Good morning my sisters-
Christmas is almost here and the world is in utter turmoil but there is hope. Where you might ask? It's in the laugh of a little child, in the smile of someone who just turned 80 or in your teenager as they think they have pulled one over on you. Life has hope everywhere. It's in the moon rising in the sky as the sun has set or when you see two jets close to one another. Maybe it's when a nurse says there right here for you
or a doctor gives you a ray of hope. It's in the wind as it whips through the wheat and it's in a dog's tongue as it licks you and tells you life is good. Everywhere there are signs of hope and yet this season can make you feel as if there's no hope. I'm going to argue with you on that. Jesus brought hope to Israel, He brought hope to the gentile and He brought hope to the world.
Our brothers and sisters are being persecuted in other lands and it's time for us to pray. The miracle of Christmas is not in the presents and the beautiful tree, it's in the prayers of the righteous. Please take a moment this Christmas and pray for those that are standing up for Christ. He is the reason for the season!
Have a beautiful day.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Sunday, December 20, 2015
Be still and know that I am God
Good morning-
The end of this year is creeping up on us and all I can think about is the lesson God has etched on my heart. All year, I have heard "Be still and know that I am God." It's something that people that are driven have a hard time doing. I have no problem believing in God but I have a huge problem in being still. Still to me means sleeping and even there my dreams are vivid, busy and often very confusing. I've gotten very used to being busy, running when I should walk and only collapsing when my head hits the pillow. So I've asked my self over and over, why does Jesus constantly remind me to be still?
Being still means you can hear. I'm used to doing five things at the same time but it's been in the quiet, between me and the keyboard with no noise, no people and just the wind whipping against the window pane that I have heard God. Not audibly of course but deep in my spirit. My cousin sent me a family tree necklace today and I was in awe of it's beauty. God promised Abraham He would be the Father of nations. Do you believe that Abraham and his faithfulness brought you to this day? I hope you do because it's that promise that continues until Christ comes back for us. Obviously, Abraham must have spent time with God, scripture says he did. During those times is when this immense blessing was proclaimed. It wasn't when he was toiling on the earth, it came when he sat still and let God reveal His vision to him. That's the key I think most of us miss in this technological highway. How do we remain still when emails are popping on our computers and phones as fast as we can read them? We are surrounded by television, radio, Internet and cell phones. When do we have time to be still and know that God is who He said He was?
So this morning as I rounded the corner to get my first cup of coffee, I decided to sit down and write what's most on my heart as Christmas approaches. It's not how fast the year has gone or that my birthday is around the corner, it's about the gift of clarification, peace and understanding Jesus has given me this year. He has directed my path, increased my faith and rewarded me as I sat still waiting on Him for so many things. I am the luckiest girl in the world because I've come out of a trial more faithful, full of immense hope and looking forward to the adventure before me. I have less fear, more hope and a tremendous thankfulness in my heart that although life isn't easy, God will always be near and when I'm still I can hear from Him.
This Christmas is not about the presents for me, that being said my husband bought me a really cool refrigerator but that's not the best gift I've been given this year. The best gift I've been given this year is the realization that I've moved from my head to my spirit. I've realized that all provision comes from my Savior. He has bended me just like a tree that has ice on it. It doesn't break, it just moves toward the earth and as the ice melts the tree pops up stronger, higher and reaching for the hope of the sun. There is hope on this earth even in the midst of all the evil. In order for us to keep this hope alive we must pray for our sisters in the US and abroad. We must not fall to the fear of foreigners and welcome the love of Christ. Evil is everywhere. We shouldn't fool ourselves to believe we can protect ourselves. Only through Christ can there be protection. Ladies it's time we heard from our God. It's time we got on our knees and proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ and it's time we let Him walk beside us, go in front of us and remain strong in Him. I for one have benefited from the moments I've spent with Him. I have prayed more, read more and sought Him more in this year than in any other year in my life. Why you might ask? I found it in Scripture this week. I had to be sifted in order to bring women to Him. I have been sifted and through it all I have found the only sustainable thing on earth, faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on this year, look up and thank Jesus for every joy and every disappointment. Ask Him to really show you the good in the year. And if you've experienced, war, a wayward child, death or despair, know Jesus walks with you and when your still all things are possible through our Lord and Savior!
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV
Join me in a Christmas prayer:
O, Lord Jesus as we come to celebrate Your birth we ask that You would unite nations, change hearts and surround evil with Your power. We believe in the promise You provided to Abraham. He became the father of nations. Your people are all over the world, generations were proclaimed so long ago and now they are spread thousands of miles apart. We need You to open eyes, bring hope to the hopeless and more importantly, guide your warriors to our knees. Let this Christmas be more than lights and children's squeals as they open presents. Let this Christmas be about kindness toward one another and a cry for "Peace on Earth!" But most importantly, let this Christmas season be about being still and providing a vision for your people to look for their Savior. We thank You for Your awesome power and Your holy word that one day You would come and rescue Your bride! Power and Glory to You our risen Savior who was and is to come....AMEN
The end of this year is creeping up on us and all I can think about is the lesson God has etched on my heart. All year, I have heard "Be still and know that I am God." It's something that people that are driven have a hard time doing. I have no problem believing in God but I have a huge problem in being still. Still to me means sleeping and even there my dreams are vivid, busy and often very confusing. I've gotten very used to being busy, running when I should walk and only collapsing when my head hits the pillow. So I've asked my self over and over, why does Jesus constantly remind me to be still?
Being still means you can hear. I'm used to doing five things at the same time but it's been in the quiet, between me and the keyboard with no noise, no people and just the wind whipping against the window pane that I have heard God. Not audibly of course but deep in my spirit. My cousin sent me a family tree necklace today and I was in awe of it's beauty. God promised Abraham He would be the Father of nations. Do you believe that Abraham and his faithfulness brought you to this day? I hope you do because it's that promise that continues until Christ comes back for us. Obviously, Abraham must have spent time with God, scripture says he did. During those times is when this immense blessing was proclaimed. It wasn't when he was toiling on the earth, it came when he sat still and let God reveal His vision to him. That's the key I think most of us miss in this technological highway. How do we remain still when emails are popping on our computers and phones as fast as we can read them? We are surrounded by television, radio, Internet and cell phones. When do we have time to be still and know that God is who He said He was?
So this morning as I rounded the corner to get my first cup of coffee, I decided to sit down and write what's most on my heart as Christmas approaches. It's not how fast the year has gone or that my birthday is around the corner, it's about the gift of clarification, peace and understanding Jesus has given me this year. He has directed my path, increased my faith and rewarded me as I sat still waiting on Him for so many things. I am the luckiest girl in the world because I've come out of a trial more faithful, full of immense hope and looking forward to the adventure before me. I have less fear, more hope and a tremendous thankfulness in my heart that although life isn't easy, God will always be near and when I'm still I can hear from Him.
This Christmas is not about the presents for me, that being said my husband bought me a really cool refrigerator but that's not the best gift I've been given this year. The best gift I've been given this year is the realization that I've moved from my head to my spirit. I've realized that all provision comes from my Savior. He has bended me just like a tree that has ice on it. It doesn't break, it just moves toward the earth and as the ice melts the tree pops up stronger, higher and reaching for the hope of the sun. There is hope on this earth even in the midst of all the evil. In order for us to keep this hope alive we must pray for our sisters in the US and abroad. We must not fall to the fear of foreigners and welcome the love of Christ. Evil is everywhere. We shouldn't fool ourselves to believe we can protect ourselves. Only through Christ can there be protection. Ladies it's time we heard from our God. It's time we got on our knees and proclaimed the name of Jesus Christ and it's time we let Him walk beside us, go in front of us and remain strong in Him. I for one have benefited from the moments I've spent with Him. I have prayed more, read more and sought Him more in this year than in any other year in my life. Why you might ask? I found it in Scripture this week. I had to be sifted in order to bring women to Him. I have been sifted and through it all I have found the only sustainable thing on earth, faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
As you reflect on this year, look up and thank Jesus for every joy and every disappointment. Ask Him to really show you the good in the year. And if you've experienced, war, a wayward child, death or despair, know Jesus walks with you and when your still all things are possible through our Lord and Savior!
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV
Join me in a Christmas prayer:
O, Lord Jesus as we come to celebrate Your birth we ask that You would unite nations, change hearts and surround evil with Your power. We believe in the promise You provided to Abraham. He became the father of nations. Your people are all over the world, generations were proclaimed so long ago and now they are spread thousands of miles apart. We need You to open eyes, bring hope to the hopeless and more importantly, guide your warriors to our knees. Let this Christmas be more than lights and children's squeals as they open presents. Let this Christmas be about kindness toward one another and a cry for "Peace on Earth!" But most importantly, let this Christmas season be about being still and providing a vision for your people to look for their Savior. We thank You for Your awesome power and Your holy word that one day You would come and rescue Your bride! Power and Glory to You our risen Savior who was and is to come....AMEN
Saturday, December 12, 2015
What happened to dreaming big...
Good morning all-
The question of the day is what happened to dreaming big? You know when you were a little girl and you dreamed of your family, your job, your new invention or just baking a cake. How about dressing up and imagining yourself as the fairy princess in the latest Cinderella film? All of us had dreams. Dreams that were so much larger than ourselves. And yet, as life ticked by, we lost sight of those gigantic dreams. Why? Reality set in, that's why.
I had a dream to be a doctor, that got thrown out because I couldn't pass Physics. Then I was going to be a journalist, oh that got thrown out too. And then, I was going to be a great Historian, well that didn't happen either. So in a span of four years, three of my very ambitious dreams got washed away, never to be thought of again, until today. Today, I was thinking of one of my very large dreams. I prayed that I would go into business with my husband. This dream happened long before I met my husband and do you know what happened this year, my husband started up a business and I am his financial and business advisor. How did that come to fruition? Honestly, I don't know. I've thought about it. Maybe it was my boss taking the time to teach me about the fundamentals of small business financials or maybe it was the opportunity I was given to help run a business, either way I'm still not sure. So three of my dreams were washed deep within the ground and one became a reality. Now I have other dreams like writing a book and speaking to women throughout the world, will that come true? Time will tell. The point I'm trying to make is that as our dreams are washed away so is the vision, excitement and expectation that our dreams can come true.
This year has been full of dreams that have been squashed and opportunities that have been given. When I look at this year I realize that God has had His hand in all things and that I need to dream bigger, believe more and let God take the wheel. I love having the wheel and up until this last year my driving was excellent. I was the NASCAR champion of my career. No one could stop me. I had propelled to the pinnacle of all my hard work. Well nothing is perfect and I hit a road block or two, I didn't die or even have severe injuries but I did have a concussion for a while. It took a great amount of prayer for me to see that my opportunities are endless and I can make good of a very difficult situation. I have learned that I'm not perfect. Crazy to think I was anyway. I really believed I understood people but I didn't. I really believed that as long as I cared, people would care back, not so much. And finally, I believed that my hard work and production would always be enough. Well it hasn't been. My life is not perfect, I'm not perfect, people aren't perfect and I still want to dream.
Writing my life goals and producing them into fruition has been my mantra. I don't let "NO" impact my ability to perform. I don't let what you think about me defeat me and I don't stop until I achieve. I am in control, right? Wrong. Although those things are admirable in the world, I'm not sure they are for God. Goals are wonderful and I believe we should set them but they are not the end all of this life. Every moment of the day, I'm thinking about how to achieve my goals. What's left then for God to guide me, watch over me and produce fruit from my life? Not much. I've orchestrated everything weighing out the risk and the reward but I've left something out, my dreams. Why do we squash our dreams? I have because I had to provide. Provision has been my compass and my entire focus and somewhere in that word, I began to believe I was actually responsible to provide for everyone. What about Jesus, where was He? Was He sitting on the sidelines? No, He was waiting for me to be still, which by the way I'm horrible at. My mind goes as fast as one of those race cars. It propels around a track in less than 30 seconds and can solve problems, multi-task and rationalize all within the same time period. It's a super highway of thoughts, feelings, and risk modeling. I would hate to actually look inside. So how does a person like me be still you might ask? The answer: God brings me to my knees. There is no greater way to get someone like me to slow down and listen than to put up obstacles I just can't scale alone. That's how He got to me this year. He put up road block after road block and with each one I found myself deeper in Scripture, more in tune with needing Him and praying until I didn't think I could pray anymore. And this week, He got in, finally.
Having dreams is not wrong? As a matter of fact, I think that's how God inspires us to be better. Having dreams and believing your in control, that you can make them happen, that's the wrong part. We must step forward and at the same time realize that Jesus will fulfill them if they are in His will. Telling someone they aren't good at something is not going to take away a vision from God. I'm not good at math and yet, I can do accounting. How did that happen? Because God wanted it to happen, that's how. My childhood dream and prayer to be in business with my mate came true years after I prayed it. As a matter of fact, I had forgotten about it until this week when I was still. Dreams come to us when we aren't trying to solve the world's issues. They are inspired and when your a believer they are God inspired. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve anything you dream. You can and you will if God is the captain of your ship. Be at peace, don't try to figure out all the details, let Jesus gently guide you, just as He did for His disciples. Jesus prayed for Peter because He knew the path Peter would take. If He did it for him, He's done it for us. I leave you today with Jesus' prayer for Peter. I've made it an image on my bible app so that I can remember He prayed for me too.
May your dreams propel you toward our Lord and Savior and may He make them a reality for His glory!
Luke 22:31-33 NIV
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked me to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
The question of the day is what happened to dreaming big? You know when you were a little girl and you dreamed of your family, your job, your new invention or just baking a cake. How about dressing up and imagining yourself as the fairy princess in the latest Cinderella film? All of us had dreams. Dreams that were so much larger than ourselves. And yet, as life ticked by, we lost sight of those gigantic dreams. Why? Reality set in, that's why.
I had a dream to be a doctor, that got thrown out because I couldn't pass Physics. Then I was going to be a journalist, oh that got thrown out too. And then, I was going to be a great Historian, well that didn't happen either. So in a span of four years, three of my very ambitious dreams got washed away, never to be thought of again, until today. Today, I was thinking of one of my very large dreams. I prayed that I would go into business with my husband. This dream happened long before I met my husband and do you know what happened this year, my husband started up a business and I am his financial and business advisor. How did that come to fruition? Honestly, I don't know. I've thought about it. Maybe it was my boss taking the time to teach me about the fundamentals of small business financials or maybe it was the opportunity I was given to help run a business, either way I'm still not sure. So three of my dreams were washed deep within the ground and one became a reality. Now I have other dreams like writing a book and speaking to women throughout the world, will that come true? Time will tell. The point I'm trying to make is that as our dreams are washed away so is the vision, excitement and expectation that our dreams can come true.
This year has been full of dreams that have been squashed and opportunities that have been given. When I look at this year I realize that God has had His hand in all things and that I need to dream bigger, believe more and let God take the wheel. I love having the wheel and up until this last year my driving was excellent. I was the NASCAR champion of my career. No one could stop me. I had propelled to the pinnacle of all my hard work. Well nothing is perfect and I hit a road block or two, I didn't die or even have severe injuries but I did have a concussion for a while. It took a great amount of prayer for me to see that my opportunities are endless and I can make good of a very difficult situation. I have learned that I'm not perfect. Crazy to think I was anyway. I really believed I understood people but I didn't. I really believed that as long as I cared, people would care back, not so much. And finally, I believed that my hard work and production would always be enough. Well it hasn't been. My life is not perfect, I'm not perfect, people aren't perfect and I still want to dream.
Writing my life goals and producing them into fruition has been my mantra. I don't let "NO" impact my ability to perform. I don't let what you think about me defeat me and I don't stop until I achieve. I am in control, right? Wrong. Although those things are admirable in the world, I'm not sure they are for God. Goals are wonderful and I believe we should set them but they are not the end all of this life. Every moment of the day, I'm thinking about how to achieve my goals. What's left then for God to guide me, watch over me and produce fruit from my life? Not much. I've orchestrated everything weighing out the risk and the reward but I've left something out, my dreams. Why do we squash our dreams? I have because I had to provide. Provision has been my compass and my entire focus and somewhere in that word, I began to believe I was actually responsible to provide for everyone. What about Jesus, where was He? Was He sitting on the sidelines? No, He was waiting for me to be still, which by the way I'm horrible at. My mind goes as fast as one of those race cars. It propels around a track in less than 30 seconds and can solve problems, multi-task and rationalize all within the same time period. It's a super highway of thoughts, feelings, and risk modeling. I would hate to actually look inside. So how does a person like me be still you might ask? The answer: God brings me to my knees. There is no greater way to get someone like me to slow down and listen than to put up obstacles I just can't scale alone. That's how He got to me this year. He put up road block after road block and with each one I found myself deeper in Scripture, more in tune with needing Him and praying until I didn't think I could pray anymore. And this week, He got in, finally.
Having dreams is not wrong? As a matter of fact, I think that's how God inspires us to be better. Having dreams and believing your in control, that you can make them happen, that's the wrong part. We must step forward and at the same time realize that Jesus will fulfill them if they are in His will. Telling someone they aren't good at something is not going to take away a vision from God. I'm not good at math and yet, I can do accounting. How did that happen? Because God wanted it to happen, that's how. My childhood dream and prayer to be in business with my mate came true years after I prayed it. As a matter of fact, I had forgotten about it until this week when I was still. Dreams come to us when we aren't trying to solve the world's issues. They are inspired and when your a believer they are God inspired. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve anything you dream. You can and you will if God is the captain of your ship. Be at peace, don't try to figure out all the details, let Jesus gently guide you, just as He did for His disciples. Jesus prayed for Peter because He knew the path Peter would take. If He did it for him, He's done it for us. I leave you today with Jesus' prayer for Peter. I've made it an image on my bible app so that I can remember He prayed for me too.
May your dreams propel you toward our Lord and Savior and may He make them a reality for His glory!
Luke 22:31-33 NIV
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked me to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Friday, November 20, 2015
My year of YES!
Good morning all-
I have just finished a really good book. It's called, "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes. Now I need to preface this with the fact that I didn't even know who she was until Sunday night. Some of you may be saying, what? I know but I just don't watch a lot of television. I'm too busy. I have a house to take care of, a job and my husband's company to run. I don't have time to veg by the television Thursday night to watch the trio written by Shonda and that's why my channel searching and falling onto the OWN channel just as she was answering Oprah's question is so incredibly awesome.
I have been working on taking care of myself. I am eating smaller portions, working smarter, traveling better and working out. I'm trying to remember that if I don't give something to myself, I won't be anything to anyone else and people depend on me to sell, take care of the house, cook and do the books. People need things from me but I need to do something for myself because this year has flown by and I don't have anything to show for it really. So as I began to get on my husband's bike to go four boring miles(you all know what I'm saying), I turned the television on and I hear Soul Sunday, so I stop, watch it for a second and start riding and everything in my life started to change. One minute, one bike, one channel and then light.
Jesus is my reason to live so if you read her book and start disagreeing, just take a moment and put her journey into the story of Jesus. She wants to love, she needs to love and she hasn't ever loved herself until her year of yes. I saw Jesus all over it. Now if you buy the book and I suggest you do, you may judge me but I can honestly say that every page I turned, I saw Jesus transforming, creating and lifting up. I saw redemption and joy.
This life isn't easy and great women that become warriors aren't great because they were born with a silver spoon, never had hard times or walked in grace all their lives. Great women overcome challenges, scale tall walls and endure hard circumstances. They learn to give of themselves to survive and what drives them is their insecurity and drive to be the best in a world that constantly will knock you down. So yes, I loved the book and yes, I saw Jesus and yes, I believe He alone brought me to OWN for that moment. It's not about the universe or a higher power; It's God!
If you've read this blog you've been part of my challenging year. I have fought and won. I have found peace or what I thought was peace in the storm and I have sought to challenge myself in the face of much adversity. I have not failed this year. I have learned and with every lesson comes enlightenment and right now reading Shonda's book may have opened my eyes in a way I never thought possible. In some ways she and I share commonalities. We both love to read, to create and to dream. And just like her, I held in everything I thought and felt. I closeted my eating to help me with the stresses of life and I succumbed to sitting at home, going to bed early and sleeping rather than living. I hid and hid and hid. I even hid behind this keyboard. It's so easy to write out what I think but it's much harder for me to share these same feelings one on one. I'm a lion behind the keyboard but a mouse in my personal life. Well I'm shedding that and every other thing I've carried in my life. I was made for this time and I'm going to hit it head on.
I love to work. I was made to work. The greater the challenge the more I want to conquer it. If you don't like me, I will work to make you like me. If you think I'm a failure, I'll show you I'm not. If you think I can't do something, I will because I learned very young no one was going to lift me up, wipe me off and look into my blue eyes and say, "Lisa, I'm your savior." No one, that is, except for Jesus. And once again, I'm in a room by myself and Jesus appears. I'm a thinker. I think about everything. I stifle my emotions, have a hard time telling someone they made me angry and hate to be mad because when I'm mad, I have no sense. So I learned young, as the popular people were picking on me, making fun of me and even the nerds excluded me, to stifle all emotion. I pushed it down. I worked at having a shell of pride and I never let anyone tell me I couldn't do it but through the years I have also let fear and worry creep into my life, my dreams and my hope. Jesus is not worry, He's freedom. And yet the bondage of my youth has crept into every part of me and as I finished this wonderful book I realized this was my year of yes.
I'm sure you think I'm crazy. How does a book make you say, "YES?" Well how did six words from a sister change Shonda's life, you'll have to read the book because it really is very special. For me, it was as simple as saying, she's just like you. She loves to work. She loves her kids. She wants to be the best mother and the best working woman. She needs to be creative as much as she needs to breathe and she loves control. Guess what? If this was an algebraic equation, it would equal me. And all of the sudden, I heard that inner voice that really is an introvert, reformed nerd, say, "Why can't I say Yes?" One moment, one thought, could it mean true transformation? My answer is YES. This has been a year of challenge, growth, opportunity and Jesus. Without Him none of this would matter. I don't matter if He's not driving. So yes, I need to do the things that scare me to death. I need to worry less, ride that bike more and revel in the fact that I get to spread the Word of God. I get to, that's just crazy. How does a reformed introvert who is more nerd than anything else, get to? I'm anointed that's how and I'm His and this is my year of yes.
To commemorate this very special moment in my life, I took a note. I'm a goal-oriented person. I put a goal on something and I will meet that goal. I will work for it with verve. I just love that word. So it's on my list. There are fifteen very specific things I am going to say YES to this year and I'm going to look at them every morning after I've read my Bible and have asked God to lead me. It's time to be the butterfly and not the caterpillar. It's time to experience the blessings God has bestowed on me and those I tell everyone else to celebrate. It's time for me to be one with Jesus and transform into an all believing, all seeking soldier with all the wounds befitting to a great warrior. My wounds are His reward. I need to embrace that, you need to embrace it and you need to say YES to your fears. It's time that the women of God stand up in faith and believe we are strong because of Jesus. We are not faint, we don't need to stand on the sidelines, we need to embrace the power of the cross and live!
Lord make us mighty warriors for you in every way, not just in this moment but for generations to come. Please bless my year of YES and gather me unto You as I face my fears, surrender my worries and look up! Your the only reason I need to live and Lord I want to live with my whole heart. IN JESUS NAME I ASK THIS, AMEN
I have just finished a really good book. It's called, "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes. Now I need to preface this with the fact that I didn't even know who she was until Sunday night. Some of you may be saying, what? I know but I just don't watch a lot of television. I'm too busy. I have a house to take care of, a job and my husband's company to run. I don't have time to veg by the television Thursday night to watch the trio written by Shonda and that's why my channel searching and falling onto the OWN channel just as she was answering Oprah's question is so incredibly awesome.
I have been working on taking care of myself. I am eating smaller portions, working smarter, traveling better and working out. I'm trying to remember that if I don't give something to myself, I won't be anything to anyone else and people depend on me to sell, take care of the house, cook and do the books. People need things from me but I need to do something for myself because this year has flown by and I don't have anything to show for it really. So as I began to get on my husband's bike to go four boring miles(you all know what I'm saying), I turned the television on and I hear Soul Sunday, so I stop, watch it for a second and start riding and everything in my life started to change. One minute, one bike, one channel and then light.
Jesus is my reason to live so if you read her book and start disagreeing, just take a moment and put her journey into the story of Jesus. She wants to love, she needs to love and she hasn't ever loved herself until her year of yes. I saw Jesus all over it. Now if you buy the book and I suggest you do, you may judge me but I can honestly say that every page I turned, I saw Jesus transforming, creating and lifting up. I saw redemption and joy.
This life isn't easy and great women that become warriors aren't great because they were born with a silver spoon, never had hard times or walked in grace all their lives. Great women overcome challenges, scale tall walls and endure hard circumstances. They learn to give of themselves to survive and what drives them is their insecurity and drive to be the best in a world that constantly will knock you down. So yes, I loved the book and yes, I saw Jesus and yes, I believe He alone brought me to OWN for that moment. It's not about the universe or a higher power; It's God!
If you've read this blog you've been part of my challenging year. I have fought and won. I have found peace or what I thought was peace in the storm and I have sought to challenge myself in the face of much adversity. I have not failed this year. I have learned and with every lesson comes enlightenment and right now reading Shonda's book may have opened my eyes in a way I never thought possible. In some ways she and I share commonalities. We both love to read, to create and to dream. And just like her, I held in everything I thought and felt. I closeted my eating to help me with the stresses of life and I succumbed to sitting at home, going to bed early and sleeping rather than living. I hid and hid and hid. I even hid behind this keyboard. It's so easy to write out what I think but it's much harder for me to share these same feelings one on one. I'm a lion behind the keyboard but a mouse in my personal life. Well I'm shedding that and every other thing I've carried in my life. I was made for this time and I'm going to hit it head on.
I love to work. I was made to work. The greater the challenge the more I want to conquer it. If you don't like me, I will work to make you like me. If you think I'm a failure, I'll show you I'm not. If you think I can't do something, I will because I learned very young no one was going to lift me up, wipe me off and look into my blue eyes and say, "Lisa, I'm your savior." No one, that is, except for Jesus. And once again, I'm in a room by myself and Jesus appears. I'm a thinker. I think about everything. I stifle my emotions, have a hard time telling someone they made me angry and hate to be mad because when I'm mad, I have no sense. So I learned young, as the popular people were picking on me, making fun of me and even the nerds excluded me, to stifle all emotion. I pushed it down. I worked at having a shell of pride and I never let anyone tell me I couldn't do it but through the years I have also let fear and worry creep into my life, my dreams and my hope. Jesus is not worry, He's freedom. And yet the bondage of my youth has crept into every part of me and as I finished this wonderful book I realized this was my year of yes.
I'm sure you think I'm crazy. How does a book make you say, "YES?" Well how did six words from a sister change Shonda's life, you'll have to read the book because it really is very special. For me, it was as simple as saying, she's just like you. She loves to work. She loves her kids. She wants to be the best mother and the best working woman. She needs to be creative as much as she needs to breathe and she loves control. Guess what? If this was an algebraic equation, it would equal me. And all of the sudden, I heard that inner voice that really is an introvert, reformed nerd, say, "Why can't I say Yes?" One moment, one thought, could it mean true transformation? My answer is YES. This has been a year of challenge, growth, opportunity and Jesus. Without Him none of this would matter. I don't matter if He's not driving. So yes, I need to do the things that scare me to death. I need to worry less, ride that bike more and revel in the fact that I get to spread the Word of God. I get to, that's just crazy. How does a reformed introvert who is more nerd than anything else, get to? I'm anointed that's how and I'm His and this is my year of yes.
To commemorate this very special moment in my life, I took a note. I'm a goal-oriented person. I put a goal on something and I will meet that goal. I will work for it with verve. I just love that word. So it's on my list. There are fifteen very specific things I am going to say YES to this year and I'm going to look at them every morning after I've read my Bible and have asked God to lead me. It's time to be the butterfly and not the caterpillar. It's time to experience the blessings God has bestowed on me and those I tell everyone else to celebrate. It's time for me to be one with Jesus and transform into an all believing, all seeking soldier with all the wounds befitting to a great warrior. My wounds are His reward. I need to embrace that, you need to embrace it and you need to say YES to your fears. It's time that the women of God stand up in faith and believe we are strong because of Jesus. We are not faint, we don't need to stand on the sidelines, we need to embrace the power of the cross and live!
Lord make us mighty warriors for you in every way, not just in this moment but for generations to come. Please bless my year of YES and gather me unto You as I face my fears, surrender my worries and look up! Your the only reason I need to live and Lord I want to live with my whole heart. IN JESUS NAME I ASK THIS, AMEN
Monday, November 9, 2015
Pray for the World....
Good morning-
I just wanted to reach out today and encourage you all to pray for your countries, this world and Israel. Strange things are taking place and I think the one thing God is calling us to do is to repent and to look for Him. We continue to have food supplies wiped out by drought, storms and disease. The earth is growling and in Kansas this last week on the 7th day of November there were 7 earthquakes in 7 hours, strange you might say but it's definitely something to think about.
On top of those things, Israel is facing huge challenges. North Korea, Russia and ISIS would love to destroy other countries and people groups and with all that chaos we are losing another generation to laziness, drugs and a sense of apathy for God.
So this morning, I prayed for the hills of Mount Zion to protect Israel. I prayed a crown of thorns around my family and especially my kids and I prayed at lunch that God would protect all of us as we repent and look for Him. It's a shame that it takes the rumors of wars, famine, floods and fire to make us look toward Him. It's a shame that God needs to shake us up so that we quit being apathetic and we move toward Him. I'm in prayer not about all the situations that are happening but about repentance, mine and everyone else's sin. I need Jesus to envelope me and to make me see the power of the cross and so do you.
Instead of second guessing what's to come or looking for signs, which God promises will be there, let's just get down on our knees and pray for mercy. That's what I'm doing and so should you.
Remember to pray:
I just wanted to reach out today and encourage you all to pray for your countries, this world and Israel. Strange things are taking place and I think the one thing God is calling us to do is to repent and to look for Him. We continue to have food supplies wiped out by drought, storms and disease. The earth is growling and in Kansas this last week on the 7th day of November there were 7 earthquakes in 7 hours, strange you might say but it's definitely something to think about.
On top of those things, Israel is facing huge challenges. North Korea, Russia and ISIS would love to destroy other countries and people groups and with all that chaos we are losing another generation to laziness, drugs and a sense of apathy for God.
So this morning, I prayed for the hills of Mount Zion to protect Israel. I prayed a crown of thorns around my family and especially my kids and I prayed at lunch that God would protect all of us as we repent and look for Him. It's a shame that it takes the rumors of wars, famine, floods and fire to make us look toward Him. It's a shame that God needs to shake us up so that we quit being apathetic and we move toward Him. I'm in prayer not about all the situations that are happening but about repentance, mine and everyone else's sin. I need Jesus to envelope me and to make me see the power of the cross and so do you.
Instead of second guessing what's to come or looking for signs, which God promises will be there, let's just get down on our knees and pray for mercy. That's what I'm doing and so should you.
Remember to pray:
- Nations bow down to Jesus
- People repent of their sin
- God would protect our families by the crown of thorns He wore on the cross
- Pray that all nations would be under God, invisible!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
What would happen if we got our way?
Good morning all-
Have you ever wondered what would happen if God just granted our every desire? I'm not sure why I've been thinking about that one question so much but I have. Recently, I picked up one of Beth Moore's studies and I'm going through the Psalms of Ascent. It's eye opening in the sense that I've been through a time where God needed to change me and make me new and so I think the passage makes so more sense then it did before I went through that trial.
There are so many things I've dreamed of in my life. I wanted a faithful husband and I have one. I wanted to be a princess and instead I'm a working girl. I wanted a daughter and instead I got two beautiful sons. I wanted to take care of my parents financially but they both died before I could do that. I wanted to be a manager of people which I achieved but with some hard knocks along the way.
There are always things people have in their hearts. We want to run before we can walk, that's the nature of the sin in our heart. God called us to walk first, right? Otherwise we would have a million 10-12 month olds running before they walked and we would never keep up. There is order in everything and yet, most think they know what's best for their lives, when in reality only God knows.
It took me the last nine months to realize that God was before me. It also took me that long to realize that I like who I am and I'm not going to change it. And finally, it took me that long to realize that it was best for God to get His way over my way. He had the answer, the timing and the direction all along. Thank you Jesus for not letting me have my way!
David has always been one of my most favorite people in the Bible because I recognize him as a Hero, a King, an Adulterer and a man after God's own heart. Take a moment and read those words again, do you see the painted picture? He had it all and then committed sin and then became a man after God's own heart. When I read the words in the Psalms, I get the picture of a man who knew how to be on His knees. I get his struggles, his need to seek wisdom and His unbelievable knack to cry out to God, not just when he needed Him but every time he needed God. I know I don't always do that and there are religions that teach you not to do that. They call it selfish, right? Well then tell me how a man after God's own heart was selfish in doing so, I don't think our Father would agree.
It's when we are on our knees thinking about the Scripture and one with Jesus that I believe He shows us why we didn't get what we wanted. I think it's in the silence when no one knows what we're doing that we find the answers to the perplexity of this life. I believe there is a holy battle over your life and your either going to let God go before you with all the answers or your going to choose the path that makes you run before you walk, which is not the way God intended. Countries will eventually be crushed if they don't turn toward God, floods of great magnitude will wipe out generations if we don't turn to God, financial empires will be crushed if we don't turn to God and unfortunately for us, when we want to be spoiled and secure in the world we won't see God's hand guiding us through the rough waters and the spiritual battles.
I'm done being my own direction driver. It hasn't done much for me. Oh, I have achieved what the world sees as good but I would rather receive the lesson I learned this year because my eyes are focused on something far greater than myself. I'm glad He didn't deliver everything to me I asked for because I needed to be tested, tried and put into a situation where He was the only foundation I needed. I've learned many things through this trial but what I've learned most of all is being humble, setting my feet firmly in Scripture and repentance which is more important than being the greatest mom, the top salesman, the greatest accountant or the best manager, those are worldly things. Don't get me wrong, I'm always going to strive for those things because that's who God made me. And yet, I hope I've learned a lesson that I will take to my grave. I hope that I've learned that God will make me walk when I want to run. He will make me quiet when I want to defend. He will give me wisdom when I want to commit folly and He will build my house. All I have to do is submit.
Rejoice if God has not given you your way. It might be the one lesson that propels you to greatness. In those dark moments I wasn't rejoicing I can promise you that but then I remembered David and I'm sure he had many dark moments seeking our Father in Heaven. It's in the Psalms that we find a man after God's own heart and if I had to fight an inner battle between flesh and God, it was worth not getting my way. I don't have to worry about the battle because God fights for me. He is for me! Do you realize what that means? If He's for this sinner, He's for you too. Take a moment to think about all the things He has done, were they worthy? Did He change your heart, your mind, your direction? I think if we really look at the impact of what He has shown us along the way, we will see that our direction or really our desires were important to us but not important to His plan.
God delivers us even when we aren't seeing. That's my comfort and that's why I've rejoiced in giving up my direction to walk instead of run. His plan is PERFECT, ours never is.
May God bless you with these words and may you see what He's trying to show you today. These words are mine but His will can take them and make them into someone's lifeline. I hope He does that for you today as He has for me this year.
Psalm 124 KJV
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Have you ever wondered what would happen if God just granted our every desire? I'm not sure why I've been thinking about that one question so much but I have. Recently, I picked up one of Beth Moore's studies and I'm going through the Psalms of Ascent. It's eye opening in the sense that I've been through a time where God needed to change me and make me new and so I think the passage makes so more sense then it did before I went through that trial.
There are so many things I've dreamed of in my life. I wanted a faithful husband and I have one. I wanted to be a princess and instead I'm a working girl. I wanted a daughter and instead I got two beautiful sons. I wanted to take care of my parents financially but they both died before I could do that. I wanted to be a manager of people which I achieved but with some hard knocks along the way.
There are always things people have in their hearts. We want to run before we can walk, that's the nature of the sin in our heart. God called us to walk first, right? Otherwise we would have a million 10-12 month olds running before they walked and we would never keep up. There is order in everything and yet, most think they know what's best for their lives, when in reality only God knows.
It took me the last nine months to realize that God was before me. It also took me that long to realize that I like who I am and I'm not going to change it. And finally, it took me that long to realize that it was best for God to get His way over my way. He had the answer, the timing and the direction all along. Thank you Jesus for not letting me have my way!
David has always been one of my most favorite people in the Bible because I recognize him as a Hero, a King, an Adulterer and a man after God's own heart. Take a moment and read those words again, do you see the painted picture? He had it all and then committed sin and then became a man after God's own heart. When I read the words in the Psalms, I get the picture of a man who knew how to be on His knees. I get his struggles, his need to seek wisdom and His unbelievable knack to cry out to God, not just when he needed Him but every time he needed God. I know I don't always do that and there are religions that teach you not to do that. They call it selfish, right? Well then tell me how a man after God's own heart was selfish in doing so, I don't think our Father would agree.
It's when we are on our knees thinking about the Scripture and one with Jesus that I believe He shows us why we didn't get what we wanted. I think it's in the silence when no one knows what we're doing that we find the answers to the perplexity of this life. I believe there is a holy battle over your life and your either going to let God go before you with all the answers or your going to choose the path that makes you run before you walk, which is not the way God intended. Countries will eventually be crushed if they don't turn toward God, floods of great magnitude will wipe out generations if we don't turn to God, financial empires will be crushed if we don't turn to God and unfortunately for us, when we want to be spoiled and secure in the world we won't see God's hand guiding us through the rough waters and the spiritual battles.
I'm done being my own direction driver. It hasn't done much for me. Oh, I have achieved what the world sees as good but I would rather receive the lesson I learned this year because my eyes are focused on something far greater than myself. I'm glad He didn't deliver everything to me I asked for because I needed to be tested, tried and put into a situation where He was the only foundation I needed. I've learned many things through this trial but what I've learned most of all is being humble, setting my feet firmly in Scripture and repentance which is more important than being the greatest mom, the top salesman, the greatest accountant or the best manager, those are worldly things. Don't get me wrong, I'm always going to strive for those things because that's who God made me. And yet, I hope I've learned a lesson that I will take to my grave. I hope that I've learned that God will make me walk when I want to run. He will make me quiet when I want to defend. He will give me wisdom when I want to commit folly and He will build my house. All I have to do is submit.
Rejoice if God has not given you your way. It might be the one lesson that propels you to greatness. In those dark moments I wasn't rejoicing I can promise you that but then I remembered David and I'm sure he had many dark moments seeking our Father in Heaven. It's in the Psalms that we find a man after God's own heart and if I had to fight an inner battle between flesh and God, it was worth not getting my way. I don't have to worry about the battle because God fights for me. He is for me! Do you realize what that means? If He's for this sinner, He's for you too. Take a moment to think about all the things He has done, were they worthy? Did He change your heart, your mind, your direction? I think if we really look at the impact of what He has shown us along the way, we will see that our direction or really our desires were important to us but not important to His plan.
God delivers us even when we aren't seeing. That's my comfort and that's why I've rejoiced in giving up my direction to walk instead of run. His plan is PERFECT, ours never is.
May God bless you with these words and may you see what He's trying to show you today. These words are mine but His will can take them and make them into someone's lifeline. I hope He does that for you today as He has for me this year.
Psalm 124 KJV
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Changing direction with faith...
Good morning all-
I woke up this morning way before my alarm clock to what I believe is a true revelation in my life. You know it when you ask the Lord to reveal to you your sin and then He does. In this case, it's really not a total revelation because the sin has been present for most of my life and as it's been revealed this year. Something had to change.
Since I was 24 years old, I have worried about provision. It has been on my shoulders day after day, hour after hour. You probably are wondering what changed for me. My whole life changed because it was that year I became a wife and a mother and the worry set in. Not in my wildest dreams would I have believed that provision would haunt me even 25 years later but it has. Nothing can be more life changing than watching your child be so sick he should be in the hospital but you don't have insurance and there's not enough in your checking account to even write a $50.00 check so that your son can have medical treatment. It was a profound and life changing experience for me and that one event has propelled me to work myself to exhaustion. At this point, you might be asking yourself why? Well it was mostly because if I worked hard enough, I would never have to worry about medical treatment, where I would live or if I could buy food.
Unfortunately, I believe that it's this one sin that has kept me from fulfilling my calling and has been a life sin, one I really wasn't aware of until this year. Who would blame a woman for working hard to support her family? No one. And yet, it is the one thing that has made me miss school events, be away for days at a time, and completely immerse my head into the problems of the day rather than the joy of being present with my kids. That's how one small event can change the course of who you are and where your going.
At this point your probably wondering if I have regrets. Yes but only in the sense that I wish I could have been around more. I don't regret making sure my kids had clothes, food or shelter. I don't regret supporting my husband so that he could do what he loved and I will never regret the calling God gave me to love others and there's been many I have prayed for and loved. At the same time, I have high expectations of people because of my journey, which I believe have decreased in the last couple of months.
So what changed? I started immersing myself into Scripture, I prayed and I asked God to cleanse me and make me new and out of it came this very significant revelation, I only trust myself for provision. Just writing that makes me sick. I often wondered how the Israelites could turn their backs on the manna that rained from the sky and here I am just realizing I'm no better. I'm like the rich man that wanted to follow Jesus but didn't want to sell everything to follow Him. I'm the Israelite who made a golden calf why Moses was on the mountain. I'm part of the crowd who wanted to kill Moses for His words. Pathetic don't you think?
And yet, I have a Father that doesn't give up on a daughter who believes she is the provider. He pursues her and waits patiently until an event changes her whole life and the only place she has to go is to Him. Everything she held sacred is in jeopardy and the only direction she has to run is into His arms and instead of turning her away, He holds her and says, "I've gone before you." And if that weren't enough, He sends her to a Beth Moore event where on her chair is "Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Coincidence, I think not. Each chair was prayed over by a team of women and on my chair was the one thing I most needed to hear because I no longer believed in the security of my hard work. I needed a miracle. I thought He was going to deliver me from my circumstances but instead I found myself, through Christ, by the revealing of my sin and true repentance. I'm not the provider, He is.
So I'm changing direction. I'm not looking for the next great thing I can worry about, like my future, my 401K or even my next step. I'm only looking for His provision. I haven't conquered the need to provide. It will be with me daily as I give it to Him and asking Him to bless those around me first. The last months have been very rough on me personally but the moment I gave up my provision and asked Him to provide the clouds moved out and the sun has never shined brighter. I owe everything to Christ Jesus and I know it. Thank you to a God that pursues us even when we can't see. Thank you mostly to Jesus for loving me enough to reveal this very disfigured mindset, while renewing my heart at the very same time. I owe all to Him and so do you. I'm praying for a change in your direction of faith, go to Him today and ask Him to change your course.
YOU ARE NOT THE PROVIDER, JESUS IS. IT IS BY FAITH THAT HE WILL REVEAL HIMSELF AND MAKE YOU NEW. DON'T WAIT FOR SOMETHING LIFE CHANGING TO HAPPEN, START TODAY BY REPENTING AND BELIEVING HE WILL PROVIDE ALL YOUR NEEDS! HE'S WAITING AND THE ONLY PHONE CALL YOU HAVE TO MAKE IS ON YOUR KNEES.
Rest for the Weary
…27"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…
I woke up this morning way before my alarm clock to what I believe is a true revelation in my life. You know it when you ask the Lord to reveal to you your sin and then He does. In this case, it's really not a total revelation because the sin has been present for most of my life and as it's been revealed this year. Something had to change.
Since I was 24 years old, I have worried about provision. It has been on my shoulders day after day, hour after hour. You probably are wondering what changed for me. My whole life changed because it was that year I became a wife and a mother and the worry set in. Not in my wildest dreams would I have believed that provision would haunt me even 25 years later but it has. Nothing can be more life changing than watching your child be so sick he should be in the hospital but you don't have insurance and there's not enough in your checking account to even write a $50.00 check so that your son can have medical treatment. It was a profound and life changing experience for me and that one event has propelled me to work myself to exhaustion. At this point, you might be asking yourself why? Well it was mostly because if I worked hard enough, I would never have to worry about medical treatment, where I would live or if I could buy food.
Unfortunately, I believe that it's this one sin that has kept me from fulfilling my calling and has been a life sin, one I really wasn't aware of until this year. Who would blame a woman for working hard to support her family? No one. And yet, it is the one thing that has made me miss school events, be away for days at a time, and completely immerse my head into the problems of the day rather than the joy of being present with my kids. That's how one small event can change the course of who you are and where your going.
At this point your probably wondering if I have regrets. Yes but only in the sense that I wish I could have been around more. I don't regret making sure my kids had clothes, food or shelter. I don't regret supporting my husband so that he could do what he loved and I will never regret the calling God gave me to love others and there's been many I have prayed for and loved. At the same time, I have high expectations of people because of my journey, which I believe have decreased in the last couple of months.
So what changed? I started immersing myself into Scripture, I prayed and I asked God to cleanse me and make me new and out of it came this very significant revelation, I only trust myself for provision. Just writing that makes me sick. I often wondered how the Israelites could turn their backs on the manna that rained from the sky and here I am just realizing I'm no better. I'm like the rich man that wanted to follow Jesus but didn't want to sell everything to follow Him. I'm the Israelite who made a golden calf why Moses was on the mountain. I'm part of the crowd who wanted to kill Moses for His words. Pathetic don't you think?
And yet, I have a Father that doesn't give up on a daughter who believes she is the provider. He pursues her and waits patiently until an event changes her whole life and the only place she has to go is to Him. Everything she held sacred is in jeopardy and the only direction she has to run is into His arms and instead of turning her away, He holds her and says, "I've gone before you." And if that weren't enough, He sends her to a Beth Moore event where on her chair is "Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Coincidence, I think not. Each chair was prayed over by a team of women and on my chair was the one thing I most needed to hear because I no longer believed in the security of my hard work. I needed a miracle. I thought He was going to deliver me from my circumstances but instead I found myself, through Christ, by the revealing of my sin and true repentance. I'm not the provider, He is.
So I'm changing direction. I'm not looking for the next great thing I can worry about, like my future, my 401K or even my next step. I'm only looking for His provision. I haven't conquered the need to provide. It will be with me daily as I give it to Him and asking Him to bless those around me first. The last months have been very rough on me personally but the moment I gave up my provision and asked Him to provide the clouds moved out and the sun has never shined brighter. I owe everything to Christ Jesus and I know it. Thank you to a God that pursues us even when we can't see. Thank you mostly to Jesus for loving me enough to reveal this very disfigured mindset, while renewing my heart at the very same time. I owe all to Him and so do you. I'm praying for a change in your direction of faith, go to Him today and ask Him to change your course.
YOU ARE NOT THE PROVIDER, JESUS IS. IT IS BY FAITH THAT HE WILL REVEAL HIMSELF AND MAKE YOU NEW. DON'T WAIT FOR SOMETHING LIFE CHANGING TO HAPPEN, START TODAY BY REPENTING AND BELIEVING HE WILL PROVIDE ALL YOUR NEEDS! HE'S WAITING AND THE ONLY PHONE CALL YOU HAVE TO MAKE IS ON YOUR KNEES.
Rest for the Weary
…27"All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…
Saturday, October 17, 2015
It's hard to wait...
Good morning my sisters-
Have you ever thought to yourself that it's just really hard to wait? I have a million times. I know people right now that are waiting for the right mate, the right job or just the storm to pass. I remember my dad saying after my brother died that it would hurt for a while and then it would be more faint. If you've lost a loved one you know the immense ache you feel and over time it does lessen. You never forget them but it's not as intense as the day they died or even a year later. Time does heal some wounds.
Death is one thing and waiting on God to provide is another. Those moments anticipating when, where and how can be intense. You might even find yourself thinking you have control over the situation. Definitely, don't go in that direction. We need to be proactive always but it isn't our hard work, our fortitude or even our stubbornness that will get the job done. God alone must open a door, bring a mate to us or change the course of a wayward person. We don't have that kind of power. However, we were given a power many of us choose not to use. We were given the opportunity to send prayers to heaven, not just for ourselves but for the world.
As I was sitting listening to Beth Moore in September, I heard prayers out loud going to heaven. It sounded like a symphony and I thought how pleased God must be to hear all these women crying out to him. There were almost 9000 women in that stadium that day. Now quadruple that and what would you hear? Beth didn't get to that point over night. She spent hours researching, writing and spending time on her knees and when I say on her knees, that's exactly where she goes. And now after much prayer, she is going to launch a television show. Did that happen in an instant? No. It happened over time through many tears I'm sure. It happened by walking with Jesus, not for herself, but for others and it happened in God's timing, not hers. Now I'm sure she did some things to get to this moment but God provided the door and the timing.
I know it's hard to wait for the right spouse or the right job, especially when your heart hurts and you need a new avenue. I know it's hard to be alone night after night wondering when that special person is going to complete your life. Those moments are real. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I also know that the Lord of our souls loves us and is going before us. He is preparing our rooms in heaven and He is watching us on earth. I hate waiting just as much as all of you do. I want things to happen right now. Waiting allows me enough time to prepare my heart, my mind and my soul. Waiting builds faith, perseverance and love. Waiting means I have time to learn what God has in store and just like the Israelites, waiting prepares me to fight the next battle.
If I have to wait for my reward, then let me wait patiently, without grumbling and with a whole bunch of prayer. Let me look toward my maker with awe and see that my little life is not as important as His plan. I am just one of His children and I wait just like you and if I'm waiting to do great things then I'm totally okay with waiting. My mom used to say, "The best things come to those that wait." I know she was right because every blessing in my life has come by waiting on the Lord. He has always been my rock and when I'm full of myself, I know it's time to get full of Him.
May today find you well my sisters as the days get darker earlier. Remember to look up and remember all that He has done for you!
Romans 8:19 NIV
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait ...
Have you ever thought to yourself that it's just really hard to wait? I have a million times. I know people right now that are waiting for the right mate, the right job or just the storm to pass. I remember my dad saying after my brother died that it would hurt for a while and then it would be more faint. If you've lost a loved one you know the immense ache you feel and over time it does lessen. You never forget them but it's not as intense as the day they died or even a year later. Time does heal some wounds.
Death is one thing and waiting on God to provide is another. Those moments anticipating when, where and how can be intense. You might even find yourself thinking you have control over the situation. Definitely, don't go in that direction. We need to be proactive always but it isn't our hard work, our fortitude or even our stubbornness that will get the job done. God alone must open a door, bring a mate to us or change the course of a wayward person. We don't have that kind of power. However, we were given a power many of us choose not to use. We were given the opportunity to send prayers to heaven, not just for ourselves but for the world.
As I was sitting listening to Beth Moore in September, I heard prayers out loud going to heaven. It sounded like a symphony and I thought how pleased God must be to hear all these women crying out to him. There were almost 9000 women in that stadium that day. Now quadruple that and what would you hear? Beth didn't get to that point over night. She spent hours researching, writing and spending time on her knees and when I say on her knees, that's exactly where she goes. And now after much prayer, she is going to launch a television show. Did that happen in an instant? No. It happened over time through many tears I'm sure. It happened by walking with Jesus, not for herself, but for others and it happened in God's timing, not hers. Now I'm sure she did some things to get to this moment but God provided the door and the timing.
I know it's hard to wait for the right spouse or the right job, especially when your heart hurts and you need a new avenue. I know it's hard to be alone night after night wondering when that special person is going to complete your life. Those moments are real. Yet, in my heart of hearts, I also know that the Lord of our souls loves us and is going before us. He is preparing our rooms in heaven and He is watching us on earth. I hate waiting just as much as all of you do. I want things to happen right now. Waiting allows me enough time to prepare my heart, my mind and my soul. Waiting builds faith, perseverance and love. Waiting means I have time to learn what God has in store and just like the Israelites, waiting prepares me to fight the next battle.
If I have to wait for my reward, then let me wait patiently, without grumbling and with a whole bunch of prayer. Let me look toward my maker with awe and see that my little life is not as important as His plan. I am just one of His children and I wait just like you and if I'm waiting to do great things then I'm totally okay with waiting. My mom used to say, "The best things come to those that wait." I know she was right because every blessing in my life has come by waiting on the Lord. He has always been my rock and when I'm full of myself, I know it's time to get full of Him.
May today find you well my sisters as the days get darker earlier. Remember to look up and remember all that He has done for you!
Romans 8:19 NIV
For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait ...
| Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. ... Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ... We wait on the Lord, not because it's easy but because it's not. We look for You ABBA as we watch the days turn to night and the years pass like the crow of the rooster. We look forward to Your coming and to the time when waiting means Your glory. Help us to look, watch and wait not for our own interests but for yours. We are not patient by nature but we want to have Your patience. Bless those that wait upon the Lord and watch for Your hand on all things great and small. Also, please bless Beth Moore as she reaches out to thousands of women across the US with this new television endeavor. Her heart is Yours and we all need to live like that! We are watching world wide waiting for you to do miracles on earth and as You establish your glory not just in heaven but on earth. We praise the name of Jesus! AMEN |
Friday, October 16, 2015
Having faith to sow a seed....
Good morning all-
For the last couple of months I have had a Compassion International flyer in my bag. I was going to send it off the minute I got back from Beth Moore but it sat in my bag. I have also wanted to donate to the Wounded Warriors project but I didn't know if the money truly went to those veterans that had served our country so strongly.
I have a big heart and sometimes that has impacted my judgment so I think I've become a little jaded when I really should have just prayed and God would give me the answer I needed. Both things have been on my mind so much that every time I eat or see any commercial concerning a child I think of starving children everywhere. And when I pass by someone serving in the military or see the commercial on TV it makes me pause.
But as I reached for my coffee this morning and remembered the dinner I ate last night, I realized I had to find that card in my bag. I made a commitment that I need to fulfill. It's to a little boy, far away from America. It's my duty to remember the poor, the starving, the wounded and the lost.
I'm not telling you what to do. I don't know your situation but I do know our God. The money we are provided is for His kingdom. If I don't sow a seed He's given me, how is His kingdom supposed to grow? Nothing grows if it's stored inside. It must be planted deep within the soil, fed water and fertilizer and then with enough good sun, it will grow.
I'm praying that this very small gift will help someone have what is plentiful here and so scarce in other parts of the world. Please join me in asking God to feed nations and to give care to those that have fought for our security and for the security of nations.
For a seed sown in love surely will grow, are you willing to sow today?
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread ...
For the last couple of months I have had a Compassion International flyer in my bag. I was going to send it off the minute I got back from Beth Moore but it sat in my bag. I have also wanted to donate to the Wounded Warriors project but I didn't know if the money truly went to those veterans that had served our country so strongly.
I have a big heart and sometimes that has impacted my judgment so I think I've become a little jaded when I really should have just prayed and God would give me the answer I needed. Both things have been on my mind so much that every time I eat or see any commercial concerning a child I think of starving children everywhere. And when I pass by someone serving in the military or see the commercial on TV it makes me pause.
But as I reached for my coffee this morning and remembered the dinner I ate last night, I realized I had to find that card in my bag. I made a commitment that I need to fulfill. It's to a little boy, far away from America. It's my duty to remember the poor, the starving, the wounded and the lost.
I'm not telling you what to do. I don't know your situation but I do know our God. The money we are provided is for His kingdom. If I don't sow a seed He's given me, how is His kingdom supposed to grow? Nothing grows if it's stored inside. It must be planted deep within the soil, fed water and fertilizer and then with enough good sun, it will grow.
I'm praying that this very small gift will help someone have what is plentiful here and so scarce in other parts of the world. Please join me in asking God to feed nations and to give care to those that have fought for our security and for the security of nations.
For a seed sown in love surely will grow, are you willing to sow today?
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread ...
| Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ... //biblehub.com/2_corinthians/9-10.htm - 19k |
Sunday, October 11, 2015
When you are lonely...
Good morning all-
Lately, I have really been cognizant of people. I watch them and see their smiles don't always match what's going on inside. I have found that we all put on a mask and allow the World to see what we want them to see.
I for one, am trying not to be that way anymore. I'm trying to be authentic in all things including my very strong faith in Jesus. I screw up just like everyone but I'm the first to apologize for my behavior, even when I don't want to.
Lonely people almost always seem okay. That's why so many that commit suicide don't understand how they will be missed. They believe tomorrow just doesn't have any meaning but it does. You are needed, wanted and have purpose. Don' t let the moments of great loneliness get you down. Realize that a child needs a hug or an elderly person needs to be cared for. We are needed. The problem is that the depression outweighs the truth. No one needs to be alone. There is always a different path.
Today, I have a beautiful friend going through loneliness. My prayer for her is that she will come and be with me at church. My prayer is the God of Abraham would fill her with His love and that she will come to Him in her hour of need. I wish I could fill the emptiness but I can't. She's alone and that's tough.
Please join me in praying for every sole that feels lost and alone. They are important pieces to this journey and we need every soul to win the battle. I'm praying and I know that our Father in Heaven loves His children. Lord bring forth your comfort and lift up those that are downtrodden. I ask that You would give them hope for their future and that they would see Your guiding hand in every step of today. With all I have Lord, I cry out for them and ask them to come into the shelter of Your hand.
In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV)
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Lately, I have really been cognizant of people. I watch them and see their smiles don't always match what's going on inside. I have found that we all put on a mask and allow the World to see what we want them to see.
I for one, am trying not to be that way anymore. I'm trying to be authentic in all things including my very strong faith in Jesus. I screw up just like everyone but I'm the first to apologize for my behavior, even when I don't want to.
Lonely people almost always seem okay. That's why so many that commit suicide don't understand how they will be missed. They believe tomorrow just doesn't have any meaning but it does. You are needed, wanted and have purpose. Don' t let the moments of great loneliness get you down. Realize that a child needs a hug or an elderly person needs to be cared for. We are needed. The problem is that the depression outweighs the truth. No one needs to be alone. There is always a different path.
Today, I have a beautiful friend going through loneliness. My prayer for her is that she will come and be with me at church. My prayer is the God of Abraham would fill her with His love and that she will come to Him in her hour of need. I wish I could fill the emptiness but I can't. She's alone and that's tough.
Please join me in praying for every sole that feels lost and alone. They are important pieces to this journey and we need every soul to win the battle. I'm praying and I know that our Father in Heaven loves His children. Lord bring forth your comfort and lift up those that are downtrodden. I ask that You would give them hope for their future and that they would see Your guiding hand in every step of today. With all I have Lord, I cry out for them and ask them to come into the shelter of Your hand.
In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Jeremiah 31:25 (NIV)
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Friday, October 9, 2015
The New Faith..
Good morning all-
I hope all is well with you. As I sit down to write this morning I have already had a cup of coffee, biked for 2 miles and listened to Bill Winston Ministries. It's been a glorious morning. I have about 10 minutes until I have to leave for work but this one thought is streaming in my head and I just couldn't hold it in anymore. The thought is:
I love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind!
I woke up praising my savior and as always hoping I don't screw up His amazing teaching in my life. I have been renewed and my faith restored, not in people, but in Jesus. I'm so glad for what He has been doing in my life and the lessons I have learned. My faith is stronger then its ever been and I feel stronger than I ever have. I'm empowered and I am the Lord's child.
I don't know what the day will hold today but I do know that Jesus is with me every step of the way. The things that used to be so important to me are gone and replaced is a sense to love people. That's really all I want to do. I want to spread the love God has shown me to the world and I want to be known as someone that has great faith. I've always had it for others but now I know that the faith I believe for others lives in me. It has been tested and I would be wrong if I didn't say it was a painful lesson but in it's place is an understanding that I can't do anything alone and that Jesus is walking beside me.
I'm grateful for this journey even if its painful. I'm grateful that I can love but I'm most grateful that my God believed in me enough to set my feet on the path toward him and continues to mold me and make me His. I'm amazed, humbled and so very grateful.
My prayer for you as you read this is that God will become the Lord of your heart and that your faith will be restored, not in man, but in Him!
I hope all is well with you. As I sit down to write this morning I have already had a cup of coffee, biked for 2 miles and listened to Bill Winston Ministries. It's been a glorious morning. I have about 10 minutes until I have to leave for work but this one thought is streaming in my head and I just couldn't hold it in anymore. The thought is:
I love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind!
I woke up praising my savior and as always hoping I don't screw up His amazing teaching in my life. I have been renewed and my faith restored, not in people, but in Jesus. I'm so glad for what He has been doing in my life and the lessons I have learned. My faith is stronger then its ever been and I feel stronger than I ever have. I'm empowered and I am the Lord's child.
I don't know what the day will hold today but I do know that Jesus is with me every step of the way. The things that used to be so important to me are gone and replaced is a sense to love people. That's really all I want to do. I want to spread the love God has shown me to the world and I want to be known as someone that has great faith. I've always had it for others but now I know that the faith I believe for others lives in me. It has been tested and I would be wrong if I didn't say it was a painful lesson but in it's place is an understanding that I can't do anything alone and that Jesus is walking beside me.
I'm grateful for this journey even if its painful. I'm grateful that I can love but I'm most grateful that my God believed in me enough to set my feet on the path toward him and continues to mold me and make me His. I'm amazed, humbled and so very grateful.
My prayer for you as you read this is that God will become the Lord of your heart and that your faith will be restored, not in man, but in Him!
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Watching the beauty of a wedding...
Good morning all-
Last night I had the honor of watching one of my co-workers marry a very special man. They both have been through a lot. There past is what made them who they are and because of that past they have learned to love. If you love to be in love, you will be I promise.
Love is talked about in the Bible many times and is the greatest commandment. We think of love as romantic love but its so much more than that. This couple shares an agape love. It consists of being kind and patient, of loving when things aren't easy and it is surrounded by God.
During the ceremony, I thought of the path of tears that happened before the road to happiness. I thought of the loss and the times of fear and I thought how great our God truly is. My co-worker has been given a gift far beyond what people treasure today. She has been given a gift from God and I know she knows it.
Getting married is a very important decision. You must be able to trust and to be vulnerable. You must be whole and one hundred percent committed. This man didn't just marry a woman, he married a family and from the very beginning took it on as if each of the children was his own. It gave me hope for every woman that has experienced a difficult road and it was beautiful.
I wish everyone could have that kind of love and commitment. It's my prayer that what I saw yesterday would be spread across this earth. As women, our prayer should be that we love with all our hearts and that the men we marry would trust God in all things.
My last thought as they completed their vows was, "Love never ends." It was the last thought I had as I put my parents wedding rings into our lock box. My father was such a man. He took on the challenge of a daughter and loved my mom to the very end. He was my mom's greatest gift and their love has always given me hope. God loves us in a way no human can love but we are still called to love with all our heart. I hope for a day that I love like that.
May God bless your marriage today as you read about this very incredible union. God loves you and He looks out for you and if you aren't married or don't have this kind of marriage, you have a God that loves you far beyond this earth. He loved you before you were born.
Blessings to the beautiful couple I watched bind their lives together yesterday and blessings to everyone that loves with all their hearts.
1Corinthians13
Last night I had the honor of watching one of my co-workers marry a very special man. They both have been through a lot. There past is what made them who they are and because of that past they have learned to love. If you love to be in love, you will be I promise.
Love is talked about in the Bible many times and is the greatest commandment. We think of love as romantic love but its so much more than that. This couple shares an agape love. It consists of being kind and patient, of loving when things aren't easy and it is surrounded by God.
During the ceremony, I thought of the path of tears that happened before the road to happiness. I thought of the loss and the times of fear and I thought how great our God truly is. My co-worker has been given a gift far beyond what people treasure today. She has been given a gift from God and I know she knows it.
Getting married is a very important decision. You must be able to trust and to be vulnerable. You must be whole and one hundred percent committed. This man didn't just marry a woman, he married a family and from the very beginning took it on as if each of the children was his own. It gave me hope for every woman that has experienced a difficult road and it was beautiful.
I wish everyone could have that kind of love and commitment. It's my prayer that what I saw yesterday would be spread across this earth. As women, our prayer should be that we love with all our hearts and that the men we marry would trust God in all things.
My last thought as they completed their vows was, "Love never ends." It was the last thought I had as I put my parents wedding rings into our lock box. My father was such a man. He took on the challenge of a daughter and loved my mom to the very end. He was my mom's greatest gift and their love has always given me hope. God loves us in a way no human can love but we are still called to love with all our heart. I hope for a day that I love like that.
May God bless your marriage today as you read about this very incredible union. God loves you and He looks out for you and if you aren't married or don't have this kind of marriage, you have a God that loves you far beyond this earth. He loved you before you were born.
Blessings to the beautiful couple I watched bind their lives together yesterday and blessings to everyone that loves with all their hearts.
1Corinthians13
Friday, September 25, 2015
The killer of the tongue
Good morning all-
I'm praying this is a wonderful morning wherever you are. Today's title is not what most of us want to admit or even talk about. It's an age old problem and the God warned us from it. There is power in the tongue and when people are hurt their tongues wag.
The tongue can do many things. It can praise you, it can encourage you, it can fill you with joy but it also can destroy. We must watch our tongues. Beyond a bullet or a bomb, there is no greater threat to human life. The tongue has turned people from Christ, who is the only living water. It has crushed the weary and penetrated the heart through careless bullying. It has caused marriages to fail, children to turn away and countless people from coming to church. So why do we continue on a path of destruction?
If at this point your checking out, don't. This is a valuable lesson all of us could use. I can tell you that I wish my tongue had been very quiet over the last months and days. Actually, I did stay quiet for a long time because it was the best for all.
However, like everyone else, I am a girl and I have said things I shouldn't. The older I get the more I am learning not to do that and to ask God to thwart my tongue. I have used my tongue in anger and it never sounds very edifying. The tongue was meant for communication, uplifting encouragement along with praise and worship. Instead, it is used to destroy.
I have learned that it's better to stop and think before you act. I have also learned that people hear what they want and that's the cause of so many arguments and hurt feelings. At the same time, I now believe the tongue has the capability to encourage and to lift people up when they're down. I know that's hard for all of you to believe but its true. We are One with God and if we are telling him all our woes do we really need to tell others? That's a question for another day. My point today is to say, be careful with lying, berating or just being mean with your tongue. You never know who is listening or your ability to crush someone when you actually should be lifting them up. It may also come back to haunt you!
Be well my sisters and watch that tongue. Ask God to tie it up so that it won't say things its not supposed to say. Have a great day and know that God is near!
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit
Until tomorrow...
I'm praying this is a wonderful morning wherever you are. Today's title is not what most of us want to admit or even talk about. It's an age old problem and the God warned us from it. There is power in the tongue and when people are hurt their tongues wag.
The tongue can do many things. It can praise you, it can encourage you, it can fill you with joy but it also can destroy. We must watch our tongues. Beyond a bullet or a bomb, there is no greater threat to human life. The tongue has turned people from Christ, who is the only living water. It has crushed the weary and penetrated the heart through careless bullying. It has caused marriages to fail, children to turn away and countless people from coming to church. So why do we continue on a path of destruction?
If at this point your checking out, don't. This is a valuable lesson all of us could use. I can tell you that I wish my tongue had been very quiet over the last months and days. Actually, I did stay quiet for a long time because it was the best for all.
However, like everyone else, I am a girl and I have said things I shouldn't. The older I get the more I am learning not to do that and to ask God to thwart my tongue. I have used my tongue in anger and it never sounds very edifying. The tongue was meant for communication, uplifting encouragement along with praise and worship. Instead, it is used to destroy.
I have learned that it's better to stop and think before you act. I have also learned that people hear what they want and that's the cause of so many arguments and hurt feelings. At the same time, I now believe the tongue has the capability to encourage and to lift people up when they're down. I know that's hard for all of you to believe but its true. We are One with God and if we are telling him all our woes do we really need to tell others? That's a question for another day. My point today is to say, be careful with lying, berating or just being mean with your tongue. You never know who is listening or your ability to crush someone when you actually should be lifting them up. It may also come back to haunt you!
Be well my sisters and watch that tongue. Ask God to tie it up so that it won't say things its not supposed to say. Have a great day and know that God is near!
Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, September 20, 2015
To be one with You....
Good morning all-
I hope you are waking up to the sounds of birds calling and the sun rising from the East. That's how I woke up this morning and it brings joy to my heart just listening to God's creatures as they cry out in praise to Him.
I was blessed enough to see Beth Moore last weekend and to see someone very real who is doing God's work with a passion that inspires. My daughter-in-law bought her new book, which I will finish today called Audacious and you should definitely get a copy. Its inspiring me to step out in faith, live for the moment and to watch and anticipate the adventures ahead.
During the conference, Beth went through six things we should really be thinking about and I have. I've actually read my notes every day since the conference. The one that stands in my mind is making Jesus my supreme romance. Now that takes energy and an open heart, don't you agree? I'm not sure I've ever had a supreme romance, not even with my husband. I'm not the most open person in the world and I can't say I'm always willing to let the flood gates of my heart open wide. I like to control and keep things close to my breast and yet, I feel called to let all of that go and really experience a romance with Jesus. Now, I've always loved Him but I've never thought of Him as being my unseen supreme romance. Doesn't it make you think about your relationship with Him? It did for me. Beth has put this in her heart and Jesus is her supreme romance. The emotion that washed over her on stage was witnessed by thousands as she grabbed for her Kleenex and wiped away the tears. They weren't tears of sorrow, they were tears of joy. She loves Jesus and there's nothing wrong with that.
I'm working on opening my heart that wide. I have always been in love with Jesus. He saved me during a time in my life no one else wanted to. He believed in me when I didn't and He pursued me when I walked away. He hasn't left me because I like to be safe or because I'm not the most fun. He doesn't make fun of me because I can't joke or because I'm so serious. He loves me for who I am and that's what's going to make it easier to make Him my supreme romance. He is worthy.
I hope you take time to read Beth's book. It's an easy read full of information that will impact your life. If you learn nothing else from this post, remember this, God is your unseen supreme romance. He's waiting and He's worth it. Give Him your whole heart and He will give you His love. Ask and you shall receive!
"Ask(Greek word: sheel)the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." Isaiah 7:11 NIV
All I ask Lord is to be one with YOU, in Jesus name.
I hope you are waking up to the sounds of birds calling and the sun rising from the East. That's how I woke up this morning and it brings joy to my heart just listening to God's creatures as they cry out in praise to Him.
I was blessed enough to see Beth Moore last weekend and to see someone very real who is doing God's work with a passion that inspires. My daughter-in-law bought her new book, which I will finish today called Audacious and you should definitely get a copy. Its inspiring me to step out in faith, live for the moment and to watch and anticipate the adventures ahead.
During the conference, Beth went through six things we should really be thinking about and I have. I've actually read my notes every day since the conference. The one that stands in my mind is making Jesus my supreme romance. Now that takes energy and an open heart, don't you agree? I'm not sure I've ever had a supreme romance, not even with my husband. I'm not the most open person in the world and I can't say I'm always willing to let the flood gates of my heart open wide. I like to control and keep things close to my breast and yet, I feel called to let all of that go and really experience a romance with Jesus. Now, I've always loved Him but I've never thought of Him as being my unseen supreme romance. Doesn't it make you think about your relationship with Him? It did for me. Beth has put this in her heart and Jesus is her supreme romance. The emotion that washed over her on stage was witnessed by thousands as she grabbed for her Kleenex and wiped away the tears. They weren't tears of sorrow, they were tears of joy. She loves Jesus and there's nothing wrong with that.
I'm working on opening my heart that wide. I have always been in love with Jesus. He saved me during a time in my life no one else wanted to. He believed in me when I didn't and He pursued me when I walked away. He hasn't left me because I like to be safe or because I'm not the most fun. He doesn't make fun of me because I can't joke or because I'm so serious. He loves me for who I am and that's what's going to make it easier to make Him my supreme romance. He is worthy.
I hope you take time to read Beth's book. It's an easy read full of information that will impact your life. If you learn nothing else from this post, remember this, God is your unseen supreme romance. He's waiting and He's worth it. Give Him your whole heart and He will give you His love. Ask and you shall receive!
"Ask(Greek word: sheel)the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." Isaiah 7:11 NIV
All I ask Lord is to be one with YOU, in Jesus name.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
My eyes are on You!
Good morning all-
I can honestly say this is the first morning in months I feel like myself again. Without being too specific I have had what I would call a desert season. I have felt weak, powerless and often sad. I am an optimistic person by nature. I love life and people. I trust probably when I shouldn't and I love with all my heart. But in the last months, my eyes have fallen on me more and more and in those days and hours all I could do is reach for Jesus.
Since January, I have been working on memorizing scripture. I'm still not great at it but I'm getting better. I make them images in my Bible app to remember my path. Each verse has helped me take my eyes off me to the eternal and I am so grateful. The word isn't just something we read, it's living. I never needed it more than I have the last five months.
If you're depressed, I know where you are. If you're weak and weary, I know where you are. If you feel like the whole world is out to get you, I know where you are. But leaders, teachers, preachers and those of us that have been saved need to take heart for He is with us, He is for us and He will deliver us, even from ourselves.
I was born for this time. I was born to lead women to Him. I was born to live my life not for myself but for Him. Often, I wake and wonder how will this be done. I don't know. I do know I have been through a tremendous personal trial. I do know that every day it took the hand of God to bring me out and make me move. I do know that my eyes have been opened wider, my heart healed in ways I couldn't imagine and my fingers are typing for Him more steadily, more honestly and more boldly.
I could choose to stay down but I won't. Why? Because as I prayed and prayed, God lifted my eyes to the hills. He lifted my eyes to the red tail hawk. He lifted my eyes to the doves sitting on an electrical pole. He lifted my eyes to a sunrise. He made me listen to the crickets, the birds and the bees. My senses became overwhelmingly loud and my heart began to soar with something besides worry, fear and rejection. My mind became strong in Him. I called to Him day and night and in the dark, I cried out with thanksgiving. I was made for this trial. I was made for this season and I am blessed.
Take heart my sisters for He is with you. I didn't need medicine to get out of this; I needed Jesus. Don't hear me saying medicine is wrong, some people need it. However, for this trial, I needed to go to the spiritual realm not the physical realm. Souls are won and lost between these two worlds and my soul was fed with the power of the Holy Spirit. I was reminded daily that He was all I needed, that He had gone before me and that He is for me and not against me. I'm not naïve to think this is the last of my journey but now Ihave gained new insight to when David called to God and put his eyes on the Holy One.
I have cared too much about the things I can't control. I have worried needlessly about situations I can't impact. I have spent hours blaming myself for things I can't control and I have learned that all that was for nothing. When I take my last breath, I won't care about the things I worried about or the bills that have to be paid. I won't be thinking about my career or the things I've achieved. I will be thinking about the love that was spread by my heart and the people that I was blessed to minister to. I also will be thinking about my husband and my beautiful boys and how they have impacted my every step. And finally, I will be lifting my eyes to Jesus, my maker and friend. Not money, power or prestige can take the place of one minute, one hour, one day spent praising and lifting my eyes to God.
I've realized a lot about myself and about people in general. We sin, we fall down, we get sad, we get mad and we have the ability to stay that way unless we are willing to forgive and to put our eyes on Jesus. Being a teacher, a preacher or a leader, is not easy. It comes with many disappointments, mainly in people. I'm sure even Jesus had that from time to time. He pursues us, He loves us and He forgives us and we stand there not accepting, making fun and pushing Jesus out of every aspect of our lives. My brother said it all yesterday without knowing it. He said my mantra was, "I've got this." There has never been a situation I haven't said that to myself. I realize that thought pattern can't be farther from the truth. I don't have anything, Jesus does.
Don't be ashamed if you feel like you can't get out of bed. Don't be ashamed if a trial brings you to your knees. Don't be afraid if your life is crashing down. Take heart good and faithful servant and turn your mind, your heart and your eyes on Jesus. Our only shame is when we don't and even then, we are forgiven. This is not a religion we worship, this is a God who loves us, who gave His life for us and all He asks in return is for us to love Him. I don't have to be on my knees for hours. I don't have to fast for 40 days. I don't even have to pray day after day. I' m not relegated to do anything but to be in relationship with my Savior, which means I pray, I love and I read the word of God. It means I forgive those that I normally wouldn't and I allow myself to be transformed through my failures. I understand I am weak and through my weakness I am made strong and in every moment I remember that all of this life is for nothing but one day it will be for everything.
May this blog bless you. May you read these words and hear the heart of a warrior. May you receive the love, the life and the word our Lord and Savior died for. May you know Him as deeply as I have these past months and may you realize that you are blessed! IN JESUS NAME I PRAY!
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? Psalm 121:1 NIV
I can honestly say this is the first morning in months I feel like myself again. Without being too specific I have had what I would call a desert season. I have felt weak, powerless and often sad. I am an optimistic person by nature. I love life and people. I trust probably when I shouldn't and I love with all my heart. But in the last months, my eyes have fallen on me more and more and in those days and hours all I could do is reach for Jesus.
Since January, I have been working on memorizing scripture. I'm still not great at it but I'm getting better. I make them images in my Bible app to remember my path. Each verse has helped me take my eyes off me to the eternal and I am so grateful. The word isn't just something we read, it's living. I never needed it more than I have the last five months.
If you're depressed, I know where you are. If you're weak and weary, I know where you are. If you feel like the whole world is out to get you, I know where you are. But leaders, teachers, preachers and those of us that have been saved need to take heart for He is with us, He is for us and He will deliver us, even from ourselves.
I was born for this time. I was born to lead women to Him. I was born to live my life not for myself but for Him. Often, I wake and wonder how will this be done. I don't know. I do know I have been through a tremendous personal trial. I do know that every day it took the hand of God to bring me out and make me move. I do know that my eyes have been opened wider, my heart healed in ways I couldn't imagine and my fingers are typing for Him more steadily, more honestly and more boldly.
I could choose to stay down but I won't. Why? Because as I prayed and prayed, God lifted my eyes to the hills. He lifted my eyes to the red tail hawk. He lifted my eyes to the doves sitting on an electrical pole. He lifted my eyes to a sunrise. He made me listen to the crickets, the birds and the bees. My senses became overwhelmingly loud and my heart began to soar with something besides worry, fear and rejection. My mind became strong in Him. I called to Him day and night and in the dark, I cried out with thanksgiving. I was made for this trial. I was made for this season and I am blessed.
Take heart my sisters for He is with you. I didn't need medicine to get out of this; I needed Jesus. Don't hear me saying medicine is wrong, some people need it. However, for this trial, I needed to go to the spiritual realm not the physical realm. Souls are won and lost between these two worlds and my soul was fed with the power of the Holy Spirit. I was reminded daily that He was all I needed, that He had gone before me and that He is for me and not against me. I'm not naïve to think this is the last of my journey but now Ihave gained new insight to when David called to God and put his eyes on the Holy One.
I have cared too much about the things I can't control. I have worried needlessly about situations I can't impact. I have spent hours blaming myself for things I can't control and I have learned that all that was for nothing. When I take my last breath, I won't care about the things I worried about or the bills that have to be paid. I won't be thinking about my career or the things I've achieved. I will be thinking about the love that was spread by my heart and the people that I was blessed to minister to. I also will be thinking about my husband and my beautiful boys and how they have impacted my every step. And finally, I will be lifting my eyes to Jesus, my maker and friend. Not money, power or prestige can take the place of one minute, one hour, one day spent praising and lifting my eyes to God.
I've realized a lot about myself and about people in general. We sin, we fall down, we get sad, we get mad and we have the ability to stay that way unless we are willing to forgive and to put our eyes on Jesus. Being a teacher, a preacher or a leader, is not easy. It comes with many disappointments, mainly in people. I'm sure even Jesus had that from time to time. He pursues us, He loves us and He forgives us and we stand there not accepting, making fun and pushing Jesus out of every aspect of our lives. My brother said it all yesterday without knowing it. He said my mantra was, "I've got this." There has never been a situation I haven't said that to myself. I realize that thought pattern can't be farther from the truth. I don't have anything, Jesus does.
Don't be ashamed if you feel like you can't get out of bed. Don't be ashamed if a trial brings you to your knees. Don't be afraid if your life is crashing down. Take heart good and faithful servant and turn your mind, your heart and your eyes on Jesus. Our only shame is when we don't and even then, we are forgiven. This is not a religion we worship, this is a God who loves us, who gave His life for us and all He asks in return is for us to love Him. I don't have to be on my knees for hours. I don't have to fast for 40 days. I don't even have to pray day after day. I' m not relegated to do anything but to be in relationship with my Savior, which means I pray, I love and I read the word of God. It means I forgive those that I normally wouldn't and I allow myself to be transformed through my failures. I understand I am weak and through my weakness I am made strong and in every moment I remember that all of this life is for nothing but one day it will be for everything.
May this blog bless you. May you read these words and hear the heart of a warrior. May you receive the love, the life and the word our Lord and Savior died for. May you know Him as deeply as I have these past months and may you realize that you are blessed! IN JESUS NAME I PRAY!
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? Psalm 121:1 NIV
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Pray for Israel...
Good afternoon all-
I want to leave you with one thought today, pray for Israel and the Middle East. Time is showing signs of war, poverty and destruction. Political agreements are being made that change the course of those areas. Please join Anne Graham Lotz in praying for God's country.
I know I am! Prayer heals, Prayer intercedes, and Prayer brings the power of our Father to earth.
Be well as we remember the place of our Saviors birth.
I want to leave you with one thought today, pray for Israel and the Middle East. Time is showing signs of war, poverty and destruction. Political agreements are being made that change the course of those areas. Please join Anne Graham Lotz in praying for God's country.
I know I am! Prayer heals, Prayer intercedes, and Prayer brings the power of our Father to earth.
Be well as we remember the place of our Saviors birth.
Monday, August 24, 2015
I am who God made me to be...
Good morning all-
Have you ever wondered who you are? Have you questioned whether you are worthy? Have you worried about what people think of you? Do you feel defeated often? If you can answer yes to any or all of these questions then your just like me. Oh how I want to be liked, loved and honored. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. You could be misrepresented, misunderstood or just not liked. God promised that we would have hardships and that people wouldn't always agree with what we think and the fact of the matter is; most won't understand you, believe in you or when times get tough remember who you are.
What's our recourse when times get hard, when we're misunderstood? Do we defend ourselves? Do we attack? What should we do? We should be still. We should take every negative thought and capture it. We should pray for our tongues and we should repent, over and over again.
Wouldn't it be great if we could do that? Instead, most of us would defend ourselves, get angry, say things we don't mean and at the end of the day, no one suffers but us. We suffer because instead of remembering who we serve, what our purpose is, we fall on the world and the world's sword.
When we fall, how do we get back up? We stop, we listen and we reflect. We don't judge, we don't get angry, we react the way Christ would have. I've thought about that a lot in the last weeks. Like anyone else, when I get angry or I don't feel heard, I react. I have always hated to be ignored, pushed aside or thought unworthy. And yes, I am full of myself in those moments. But over the last weeks and months, I have realized something very important; I am who God made me to be.
I am human. I have feelings and emotions. Lately, too many to count. I think I have held my emotions in for so long, they have been coming out in a flood. That's okay though because in order for me to really be a Godly woman, I have to be washed clean. I hate being weak. So why have I gone through a journey of being weak? I have asked myself that over and over and I have come to one conclusion, for the sanctification of my life.
Christ healed the masses. They followed Him wherever He went. So much so, that He had to escape to the mountains just to get some peace. He was adored, loved and worshiped. And yet, those same people crowded around Him and humiliated Him. When Pontius Pilot let the crowd decide, they chose to save a murderer over Him. When He was asked to defend himself, He said nothing. I think we can all learn from that. He had every right to be hurt, angry and frustrated. He had every right to defend His honor and to say to all, "Are you kidding me? I saved you all and this is how you treat me." He never spoke a word. Oh how I wish I was more like Him. I wish that I could sit back and be the same way. He died for us. He was beaten for us. He was crucified for us. It's very humbling, don't you agree?
Whether it be in marriage, relationships or with people we don't even know, is it worth justifying yourself? I really don't think so anymore. Do we really ever justify what we've done for others? Will anyone really ever see who we are? No one knows us but Jesus and He's trying to purify all that green sludge that lives inside of us. You know, jealousy, envy, anger, frustration and pride just to name a few. The question shouldn't be how do I justify myself, it should be how do I become more like the person God made me to be.
Our lesson is in Jesus. His behavior should be a light. Most of the time, we participate in our downfall, Jesus didn't. He helped people, even the ones that would betray Him. No one knows better than Jesus, who you are and why you're here. In the last months, I have asked Him to reveal Himself to me. I needed to understand my path and understand why I had to be broken. Pride, envy, anger and the tongue, do not belong in a woman that God has made to love, encourage and to spread the word. How can any of us spread the word if we are looking for every one's acceptance?
Being God's woman means I must take the correction, move on and become the person He made me to be. I can't be defined by the world in anyway. I must be defined by the Word of God. It's His favor I seek. So for the last months and days, I have repented and tried to remember who God made me to be. After the flood gates were opened wide, I found her. Jesus and I walked hand and hand and I have her back. Now I just need to walk daily, pray a lot and remember that I was made for this day. I'm real. I have faults and I am very aware of them. But in the end, I am God's child, chosen to love and encourage and with all my heart that's what I hope to do.
I hope this post encourages you, especially if you've been struggling with any or all of these emotions. God warns us against gossip, anger, envy and our tongues. I think women do this more then men but we all have our sins. I hope you really think about how you were wonderfully made. I hope you capture a glimpse of who God made you to be. I hope that you see the beautiful person God has made and I hope He corrects you the way He has me. I've learned more about life in these last months, maybe more than my entire life. I'm a warrior who needs a Savior!
Be blessed because you are wonderfully made!
Have you ever wondered who you are? Have you questioned whether you are worthy? Have you worried about what people think of you? Do you feel defeated often? If you can answer yes to any or all of these questions then your just like me. Oh how I want to be liked, loved and honored. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. You could be misrepresented, misunderstood or just not liked. God promised that we would have hardships and that people wouldn't always agree with what we think and the fact of the matter is; most won't understand you, believe in you or when times get tough remember who you are.
What's our recourse when times get hard, when we're misunderstood? Do we defend ourselves? Do we attack? What should we do? We should be still. We should take every negative thought and capture it. We should pray for our tongues and we should repent, over and over again.
Wouldn't it be great if we could do that? Instead, most of us would defend ourselves, get angry, say things we don't mean and at the end of the day, no one suffers but us. We suffer because instead of remembering who we serve, what our purpose is, we fall on the world and the world's sword.
When we fall, how do we get back up? We stop, we listen and we reflect. We don't judge, we don't get angry, we react the way Christ would have. I've thought about that a lot in the last weeks. Like anyone else, when I get angry or I don't feel heard, I react. I have always hated to be ignored, pushed aside or thought unworthy. And yes, I am full of myself in those moments. But over the last weeks and months, I have realized something very important; I am who God made me to be.
I am human. I have feelings and emotions. Lately, too many to count. I think I have held my emotions in for so long, they have been coming out in a flood. That's okay though because in order for me to really be a Godly woman, I have to be washed clean. I hate being weak. So why have I gone through a journey of being weak? I have asked myself that over and over and I have come to one conclusion, for the sanctification of my life.
Christ healed the masses. They followed Him wherever He went. So much so, that He had to escape to the mountains just to get some peace. He was adored, loved and worshiped. And yet, those same people crowded around Him and humiliated Him. When Pontius Pilot let the crowd decide, they chose to save a murderer over Him. When He was asked to defend himself, He said nothing. I think we can all learn from that. He had every right to be hurt, angry and frustrated. He had every right to defend His honor and to say to all, "Are you kidding me? I saved you all and this is how you treat me." He never spoke a word. Oh how I wish I was more like Him. I wish that I could sit back and be the same way. He died for us. He was beaten for us. He was crucified for us. It's very humbling, don't you agree?
Whether it be in marriage, relationships or with people we don't even know, is it worth justifying yourself? I really don't think so anymore. Do we really ever justify what we've done for others? Will anyone really ever see who we are? No one knows us but Jesus and He's trying to purify all that green sludge that lives inside of us. You know, jealousy, envy, anger, frustration and pride just to name a few. The question shouldn't be how do I justify myself, it should be how do I become more like the person God made me to be.
Our lesson is in Jesus. His behavior should be a light. Most of the time, we participate in our downfall, Jesus didn't. He helped people, even the ones that would betray Him. No one knows better than Jesus, who you are and why you're here. In the last months, I have asked Him to reveal Himself to me. I needed to understand my path and understand why I had to be broken. Pride, envy, anger and the tongue, do not belong in a woman that God has made to love, encourage and to spread the word. How can any of us spread the word if we are looking for every one's acceptance?
Being God's woman means I must take the correction, move on and become the person He made me to be. I can't be defined by the world in anyway. I must be defined by the Word of God. It's His favor I seek. So for the last months and days, I have repented and tried to remember who God made me to be. After the flood gates were opened wide, I found her. Jesus and I walked hand and hand and I have her back. Now I just need to walk daily, pray a lot and remember that I was made for this day. I'm real. I have faults and I am very aware of them. But in the end, I am God's child, chosen to love and encourage and with all my heart that's what I hope to do.
I hope this post encourages you, especially if you've been struggling with any or all of these emotions. God warns us against gossip, anger, envy and our tongues. I think women do this more then men but we all have our sins. I hope you really think about how you were wonderfully made. I hope you capture a glimpse of who God made you to be. I hope that you see the beautiful person God has made and I hope He corrects you the way He has me. I've learned more about life in these last months, maybe more than my entire life. I'm a warrior who needs a Savior!
Be blessed because you are wonderfully made!
-
Psalms 139:14 (KJV)
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Grace and Favor....
Good morning all-
Here are the things we must contemplate today:
Love
Death
Mercy
Grace
Favor
Redemption
Joy
Restoration
These are the words we must contemplate in the sight of our Savior. He was our example and we must follow the steps of Jesus. His love redeemed us. His death gave us eternal life. His mercy forgave our sins. His grace bestows more than any material possession on this earth. Favor is the way to God. From all of these, we were given redemption, joy and restoration. I don't have to bow down to any man; I'm only required to believe in Jesus. I have His divine favor, His divine love, His divine grace!
I am blessed and so are you!
Can you all say, "AMEN!"
Isaiah 65:16 KJV
That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Believe Jesus that He's gone before you all the way!
Here are the things we must contemplate today:
Love
Death
Mercy
Grace
Favor
Redemption
Joy
Restoration
These are the words we must contemplate in the sight of our Savior. He was our example and we must follow the steps of Jesus. His love redeemed us. His death gave us eternal life. His mercy forgave our sins. His grace bestows more than any material possession on this earth. Favor is the way to God. From all of these, we were given redemption, joy and restoration. I don't have to bow down to any man; I'm only required to believe in Jesus. I have His divine favor, His divine love, His divine grace!
I am blessed and so are you!
Can you all say, "AMEN!"
Isaiah 65:16 KJV
That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
Believe Jesus that He's gone before you all the way!
Saturday, August 15, 2015
385...
Good morning all-
Well I have just completed the outline for the book I will publish. God gave me a word and I'm moving with it. Now that I have my chapters together, it will be a matter of time and effort and with all luck, grace and God's divine provision, the book will be published this year. That's my goal but time is ticking.
Whether it's a number or time, we can procrastinate, wander and never get to our goal or we can scrap all that and be on God's hour, God's time and God's number. We don't know the number of days left on the earth, how many of those we have or when He will decide to take His bride. He's waited along time. As humans, we can use all kinds of excuses around time, when in reality, we waste time doing fruitless things that just don't matter. I know I have for the last couple of months but the tide is changing in my life and for that, I am so grateful. God is good and He is forgiving, compassionate and thank goodness, patient. I have needed every ounce of His patience the last couple of months and like the merciful God He is, He gave it to me.
As you all know, I'm far from perfect. Like you, I struggle with day to day concerns. I work too much and am often so tired I can't find the energy to even go for a walk. God knows that, so as I come to Him, He provides the rest and sets me back on a path toward Him.
Just like this morning, work wants to pull me away from my purpose. And it might of but I made sure that I did my work first and then fulfilled my promise to God. I wrote down all the things He has shown me the last week and then I got on the blog and my fingers typed this message. I've been at it since 7 am but I can honestly say, I feel more energized, more purposeful than I have felt in months. My strength does not come from me and time just doesn't matter. My time, my strength, my mission comes from a God that is out to win souls and every day, He is.
My prayer for you today is that you don't look at the clock or see the days blowing by. My prayer is that you will be in today, do what your called to do and let Jesus worry about the time, the days and the hours. I am and as I write I'm smiling. Why? Because I'm under authority and He knows what's best for me and right now, what's best is to let you know how much He loves YOU!
Be well my sisters and get into the Word. A number means nothing to heaven.
I rarely go to the AMP version but this fit. So here you go! Bible.com rocks!
Well I have just completed the outline for the book I will publish. God gave me a word and I'm moving with it. Now that I have my chapters together, it will be a matter of time and effort and with all luck, grace and God's divine provision, the book will be published this year. That's my goal but time is ticking.
Whether it's a number or time, we can procrastinate, wander and never get to our goal or we can scrap all that and be on God's hour, God's time and God's number. We don't know the number of days left on the earth, how many of those we have or when He will decide to take His bride. He's waited along time. As humans, we can use all kinds of excuses around time, when in reality, we waste time doing fruitless things that just don't matter. I know I have for the last couple of months but the tide is changing in my life and for that, I am so grateful. God is good and He is forgiving, compassionate and thank goodness, patient. I have needed every ounce of His patience the last couple of months and like the merciful God He is, He gave it to me.
As you all know, I'm far from perfect. Like you, I struggle with day to day concerns. I work too much and am often so tired I can't find the energy to even go for a walk. God knows that, so as I come to Him, He provides the rest and sets me back on a path toward Him.
Just like this morning, work wants to pull me away from my purpose. And it might of but I made sure that I did my work first and then fulfilled my promise to God. I wrote down all the things He has shown me the last week and then I got on the blog and my fingers typed this message. I've been at it since 7 am but I can honestly say, I feel more energized, more purposeful than I have felt in months. My strength does not come from me and time just doesn't matter. My time, my strength, my mission comes from a God that is out to win souls and every day, He is.
My prayer for you today is that you don't look at the clock or see the days blowing by. My prayer is that you will be in today, do what your called to do and let Jesus worry about the time, the days and the hours. I am and as I write I'm smiling. Why? Because I'm under authority and He knows what's best for me and right now, what's best is to let you know how much He loves YOU!
Be well my sisters and get into the Word. A number means nothing to heaven.
I rarely go to the AMP version but this fit. So here you go! Bible.com rocks!
-
John 7:6 (AMP)
Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Being the best...
Good day to all-
I'm sitting at the airport and I can't really concentrate on anything but the noise, so work is not going to happen right now. I'm taking a moment to write another blog because I realize one thing today and that's to be the best; I need to glorify God. So, today, as I ran around trying to get to my destination, I stopped, laughed and said, "Thank You Lord." The day comes and goes and many challenges come your way, just write a blog and you will see. It typically holds challenges that you just thought you conquered or had overcome. Well you can't do anything about planes being canceled, air traffic control having problems or having to go to another terminal to retrieve your luggage. All you can do is thank the people that help you, thank God and train to be His hands and feet. I kept my composure, thanked everyone and was able to get on a flight. Not sure I will get downtown by 6 PM but I'm going to try, without getting in an accident.
I'm in training to remember that God is in control of everything under the sun and really above it. It is good. Didn't He say that at the creation of the world. He said it was good many times and we are to remember that every day we are training to be the best in Him, for Him and by Him. Our thoughts must align, our hearts must yearn and our lives must rejoice in the good and bad times. For now, it is good.
I'm getting ready to leave beautiful Dallas, Texas. Thank You Jesus for reminding me that every moment I can learn something new. Be well trained by praying, reading and loving our God for He is good!
Have a great day and God bless you.
I'm sitting at the airport and I can't really concentrate on anything but the noise, so work is not going to happen right now. I'm taking a moment to write another blog because I realize one thing today and that's to be the best; I need to glorify God. So, today, as I ran around trying to get to my destination, I stopped, laughed and said, "Thank You Lord." The day comes and goes and many challenges come your way, just write a blog and you will see. It typically holds challenges that you just thought you conquered or had overcome. Well you can't do anything about planes being canceled, air traffic control having problems or having to go to another terminal to retrieve your luggage. All you can do is thank the people that help you, thank God and train to be His hands and feet. I kept my composure, thanked everyone and was able to get on a flight. Not sure I will get downtown by 6 PM but I'm going to try, without getting in an accident.
I'm in training to remember that God is in control of everything under the sun and really above it. It is good. Didn't He say that at the creation of the world. He said it was good many times and we are to remember that every day we are training to be the best in Him, for Him and by Him. Our thoughts must align, our hearts must yearn and our lives must rejoice in the good and bad times. For now, it is good.
I'm getting ready to leave beautiful Dallas, Texas. Thank You Jesus for reminding me that every moment I can learn something new. Be well trained by praying, reading and loving our God for He is good!
Have a great day and God bless you.
To the top...
Good morning all-
When was the last time you thought you were on the top of your game? Your probably wondering what I mean by this question. It's simple. When was the last time you felt the best about yourself, your life, your body, your partner, your ability to mother or your career? It's a simple question with an obstacle course full of things not of God.
I have been struggling with myself lately. Can I climb back on top of the mountain and trust that God has gone before me? Can I believe that God is enough? Can I believe that problems are opportunities for promotion? I love strategy and solving those problems but in this, I am not in control. I don't have a strategy great enough. No man has a great strategy to solve the problems of this world. Do you know who does? The answer is the Son of God.
For some reason, I had forgotten that I will suffer for the Word of God. I purposely thought that I was whole and could trust God through anything and then the last couple months happened and my trust was barely hanging on. I was trying to fix my problems and I was going to climb that mountain and conquer every fear and every frustration. Do you see anything wrong with that statement? I is not in Christ. This world is not mine. I am not mine. My job, husband and children are not mine. Nothing belongs to me and there is no way in heaven or on earth, I will ever overcome. I don't have the intelligence, the stamina, or the ability to overpower darkness without the Son of God!
I am a mixture of the good, bad and ugly. I am full of the Holy Spirit and when I trust, no man can overcome me. No man will be able to crush me when I take "I" out of the equation. Getting on top does not mean running as fast as I can, climbing with barely enough breath to breathe. In order for me to rise above and conquer my fears, failures and future, I must put Jesus at the top of my list. It is by Him, through Him and for Him that I remain on this earth. It is not for me to be liked, loved, adored or lifted up by man. It is only by His grace that I'm saved, I'm worthy and I'm His.
There is nothing I have earned here on earth that is worth anything. My money, my children and my husband could be taken away without a moments notice. I could be running a company one minute and without a job the next. I could be revered as a great mom and my child could end of doing something that impacts his whole life and by the worlds standards is immoral. All that I hold dear will not make me a great leader of women, only Christ can do that. He is who I must hold above all things in this life. It is by Him that I will go through trials and I will come out victorious. My battle to be on top with me, myself and I, as champion, will not win. Putting Christ as the focal point, pursuing love and not hate and walking by the word daily will be the only way I will win souls for Him.
I am not perfect. I am a sinner and I am redeemed. The climb over the past months has been rocky and very slippery. The slope was often too treacherous and scary but I have overcome through the blood of the lamb. He has my future. All my problems have not been resolved. There are issues I can't post on a blog but I can tell you that I will see the promise land and He will fulfill in me His purpose, not because I'm perfect but because I'm not. Do you know any other religion that believes that?
My goal is to be His. My mission field is to preach to women all over the world. My next steps aren't clear but I know that the power that brought me to Christ will bring millions to Him too, with or without me. I may have felt like I was at the bottom in the world but today I feel like I'm at the top because Christ picked me up, dusted me off and has purpose for this sinner! I hope today's post encourages you to get out of the way and let our Savior take you to the top.
"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 NIV.
"I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."
For all that believe and for those that don't, here is my prayer:
O, Mighty Lord of Israel, I come before You today asking that You alone fulfill your purpose for my life. I ask that You would hold out Your hands and save millions. I pray that through these words You will be glorified on earth. I thank You for the trial and for helping me come through it. You go before me and I am blessed. Please bring women from every nation to You and help us all to love with Your heart. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Until tomorrow...
When was the last time you thought you were on the top of your game? Your probably wondering what I mean by this question. It's simple. When was the last time you felt the best about yourself, your life, your body, your partner, your ability to mother or your career? It's a simple question with an obstacle course full of things not of God.
I have been struggling with myself lately. Can I climb back on top of the mountain and trust that God has gone before me? Can I believe that God is enough? Can I believe that problems are opportunities for promotion? I love strategy and solving those problems but in this, I am not in control. I don't have a strategy great enough. No man has a great strategy to solve the problems of this world. Do you know who does? The answer is the Son of God.
For some reason, I had forgotten that I will suffer for the Word of God. I purposely thought that I was whole and could trust God through anything and then the last couple months happened and my trust was barely hanging on. I was trying to fix my problems and I was going to climb that mountain and conquer every fear and every frustration. Do you see anything wrong with that statement? I is not in Christ. This world is not mine. I am not mine. My job, husband and children are not mine. Nothing belongs to me and there is no way in heaven or on earth, I will ever overcome. I don't have the intelligence, the stamina, or the ability to overpower darkness without the Son of God!
I am a mixture of the good, bad and ugly. I am full of the Holy Spirit and when I trust, no man can overcome me. No man will be able to crush me when I take "I" out of the equation. Getting on top does not mean running as fast as I can, climbing with barely enough breath to breathe. In order for me to rise above and conquer my fears, failures and future, I must put Jesus at the top of my list. It is by Him, through Him and for Him that I remain on this earth. It is not for me to be liked, loved, adored or lifted up by man. It is only by His grace that I'm saved, I'm worthy and I'm His.
There is nothing I have earned here on earth that is worth anything. My money, my children and my husband could be taken away without a moments notice. I could be running a company one minute and without a job the next. I could be revered as a great mom and my child could end of doing something that impacts his whole life and by the worlds standards is immoral. All that I hold dear will not make me a great leader of women, only Christ can do that. He is who I must hold above all things in this life. It is by Him that I will go through trials and I will come out victorious. My battle to be on top with me, myself and I, as champion, will not win. Putting Christ as the focal point, pursuing love and not hate and walking by the word daily will be the only way I will win souls for Him.
I am not perfect. I am a sinner and I am redeemed. The climb over the past months has been rocky and very slippery. The slope was often too treacherous and scary but I have overcome through the blood of the lamb. He has my future. All my problems have not been resolved. There are issues I can't post on a blog but I can tell you that I will see the promise land and He will fulfill in me His purpose, not because I'm perfect but because I'm not. Do you know any other religion that believes that?
My goal is to be His. My mission field is to preach to women all over the world. My next steps aren't clear but I know that the power that brought me to Christ will bring millions to Him too, with or without me. I may have felt like I was at the bottom in the world but today I feel like I'm at the top because Christ picked me up, dusted me off and has purpose for this sinner! I hope today's post encourages you to get out of the way and let our Savior take you to the top.
"for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 NIV.
"I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."
For all that believe and for those that don't, here is my prayer:
O, Mighty Lord of Israel, I come before You today asking that You alone fulfill your purpose for my life. I ask that You would hold out Your hands and save millions. I pray that through these words You will be glorified on earth. I thank You for the trial and for helping me come through it. You go before me and I am blessed. Please bring women from every nation to You and help us all to love with Your heart. In Jesus Name I pray. AMEN
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Being an Israelite...
Good morning all-
I hope you are well. I have been in a state of finding myself, finding my path and finding God. These last months have held some times of stress,worry and fear. I have fought down panic, provision, worry, anger, and depression. I have lived in the world and not in God. Now, you might be wondering what I mean by living in the world. I'm talking about forgetting the power of the cross, spending to much time whining about things I can't control and losing who I am in Christ.
I never thought I would say this but I'm that Israelite waiting for Moses to come down off the mountain. I am that person who wanted more than the manna He provided. I am that person that believed that what worldly people said and felt about me mattered. I was that person and I didn't like it one bit. It's taken months of prayer, many Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit to pull me out. This was not a personal battle it was a spiritual battle for my mind and my heart. Who was going to win? I know I wasn't during the last couple of months. I was full of feelings and my sight was clogged up with the mud of the world and then, through prayer I started to see the unseen. I'm sure about now your thinking I'm crazy but that's exactly what happened.
This week as I have been diving into Scripture, listening to a wonderful minister on the web and praying alone, I found me again. I wasn't wallowing in things I couldn't control; I was giving them to God. He was fighting my battle, going before me, renewing my mind and fixing me. He was with me in my pain and He was present when I finally saw the path before me. I have always wondered why the Israelite's weren't grateful to God for His provision. Unfortunately, I found out. We are all human and when we get caught up in the world, it will catch you, shake you and try to destroy you. That's not God's way and that's not the message of the cross. The message is that we are chosen to be warriors for God. We were put on this earth for a purpose and He will use us if we let Him. I have struggled to regain my confidence, which is really sad because my confidence comes from the Lord! I have struggled with my pride. What does God say about pride? And I have struggled with believing for myself that He will go before me and that His provision is enough.
I'm ashamed and rejoicing all in the same moment, am I crazy? No. I am a warrior for God. I have spent many days in the seen to be awakened by the unseen. I've been carried on the back of Jesus and washed from blindness to light. I can see better today then I've been able to see in months, all because of Jesus. I owe Him my life, my heart and my mind. I might have walked like an Israelite but my heart is a heart that yearns after my Savior. Through the storm, I feared, fought and challenged everything I knew to be true and when it calmed, all I saw was Jesus. The stories in the Bible are about real people, real feelings and real trials. We can say, "That won't happen to me." I beg to differ. When God is calling you, the attacks on your mind will be sharp. The devil can't penetrate the heart, it belongs to Jesus but He is a great deceiver and that's how the Israelite's lost their focus. They lost sight of God.
Fear is not from the Lord! Worry is not from the Lord! Defeat is not from the Lord! Depression is not from the Lord! However, He can use all of it for His glory. The battle was tough and I'm not totally out of the woods yet. I have come to realize that my manna is the Bible and meditation. If I'm not in it, I will be attacked. I must renew my mind, put on my spiritual armor and sing praises to the Lord. I'm praising Him today. I feel as though I've been in the desert and have been taken to the promise land. My path, my purpose and my life is to proclaim the word of God. In the last couple months, every insecurity I have has tried to beat, brake and crush my spirit but God has redeemed me. He has pulled me from the pit and given me eyes to see Him. Do you ever wonder why John had the experience He writes about in revelation? I don't anymore. He was given the revelation because He could see what most couldn't. He was looking with his spiritual eyes. That was his path and now I have mine. I am giving God all the glory.
If you're going through a battle that just doesn't seem to end, then get with someone to pray for you. Take time away from everything and go to your bed and pray. And no matter what, pick up your Bible, get on the web, go to your minister and immurse yourself in the Word of God. I feel like I've died to every insecurity I've ever carried and am free. The power of the cross is real, speak it out loud and the power before you will not be your will but His.
Glory to God in the highest, who was and is and is to come! Thank you Jesus for taking me to all the places I've been in the last weeks and winning me back, hook, line and sinker. Be aware that our feelings will get us in trouble. Looking at only the seen will make you feel fear, frustration, hate, and worry. The signs the Lord is breaking you out are: Hope, Love, Peace, Quiet, and Understanding. That's why He came, that's who He is and that's who we need to bow down to. He's already made His decision, have you?
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 NIV
I hope you are well. I have been in a state of finding myself, finding my path and finding God. These last months have held some times of stress,worry and fear. I have fought down panic, provision, worry, anger, and depression. I have lived in the world and not in God. Now, you might be wondering what I mean by living in the world. I'm talking about forgetting the power of the cross, spending to much time whining about things I can't control and losing who I am in Christ.
I never thought I would say this but I'm that Israelite waiting for Moses to come down off the mountain. I am that person who wanted more than the manna He provided. I am that person that believed that what worldly people said and felt about me mattered. I was that person and I didn't like it one bit. It's taken months of prayer, many Scriptures and the power of the Holy Spirit to pull me out. This was not a personal battle it was a spiritual battle for my mind and my heart. Who was going to win? I know I wasn't during the last couple of months. I was full of feelings and my sight was clogged up with the mud of the world and then, through prayer I started to see the unseen. I'm sure about now your thinking I'm crazy but that's exactly what happened.
This week as I have been diving into Scripture, listening to a wonderful minister on the web and praying alone, I found me again. I wasn't wallowing in things I couldn't control; I was giving them to God. He was fighting my battle, going before me, renewing my mind and fixing me. He was with me in my pain and He was present when I finally saw the path before me. I have always wondered why the Israelite's weren't grateful to God for His provision. Unfortunately, I found out. We are all human and when we get caught up in the world, it will catch you, shake you and try to destroy you. That's not God's way and that's not the message of the cross. The message is that we are chosen to be warriors for God. We were put on this earth for a purpose and He will use us if we let Him. I have struggled to regain my confidence, which is really sad because my confidence comes from the Lord! I have struggled with my pride. What does God say about pride? And I have struggled with believing for myself that He will go before me and that His provision is enough.
I'm ashamed and rejoicing all in the same moment, am I crazy? No. I am a warrior for God. I have spent many days in the seen to be awakened by the unseen. I've been carried on the back of Jesus and washed from blindness to light. I can see better today then I've been able to see in months, all because of Jesus. I owe Him my life, my heart and my mind. I might have walked like an Israelite but my heart is a heart that yearns after my Savior. Through the storm, I feared, fought and challenged everything I knew to be true and when it calmed, all I saw was Jesus. The stories in the Bible are about real people, real feelings and real trials. We can say, "That won't happen to me." I beg to differ. When God is calling you, the attacks on your mind will be sharp. The devil can't penetrate the heart, it belongs to Jesus but He is a great deceiver and that's how the Israelite's lost their focus. They lost sight of God.
Fear is not from the Lord! Worry is not from the Lord! Defeat is not from the Lord! Depression is not from the Lord! However, He can use all of it for His glory. The battle was tough and I'm not totally out of the woods yet. I have come to realize that my manna is the Bible and meditation. If I'm not in it, I will be attacked. I must renew my mind, put on my spiritual armor and sing praises to the Lord. I'm praising Him today. I feel as though I've been in the desert and have been taken to the promise land. My path, my purpose and my life is to proclaim the word of God. In the last couple months, every insecurity I have has tried to beat, brake and crush my spirit but God has redeemed me. He has pulled me from the pit and given me eyes to see Him. Do you ever wonder why John had the experience He writes about in revelation? I don't anymore. He was given the revelation because He could see what most couldn't. He was looking with his spiritual eyes. That was his path and now I have mine. I am giving God all the glory.
If you're going through a battle that just doesn't seem to end, then get with someone to pray for you. Take time away from everything and go to your bed and pray. And no matter what, pick up your Bible, get on the web, go to your minister and immurse yourself in the Word of God. I feel like I've died to every insecurity I've ever carried and am free. The power of the cross is real, speak it out loud and the power before you will not be your will but His.
Glory to God in the highest, who was and is and is to come! Thank you Jesus for taking me to all the places I've been in the last weeks and winning me back, hook, line and sinker. Be aware that our feelings will get us in trouble. Looking at only the seen will make you feel fear, frustration, hate, and worry. The signs the Lord is breaking you out are: Hope, Love, Peace, Quiet, and Understanding. That's why He came, that's who He is and that's who we need to bow down to. He's already made His decision, have you?
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 NIV
Monday, July 20, 2015
Glory to God
We must look with our spiritual eyes if we fully want to see Him! Glory to God who was and is to come!
Open our eyes Lord to the majestic wonder of Your word. Renew our minds and spirits to believe that You are God and that you can do immeasurably more than we can see. We believe that Your love bears all things, believes all things and can be spread far and wide. You are holy!
I'm in awe today. Be in the world spreading Your wisdom, Your power and Your glory!
In Jesus Name we pray! Can I have an Amen!
Open our eyes Lord to the majestic wonder of Your word. Renew our minds and spirits to believe that You are God and that you can do immeasurably more than we can see. We believe that Your love bears all things, believes all things and can be spread far and wide. You are holy!
I'm in awe today. Be in the world spreading Your wisdom, Your power and Your glory!
In Jesus Name we pray! Can I have an Amen!
Sunday, July 5, 2015
What's in the unexpected...
Good morning all-
This is my fourth day off and it's been renewing in a way I couldn't imagine. There's something about going out to the country and listening to God's wonderful creatures. I woke up yesterday to every kind of noise imaginable and to be honest it was unexpected. Your probably asking yourself how that could be. Well, most of us run through life, I know I do. The days fly by without even a thought to what God created or why. I get up at 5:30 am and finish the dishes about 9 pm. I sit down for an hour, fall apart and am in bed by 10 pm. I do this every day of my life but this weekend I stayed up until 1 am, woke at 5:30 am and sat for two solid hours watching and listening to every creature stir, sing, crawl or meow. It was wonderful and very unexpected.
I'm one to go until I can't go anymore. It's what keeps me from getting depressed and worrying about tomorrow. I get antsy if I have an hour with nothing to do. I've always been this way and even though I'm getting older, I still am who I am. Yet yesterday morning, I sat and watched as a huge family sleep and the activity around me wasn't people but the sheer joy of being alive. The trees were full of sounds and actions that were so surreal. I found myself hoping for the unexpected.
My personality is such that I have always taken care of everyone else. I am responsible and if I had a wild moment, it wasn't long. I learned from early on that I was going to have to work harder than most and in order to be the best I had to persevere. When my brother and parents died, it was my responsibility to take care of them and my family and I did it. I have always been proud that I was strong and resilient. I knew that God had made me for such a time but I have forgotten a very important lesson, to rest and listen to God's creation. Watching the wind blow, seeing a hummingbird feed, listening to the cows moo as the sun comes up or watching the moon rise above the sunset; these are the things that remind us that God is good and that He is with us. In this life, we know what to expect but we forget to watch for the unexpected.
I thank God for the unexpected. Those hours re-fueled my soul and gave me ideas, desires and a renewed passion for His passion. His creatures are the most important thing to Him. He has waited thousands of years to bring us back to Him and we run so fast, with so much human emotion that we forget to sit and listen to the orchestra He created. If God so loves these little creatures, imagine how much we're loved. I can still worry, have prideful moments and wish the day away but God sees the purpose of my life and yours and He's trying to get us to look for him in the unexpected. Will you join me in asking the Lord our God to show us the unexpected and to rid us of what we believe is true. Our lives are a moment compared to the nurturing He has done over thousands of years. He is waiting for His bride to repent, to cry out to Him and to trust Him. His creatures do. They sing to Him in the morning and they cry out from the fields. They are provided for and there anticipation of dawn is filled with song. What do we anticipate at 5:30, is it work, school, the kids or is it God?
Those few hours reminded me of my purpose. I was to raise my boys and to help them carry on the generations. I am to be a helpmate to my spouse and help him with his business and I am to pursue Christ with unexpected anticipation every day, waiting, watching and loving Him. I started my book yesterday. I'm not sure how it will go but I'm excited about the unexpected moments with Christ. I've missed Him through this trial. He's been silent and I've been faithful to cry out but it's taken a lot of energy to get on this blog. What do you say to encourage people when you find so little to be excited for? That's how every trial is and then there's the moment that you're sitting on a porch watching the life around you sing with such unexpected anticipation for the day ahead and you say, "I see you Lord and know you're near." Look for the unexpected and never settle for what's expected.
Be well my beautiful sisters. I'm praying for you and for the future of the men, women and children who give their lives every day to promote the unexpected.
Jonah 2:2:10 NIV
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, "I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple." The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me, seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.' " And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jesus always left to be alone in the wilderness, do you know why? He needed to see the unexpected. He knew the ending but He also knew He needed His Father to lift Him up, guide Him and love Him until the end. Jesus cried out when His Father did leave Him on the cross because He felt alone but through His sacrifice, none of us will ever be alone. This beautiful prayer from Jonah shows the emotion of a lost man coming to his maker and his maker hearing him. If you feel like life is the same old boring routine and God is barely in it, say a prayer that will renew your heart with Him. We expect to be deflated and defeated so why don't we expect to see Him, now that would be truly unexpected! Be well and let Jesus bring you out of the pit and onto dry land where the creatures of this earth sing to Him! In Christ we live!!!!
This is my fourth day off and it's been renewing in a way I couldn't imagine. There's something about going out to the country and listening to God's wonderful creatures. I woke up yesterday to every kind of noise imaginable and to be honest it was unexpected. Your probably asking yourself how that could be. Well, most of us run through life, I know I do. The days fly by without even a thought to what God created or why. I get up at 5:30 am and finish the dishes about 9 pm. I sit down for an hour, fall apart and am in bed by 10 pm. I do this every day of my life but this weekend I stayed up until 1 am, woke at 5:30 am and sat for two solid hours watching and listening to every creature stir, sing, crawl or meow. It was wonderful and very unexpected.
I'm one to go until I can't go anymore. It's what keeps me from getting depressed and worrying about tomorrow. I get antsy if I have an hour with nothing to do. I've always been this way and even though I'm getting older, I still am who I am. Yet yesterday morning, I sat and watched as a huge family sleep and the activity around me wasn't people but the sheer joy of being alive. The trees were full of sounds and actions that were so surreal. I found myself hoping for the unexpected.
My personality is such that I have always taken care of everyone else. I am responsible and if I had a wild moment, it wasn't long. I learned from early on that I was going to have to work harder than most and in order to be the best I had to persevere. When my brother and parents died, it was my responsibility to take care of them and my family and I did it. I have always been proud that I was strong and resilient. I knew that God had made me for such a time but I have forgotten a very important lesson, to rest and listen to God's creation. Watching the wind blow, seeing a hummingbird feed, listening to the cows moo as the sun comes up or watching the moon rise above the sunset; these are the things that remind us that God is good and that He is with us. In this life, we know what to expect but we forget to watch for the unexpected.
I thank God for the unexpected. Those hours re-fueled my soul and gave me ideas, desires and a renewed passion for His passion. His creatures are the most important thing to Him. He has waited thousands of years to bring us back to Him and we run so fast, with so much human emotion that we forget to sit and listen to the orchestra He created. If God so loves these little creatures, imagine how much we're loved. I can still worry, have prideful moments and wish the day away but God sees the purpose of my life and yours and He's trying to get us to look for him in the unexpected. Will you join me in asking the Lord our God to show us the unexpected and to rid us of what we believe is true. Our lives are a moment compared to the nurturing He has done over thousands of years. He is waiting for His bride to repent, to cry out to Him and to trust Him. His creatures do. They sing to Him in the morning and they cry out from the fields. They are provided for and there anticipation of dawn is filled with song. What do we anticipate at 5:30, is it work, school, the kids or is it God?
Those few hours reminded me of my purpose. I was to raise my boys and to help them carry on the generations. I am to be a helpmate to my spouse and help him with his business and I am to pursue Christ with unexpected anticipation every day, waiting, watching and loving Him. I started my book yesterday. I'm not sure how it will go but I'm excited about the unexpected moments with Christ. I've missed Him through this trial. He's been silent and I've been faithful to cry out but it's taken a lot of energy to get on this blog. What do you say to encourage people when you find so little to be excited for? That's how every trial is and then there's the moment that you're sitting on a porch watching the life around you sing with such unexpected anticipation for the day ahead and you say, "I see you Lord and know you're near." Look for the unexpected and never settle for what's expected.
Be well my beautiful sisters. I'm praying for you and for the future of the men, women and children who give their lives every day to promote the unexpected.
Jonah 2:2:10 NIV
He said: "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, "I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple." The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me, seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, 'Salvation comes from the Lord.' " And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jesus always left to be alone in the wilderness, do you know why? He needed to see the unexpected. He knew the ending but He also knew He needed His Father to lift Him up, guide Him and love Him until the end. Jesus cried out when His Father did leave Him on the cross because He felt alone but through His sacrifice, none of us will ever be alone. This beautiful prayer from Jonah shows the emotion of a lost man coming to his maker and his maker hearing him. If you feel like life is the same old boring routine and God is barely in it, say a prayer that will renew your heart with Him. We expect to be deflated and defeated so why don't we expect to see Him, now that would be truly unexpected! Be well and let Jesus bring you out of the pit and onto dry land where the creatures of this earth sing to Him! In Christ we live!!!!
Friday, July 3, 2015
The Voice of the Martyrs...
Good morning all-
We are approaching the 4th of July where the US celebrates freedom. I have to question if we have any freedoms anymore. We have free speech but we remove hundred year old monuments. We have free commerce but China owns us. We have the right to worship but we choose not to. And finally, we have the right to vote but we choose to neglect it. We have rights just like the Romans did and yet, being a Roman citizen holds no weight today. Will we be like the Roman Empire, casualty to our own stupid pride? Let's be real, we have no power. We are just another country who was founded on Godly principles that has lost all conviction to what we once knew. Our currency is marked with "God We Trust." Do we? I have many doubts on that subject.
Here is what I know for sure; we must turn back to God. Our teenagers are being deceived and so our the adults. We are all skirting issues that will impact our lives and those generations to come. We need to unite and pray. I'm tired of being afraid. I see the warnings just like anyone else. I'm watching radicalism sweep Europe. There are so many defenseless countries. What are we waiting for? Why do we continue to pursue the things of this world over the things of God? Even I have been chastising myself for not buckling down more. I have made excuses about my busy life and my personal trials and still, Jesus listens to me.
Our freedoms in this life have come from provision. There are men and women risking their lives for the Gospel. They sneak into villages and countries just to spread the good news. They risk everything to build a church and to get the word out. People are being blessed because of these unknown soldiers. They are faceless but their hearts beat for Jesus. These men and women care more for the lost soul than their own. People that were once lost are saved due to the dedication and passion of those mighty warriors.
Men, women and children are dying for the Gospel. In 2015, who would have thought that people would be tortured, beheaded and persecuted for believing in Jesus. You can close your eyes to it but it's happening. We may not live in one of those countries now but we are brothers and sisters with these people and we must pray for the workers. The voice of the Martyrs is calling out to all of us and asking us to re-dedicate ourselves to the cross. The cross was not just a despicable torture device. The cross symbolizes the true sacrifice of the Almighty. Paul was not afraid to die and Peter was prepared to die. Why? Because Christ died for them. I often wonder if I'm prepared to die for what I believe. I hope that if I ever face that day; I will say yes to Jesus and no to myself. But for now, I have a choice to lift up those that are sacrificing their lives for the Gospel. I must pray that the hearts of those that don't believe will change and that Jesus will defeat those that hate Him. I must pray that His united body will repent and turn away from our selfish ways and that we will put him first in our hearts and minds. Finally, I must pray that I will lead women to the cross with the passion I have for my own life. These are our defenses. These are our freedoms. We can choose to stay silent or we can shout to the world that Jesus came and died for our sins. It is by His faith alone that He became one with His father.
Love heals all things. Love never ends. I hear these words in my head over and over. These are the words left to us in the Bible. Hate destroys and is a characteristic of the evil one but love never fails. My love for you will remain always and so it was of the disciples. Through their love we now know love, not in the romantic sense but in the commitment sense. God loves us. A rainbow is the symbol of God's covenant to His people. Why then do we turn away? It's time to really buckle down and ask God to help us to remember His words and not the laws of this earth. The Martyrs knew His word and died for it. Please stand with me this 4th of July all over the world and ask the God of Abraham to heal the hearts of those that hate Him. We must stand in love for all people and let God judge. We are not judge and jury. We are His chosen people, scattered among the nations with one voice and one faith in our mighty Savior.
This message is not just for the US. God's message is for every nation and every tongue all over the world. Please ask God to protect His workers and please continue to pray for those that hate all things biblical.
The Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come! He is real; He is power and He is love! Pray this with me my sisters and unite to love the world.
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."
We are approaching the 4th of July where the US celebrates freedom. I have to question if we have any freedoms anymore. We have free speech but we remove hundred year old monuments. We have free commerce but China owns us. We have the right to worship but we choose not to. And finally, we have the right to vote but we choose to neglect it. We have rights just like the Romans did and yet, being a Roman citizen holds no weight today. Will we be like the Roman Empire, casualty to our own stupid pride? Let's be real, we have no power. We are just another country who was founded on Godly principles that has lost all conviction to what we once knew. Our currency is marked with "God We Trust." Do we? I have many doubts on that subject.
Here is what I know for sure; we must turn back to God. Our teenagers are being deceived and so our the adults. We are all skirting issues that will impact our lives and those generations to come. We need to unite and pray. I'm tired of being afraid. I see the warnings just like anyone else. I'm watching radicalism sweep Europe. There are so many defenseless countries. What are we waiting for? Why do we continue to pursue the things of this world over the things of God? Even I have been chastising myself for not buckling down more. I have made excuses about my busy life and my personal trials and still, Jesus listens to me.
Our freedoms in this life have come from provision. There are men and women risking their lives for the Gospel. They sneak into villages and countries just to spread the good news. They risk everything to build a church and to get the word out. People are being blessed because of these unknown soldiers. They are faceless but their hearts beat for Jesus. These men and women care more for the lost soul than their own. People that were once lost are saved due to the dedication and passion of those mighty warriors.
Men, women and children are dying for the Gospel. In 2015, who would have thought that people would be tortured, beheaded and persecuted for believing in Jesus. You can close your eyes to it but it's happening. We may not live in one of those countries now but we are brothers and sisters with these people and we must pray for the workers. The voice of the Martyrs is calling out to all of us and asking us to re-dedicate ourselves to the cross. The cross was not just a despicable torture device. The cross symbolizes the true sacrifice of the Almighty. Paul was not afraid to die and Peter was prepared to die. Why? Because Christ died for them. I often wonder if I'm prepared to die for what I believe. I hope that if I ever face that day; I will say yes to Jesus and no to myself. But for now, I have a choice to lift up those that are sacrificing their lives for the Gospel. I must pray that the hearts of those that don't believe will change and that Jesus will defeat those that hate Him. I must pray that His united body will repent and turn away from our selfish ways and that we will put him first in our hearts and minds. Finally, I must pray that I will lead women to the cross with the passion I have for my own life. These are our defenses. These are our freedoms. We can choose to stay silent or we can shout to the world that Jesus came and died for our sins. It is by His faith alone that He became one with His father.
Love heals all things. Love never ends. I hear these words in my head over and over. These are the words left to us in the Bible. Hate destroys and is a characteristic of the evil one but love never fails. My love for you will remain always and so it was of the disciples. Through their love we now know love, not in the romantic sense but in the commitment sense. God loves us. A rainbow is the symbol of God's covenant to His people. Why then do we turn away? It's time to really buckle down and ask God to help us to remember His words and not the laws of this earth. The Martyrs knew His word and died for it. Please stand with me this 4th of July all over the world and ask the God of Abraham to heal the hearts of those that hate Him. We must stand in love for all people and let God judge. We are not judge and jury. We are His chosen people, scattered among the nations with one voice and one faith in our mighty Savior.
This message is not just for the US. God's message is for every nation and every tongue all over the world. Please ask God to protect His workers and please continue to pray for those that hate all things biblical.
The Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come! He is real; He is power and He is love! Pray this with me my sisters and unite to love the world.
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."
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