My name is Melana Cummings (aka MooseMama…story to come). I live in Sheridan Wyoming. I have been married to Tim Cummings for 32 years. We met through a letter and he asked me to marry him in a letter. (It’s a very long story, but oh so sweet and God designed!) The first time we kissed was when he put the engagement ring on my finger. It’s not a common way to start out a life together, but we were best friends who got married. He’s still one of the dorkiest people I know. He makes me laugh. He makes me shake my head. He has always said that if I ever leave him, he’s coming with me. We have a 26 year old daughter Sarah, a 16 year old daughter Emily, and a grandson, Jensen, who is 3. I have worked for the State of Wyoming for 28 years, and have a degree in psychology from the only university in the state. I was raised in the Lutheran church but had no idea what a personal relationship with Christ was. When I was 21, Christ sought me out, and I prayed to receive Him. From that day forward JESUS HAS BEEN MY LIFE!
In 2006, I prayed that I would grow even more in my faith and in Christ. About a week later a snippet of video was played about the Bible study, Believing God by Beth Moore (never heard of her!) that would be starting soon. A prayer answered!
A few months later this Beth Moore was going to be in Salt Lake City with Living Proof Live, so myself and 5 friends drove to see her. She taught from Ephesians 3…how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ….to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. One phrase she said “All excess is a result of emptiness”, hit me hard. As a woman who has been overweight all my life, all I could think was “nuh-uh”!
That one Bible Study and Living Proof Live event were the beginning of many more Bible Studies and live events through the last 9 years. My prayers for growth were being answered! I loved reading Beth’s blog and made a lifelong friend through it: Adrienne Hudson (aka Fuzzytop in Tennessee) and I became online friends. In 2008 a friend and I drove from Wyoming to San Antonio Texas for the Living Proof Live, and “Siesta Fiesta”, where I finally got to meet Adrienne face-to-face. I wish I could name all of the Siestas I have met over the years! They have become so dear to my heart and really, an integral part of my life in Christ! Honestly, the kindness, love, support and joy these women have brought to my life is no small miracle.
The most hilarious part of that trip was a stuffed Moose with a Wyoming bandana on his neck. It was my intention to give the moose to Beth as a gift. Well, we started to take pictures of “Miesta Moose” (Miesta is a male Siesta), along the trip. The pictures got posted on a secondary blog that a couple of Siestas had started, which was all about the Fiesta. By the time we arrived in San Antonio, Miesta Moose had become somewhat of a celebrity. And so it began. I took him to every Beth Moore event I went to. He would even end up in recap pictures, and then Siestas from all around the country, most of whom, I had never met, asked me to send him to them so they could take him to the event in their area. He has been kissed and carried by some of the most wonderful women! Around his neck, he wears the wristbands from the events he has attended. I became MooseMama. He became so recognizable, that women asked to have their pictures taken with him. It pleased me that he showed up at tapings and book signings that Beth was doing.
In 2009, I felt God really was telling me that I could be more of what He wanted for me if I lost that excess weight and fill the emptiness with Him. I lost 120 lbs. in a year’s time. I was leading Bible Studies. I was teaching Sunday School. I even went on a mission trip to Africa with my church. Something I never would have tried when I was so overweight. Prayers answered!
The year 2011 brought with it a season of severe loss and struggle. A heart attack altered the health of my husband, my oldest daughter became a widow at 22. Two weeks following her husband’s death she discovered she was expecting our grandson Jensen. I grew steadily depressed with these changes and gained back all the weight I had lost. I felt like I was trying to hold everything from flying apart. I was exhausted. We stopped going to church. But God…
We returned to church last year, and God is showing me how He used Jensen to redeem these past few years. His faithfulness to me never faltered. This verse has never meant more to me, than now. Today it is my verse to memorize:
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AMEN!
Julie Jones, Knoxville, TN: (I am memorizing a passage for verses 13-15 so forgot to post.) “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” 2 Timothy 2:25 NIV
Ruth, Providence
Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:28, 29 RSV
Colleen, Cape Town, South Africa
for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:20 ESV
Kiva, Irvine, CA
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Kristinia, Metairie, Louisiana
Philippians 4:11
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever my situation I am to be content.”
Terry (On a good twice a month verse posting schedule…just one week behind everyone else :p )
Washington, IL
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”
Psalm 18:32 NIV
Riche L from Irving, TX Psalm 91:8 NIV
You will observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
Tammy, Deer Park, WA
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV)
Plano, TX
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness”. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV)
Joy Lunsford – Troy, AL
Isaiah 40:8New Living Translation (NLT)
8 The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NIV)
1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7
Debbie Haramzian, New Port Richey, FL
“Heal me , O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14 NIV
Kim Burnett, Harrisburg, PA Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Pat, Brandon, Fl
Teach me to do what pleases You, for You are my God. May Your kind presence lead me into a level land.
Psalm 143:10
Amy from Noble,OK
Luke 11:28 (NIV)
He (Jesus) replied “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it”
Erin, Joplin, MO
“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:26, NIV
Kim Davis, Bristol, TN
But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right. I’m counting on God to listen to me.
(Micah 7:7 MSG)
Natalie Hall, Anchorage AK
Zeph.3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Liza Kirschner Monmouth Junction, NJ
“The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV)
Sheri Martens
Fairview, OK
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” I John 3:1
Terri from College Station TX:
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Him that gives me strength
Kelsey Baker, St. Louis, MO
“Teach me your ways, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalm 86:11, NIV
Gay Trier Warsaw, In.
Exodus 14:14New International Version (NIV)
14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Diane in Lenexa, KS
Psalm 19:7 NIV
It rises at one of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
Sheree Campbell, Phoenix, AZ
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Dorothy Williams
Montgomery, AL
James 1:19 NLT
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
Emma, Alaska
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.” Jeremiah 29:4-5
Katie Miller, Warsaw IN. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
Karen Roberson, Cullman, Alabama
Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV (slightly modified so the prayer covers the speaker–in addition to other believers)
Father God, please give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know you better. Lord, please enlighten the eyes of our hearts in order to know the hope to which you have called us, the riches of your glorious inheritance, and your incomparably great power for us who believe.
Wendy Bashor, Lone Butte, BC – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7 KJV
Rene Sandifer, Overland Park, KS “Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5 (ESV)
July 15, 2015
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
ESV
Whitney Payne, LaGrange, GA: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” – James 2:8 (NIV84)
Sara Langone, Santa Fe, NM ” no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
“Blessed be the LORD, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our Salvation. Shelah (pause and calmly think of that!).”
Psalm 68:19 – Amplified Bible
Stacey DeYoung- morocco,In.
Psalm 34:3 NIV
Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together.
Teresa Landreth, Chadron, NE
“so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,”
Colossians 1:10 NIV
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Kimberly T., Montgomery, AL
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Romans 16:20 (NIV)
Atlanta, GA
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but, have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but, to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16-18 NIV
Michelle B., Arvada, CO
Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. Psalm 32:10 HCSB
Kati B. Central Arkansas Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as Christ forgave you.” NIV
9b …ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; (Colossians 1:9b-10 NASB)
Carol, Belleville, ON
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32 NIV
Kathy, Danvers, MA
Psalm 100:4 NIV
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
and His courts with praise;
give thanks to Him and praise His name.
carol mueller Lincoln, ne 1 Corinthians 13:4 l “ove is kinf and is not jealous, live does not brag, and is not arrogant,”NASB
Tasha and Destiny Eberhard, Centerton AR
Tasha
Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Destiny
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers.
Ps.25:4-5
Show me your ways LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Ps. 25:4-5 NIV