Really....it is NEVER a good time to experience a "thorn in our flesh," is it?!? Who has time to deal with extra "stuff" ontop of the already pressures and busyness of everyday life. I have found myself with a new "thorn in my flesh." I mean that LITERALLY!!!

Sunday evening we grilled up Saturday's catch and unfortunatly a small, 1cm, fish bone got past me and is now lodged in the lower part of my throat. NOT good timing. NOT making me feel very good. NOT helping me remain calm and focused while my husband is out of state on business. NOT good.

With my walk with Christ, I know that this is a needed pause, a time to search and rest...and trust. With any trial we should immediately find ourselves at the feet of Jesus. Just as a child runs to the comfort and understanding of their Father, so shall we find ourselves in the same way. There is no other comfort as great as our Heavenly Father's. Does this lessen the pain of my flesh? No. Does it take away all the distractions and disruption it has caused? No. But what I do have is peace and comfort, not physcally but in my heart and in my spirit. I know God is in control. I know that Satan's punch is weak compared to the Shield of faith that protects me from being destroyed. God always has the upperhand. He has already won the fight.

Anytime we suffer a thorn in our flesh, we should face it, deal with it, and do our part to work at getting it out. God will take care of the extraction. It may not be the way we want but we have to trust that the Lord of our Body, Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit "works all things out for our good" (Ro 8:28) and in the end, we should find ourslef one step closer to the One who calls us to His sheltering wings of refuge.

If you have a thorn in your flesh, lay yourself on the examination table and ask God to extract all that is bad and heal the wounds. This suffering is an opportunity to rest deeply in Him, to show Satan who has victory in your life and maybe even the need for a season of "stepping back" and searching, waiting in the process of healing. No wound heals alike. It takes time, God's time.

"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

For when I am weak, then I am strong." II Corinthians 12:9-10

Today Lord Jesus, I know that this thorn in my flesh in inconvienent, uncomfortable but that You have allowed it for a reason, and it's always for my good and Your glory. God, may I find comfort in my body soon, but peace and comfort in my soul quickly. You are my refuge and strength. Thank You for the greater sacrifice You have given on my behalf, seeing Your Son take on such painful thorns for the sake of mine. I praise Your Healing and Enduring Name. amen.

PS. THIS is how I like my fish!! SWIMMING!!!!

Do You Know Who's Bible That Is?

Sunday evening our family was back up at the church for the AWANA Awards Night which is always great! Every year I am challenged about the amount of scriptures these young kids are able to memorize and especially of the ones who are recognized for going above and beyond. As an adult, it challenges me.

Anyway, as we sat there, we noticed a bible at the end of the row and I was pretty sure I knew who's Bible it was eventhough that's not where she had sat earlier that morning in worship service. I asked one of my kids if she was here cuz I hadn't seen her (we arrived late due to a meeting we were committed to) and they said No.

At the close of the ceremony, I looked around and didn't see her and figured someone had moved it to this more central spot to be found. So, I picked it up, fully knowing exactly who's it was and to be absolutley sure, I opened it's front cover and the handwriting, oh yes, I immediately recognized without even reading it...small and defined, it was hers for sure. So, I took it to a place where I knew she'd be able to find it easily and it was out of public hands. (I don't know about you, but although my Bible is open to the hands of anyone to use for a moment, I certainly would not want someone thumbing through my personal notes stuck inside. I guess since you just never know, I ought to do a little "spring cleaning" in my own bible.)

It delighted my heart in such a SiLLy way, that I knew from 10ft away, exactly who's Bible had been left behind,and even to make double sure, I recognized the handwriting inside. I knew the Bible because I had studied alongside that bible for over a year. That exact Bible had been used to teach me and encourage me as I sought out wisdom. I had seen that handwriting on a dry erase board many times  as I shared some classes with her. She was delighted to receive my message that I had claimed her Bible and returned it safely knowing she'd be wanting it back quick!!! Who knew there was a lesson for me in it!?! Something so minimal and yet God can use anything to teach us more about Him! Good God, You are good!!

Would someone be able to recognize your own "Bible?" Literal or not. I wonder when people see me 10ft away or are intimately close to me, do they know my "bible" and/or "my handwriting?" Do I use my (literal) Bible as my main resource guide as I encourage others or as I seek out my own knowledge of truth? It is so visible so others know? Not an an arrogant, "look at me" way, but in a "this is my only hope" way. Am I using "my Bible" at all times, in every area of my life, with anyone I am with that they would recognize it at a glance?

And as far as the handwriting, am I living out in an identifiable way, the words of my "Bible?" In a day and age of technology, how special it is is receive a handwritten note from a friend. It has become a rare thing, a dying art. We all have unique characters (literally-in DNA and God's giftedness) so I wonder if they would identify us if evidence has been found?

Have you been recently seperated from your "Bible?" What a blessing to have others close to you to bring it back to you! Satan is slick...we can become scattered and drift away, not even knowing it, but those around us can see what's been lost and bring us back to our Bible, quick!! Thank You God for Your hands and feet here on Earthe who act on Your behalf.

"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."

Ezekiel 34:11-12

Father God,

Thank You for blessing me with such amazing friends, Sisters in Christ who are all about You, shining Your Light everywhere they go. The core of them is their Bible, You. Thank You for engraving their names in my own heart as a remembrance of Your hands and feet, a provision of Your tangible Love her on Earth, in teaching, encouraging, accountability, for times of joy and times of sorrow.
May our lives reflect You so that anyone looking on us near or far would know for sure what our "Bible" looks like and if they were to open us up that they would see Your handwriting as our own. May our life bring You glory in and through Your Son's Intimate Name, amen!!

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to
your Father who is in heaven."
Matthew 5:13-16

"Oh no...how'd you break it?!?"

Last September 2011, as some of you may remember, I broke my elbow. It was the first bone I have ever broken and I hope it is the last bone ever broken!! Youch!!! The first thing people would say the moment they saw my sling was the obvious "Oh no...how'd you break it?!?" How could one not notice the bandages, ice packs, big blue sling hanging around my neck....there was obviously something broken. If anything, something was wrong.

I started thinking about all the things inside of us that can be broken, if anything, wrong and yet often invisible to the onlooker. What if there was a big blue sling that appeared around our neck for each broken piece inside us? I cannot tell you the amount of times my heart was broken and yet no one said to me, "Oh no...how'd you break it?" Or in the times I felt so alone, physically and emotionally depleted and yet no one asked me, "Oh no...how'd you break it?" We can feel shattered inside and yet no one can see our broken pieces.

We must ask ourselves "why?" "Why doesn't anyone see my broken pieces?"

I can only think of one reason:
1. We are choosing to hide our brokenness.

And I can think of two reasons why we would choose to hide our brokenness:
1. Pride- We don't want others to see us as less than perfect.
2. Fear- Maybe we fear the judgement of others.

And I can only think of one reason why we are being controlled by Pride and Fear:
1. We are not fully surrendering to our Lord Jesus and trusting Him to "heal" us.

Yes, it is true that God is all we need to take care of all our needs physically, emotionally and spiritually. However, He has commanded us to live in community with each other. To Encourage each other. To pray and intercede on each other's behalf. How does that happen when the person withdrawals and the need is not made known?

One of my favorite movies is Father of The Bride with Steve Martin. Do you remember how "George" went around town telling every person he encountered how much the wedding was costing him? Do remember how destructive that was and actually hurt the people around him? I am not sure that is what God meant it to look like when we confess to one another. The people he should have shared with are those who cared, loved him, were involved with the situation and those who could do something about it, especially the professionals, especially his partner in life, his wife. The entire town certainly did not need to know.

The opposite is just as destructive which I think is more common than we are willing to admit. We find ourselves silent. Maybe it is pride and fear. Maybe we are humble and minimize our pains compared to those we are aware of who are experiencing a much greater "brokenness" than us. Maybe we are finding it hard to forgive ourselves or the one who broke us? Maybe we don't even know where to begin. Maybe, just maybe, we don't feel like we have those "best" friends in our life that we can share our hurts with. I think we can all relate being in one of these places at one time in our life. Are you there now?

May I encourage you from personal experience? Trust. Trust God to know that not only does He see you but He will send you rescue. It may be through changed circumstances or people. Are you willing to tear down that wall of protection you have built up, take off that mask of perfection and trust the rescue God has sent you? I would bet that there are people God has placed in your life as the "best" for you for such a time as this. If you can't see them, ask God to show you. If He sent them, don't you think He'd want you to see them?!? Of course He would. Ask. Wait. They are near. (And they may even be professionals who are able to help you.)

We ought to be careful who we trust with our hearts. Don't be "George." We can rest assured that if God has placed these people in your life as His "hug" to you for this season of life (whether joyful or sorrowful), you can trust Him with your heart. Perfect love casts out fear. So you must first trust and love God deeply and trust these hugs sent by Him. He has a plan. Yes, you do take a chance of being betrayed, hurt, judged, rejected. And yes, you may have those things happen and you know what, God allowed it to happen to you. His grace eases the sting and shows us how to remain calm and steadfast in His love. There are lessons for us even in the midst of pain. I'd much rather walk through a hurt in the center of God's will than on my own. His grace is sufficient.

Everything we go through, good or bad, is for our good and His glory. It was through these type of "betrayals" I learned how to build some really good protective walls. And for many many years they have remained...to protect. What was inside, stayed inside. This is so destructive. Not only do you hurt yourself in so many ways (body, mind and spirit), you also reject the receiving side of God's command to love one another, live in community and intercede. Which means that broken pieces must be seen in order for these things to happen. If you are like me, we'd like to always be on the "helping friend" side but none of us are completely immune to the effects of sin or the world's temptations and stings. At one time or another, we will have something broken, if anything, wrong.

The key is trusting God with your heart. He is our Great Counselor and Mighty Physician. He is the Best Friend who loves you no matter. HE will never leave you or forsake you. There is a reason for all we go through and it is important that we are close enough to the Lord to hear His whispers telling us where to go and with who you shall go, and for how long you shall journey together, knowing that in the end, you will be blessed. It is often in the greatest pains that we receive the greatest blessings. I have been sooooo blessed by the "hugs" God has sent me over the years!!! For as long He sees fit, I will hug them and let them hug me back. I have learned how to be a better "helping friend" as I share God's love and wisdom, not my own as well being a "receiving friend" as God hugs me through others. There is more to gain than to loose. God heals. God redeems.

I am no longer a wall builder. Yes, a little wall remains but maybe it's more of a fence with a gate. I allow what's in to go out as I also allow others in. I have survived and been made stronger in the face of betrayal, hurt and pain. I dug deeper into the refuge of God where He gave healing. There is none like Him. I will take every "hug" He send with faith and hope because that is what Love is. Love casts out fear.

So, where are you broken? What if there was an outward big blue sling for every broken thing inside you right now? Has anyone asked you,"Oh no...how'd you break it?" Won't you set aside your "I can'ts"  and trust GOD with your broken pieces and His rescue and healing. He wants to hug you. You know what's even sweeter than that? Once we have seen the "best" for us, God enables them to see the broken pieces without you having to say anything!!! So when it's really tough to speak, they have already spoken on your behalf! Amen!!! Oh to have God's very "best" in our life.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.  

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones." Proverbs 3:3-8

Father God,  Thank You Abba Daddy for caring so tenderly for me. Your "hugs" are the "best."  Help me to see those You have sent as rescue to me so that I can share my broken pieces when they come and You bring healing for them. Remove the pride and fear that keeps my wall up. God, I don't want to trust my own faulty protection. I want to trust You to give me what I need, when I need it and for as long as I need it. To everything be a season, giving and receiving. I know Lord it's always about You and never about me, so in my broken pieces, as I am weak, You are my strength and You make me strong. Thank You for the grace that mends me back together. I choose to trust You with my heart and whatever means You see fit to mold my heart to resemble Yours, I receive. I choose to trust You when my heart breaks, may it bleed for You.

Your Name is great. Your healing is perfect. And Your Love is unfathomable. To You be all glory and honor. To You I give. To You I receive. I Love You Creator and Giver of Life Abundant. I choose You. Amen.  
 

Happy New Years 2012...in May!!

HaPpY NEW YeAr 2012!!!!

It's hard to believe we are already at the end of Month 1 in a new year!?! Where is that time flying off to?!?! I would love to blog about the new year and planning our hopes and dreams, but that's not why God put me on the keyboard today. 

As always, these blogs are just as much for me as you. You could be the 4 people I know are faithful readers and I pray there are moments of encouragement in your readings here, but I also pray this opens up on a computer screen of a discouraged person. For those of you who know me, you know I am not a counselor, teacher, minister therefore I don't feel equipped to offer "help." HOWEVER, what I DO have is a relationship with The Great Physician, A Healer, A Compassionate Counselor and Mighty King...and The Sweetest Friend I have ever known. I believe He is who He says He is and He has been faithful to minister in my life. This is why I blog...to remind me in these journallings the many lessons the Lord has showed me and that you too may find yourself also encouraged to draw closer to Him.

The past 24 hours have been soooo sweet to my soul. Last night, the Ladies Bible study was rich and "meaty." Our teacher/facilitator has such a contagious spirit towards the Lord, in her joy, passion for learning The Word, wisdom and mentorship quality. It's been such a blessing and sharpening in my personal walk with the Lord that I am eternally blessed sitting under her instruction. We studied the Great I Am of the New Testament, only to get in my car and turn on the radio and hear "I Am" by Mark Schultz. My hands could not go up towards the Heaven fast enough!!!! Praise the God who's timing even in the smallest and sometimes silliest things is soo perfect!!

What a great year 2011 was!!!! I always reflect back to that very dark and desperate day when I asked the Lord to bring me Home so that I could be back in His fellowship and peace and strength. I had been depleated of everything of me. I didn't like me. I didn't understand me. I didn't want to be me. Me without God is terrifying, lonely, fearful and weak. With God, I am not alone and I am made strong through my weaknesses. God is soooo good. God is sooooo patient. And I am especially glad that God is in control and not me. I look back over that past several years and they have been the absolute best years of my life!!! I know there are no tears in Heaven, but I can't help but think that had He listened to me and I was sitting up there looking down at what my life "could have been," I would be oh so sad. I have had the richest walk with the Lord than ever before in my life. I had/have been given the opportunity to share not only with friends but with my own children what the Lord has done, who He is, who He wants to be in their life. I parent different. I am a different friend.I am a different wife. I am a different Sister in Christ. Outwardly it may not be obvious but God sees my heart and spirit, He knows my thoughts. 

It is my prayer in 2012 that I would grow closer to Him, loving Him more and receiving His love more, so that out of the overflow, and not just what's left to give, but out of abundant overflow, others will be touched by Him, see, feel, and "get" Him and be encouraged to seek whole-heartedly after Him too. What greater gift than to show someone the heart of Jesus!! To shine light on darkness. To awaken what has been asleep for too long? To breath life back into something that has essentially died. To give hope to the hopeless! 

Yep, even my New Year's Resolutions are different. I would have wanted to loose weight, have a clean house 24/7, clean out closets, get some house remodeling done, take a few classes....and while these things are good, NOTHING and I mean NOTHING is more important to me than knowing The Lord our God MORE, and be given the opportunity and honor to share with others about His faithfulness and love.  May I begin now with this...someone reading this needs to hear this:

What ever you are going through, remember that your days have already been numbered by The One who Created You and crafted you by His hand for a purpose. He has allotted you a certain amount of time to complete your job for Him here on this sinful Earth. Won't you trust Him with your time here? Do NOT give up!!!! Do NOT quit!!! Dig into HIM and hold on for dear life. It's not all about you and your happiness. You are here to serve the Living God who has called you unto His purpose. He has called you, has equipped you and is providing for you to finish the race!!! Won't you dare to trust Him? If you have nothing left to give, then AMEN!!!! You can let go of trying to figure it all out and throw yourself at the mercy feet of God and let Him pick you up off that dirty floor and carry you through each and every day, going where He says to go and doing what He says to do. He will fill you up. He ain't finished with you yet!!!!!!!! 

One GLORIOUS day, we will open our eyes and behold the absolute stunning and breath-taking glory of The Lord God Almighty. Sometimes I think I can't breath when I think of His awesomeness....what will it be like in Heaven?!?  My heart wells up with joy that could burst my heart at the thought of seeing Him in radiant glory on His throne. I already love seeing what He shows me here....oh GLORIOUS DAY!!!! Nothing else matters. Yes, He sees our needs and wants and He works all things together for our good. Have dreams. Have goals. Have a plan. Don't be a fool. Be a Child of God, serving in the role He has called you to according to His will for your life. Seek Him first!!!!! 

I could go on and on....I actually just came across this as a draft and had fun reading it. Not sure why it didn't post, so here it goes up!!!! Maybe someone needed to hear it today. If you struggle with purpose or anxiety or fear or depression or loneliness, or you know someone who does, be encouraged!!!! Get into His Word and seek after the Lord your God!!!! Life is in Him. 

Read Romans 8. AMEN!!!!!! 

"You Da' BEST Mom!!"

I LOVE when I hear the words, "Mom, I Love You," and "Mom, You're the Best Mom EVER!!" Unfortunately these words most often come after a reward has been given. I promise you I have not heard these words within an hour of being disciplined, maybe even not that entire day!! LOL!!!!

There was a lesson I learned a few years ago as I walked thru my dark valley in 2008/2009 that God called me to remember this past week. It's a lesson I feel God has reminded me so that I can encourage others with it, especially my own children who are such opportunity seekers.

They would ask for a coke for dinner (which is a rarity in this House of Water!!).

I said Yes. They replied I was the Best!!

They asked for ice cream for dessert (again, another rarity in a house where Mom and Dad are trying to make healthy choices!!)

I said Yes. They replied I was the Best!!

They asked to stay up 30 min past bedtime to finish a favorite show.

I said Yes. They replied I was the Best!!

You KNOW they didn't think or feel that when I said NO. I quickly went from Hero to Zero.

Each time they shout "Mom, You're the BEST!!!!!" I remind them that I am a good Mom regardless if they got what they wanted or not. I ALWAYS have their best in mind. I ALWAYS do my best to give them the desires of their hearts. I ALWAYS do what I can when I can for them. But, I don't always tell them Yes. In their eyes, I am not always their Hero.

NO, you may not play with the fire.

NO, you may not download that song with those lyrics even if the rhythm is cool.

NO, you may not have ice cream for breakfast.

NO, you may not drive my car at the age of 14.

NO, you may not watch certain shows.

NO, you may not date yet.

NO, you will NOT wear pants that show your undergarments.

NO, you may not have a sleepover on a school night.

NO, you may not have a $135 pair of tennis shoes.

NO, you may not have a nicer phone then me.

NO, you may not roll your eyes at me.

NO, you may not talk back to me. 

NO, you may not hit your sibling because they made you mad.

NO, you may not eat Poptarts every day for breakfast.

NO, you may not sit on the couch and watch TV all day long.

NO, you may not skip church cuz you're tired.

Yes, I will protect you.

Yes, I will be there for you when no one else is.

Yes, I will love you always.

Yes, I will hug you and sit with you any chance I am able.

Yes, I will watch your favorite movie with you.

Yes, I will make sure you have appropriate shoes and clothes to wear. 

Yes, I will do all I can to provide a healthy environment- physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Yes, I will teach you how to behave, treat others, study the bible, tithe, drive, clean, every life skill I can.

Yes, I will forgive you when you crush my heart, roll your eyes and make choices that disappoint me.

Yes, I will reward you for your obedience and discipline you in your disobedience.

Yes, I will celebrate your victories in life and encourage you through the trials.

Yes, I will ESPECIALLY teach you all that I know about the Lord our God!!!!

Yes, I will hold you accountable!!!

I am good, regardless of how you feel. Your opinion doesn't doesn't change the fact that I am good. No, I am not perfect and I never proclaim to be. Quit the opposite.  I am a sinner, just like you, on a path of righteousness, just like you, intentionally living my life with Christ as my core, (hopefully) just like you, I must confess my sins, just like you, I tithe my money, just like you. I don't understand God's way all the time, just like you. God is always good. He always has our best in mind.

I tell my kids all the time that it is the example of Christ they should follow, not mine or that of any other human. Some things I do right while sometimes I don't. Isn't that true? We most often know what to do but have a hard time doing it all the time. We're not perfect. Just intentional. Only Jesus has set the perfect example for us to follow. I tell them that I am just like them as I intentionally make choices that are pleasing to Him. I won't always make the right one but my heart and soul are focused on Him and when I make the wrong choice, have a bad attitude, or sin, God forgives me. He forgives us. 

He is good. Whether I agree with what God is doing in my life...even if it is a discipline I know I deserve, He is still good. God is ALWAYS good. My opinion doesn't matter. It doesn't change the FACT that GOD IS GOOD!!!!

To GOD be ALL the Glory!!!

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." Deuteronomy 7:9

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I Corinthians 10:13

"You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though You were angry with me, Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORDGOD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation."Isaiah 12:1-2

" So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us." Hebrews 6: 17-18

GOD IS GOOD...ALL....THE....TIME!!!

 

Boot of Death

After the list of minimal "issues" on my car grew to about 5 things, I decided it was time to take it in. I had my little man with me and so we took a little walk along the shopping center while we waited. We smelt some flowers and skipped, hopped, walked backwards, all things exciting-lol!

Around the corner we came upon a line of busy ants to which of course my little man's boots couldn't help but stomp out. He went to town stomping out all the ants. We thought he had cleared out Ant Town USA until just a few more come around the curb right for us. Maybe they were after revenge, or maybe they hadn't heard there was a new Sheriff in town. Well, instead of pouncing on them, I was taken back at his frozen state. I asked what he was doing, he replied, " I'm waiting for them to come under my boot. Then I will smoosh them." I'm thinking there is no way they would walk under the smell of death on that boot....but they did!!! And death came upon them too.

I was quickly reminded about my Pastor's sermon last week about spiritual warfare and the patience of the enemy to wait for us to move closer to him before he devours us. I cannot imagine that those ants would have intentionally walked under the Boot of Death and yet they did. We do the same thing. I wish I had time to write this all the way out, but I have a busy day ahead so I will leave you with some thoughts to ponder.

* Satan WILL wait for you.
* Do you think you can walk up to sin/temptation and NOT be affected?
* Are you on guard, watching and ready for the Boot of Death that you may avoid it's stomping?
* Pay attention!!! The enemy comes to devour you and he will do it quickly at times and other times he will sit quietly by and wait for you to come close before he attacks.
* Watch for warning flags...the old saying is true, mess with the bull, you'll get the horns...play with fire and you'll get burned.
* Just because things appear "quiet" doesn't mean things are safe. The enemy is on the prowl. You are being stalked. He is always ready.

I am sooooo thankful for two things: God has absolute authority over ALL things visible and invisible and that we have the armor of God to wear out the door. May we always be ready and on alert for the Boot of Death that is waiting to smoosh us. May we have the discernment to see it and smell it before we walk under it.

Be aware. Be alert. Be ready!!!! Make plans today to put on your armor and ask God to go before you and lead the way. He is faithful!!!

Oh how I'd love to dig deeper into this but my alarm is beeping. Time is up!! I encourage you today to read Ephesians 6:10-18 and see what pieces you might be missing as you are surely walking through battlefields all the day long and it is crucial you put on that Armor for it will be your only line of defense!!!!!

Picking up Trash

For most of my life, my time with the Lord was satisfied on Sundays, Wednesdays and Bible studies. It wasn't until 2008 that my quiet times were times I desired and carved out to spend with the Lord. In the beginning, it was something I knew I was suppose to do and I did my best to complete whatever days of homework I could, never sacrificing my sleep or play time to get it done. If I had 30 minutes to get it done, I would, otherwise, nada! Time with God was never something I craved, until I was desperate and then I coveted it.

As I walked through the season of healing beginning in 2008, meditating, confessing, claiming, memorizing The Word of God was absolutely necessary. I had tried everything Google had to offer but they didn't work. God didn't allow it to. I believe the whole reason He allowed the season of physical crisis through panic attacks was to get my spiritual attention and cause me to cling to Him. Of course any thing other than Him would fail. He caused them to fail. Some techniques helped but nothing would heal me. Like a prescription pill that my life depended on, I took a dose of Jesus every morning before my feet hit the ground, throughout the day, through the evening and even during waking nights. I clung fearfully to the Cross.

It was nothing but desperation and obedience that drove my devotion and time with the Lord. It was something I had to do even when I did not feel like it, I knew it was necessary to my life-walk. Until that point, I hadn't been able to stay on task and be disciplined to study or spend time with Him or in His Word. And, I had no accountability. No one in my life asked me about my walk. Bible study questions don't reflect personal relationship. They simple reflect you could find the right answer.

 My love for God really didn't match my time spent with Him. But, as days went on, I found that my obedience began to shift to desire. I began to feel His power again. I sensed His peace deep in my soul. I heard Him again for the first time in a loooong time. I soon realized I made lots of excuses. I dismissed the warnings that I was headed to a cliff. I began to see His heart for me. He gave me strength when I was weak. He made me feel life again. He was my only hope. He became my greatest love, not because of all He was actively doing for me, and not even for what He had done in Calvary for me, but for who He is. I cannot help but anticipate time with Him alone, to worship at His feet with complete awe and joy and reverent fear. 

I fell in consuming love with my Lord God, Abba Daddy, Friend of Sinners and Prince of Peace. He redeemed me and set me free from captivity! What a great God! What great love! What great patience! How stubborn and righteous had I become trying to be good enough. What amazing grace that saved a wrench like me. I once was blind but now I see. I was lost and now I am found!!! AMEN!!!

Just as our relationships between each other grow, so did mine with the Lord. The more time you spend with someone, the more experiences you have and history develops. You get to know their heart and spirit. My relationship with the Lord deepened greatly through this process of depending on Him for my everything, including my next breath. I got a glimpse of His goodness and power, realizing the depth of His love. I pray to now forever, faithfully walk in it.

A few months after I celebrated complete freedom from the bondage fear had once had on me, PRAISE THE LORD, God took me through lots of exercises and applications and I am impacted by one of them I thought I'd share with you, it was kinda fun, although inconvenient. He told me to pick up trash. Yes, trash, on the floor, anywhere, but not just everything I saw. I felt the nudge in my spirit which trash to get and which to walk past. It was a surreal experience. I was honestly a little annoyed at times. I'm not a huge germ-a-phobe, however, I do like germ-free environments, hands, high charis, tables, car seats, shopping carts, door handles, etc. Part Mom, part Michele!!

Anyway, I would be walking into the store and God would say, Pick up that one. And knew which one. I'd even go to grab an extra piece next to it and I would would sense the No! Don't touch. I didn't understand it then but I do now. Listen and obey. It doesn't always make sense to us and it simply doesn't have to. God is God. He is the Potter and we are the clay! And yes, my kids thought I was silly. I didn't make a big deal about it at the time cuz how crazy?!? They would play the "game" with me thinking they were being good samara tins and sometimes I couldn't take it. They had to deal with what they had. You are probably thinking the same thing right now!! I know, I was right there too!

After I realized what He was trying to show me, it would be hard to pen it all out, but I think you get the just of it, my soul developed a readiness to listen and heed to His voice. I learned a lot from this exercise of listening, obeying, God's way vs mine.

Let go of Pride: I didn't want someone to see me carrying the trash, thinking I or one of my children had done it.

It was gross to me to touch someone elses' trash. I wasn't always convenient...to my car, into church, in a hurry to get in and out, other stuff in my hands, etc. 

Listening better: I began to hear His voice over mine. He mattered more.
Ownership: I was responsible for my (hypothetical) trash, no one else's and no one to blame for what I was responsible for.  

Anticipation: There were times I attempted to be distracted, hoping God would not call on me, but He did. It was almost like a game, and it was mildly amusing. Like I could fool God, good grief. I learned humble obedience and keen awareness of His presence.

A few months later, God began to stir in me and I felt His familiar nudgings...whether it was bringing people into my path to encourage or deal with, choices I had to make that weren't pleasant, sensing warfare around me quicker, doing something I needed to do even when I didn't want to....I trusted and depended on His leading. It is true...we are sheep that have gone astray and we need to know the Shepherd's voice. We are lost without Him and will take 40 years to make an 11 day journey if we walk pouting, kicking and screaming, avoiding or making excuses, complaining all the way across the desert.

Serving God is not always easy or convenient. Just like handling the dishes, dusting, dealing with difficult people or situations, I do them out of obedience wishing I didn't have to but because I love my family and it's my love for them that I do, because I'm supposed to. Eventhough I greatly love the Lord and am sensitive to His nudges, there are still days and weeks I don't wanna pick up "trash." Sometimes, loving is just faithfulness to keep on towards the goal...which is living for Him..His way, not mine. 

Loving God IS easy. Out of that overflow, we can more readily serve others as He chooses, in the way He chooses. We are never wasting our time if we are doing what God tells us to do!! 

Nothing is just as it seems. Be intentional on listening for His voice. Be careful not to have a one way relationship with God. Speak to Him AND listen to Him. Wait on Him. Do whatever He asks and it's okay to ask why but know He may not be able to explain it to you. It's better to just ask "how Lord?" Sometimes it is about you, but often it is about someone else. You never know what God is working out around us. Maybe we will help, plant seeds, intercede, rebuke as we go. How can we love someone else if we don't have that love first? How do we share hope if we ourselves don't have any? How do we know what to do if we can't hear Him? How do we know where to go and what to do when we get there? Which way do we turn at the crossroads? Trust your Shepherd.

May you too begin in simple, intentional obedience if you must and allow God to mold your heart, open your mind and stretch your spiritual muscles so that you can run the race set before you, endure the trials, receive the grace He has for you....you may have to deal with some trash! You will soon be led by desire and not discipline. Forget Google and Go to God!!!! It will be through this discipline to listen, follow and obeying that blessings will come, with the biggest blessing being The Lord Himself, knowing Him more. Deeper love. Genuine love. Get it and go!

 Listen. He is calling you.

God, please translate!!!

This past Tuesday night in the Ladies Bible Study I attend, we were asked to share a brief testimony about ourselves. It is bizarre to me that you can be both equally afraid and excited at the chance to share what Christ has done for you!! I realized in my preparation that eventhough the heavy chains and bondage of fear has been removed- (AMEN!!!!!)- there still remains random anxiety strings. Will I say the right thing God wants me to? Will I speak clearly? Will I be boring to listen to? Will I make sense? What if, What if!! I am still praying for the day where fear is completely absent from my heart and mind and I no longer have to push through it, I will simply jump up and proclaim "YES Lord!!!" In my heart I do. I can be bold here as I write and even as I share one on one, but in front of others, looking at you...woah.

You wonder how it went? Well, it went....okay. Something practical I did learn is that if you are crunched for time, it would be better to take a minute to gather your thoughts, summarize them down and speak less with a "regular speed." This is better than doing what I did, which was to speak faster in an attempt to get all 5 minutes out in 3! My mouth went faster than my mind causing me to feel random and lost as I hoped to get out at least one good encouragement through the fluttering words. I prayed that God would intercept my babble and translate into the spirits in the room as He had done in Acts 2:6, " And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language."  

Since that night, I have received messages and assurances that all went well and hearts were touched. Looking forward to some additional share time with a few!! (Yes, I am eager, especially with a cup of coffee or sweet lemon tea in my hand!!) It seems God's grace met my mouth and carried the words into the ears of some of the women. Maybe God changed the frequency of their ears to tune into His Words. Oh, how I prayed He would!!!!God is good!!!

As I walked back to my seat that night, heart jumping all over the place and my mind wondering What just happened?, I was sad that I didn't make any final points. It is my prayer and I think it ought to be the prayer of each of us that as we share our life story it should be about our journey with the Lord despite who we are. Not, who were are despite our journey with the Lord. We should be reflecting Christ's handiwork, not human perceptions. Of course, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" and it is important to know who we are in Christ and everything we have been through is a part of our journey, but if I only talk about all my mistakes and accomplishments in my flesh, and not focus on God's hand in all of it, am I making the most of Him, or me? I pray, I pray I would make the most of Him!!! 

This was a great opportunity to reflect back on and recount where God has brought me from crisis to the Cross as I prepared to share. He really is my greatest Love!!!! 
He has been sooooo good. 
Soooooo faithful. 
Sooooooo generous. 
Sooooooo patient!!!!! 

Although each of these could be a blog all on their own, detailing how I got there and ways He taught me this, I would love to share with you some of the points I had hoped to make. They are really even the same things I tell my kids, it's simple and we need to be walking in this same consuming faith and trust, regardless of age. You may have been asked to speak this week, although we should always be ready, but I encourage you to reflect back and see where you have walked. Can be humbling and convicting, especially if you have walked a few circles around the same dirt path a few times.e

As always, I know there are those of you that read these blogs, thank you for taking the time to read-I pray God intercepts these words and translates them for your spirit, and it is my prayer that God will reveal something in each one that sharpens you and encourages you. May I remind you as long as we are here, "it's easier said than done." Just because God places these lessons or applications in my heart to encourage you, does NOT mean I too have mastered them. I do share a lot of victories in Christ, however, rest assured I am still a work in progress!

We can lead outwardly perfect lives and yet live a defeated inward life.

You can never fully know what someone else is going through. Smiles can be masks. It was even for me for a long season.

For the person struggling: keep your eyes on the Cross. The Cross is your victory!!! We are not meant to battle alone, share your struggle with "whatever" with someone...a BELIEVING, LOVES THE LORD someone. Not only does it take away the secret Satan would love for you to be ashamed of, you will receive intercession before the Lord on your behalf (which is why it is important who you share with) and you will be stronger with accountability than on your own. I have blogged plenty on accountability in the body of Christ. "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." James 5:16 Drop the pride, humble yourself, don't fear rejection...God has placed the people in your life for such a time as this!!

For the "other" person: funny, there really isn't a "other" person. We are ALL struggling with something and if you are not, you believe you are perfect, ask God and He will show you that His Son is the only perfect person who has walked on the Earth! In my perfection moments, my friend would ask me, "Are you Jesus?!?" The message for each of is this: keep your eyes on Him.

When we keep our eyes on Him, the Body works.

For obvious reasons, we know we should keep our eyes on Him so that we will be of right mind, gather all of our identity and peace and strength from Him but I would like to also point out that within our focus on Christ, we should be fully aware of two things: spiritual warfare and spiritual gifts. I could TOTALLY write pages on these...but I will refrain in this moment in an effort to get the point out (I am trying!!).

It is much easier to see the warfare the closer you are to Christ as He gives you His eyes to see. You also gather more strength and endurance when you fight with the power of God and are replenished with the Living Water as you walk through the wilderness. Satan roams the Earth, mountain tops and wildernesses. You are never out of attack range. Yes, God is with you always and will give you all you need for when the time of trouble comes. He will fight with you. Keep close. Stay fixed on Him. 

Secondly, spiritual gifts. You may think being a Mom or whatever title you hold is your gifting but it is not. I also thought it was my call and gifting to be the perfect Mom and Wife and church member, volunteer and friend...but these are simply the avenues in which God calls you to use your gifts, they are not your gifts. " Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." I Corinthians 12- read the chapter!! It was a Mom who God used to encourage me in dark season, her Momness did not encourage me, but her gift of encouragement from the Lord lifted me. It was a church member who can do no wrong in the kitchen who insisted on bringing me a meal on just the day I had no strength, it was her gift of hospitality and discernment that she unknowingly ministered to a need I had. It was retired neighbor that spontaneously checked on me often through a season of crisis, it was her gift of intercession, faithfulness and encouragement that caused her to war on my behalf when I had nothing left in me. It was a professional counselor and later mentor that walked me through application steps to walk out my daily life through this season but it was through her gift of encouragement, knowledge and wisdom that my spirit, not just my mind, were ministered to and forever changed. These gifts should be called tools, to be used by God, to be cared for by us!!!

God needs us to see what instrument He has created us to be in the world so we can be a conduit of His work. Each of us needs each other to know their gift.

It is the gift of Christ, the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father, that gives us victory over all things. It is Christ blood infused in ours that the Holy Spirit fights and conquerors the enemy before us. With His eyes of Authority, we can see the warfare. With His eyes of Graciousness, we can see our precious and powerful gifts (tools).

" If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth... Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 

And be thankful. 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17

Think about it? Doesn't it excite you each time God reveals Himself to you?!? Small ways. Big ways. Obvious and in hindsight. God is every where. So, what if the entire Body of Christ "put on then" that inexpressible JOY and awe-ness in the Lord and lived it to be real and true, how would our family, our city, our nation, the world...the physical world and the spiritual world be different? If we all functioned with seeing eyes and ready with tools to go to work in Jesus Name???? Talk about a revival.  

God, may it begin with....me....us. Revive our spirits and refresh The Body and make it contagious!!! Bind the evil one and his army from capturing our thoughts and stealing our strength. Guard our faith and our trust in You. Give us courage and faithfulness to love You like you deserve. Humble our hearts that You can fine tune us, shape us, mold us by whatever means necessary so that we can be effective tools for Your Kingdom, Your World. To You Lord, receive all Glory. We worship You...I worship you. amen.
 

Snow to Sand

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, 

and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We have heard it a million times, "there is a season for everything," "this too shall pass." Within two weeks of each other, I packed up my family of 6 for skiing in the snow only to turn around, got it all washed (still not all put up I am afraid) only to turn around and pack us up for a weekend at the beach! From bulky layers to one piece swimsuits, boots to flip flops, funny that both required sunscreen and sunglasses! Although we had planned the family trip to the snow 3 months prior, giving me ample time to find all the gear we would need and make reservations on the slopes, the beach trip was a surprise for my 40th birthday from my Husband. I did request a beach day, but he went the extra mile and made it 3 days! So nice.

Even though it was much easier to pack for the beach, less gear, less amount of clothing, less degree of change to anticipate for, I was still thrown into the whirlwind of unpacking to packing for two completely different seasons. Both of these destinations required me to prepare and adapt what was normal for Houston. Both of these seasons brought hardships along with great joys. 

For example, the snow sure makes everything slushy and muddy. Our car needed a HUGE wash...a few times:) Evidence of the mountain clay remains on my driveway to this day. And yet, the majesty of the mountains and the memories we made were priceless. The beach left us with sand, everywhere and yet the sounds of the beach-side melted my soul! Oh, the joys and the pains in every thing.

This is how our seasons with the Lord are. Seasons can come by our invitation or the Lord in His sovereignty sometimes grants us awareness of their upcoming arrival. We sometimes have ample time to plan and prepare for them. However, there are also seasons that surprise us and throw us into what feels like a whirlwind. God tells us there is a season for everything, some of it will be fun (a time to be born, plant, heal, build up, laugh, dance, gather, embrace, seek, keep, sew, speak, love, peace), while other times are not so fun (a time to die, kill, break, weep, mourn lose, tear, hate war). To each season there are joys and pains.

Since we cannot always anticipate the change of season, we must "be ready in and out of season." What does that mean? How do we prepare for the seasons? Well, one thing we know for sure, no matter where you go, you will need gear, clothing and sunscreen and sunglasses. And something that that has become crucial with our large families and especially a family with more independent people (older kids with more freedom and younger ones learning how to do more things) is a meeting point, a bearing and accountability. When we have freedom to go our own ways for a time, it is important there is a specific point where we will unite. Even at the beach, it was super crucial to pay attention to your bearing as the current slowly but surely carried you downshore. You could not hear the warnings of those yelling out across the winds so it was up to you to continuously check your whereabouts before you went too far. 

There are basics common to all seasons. They just function differently. No matter where you go, what season you are in, you should be equipped with the basics: God's Word (Bible and Prayer), Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18), Faith Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) and others (II Corinthians 13:11, I Thessalonians 5:11). In good times or bad, we need God and others. No matter where we are, we need to keep our bearing which comes from time spent in His Word. We need the meeting point which comes thru accountability.

Every season requires love. Every season demands our faith, hope and commitment to truth. We need to not only love God and others fully, but allow God and others to love us fully. Our greatest defenses are the Word of God applied in our heart, mind and soul and the intercession of others. There is a reason God instructs us to love one another and pray for one another. There is power in the Name of Jesus and that power covers us in every season. (I am resisting the urge to blog on the importance and preciousness of intercession!!!)

Whether we are slipping on ice or surfing the waves, may we always be prepared for the joys and trials of the season. One thing we have not mentioned is for how long? How long will we be there? Well, we don't always know. Our Heavenly Father, Creator of the Seasons holds them in His hands and at His command, they will change. As each season produces the fruit needed, He will move us to new ground. When the season changes, will you be ready?
 
 

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him.  

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 19-17

 

 

God Bless You and May God Bless Me!! 

To GOD be ALL glory, ALL the time, in EVERY season!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!