My previous post was about how everything comes with a price. I menioned how weight loss and exercise and eating healthy all come with a price. Ministry comes with a price. Helping others comes with a price. However, I didn't even think to mention how much we women sacrifice to try to look good. We pay the price when it comes to trying to look good.We get our eyebrows waxed (ouch!), dye our hair, wear shoes that hurt our feet, and try all sorts of tricks and remedies in the name of beauty. Have you ever seen what a woman looks like when she's getting her hair foiled? Its a long process and you look pretty silly. That's the price you have to pay. It takes a lot of work to keep yourself up these days! (Is anybody else finding out that the older you get the more work it is?) Sending a shout out right now to my hairdressers current and past...God bless you every one!
Some folks understand the price you have to pay to keep yourself looking presentable. I went to the post office recently and was wearing my new red cape and new red purse that my best friend gave me. I paired them with the new royal blue blouse my mom gave me, jeans, and some open high heeled shoes that I paid $3.99 for! I must say, I was feeling quite sassy. A man approached me in the post office and asked, "Aren't your feet cold in those shoes?" I just shrugged my shoulders and laughed and said, "Well, I guess that's the price to have to pay to be cute" and walked off. He said, "Well, honey, you must be paying the bill!" That cracked me up. Now, that was a man that understood that the price must be paid!
(Note to the ladies that live in my area. Not sure what is up with the Princeton post office. Apparently men at the Princeton Post office who are checking their mailboxes also think that they are the fashion police. Another man at the post office recently made a comment about the purple dress I was wearing. I don't know if he was trying to tell me he liked my purple dress or if he was making fun of my purple dress. I was wearing a purple dress, black heels, and black stockings. He gave me a sideways glance and said "You're wearing some purple today, aren't you?" What does that mean? Is purple somehow offensive? Purple is my color, people. I have purple purses, purple boots, scarves, dresses, rings, bracelets, sweaters, and a purple cape. I wonder what the "Purple-Hating Post Office Man" would have thought if I had been wearing my purple jewelry and carrying my purple purse, too that day?? That would have really been too much for him! I once had a purple velour blouse and pants set. I quit wearing it because one of my relatives at the time called me Barney every time I wore it! LOL! )
Enough with my silliness... In addition to not mentioning the price that women pay in the name of beauty, my previous post did not mention the most important price that has ever been paid. You may have paid a high price for your education or made a great sacrifice to achieve certain goals or personal successes in your life. Any great achievement in life comes with a price or some kind of sacrifice. Just think about what women have to go through to bring a baby into the world! Every accolade or award you have received came with a price. Every gift you have ever been given, came with a price, including your own children.Yet, the greatest gift you have ever been given, did not cost you a thing.
Your salvation, your ticket to eternal life, your relationship with Jesus Christ, your ability to talk directly to God, all came with a tremendous price. Yet it cost you nothing. God sent his son into the world to pay the price for your sins. We all know John 3:16. But how often do we really stop and think about it?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life". God loved you and me so much that he sent his own Son to pay the price. Did you think about that this Christmas season? God sent His son to earth to be born to a simple teenage girl, to be delivered in a barn, to be placed in a feed trough for a crib. To be rejected, mocked, lied about, spat upon, abused, beaten. The King of Kings paid the price for you and me! He left a heavenly throne where he was being worshipped by angels...and came to earth to hang on a cross and wear a crown of thorns for you and me. The ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate price has already been paid.
God's gift of salvation is free. Most of you reading this have already received it and accepted it. If you have, then thank God for it! But if you have not accepted this gift, you need to do it TODAY...RIGHT NOW! Ask God to forgive you of your sins and thank Him for paying the price for you! Its just that simple. Its like having a present sit on your front porch for years. All you have to do is open it. Its yours and its already been paid for. If you had a present on your front porch with your name on it...you would open it as soon as you saw it. I know you would. You wouldn't wait days, weeks, months or years to open it. The gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life..its there waiting for you! Accept it!
If you are already a Christian, then I have a New Years' Resolution for you. Yeah, for you. Your New Year's Resolution is to pray and ask God to give you souls in 2012. Yes, ask God to give you opportunities to lead someone to Him. Have you ever prayed with someone to be saved? If you haven't, then ask God to give you the opportunity and I promise you He will! Pray right now that God will give you the opportunity, the boldness, the open door, the words to say...whatever you need. If you have previously witnessed to someone or prayed with someone to ask Jesus into the heart, then I want you to pray that you will lead more people to Christ in 2012 than you have ever before. Do it! Stop and pray that right now!
By the end of January, I want to start getting phone calls, emails, instant messages, written notes, facebook posts, and more from all of you guys telling me how you have had opportunities to lead someone to accept the gift of salvation. Make a list of friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors that you are praying and believing will be saved in 2012. Put people on the list that don't even like you. Do it! Get out pen and paper and do it. I'm serious. Get up right now and get out a piece of paper and pen and start righting down names. Put the paper on your bathroom mirror, in your car, beside your bed and pray for them every single day. Put them on your hit list! I'm believing God for great things from you in 2012! Remember, the price has already been paid! Please read the prayer below and pray and agree with me that this will be true for you, your friends, and family.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray and believe right now that everyone reading this post will be filled with the boldness of your Holy Spirit, that they will worship you in spirit and in truth, and that they will become a prayer warrior, intercessor, and soul winner for you in 2012 and beginning even right now! I believe that they will witness for you in 2012 like never before, that they will lead souls to you like never before and will be used mightily in ministry like they have never been used in their life. God, if there is anyone reading this post or that has read any of my previous posts that has not accepted you as their Savior, I pray that your Holy Spirit will convict them and you will reveal yourself to them like never before and that they will be saved. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. I ask that this blog will touch more lives in 2012 and that everything that is done in 2012 is for your Glory and to your credit. Thank you, God for what you are going to do in the lives of everyone reading this and praying this. I believe for salvation, restoration, deliverance, breakthrough, and healings that are physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual.. It is already done in the name of Jesus!
Amen
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Everything Comes with A Price
Have you made any New Year's Resolutions, yet? Well, whatever you have resolved to do or change or somehow improve about yourself, it will come with a price. Whether you want to lose weight, exercise more, eat more healthy, get out of debt, or to pray and read your Bible more, it will cost you something. In some way, you will have to make a sacrifice of time, energy, money, watching less TV, spending less time or money on certain hobbies, etc.
Everything Comes With A Price!
My children have teenage cousins visiting from out of state. Last night one of them spent the night with my three children, along with additional cousins and friends. I had a house full of kids. Those kids had a homecooked country meal for dinner. Homemade chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, buttered rolls, chicken salad, and corn and string beans that came from my parent's garden. For dessert...chocolate chip cookies my mom made from scratch the day before. Quite a spread, right? Cooking the dinner alone took over an hour, not to mention clean up time afterwards, (and that doesn't count the time my Mom spent making the cookies.) But it was worth it to fill those kids up, right? Well, by 10 pm they were starving again and ate a small fortune in snacks and tore up my clean kitchen. Everything comes with a price.
If you've ever decided to lose weight, get in shape or eat healthy, you know it comes with a price. Many people have recently asked me how I have lost so much weight. I just smile and say "blood, sweat, and tears". They want to know what program I am on or what secret I have discovered. There isn't one. Its hard work. That's the price you have to pay. Even my friends that have lost weight through weight loss surgery have found that it isn't easy. They had to pay the price through the cost, pain, recovery time, and a complete lifestyle change. Everything comes with a price.
Eating healthy costs more. Cooking tacos, spaghetti, and fried bologna sandwiches is cheap. Cooking grilled chicken and buying fresh fruit and vegetables costs more. Its the price you pay to eat healthy. Last June, I bought a juicer. Fresh juice is delicious, but it is more expensive, more time consuming, and creates more of a mess than buying it in the carton. That's the price you pay! My nephew spent the night during the Christmas break for a sleepover with my kids. After I went to bed, he and my oldest two kids went into the kitchen and got out the juicer and "juiced" about $40 worth of fruit. When I got up the next morning, there was pulp and peels everywhere and juice running down the kitchen counter and cabinets. When I went to bed the previous night, my kitchen had been clean...now it looked like a fruit cocktail had exploded. I joked with my sister about it a few days later. She said her son had so much fun he wants them to buy a juicer now. He went on and on about how good it is to mix fresh apple juice with fresh orange juice and how you can add carrots in there, too. Well, I guess, some teenagers spend then night with their friends and sneak into the parent's stash late at night and experiment with alcohol or drugs. When they spend the night at my house, they sneak into the kitchen late at night and experiment with juice! Want your kids to eat more fruit? Buy a juicer. Jack LaLane's Power Juicer is $99 at Wal Mart. Everything comes with a price!
I've told my children and their friends they can call me at any time they need me and I will be there for them. Guess what? That comes with a price. I was eating an Outback one night with a special friend. Two of my daughter's friends called my cell phone. "Ms. Leigh-Ann, are you at Outback? We are at the movie theatre and my car won't start. Will you come get us?" So, I did, and two teenage girls joined me and my friend for dinner at Outback and a movie afterwards. Everything comes with a price!
When you are in ministry, it comes with a price. When you offer to help people, it comes with a price. Growing spiritually, taking a closer walk with God, becoming more Christ-like, it all comes with a price. If you help others, you may pay the price of being taken advantage of or being criticized. Your efforts to help others may be misconstrued or twisted and used against you. SO, you should just worry about yourself and let others fend for themselves, right? NO! Look, I've learned that people are going to talk about you anyway. Don't let it keep you from doing good. If the worst thing that people can say about you is that you did something good for somebody, then do what's right and forget about it! Let's be honest...if people want to criticize you, they will. They will just make something up, whether its true or not. Stop worrying about them and do what you know to do.
Giving, working, serving, and blessing others does come with a price. However, the Bible says that if we know to do good, and do not do it...then that's a sin! If you know of a way to bless someone, then do it. You may pay the price with criticism or false accusations. You may help someone and have your motives questioned. You may help someone and then they turn around and ask for more! (I've also learned that people have a lot of nerve!) Don't let that stop you. In the Bible, we are encouraged to go above and beyond. If someone asks us to go one mile with them, we should go two. The Bible also says that someone that gives to the poor is lending to the Lord! If you give as little as a cup of water, even in the name of one of Jesus' followers, you will be blessed.
In the Bible, a woman was even criticized for blessing Jesus, because they thought the perfume she anointed him with cost too much! (I guess they were suggesting that she wasted it...ON JESUS?)
Matthew 26:6-13 says Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor. But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you have with you always; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume upon My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done shall also be spoken of in memory of her.” (NASB)
Today, find a way to bless someone or to make a change towards your own spiritual growth and just don't worry about the cost. Everything comes with a price. But... anything you do for God will have a heavenly reward that is even greater!
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Everything Comes With A Price!
My children have teenage cousins visiting from out of state. Last night one of them spent the night with my three children, along with additional cousins and friends. I had a house full of kids. Those kids had a homecooked country meal for dinner. Homemade chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, buttered rolls, chicken salad, and corn and string beans that came from my parent's garden. For dessert...chocolate chip cookies my mom made from scratch the day before. Quite a spread, right? Cooking the dinner alone took over an hour, not to mention clean up time afterwards, (and that doesn't count the time my Mom spent making the cookies.) But it was worth it to fill those kids up, right? Well, by 10 pm they were starving again and ate a small fortune in snacks and tore up my clean kitchen. Everything comes with a price.
If you've ever decided to lose weight, get in shape or eat healthy, you know it comes with a price. Many people have recently asked me how I have lost so much weight. I just smile and say "blood, sweat, and tears". They want to know what program I am on or what secret I have discovered. There isn't one. Its hard work. That's the price you have to pay. Even my friends that have lost weight through weight loss surgery have found that it isn't easy. They had to pay the price through the cost, pain, recovery time, and a complete lifestyle change. Everything comes with a price.
Eating healthy costs more. Cooking tacos, spaghetti, and fried bologna sandwiches is cheap. Cooking grilled chicken and buying fresh fruit and vegetables costs more. Its the price you pay to eat healthy. Last June, I bought a juicer. Fresh juice is delicious, but it is more expensive, more time consuming, and creates more of a mess than buying it in the carton. That's the price you pay! My nephew spent the night during the Christmas break for a sleepover with my kids. After I went to bed, he and my oldest two kids went into the kitchen and got out the juicer and "juiced" about $40 worth of fruit. When I got up the next morning, there was pulp and peels everywhere and juice running down the kitchen counter and cabinets. When I went to bed the previous night, my kitchen had been clean...now it looked like a fruit cocktail had exploded. I joked with my sister about it a few days later. She said her son had so much fun he wants them to buy a juicer now. He went on and on about how good it is to mix fresh apple juice with fresh orange juice and how you can add carrots in there, too. Well, I guess, some teenagers spend then night with their friends and sneak into the parent's stash late at night and experiment with alcohol or drugs. When they spend the night at my house, they sneak into the kitchen late at night and experiment with juice! Want your kids to eat more fruit? Buy a juicer. Jack LaLane's Power Juicer is $99 at Wal Mart. Everything comes with a price!
I've told my children and their friends they can call me at any time they need me and I will be there for them. Guess what? That comes with a price. I was eating an Outback one night with a special friend. Two of my daughter's friends called my cell phone. "Ms. Leigh-Ann, are you at Outback? We are at the movie theatre and my car won't start. Will you come get us?" So, I did, and two teenage girls joined me and my friend for dinner at Outback and a movie afterwards. Everything comes with a price!
When you are in ministry, it comes with a price. When you offer to help people, it comes with a price. Growing spiritually, taking a closer walk with God, becoming more Christ-like, it all comes with a price. If you help others, you may pay the price of being taken advantage of or being criticized. Your efforts to help others may be misconstrued or twisted and used against you. SO, you should just worry about yourself and let others fend for themselves, right? NO! Look, I've learned that people are going to talk about you anyway. Don't let it keep you from doing good. If the worst thing that people can say about you is that you did something good for somebody, then do what's right and forget about it! Let's be honest...if people want to criticize you, they will. They will just make something up, whether its true or not. Stop worrying about them and do what you know to do.
Giving, working, serving, and blessing others does come with a price. However, the Bible says that if we know to do good, and do not do it...then that's a sin! If you know of a way to bless someone, then do it. You may pay the price with criticism or false accusations. You may help someone and have your motives questioned. You may help someone and then they turn around and ask for more! (I've also learned that people have a lot of nerve!) Don't let that stop you. In the Bible, we are encouraged to go above and beyond. If someone asks us to go one mile with them, we should go two. The Bible also says that someone that gives to the poor is lending to the Lord! If you give as little as a cup of water, even in the name of one of Jesus' followers, you will be blessed.
In the Bible, a woman was even criticized for blessing Jesus, because they thought the perfume she anointed him with cost too much! (I guess they were suggesting that she wasted it...ON JESUS?)
Matthew 26:6-13 says Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it upon His head as He reclined at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor. But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. For the poor you have with you always; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume upon My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done shall also be spoken of in memory of her.” (NASB)
Today, find a way to bless someone or to make a change towards your own spiritual growth and just don't worry about the cost. Everything comes with a price. But... anything you do for God will have a heavenly reward that is even greater!
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Have you had an ROE lately?
Have you been to a Christmas program or pageant this year? I have. I love them.
My church held its children and teens' Christmas programs on this past Sunday night. The kids were precious. Everyone remembered their lines and they looked extremely cute in their costumes.The soloists didn't miss a note.The teens' depiction of the Christmas story and return of Jesus was very moving and made a beautiful display. It all came together very nicely, which was a huge relief for me, because I was the director! If there's one thing I have learned over the years, its that no matter how bad it looks, no matter how bad your final rehearsal goes, when it comes time for the performance, everything is going to work out just fine. I've also learned that anything that can go wrong on the day of the play or on the week of the play, usually will. Just keep praying and go with it!
I went to a special performance of "The Child of the Promise" at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro last Friday night and I must say it was spectacular! Its a musical retelling of the nativity story by Michael and Stormie O'Martian and all of the proceeds went to benefit the Wayne Pregnancy Center. The actor/singer who played King Herod was great. It was one of those performances that give you goosebumps. When he sang his solo, he really "knocked it out of the park". After his song, the audience erupted into applause. After the applause, when everything had quieted down and you could hear a pin drop, my friend's six year old daughter sitting beside us yelled out "Well, I'm not clapping for Him! He's trying to kill baby Jesus!" She sounded so exasperated at all of the adults that had cheered for such a mean man. It was so funny! All of the little grannies and grandpas sitting around us got really tickled at her comment.It was a good night and a great way to spend a Friday evening.
I hope what I'm about to say doesn't sound cheesy and doesn't make you perform one of those famous ROE's that teens text about. (Don't have teens??> ROE is "roll of eyes"...usually performed when something is corny or lame. Can also by texted as RME> or "rolling my eyes") I'm an eye roller. Got in trouble for that in kindergarten in Mrs. Winslow's class. I make no excuses. I was a five year old who hung out with a sister and cousin that were seniors in high school. My other cousins were teenagers or pre-teens and I stayed with them all the time. I liked KISS and Peter Frampton and the Commodores. I rolled up in kindergarten and they were trying to get me to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider???" I don't think so! Sorry, but that called for an "ROE" (Great...Now I'm going to have those songs stuck in my mind all day! "Sail On! Honey! Good times never felt so good.".. My sister and I listened to that on 8-track while we got ready for school! Ha! Ha! When we wanted to mix it up we listened to "Three Times a Lady or "Brick House. Good times! Good times!)
Anyway, I digressed....as I was saying, I hope this doesn't sound lame, but I enjoyed that performance of A Child of the Promise so much because I know that Christian drama is something that I am meant to do.Its something I am called to do. Performing is in my blood. I used to dress up and perform plays and skits and make my family watch them when I was very little. A cousin told me that I had to be "The COA" (Center of attention). Oh, the photos we have of me in my costumes and outfits that I created for my "shows". (You won't be seeing any of those in my Facebook profile!)
When I watched those actors on stage last Friday night, I could barely stand it. It was all I could do to stay in my seat. I wanted to be up there on that stage so bad I could taste it. Everyone else enjoyed the play too, because it was excellent. But for me, it was different, it was more than that. Remember, in the Bible when Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary came to see her and greeted her? Elizabeth exclaimed that when Mary spoke, the baby in her womb leaped because he heard the voice of Mary, the voice that was carrying God's son. When I watched that play, I felt something inside me leaping...saying "That's it! That's it!". I described the feeling to a minister I met at work this week and she said that I was feeling the unction of the Holy Spirit. I have heard that word in church before, but its not a word I use on a regular basis so I researched it.
1 John 2:20 says "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things" Unction means an anointing. The Bible says, "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him".
I have heard that what you are called to do or anointed to do, God gives you the grace to do.
I've tried to teach sixth grade. Didn't have the anointing, didn't have the grace. Cried every day (literally!) I've done different volunteer jobs at church to help out or fill in because someone was sick or on vacation, but I was just helping out, it wasn't my calling. I didn't have the anointing for that particular task. When you are functioning in the anointing, when you are functioning in your calling, you will be able to do things you didn't think you could do, because it won't be you doing it. It will be God doing it through you.
Have you ever felt the unction of the Holy Spirit? What are you called to do? What makes the baby inside your spiritual womb leap for joy? Start thinking about your personality and your spiritual gifts as well as your natural talents. Somehow, they will all be tied or related to what you are called or anointed to do. Now, everyone is not meant to be a preacher or evangelist. Just because you aren't a preacher, does not mean that you are not called. God needs good Christian plumbers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, waitresses, and stay-at-home Moms out there in the world today to spread the gospel, provide encouragement, and be a light in a dark world.
Is there a job out there that you almost feel guilty getting paid for because you like it so much? When I direct a children's play and people thank me or congratulate me in some way, it makes me feel funny.I don't feel right about being thanked. Its something that I want to do. Its something that I have to do. When I changed churches in June 2010, my greatest struggle and sadness came from not being able to work with the kids in their dramas any more. In September of 2010, my Pastor at my new church called me out of the blue at work one day and said "You don't know anything about how to do a Children's Christmas program do you?" I just started laughing. God knew I needed that.
In the Bible, Jeremiah talked about God's word being like a fire in his bones "But if I say,'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,'his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9. He just couldn't hold it in. He couldn't help himself. He was a God-called, God-anointed prophet. He had to do what he was created to do. When he tried not to preach or speak about God, he just couldn't stand it! The Word of God was like a fire in his bones, just waiting to burst out.
What were you created to do? What starts a fire in your bones like nothing else? When are you the happiest? What are you best at? It might be driving a tractor. Find a way to drive that tractor for Jesus! If you are called to do something, especially if God has a special ministry calling or anointing on your life, you will be MISERABLE until you do it. Stop running! Embrace your calling today. I'll bet some of you reading this, already know deep down inside what your calling is. God made you and he gave you that talent and that desire. Use it! Don't worry about what others think. You will always have critics. Jesus had critics and he was perfect! If you wait for all your life situations to be perfect and for you to have everyone's approval before you start something, you will be spinning your wheels for the rest of your life! Don't despise a small beginning. Take a small step towards your calling today.
Find your calling and pursue it today!
My church held its children and teens' Christmas programs on this past Sunday night. The kids were precious. Everyone remembered their lines and they looked extremely cute in their costumes.The soloists didn't miss a note.The teens' depiction of the Christmas story and return of Jesus was very moving and made a beautiful display. It all came together very nicely, which was a huge relief for me, because I was the director! If there's one thing I have learned over the years, its that no matter how bad it looks, no matter how bad your final rehearsal goes, when it comes time for the performance, everything is going to work out just fine. I've also learned that anything that can go wrong on the day of the play or on the week of the play, usually will. Just keep praying and go with it!
I went to a special performance of "The Child of the Promise" at the Paramount Theatre in Goldsboro last Friday night and I must say it was spectacular! Its a musical retelling of the nativity story by Michael and Stormie O'Martian and all of the proceeds went to benefit the Wayne Pregnancy Center. The actor/singer who played King Herod was great. It was one of those performances that give you goosebumps. When he sang his solo, he really "knocked it out of the park". After his song, the audience erupted into applause. After the applause, when everything had quieted down and you could hear a pin drop, my friend's six year old daughter sitting beside us yelled out "Well, I'm not clapping for Him! He's trying to kill baby Jesus!" She sounded so exasperated at all of the adults that had cheered for such a mean man. It was so funny! All of the little grannies and grandpas sitting around us got really tickled at her comment.It was a good night and a great way to spend a Friday evening.
I hope what I'm about to say doesn't sound cheesy and doesn't make you perform one of those famous ROE's that teens text about. (Don't have teens??> ROE is "roll of eyes"...usually performed when something is corny or lame. Can also by texted as RME> or "rolling my eyes") I'm an eye roller. Got in trouble for that in kindergarten in Mrs. Winslow's class. I make no excuses. I was a five year old who hung out with a sister and cousin that were seniors in high school. My other cousins were teenagers or pre-teens and I stayed with them all the time. I liked KISS and Peter Frampton and the Commodores. I rolled up in kindergarten and they were trying to get me to sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider???" I don't think so! Sorry, but that called for an "ROE" (Great...Now I'm going to have those songs stuck in my mind all day! "Sail On! Honey! Good times never felt so good.".. My sister and I listened to that on 8-track while we got ready for school! Ha! Ha! When we wanted to mix it up we listened to "Three Times a Lady or "Brick House. Good times! Good times!)
Anyway, I digressed....as I was saying, I hope this doesn't sound lame, but I enjoyed that performance of A Child of the Promise so much because I know that Christian drama is something that I am meant to do.Its something I am called to do. Performing is in my blood. I used to dress up and perform plays and skits and make my family watch them when I was very little. A cousin told me that I had to be "The COA" (Center of attention). Oh, the photos we have of me in my costumes and outfits that I created for my "shows". (You won't be seeing any of those in my Facebook profile!)
When I watched those actors on stage last Friday night, I could barely stand it. It was all I could do to stay in my seat. I wanted to be up there on that stage so bad I could taste it. Everyone else enjoyed the play too, because it was excellent. But for me, it was different, it was more than that. Remember, in the Bible when Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary came to see her and greeted her? Elizabeth exclaimed that when Mary spoke, the baby in her womb leaped because he heard the voice of Mary, the voice that was carrying God's son. When I watched that play, I felt something inside me leaping...saying "That's it! That's it!". I described the feeling to a minister I met at work this week and she said that I was feeling the unction of the Holy Spirit. I have heard that word in church before, but its not a word I use on a regular basis so I researched it.
1 John 2:20 says "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things" Unction means an anointing. The Bible says, "But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him".
I have heard that what you are called to do or anointed to do, God gives you the grace to do.
I've tried to teach sixth grade. Didn't have the anointing, didn't have the grace. Cried every day (literally!) I've done different volunteer jobs at church to help out or fill in because someone was sick or on vacation, but I was just helping out, it wasn't my calling. I didn't have the anointing for that particular task. When you are functioning in the anointing, when you are functioning in your calling, you will be able to do things you didn't think you could do, because it won't be you doing it. It will be God doing it through you.
Have you ever felt the unction of the Holy Spirit? What are you called to do? What makes the baby inside your spiritual womb leap for joy? Start thinking about your personality and your spiritual gifts as well as your natural talents. Somehow, they will all be tied or related to what you are called or anointed to do. Now, everyone is not meant to be a preacher or evangelist. Just because you aren't a preacher, does not mean that you are not called. God needs good Christian plumbers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, waitresses, and stay-at-home Moms out there in the world today to spread the gospel, provide encouragement, and be a light in a dark world.
Is there a job out there that you almost feel guilty getting paid for because you like it so much? When I direct a children's play and people thank me or congratulate me in some way, it makes me feel funny.I don't feel right about being thanked. Its something that I want to do. Its something that I have to do. When I changed churches in June 2010, my greatest struggle and sadness came from not being able to work with the kids in their dramas any more. In September of 2010, my Pastor at my new church called me out of the blue at work one day and said "You don't know anything about how to do a Children's Christmas program do you?" I just started laughing. God knew I needed that.
In the Bible, Jeremiah talked about God's word being like a fire in his bones "But if I say,'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,'his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." Jeremiah 20:9. He just couldn't hold it in. He couldn't help himself. He was a God-called, God-anointed prophet. He had to do what he was created to do. When he tried not to preach or speak about God, he just couldn't stand it! The Word of God was like a fire in his bones, just waiting to burst out.
What were you created to do? What starts a fire in your bones like nothing else? When are you the happiest? What are you best at? It might be driving a tractor. Find a way to drive that tractor for Jesus! If you are called to do something, especially if God has a special ministry calling or anointing on your life, you will be MISERABLE until you do it. Stop running! Embrace your calling today. I'll bet some of you reading this, already know deep down inside what your calling is. God made you and he gave you that talent and that desire. Use it! Don't worry about what others think. You will always have critics. Jesus had critics and he was perfect! If you wait for all your life situations to be perfect and for you to have everyone's approval before you start something, you will be spinning your wheels for the rest of your life! Don't despise a small beginning. Take a small step towards your calling today.
Find your calling and pursue it today!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Are You Good at Following Directions?
Your kids or grandkids are smart, are they not? They understand English, correct? They know your voice, they know what you expect from them. You've probably had their hearing checked as part of their regular checkups. I'm sure their hearing is normal, and if its not, then you've had them fitted with a hearing device or even taught them sign language. So, if they're smart, they understand your language, they know your voice, they know your expectations, and they can hear your words, then they do everything you tell them to do... and you only have to tell them once, right? RIGHT?
In my previous blog, I discussed the importance of hearing from God and then taking the next step towards understanding what God has spoken. Even when we are on track with our listening and following up to get understanding, we still have opportunities to falter. We can hear what God is telling us and understand what he wants us to do and STILL not do it!
Last Friday night, I went to a friend's house and heard all about this WONDERFUL cranberry walnut chicken salad sold at the WalMart deli. It was late and I hadn't eaten anything but a couple of cookies since lunch, so I decided to pop in WalMart and try out this famous chicken salad on my way home. I ran in WalMart, eager to try the delicious deli chicken salad that my friend had raved about. With my bag of chips and tub of chicken salad in hand, I headed back to my car and thought I might try a little "taste test" while sitting in the dark Wal Mart parking lot. Something spoke in my spirit and said "don't eat that". It was after midnight and I was starving, so I kept trying to pry the seal open on the chicken salad container. Again, I heard "don't do that". So, I put my chicken salad aside and headed home. Having the house to myself, I quickly got comfy with my pajamas and the tv remote, grabbed the chicken salad and settled down to enjoy my tasty treat. I pried open the chicken salad tub and looked down in horror. My tasty treat was covered in a furry, (almost hairy) mold! Yuck! What if I had eaten that in the dark while I was sitting in my car? I would have never seen the fungus among us! Thank goodness I listened and followed the leading in my spirit.
I have learned that you have to listen to God's voice and obey even in small matters, even when it seems trivial, even when you don't understand, even when you don't like it!. I have had some positive experiences over the years when the Holy Spirit has impressed upon me to go in a certain store that I don't normally go in. While in there, I found just the item that I needed for a special project or gift that I had been searching for. At other times, I have also felt led to buy a certain thing or to bring something with me in my purse when I am leaving the house. Often the item is not something that I would normally carry with me. Inevitably, I will run into someone in need or come across a situation in which I or another person need the particular item that I have. I used to feel silly or try to argue in my own mind about whether or not I was going to follow something I felt led to do. I have just learned that if I feel led to do something, I need to do it and stop questioning whether or not its going to make me seem silly or strange.
(Warning: When I refer to being "led", I am not referring to those times that you think you feel "led" to give someone a piece of your mind or feel "led" to straighten out that screaming child in the grocery store or feel "led" to buy that new pocketbook or eat that cheesecake. That is your flesh. I am talking about feeling led in your spirit to do something!)
We all have our "wall of fame" moments when we feel led to say something encouraging to someone or to call someone or send them a card. The person later tells us that we said "just the right thing" or says, "God must have told you what to say, because that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment". Maybe we feel led to give someone a hug at church and when we hug them, they break down crying in our arms and tell us something that they are going through. Then we have an opportunity to minister to them or offer encouragement and prayer. Those moments makes us feel so good, because we "got it right". We heard from God. We were led by the spirit and we followed the instructions and someone was blessed.
Then, we have our "wall of shame" moments when we feel led to do something and we don't do it! Or we specifically hear God telling us not to do something...and then we do it any way.
Ouch! Been there done that. I have had some colossal "wall of shame" moments. I went to someone's house one day and they were not feeling well. I felt led to lay hands on them and pray for them. However, I felt uneasy about asking if I could pray for them, because I didn't know what they might think. This person had known me at times when I had not made some good choices and to be honest, I was reluctant to pray like that in front of them. So, I just said "I hope you feel better" and left their home. Well, before the day was out, they got worse, passed out and an ambulance had to be called and they were taken to the emergency room.
I honestly think that some of my other disobedient moments have actually changed the course of my life. A few years ago, I embarked on my first Daniel fast. I needed breakthrough in my life. I was praying and believing for revelation and deliverance in a certain area of my life. God revealed something to me during that time of fasting...but he did NOT tell me to do anything about what I discovered. Unfortunately, I decided to take matters into my own hands. As I was preparing to take action and in the process of acting on this information, I specifically felt in my spirit that I should NOT do what I was about to do. Now, what I was doing was not illegal, immoral, or unreasonable and was what anyone in that situation would have done. BUT I specifically felt in my spirit that I should not take that course of action....and I did it anyway. To be honest, my life has never been the same since. I was praying and fasting for deliverance and breakthrough and for answers, but then when I didn't get the answer that I liked, I didn't follow God's leading. Not smart!
Okay, so I blew it. Everyone does at times. Why is that so bad? The problem is that I had already been through this same test previously and had failed it previously! A few years earlier, I had been praying during a difficult time in my life and God led me to a scripture in Chronicles. The latter part of 2 Chronicles 25:9 says "...And the man of God answered, "The LORD has much more to give you than this." I know the Lord led me to that scripture and I know what God was telling me in reference to my personal situation. But I just wouldn't trust Him enough. The following Sunday, I visited a friend's church on Sunday morning to hear her daughter sing. It was extremely rare for me to miss services at my home church on Sunday morning. I had never heard this pastor speak before and haven't heard him speak since. On that very morning, guess what his sermon topic was...guess what scripture he preached on?? Oh yeah, you already know. He preached on 2 Chronicles 25:9. "THE LORD HAS MUCH MORE TO GIVE YOU THAN THIS!" Now folks, that was confirmation. Not only had the Lord led me to his Word and given me a rhema word from scripture concerning my situation, he had also had Christian friends and relatives telling me the same thing. Then, on that Sunday, he led me to this church service to hear this message and confirmed it in a miraculous way. The handwriting was clearly on the wall. The message was clear.. "TRUST GOD...HE HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU! Don't settle for less!"
I wish I could tell you that I took that leap of faith. I wish I could tell you that I took Him at his word and followed his leading and trusted Him...but sadly, I didn't. I'm sitting here crying tears of regret while I type. To be perfectly honest, I can truthfully tell you that I have cried buckets of tears since that day. The two situations I mentioned above are only two examples, but they literally changed the course of my life. I'm sure that one day I will be in Heaven and find out what my life would have been like had I followed God's leading at that time.
I don't want to end this blog on a sad note. The good news is that God can restore us when we make mistakes. God can use our failed tests as part of our testimony. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." My goal for today's blog is to encourage you to follow what you feel God leading you to do (Or NOT to do!)...even when it doesn't make sense, even when it tests your faith, even when you don't like it!
James 1:22 (New Living Translation) But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Matthew 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
In my previous blog, I discussed the importance of hearing from God and then taking the next step towards understanding what God has spoken. Even when we are on track with our listening and following up to get understanding, we still have opportunities to falter. We can hear what God is telling us and understand what he wants us to do and STILL not do it!
Last Friday night, I went to a friend's house and heard all about this WONDERFUL cranberry walnut chicken salad sold at the WalMart deli. It was late and I hadn't eaten anything but a couple of cookies since lunch, so I decided to pop in WalMart and try out this famous chicken salad on my way home. I ran in WalMart, eager to try the delicious deli chicken salad that my friend had raved about. With my bag of chips and tub of chicken salad in hand, I headed back to my car and thought I might try a little "taste test" while sitting in the dark Wal Mart parking lot. Something spoke in my spirit and said "don't eat that". It was after midnight and I was starving, so I kept trying to pry the seal open on the chicken salad container. Again, I heard "don't do that". So, I put my chicken salad aside and headed home. Having the house to myself, I quickly got comfy with my pajamas and the tv remote, grabbed the chicken salad and settled down to enjoy my tasty treat. I pried open the chicken salad tub and looked down in horror. My tasty treat was covered in a furry, (almost hairy) mold! Yuck! What if I had eaten that in the dark while I was sitting in my car? I would have never seen the fungus among us! Thank goodness I listened and followed the leading in my spirit.
I have learned that you have to listen to God's voice and obey even in small matters, even when it seems trivial, even when you don't understand, even when you don't like it!. I have had some positive experiences over the years when the Holy Spirit has impressed upon me to go in a certain store that I don't normally go in. While in there, I found just the item that I needed for a special project or gift that I had been searching for. At other times, I have also felt led to buy a certain thing or to bring something with me in my purse when I am leaving the house. Often the item is not something that I would normally carry with me. Inevitably, I will run into someone in need or come across a situation in which I or another person need the particular item that I have. I used to feel silly or try to argue in my own mind about whether or not I was going to follow something I felt led to do. I have just learned that if I feel led to do something, I need to do it and stop questioning whether or not its going to make me seem silly or strange.
(Warning: When I refer to being "led", I am not referring to those times that you think you feel "led" to give someone a piece of your mind or feel "led" to straighten out that screaming child in the grocery store or feel "led" to buy that new pocketbook or eat that cheesecake. That is your flesh. I am talking about feeling led in your spirit to do something!)
We all have our "wall of fame" moments when we feel led to say something encouraging to someone or to call someone or send them a card. The person later tells us that we said "just the right thing" or says, "God must have told you what to say, because that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment". Maybe we feel led to give someone a hug at church and when we hug them, they break down crying in our arms and tell us something that they are going through. Then we have an opportunity to minister to them or offer encouragement and prayer. Those moments makes us feel so good, because we "got it right". We heard from God. We were led by the spirit and we followed the instructions and someone was blessed.
Then, we have our "wall of shame" moments when we feel led to do something and we don't do it! Or we specifically hear God telling us not to do something...and then we do it any way.
Ouch! Been there done that. I have had some colossal "wall of shame" moments. I went to someone's house one day and they were not feeling well. I felt led to lay hands on them and pray for them. However, I felt uneasy about asking if I could pray for them, because I didn't know what they might think. This person had known me at times when I had not made some good choices and to be honest, I was reluctant to pray like that in front of them. So, I just said "I hope you feel better" and left their home. Well, before the day was out, they got worse, passed out and an ambulance had to be called and they were taken to the emergency room.
I honestly think that some of my other disobedient moments have actually changed the course of my life. A few years ago, I embarked on my first Daniel fast. I needed breakthrough in my life. I was praying and believing for revelation and deliverance in a certain area of my life. God revealed something to me during that time of fasting...but he did NOT tell me to do anything about what I discovered. Unfortunately, I decided to take matters into my own hands. As I was preparing to take action and in the process of acting on this information, I specifically felt in my spirit that I should NOT do what I was about to do. Now, what I was doing was not illegal, immoral, or unreasonable and was what anyone in that situation would have done. BUT I specifically felt in my spirit that I should not take that course of action....and I did it anyway. To be honest, my life has never been the same since. I was praying and fasting for deliverance and breakthrough and for answers, but then when I didn't get the answer that I liked, I didn't follow God's leading. Not smart!
Okay, so I blew it. Everyone does at times. Why is that so bad? The problem is that I had already been through this same test previously and had failed it previously! A few years earlier, I had been praying during a difficult time in my life and God led me to a scripture in Chronicles. The latter part of 2 Chronicles 25:9 says "...And the man of God answered, "The LORD has much more to give you than this." I know the Lord led me to that scripture and I know what God was telling me in reference to my personal situation. But I just wouldn't trust Him enough. The following Sunday, I visited a friend's church on Sunday morning to hear her daughter sing. It was extremely rare for me to miss services at my home church on Sunday morning. I had never heard this pastor speak before and haven't heard him speak since. On that very morning, guess what his sermon topic was...guess what scripture he preached on?? Oh yeah, you already know. He preached on 2 Chronicles 25:9. "THE LORD HAS MUCH MORE TO GIVE YOU THAN THIS!" Now folks, that was confirmation. Not only had the Lord led me to his Word and given me a rhema word from scripture concerning my situation, he had also had Christian friends and relatives telling me the same thing. Then, on that Sunday, he led me to this church service to hear this message and confirmed it in a miraculous way. The handwriting was clearly on the wall. The message was clear.. "TRUST GOD...HE HAS SOMETHING FOR YOU! Don't settle for less!"
I wish I could tell you that I took that leap of faith. I wish I could tell you that I took Him at his word and followed his leading and trusted Him...but sadly, I didn't. I'm sitting here crying tears of regret while I type. To be perfectly honest, I can truthfully tell you that I have cried buckets of tears since that day. The two situations I mentioned above are only two examples, but they literally changed the course of my life. I'm sure that one day I will be in Heaven and find out what my life would have been like had I followed God's leading at that time.
I don't want to end this blog on a sad note. The good news is that God can restore us when we make mistakes. God can use our failed tests as part of our testimony. Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." My goal for today's blog is to encourage you to follow what you feel God leading you to do (Or NOT to do!)...even when it doesn't make sense, even when it tests your faith, even when you don't like it!
James 1:22 (New Living Translation) But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Matthew 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
How's Your Hearing?
How is your hearing? I've got ears like a bat. I don't mean that I look like Dumbo or a chihuahua because my ears are so large. (Though I have met some folks over the years that could fit that description!) I mean that I can hear really well. Being able to hear well comes in really handy when you are a mother or a teacher. At other times, the ability to hear really well can cause some problems. Many times I have overheard someone talking about me or making a negative comment about something I had said or done. The person making the comment would have never guessed that I could hear them from that distance. Among my friends in high school, I was known for my ability to overhear others' conversations and then report gossip back to my buddies. While that is not something to be particularly proud of, it is true nonetheless.
Do you know how to hear from God? The Bible says He speaks in a still small voice. He speaks to us through His Word, he speaks through our prayer time, he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, we often have an "inner knowing". The Bible says that God's sheep hear his voice because they know his voice, like a sheep responds to the voice of their shepherd. (John 10:1-5) When you hear a friend or relative on the phone, you know its them. Just the sound of their voice reassures you, because you know that voice. In order to know God's voice, we must spend time with him and time in His word. God also speaks through messages that are confirmed through pastors or other believers. (If you would like to learn more check out "How to Hear From God" by Joyce Meyer or "He Still Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer.)
God will always speak to us about things that line up with the Word of God. Anything that God is leading you to do will always line up with scripture. God does not tell us to do things that contradict with His Word. If you're unsure about what you're hearing, go to His WORD!
At times we can get over-confident in our hearing ability. Years ago, as a young newlywed, I thought I "heard something" in the middle of the night. I whispered to my then husband, who peeked into the kitchen and living room. Well, he thought he "saw something". The two of us were convinced we had a prowler, robber, axe-murderer, etc, in the house. He whispered into my ear to call his Dad who lived next door. The nightstand with the phone on it was on my side of the room. He headed to the closet to get his gun. I thought to myself, "Am I going to slip over there and call His Dad and draw attention to myself? or am I going to just slip under the edge of this bed and hide and hope for the best? (Yeah, I'm a hero! Always putting others first! LOL! Sorry, but except for protecting my children, when the murderer is in the house, its every man for himself!) The Bible does say that we are to put others first and prefer others over ourselves. So, I'm going to have to pray about that and work on that a little more! Thankfully, I do have a power and boldness in the the Holy Spirit now, that I did not have at that time! Now, I might command them to leave in the name of Jesus. Then, I was at the "hide under the bed and pray real hard" level of faith.
Well, it turns out that regardless of what I "heard" and whatever he "saw" that night, there was not anyone in the house but us. Looking back on it now, I'm not sure why I thought that anyone was going to rob us of all people. I was nineteen and in college, he was twenty-one and we lived in a single-wide trailer. What would someone have stolen, the thirty year old couch that my Mama gave us? The fifteen dollars in tips that I made at Pizza Hut that night? Ahh! The ignorance of youth)
In addition to thinking we heard something that we didn't actually hear or overhearing something hurtful that we should not have heard, we can get ourselves into more trouble if we do not correctly understand what we hear. I had to work after hours one evening this week to provide transportation and supervision for a client after regular working hours. Before my co-worker left for the day, I made sure that I had the client's address. My co-worker, a native New Yorker, told me to go to a certain address on Shore Drive. Familiar with the city, I had no concerns that I would be able to find Shore Drive. Well, of course, I couldn't find it. I tried Mapquest. No Shore Drive existed in that city. It was getting later and later. It was almost time to be at the person's home. Quite honestly, I was freaking out. I finally called my co-worker at home. She confirmed it was Shore Drive. I told her that Shore Drive didn't exist in that city. She went outside to her car in her pajamas and got out her paperwork and said "Yes, right here it says Shore Drive. I know its Shore Drive . I have been to the home". I didn't know what to do. I said "Shore Drive? Are you saying S-H-O-R-E. Like the ocean shore?" She said, "No! S-H-A-W . Shaw Drive" It was SHAW Drive, not Shore Drive. She pronounced "Shaw" the same way that I pronounce "Shore". Her New York accent and my Johnston County accent were just not computing with one another! I heard exactly what she said, but I did not UNDERSTAND her correctly.
A good sense of hearing does us no good if we don't understand what we hear. The Bible has many verses on the topic of understanding.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
Notice that all of the above scriptures equate understanding with wisdom. James1:5 says "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." If we need wisdom or understanding in an area or a situation in our lives, all we need do is ASK! God will reward us when we seek Him for wisdom and understand. Solomon sought wisdom first and God rewarded him with great riches and wonderful possessions. (He also had 700 wives, but that's a story for another blog. Even though we are given wisdom, we still have free will. That's where self discipline comes in!)
What are you hearing from God lately? If you haven't had a conversation with Him, then you haven't heard anything at all! When you talked to Him, did you stop long enough to actually listen? What have you read in the Bible lately? What messages are you hearing in sermons?
Take time today to LISTEN to God. Take time to ask for wisdom and understanding to know how to handle the situations in your life! I promise...He knows more than you!
Do you know how to hear from God? The Bible says He speaks in a still small voice. He speaks to us through His Word, he speaks through our prayer time, he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, we often have an "inner knowing". The Bible says that God's sheep hear his voice because they know his voice, like a sheep responds to the voice of their shepherd. (John 10:1-5) When you hear a friend or relative on the phone, you know its them. Just the sound of their voice reassures you, because you know that voice. In order to know God's voice, we must spend time with him and time in His word. God also speaks through messages that are confirmed through pastors or other believers. (If you would like to learn more check out "How to Hear From God" by Joyce Meyer or "He Still Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer.)
God will always speak to us about things that line up with the Word of God. Anything that God is leading you to do will always line up with scripture. God does not tell us to do things that contradict with His Word. If you're unsure about what you're hearing, go to His WORD!
At times we can get over-confident in our hearing ability. Years ago, as a young newlywed, I thought I "heard something" in the middle of the night. I whispered to my then husband, who peeked into the kitchen and living room. Well, he thought he "saw something". The two of us were convinced we had a prowler, robber, axe-murderer, etc, in the house. He whispered into my ear to call his Dad who lived next door. The nightstand with the phone on it was on my side of the room. He headed to the closet to get his gun. I thought to myself, "Am I going to slip over there and call His Dad and draw attention to myself? or am I going to just slip under the edge of this bed and hide and hope for the best? (Yeah, I'm a hero! Always putting others first! LOL! Sorry, but except for protecting my children, when the murderer is in the house, its every man for himself!) The Bible does say that we are to put others first and prefer others over ourselves. So, I'm going to have to pray about that and work on that a little more! Thankfully, I do have a power and boldness in the the Holy Spirit now, that I did not have at that time! Now, I might command them to leave in the name of Jesus. Then, I was at the "hide under the bed and pray real hard" level of faith.
Well, it turns out that regardless of what I "heard" and whatever he "saw" that night, there was not anyone in the house but us. Looking back on it now, I'm not sure why I thought that anyone was going to rob us of all people. I was nineteen and in college, he was twenty-one and we lived in a single-wide trailer. What would someone have stolen, the thirty year old couch that my Mama gave us? The fifteen dollars in tips that I made at Pizza Hut that night? Ahh! The ignorance of youth)
In addition to thinking we heard something that we didn't actually hear or overhearing something hurtful that we should not have heard, we can get ourselves into more trouble if we do not correctly understand what we hear. I had to work after hours one evening this week to provide transportation and supervision for a client after regular working hours. Before my co-worker left for the day, I made sure that I had the client's address. My co-worker, a native New Yorker, told me to go to a certain address on Shore Drive. Familiar with the city, I had no concerns that I would be able to find Shore Drive. Well, of course, I couldn't find it. I tried Mapquest. No Shore Drive existed in that city. It was getting later and later. It was almost time to be at the person's home. Quite honestly, I was freaking out. I finally called my co-worker at home. She confirmed it was Shore Drive. I told her that Shore Drive didn't exist in that city. She went outside to her car in her pajamas and got out her paperwork and said "Yes, right here it says Shore Drive. I know its Shore Drive . I have been to the home". I didn't know what to do. I said "Shore Drive? Are you saying S-H-O-R-E. Like the ocean shore?" She said, "No! S-H-A-W . Shaw Drive" It was SHAW Drive, not Shore Drive. She pronounced "Shaw" the same way that I pronounce "Shore". Her New York accent and my Johnston County accent were just not computing with one another! I heard exactly what she said, but I did not UNDERSTAND her correctly.
A good sense of hearing does us no good if we don't understand what we hear. The Bible has many verses on the topic of understanding.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.Proverbs 4:7
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
Notice that all of the above scriptures equate understanding with wisdom. James1:5 says "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." If we need wisdom or understanding in an area or a situation in our lives, all we need do is ASK! God will reward us when we seek Him for wisdom and understand. Solomon sought wisdom first and God rewarded him with great riches and wonderful possessions. (He also had 700 wives, but that's a story for another blog. Even though we are given wisdom, we still have free will. That's where self discipline comes in!)
What are you hearing from God lately? If you haven't had a conversation with Him, then you haven't heard anything at all! When you talked to Him, did you stop long enough to actually listen? What have you read in the Bible lately? What messages are you hearing in sermons?
Take time today to LISTEN to God. Take time to ask for wisdom and understanding to know how to handle the situations in your life! I promise...He knows more than you!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Does Running Late Count as Exercise?
This weekend, I participated in a fund-raiser for my daughter's high school band and opened my home up as part of a Christmas parade of homes tour. People purchased tickets to view six homes in the area, including mine, that were decorated for Christmas and all of the proceeds went to support the local high school band.
In preparation, I got out my Christmas decorations earlier than usual and carefully set up all of my indoor decorations and made some new wreaths and decorations for the outside of my home. I had everything as neat and orderly as this house could possibly be and had Christmas decorations in each room of the house, including 4 regular size trees and four mini-trees. Each bedroom had a tree decorated to match the decor of the bedroom and a wreath hung on the bedroom door. I even decorated a tree on the porch. So, would you like to know what item in my home received the most comments of appreciation?
Would it be the dining room table I set with my Christmas china and stemware, or the Christmas China in my china cabinet that I carefully arranged, the pictures of my three precious children hung on the wall, the scripture plaques hung over the doorways and framed on my dresser, the hand-carved rosewood nativity scene from Africa that was brought to the United States from a special family friend that is a missionary to Africa? NO, no, no! The item that garnered the most comment, the most laughter, the most appreciation, was the small sign hanging from the doorknob of my bathroom closet that reads "Does running late count as exercise?" Yes, the sign hanging on the on the closet door where I keep my toilet paper, scrubbing bubbles, and toilet brush was the most admired item in my home. Yes, the sign that depicts my propensity towards tardiness and apparently, laziness! (I'm a real class act!)
A few people commented on my manger scenes or the shelves built over my doorways and windows, but people really liked that sign on the bathroom closet. Why do you think that is? I think its because people can relate! People know what its like to be behind schedule and hurrying about on the harried pace of life that most people place themselves these days. I also think its because people like it when someone is real and transparent and doesn't take themselves too seriously. People like it when someone is honest about their issues and doesn't try to hide it!
I recently had a conversation with a friend regarding the new man in her life. I advised her, "Look, the question to ask yourself is not, "Does he have issues?" Of course he has issues. Everyone has them. The question you need to ask yourself is, "What are his issues and can I live with them?" (That's free advice, ya'll. Take it while you can. When I ever finish that Master's Degree in Counseling, I'm going to be charging folks $150.00 an hour for this stuff! Ha! Ha!)
I have noticed that when I am writing my blogs or when I am speaking at church, people just want to hear someone that is "real". People don't want to hear someone go on about how their life is so wonderful and everything is so perfect. That just makes folks want to throw up! (I know you know someone who does that or constantly brags. I bet it really gets on your nerves!) People don't want to hear about perfection. They just want to hear real stories of how you are surviving, how you are struggling with your own imperfections and are striving to improve.
James 5:16 says "Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much".
If we aren't willing to admit our own sins or areas for improvement, then how can we ask forgiveness from God or ask fellow Christians to help us pray?. I think the reason that some people do not commit their lives to Christ, is related to their own pride. They can't admit that they have done anything wrong or that they are in need of a Savior.
The Bible has many verses dedicated to the pitfalls of being too proud.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Have you ever had to put up a front or pretense and pretend that everything was fine, when it really wasn't? That is no way to live. Many of us walk around with our "masks" on, trying to pretend that everything is okay. Have you ever hid behind a smile and pretended that everything was just wonderful when you really longed to tell someone everything that was really going on? Maybe you would have just liked a hug or to cry on someone's shoulder, but you kept a stiff upper lip because you were ashamed to admit the problem to someone.
I've cried all the way to church on many occasions and then taught children's church or Sunday school and played the keyboard or directed the children's choir and carried on as if nothing were wrong and then cried all the way back home. I've just decided that I am not going to do that anymore. The older I get, the more I learn that it doesn't really matter what other people think. (If the truth were told, the people that you're worried about impressing or worried about not making yourself look bad in front of them, probably have more issues than you!) Now, If I need prayer, I am going to ask for it. If I need deliverance, I am going to ask someone to pray and believe God with me for the help that I need.
You don't have to bear your hurts alone. There are good Christians out there who would love to pray for you and encourage you. It would probably surprise you to find out some people that you know that have gone through the same issue that you are going through right now.We need the support of good Christian friends to help us when we are struggling or to pray for us to overcome an issue in our lives.
Ecclesiaster 4:9-11 says
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone?
We are to help one another and encourage one another when we are burdened with the difficulties of life. Galations 6: 2 says "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
I encourage you today...tell somebody one of your issues and ask them to help you pray about it. Tell someone about an issue you once had and how God helped you overcome it. I guarantee you that someone needs to hear your story!
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Find a way to share your testimony today!
In preparation, I got out my Christmas decorations earlier than usual and carefully set up all of my indoor decorations and made some new wreaths and decorations for the outside of my home. I had everything as neat and orderly as this house could possibly be and had Christmas decorations in each room of the house, including 4 regular size trees and four mini-trees. Each bedroom had a tree decorated to match the decor of the bedroom and a wreath hung on the bedroom door. I even decorated a tree on the porch. So, would you like to know what item in my home received the most comments of appreciation?
Would it be the dining room table I set with my Christmas china and stemware, or the Christmas China in my china cabinet that I carefully arranged, the pictures of my three precious children hung on the wall, the scripture plaques hung over the doorways and framed on my dresser, the hand-carved rosewood nativity scene from Africa that was brought to the United States from a special family friend that is a missionary to Africa? NO, no, no! The item that garnered the most comment, the most laughter, the most appreciation, was the small sign hanging from the doorknob of my bathroom closet that reads "Does running late count as exercise?" Yes, the sign hanging on the on the closet door where I keep my toilet paper, scrubbing bubbles, and toilet brush was the most admired item in my home. Yes, the sign that depicts my propensity towards tardiness and apparently, laziness! (I'm a real class act!)
A few people commented on my manger scenes or the shelves built over my doorways and windows, but people really liked that sign on the bathroom closet. Why do you think that is? I think its because people can relate! People know what its like to be behind schedule and hurrying about on the harried pace of life that most people place themselves these days. I also think its because people like it when someone is real and transparent and doesn't take themselves too seriously. People like it when someone is honest about their issues and doesn't try to hide it!
I recently had a conversation with a friend regarding the new man in her life. I advised her, "Look, the question to ask yourself is not, "Does he have issues?" Of course he has issues. Everyone has them. The question you need to ask yourself is, "What are his issues and can I live with them?" (That's free advice, ya'll. Take it while you can. When I ever finish that Master's Degree in Counseling, I'm going to be charging folks $150.00 an hour for this stuff! Ha! Ha!)
I have noticed that when I am writing my blogs or when I am speaking at church, people just want to hear someone that is "real". People don't want to hear someone go on about how their life is so wonderful and everything is so perfect. That just makes folks want to throw up! (I know you know someone who does that or constantly brags. I bet it really gets on your nerves!) People don't want to hear about perfection. They just want to hear real stories of how you are surviving, how you are struggling with your own imperfections and are striving to improve.
James 5:16 says "Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous man availeth much".
If we aren't willing to admit our own sins or areas for improvement, then how can we ask forgiveness from God or ask fellow Christians to help us pray?. I think the reason that some people do not commit their lives to Christ, is related to their own pride. They can't admit that they have done anything wrong or that they are in need of a Savior.
The Bible has many verses dedicated to the pitfalls of being too proud.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
Have you ever had to put up a front or pretense and pretend that everything was fine, when it really wasn't? That is no way to live. Many of us walk around with our "masks" on, trying to pretend that everything is okay. Have you ever hid behind a smile and pretended that everything was just wonderful when you really longed to tell someone everything that was really going on? Maybe you would have just liked a hug or to cry on someone's shoulder, but you kept a stiff upper lip because you were ashamed to admit the problem to someone.
I've cried all the way to church on many occasions and then taught children's church or Sunday school and played the keyboard or directed the children's choir and carried on as if nothing were wrong and then cried all the way back home. I've just decided that I am not going to do that anymore. The older I get, the more I learn that it doesn't really matter what other people think. (If the truth were told, the people that you're worried about impressing or worried about not making yourself look bad in front of them, probably have more issues than you!) Now, If I need prayer, I am going to ask for it. If I need deliverance, I am going to ask someone to pray and believe God with me for the help that I need.
You don't have to bear your hurts alone. There are good Christians out there who would love to pray for you and encourage you. It would probably surprise you to find out some people that you know that have gone through the same issue that you are going through right now.We need the support of good Christian friends to help us when we are struggling or to pray for us to overcome an issue in our lives.
Ecclesiaster 4:9-11 says
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.But how can one keep warm alone?
We are to help one another and encourage one another when we are burdened with the difficulties of life. Galations 6: 2 says "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
I encourage you today...tell somebody one of your issues and ask them to help you pray about it. Tell someone about an issue you once had and how God helped you overcome it. I guarantee you that someone needs to hear your story!
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! Find a way to share your testimony today!
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Best Monster I Ever Created
Help! I've created a monster! Have you ever had the situation where you started a project or got a friend interested in a new habit and it just grew and grew and totally took on a life of its own?
I got married two weeks after my nineteenth birthday. During the break between my freshman year of college and the first semester of summer school, I got married. I was so excited to be the woman of the house. Eager to be a "domestic goddess," one evening I happily began preparing what I hoped to be a delicious and romantic dinner for two. Well, let's just say that I was not exactly a gourmet chef. Our "gourmet" dinner was to include rice, so I started boiling the water and began scooping rice into the pot. Instead of following the measuring/serving size instructions, I scooped the dry rice into the pot at the amount that I wished it to produce when it was cooked. And as I now know...rice grows and grows and swells...My pot of rice kept growing and growing and growing. I had to bring in more pots just to hold it all. I could have fed a couple of small starving African nations with the rice I cooked that night. I had created a rice monster! My rice took on a life of its own. (I'm happy to report that I now know how to cook!)
Many people start a business or create a project and then it takes on a life of its own and becomes more than they ever dreamed. My blog writing has now taken on a life of its own. I've had senior citizens tell me that they enjoy reading my blobs. (Yeah, they said blobs!) People have asked my children, "Doesn't your mother write a blog? Tell her I love it!" Old friends I hadn't talked to in a couple of years have called me or contacted me to say how much they enjoy my blogs. I started my blog writing in November and before the month was even over, my blogs had over a thousand page views. Am I bragging? Certainly not! (If I wrote the blogs for that purpose, would I have ever written about my thigh high stockings falling down at the BB& T in Smithfield? I think not!) I'm giving praise to God for the opportunity that He has given me.
I started writing a blog in response to an issue in my life that I wasn't sure how to respond to.. I prayed and asked God how I should address the issue and the idea of writing a blog just popped in my head one day out of the blue. I honestly think the idea was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I have always wanted to write, but never "got around to it". I think I just needed a "kick in the pants" to make me do it! People have sent me messages saying that a particular blog was just what they needed to hear on a particular day when they were going through an issue.
I pray about what I am going to write.I seek Godly counsel from Christian friends if I am unsure about something I plan to say. I even ask my kids! Without fail, after I write a blog, within the next few minutes to the next two hours after I write it, I will hear a speaker/preacher on television or the radio or a song that uses the scripture from that day's blog. I just take that as a sign of confirmation that I am on the right track! The day I wrote about the song "When the saints go marching in" I heard that song on a secular comedy television program just minutes after I wrote about it.
So, why am I telling you this? The Bible says that we are not to despise small beginnings. My blog writing is just a small beginning. I have a whole 12 followers! I don't think a national newspaper or magazine is going to pick up any of my writing any time soon with a fan base of twelve folks! (LOL!) However, I am planting a seed each time I write a blog. Maybe someone who is not a Christian will read a blog from a Facebook post. Every time they are reading my blog, they get some scripture sown into their life that day. Maybe one friend will tell another friend something encouraging based upon what they read that day in my blog. I don't know.. my job is to plant the seed and let God handle the rest.
Almost 10 years ago, my best friend and I were at work one day and were taking a little "break". We discussed a skit that we could create for a small ladies' luncheon at her church being held in honor of her pastor's wife. So we threw out some ideas and created a Christian comedy character named "EulaMae Etheleen Ledbetter" that was a Pastor's wife who was a little "different". I named the character Eula Mae myself! The debut of this comedy character was certainly a humble beginning. The guest of honor was so sick with vertigo that she was unable to attend the function in her honor. However, my best friend, Teresa Allen has now been all over North Carolina and into Virginia and South Carolina speaking, singing, and performing as Eula Mae for almost 10 years. I don't know if I should say that I am credited for creating Eula Mae or if I should say that I am to blame for creating Eula Mae! I definitely created a monster when I created Eula Mae!
Many years ago, Teresa lost her three year old son due to the actions of her boyfriend at that time. She then lost custody of her nine year old daughter. Understandably, she felt that her life was in a shambles at that time, and became very depressed. She even considered ending her own life. After some difficult times, she began to try to put her life back together. She went back to school and while at college, she met a kindhearted Christian woman. This woman of God took Teresa under her wing and started encouraging her and told her to get a Bible and to get into studying the Word. That Christian lady had no idea who my friend Teresa was going to turn out to be. At that time, Teresa's life was in quite a mess and she was struggling and not always making good decisions. That lady had no idea how Teresa was going to turn out. She just some sowed some love and encouragement and the Word of God into Teresa's life. She didn't judge her or condemn her. She just loved her and sowed into her life. (Please go to www.merryheartsministries.com to read Teresa's entire testimony and to follow her ministry)
Now, Teresa is a minister of the gospel; speaking, singing, sharing her testimony, and yes, performing as EulaMae at many churches and functions each year. She has a wonderful Christian husband who is her Partner in ministry, Protector, Armor Bearer, Bus Driver, Soundman, and Sweetheart! When she speaks and shares her testimony, people weep and after the service, they tell her how much she blessed them. When she shares her Christian comedy, people laugh and tell her just how much they needed that. She has had opportunities to minister individually to many women going through similar circumstances as those that she once faced herself. I could go on and on with examples. Thousands of people have been blessed and heard her message...a message they might not have heard if that Christian sister many years ago had not taken her time to sow love into the life of a young lady that was making some bad choices and needed some help.
I have matching candles on either side of the manger scene on my piano that say, "From small beginnings come great things". The birth of Jesus in a stable was certainly a humble beginning. Would the innkeeper have knowingly turned away the Savior of the World, the MESSIAH? He could not see the greatness that was held inside Mary's womb. Think of the Pharisees and the priests and the crowd that condemned Jesus to be crucified because they could not see the greatness inside Him! Others may not see the greatness inside of you!
Don't despise your humble beginning. Just start somewhere. Put one foot in front of the other and start doing something for God. Plant a seed. Do what you can do to bless someone and to be used by God, even if its only for one person. You never know who that person could turn out to be! Sow some seed of time, talent, and money into a person or ministry today.
Hebrews 13:2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
II Corinthians 9:6 states “He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully, let every man purpose in his heart so let him give…”
1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
I got married two weeks after my nineteenth birthday. During the break between my freshman year of college and the first semester of summer school, I got married. I was so excited to be the woman of the house. Eager to be a "domestic goddess," one evening I happily began preparing what I hoped to be a delicious and romantic dinner for two. Well, let's just say that I was not exactly a gourmet chef. Our "gourmet" dinner was to include rice, so I started boiling the water and began scooping rice into the pot. Instead of following the measuring/serving size instructions, I scooped the dry rice into the pot at the amount that I wished it to produce when it was cooked. And as I now know...rice grows and grows and swells...My pot of rice kept growing and growing and growing. I had to bring in more pots just to hold it all. I could have fed a couple of small starving African nations with the rice I cooked that night. I had created a rice monster! My rice took on a life of its own. (I'm happy to report that I now know how to cook!)
Many people start a business or create a project and then it takes on a life of its own and becomes more than they ever dreamed. My blog writing has now taken on a life of its own. I've had senior citizens tell me that they enjoy reading my blobs. (Yeah, they said blobs!) People have asked my children, "Doesn't your mother write a blog? Tell her I love it!" Old friends I hadn't talked to in a couple of years have called me or contacted me to say how much they enjoy my blogs. I started my blog writing in November and before the month was even over, my blogs had over a thousand page views. Am I bragging? Certainly not! (If I wrote the blogs for that purpose, would I have ever written about my thigh high stockings falling down at the BB& T in Smithfield? I think not!) I'm giving praise to God for the opportunity that He has given me.
I started writing a blog in response to an issue in my life that I wasn't sure how to respond to.. I prayed and asked God how I should address the issue and the idea of writing a blog just popped in my head one day out of the blue. I honestly think the idea was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I have always wanted to write, but never "got around to it". I think I just needed a "kick in the pants" to make me do it! People have sent me messages saying that a particular blog was just what they needed to hear on a particular day when they were going through an issue.
I pray about what I am going to write.I seek Godly counsel from Christian friends if I am unsure about something I plan to say. I even ask my kids! Without fail, after I write a blog, within the next few minutes to the next two hours after I write it, I will hear a speaker/preacher on television or the radio or a song that uses the scripture from that day's blog. I just take that as a sign of confirmation that I am on the right track! The day I wrote about the song "When the saints go marching in" I heard that song on a secular comedy television program just minutes after I wrote about it.
So, why am I telling you this? The Bible says that we are not to despise small beginnings. My blog writing is just a small beginning. I have a whole 12 followers! I don't think a national newspaper or magazine is going to pick up any of my writing any time soon with a fan base of twelve folks! (LOL!) However, I am planting a seed each time I write a blog. Maybe someone who is not a Christian will read a blog from a Facebook post. Every time they are reading my blog, they get some scripture sown into their life that day. Maybe one friend will tell another friend something encouraging based upon what they read that day in my blog. I don't know.. my job is to plant the seed and let God handle the rest.
Almost 10 years ago, my best friend and I were at work one day and were taking a little "break". We discussed a skit that we could create for a small ladies' luncheon at her church being held in honor of her pastor's wife. So we threw out some ideas and created a Christian comedy character named "EulaMae Etheleen Ledbetter" that was a Pastor's wife who was a little "different". I named the character Eula Mae myself! The debut of this comedy character was certainly a humble beginning. The guest of honor was so sick with vertigo that she was unable to attend the function in her honor. However, my best friend, Teresa Allen has now been all over North Carolina and into Virginia and South Carolina speaking, singing, and performing as Eula Mae for almost 10 years. I don't know if I should say that I am credited for creating Eula Mae or if I should say that I am to blame for creating Eula Mae! I definitely created a monster when I created Eula Mae!
Many years ago, Teresa lost her three year old son due to the actions of her boyfriend at that time. She then lost custody of her nine year old daughter. Understandably, she felt that her life was in a shambles at that time, and became very depressed. She even considered ending her own life. After some difficult times, she began to try to put her life back together. She went back to school and while at college, she met a kindhearted Christian woman. This woman of God took Teresa under her wing and started encouraging her and told her to get a Bible and to get into studying the Word. That Christian lady had no idea who my friend Teresa was going to turn out to be. At that time, Teresa's life was in quite a mess and she was struggling and not always making good decisions. That lady had no idea how Teresa was going to turn out. She just some sowed some love and encouragement and the Word of God into Teresa's life. She didn't judge her or condemn her. She just loved her and sowed into her life. (Please go to www.merryheartsministries.com to read Teresa's entire testimony and to follow her ministry)
Now, Teresa is a minister of the gospel; speaking, singing, sharing her testimony, and yes, performing as EulaMae at many churches and functions each year. She has a wonderful Christian husband who is her Partner in ministry, Protector, Armor Bearer, Bus Driver, Soundman, and Sweetheart! When she speaks and shares her testimony, people weep and after the service, they tell her how much she blessed them. When she shares her Christian comedy, people laugh and tell her just how much they needed that. She has had opportunities to minister individually to many women going through similar circumstances as those that she once faced herself. I could go on and on with examples. Thousands of people have been blessed and heard her message...a message they might not have heard if that Christian sister many years ago had not taken her time to sow love into the life of a young lady that was making some bad choices and needed some help.
I have matching candles on either side of the manger scene on my piano that say, "From small beginnings come great things". The birth of Jesus in a stable was certainly a humble beginning. Would the innkeeper have knowingly turned away the Savior of the World, the MESSIAH? He could not see the greatness that was held inside Mary's womb. Think of the Pharisees and the priests and the crowd that condemned Jesus to be crucified because they could not see the greatness inside Him! Others may not see the greatness inside of you!
Don't despise your humble beginning. Just start somewhere. Put one foot in front of the other and start doing something for God. Plant a seed. Do what you can do to bless someone and to be used by God, even if its only for one person. You never know who that person could turn out to be! Sow some seed of time, talent, and money into a person or ministry today.
Hebrews 13:2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
II Corinthians 9:6 states “He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully, let every man purpose in his heart so let him give…”
1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Let the Who-bilation Begin!
Have you watched any classic Christmas movies yet? I saw a lot of folks posting on Facebook last night about watching the classic Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. I missed it. I can't handle it. When the other reindeer won't let him join in any reindeer games....too painful to watch!
I caught a little bit of Home Alone 2 tonight and I've already seen a little bit of Elf. (Don't you just love the part when Buddy the Elf is in the doctor's office and he starts eating the cotton balls? What about when the doctor pricks his finger and Buddy says his finger has a heartbeat? That's classic! My kids like it when Buddy tells the cheap department store Santa Claus that he sits on a throne of lies.)
For years, my youngest son loved The Grinch movie with Jim Carey. We watched it all year round. We memorized most of the lines in the movie. In the movie, the Who's in Who-ville love Christmas and the biggest Christmas party of the year is the Who-bilation on Christmas Day. The Who-bilation, is a big, "over-the top" celebration in which everyone wears their most outlandish Christmas finery.
One year, my children and I were sitting in church during the Christmas Cantata and I kid you not, I looked up and one of the choir members had on a sweater that looked just like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation. I got a little tickled thinking about it and my son asked me what I was laughing about. I whispered, "Miss Susie" has on a sweater that looks like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation. What was his reply? He said "Who-bilation, Who-bilation, Who! Who!" (Which is a cheer from the movie). Well, I was really tickled at that point. Further down the pew, my daughter asks, "What are ya'll laughing at?" So my son whispers in her ear, "Miss Susie" has on a sweater just like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation.' And what would be my daughter's reply? "Who-bilation, Who-bilation- Who! Who!" The same exact cheer from the movie that her brother had just said. My son and I lost it. We were laughing so hard I thought we were going to have to go outside!
Though I enjoy Elf and I have memorized The Grinch, neither are my favorite Christmas movie. Would you like to venture a guess as to my favorite? Perhaps a classic like A Christmas Carol, the quintessential It's a Wonderful Life, or the heart-warming Miracle on 34th Street? Nah. None of those. My all-time absolute favorite Christmas movie is.... (drum roll please) ......National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It just isn't Christmas until I have seen Cousin Eddie roll up in the RV with his dog named Snot. I have so many favorite scenes...when the Christmas tree catches on fire because of the cat, when they cut into the turkey and the whole thing falls apart into nothing, when the Aunt says the Pledge of Allegiance instead of the blessing, when the old guy lights the cigar after the sewer gas has been leaking....good times, good times.
Now, I know that's some pretty low-brow comedy and certainly has NOTHING to do with the real meaning of Christmas. I know that...but the reason that I love the movie is because the harder that Clark and the other members of the Griswald family try to have the perfect Christmas, the worse things get. Nothing turns out as planned. I think I just relate to that movie more than any other Christmas movie. Have you ever tried to have one of those perfect family Christmas moments that turned into a big flop with the kids arguing and fussing and nothing turned out as planned? I think everyone has. I love those Christmas card pictures where Santa is smiling on cue and the little kid he is holding in his lap is screaming bloody murder...you see nothing but tears and tonsils. And you know the kid's poor mother spent hours picking out his little Christmas picture outfit so that everything would be just perfect.
Well, sometimes our plans for everything to be just perfect don't exactly work out. Maybe you are not looking forward to Christmas this year because of some situations in your life that are not exactly perfect right now. Perhaps even your whole life has not turned out as you had planned. You may be wondering, "How did I end up here?" "How did this happen?" or "How did I end up with "Him" or "Her"?
God still has a purpose and plan for your life. Have you ever prayed to God to ask Him what your purpose is for being here? Have you ever sought God as to HIS plans for your life. The Bible has some things to say regarding our plans versus God's plans.
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16: 1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
As you wrap up 2011 and start thinking about beginning a new year and maybe even making New Years Resolutions...start seeking God regarding His plans and His purpose for your life. Maybe even pick up a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.
Commit your ways and your whole life to Him and you will be blessed!
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.
Seek Him, Trust Him, Praise Him...and let the Who-bilation Begin!
I caught a little bit of Home Alone 2 tonight and I've already seen a little bit of Elf. (Don't you just love the part when Buddy the Elf is in the doctor's office and he starts eating the cotton balls? What about when the doctor pricks his finger and Buddy says his finger has a heartbeat? That's classic! My kids like it when Buddy tells the cheap department store Santa Claus that he sits on a throne of lies.)
For years, my youngest son loved The Grinch movie with Jim Carey. We watched it all year round. We memorized most of the lines in the movie. In the movie, the Who's in Who-ville love Christmas and the biggest Christmas party of the year is the Who-bilation on Christmas Day. The Who-bilation, is a big, "over-the top" celebration in which everyone wears their most outlandish Christmas finery.
One year, my children and I were sitting in church during the Christmas Cantata and I kid you not, I looked up and one of the choir members had on a sweater that looked just like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation. I got a little tickled thinking about it and my son asked me what I was laughing about. I whispered, "Miss Susie" has on a sweater that looks like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation. What was his reply? He said "Who-bilation, Who-bilation, Who! Who!" (Which is a cheer from the movie). Well, I was really tickled at that point. Further down the pew, my daughter asks, "What are ya'll laughing at?" So my son whispers in her ear, "Miss Susie" has on a sweater just like the one that the Grinch wore to the Who-bilation.' And what would be my daughter's reply? "Who-bilation, Who-bilation- Who! Who!" The same exact cheer from the movie that her brother had just said. My son and I lost it. We were laughing so hard I thought we were going to have to go outside!
Though I enjoy Elf and I have memorized The Grinch, neither are my favorite Christmas movie. Would you like to venture a guess as to my favorite? Perhaps a classic like A Christmas Carol, the quintessential It's a Wonderful Life, or the heart-warming Miracle on 34th Street? Nah. None of those. My all-time absolute favorite Christmas movie is.... (drum roll please) ......National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It just isn't Christmas until I have seen Cousin Eddie roll up in the RV with his dog named Snot. I have so many favorite scenes...when the Christmas tree catches on fire because of the cat, when they cut into the turkey and the whole thing falls apart into nothing, when the Aunt says the Pledge of Allegiance instead of the blessing, when the old guy lights the cigar after the sewer gas has been leaking....good times, good times.
Now, I know that's some pretty low-brow comedy and certainly has NOTHING to do with the real meaning of Christmas. I know that...but the reason that I love the movie is because the harder that Clark and the other members of the Griswald family try to have the perfect Christmas, the worse things get. Nothing turns out as planned. I think I just relate to that movie more than any other Christmas movie. Have you ever tried to have one of those perfect family Christmas moments that turned into a big flop with the kids arguing and fussing and nothing turned out as planned? I think everyone has. I love those Christmas card pictures where Santa is smiling on cue and the little kid he is holding in his lap is screaming bloody murder...you see nothing but tears and tonsils. And you know the kid's poor mother spent hours picking out his little Christmas picture outfit so that everything would be just perfect.
Well, sometimes our plans for everything to be just perfect don't exactly work out. Maybe you are not looking forward to Christmas this year because of some situations in your life that are not exactly perfect right now. Perhaps even your whole life has not turned out as you had planned. You may be wondering, "How did I end up here?" "How did this happen?" or "How did I end up with "Him" or "Her"?
God still has a purpose and plan for your life. Have you ever prayed to God to ask Him what your purpose is for being here? Have you ever sought God as to HIS plans for your life. The Bible has some things to say regarding our plans versus God's plans.
Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 16: 1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
As you wrap up 2011 and start thinking about beginning a new year and maybe even making New Years Resolutions...start seeking God regarding His plans and His purpose for your life. Maybe even pick up a copy of "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.
Commit your ways and your whole life to Him and you will be blessed!
Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.
Seek Him, Trust Him, Praise Him...and let the Who-bilation Begin!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Black Friday Adventures
Did you do any Black Friday Shopping? I did... and it certainly was an adventure!
I headed out on Thanksgiving night to get a new TV on sale.The TV in my living room had been dying a slow, painful death for many months. Green was the only color that was produced on the screen. We haven't been able to watch The Grinch, The Hulk, or The Green Lantern for months because the main character was camoflauged amidst all the green! (OK, I'm exaggerating, but we really have had a green screen since the summer!)
While in the store to purchase the TV, I saw people pushing, arguing, and fighting to get one of only a few sale items that were the "hot item". To be honest, it made me nervous and uneasy, even though I was several feet away and not involved. I heard that someone bloodied their nose, but I did not see it personally. I left that store to go to a department store where my church was giving away free hot chocolate as an outreach. Most of the people were very friendly and appreciative. However, one shopper became upset over the way that admission into the store was being handled and begin arguing at us. (Why was she fussing at us? We were the "love-Jesus-so-much, we're out-here-at 2 am-giving-you-hot-chocolate" people and not the store security people! Maybe she was tired and hadn't gotten enough sleep. We'll give her the benefit of the doubt.)
My Black Friday experiences left me shaking my head. I went home at 4 am and went to bed, glad to be out of the ruckus. However, later on Friday evening, I ventured back out. The mall was still very crowded. I went into a ladies restroom and had to wait in line. While in line, I heard a lady who was inside the bathroom stall singing "Oh, when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in. Lord, I want to be in that number. When the saints go marching in". Now she was not humming, she was not quietly singing this to herself...she was "sanging"! This lady was happy and having herself a good time. She had a song in her heart and she was enjoying herself. The crowds hadn't caused her to lose her joy. Whatever she had seen that day, whether it was rude shoppers or unfriendly store clerks or high prices...still hadn't caused her to lose her song of praise. She may have had sickness, family problems money problems, who knows? Regardless, she was singing her happy song.
This lady had so much joy in her heart, she didn't care if she was in a crowded JC Penney bathroom. She was just getting her song out. The Bible says that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means that what's in the person's heart comes out in a person's speech.
I mentioned in a previous post that you cannot force or squeeze blood to come out of a turnip. No matter how hard you try, you can't get blood out of a turnip, because blood is not inside it. When a person is "squeezed" or "forced" by the problems and trials of life, you cannot force something to come out of them that is not in there. If "ugly" is in the heart, then "ugly" is what is going to come out of the mouth!
When people are in a difficult or stressful situation, when they are being pressed by life, you begin to see what is really inside them. They may have a sweet smile or seem so friendly and nice, but when the pressure is applied, the truth comes out. I have seen this happen many times in my own life with people I've encountered over the years. Maybe you have that situation in your own life. Someone may have fooled others, but you are not fooled by them. You wonder why others can't see how that person really is. How should you handle the situation? Well, you may be more discerning than others. You may have a discerning spirit or a gift of discernment, allowing you to recognize things about this person before others do. Maybe you are the only person that they have revealed their "ugly side" to as of yet. Just pray about the situation and then just watch and wait and remain silent. A relative of mine used to say "just hide and watch". Eventually, the person's true colors will be revealed. It's not your job to tell everybody how they really are. (That will only make you look bad). Just pray and wait. (I know, I know, waiting is not fun!) Hopefully, you can pray for the person and the issue can be resolved before anyone else has to find out and the person will actually change. Maybe they are going through a difficult time in their own life. If not, just keep praying and waiting. God is a God of justice. You will be vindicated when the truth is revealed. Your job is to pray and keep praising God and not to make any enemies during this process! Just wait and let God take care of it for you.
So, if a person's speech reveals what is in their heart, what does this mean for us as Christians?
First, make sure that you know what is in your own heart. David prayed for God to search his own heart to see if there was any sin in his own life. Ask God to show you areas where you need to improve (unconfessed sin, bad habits, impatience, quick temper, etc.) and then ask Him to help you in those areas.
Second, you may need to ask God to help you clean up your own speech. The Bible says that we will have to give an account one day for every idle word we have spoken (I don't know about you, but that makes me a little nervous!) Your tongue is a dangerous weapon and holds the power of life and death! Start thinking about what you are saying. Are you saying what you want to see happen or are you proclaiming gloom and doom on a daily basis?
Third, how are you doing with your praise? Would you be more likely to be the angry shopper on Black Friday or would you be more likely to be the singing lady in the bathroom? How is your joy? How is your song in your heart? Start working on praising God in the midst of your trials and the frustrating, aggravating, annoying things that come with just being alive! Are you thinking about the lovely and positive things going on in your life or focusing on the negative? Check out Philippians 4:8!
Have a great day. When you're at work this week and someone is annoying you, when someone cuts you off in traffic, steals your parking space or says something unkind to you...just think about the lady in the JC Penney bathroom... "Oh when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in, Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!"
I headed out on Thanksgiving night to get a new TV on sale.The TV in my living room had been dying a slow, painful death for many months. Green was the only color that was produced on the screen. We haven't been able to watch The Grinch, The Hulk, or The Green Lantern for months because the main character was camoflauged amidst all the green! (OK, I'm exaggerating, but we really have had a green screen since the summer!)
While in the store to purchase the TV, I saw people pushing, arguing, and fighting to get one of only a few sale items that were the "hot item". To be honest, it made me nervous and uneasy, even though I was several feet away and not involved. I heard that someone bloodied their nose, but I did not see it personally. I left that store to go to a department store where my church was giving away free hot chocolate as an outreach. Most of the people were very friendly and appreciative. However, one shopper became upset over the way that admission into the store was being handled and begin arguing at us. (Why was she fussing at us? We were the "love-Jesus-so-much, we're out-here-at 2 am-giving-you-hot-chocolate" people and not the store security people! Maybe she was tired and hadn't gotten enough sleep. We'll give her the benefit of the doubt.)
My Black Friday experiences left me shaking my head. I went home at 4 am and went to bed, glad to be out of the ruckus. However, later on Friday evening, I ventured back out. The mall was still very crowded. I went into a ladies restroom and had to wait in line. While in line, I heard a lady who was inside the bathroom stall singing "Oh, when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in. Lord, I want to be in that number. When the saints go marching in". Now she was not humming, she was not quietly singing this to herself...she was "sanging"! This lady was happy and having herself a good time. She had a song in her heart and she was enjoying herself. The crowds hadn't caused her to lose her joy. Whatever she had seen that day, whether it was rude shoppers or unfriendly store clerks or high prices...still hadn't caused her to lose her song of praise. She may have had sickness, family problems money problems, who knows? Regardless, she was singing her happy song.
This lady had so much joy in her heart, she didn't care if she was in a crowded JC Penney bathroom. She was just getting her song out. The Bible says that out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means that what's in the person's heart comes out in a person's speech.
I mentioned in a previous post that you cannot force or squeeze blood to come out of a turnip. No matter how hard you try, you can't get blood out of a turnip, because blood is not inside it. When a person is "squeezed" or "forced" by the problems and trials of life, you cannot force something to come out of them that is not in there. If "ugly" is in the heart, then "ugly" is what is going to come out of the mouth!
When people are in a difficult or stressful situation, when they are being pressed by life, you begin to see what is really inside them. They may have a sweet smile or seem so friendly and nice, but when the pressure is applied, the truth comes out. I have seen this happen many times in my own life with people I've encountered over the years. Maybe you have that situation in your own life. Someone may have fooled others, but you are not fooled by them. You wonder why others can't see how that person really is. How should you handle the situation? Well, you may be more discerning than others. You may have a discerning spirit or a gift of discernment, allowing you to recognize things about this person before others do. Maybe you are the only person that they have revealed their "ugly side" to as of yet. Just pray about the situation and then just watch and wait and remain silent. A relative of mine used to say "just hide and watch". Eventually, the person's true colors will be revealed. It's not your job to tell everybody how they really are. (That will only make you look bad). Just pray and wait. (I know, I know, waiting is not fun!) Hopefully, you can pray for the person and the issue can be resolved before anyone else has to find out and the person will actually change. Maybe they are going through a difficult time in their own life. If not, just keep praying and waiting. God is a God of justice. You will be vindicated when the truth is revealed. Your job is to pray and keep praising God and not to make any enemies during this process! Just wait and let God take care of it for you.
So, if a person's speech reveals what is in their heart, what does this mean for us as Christians?
First, make sure that you know what is in your own heart. David prayed for God to search his own heart to see if there was any sin in his own life. Ask God to show you areas where you need to improve (unconfessed sin, bad habits, impatience, quick temper, etc.) and then ask Him to help you in those areas.
Second, you may need to ask God to help you clean up your own speech. The Bible says that we will have to give an account one day for every idle word we have spoken (I don't know about you, but that makes me a little nervous!) Your tongue is a dangerous weapon and holds the power of life and death! Start thinking about what you are saying. Are you saying what you want to see happen or are you proclaiming gloom and doom on a daily basis?
Third, how are you doing with your praise? Would you be more likely to be the angry shopper on Black Friday or would you be more likely to be the singing lady in the bathroom? How is your joy? How is your song in your heart? Start working on praising God in the midst of your trials and the frustrating, aggravating, annoying things that come with just being alive! Are you thinking about the lovely and positive things going on in your life or focusing on the negative? Check out Philippians 4:8!
Have a great day. When you're at work this week and someone is annoying you, when someone cuts you off in traffic, steals your parking space or says something unkind to you...just think about the lady in the JC Penney bathroom... "Oh when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in, Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!"
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Beauty From Ashes
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I have reposted something today that is not original to me. I've seen it in emails and facebook posts for years. I am not sure of the original source, so I cannot give credit to the author. I have also posted an original poem that I wrote to thank God for what he has done for me. Please enjoy:
I AM THANKFUL FOR:
The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.
Author Unknown
Be joyful always; pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105
Today I am thankful for what God has done for me. I have many blessings...my children, family, friends, job, home, health, church, and much more.
One of the things that I am especially thankful for this Thanksgiving is what God has done for me spiritually and emotionally. He has given me a new outlook and new opportunities. I am so thankful for his deliverance and healing. Isaiah 61:1-3 has always been a favorite scripture passage of mine that has special meaning. I thank God that he has truly given me "beauty for ashes" as promised in the scripture. I wrote a poem a couple of months ago as a testimony. It is based upon Isaiah 61 and Isaiah 54. Take some time during your personal devotions this week to read Isaiah 61 and Isaiah 54.
I AM THANKFUL FOR:
The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.
The taxes I pay because it means that I’m employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.
My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.
All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
The space I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.
The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I’m alive.
Getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.
Author Unknown
Be joyful always; pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105
Today I am thankful for what God has done for me. I have many blessings...my children, family, friends, job, home, health, church, and much more.
One of the things that I am especially thankful for this Thanksgiving is what God has done for me spiritually and emotionally. He has given me a new outlook and new opportunities. I am so thankful for his deliverance and healing. Isaiah 61:1-3 has always been a favorite scripture passage of mine that has special meaning. I thank God that he has truly given me "beauty for ashes" as promised in the scripture. I wrote a poem a couple of months ago as a testimony. It is based upon Isaiah 61 and Isaiah 54. Take some time during your personal devotions this week to read Isaiah 61 and Isaiah 54.
“Beauty From Ashes” by J.L. Pearce
Based upon Isaiah 61 and Isaiah 54
Butterfly, Butterfly, leave your cocoon,
Rosebud, Rosebud, its your time to bloom,
The time has come, your season is here
God has not given you a Spirit of fear.
Awaken, Arise, for your light has come,
Come out of your darkness, and face the Son
Embrace His warmth, absorb His rays,
Exchange your despair for the spirit of praise.
Listen to His voice, so soft, so tender,
Your Protector, Provider, Healer, Defender.
I’ve been delivered, gloriously set free.
Its my time to tell what He did for me.
He healed my broken heart, released me from my prison.
From the ashes of my life, new beauty has risen.
I can look in the mirror, I don’t have to hide.
He has dressed me in jewels, just like a bride.
He gave me a robe of righteousness for the rags I had worn
He dried my tears, gave comfort when I mourned.
I called to Him, with my hurt, my grief, in the midst of my trouble.
For my rejection and pain, He has promised me double.
I have a new husband and the Lord God is His name!
No more will I remember my rejection and shame.
With His great mercies, He has gathered me in.
Now my oil of joy can flow again
I have enlarged my tent and lengthened my cords,
My soul will rejoice and be glad in the Lord.
The curses once spoken over me, I no longer believe,
The promises of God, I now receive.
Favor, protection, a covenant of peace,
My heavenly father has now released.
Blessings are my heritage. It will all come to be.
Trust him with your ashes. He will give you...Beauty.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Smart As A Box of Rocks!
I have always liked rocks. Unusual shapes, pretty colors, smooth stones...if I see an interesting rock, I am going to pick it up. I have a collection of special rocks in my jewelry box.
My mom found one last week in her yard that looks like a lima bean. I was hoping she would give it to me, but apparently she hasn't taken the hint yet! My co-worker has an interesting rock on her desk that a client gave her. It immediately caught my eye when I walked into the office. She told me the story behind the rock. A client with autism liked to rub it because it was so smooth and it felt good when he rubbed it. He gave it to her because he had such a special bond with her. Now that's a good rock story. If I pick up a rock that I like, I usually say "I love a good rock!"
I watched the movie "The Game Plan" on TV last night with my son. He asked me to watch TV with him. I was busy and needed to get some things done first....I was about to tell him to wait a minute....then I caught a glimpse of the star of the movie, Duane "The Rock" Johnson. I decided maybe I did have a little extra time! LOL! No wonder I have always liked rocks so much! (OK, I'm kidding. I love to spend time with my son, but getting to watch "The Rock" while spending time with him is an added bonus!)
Now, on to more serious matters...
I once had someone who was angry with me and trying to hurt my feelings tell me that I was as dumb as a box of rocks! (Actually, a few more words were included in there, but I cleaned it up a little!) Well, guess what I have discovered....they actually paid me a compliment. There was no need for my feelings to be hurt at all. Know why? Because I have discovered that in the Bible, rocks were pretty smart!
In Exodus 17, Moses and the Israelite people were camped at Rephidim and they had no water. God told Moses to strike a rock. When he did, water sprang forth for the people to drink. So, rocks can be used to perform miracles!
Numbers 20 says that when the Israelite people were in the desert, they again came to a place where was no water. God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out. (Apparently rocks can listen!). Moses hit the rock instead (See! Rocks listen better than people!) Water gushed out and and the people and their livestock had water to drink. Not just a few people and livestock...hundreds of thousands!
Some of the most well-known passages in the Bible refer to rocks or stones.
When the woman was caught in the act of adultery and was about to be stoned, Jesus said to her accusers, "Let He who is without sin cast the first stone". Her accusers slowly walked away. Jesus asked her where her accusers were. He forgave her and told her to go and sin no more.
A rock was also known in the Bible as a place for offering a sacrifice or giving an offering to God. In addition, stones or rocks were often set up as memorials to give praise or thanksgiving for something God had done. When God performed a miracle for Joshua and the Israelites and they crossed the Jordan River on dry ground Joshua had 12 men representing the twelve tribes of Israel, select 12 stones from the bottom of the river bed to set up a memorial to God.
What did David defeat Goliath with? A slingshot is the most frequent answer. But what actually killed the giant? A rock! When Jesus was buried and then resurrected, what did the women find had been rolled away from the tomb? A stone!
Rocks are often used in the Bible as a symbol for God. Psalm 31 says " You are my rock and my fortress!" In other psalms and in the Book of Samuel, it states, "Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress" . God is also referred to as "God, the rock of my salvation" or "my God, the rock of my refuge".
Jesus was referred to as "The Cornerstone". In Biblical times, the cornerstone was the most important part of the foundation of the building. It was the rock upon which the entire structure's stability was based. One of the parables in the Bible regards the wise man that built his house upon "the rock" and the foolish man that built his house upon the "sand" (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49) (Remember singing that song in Sunday school when you were little?)The person whose house was built on sand did not withstand the storms and rains that came. The person whose house was built on "the rock" or "the firm foundation" was able to withstand the storms and tests of life.
Finally, Jesus also mentioned that rocks would cry out to praise Him. Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem. The disciples and followers of Jesus loudly praised him. Pharisees criticized Jesus's followers for crying out and asked Jesus to tell them to be quiet. Jesus answered that if the people did not praise him, that the rocks would cry out to sing his praise!
Do you see just how smart rocks really are! If we don't praise God, the rocks will! On this, the day before Thanksgiving, just be a rock! Praise God if no one else will. Thank Him for being your rock, your refuge, your shelter. Thank Him that the stone has been rolled away, that HE is risen! Thank Him that you have a firm foundation in Him, no matter what winds, waves or storms may come. Thank God that he is the rock that will help you defeat the giants in your own life.
Set up a memorial to thank God for what he has done. When you gather for Thanksgiving tomorrow, tell your children or grandchildren how He brought you through. Tell your stories of how you leaned on the rock of your salvation, how he was a shelter in the time of storm.
I guarantee you that someone needs to hear your story of how He brought you through.
Be like the Israelites that set up a memorial so that their children and grandchildren and following generations would remember and always know what God had done for them.
God Bless you!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving....and remember..
You're As Smart As a Box of Rocks!
My mom found one last week in her yard that looks like a lima bean. I was hoping she would give it to me, but apparently she hasn't taken the hint yet! My co-worker has an interesting rock on her desk that a client gave her. It immediately caught my eye when I walked into the office. She told me the story behind the rock. A client with autism liked to rub it because it was so smooth and it felt good when he rubbed it. He gave it to her because he had such a special bond with her. Now that's a good rock story. If I pick up a rock that I like, I usually say "I love a good rock!"
I watched the movie "The Game Plan" on TV last night with my son. He asked me to watch TV with him. I was busy and needed to get some things done first....I was about to tell him to wait a minute....then I caught a glimpse of the star of the movie, Duane "The Rock" Johnson. I decided maybe I did have a little extra time! LOL! No wonder I have always liked rocks so much! (OK, I'm kidding. I love to spend time with my son, but getting to watch "The Rock" while spending time with him is an added bonus!)
Now, on to more serious matters...
I once had someone who was angry with me and trying to hurt my feelings tell me that I was as dumb as a box of rocks! (Actually, a few more words were included in there, but I cleaned it up a little!) Well, guess what I have discovered....they actually paid me a compliment. There was no need for my feelings to be hurt at all. Know why? Because I have discovered that in the Bible, rocks were pretty smart!
In Exodus 17, Moses and the Israelite people were camped at Rephidim and they had no water. God told Moses to strike a rock. When he did, water sprang forth for the people to drink. So, rocks can be used to perform miracles!
Numbers 20 says that when the Israelite people were in the desert, they again came to a place where was no water. God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come out. (Apparently rocks can listen!). Moses hit the rock instead (See! Rocks listen better than people!) Water gushed out and and the people and their livestock had water to drink. Not just a few people and livestock...hundreds of thousands!
Some of the most well-known passages in the Bible refer to rocks or stones.
When the woman was caught in the act of adultery and was about to be stoned, Jesus said to her accusers, "Let He who is without sin cast the first stone". Her accusers slowly walked away. Jesus asked her where her accusers were. He forgave her and told her to go and sin no more.
A rock was also known in the Bible as a place for offering a sacrifice or giving an offering to God. In addition, stones or rocks were often set up as memorials to give praise or thanksgiving for something God had done. When God performed a miracle for Joshua and the Israelites and they crossed the Jordan River on dry ground Joshua had 12 men representing the twelve tribes of Israel, select 12 stones from the bottom of the river bed to set up a memorial to God.
What did David defeat Goliath with? A slingshot is the most frequent answer. But what actually killed the giant? A rock! When Jesus was buried and then resurrected, what did the women find had been rolled away from the tomb? A stone!
Rocks are often used in the Bible as a symbol for God. Psalm 31 says " You are my rock and my fortress!" In other psalms and in the Book of Samuel, it states, "Yahweh is my rock, and my fortress" . God is also referred to as "God, the rock of my salvation" or "my God, the rock of my refuge".
Jesus was referred to as "The Cornerstone". In Biblical times, the cornerstone was the most important part of the foundation of the building. It was the rock upon which the entire structure's stability was based. One of the parables in the Bible regards the wise man that built his house upon "the rock" and the foolish man that built his house upon the "sand" (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49) (Remember singing that song in Sunday school when you were little?)The person whose house was built on sand did not withstand the storms and rains that came. The person whose house was built on "the rock" or "the firm foundation" was able to withstand the storms and tests of life.
Finally, Jesus also mentioned that rocks would cry out to praise Him. Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem. The disciples and followers of Jesus loudly praised him. Pharisees criticized Jesus's followers for crying out and asked Jesus to tell them to be quiet. Jesus answered that if the people did not praise him, that the rocks would cry out to sing his praise!
Do you see just how smart rocks really are! If we don't praise God, the rocks will! On this, the day before Thanksgiving, just be a rock! Praise God if no one else will. Thank Him for being your rock, your refuge, your shelter. Thank Him that the stone has been rolled away, that HE is risen! Thank Him that you have a firm foundation in Him, no matter what winds, waves or storms may come. Thank God that he is the rock that will help you defeat the giants in your own life.
Set up a memorial to thank God for what he has done. When you gather for Thanksgiving tomorrow, tell your children or grandchildren how He brought you through. Tell your stories of how you leaned on the rock of your salvation, how he was a shelter in the time of storm.
I guarantee you that someone needs to hear your story of how He brought you through.
Be like the Israelites that set up a memorial so that their children and grandchildren and following generations would remember and always know what God had done for them.
God Bless you!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving....and remember..
You're As Smart As a Box of Rocks!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
In Search of The Perfect Gift
The biggest shopping day of the year is coming up on Friday. Are you ready? Have you made your list...are you checking it twice? Many shoppers will be out early Friday morning or even late Thursday night hoping to find bargains and "the perfect gift" for everyone on their list.
Have you ever gotten a gift that left you disappointed or wasn't what you really wanted?
When I was little, I wanted a Barbie Dream House. It was a three story mansion with a pink elevator on the side that carried Barbie in style from one story to the next. Barbie's pink Corvette was parked in the garage. It was the Barbie house of my dreams..and I knew Santa was going to come through for me! I went to sleep on Christmas Eve dreaming of my Barbie Dream house. I ran in the living room on Christmas morning, knowing that my pink, three-story Barbie Dream House was waiting for me! Well, I got a Barbie house alright..but something was a little "off" with this Barbie House. First, I noticed it had two stories, not three. No elevator. No pink Corvette in the garage. Then I started noticing some "interesting" things about this Barbie house. It had shag carpet. The color scheme was not pink and purple like the Barbie Dream House...it was orange, and brown, and green. Something was "suspicious" about this Barbie House. Why did Barbie and her friends look so "groovy?" Because "Santa" had recycled my sister's Barbie Doll House...my sister who was 12 years older. I received the psychedelic Barbie house of 1970, not the Barbie Dream House of 1982! I wanted a three-story pink mansion and I got a sensible split level Brady Bunch house. I was disappointed. What can I say? It was the eighties...even Barbie was "living large"!
Another famous incident in my family involved a gift I received at church when I was little. You know how it goes. You draw names for the gift exchange.. Inevitably, you bring some kid a race car or a baby doll and you get a pack of crayons in return. Well, I did get a baby doll that year....a ONE-EYED baby doll. I'm serious. The doll had one eye. I was so mad.My sister and older cousins added insult to injury the rest of the evening by saying, "Hey! Leigh-Ann, look at me!" and they would have one eye open and one eye closed. Then they started walking around winking at me. I was livid. Now, I had baby dolls at home and plenty of other toys, probably too many. That wasn't the point. I was upset because it was obvious the person had not put any time or consideration into my gift, because if they had, they would have noticed that the doll only had ONE EYE! It makes me laugh now, but for years in my childhood, my sister could give me the ole "one-eye" look and get me riled up again!
Then, there are those times that you get "the perfect" gift or the gift that makes you cry because it lets you know how much that person thought of you. The best gift I ever received was my mother's ring. I wear it every day. Its rare that you will see me without it on my hand. Its special. It represents the three most important people in my life! It was given to me on the day my son was born. I was told, "Matthew has something to give you". I was then handed my baby and the ring was on two of his fingers. It has my three children's names engraved and each of their birthstones. That took a lot of forethought and planning to have it there at the hospital with us. That made it really special.
This year, I got some special gifts on my birthday. They weren't expensive, but they meant so much to me that they made me cry. I had been dreading my birthday...a lot. I came home one evening a couple of days before my birthday and my favorite flower in my favorite color was sitting on my porch. I had already seen one like it at the florist and thought to myself "Wow. That's beautiful. I wish someone would give me one like it!" Isn't God good? He knows when we need a little encouragement! There is nothing that I would have liked any more.
The day of my birthday was a Monday this year. My children do not stay with me on Monday nights, so it wasn't exactly a "festive birthday". I got home late that night and found gifts and cards on my steps and had messages on my answering machine from my nieces and nephews and other special people. It meant so much to me that they thought of me and left me those messages that it made me cry. It was the thought behind it that meant so much.
The Bible tells us that we have all received the perfect Gift. God gave us His son. "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God thought so much of us, loved us so much, that he gave us His only Son. I like to give people gifts that they will like or enjoy...but I won't give you my children. You can't have them. I don't love you that much...sorry.
Jesus paid a tremendous price to give you the gift of eternal life. Its already been paid for, all you have to do is accept the gift. If you have already received the gift of salvation, what are you giving back in return? God has given each of us gifts and talents, skills and abilities. Are you thanking Him for your gifts by using them for Him or to bless others?
James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from God! As you prepare for the Christmas season and as you are giving thanks during Thanksgiving this week, be thankful for the best gift you have ever received..the gift of God's Son. Find a way to give thanks and to give back for the gifts you have received.
Have you ever gotten a gift that left you disappointed or wasn't what you really wanted?
When I was little, I wanted a Barbie Dream House. It was a three story mansion with a pink elevator on the side that carried Barbie in style from one story to the next. Barbie's pink Corvette was parked in the garage. It was the Barbie house of my dreams..and I knew Santa was going to come through for me! I went to sleep on Christmas Eve dreaming of my Barbie Dream house. I ran in the living room on Christmas morning, knowing that my pink, three-story Barbie Dream House was waiting for me! Well, I got a Barbie house alright..but something was a little "off" with this Barbie House. First, I noticed it had two stories, not three. No elevator. No pink Corvette in the garage. Then I started noticing some "interesting" things about this Barbie house. It had shag carpet. The color scheme was not pink and purple like the Barbie Dream House...it was orange, and brown, and green. Something was "suspicious" about this Barbie House. Why did Barbie and her friends look so "groovy?" Because "Santa" had recycled my sister's Barbie Doll House...my sister who was 12 years older. I received the psychedelic Barbie house of 1970, not the Barbie Dream House of 1982! I wanted a three-story pink mansion and I got a sensible split level Brady Bunch house. I was disappointed. What can I say? It was the eighties...even Barbie was "living large"!
Another famous incident in my family involved a gift I received at church when I was little. You know how it goes. You draw names for the gift exchange.. Inevitably, you bring some kid a race car or a baby doll and you get a pack of crayons in return. Well, I did get a baby doll that year....a ONE-EYED baby doll. I'm serious. The doll had one eye. I was so mad.My sister and older cousins added insult to injury the rest of the evening by saying, "Hey! Leigh-Ann, look at me!" and they would have one eye open and one eye closed. Then they started walking around winking at me. I was livid. Now, I had baby dolls at home and plenty of other toys, probably too many. That wasn't the point. I was upset because it was obvious the person had not put any time or consideration into my gift, because if they had, they would have noticed that the doll only had ONE EYE! It makes me laugh now, but for years in my childhood, my sister could give me the ole "one-eye" look and get me riled up again!
Then, there are those times that you get "the perfect" gift or the gift that makes you cry because it lets you know how much that person thought of you. The best gift I ever received was my mother's ring. I wear it every day. Its rare that you will see me without it on my hand. Its special. It represents the three most important people in my life! It was given to me on the day my son was born. I was told, "Matthew has something to give you". I was then handed my baby and the ring was on two of his fingers. It has my three children's names engraved and each of their birthstones. That took a lot of forethought and planning to have it there at the hospital with us. That made it really special.
This year, I got some special gifts on my birthday. They weren't expensive, but they meant so much to me that they made me cry. I had been dreading my birthday...a lot. I came home one evening a couple of days before my birthday and my favorite flower in my favorite color was sitting on my porch. I had already seen one like it at the florist and thought to myself "Wow. That's beautiful. I wish someone would give me one like it!" Isn't God good? He knows when we need a little encouragement! There is nothing that I would have liked any more.
The day of my birthday was a Monday this year. My children do not stay with me on Monday nights, so it wasn't exactly a "festive birthday". I got home late that night and found gifts and cards on my steps and had messages on my answering machine from my nieces and nephews and other special people. It meant so much to me that they thought of me and left me those messages that it made me cry. It was the thought behind it that meant so much.
The Bible tells us that we have all received the perfect Gift. God gave us His son. "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God thought so much of us, loved us so much, that he gave us His only Son. I like to give people gifts that they will like or enjoy...but I won't give you my children. You can't have them. I don't love you that much...sorry.
Jesus paid a tremendous price to give you the gift of eternal life. Its already been paid for, all you have to do is accept the gift. If you have already received the gift of salvation, what are you giving back in return? God has given each of us gifts and talents, skills and abilities. Are you thanking Him for your gifts by using them for Him or to bless others?
James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes from God! As you prepare for the Christmas season and as you are giving thanks during Thanksgiving this week, be thankful for the best gift you have ever received..the gift of God's Son. Find a way to give thanks and to give back for the gifts you have received.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Shadrach, Meshach, and a Bendy Goat
It's that time of year again!
One of my favorite Christmas traditions that I enjoy each year is directing the children's Christmas program. I love the challenge. You never know what's going to happen. Among my favorites are the year that the "rooster" in the manger scene turned around and shook his tail at the audience and smacked himself on the rear end.... and the year that one of my shepherds used his shepherd's staff as a gun to "shoot" at the audience.
No matter what happens at practice or how crazy it gets on the day of the play, there's nothing more precious than to see kids acting out the story of the nativity (even if one of the shepherds takes out the whole front row!) When they are dressed as shepherds or angels or wise men, its not just so Grandma can be proud and take a whole roll of film or fill up a whole memory card taking pictures of her precious grandbabies. We' re also teaching the kids the Bible and the stories of the Bible...and I promise you they won't forget it. They may go through some rebellious years and try your patience, but the Bible promises in Proverbs: "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it".
It's important that we teach our children and the children of others if we do not have our own, about the Heroes of the faith..Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David... (Read Hebrews Chapter 11). I still remember my Mom reading Bible stories to me before bed each night. Esther and Gideon were two of my favorite stories. (I'm a little partial to the story of Ruth and Boaz these days...you know what I'm saying!)
Children may be immature or have short attention spans and may not comprehend everything that is taught to them, but just keep sowing that seed and planting the Word of God in their hearts. My youngest son and I had a conversation when he was about 8 years old and he said something about the Bible story of Shadrach, Meschach, and A Bendy Goat. Yep...he really said, "A Bendy Goat." (Immediately I got a picture in my mind of two Hebrew children in the fiery furnace along side a really flexible goat doing back bends or toe touches or something.)
Even if they don't get all the details correct, the Bible that we teach them today will stay in their hearts for many years to come. I still remember the scriptural benediction that we spoke at the end of service every Wednesday night at my home church when I was growing up. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen." As much as I hate to admit it...that's been almost thirty years ago! That word was hidden in my heart many years ago and its still there and embedded in my memory. The Bible says that God's word does not return to him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus placed an emphasis on the importance of children. When his disciples basically tried to "shoo away" children that were surrounding him, Jesus told the adults that they should receive the kingdom of God with the same child-like faith .
Mark 10:14-16 Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Jesus also warned us about how we should treat a child or even a new "baby"Christian who is a child in the faith.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Just like children, sometimes new Christians get things a little confused and make mistakes. In the same way that I did not scold my son for believing that "A Bendy Goat" was one of the Hebrew children, we have to extend that same grace, understanding and mercy to new Christians. Christian maturity is a process that we are all striving for! As mature Christians, we sometimes expect someone to get saved today and start acting like Billy Graham tomorrow. To be honest, as a "mature" Christian I have really blown it sometimes myself and had to ask for forgiveness, grace and mercy...and I knew better! Be patient with your children and with new Christians. You never know when you might need a do-over yourself!
Start investing some time to train up a child or to help a new Christian in their faith journey! I promise, you will be blessed!
One of my favorite Christmas traditions that I enjoy each year is directing the children's Christmas program. I love the challenge. You never know what's going to happen. Among my favorites are the year that the "rooster" in the manger scene turned around and shook his tail at the audience and smacked himself on the rear end.... and the year that one of my shepherds used his shepherd's staff as a gun to "shoot" at the audience.
No matter what happens at practice or how crazy it gets on the day of the play, there's nothing more precious than to see kids acting out the story of the nativity (even if one of the shepherds takes out the whole front row!) When they are dressed as shepherds or angels or wise men, its not just so Grandma can be proud and take a whole roll of film or fill up a whole memory card taking pictures of her precious grandbabies. We' re also teaching the kids the Bible and the stories of the Bible...and I promise you they won't forget it. They may go through some rebellious years and try your patience, but the Bible promises in Proverbs: "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it".
It's important that we teach our children and the children of others if we do not have our own, about the Heroes of the faith..Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David... (Read Hebrews Chapter 11). I still remember my Mom reading Bible stories to me before bed each night. Esther and Gideon were two of my favorite stories. (I'm a little partial to the story of Ruth and Boaz these days...you know what I'm saying!)
Children may be immature or have short attention spans and may not comprehend everything that is taught to them, but just keep sowing that seed and planting the Word of God in their hearts. My youngest son and I had a conversation when he was about 8 years old and he said something about the Bible story of Shadrach, Meschach, and A Bendy Goat. Yep...he really said, "A Bendy Goat." (Immediately I got a picture in my mind of two Hebrew children in the fiery furnace along side a really flexible goat doing back bends or toe touches or something.)
Even if they don't get all the details correct, the Bible that we teach them today will stay in their hearts for many years to come. I still remember the scriptural benediction that we spoke at the end of service every Wednesday night at my home church when I was growing up. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen." As much as I hate to admit it...that's been almost thirty years ago! That word was hidden in my heart many years ago and its still there and embedded in my memory. The Bible says that God's word does not return to him empty, but will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent it.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus placed an emphasis on the importance of children. When his disciples basically tried to "shoo away" children that were surrounding him, Jesus told the adults that they should receive the kingdom of God with the same child-like faith .
Mark 10:14-16 Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Jesus also warned us about how we should treat a child or even a new "baby"Christian who is a child in the faith.
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Just like children, sometimes new Christians get things a little confused and make mistakes. In the same way that I did not scold my son for believing that "A Bendy Goat" was one of the Hebrew children, we have to extend that same grace, understanding and mercy to new Christians. Christian maturity is a process that we are all striving for! As mature Christians, we sometimes expect someone to get saved today and start acting like Billy Graham tomorrow. To be honest, as a "mature" Christian I have really blown it sometimes myself and had to ask for forgiveness, grace and mercy...and I knew better! Be patient with your children and with new Christians. You never know when you might need a do-over yourself!
Start investing some time to train up a child or to help a new Christian in their faith journey! I promise, you will be blessed!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
It Isn't Always As Bad As It Seems
Things Aren't Always As Bad as They Seem!
At the age off 22, I became a foster parent. (What in THE WORLD were they thinking to actually give me a license to be a foster parent at 22???) Anyway, on my first Saturday as a foster parent, I was going to be alone with a sick 10 month old and a very rambunctious 20 month old all day long. I pondered how I was going to take a shower. I decided to put the 10 month old in her baby seat and put her in the bathroom with me and put the 20 month old in front of the TV watching Barney...while I took the world's fastest shower. While I was in the middle of taking the world's fastest shower, the 20 month old brought me a bottle of ketchup. A bottle of ketchup!!! He had been in the refrigerator! I could only imagine what I was going to find in my living room and kitchen. I imagined a mess that was going to take hours to clean. Was my carpet ruined? What about my couch? And so...the world's fastest shower just got faster. However, upon exiting the shower and checking on the state of the living room and kitchen, I could find nothing amiss other than the refrigerator door being left open.
What I envisioned as a horrible mess, was actually no big deal. (I discovered on the next day, that while in the refrigerator, he had opened a 5 lb bag of hot dogs and had bitten the end off each hot dog. Thus...the need for ketchup!)
I told that story because it's funny and people can relate to being alone in the house with a rambunctious toddler. The point of today's blog is that things may seem bad, you may picture a really bad mess...but things aren't always as bad as it seems.
I don't know what's going on in your life right now, but I promise you, its not as bad as it seems. Sometimes, when we are hurting or struggling or in the middle of some difficulty, its hard to see past the pain of the situation. Trust God. The Bible ways He will never leave us or forsake us..he's a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother. Jesus is "touched with the feelings of our infirmities"...meaning that He feels our hurts and pain that we are going through. Thank God for Christian friends and family that pray for us and lift us up. (I don't know where I would be without them!) But they are only human and imperfect. We have a perfect heavenly Father who is there for us and working in our lives 24 hours a day!
Trust your perfect heavenly Father even when you can't see or feel how he is working. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. You may not be able to see how God is working in your situation right now, but I promise you He is working! Seek God first, and commit your situation to him. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him, must believe that God exists and that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. In Matthew, the Bible also says to seek first the kingdom of God and God's righteousness and all these things will be given to us.
Have you ever embarrassed yourself because you said something to a person or made a comment, when you didn't really know the whole situation? Later, when you found out the whole story, you wished you had just remained silent and not said anything. I think we've all done that. Not only do we not know the whole story behind other people's lives, we also don't always know the "whole story" behind what God is doing in our own lives. Ask God to help you understand your current situation and to give you the faith to not complain and just trust Him about the things you don't understand. You may not know what God is doing "on the other side of the mountain". Just because you can't see...doesn't mean he's not working.
Stop picturing the "horrible mess" like I did concerning the ketchup bottle.. Just trust God. The Bible says His ways are higher than your ways and his thoughts are higher than your thoughts.
Trust Him to handle your situation!
At the age off 22, I became a foster parent. (What in THE WORLD were they thinking to actually give me a license to be a foster parent at 22???) Anyway, on my first Saturday as a foster parent, I was going to be alone with a sick 10 month old and a very rambunctious 20 month old all day long. I pondered how I was going to take a shower. I decided to put the 10 month old in her baby seat and put her in the bathroom with me and put the 20 month old in front of the TV watching Barney...while I took the world's fastest shower. While I was in the middle of taking the world's fastest shower, the 20 month old brought me a bottle of ketchup. A bottle of ketchup!!! He had been in the refrigerator! I could only imagine what I was going to find in my living room and kitchen. I imagined a mess that was going to take hours to clean. Was my carpet ruined? What about my couch? And so...the world's fastest shower just got faster. However, upon exiting the shower and checking on the state of the living room and kitchen, I could find nothing amiss other than the refrigerator door being left open.
What I envisioned as a horrible mess, was actually no big deal. (I discovered on the next day, that while in the refrigerator, he had opened a 5 lb bag of hot dogs and had bitten the end off each hot dog. Thus...the need for ketchup!)
I told that story because it's funny and people can relate to being alone in the house with a rambunctious toddler. The point of today's blog is that things may seem bad, you may picture a really bad mess...but things aren't always as bad as it seems.
I don't know what's going on in your life right now, but I promise you, its not as bad as it seems. Sometimes, when we are hurting or struggling or in the middle of some difficulty, its hard to see past the pain of the situation. Trust God. The Bible ways He will never leave us or forsake us..he's a friend that sticks closer to us than a brother. Jesus is "touched with the feelings of our infirmities"...meaning that He feels our hurts and pain that we are going through. Thank God for Christian friends and family that pray for us and lift us up. (I don't know where I would be without them!) But they are only human and imperfect. We have a perfect heavenly Father who is there for us and working in our lives 24 hours a day!
Trust your perfect heavenly Father even when you can't see or feel how he is working. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. You may not be able to see how God is working in your situation right now, but I promise you He is working! Seek God first, and commit your situation to him. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him, must believe that God exists and that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. In Matthew, the Bible also says to seek first the kingdom of God and God's righteousness and all these things will be given to us.
Have you ever embarrassed yourself because you said something to a person or made a comment, when you didn't really know the whole situation? Later, when you found out the whole story, you wished you had just remained silent and not said anything. I think we've all done that. Not only do we not know the whole story behind other people's lives, we also don't always know the "whole story" behind what God is doing in our own lives. Ask God to help you understand your current situation and to give you the faith to not complain and just trust Him about the things you don't understand. You may not know what God is doing "on the other side of the mountain". Just because you can't see...doesn't mean he's not working.
Stop picturing the "horrible mess" like I did concerning the ketchup bottle.. Just trust God. The Bible says His ways are higher than your ways and his thoughts are higher than your thoughts.
Trust Him to handle your situation!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Have you ever been tricked...fooled...or believed a lie?
A few years ago, a co-worker gave me some of the greatest advice I have ever been given. Unfortunately, it took me several months before I took her advice! I had a problem in my life that involved another person. My co-worker advised me to call the person. I refused. My pride wouldn't let me. I was too angry and too hurt. My co-worker said "Look, you need to call them and get to the bottom of the issue. Find out the truth. I guarantee you that the other person is a nice person just like you are. Both of you are being lied to about one another. This person is not your enemy. The real problem here is the person that is lying to both of you". I still refused to call the person. I felt the other person was the one wrong, so I did not feel that I should have to call them.
Several months went by. The problem got worse. I felt worse. Finally, I couldn't take it any more and I called the person. Guess what? My co-worker was exactly right! The other individual was a decent person who was in a bad situation and was being lied to. The other person never intended to hurt me at all. They wouldn't have ever acted the way that they did, had they known the truth. They apologized for any hurt they had caused me. When the truth was revealed, the issue between me and that person was resolved.
When you are being lied to, or deceived, you will say or do things that you would not normally do or say. You are acting based upon false information. I've been lied to and I've been lied about. I'm sure you have experienced the same thing. Even though its extremely hurtful to be lied to or lied about by others, the most deadly lies do not come from other people.
The Bible calls Satan "The Deceiver" or "The Father of Lies".
He will lie to you about yourself. "You are stupid," "You can't do anything right," "You will fail," You will never finish school" "You will always be alone," "No one will love you," "You won't be healed," "You'll never lose weight," "You're ugly" "You've ruined your chance. You can never fix this". "Its too late" and on and on.
He will lie to you about others "She thinks she's better than you" "They don't really love you," "He thinks he's so...." "She's talking about you" "He's out to get you". "They'll never change".
He also wants to lie to you about himself and about God. Satan would love for you to think that he does not exist and there is no hell. He twists the truth about God. He makes people think "a loving God would not send anyone to hell." (God is loving, that is true...but he also created us with a free will to choose life or death, heaven or hell).
He allows people to deceive themselves about sin.
"That's not really a sin, you can't go to hell for that..." "My situation is different, its not a sin, because we are meant to be together". "I was born that way, its just how I am"
He causes people to be deceived about salvation
He causes people to think that believing in God or believing in the power of prayer automatically makes them a Christian. He wants people to think that if they are a "good person" they are going to heaven. (In order to be saved, we have to believe in God and his son Jesus, ask forgiveness of our sins and accept Christ into our hearts . Its not our "goodness" that gets us to Heaven..Its what Jesus did for us when he paid the price for our sins on the cross!)
The Bible says that when a person is an unbeliever, or not a Christian, its because Satan has blinded the person to the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God". If you are praying for an unbeliever, pray that their eyes are opened to the truth!
Ask God to reveal the truth to you about Himself. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!"
If you have an issue in your life that needs to be resolved with another person, pray that God will reveal the truth to you...even if its means you're the one who's wrong...even if the truth hurts! Believe that the truth will set you free!
Is there someone in your life that you need to go tell the truth to or share the truth of the gospel with?
A few years ago, a co-worker gave me some of the greatest advice I have ever been given. Unfortunately, it took me several months before I took her advice! I had a problem in my life that involved another person. My co-worker advised me to call the person. I refused. My pride wouldn't let me. I was too angry and too hurt. My co-worker said "Look, you need to call them and get to the bottom of the issue. Find out the truth. I guarantee you that the other person is a nice person just like you are. Both of you are being lied to about one another. This person is not your enemy. The real problem here is the person that is lying to both of you". I still refused to call the person. I felt the other person was the one wrong, so I did not feel that I should have to call them.
Several months went by. The problem got worse. I felt worse. Finally, I couldn't take it any more and I called the person. Guess what? My co-worker was exactly right! The other individual was a decent person who was in a bad situation and was being lied to. The other person never intended to hurt me at all. They wouldn't have ever acted the way that they did, had they known the truth. They apologized for any hurt they had caused me. When the truth was revealed, the issue between me and that person was resolved.
When you are being lied to, or deceived, you will say or do things that you would not normally do or say. You are acting based upon false information. I've been lied to and I've been lied about. I'm sure you have experienced the same thing. Even though its extremely hurtful to be lied to or lied about by others, the most deadly lies do not come from other people.
The Bible calls Satan "The Deceiver" or "The Father of Lies".
He will lie to you about yourself. "You are stupid," "You can't do anything right," "You will fail," You will never finish school" "You will always be alone," "No one will love you," "You won't be healed," "You'll never lose weight," "You're ugly" "You've ruined your chance. You can never fix this". "Its too late" and on and on.
He will lie to you about others "She thinks she's better than you" "They don't really love you," "He thinks he's so...." "She's talking about you" "He's out to get you". "They'll never change".
He also wants to lie to you about himself and about God. Satan would love for you to think that he does not exist and there is no hell. He twists the truth about God. He makes people think "a loving God would not send anyone to hell." (God is loving, that is true...but he also created us with a free will to choose life or death, heaven or hell).
He allows people to deceive themselves about sin.
"That's not really a sin, you can't go to hell for that..." "My situation is different, its not a sin, because we are meant to be together". "I was born that way, its just how I am"
He causes people to be deceived about salvation
He causes people to think that believing in God or believing in the power of prayer automatically makes them a Christian. He wants people to think that if they are a "good person" they are going to heaven. (In order to be saved, we have to believe in God and his son Jesus, ask forgiveness of our sins and accept Christ into our hearts . Its not our "goodness" that gets us to Heaven..Its what Jesus did for us when he paid the price for our sins on the cross!)
The Bible says that when a person is an unbeliever, or not a Christian, its because Satan has blinded the person to the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God". If you are praying for an unbeliever, pray that their eyes are opened to the truth!
Ask God to reveal the truth to you about Himself. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!"
If you have an issue in your life that needs to be resolved with another person, pray that God will reveal the truth to you...even if its means you're the one who's wrong...even if the truth hurts! Believe that the truth will set you free!
Is there someone in your life that you need to go tell the truth to or share the truth of the gospel with?
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