A Fortress of Faith

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." 

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

Fort Jefferson was built in the 1800's, 70 miles outside of Key West, Florida. It stands today as a monument of beautiful design and towering strength. Click here for a link to read more about this historical marker. This is a place you most definitely want to take your camera. Between the masonry and the illuminating waters surrounding it, there isn't a square inch down there you won't get a good shot.

Our Texas friends who are National Park stamp collectors joined us for this day trip out there during their recent visit to see us here in The Keys. We bought the tickets, loaded up the cameras and off we went. Our 5am departure time came early just as we expected it would and even though our new little Starbucks said it would be open at 5:30am, the empty parking lot and dark interior revealed otherwise. An hour later we arrived at McD's for our first cup of java, happy juice, anti-grumpy coffee or morning juice...whatever you want to call it! 

At 7am we boarded the 100' ferry and headed out to this famous fort in The Beautiful Dry Tortugas. Slowly the fort came into view on the horizon after our 2 hour ride out. It wasn't as large as I had imagined but it was beautiful, and oh those turquoise waters. So lovely!
As we approached the fort, the broken pieces of the walls became more evident the closer we got. It has bravely stood the test of time. Our guide warned us to be careful not to lean against or out of any of the windows otherwise, we may become fish filets. It was a strong structure overall and a grand sight to take in from the gravel path up on the top wall to the waters below...and yet we needed to be careful of our steps, putting pressure on the walls and avoiding holes that eroding had dug. This strong tower has held it's own for a loooong time. While it seemed to be wasting away, it held together strong, hosting thousands of people walking it's echoing hallways, climbing it's spiral stairs and strolling along the upper hilltop. How is is still standing after all this time?!? Sure, there are places that have been bound up and strengthened with iron or new bricks, but the massive structure was strong. 
Taking it all in, I began to feel the character of this fort. It was just like me. While my outer is wasting away, I stand strong on the inside, held together by The Glue of Jesus, my Cornerstone.
I am a strong tower in Jesus name, held together by grace. I have been pressed, but not crushed. I have been struck down, yet not destroyed, even though it felt like I would be. We are forts of faith! There are broken pieces, rough edges, missing parts, gaps, all the while being kept in perfect peace and power. In our weakness, He is our strength.
What a wonderful view of the Body of Christ too. When one part is weak, it is the surrounding ones around securing it, embracing it, and keeping it as one, in Jesus Name. We uphold each other as we stand on our Sure Foundation. I have no doubt if one of these walls were standing alone, it would have crumbled under the weight of time and circumstantial pressure. But because it is bound together as one...it holds the strength of the whole. Be encouraged friend. Just because you may feel defeated, doesn't mean you are! We cannot judge what we see, rather trust what we know! Faith holds us together. Faith makes mountains move!

Together, we are stronger! Therefore, do not loose heart! We are a Fortress of Faith who is able to stand the test of time and circumstantial pressures that press in. We may need healing and help, but we will not be destroyed! Our Cornerstone stands Forever! AMEN!!

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9, 16-18

Overwhelmed by Grace in the middle of my piles!

Socks, shirts, towels, oh my!!! These self-multiplying piles of laundry will keep me on my toes. We are a family of 6 (the oldest is off to college) and if I didn't know it for a fact, it would be my prediction these enormous piles must represent a dozen people! Between the gym clothes, pool suits and towels and regular clothes, the 5 of us can pile it on! 
Last week, I was out of town for 3 days at the YOU Lead & Living Proof Live Conference with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell, which was wonderful by the way. In preparation for me being gone, I prepared some meals for the hubs to easily serve up and made sure all laundry was clean. All this work 1.) because I am the one who does all the meal and laundry in the home and 2.) honestly, I didn't want to be bombarded all weekend with questions: Where's the Pam spray? Do we have cinnamon rolls? Where's my other purple sock? Have you seen my cargo shorts? How do I make....?
All went according to planned! Hubs and kids had all they needed and texts were only I Love Yous and Miss Yous. I should however have thought a few more days ahead in my planning because I was exhausted physically and emotionally. This girl needs more than 5 hours of sleep and it needs to be solid sleep for me to function well the next day and that was not the case this weekend. Thank The Lord for His strength and endurance to stay alert and engaged despite my sleepiness. Saturday nights return home is a blur to me. All I remember was getting into my comfy pjs and plopping down on the couch with the kiddos cuddled up like a pile of puppies. Completely filled and completely drained in every way! 
The following day was a full day of church and baseball (which happened to be back up on the mainland 2 hours north) and Monday was my bday, so no cleaning or house duties happened this day either! Tuesday was errand day to replenish the pantry and asses the upcoming house duties, baseball schedules and homework assignments. Tons of laundry needed to be done by now. With a house full of this many people using several outfits a day, it adds up! Even though the oldest does his own laundry, I will chip in depending on his schedule with school and work and this was a week he needed my extra help, so I did one load for him. 
It was overwhelming. Standing in the middle of my house taking a 360 degree inventory of all that needs to be done in order to be caught up, will be the very reason I leave the house and go for a walk or work on a random project. So that my mind can stop freaking out and feeling overwhelmed. Calmly and ready to hit it head on, I make my list and get to it, doing all I can without drowning under it all. It's just what happens when you don't stay ontop of it all or plan accordingly. When laundry stays continually rotating through, food is planned for, time for rest is alloted, schedules are managed, when chores are distributed and shared, life at home is less overwhelming.
As I sat there buried under the pile of stinky little clothes, grass stained uniforms and damp towels, hungry with no clue what remnants were left to prepare for my family, gazing upon the floors needing to be swept and mirrors needing to be wiped and toilets...well, let's just say they became first priority...my heart was grateful for grace. Oh the grace of God to look upon my mess surrounding me and accept me into His arms. How wonderful to not have to "clean up or catch up" in order to immediately fellowship with Him. Sitting there on my dirty floors, amongst dirty clothes and a pitiful attitude, He sat down with me.
Friend, you do not need to clean yourself up in order to invite Him in. He is unaffected with what surrounds you. Nothing will prevent Him from answering your cry for help or fellowship.  Such a mighty God, His sweet fellowship will restore to you a joy to get "it" done whatever that may be in your life today. He is a God of Rescue and a God of Refuge and Strength. Though you may be weak and overwhelmed, Grace will be your strength to accomplish what needs to be done.
So, if it has been a long time since you have been in church, prayed, had a quiet time with Him, confessed sin, fellowshiped in His name with other Believers, read your Bible, I encourage you and remind you to call upon Him now! There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! Romans 8! Shame, embarrassment and condemnation are from the enemy who seeks to kill and destroy! John 10:10. Right where you are, amongst the piles of all things dirty, He is with you even so, to help you clean! Psalm 51:10-12. Call out to Him and He is faithful to answer!! What wonderful news! Bless the Giver of Grace! My we find ourselves overwhelmed by Grace and not by this world.

Father God, bless us in our mess and redeem us out of the weights that pull us under. Thank You for the grace you extend so abundantly for Your children. May You find us faithful to answer the calls You place in our days just as You are faithful to us. Thank You for Your Kingship and Your Friendship with us. You truly are our Refuge and Strength. Holy Spirit draw us away from temptations of this world and bring us into the shelter of Your wings that we may fellowship and worship instead of freaking out and worrying. There is no greater Name than Yours Alighty, The Great I Am, Pit Redeemer and Strength Saver, Compassionate Christ the Lord. We thank You for the Gift of Grace amongst all this stinky stuff of earth. May we be a sweet aroma to You in all we think, say and do. We worship you from the Sanctuary and the Laundry Room, in Your Sweet Gracious Name, amen.