CHRISTIE MICHAUD BLOG

So many voices and opinions and so much information. Who do we listen to? What’s the truth? And if the external voices weren’t enough, the inner ones speak even louder. What’s going to happen? When will this end? Will small businesses and wage earners make it? How can I both teach and be with my kids and work? Will I lose someone I love? Are we overreacting? Are we doing enough? Will the market crash? Can I leave my house? What if I run out of toilet paper? … See what I mean

As the Hurricane Florence detour continues creeping towards the Carolinas, I’ve recognized this as a good time to detour from book marketing and just be real. That is in fact part of the strategy that I’m trying to market. Becoming an author. You’d think this would be a time of celebration for me, but instead: Self-induced pressure to be this “author” persona is quickly becoming more than I can bear. In telling my husband, he grounds me with the question – Just who do you thi

There are amazing books and sermons on how to grow spiritually. I’ve read and heard many. What I’ve learned though answers the mystery of why change often doesn’t come. If I don’t apply what I’ve heard, I will not learn it. If I don’t keep applying what I’ve learned, I will not maintain it. We are creatures of habit with good intentions but unfortunately become distracted by what we see and forget what we cannot. Action is needed for success. Practicing strategy brings life c

Getting spiritually dressed everyday can be tricky. Some days we don’t even feel like it. I have even been known to act like a toddler and fight the process. I guess that’s why God gave me this visual to video. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is right there and never leaves our side. Put on the full Armor of God so you can stand your ground! Actress – Allie Michaud who was 18 months at the time. Enjoy!

ENOUGH: lack of being. The word that has haunted me most my life. I’m not good enough. It’s the first lie I ever identified. Every time I think I have overcome it, God reveals a new layer. So much is rooted in these three words and it’s deep. BUT God is good and His love is deeper! And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ . Philippians 1:6 He has redeemed me (past). He is transforming me (present). He w

What exactly is The Believer’s Battle Strategy (BBS) . Is it a book? A blog? A class? The answer is yes, but the better answer is it’s strategy living. A strategy is a plan of action to accomplish a goal. Living is the pursuit of a lifestyle. The BBS is a formulated plan to fight for the life that Christ died to give. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly . Strategy living doesn’t happe

For so long, my past was overshadowed and limited by what I could physically see. I focused on my shortcomings and constantly battled against self to overcome and become “better.” I was often consumed with all the ways I wanted to “improve” for Jesus that it distracted me from being and shining for Him. While I’ve come a long way, these struggles still resurface if I do not remain on guard. If your story is similar to mine, your intentions are good, but most of your days ar

Our situations, circumstances and backgrounds are all unique. Our belief systems form over time and they determine how we view our life. All of this shapes who we are today. Yet, as with Akoua and I, our stories are often more similar than they first appear. However, if we are distracted by the world’s noise and not looking for it, we will miss the common thread we all share. Heartbreak. Wrong choices. Victimization. A bad start. No matter what you’ve done, been through, or a

Togo, West Africa 2011 The heat was intense. I sat at a makeshift medical clinic in a foreign land, under the few trees I could find for shade. This was my second time to experience life among the Togolese. Although my medical background extended only to administering liquid Tylenol to my young children, my heart was willing to serve. And I did by reviewing medications and instructions with the patients before they left clinic. With flip-flopped feet caked in dirt and sweat s

…I mean spiritually. The truth is we are attacked often and many aren’t even aware of it. They say … it’s just a coincidence… or I’m just having a really bad day. Have you ever woke up one morning and thought to your self, “What’s wrong me today?!?!… I’m a little off and I don’t know why”? These are just a few examples of attacks. The truth is, the more you are doing for the Lord, the more Satan will try to keep you from doing it … OR, at the very least, he will try to make y

So … I said I wasn’t going to post this week, but God is showing me otherwise. He’s testing me to see if I really meant what I said in my last post about surrender. I mentioned that we were going on vacay this week. We’re in Birmingham, AL visiting my family for the weekend and our plan is to head to the gulf on Monday for the week… but it’s looking like old Isaac is going to put a damper on things. If you know me, vacations are my escape. What I look forward to… and now a

If you know me well, you know that I have wanted to have a little girl for many years now. This week was my big ultrasound and … I’m excited to say … “ WE’RE HAVING A BABY GIRL !!!”… And yes, I cried a little when the tech told me. As she poked on my belly with the magic wand and all sorts of images popped up on the screen, It went something like this … Christie – “ That’s a wee wee isn’t it?” Tech – “Nope. That’s NOT a wee wee.” Christie – “Really!?!?” (obviously I don’t kno

Since stepping off the plane from Africa this past November , I’ve done my best to listen to what the Lord’s calling me to do and most importantly, to OBEY. God doesn’t show us the big picture. His plans require small steps…. Step by step… One day at a time . He does it this way, for many reasons …so we will depend on Him, instead of trying to make our own plans…so we won’t try to figure things out on our own… and so we won’t get overwhelmed. It is so freeing and a relief to

We all compare ourselves to others in some way. The question is how do you? In the looks or size department? How about personality? Whose got the most “toys” (see Not Enough and Test Me )? Sucess? Better Spouse and kids? Most activities? Mine is appearance… more specifically size. If you are a woman, fess up, we all deal with this to some extent. I think we look at other girls, as much if not more than guys do, out of envy or covetness. We must realize, in God’s eyes, that

My last post (1%) was about how we have this poor me, we don’t have enough money perspective. My friends, we are so blessed even if you are not the 1%. So, now that we know this, what do we do if we’re living paycheck to paycheck and have no margin??? FIRST, Recognize how we got there. In this world, there is a backwards approach to stewardship… a careless attitude to money management and a warped thinking of “I deserve more.” We all do it … We compare our situation and bel

Have you ever caught yourself saying or thinking … – Why is money always so tight?!?! – Poor me, we never have extra money! – If I had more money, then I would give… – I will be able to give one day when I have margin… – There is no way I can give right now… Or how about … – THEY have plenty of money … THEY should be giving … – I’m not rich. Whew! Good thing the “camel passing through a needle” verse ( Matthew 6:24 ) doesn’t pertain to me! If this is you … and I admit this WA

Overwhelmed? Overcommitted? Got too much on your plate all of a sudden? Struggle with saying no and trying to please everyone? I totally did it to myself and I’m trying to do it in my own strength….again. My accountability partner gave me some wise advice today… wait for it … “ You put too much pressure on yourself. Just chill and give yourself some grace .” Profound, isnt it? My first thought was … I can’t… I have to get this… and this done… And, then the stress and anxiety

So, the thing I’ve been preaching is transparency… tell your story. However, the Lord reminded me, its not just about what I am overcoming, but also struggles I’m in the midst of. Well, here goes… I’m in a dry spell with my time with the Lord. I want to be in His presence. I want to hear Him. I want to be spiritually hungry. I want to be and have the desire to spend my time with Him. I want that to be the first thing on my mind when I wake. I want to have that consistent and

Picture this . My youngest, Connor, absolutely loves his cars… I mean to the point of obsession. Ever since I can remember, he has to have at least one hot wheels car in his hand at all times. Many times it’s a car between each finger. Sometimes it’s even with both hands. They are the first thing he asks for when he wakes in the morning. And what he wants when he is upset. Thankfully, I did put my foot down very early on and he doesn’t sleep with or sit at the table to eat wi

Anybody ever hear this one running through their minds? I’m sure there are many of us. Whether it’s from a voice given to the desire to be perfect or a condemning voice from past experiences, it’s all doing the same thing… keeping us from the abundant life God has freely given. ( John 10:10 ) Some of you know this was my number one lie… a constant tapping on my shoulder. From there, other lies began to take hold and steal my joy… “I’ve got to be better”…”I’m a mess”… “I don’t