After reading that what else can I say? He knows our thoughts, He knows our intentions and more than anything He knows our hearts. When I choose to act and feel like I have lately I know that He is not pleased, to say the least. As Christians we are called to serve, to give and to seek the ever changing life plan He has for us. Let us not get complacent with our journey. No one benefits from that. I challenge you to do the same thing that I have challenged myself to do, get up a move forward. My husband just went to the men’s retreat and something the speaker said to them over and over was this, “I, myself will go”. Love it. So as of today, I, myself am going. I’m stepping out of my comfort places and moving forward into the next step of my journey. I may not always be comfortable with the way things are going but I if I can stay focused on God and allow Him to lead me than I know His Glory will prevail. So as I embrace the newness of my church I pray that I will have a willing spirit to experience new things and create new beginnings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. So I ask you, Are you equipped? And if so are you seeking your good work? If not then let me just suggest that it’s time to get out of our pretty little boxes and step out into the open. The Word of God also says this, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Listen, this is happening everywhere we look. They need us, God needs us to be His servants. Each of us have a much needed calling and there is just no time to waste anymore. What are we waiting for? Some miraculous fire in the bushes…If you are willing take the time this week a read the book of Titus (it is very short). Let God speak to your heart and lead you into the journey He has created for you. Let Him set the limits on what you can handle, I promise you, you will be blessed by it. Feeling empty? Turn to this. 2 Timothy 4:2-8 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - I want to keep the faith, and although there are days that I’m not very good at it I am determined to actively reach for it. What about you?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
A little but of randomness & confession
This is a random post, maybe because I am just in a random mood. I’ll have you know that I just stood in my kitchen, in the dark, well not completely in the dark but dark enough that if my kids got out of bed they would not see me, and ate Creamy Creations Toasted Almond Fudge…out of the container. (I know some of you grammar freaks out there are about to lose it with me right now). Don’t ask me why but it felt so liberating doing that, maybe I just need some sleep. Just in case you’re wondering I am a die-hard Blue Bell fan but this ice cream is wonderful. Told you this would be random. Anyways, I am here to confess a few things (James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.) so because of that scripture and hearing my husband say it about 20 times recently I’m doing this, thanks Will. I have been so judgmental and negative the last week or so that I finally acted and said enough things today that I offended myself. I guess I could blame this on being a creature of comfort and give you all the reasons that I don’t adjust well to change or I can just call it what it is and claim the sin. However you want to package this one, there is no bow to make this pretty. You see we have this amazing new church that we absolutely love. It’s small with big personality and we are currently getting ready to move into our new building. I feel like we found this place at the perfect time and we are really excited to be a part of the new changes about to occur. We have met new people and have created new friendships but all of a sudden I have felt myself shutting down. I just recently discovered that this church is a huge supporter of missions and also focuses a ton on CLG groups (small groups) and I must say that takes me a little out of my comfort zone. Missionaries are amazing to me. I respect their dedication and involvement in ways that I don’t have the words for. I was recently invited to listen to this amazing young woman who is literally dedicating her life to the mission field and moving to Thailand and not for a year a two, I mean moving. I envy all of this but might I add I do this from the comforts of my sweet home. Then there is the CLG groups. Well, I appreciate small groups but honestly that falls on my list of “one more thing to do” and usually doesn’t get done. I’m always grateful when I do attend but not so willing to devote the time. I hope this post does not come across as anything negative about my church, it actually has nothing to do with my church, it is just me putting my thoughts and struggles out there for you to read (whoever you may be J). What I am getting at is this, I love my alone time with God, and maybe at this point I’ve become too comfortable in it. When I felt God calling me to a writing ministry 10 years ago I only imagined time spent alone with Him (and maybe teaching a class or two). I guess I dreamed up a life of seclusion with Him; how I ever missed the interaction with my church family I have no idea, but here I am working out the details. The reason I spill all of this randomness to you is to ask this question. Do we find ourselves too comfortable in our routines, our callings and our church? Are we just getting by with the minimal requirements and missing out on fulfillment from serving and stepping out of our comfort zone? Yes, yes and yes. Come on, if we are going to be honest with ourselves we all know that there is more that we can be doing and if we are willing to listen to God he will lead us. As I sorted thru my thoughts today I felt God reminding me of this. Psalm 139 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
After reading that what else can I say? He knows our thoughts, He knows our intentions and more than anything He knows our hearts. When I choose to act and feel like I have lately I know that He is not pleased, to say the least. As Christians we are called to serve, to give and to seek the ever changing life plan He has for us. Let us not get complacent with our journey. No one benefits from that. I challenge you to do the same thing that I have challenged myself to do, get up a move forward. My husband just went to the men’s retreat and something the speaker said to them over and over was this, “I, myself will go”. Love it. So as of today, I, myself am going. I’m stepping out of my comfort places and moving forward into the next step of my journey. I may not always be comfortable with the way things are going but I if I can stay focused on God and allow Him to lead me than I know His Glory will prevail. So as I embrace the newness of my church I pray that I will have a willing spirit to experience new things and create new beginnings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. So I ask you, Are you equipped? And if so are you seeking your good work? If not then let me just suggest that it’s time to get out of our pretty little boxes and step out into the open. The Word of God also says this, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Listen, this is happening everywhere we look. They need us, God needs us to be His servants. Each of us have a much needed calling and there is just no time to waste anymore. What are we waiting for? Some miraculous fire in the bushes…If you are willing take the time this week a read the book of Titus (it is very short). Let God speak to your heart and lead you into the journey He has created for you. Let Him set the limits on what you can handle, I promise you, you will be blessed by it. Feeling empty? Turn to this. 2 Timothy 4:2-8 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - I want to keep the faith, and although there are days that I’m not very good at it I am determined to actively reach for it. What about you?
After reading that what else can I say? He knows our thoughts, He knows our intentions and more than anything He knows our hearts. When I choose to act and feel like I have lately I know that He is not pleased, to say the least. As Christians we are called to serve, to give and to seek the ever changing life plan He has for us. Let us not get complacent with our journey. No one benefits from that. I challenge you to do the same thing that I have challenged myself to do, get up a move forward. My husband just went to the men’s retreat and something the speaker said to them over and over was this, “I, myself will go”. Love it. So as of today, I, myself am going. I’m stepping out of my comfort places and moving forward into the next step of my journey. I may not always be comfortable with the way things are going but I if I can stay focused on God and allow Him to lead me than I know His Glory will prevail. So as I embrace the newness of my church I pray that I will have a willing spirit to experience new things and create new beginnings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. So I ask you, Are you equipped? And if so are you seeking your good work? If not then let me just suggest that it’s time to get out of our pretty little boxes and step out into the open. The Word of God also says this, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Listen, this is happening everywhere we look. They need us, God needs us to be His servants. Each of us have a much needed calling and there is just no time to waste anymore. What are we waiting for? Some miraculous fire in the bushes…If you are willing take the time this week a read the book of Titus (it is very short). Let God speak to your heart and lead you into the journey He has created for you. Let Him set the limits on what you can handle, I promise you, you will be blessed by it. Feeling empty? Turn to this. 2 Timothy 4:2-8 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - I want to keep the faith, and although there are days that I’m not very good at it I am determined to actively reach for it. What about you?
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Is there Joy in sorrow?
I don’t know about you but I have had a week where I have been really sensitive and had some serious sorrow over some things (ok ladies, let’s just be honest here, we all know what that means – sorry guys). I think it may be because this time of year gets very busy for us, good busy, but in return it makes me miss some things, mainly people. In the last year and a half we have lost two core people in our immediate family, my granny and my step-mom. I can’t help but get sad when I think about both of my kids having Birthdays before the end of the year and of course the Holidays, things will never be the same without them. So, if we have no choice but to push through this harsh and crazy thing we call life, don’t you want to do it with Jesus? I know I do. And if he is the only reason that you decide to crawl out of bed some mornings then so be it. Today I wanted to talk about dealing with two types of sorrow; first let’s look at sorrow from (heartache/loss) in affiliation with Joy. Isaiah 35:10 say, and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Jeremiah 31:12 says, They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. Jeremiah 31:13 says, Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. My friend, I hate to even think about what you may personally be feeling over this topic. There are some of you that have experienced hurt in a way that I’m afraid to even let my mind consider but what I want to suggest is this. Sometimes in the darkest places we can see Him the clearest. Sometimes just finding the strength to climb to your knees and cry out to Him is where He comforts us the most. There is no magical formula here when dealing with this type of sorrow, but we have a God who carries the name Jehovah Rophi, meaning He is our healer. Psalm 147:3-5 says, 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
Let me also suggest that sorrow isn’t only in dealing with loss or heartache, it happens a ton in dealing with bondage from our sin. Anybody know what the definition of godly sorrow is? It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit in your heart; for any wrong doing, and for your need to repent. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. Let me clarify what I am trying to say here. In this life we will deal with sorrow, there is no possible way around it. What I am suggesting is this, whether we have sorrow from heartache & loss or sorrow brought upon ourselves from choices made in sin; you can be healed and made whole again. I want you to understand this 2 Cor 5:21 says, God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. This is what this is all about! Jesus died for the salvation of our sins, so that we may have relationship with God, to cry out to Him and be heard. To be healed by Him in all of our sorrows and to know Him in a way that surpasses any human relationship. There is help, there is hope, his name is Jesus. Just hand over the thing that is causing so much misery and sorrow in your life and let Jehovah Rophi heal you. Let Him heal you and wash you clean. Psalm 30:5 says, 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning. It’s not too late, believe me, He’s big enough to handle it. Every once in a while when I feel that thing called sorrow creeping up on me I tend to find myself in the same cycle of hopelessness. I run to my bible and cling on to this. Galatians 5:1 says. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Let’s just call it what it is, and be done with it. Amen! Now go out and stand your ground and fight for your freedom in Him. He is waiting.
but rejoicing comes in the morning. It’s not too late, believe me, He’s big enough to handle it. Every once in a while when I feel that thing called sorrow creeping up on me I tend to find myself in the same cycle of hopelessness. I run to my bible and cling on to this. Galatians 5:1 says. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Let’s just call it what it is, and be done with it. Amen! Now go out and stand your ground and fight for your freedom in Him. He is waiting.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
My portion...
Psalm 119:57-60 57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
If you do a word search on the word portion (in bible gateway.com) you will see over and over that portion is mainly in relation to sacrifice. I thought this was so perfect because I believe it is not until we are willing to make sacrifices to the LORD, that He is able to bless us with His portion. I asked myself just now what it means for God to be my portion. Here is what I felt. Your portion, LORD is my daily bread, my food for life, my reasoning for fighting for what I know is mine. Your portion LORD is what keeps this anxiety ridden head of mine calm and content. Your portion LORD is what has given my life a real purpose, one that consists of a physical, emotional & spiritual need from you that can not be quenched. Your portion, LORD, is the soul difference between me just claiming to be a Christian verses choosing to stand up and being willing to serve and do something for His Kingdom. When was the last time that you just could not get enough of Him? Let me dare to say this, but if you can not remember, maybe it’s time to offer up a sacrifice (or two). I can promise you that this is not how this has always been for me. I would listen to people talk about this amazing relationship and love they had for Jesus and I would often feel like I was failing because I didn’t feel the same way. After asking Him why my walk seemed so different He did not waste much time in showing me the things that were hindering it. He will never force himself upon us, unfortunately. He will however pull back his covering to the extent of feeling bare and exposed in ways like never before. I’ve always been told that if you feel far from God turn around, and I still believe that in most situations. However, I also believe that at times He just steps back and allows me to feel the distance between us. A hallowing, dark, empty distance…and I don’t like it. Romans 4:7-8 says, Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. The original Greek word for never in this passage is a double negative…no, never. This is beautiful scripture and one that I have had underlined in my bible for a long time along with a ton of notes around it. What I want you to see here is that although every single bit of that scripture is truth, ours sins do not come without consequence and for me, sacrifice. I want us to stop pretending to be living in a way that we are not. Anybody else? Sometimes I even try to kid myself…so ridiculous. Romans 5:2-5 says this, And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us. So this is the thing, do you want your portion from Him or not? Then seek it. Turn today, reach out to Him, pour out your heart, your faults, your hurt and you concerns. He will listen, He will provide, He is just waiting on you to be faithful in acknowledging that He is able. I love these verses in Isaiah, 44:22 says, I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you… vs.24 This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb. I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself. Now try and tell Him he isn’t capable of dealing with anything you bring to the table…Isaiah 61:7 says, Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. Gods word is for us, it doesn’t matter if in the Old Testament or New (we are just not under the law of the Old, because we have freedom in Christ). So don’t ever think that just because God spoke these things so many years ago that they aren’t to be applied to our life now. His word is alive, His love is endless, and His portion for you is overflowing. Get out there and go claim what is yours.
59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
If you do a word search on the word portion (in bible gateway.com) you will see over and over that portion is mainly in relation to sacrifice. I thought this was so perfect because I believe it is not until we are willing to make sacrifices to the LORD, that He is able to bless us with His portion. I asked myself just now what it means for God to be my portion. Here is what I felt. Your portion, LORD is my daily bread, my food for life, my reasoning for fighting for what I know is mine. Your portion LORD is what keeps this anxiety ridden head of mine calm and content. Your portion LORD is what has given my life a real purpose, one that consists of a physical, emotional & spiritual need from you that can not be quenched. Your portion, LORD, is the soul difference between me just claiming to be a Christian verses choosing to stand up and being willing to serve and do something for His Kingdom. When was the last time that you just could not get enough of Him? Let me dare to say this, but if you can not remember, maybe it’s time to offer up a sacrifice (or two). I can promise you that this is not how this has always been for me. I would listen to people talk about this amazing relationship and love they had for Jesus and I would often feel like I was failing because I didn’t feel the same way. After asking Him why my walk seemed so different He did not waste much time in showing me the things that were hindering it. He will never force himself upon us, unfortunately. He will however pull back his covering to the extent of feeling bare and exposed in ways like never before. I’ve always been told that if you feel far from God turn around, and I still believe that in most situations. However, I also believe that at times He just steps back and allows me to feel the distance between us. A hallowing, dark, empty distance…and I don’t like it. Romans 4:7-8 says, Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. The original Greek word for never in this passage is a double negative…no, never. This is beautiful scripture and one that I have had underlined in my bible for a long time along with a ton of notes around it. What I want you to see here is that although every single bit of that scripture is truth, ours sins do not come without consequence and for me, sacrifice. I want us to stop pretending to be living in a way that we are not. Anybody else? Sometimes I even try to kid myself…so ridiculous. Romans 5:2-5 says this, And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us. So this is the thing, do you want your portion from Him or not? Then seek it. Turn today, reach out to Him, pour out your heart, your faults, your hurt and you concerns. He will listen, He will provide, He is just waiting on you to be faithful in acknowledging that He is able. I love these verses in Isaiah, 44:22 says, I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you… vs.24 This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb. I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself. Now try and tell Him he isn’t capable of dealing with anything you bring to the table…Isaiah 61:7 says, Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. Gods word is for us, it doesn’t matter if in the Old Testament or New (we are just not under the law of the Old, because we have freedom in Christ). So don’t ever think that just because God spoke these things so many years ago that they aren’t to be applied to our life now. His word is alive, His love is endless, and His portion for you is overflowing. Get out there and go claim what is yours.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
In a dry and parched land...
Psalm 63 -1You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
If you live close to me you know exactly why I put this scripture in here. Rain! and a ton of it. Nothing better than a great church service with visiting family, good lunch, football....and rain. My favorite kind of Sundays. I read this scripture last week and have thought about it often, I thought I would share what God put on my heart with it. There are just times in my walk with Him that I feel...for better words parched. It's often that the longing for God only happens long after the thirst for His word has stopped. I wonder how at times He consumes my entire days or weeks to then realize some days I haven't meet with Him at all. I used to try and recommit and reschedule things to try and fit Him in, now I just fit Him in first (even if it means giving up that last hour of sleep). I have also had to remind myself that my walk with God doesn't always consist of the mountain top moments. I have not only had to adjust to the times spent deep in the valley, but to learn how to enjoy the journey of the climb. My personality wants a full blown active, fulfilling experience...at all times. God doesn’t work that way. Anytime I am willing, He teaches me, anytime I let go of my pride, He is willing to move me and anytime I am willing to be still and listen, He speaks. But this doesn't occur when I only devote a 30 second prayer to Him and defiantly does not occur when I choose to not open the bible and just simply read. I don't know about you but I want more, and if it is out there to receive I want to be sure and not miss out. That is really all I had today, if this in anyway speaks to you I hope that today would be the day that you make the change. I hope you are enjoying this wonderful unusual day and I pray that God shows you something really great...even if it's just for you to understand.
Psalm 63 2-5 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you...
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Info
Thanks everyone for jumping on and being a part of this. If anyone knows how to post comments please advise. Some can, most can't. Also, there is a way to be notified when a new post is made, I will get the details and let you know. I'm hoping to post weekly, every Thursday. Talk to you soon.
Obedience
I have felt a strong urge lately to ask myself this question, "Are you being obedient to God?" Seems simple, right? Well, after two weeks of questioning myself, the truth of the answer was no. I've wondered so many times why the calling that he placed upon my life 10 years ago had not come to pass, I quickly thought about how my lack of attention and obedience has probably hindered the doors to be opened. You see I create this list in my head and it's full at all times. I run myself ragged and then run myself again. I look back on a week and think, wow what did I do for Jesus this week? Were my actions and attitude even worthy of Him speaking to me or teaching me? Last Thursday I had a few hours without my kids and decided to go to the mall to waste some time. As I walked through the halls I felt so convicted. For so many years I have begged God to teach me, to open the doors to my ministry, to fulfill His promise to me and yet I haven't fulfilled my promise to Him to be a servant that is fully equipped. (2 Timothy 3:16-1716 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.). So last Thursday, I left the mall, finished my errands and made this commitment. Faithful God, Thursdays are yours. So here I am, open and willing to receive a fresh word from Him. Would any of you be willing to commit too? I have a friend who is going to try and work on getting the comments fixed so you can be a part (I am desperate for you to be involved) and I would love to know if God is urging you to take some time out during the week set aside solely for Him. As I type this I wish so badly I could give you a run down of my faults and failures in serving Jesus in my life. I only became a Christian when I was 18 and went full force and then u-turned many times. When I reconnected about 7 years later and allowed God to get serious with me and excepted the very difficult changes that He required in my life, it was then and only then that I began to understand the power He held and the power that was handed over to us through the Holy Spirit. I remember being down on the floor in my office and telling God that at all costs, I just wanted to serve Him, that no matter what the task would be, I would except. What I'm about to tell you is a story on how God called my bluff...and my friend, He won (well of course He did). I woke up one morning from a very disturbing dream, I had dreamt that I was walking through this dark area and God was behind me pushing me ahead. When I saw light I was at a friends house at a BBQ, God pushed me to a table where a man sat with a huge smile on his face (we will call him Joe). I knew this man but not very well, however well enough to know that he probably didn't know Jesus. God literally dropped me in a chair beside him and I knew I was to minister to him. The whole crowd of people (all of them that I knew) starred at me and I knew the judgement was setting in for most of them could not understand the changes that had happened in my life. As I looked back at Joe he took my hand and said shall we pray...then I woke up. How crazy I thought, but didn't think a ton about it. About 2 months after this I received a call from a friend to let me know that Joe had cancer, and like a ton of bricks that dream suddenly hit me. This man is going to die and God wants me to minister to him. I was terrified, nervous and didn't want the people we were affiliated with him to have more of a reason to judge. I told my husband and continued to pray about it. I passed this mans house everyday for 5 months and could never force myself to stop. I even thought at one time I would stop in at Mels and bring him food that way at least if he had no idea who I was and if I totally blew it I could set the food on the table and run, but guess what I never did. One day I felt the LORD pressing so heavy upon to stop and literally I said out loud, "God I know I don't deserve this but please give me another sign that this is really from you." I pulled into Wal-Mart a few minutes later to pick up a few things for the office (at 7:30 am) and God as my witness that man was standing at the end of my isle. Brace yourselves, I panicked and ran away. I'm embarrassed even now. I want you to know that I ignored God for 2 days, hoping we could both just forget about it (oh how ridiculous were are sometimes). I never heard another thing about Joe, until October 31, 2008 when we received the phone call that he had passed. We were in the hospital, only 24 hours after having our daughter, and I was beside myself. I felt so responsible and so sad. It took me several hours to realize that God wasn't going to let this mans salvation rest upon me alone. However, it did open my eyes in a way that I will never be the same for. You may ask if I still pray that same prayer and if I am I still willing to be a servant at all costs, no matter the pride in situations. Yes. And man has it been tough sometimes. When I feel the Holy Spirit move in me over certain situations I hit my knees, search for a scripture and get to work. Yes I have been nervous and uncomfortable and even at times red faced and sweating. But this my friend is more precious than gold for me and I am honored when I am called upon. So keep your head up, remain focused and trust Him in all situations. Know that if our God is big enough to bring us to a situation, that He is big enough to see us through the other side. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
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