Masseuse.

Let God do His deep work in you.  He won’t charge you.  You don’t have to make an appointment.  And His hands never get tired.

Where do you need God’s work today?
______________________

Carey Scott is an inspirational speaker and writer, honest about her walk with the Lord, stumbles, fumbles and all.  She loves to challenge women to be real and authentic. Through her blog she encourages women to stop living a mediocre, risk-free life and instead step onto the battlefield. She is a weekly blogger on CWAHM and serves as the Wednesday host on the Moms Together Facebook community. Most recently, Carey was added as a member of the speaking and writing team for LeadHer. She and her husband live in Colorado with their two kids.