Whatever Makes You Happy…

The pursuit of  happiness has been the justification for so many destructive behaviors and habits in today’s culture.  I’ve heard and used the excuse, “As long as I’m not hurting anyone, I can do whatever makes me happy.”  Through all of the things that I’ve learned over the years, all of the pain I’ve experienced, the trials and tribulations that I’ve walked through; the pursuit of happiness doesn’t always make us happy and we almost always effect the people around us by our behaviors and attitudes, whether they be positive or negative.


As a parent, I can see why we need boundaries, accountability, and restraint in our lives.  My kids want everything that they see, they want it now, and they want what others have.  They think that if they get what they want, then they will be happy.  It's my job to say no to the things that they want, especially if it will cause problems, cost too much money, and have negative consequences. Will instant gratification keep us happy?  What will keep us fulfilled and content?  One of the things that most of us think is, “If I just had this one thing, then I would be content.”  Most times, we get that one thing and then we focus on something else that we can’t live without, and this cycle is perpetual and never satisfied.  Money and material things can’t make us happy, and often times the pursuit of wealth causes us to compromise our values and morals.  We can become dishonest, disloyal, and self-serving in our pursuit of money and material things.


The pursuit of happiness can look different for different people.  We naturally want to avoid feeling bad, experiencing pain whether physical or emotional.  We don’t want  to ever be uncomfortable and out of our comfort zone and there are many different ways to numb pain or to avoid pain altogether.  But, one of the most amazing things about pain is that it changes us by adding wisdom to our lives.  Have you ever refused to take someone’s advice that has experienced pain because you thought you knew better?  When things turn out exactly liked you’d been warned, only then can you see the wisdom in the advice.  Pain through trials and tribulations help us to grow emotionally, building wisdom and widening our eyes to the pain of those around us.


Sometimes to get to where God needs us to be, a place where His blessings flow, we need to walk through the fire to get there.  Trials, pain, suffering, and tribulation are necessary to shape our hearts and change us into who God knows we can be.  Without those seasons in our lives we won’t grow, learn, or change direction.  Oftentimes, we can’t see where He is taking us until we are already there and we can’t know the impact that our faithfulness and integrity will have on the world and the people around us.


One of the things that got me thinking about this topic is the obesity epidemic in our society today.   Eating is the easiest thing to do that can take our mind off of pain and suffering.  Certain foods can become addictive and we can feel that we don’t have the strength to stop eating.  Even though you may think that eating doesn’t hurt anyone around you, think again.  We set an example to those around us, people are watching what we do whether we care or not.  We teach our bad habits to our children, families, friends, and acquaintances.  People learn by example and through experience.  On the same track, we can show others positive examples by being responsible to take care of ourselves and those around us.  


I’ve learned that as humans, we try to fill the empty parts of our heart and soul with things, be it money, food, drugs, alcohol, and meaningless/shallow relationships.  There is great joy to be found in healthy relationships with others, our connectivity to people, and our pursuit of God.  One of the things that the bible teaches us, is to surround ourselves with people that are for us, people that will lift us up when we are sad, lonely, in pain, and depressed and people that will hold us accountable for our actions and motives.  We need to purposefully avoid those that only hurt us and lead us to hurt ourselves and others.  Pruning those connections in our lives will make us stronger and more able to bear the things that life brings to us.  Without pain, rainy days, and hard times we can’t appreciate the good things in our lives or realize which people are most important to us.  So stand strong wherever you are and have faith that what God brings you to, He will bring you through.




Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;
    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
    He saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
    He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. 
Psalm 34:5-7 NLT

I Can Do All Things...

A lot has changed over the years. When I think about the person I used to be and the things that I used to do, it is a miracle that I am doing the things that I am doing now. When I got married, I had reached a milestone in my life and I thought all that was left to do was to have children. So that's what I did...I had 4 kids and I thought that my life would be about raising them and then becoming a grandmother, and then I would die and go be with Jesus. Now, that doesn't seem so bad but that is just the status quo, I suppose. I thought that once I became a Christian, I would live my life, try to be good, do the right things and let life happen around me while protecting my kids, praying for others, and paying bills. By the time I reached 30, I had been a teacher for almost a decade, I had 3 kids and I was doing okay. I didn't have any career goals worth mentioning, I didn't have any life goals other than losing weight, and I didn't have any relationship goals other than being nice to everyone! My whole world was turned upside down when I joined Celebration Church and I found out that God wants more for my life than what I was doing, that there are people out there without hope that need to hear about who God is and what He can do. What I learned about God's character and power and love just burned in my heart and spurred me on to seek out my purpose. I've learned that the Christian life can be anything but safe and boring!

I had a very hard season right around the time that we moved to St. Augustine. I hit rock bottom during that time and I remember thinking, “Is this all there is to life?” I had become discontent with the status quo and I begun to want more from life but couldn't fathom how I could possibly do more when I had 4 kids to raise, isn't that enough? I joined a small group where I read Christine Caine's book, Can I have and do it all, please? That is exactly what I wanted to know! This book had a section of questions in it that helps women discover their purpose, and it was these questions that set me in the direction that I have been going in ever since! It's hard to believe how far I've come and where I am headed. I loved being a preschool teacher and loving on the kids and their families, but God has something more for me and I intend on giving everything I've got to follow Him!

There have been so many things going on to avert me from my mission and goals! We are totally broke, so trying to start a business is not easy but only the impossible can happen with God! I've had so many health set backs since 2009, it would take another blog just to go through them all! God has been right by my side, though, and my new motto is, “Nothing is going to hold me down, I've got to keep on moving!” As an example, just yesterday while I waited for my kids at the bus stop, a piece of mulch went through my shoe and punctured my foot! Talk about crazy, blood was dripping and my toes and shoe were red and instead of sitting down and panicking, I pulled off the shoe(which took the wood out of my foot), looked at the blood, put my shoe back on and walked home! The reason why I walked is because I didn't have my van yesterday since my husband's car battery had died. Lately, I've been just pushing past the pain and through the uncertainty and the results have always been better than if I had just stayed still. I'm not taking no for an answer anymore. I'm not going to just be content and be silent. My heart and my mission have to do with people. There are a lot of people out there that have no one thinking about them, praying for them, helping them through the rough patches, caring for their safety and well-being. God has given me a purpose and I intend on accomplishing that purpose with honor and integrity.

Today, I am standing at the precipice, the start of something that could be just more than I'd ever imagined or hoped for, but that is the kind of God that I serve. He does amazing things through those who have nothing without Him. This may mean that I won't be a stay-at-home mom anymore but this new venture may help me be there for my kids and provide things for them that I can't right now. Nothing in this life comes easy and that is something that I am learning, and nothing comes easy that is worth having. I'm not doing this for just my family, I'm doing this for families and children within my sphere of influence.  We'll see just how far God takes me, because I am willing to go there with Him!

So keep your eyes and ears open for what is to come. I pray that God moves mountains and makes the impossible possible because I've got big God-sized dreams that require faith the size of a mustard seed and a God that is big enough and strong enough to make my dreams come true!

Please pray for me! I'm going to need it!

Libby Mahoney

The Cooking Activist and Warrior for Christ

All About Wisdom

"For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord" Proverbs 8:35 NKJV 
Seeking wisdom brings life and favor. Wisdom is prudence, an understanding heart, truth, righteousness, knowledge, discretion, strength, and justice. Wisdom brings riches, honor, and wealth.
"But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36 NKJV
Contrary to wisdom is wickedness, crooked and perverse things, evil, pride, arrogance, ignorance, and death. Wisdom is better than silver, gold, rubies, and the things that we desire. 
 I'm learning how to seek after God's heart and seek after wisdom instead of pursuing comfort and security. The things this world says are important are meaningless. I want to desire the things that God has for me. I want to put aside my selfish ambition and live for Christ. My heavenly Father has remained faithful and true to His word. I find strength, compassion, love, and favor with the Lord. His ways are better than my ways because He knows the beginning from the end and He promised never to forsake me. I'm standing firm on His word because it never returns void!  
Our heavenly Father has us in the palm of His hand, close to His heart. His economy is greater than this country's economy. He has all of the resources to make our dreams come true, to provide for our families, and to guide us down the right paths. I trust in Him more than the world. He has so much more to offer us than society. Put aside worldly desires and clothe yourself in godly wisdom and righteousness. We can boldly approach the throne of grace because we are washed clean by the blood of Christ. We have been redeemed, not because we do the right things all the time, but because He loves us. Remember He loved us first, while we were yet sinners. We are saved by faith, empowered by grace, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. I pray the fire of Holy Spirit fill you and encourage you to step out in faith today. Honor Jesus' sacrifice for you by helping someone who doesn't deserve it. I pray for discernment so you can see how far someone has come instead of seeing where they are. I pray for strength so you can stand up for Jesus and be witness of His love for humanity. I pray that your purpose in Christ is revealed, that you may glorify Him with your life and find contentment.
 
"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself." Luke 12:29-31 The Message

My Cookbook and Ministry

When I first started writing a cookbook, I was just going to do an organic cookbook. Over time, this project has developed into part of my ministry. I've become very passionate about several things; health, organics, gmo's, fair trade, and God. When I was talking about my ministry with my mentor, who is awesome by the way, I was explaining what was on my heart. I want to reach out to others and teach them about eating to support the body that God gave them, which will strengthen their bodies so that they can have the best possible impact on the kingdom. We can take care of the bodies that God gave us in such a way that brings Him glory and enables us to take the gospel to the lost and hurting in the world.


 I posed this question to my mentor, “How do I start a ministry like that?” She replied, “You are already doing something about it, just keep doing what you are doing and God will open the doors for you when the time is right.” The more I thought about what she said, the more I began to understand what that meant for me. That got me thinking about my cookbook and then inspiration hit! I was going to use my cookbook as my platform for reaching others! I started to rethink the format from being “just” a cookbook, to a book that can inspire others to live a life dedicated to God. Most Christian books focus on the spirit and on certain behaviors or sins. There aren't many books that focus on health and wellness from a God perspective; that the way we take care of our bodies is a testimony, good or bad, to others about how we feel about ourselves and God.


 I desire to teach others not just how to love God, but to love themselves and to see themselves as God sees them - perfect creations worthy of love. It is my opinion that people use food as medication, eating emotionally, and thinking that they aren't worth the trouble to take the time to be careful about food choices. It's so easy to focus on others and neglect ourselves. When we don't love ourselves or see ourselves through God's eyes, we are diminishing the capacity for the effectiveness of our ministry. I had to learn how to love me and how to see me the way God does. That perspective really changed me and my outlook on life and how I see others as well. See, eating healthy doesn't have to be motivated by vanity, eating healthy should be motivated by love for self, others and for God. It's okay to love yourself, vanity comes when you exalt yourself above everyone else. 


 We were all created to be unique. Instead of focusing on our imperfections as negative, we should rejoice in our differences and love the fact that we are different. Each of us has something to offer the kingdom of God, God made us different so we can bring our uniqueness to the table and make the body of Christ whole. If we were all bringing something to a potluck dinner and everyone brought dessert, what would we eat for dinner? If everyone's strength was evangelism, who would be there to pastor, to teach, to lead, to serve, to minister, etc. We each have a role in the church, we each have a gifting, and we have strengths and weaknesses that are used for God's glory not our own.

I am writing an organic cookbook with a focus on God and I want to teach others about issues that surround food; slavery, genetically modified organisms, and society's impact on women. 

Answered Prayers

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:7-12

I have had the dream on my heart to open a bakery and have my cookbook published since February 2010. So much has happened and changed as time has passed and I've almost given up on my dreams several times. Each time I was about to just say, 'forget it! this is never going to happen. I've got no money, no one would publish my book, I don't know how to run a business, I've got no formal cooking training'...on and on the negativity would go and get me down. Each and every time, God would step in with encouragement from someone, from church, from facebook, my daily study, from music, from twitter...God can reach out to us from anywhere! It would be a verse from scripture, from a song, a message from a sermon...etc that God would remind me that He is bigger than my shortcomings, He is greater than the world, and I shouldn't measure my abilities by the world's standards but I should instead rely on His strengths, wisdom, knowledge, and provision. I've been learning to see my dreams from God's perspective, to look at the possibilities according to God's power, and to trust in God's promises because of His faithfulness that I have experienced by walking with Him.

It's amazing, I've been applying the messages preached by my pastors at church to my life – actually following their advice and I'm seeing God move in my life, just like they said He would. It all started with seeking Him first. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12:29-31  has been my mantra over the last 6 years. I've really been working on making this true for my life, putting God first in everything. This year I've learned to put Him first in my finances and my marriage. This season that my husband and I are going through has really been life changing. See, we are going through it together, each of us dealing with different, individual issues and shared issues, as well. The awesome part is that in Christ, we have the strength to do life together, to support each other, love each other, and hold each other accountable with a spirit of love instead of condemnation.

Pastor Matthew Barnett from the LA Dream Center preached last weekend on Matthew 7:7,8, the way he explained this passage of scripture had a lasting impact on my prayer life. I've learned just to ask God for what I need – I don't need to have things perfect before I ask, I don't need to say the words in a perfect order or in a perfect, eloquent way. I just need to share what's on my heart and what's on my mind with God; “Ask and you shall receive”.

I've learned that looking towards God, keeping my eyes on Jesus, seeking after God's heart will help my heart's desires to line up with God's desires for me. I will hear God and be able to respond to Him when I am continually praying and talking to Him throughout the day and by reading His word to renew my mind and heart daily. “Seek and you will find(HIM)”. Instead of seeking out my own way to make my dreams come true, in seeking God, He will take my dreams beyond what I could ever do myself!

The doors that God has opened and closed during this time have been a blessing. I've learned to wait on Him instead of barging in or slamming doors, which I've been really good at in the past. I realize now that so many more things are possible with God than without Him. “Nothing is impossible with God.” I had to think - I can do xyz on my own and hope for the best or I can bring this to God, do this His way and have His resources and power involved to make my dreams so much more than I could ever ask or imagine. I've been waiting on God to show me the best way to get my bakery off of the ground. I don't have any financial resources for start-up cash, I have no access to a commercial kitchen, and in Florida it has been illegal to operate a home bakery business. I've been discussing this with God, searching for a solution, and networking with others to see what doors would open for me. The only commercial kitchen that I've found so far, is 40 minutes from my house and with 4 kids at home for the summer that would make it nearly impossible to make that commute worthwhile. I was ready to give up, again! I found out yesterday, that a new piece of legislation was passed on July 1^st called the Cottage Food Legislation that now allows home based bakeries to operate in the State of Florida! This is huge for me! I can now do baked goods to sell at farmer's markets and for the general public! This is the start that I've been waiting for. God moved in an unexpected way. I never would have thought that the law would change, I assumed God would move in a different way and I see now that this is exactly the best way to start making money and getting my feet wet serving the public.

I wanted to share this answer to prayer with all of you because I believe that in order to bring God the glory He deserves, we should share our hardships and victories with others. I was ready to start putting in job applications at Publix or restaurants around town. We have been struggling financially this summer and as a stay-at-home mom I not bringing in any money to help with the bills. I felt like I was going to have to put everything on hold in order to make sure my kids have enough to eat but instead of panicking, I prayed. God gave me the strength to hold on to my dream and He has provided the way and the provision for us!  God is so good, He is good ALL the time!

 I'm also praying to get my cookbook published, it is a daunting task, writing a book proposal but by the grace of God I've been putting one together. Now I just have to find someone that wants to read it! Amen! That is a blog for another time...

Please check out my new blog, it's one for my cookbook at thecookingactivist.wordpress.com.

Stay tuned for more about my bakery and my book! Until next time...

My Dream Job: Dreams Realized

This is a picture of a cookie label that I made for my first event, it was a human trafficking awareness event and on this particular night I was announcing my plans to open an organic fair trade bakery. I've always loved baking and cooking but this was the first time that I stepped out, in public, and it made it so real! I didn't have a location, money, or equipment when I did this, all I had was a dream and a passion and I wanted to make a go for it, even if I didn't succeed at least I was going to try.

What is one thing that you have always wanted to do but still have not done? What is holding you back? It is fear, finances, a day job, kids, family responsibilities?

I used to be afraid of everything! I wouldn't talk to people that I didn't know. I wouldn't share my wild and crazy dreams with anyone, not even God - but you know what? Life is too short to hold back! I've come to a point in my life that I've realized I'm not getting any younger. The older I get the more I see my potential and I don't want to squander the gifts God has given me, even if it means putting myself, my dreams, and my heart out there for the world to see. I figured if I just start by telling others what was on my heart, then maybe just maybe my dreams would be realized. I am writing a cookbook with a unique format. I've been working on the proposal and getting ready to submit my work to an agency by the end of the week. I want to open a bakery, I'm going to start out renting a commercial kitchen and build my business by catering and setting up vendor tables at events and farmers markets. I've found that I love to blog and take pictures of food, so this is my avenue for getting my dreams out in the open.

Whatever it is that you've dreamed about, it's not to late to start doing something. Start by talking about your dreams and the ideas will follow.

I've got a long way to go before I open the doors of my bakery but until the meantime I am going to keeping moving forward, jumping hurdles, dodging bullets, and praying my butt off!

Shine 2011

Each year, Kerri Weems, organizes the most wonderful conference for women called Shine. Pastor Kerri's vision for this conference has caused Shine to grow and expand in ways that are incredible and so far outside of the scope of any church experience I've EVER had! I am so blessed to be a part of Celebration Church and to be a part of this house that Pastors Stovall and Kerri Weems are building.

The person I am today is radically different from who I used to be. I was saved, married, and became a mother in a span of 2 years. The adjustment to becoming a Christian, a wife, and a mother totally swallowed me and I lost myself. I didn't know who I should be and so I became invisible. I lost my sense of style, I stopped taking care of myself, I never put myself in a position to make friends, and I forgot about the things that used to be important to me. I spent the first 6 years of my marriage birthing 4 children, every 2 years a child was born. That in itself is mind-boggling! I immersed myself in my bible but not in church. I attended church every Sunday and I attended bible studies and church functions as a dutiful Christian but I wasn't living, I was sleepwalking through life. I thought that as a Christian my life was over, in that I couldn't have fun like I used to, I couldn't dress with style, I couldn't be beautiful, I couldn't be crazy. I essentially changed my personality to “fit” with what I thought God wanted, what the church told me God wanted.

With having children, I naturally gained weight and didn't try to lose it. I ate and ate all the worst foods and I didn't care about myself or love myself enough to take care of me. My mission was to take care of my kids, be a wife, be a Christian and Libby was gone. My identity was not my own anymore. I only wore makeup on Sunday, I only dressed nice on Sunday and during the week I wore big, baggy gray t-shirts and sweat pants to work. I was miserable, but I loved the Lord and my only solace was the joy I felt during worship on Sunday and the joy I had reading and studying the word of God.

I wanted more for my life. I asked God, “Isn't there more to this life than what I am doing?” I yearned for purpose, direction, and destiny. My husband and I started talking about looking for a new church, a new life, and a fresh view of the world. We heard about Celebration Church and it was on our list of churches to visit. We are a mixed-race family and we wanted to be in a mixed-race congregation and most of the options were for one color congregations. I started to exercise and eat better and that changed my outlook of myself. God empowered me to work on my health and I started to take care of my appearance. At this point my 3rd child was 1 year old and I was 50 pounds overweight. Once I started to lose weight, I started to dress better and I started to go to the hair dresser regularly, I started to wear make up at work, I was transforming into me. I know that sounds funny, but I was rediscovering me. I started reaching out to others and making some friends.

Michael and I chose to visit Celebration Church first. We never went anywhere else after that. It was Shine 2007 weekend and Christine Caine was speaking that Sunday. Her fire and passion blew us away! We came from a congregation that didn't allow the women of the church to speak from the pulpit, where the women of the church didn't have a voice. We made the decision to join Celebration 2 months later and our lives have been revolutionized.

Flash forward 4 years...

I am now 30 pound lighter, I love to take care of myself, I have been empowered by Pastor Kerri's vision from Shine 2008, 2009, and 2010 to be the woman that God sees. I love myself, I love my sisters in Christ, I love my Lord, and I love my life!! Christine Caine challenged me to step into the destiny that God has for me and fulfill my purpose in the kingdom. Lisa Bevere challenged me to Fight Like a Girl. Priscilla Shirer taught me how to discern God's voice. Pastor Kerri has shown me God's love for me and how to have a panoramic view of the world around me. I was ready for Shine 2011. I knew God had something for me and I knew that I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me, to be a part of advancing God's kingdom.

For the first time, I served as a volunteer at Shine. I served alongside some of the most beautiful, well-dressed, on fire for God sisters that I've ever met! I was in the background, serving the volunteers breakfast and dinner. I felt so honored to be able to serve the ones who were serving the women attending the conference. I love preparing food for others. Hospitality is one of my gifts. Pastor Kerri has provided the opportunity for me to use my gifts for a kingdom purpose. I've been reading Lisa Bevere's book Lioness Arising which has woken a sleeping lioness that I didn't know was there in me. Pastor Kerri was right when she said that we don't lose our identity when we live full on for Christ...instead I have found myself! I know who I am in Christ now. I intend on using my life to further the kingdom of God, linking my arms with my sisters in Christ, living well with my prince, being the doorway of life as a woman, changing the way that I see things, praying powerful prayers, raising up my kids to fear God, and passionately and purposefully pursuing my destiny as a daughter of The Most High God. Thank you Pastor Kerri for loving God and stepping out in faith to fulfill your destiny. My life is forever changed. I will honor you by living my life dangerously and fully awake and by living a God-first life.

It is impossible to write in one blog everything that I have learned over the last 3 days. The Man-panel was awesome! All of the speakers that spoke into my life; Jentzen Franklin, Priscilla Shirer, Lisa Bevere, Mercy Lokulutu, Dr. Sandra Richter-author of The Epic of Eden, and Kerri Weems. The passion and dedication of the volunteers and staff at Celebration Church have moved me to give more of myself to the body of Christ than I ever have before. The worship team at Celebration, along with Kari Jobe make worshiping God so beautiful and moving. To see what goes on behind the scenes to make Shine amazing makes me so thankful that God brought me to this particular church, in this city, for such a time as this!