Thoughtful Tuesday ~ Stressed Birds?

Take a look at the birds in this photo. Do they look stressed to you? Well, they don't look stressed to me. Can a bird even be stressed? (not sure, but I don't think so)


So why do we stress?


In Matthew 6:25-27 Jesus tells us . . .

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

Think about that for a minute . . . really think about it. He's telling us that we don't need to worry about what we are going to eat or what we will wear. He's telling us that we are valuable to Him. We take care of the things/people that are valuable to us . . . how much more will God take care of those things/people that are valuable to Him.


Think about it . . .

Thoughtful Tuesday ~ Perspective

Beautiful view, yes? I think so, but I was also raised on the coast. Now take a look at this one . . .

Not quite as breathtaking, I know.

Want to know the interesting thing about these two pictures? Well, I was sitting in the same exact spot while taking them both . . . just facing a different direction. With a different perspective.

That got me thinking . . . when we are in the middle of a trial, we (me included) often focus on things that make the situation seem endlessly horrible. God whispered to me that that is not how He wants us to be. Jesus did not promise us a peachy keen life once we became His followers . . . quite the opposite actually. He did say that He would never leave us, He would always be right by our sides.

Having experienced a bit of 'life' myself, I have learned from experience how changing one's perspective can seriously change so many things . . . for example, the seeming severity and duration of a trial. If we can only take our eyes off of all the negative things, and focus our eyes on Jesus, things will fall into place . . . like they are supposed to. Does this mean life won't be hard? Uh, no, but if we are focused on the right thing person, it won't really matter all that much . . . especially when we look back on it.

Think about it . . .

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Monday Meditations ~ Love

What is love? No really . . . what is love? Is it some feeling you get when that someone special looks at you that way? Is it that feeling between a parent and a child? Well, yes it's all those things and more.

Love can be summed up into one simple yet profound statement . . . God is love. It even says so in the Bible. Check out 1 John 4:8.

Ok, so what to do with that? Well, He wants us to be more like Him . . . to love like Him. That's a toughie though. I mean, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for you and I . . . because He loved us. I'm not sure I could sentence my child to die because I love someone.

So, on this Valentine's day . . . let us all try to remember what love really is . . . and Who it came from. As you celebrate the loves in your life, try not to forget the most important Love . . . God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Thursday Thankfulness ~ Routine and Interruptions

Sometimes I wish I could be a 'fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants' type of person, but alas, I am not. I am a person who thrives on a routine. This is mostly a good thing, but can at times be a not so good thing. For example:

1. Incorporating new things into my routine can be hard. I have, at many points in my life, attempted to add things (like Bible reading) into my routine and FAILED . . . miserably. Why is this so hard? Well, I guess I just don't like change. It takes much discipline and diligence to add something new. I must be intentional. I must rely on God to show me those things that need to be added, and those things that need to be removed . . . and then I must lean on Him to help me. That, for me, is hard. I don't like needing anything, or anyone. I'm working on this in myself. Good thing God doesn't give up on me as easily as I do.

2. When my routine is interrupted, I get grumpy. Yeah, I said it, grumpy. Just ask my kids, it's true. For someone who likes structure and dislikes change, interruptions (like, oh I don't know, 5 snow days!) really don't sit well with me! I find it hard to stop worrying about my routine and just enjoy the company of the people I love. I know, shocking! This is another area in my life that God has really been working on me. He intentionally interrupts me to see how I will handle things. Will I not freak out and let Him direct my steps? (maybe after a little foot stomping)

He is constantly guiding me on this path He has placed me on. He is always fixing those little imperfections in me to make me more like Him. While it's not always enjoyable, it's welcome. I am grateful for the discomfort of the pruning process . . . it lets me know that He hasn't given up on me yet.

Thanks God . . .

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Change your focus...

As I've stated before, my Big Girl's birthday is soon. I decided to celebrate her and the things I love about her not only on her special day, but also the 10 days leading up to it. Get it? 11 days, 11 years old? Well, I have learned a few things through this process.


1. I've got a pretty fantastic kid. No really...she's smart, beautiful, funny, kind and most importantly, loves Jesus with all her heart! Who could ask for better!?!


2. I've got a bit of work to do to be the mom she needs me to be...I'm not trying to be negative, but I know there's much room for improvement...and I'm ready to work for it.


3. It's really hard to focus on negative things when you are looking for positive, good traits about someone. While thinking on things that I love about my Big Girl, I find nearly impossible to get irritated, annoyed or angry with her about the few things in her that aren't so positive. (not negative, just not the most positive)


I challenge you to try intentionally focusing on positive things/traits about a person with whom a relationship is not easy. Write something about the person each day and see if your focus doesn't change and the relationship becomes easier...and more pleasurable...for both parties.


Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Thursday Thankfulness ~ Jesus

With this being my first 'thankful' post, I think it's only appropriate that it be the thing I'm most thankful for. My best friend...my hope...my joy...my Redeemer...my Savior...my Jesus. Boy, would I be an even bigger mess without Him...and I'm a pretty big mess right now.


While taking my girls to school this morning, we were listening to KLOVE. The news came on and there was lots of talk about the memorial service for those who lost their lives in the terrible shooting in AZ. Now, I don't normally listen to or watch the news because it usually makes me angry. Some of the things that make the news just appall me. And others, I wonder to myself, "How is this news?" Mostly, it just saddens me. It saddens me how much the enemy has perverted the world. It saddens me to see how many lost people there are out there. But at the same time, it brings a bit of gratefulness and thankfulness.


I'm grateful and thankful that I am no longer lost like many in the world. I'm thankful that Jesus came and met me where I was...and didn't leave me there. I'm grateful for the reminder of what He's done for me. It warms my heart to hear stories of others' triumph over sin in their lives.


After dropping the girls, the DJ's were doing a 'Headline of Your Life' segment and were taking calls from listeners. There was one in particular that moved me to tears. This caller (just so happened to?) called from Arizona. Her headline was something along the lines of...had the privilege to pray with her 78 year old mother to receive Christ as her Savior and Lord. I'm not kidding you, it moved me to tears...I was crying like a baby! (still am, actually) I love that the Lord knows just what I need. He didn't want me stewing on all those things wrong with the world. He didn't want me to be angry about the things on the news. He wants me to live a life focused on Him...so, He redirected me with this caller's headline.


Thanks God...


"that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Trial and error...a good parenting philosophy?

I am a mother to two young(ish) children. I say 'ish' because it feels as though the next time I close my eyes, I'm going to open them to find both of my daughters grown, married and with children...especially my oldest. She is on the threshold of tweendom...eek! Her birthday, as she keeps reminding me, is in 19 days. She will be 11. Where did those years go? She has grown into a very beautiful, talented, God-fearing young lady. This makes my heart smile! But, as with all things in life, with the ups come the downs.


She is my oldest. Every step she takes forward, we are taking together...for the first time. Her as a child/tween/teen, and me as a parent of said child/tween/teen. This journey is hard for her...but it's hard for me, too. What makes it even harder, for me, is that I feel as though I have to work so hard on having a relationship with her. Not because of the stage of life she is in, but it's always been this way. My bond with her doesn't feel natural. I don't know if it is because she is my first child. Or if it's because I was young when I had her. Or some combination of the both...but either way, I have to work hard at feeling connected to her. And I know if I feel this way, she does too...and that hurts me.


That being said, I've committed to working hard to make sure my children feel loved at home, by me. I know that this is crucial to their social development, education and spiritual growth. I want them to be successful adults who don't struggle in showing and receiving love to and/or from others. I began reading The Five Love Languages of Children a few years ago, but never got completely through it. After a rough time with my Big Girl, I decided to re-read it to help me show my children how much I love them. I was sure I had both of the girls figured out. I decided to give them a little quiz to pinpoint their primary love languages. Neither of their responses were exactly what I expected. Angel's were close, but Big Girl's were WAY different. I thought I wasn't expressing love to her in what I thought was her primary language. But what was really happening was I was wrong about her primary. Oy!


Now that I know which direction to go, I can try to better express my love to the girls. This will still be a difficult journey because their primary languages are not mine. I will have to step out of my comfort zone to show them I love them. But isn't that what parenting is all about? Being uncomfortable for the sake of your children's well-being? Leading by example?

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Being a tool...

Yeah, you read that right...a tool...in the hand of God that is. I had the awesome privilege last night to pray with 2 young ladies. Let me back track just a little bit...


The theme this year at our church is 'Refreshing.' Who doesn't need a little of that? How great does it feel after hours of working in the yard to drink a tall glass of sweet tea or lemonade if tea isn't your thing? How much better does it feel to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit when you are dry? Last year was 'the year of creativity' the year of pouring out. So it only makes sense to 'refill' after you've poured out.


The message that was brought forth last night by our awesome youth pastor, was right in line with the theme of the year. As a matter of fact, the title was "Aaaahhh, that's refreshing." I think it really struck a chord with some of the students. During altar time, as I said earlier, I had the opportunity to pray with 2 students. One came forth in need of some refreshing from the Lord. I prayed with her and she stayed at the altar and spent some time with God. There is nothing more precious to me than seeing a young person, or any person for that matter, encounter and spend time with God. The second student came forward with such a pure heart and desire to share Jesus with everyone she can. And wouldn't you know it, the enemy had lied to her and given her fear....stupid devil. So I had the amazing privilege to pray boldness over her. I also was able to give her a word that the Lord had given me during the message. (While I was writing this word down, I was quite confused, but when she came to me, it all made sense!)


I must say, I enjoy being a tool in the hand of God. I'll take more God...


“[Be Holy] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:3

A timely Word...

So about 2 1/2 years ago, I began to feel a burden for the youth of this nation. At that time I became a youth sponsor at our church. I was a sponsor for about a year and I began to feel the Lord call me away from that ministry. We became small group leaders and began pouring into the lives of other couples around our same age. I was blessed to be in both ministries...but I never lost that burden for the youth. In recent days, that burden has become so heavy, that I know the Lord is calling me back into it...but not here. I went last night to hear a great man of God preach at a another church and the Word he brought renewed and ignited the fire in me that I have for the youth. I now know some of the work I am going to do while up in WF. So thanks Chad for being faithful and bringing the Word last night!


The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands. Ps 138:8

God's plans are always better...

Wow! God is so AWESOME!!! Anyway, had to get that off my chest. Since the conference, things have been amazing! We have had incredible numbers at our services and I have been walking in such anointing that it is apparent in my teaching. (I teach Youth Sunday School) Students who weren’t coming are, and those who were are being touched and learning things. YAY GOD!

We had our quarterly breakthrough service tonight, and to be honest with you, I didn’t want to go. I would have much rather gone to our separate Small Groups…but man, if we’d have done that, we would have missed God. Thank you God for this divine appointment that You set in place! The speaker wasn’t some amazing conference speaker or anything, he was just a regular guy…but he had God on his side! And his and his wife's testimonies were incredible! He did an altar call and many went up to accept or rededicate their lives. Then he called for laborers for a revival that is happening in Jun-Jul…so I go up. I don’t know when I’ll be available, but I just know that God told me that I have to do this. He will work out the details! He begins to pray for us to have a boldness and man…something just rose up in me!! The anointing on this man was powerful! As he was walking down the line of people to pray for them, I could feel him getting closer to me. I had no clue where he was, I had my eyes closed, but I could feel him! I just kept praying, “more God, more of You…less of me and more of You.” Next thing I know he’s right in front of me with his hands on my head…then I’m on the floor! I LOVE it when God just smacks me! Once I come to, I go back to my chair and there is one of our HS Seniors, who also got whacked by God, on the floor immersed in the Spirit and laughing with Holy laughter! And the person I’m sitting next to is laughing as well. Well I don’t know about y’all but laughter is contagious for me, especially Holy laughter! So of course I start going!

Then the speaker pulls out another of our students, and he gets whacked too! Thing is with this one…his dad just gave his life to Christ on Sunday and there has been 8 years of prayer that went into that. His mom was sitting right next to me and she just couldn’t contain herself!

Man I love it when God goes crazy and messes up our plans!! His are always better anyway!! Blessings to everyone! :)