What Do I Do With This Anxiety?!

 I was listening to a podcast recently and the Holy Spirit shifted my thought process in a profound way.

The teacher being interviewed grew up in church doing all the "right" things. As an adult, she has faced some significant loss. She was talking about how anxiety and insecurity are problems for most of us. Then she shared this thought:  what if when you feel anxious or insecure, that is actually an invitation from the Holy Spirit?

The next thing that came to my mind was the Lord saying to me: "Come to Me."

That thought! So simple but seemingly difficult.  I WANT to bring ALL of my thoughts of not being enough or being unlovable, or unvalued, to Him. To replace those thoughts with: "My Father wants me, loves me, values me."  He wants to spend time with me!  And you!  

Oh, what a wonderful Truth! I am loved with an everlasting love! AND SO ARE YOU!  Holy Spirit, teach us to sift our thoughts and internal dialogue through You--to accept Your invitation and hear what you have to say about it.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for this tender and loving image. Unfortunately, many times I allow anxious thoughts and insecurity to spiral and take me to some desperate places.  Forgive me, Lord, for believing the lies and giving them my time and attention.  I may think or feel that I am unworthy but You say otherwise. Help me, Holy Spirit, to come to You and cling to that Truth.  And help me to be faithful in telling others this good news. Thank you for constantly inviting me into Your Presence where healing and restoration can take place.  You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory! Praise Your holy name!  Amen.

"...Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."  ~ Jeremiah 31:3

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"  ~ Philippians 4:6

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~ Romans 12:2

Conformed or Transformed?

For a while now, I have been mulling over the way that we, as a culture, want to label everything and everyone.  I'm not just talking about the labels we put on people for their choices or politics but also about a diagnosis or condition that makes people different for some reason or another.  Are you defined by that diagnosis or your past experiences?  Even though this practice has long been common, it has agitated me for some time.  Why do we have to do that?!  I’ve come to believe that the Enemy loves to use labels.  Why? I believe it’s because he loves to limit us or distract us from fully realizing our God-given identity. 

As I’ve thought about that, I wonder why WE find labels so appealing?  Do we love it because it keeps us organized into neat little categories?  Or does it give us something to obsess about?  Does is comfort us to have a label for everything and everyone? 

Or does it provide us an excuse from the responsibility of being accountable or being a good steward of what God has entrusted us with?  Let's dig in:  Does it give the enemy a way to condemn us for not measuring up?  We find ourselves saying: “well, this is just the way I am” or “I’m not good enough” or “that person is an idiot” or any other similar claim.  As we are “owning” or "adopting" these labels, let’s also remember Romans 8:1-2.  “There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.”  Also remember Psalm 139:14:  "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”

So now it’s time to truly evaluate the effect of this “labeling” on our lives.  Does this practice grant us freedom or does it imprison us?  I do believe sometimes the label can allow us to breathe a sigh of relief because we have an “answer” for how we are or what’s wrong…or right… with us and others.  But does this “knowledge” separate us from God and others?  Can it help us connect to God and others? 

I believe we can allow this “knowledge” to lead us to healing or isolation.  This is key:  which do we seek?  

Personally, I do not believe isolation is profitable in any true sense of our being.  I believe God created us for community and connection not separation.  (Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone…”)  Seeking healing may be the more painful path (seemingly).  However, it leads us to connect with God and others.  God uses community to help us navigate the journey to wholeness.  That's another whole subject in itself.

My conclusion:  Labels limit us in ways that God does not and never intends for us.  Allow God to set your boundaries—to define who you are in Him.  

Isaiah 55:8-9 “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” says the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”    

Share your thoughts on this subject.  I'd love to hear from you!  

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His arms!

Listening To God

  

                You are My favorite.

                Not as in comparison.

                But as in, you are My Favored Daughter.

                And yes, I have many other Favored Sons and Daughters.

                However, the favor I have for them does not diminish the favor I have for you.

                I see your perplexed brow.

                I am God, The Abundant and Generous God.

                There are no limits to My Favor, Love or Grace.

                There's always more.

                Think on that!

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  ~ Ephesians 3:14-19

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  ~  1 John 3:1

A Contemplation: Choosing Life or Death

In the midst of confusing and challenging life circumstances, we can find ourselves asking a barrage of questions.  Why is this happening (to me)?  Where did it all go wrong?  What can I do to change or fix this?  All of us experience this in our lives.  We, as humans, tend to lean toward negative emotions and take responsibility or blame, sometimes when we shouldn’t.

I have learned and still in the process of learning how to name the challenge honestly and take it to the Lord.  My history has been one of overanalyzing everything to the point of exhaustion.  The Lord has been beyond patient with me.  He has allowed me to try to control things so that I could understand that I have no power without Him.  He has allowed me to complain and freak out so that I could understand the destruction that comes from being stuck in a negative mindset.  He has allowed me to worry and be fearful so that He could show me how faithful He really is. 

This process has taught me that God is ALWAYS faithful and His Word is a source of true encouragement and strength to me.  The Lord has been my guide (even when I have been reluctant to follow His lead).  Years ago, the Lord brought my attention to the words that I spoke.  He reminded me that words are powerful and have an inherent creative power.  

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”  Psalm 33:6  

Also look at Genesis 1, He created everything by His Spoken Word.  We, humans, are created in His image, so that means our words have creative power also.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:12

In the last couple of years, the Lord has been teaching me how to question the words I speak about myself and others.  Are the words we speak really true?  How do they compare to what God’s Word says about God, ourselves and others? What do we really believe about God and His Word?  Are these words fruitful or good for the building up of God and His Kingdom?  He’s teaching me how to identify lies and assumptions and to ask Him what He says.  Even recently, He has shown me that sometimes I am asking the wrong question(s).  He wants me to see through His eyes not mine.  If I can step back from the situation, refuse to be offended or a victim, then I can see more clearly and He can speak life into whatever is going on.

For example, if my question is “what am I doing wrong?”, I find my mind bogged down with all of my failures, shortcomings, and faults.  In my experience I then descend into a relentless attack of my mind as I berate myself for being a terrible parent/wife/friend/person and that I will never be good enough to deserve anything good.  I sadly get stuck here at least for a while. 

Recall that words have power.  As I look at the “answer” to this question above, all I hear are accusations.  So, who is really speaking?  My conclusion is the enemy, Satan, and/or my flesh (because we want to be perfect or innocent and realize we aren’t).  The enemy of our soul will always take every opportunity to attack and discourage us.  His goal is to monopolize our life with doubt and to make us as ineffective as possible.  So why are we opening the door for The Liar and Accuser of our souls by asking what’s wrong with us or what we are doing wrong?

We do have a choice.  Do we want our words/thoughts to invite life or death?  For the question to be helpful and informative, let’s change it to a request to God.  Ask Him to reveal any sin, false beliefs or lies that we are believing:  “Lord, is there any sin or wrong beliefs or lies that are preventing me from hearing what You say about me/others/God in this challenging circumstance?” 

There is a paradox here because we must surrender and relinquish control, dying to our selfish ways of thinking and acting.  As long as we try to hang onto control, we’ll live in turmoil and chaos.   As we release control, the Lord can lead us in His Way, His wisdom and He can freely speak to us.  He will convict us of sin so that we can repent and be restored to fellowship and grow healthier. He will reveal the truth of a situation and give us His direction. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10    

Often, we want the Lord to help us understand what’s going on; however, we also bring our opinions and solutions to Him also.  Can we lay that aside so we can hear from Him?  By the way, I believe that He is fine with us bringing our complaints to Him as long as we are willing to surrender them to Him so we can hear His perspective or direction.  God wants to speak to you about your challenges.   Invite Him into the conversation.  

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5 

Mow Us and Grow Us

I was listening to a podcast recently.  I don't remember the name of it or even the topic being discussed.  While I was listening, this phrase "Mow & Grow" come into my mind and it has lingered in my thoughts.  I've asked the Lord to guide me in this journey of thoughts and questions around that phrase.  I started writing down my random thoughts and questions.   But are they really random?

For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me. ~ Psalm 31:3

So here are some of my thoughts.  In this season, Autumn births the gray, brown and dying.  The trees and plants begin stripping down to the essentials in preparation for the coming winter.  They're shedding the things that are no longer useful or helpful.  However, those leaves, the dried-up flowers and browning grasses, all of them provide protection for the soil.  Even in that state of being they are useful as they feed nutrients back to the fields as they break down.  As the season changes and the days get shorter becoming darker by the day, it feels discouraging and sad.  The colors are beautiful in their own way, and the cool and crisp air can be invigorating, but this season is not my favorite.  I need the sun and all the growing green plants and trees and the bright colored flowers and the garden produce.  I feel myself becoming gray and spent as the plants and flowers fade.  

Has this feeling of gray-ness just become a habit within me?  This happens every year.  Are the trees and plants sad when this season arrives, or do they rejoice in the rest or the challenge this season brings?  It doesn't catch them by surprise--they know the drill.  Why don't we "know the drill"?  Change is inevitable and this life is a journey of learning how to live a life that honors the Lord.

So are these habits hanging on for routine's sake?  Can we change our perspective to be more like the trees and plants of the field?  Can we prune off all those things that are no longer useful or helpful?  And set our perspective to expect the new growth that will come in its season?  And also allow the Lord to use those dying parts to nourish the next season?

What feels weighty and burdensome to you?  Are you in need of prayer support or do you simply need to lay down and abandon some things?  I feel the Lord saying:  "Take what I've taught you in this season and disengage from anything that's holding you in a "stuck" position."

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."  Psalm 136:1

Crisis seems to be all around us nowadays.  It can be so discouraging and seemingly futile to even hope for something good.  I'm reminded that we get to choose our focus.  Do we focus on all the shortcomings, failures, and deficits that we bump up against Every. Single. DAY?  Or do we "see" that deficit and choose to ask the Lord to reveal the "diamond" in it?  How can that adversity work for our good or someone else's good?

There's always a lesson, a treasure, or something of value present in the midst of weakness and brokenness. Maybe this is the place you discover the Lord's very Presence--in the middle of the gray times.  Do you ever stop and ask Him for enlightenment or understanding?   Is He the treasure you are longing for--the knowledge that He is ALWAYS available?  Not as a "once-in-a-while" answer but as an always constant, present, and dependable God who loves us beyond measure.

"...“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." ~ Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord always invites us to approach Him.  Can we get into the habit of inviting Him into our circumstances?  You know He is a good good Father.  He is ready to answer those questions.  Are you listening?  

Lord, thank you so much for the privilege to be able to approach you with our questions.  Thank you for loving us so much that you stand ready all the time.  Help me remember to invite You in, to allow You the opportunity to answer my questions and to finetune my focus on those things You have reserved for me. Help me to lay down all the things that are weighty and "none of my business".  Lord, I want to honor you with my life.  Remind me I don't have to figure it all out and that You see from the beginning to the end.  You are the Source--the Answer to all of our questions.  I love You Lord and Praise You!  In Jesus' precious Name! Amen!

Hope In The Lord

 

Days of whirling thoughts

reviewing failure and mistakes

Recalling the days of

chasing the illusive 'dream'

of security and happiness

Years have come and gone

Hearts are tired and

flooded with regret and grief

Then the Lord reminds...

He is the Redeemer of the lost

heart, mind, soul, dream

He transforms the heart and mind

of the one who seeks Him

Nothing is truly lost when He is in the picture

Hope is His name

He is the One that brings

beauty from ashes

He is the One who brings

what is dead to life

Truly there's nothing better than Him.

What Path Will You Chose?

When facing challenges and tough decisions, we all wrestle with what the right thing to do is.  We want to get it right and if we are honest, we want to hold on to as much control as possible.  We struggle because we want to stay in our comfort zone, chiefly due to hating change.  However, staying in the midst of “sameness” brings its own challenges.  Many times in my life, I have been wrestling with  racing thoughts as my mind is dealing with a wide variety of “doom and gloom” scenarios or fantasizing about the “perfect” outcome. 

• For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ~ Ephesians 6:12  

The Lord eventually gets my attention with a simple question:  “Are you going to exalt your problems or Me?”  That usually stops me in my tracks and then I start mentally reviewing the results of either choice.

• casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5

If I chose to exalt my problems, I will continue to experience confusion leading to depression, obsession, bondage and brokenness.  I become stuck and tied to unbelief, judgment and disobedience. 

If I chose to exalt the Lord, I will experience peace beyond understanding and clarity of mind even though I don’t know how everything is going to work out.  I can love those I don’t understand without trying to control the situation or them.  I can experience freedom I didn’t know was available to me in the midst of uncertain times

So without a doubt, I choose to exalt my Lord and Savior, My God---even though I don’t understand or see how things are going to work out. 

Because I know:  He is Sovereign.  He is Trustworthy.  He is Faithful. 

Once I take this stand, then I can pray God’s will in those situations surrendering the outcome to Him.  He will accomplish His purposes.   He always cares for His own—disciplining us as needed and nurturing our hearts to love and forgive and to show others His heart.

• Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ~ 2nd Corinthians 5:20 

He has always been patient and gracious with me as I have had my pity parties and when I have tried to tell Him how to “fix” things.  What a great love He has for us!!  We could never work hard enough or be good enough to earn His Love and Grace.  It is readily available to anyone who asks for it.  Praise the Lord!!  He is mine and I am His! In Him I have everlasting Hope and you can have it too.  Just ask!

Prayer:  Lord, Thank you for Your patience, grace, wisdom and discernment.  Forgive me for forgetting You some days.  Help me to be mindful that nothing catches You by surprise and ALL my challenges, whether difficulties or blessings, come through you.  Your eyes never leave me  and your heart is always near.  Remind me to sit down, be silent and listen for You.  Help me to be sensitive to your Spirit’s leading and to be obedient in all things.  Adjust my desires so that they line up with your desires.  Teach all your children to pursue You and your desires.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Awaken to the Call of The Good Shepherd

We like sheep have all gone astray

But God our Father does not just give us away

He sent His Son that we may be found

Jesus came to search and to save

Those who wander in confusion and doubt

As we learn to trust and obey

He reveals Himself trustworthy and sovereign along the way

He is our God, the Creator of the sun, the stars, the earth,

The One Who puts breathe in our lungs each day

He awaits our awakening to His call

So He can grant us freedom and power

To live out His plans and use our life stories

To minister to the lost as they search

For acceptance and love in a world so empty

Of heart and of soul and of love

Only the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit

Can satisfy that longing within us all

Oh call on to Him today

To transform your heart your mind your soul

Allow His Holy Spirit to awaken you

The children of this world need you

Sons and Daughters, Ambassadors of His love

Go forth and sow His love His kindness His hope

Awaken their souls to His calling

Why Witness? Why Hope?

I believe we are in the days, among a culture, that requires us as believers to be able to articulate our beliefs.  We need to be able to express compassion through our testimony which allows the hearer to respond freely to the work of the Holy Spirit.

God gives us each free will so we can choose for ourselves.  There is no need to make someone feel pressured or "less than" because they do not "get it" or if they disagree with us.  We must have faith and demonstrate a faith that believes the Holy Spirit is at work in the life of our loved ones even if they appear to be hostile.

We can plant the seed and trust God to complete the work.  We may be the one who gets to harvest it but we may not.  Either way I will rejoice in knowing that My God is big enough to bring my loved ones Home.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear ~ 1 Peter 3:15

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” ~ Acts 16:31

ARE YOU IN THE WAY?

Oh, the “small” things that get us off track! 

Do you ever find yourself in a conversation and suddenly you are “hijacked” and taken down a path you do not want to go?  In the Christian community, this happens all too often.  Sometimes these topics come from the most unlikely sources.  I have been guilty of the same error in my journey and continue to catch myself even now.  Lord, forgive us for our prideful attitudes! 

I struggle with how to handle these “hijackings”.  I want to be bold and pull out the scripture that addresses the situation.  However, all too often I am unprepared.  If you are wondering what I am talking about, allow me to provide an example.  You are talking with a dear friend and the conversation turns into a critique of the pastor or a fellow believer.  Notice I said “critique”.  This is not an expression of concern for their well-being but a list of how they are falling short of expectations.  This breaks my heart.  First I am reminded not to judge.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ~ Matthew 7:1-5

Now, does this mean that I do not see the “shortcomings” of the person they are talking about?  Not at all!  I do see it.  Scripture cautions us in two ways:  Do not judge and look for fruit.

“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”  ~ James 4:11-12

 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.”  ~ Matthew 7:15-18

As a believer, we have a responsibility to preach or share the gospel and to train others to share the gospel.  If we truly see error, we have a responsibility to go to the person not everyone else.  If God has given you the nudge to go talk with them, do it in a spirit of humility and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We have a Master and need to be about His business.  If the Lord has not impressed you to talk to the person, then make it a matter of prayer.  Only He can bring that person back into line.

Another thing that I notice in scripture is that Jesus was the most upset with the religious crowd (Pharisees and the scribes).  They knew the Law and could not see or hear Jesus because of their pride.  

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness" ~  Matthew 23:27

None of our “talking” about others is helping anyone.  If fact, it can be harmful to our relationship to the Lord and the Church.  Paul addresses the issue of unity in the Body of Christ.

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." ~ Ephesians 4:1-6

In conclusion, we all need an occasional checkup to see if we are in “The Way” or “IN the way”.  Is your life a testimony to the goodness and graciousness of Christ?  Or do you advertise your dissatisfaction with the church and its members?

The Lord has called us to live a higher life.

You Are Loved

Have you ever awoken from your sleep and felt there has been a great battle in your soul while you slept?  I cannot recall details at this time but I know there is grief and anguish in the battle--a call from God.  He is calling us to lay aside our differences, our hurts and wounds, even our rights.  Because the enemy has launched and is waging his attack through the guise of social justice and a fight for rights.  The enemy wants to put you in a box and contain you and put out any light that may shine forth from your life.  The enemy's plans will imprison you and make you angry, weak and marginalized.  You must deny him access to your soul, your spirit.  Only One can give you healing, wholeness and freedom. That One is Jesus Christ. 

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.~John 10:10

The enemy tells you that you must fight to be seen and heard. 
Oh, sweet friend, do not let him have this stronghold in your life. 
God sees you.
He knows you.
He loves you and wants a relationship with you. 
God never puts you in a box. 
God does not divide us by color, status, privilege, ethnic groups, talents, gifts....
God does not consider these things because He created you for purpose on purpose.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.~ Jeremiah 29:11

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ~ 1 Peter 1:3

If you feel hemmed in, the enemy is at work in your life.  Yes, we all have challenges because we live in a fallen world and we cannot control the circumstances in our lives.  In this world, many times we choose to elevate our rights and our opinions above our Almighty God.  Why do we do that when God is LOVE?  Why do we do that when God is a Holy God of ORDER?  He is our CREATOR GOD.  He knew you before you were made!  HE SEES YOU! 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. ~ John 3:17

He paid your bail with His Blood!!!  If you refuse to believe Him and reject Him and His Word, He allows your decision to move you into a place of judgement which will reap consequences in due time.

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him: for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. ~ John 12:46-48

Oh friend, repent.  Let God love you, let Him direct your steps.  He wants life and freedom for you.  Not just for you but that you may fulfill His command and His purposes and draw others nearer to Him. 

Our souls long for validation....but in the end the only validation that arrests the heart and soul of man is from God through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Think about Jesus' example.  He left His place of authority and glory to come to this earth and to clothe Himself in flesh along with its limitations. 

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15

He did that so you would know how much He cares for you.  But He didn't just come for a visit and leave us on our own.  He suffered death on the cross so we would know that He knows our sufferings and to show us He values our relationship with Him.  How can we continue to demand anything from Him?  He gave us EVERYTHING.  No one else can do that for you.

...put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

BE MORE

In a world that competes for every moment, we race from one thing to the next because the world convinces us that we need to DO MORE, ACHIEVE MORE, BE MORE. In this race--in the rush, the enemy will hijack you and your purpose. Because he calls you to DO MORE, BE MORE, GIVE MORE to the point of exhaustion and emptiness and numbness.

BE MORE? Isn't that elusive?

How do you know when enough is enough?

Did you give the enemy room in your life all while "saving the world"?

Did you allow the enemy to blur the lines and muddy your purpose while you receive the approval of men?

Do you know who you are?

Do you know who you want to be?

BE MORE....

Do you hear the call to peace and quiet?

Do you feel the beckoning to slow down?

Is your body telling you it's time to rest, to listen?

O Christian, are you alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you?

A Holy God is calling you to AWAKE, to STOP and TO BE.

BE AVAILABLE.   BE KIND.  BE LOVING.  BE HELPFUL.  BE GENEROUS. 

BE REAL. BE HONEST.

AWAKE, MY LOVE, BE QUIET, BE HUMBLE, BE PRESENT.

BASK IN MY LOVE AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS.

This is all you need to BE ALIVE.

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:11-14

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound" Isaiah 61:1

Our “Faith House” Project

The Lord has given us a year to get everything in order and have enough money saved up to actually pay our closing costs (this Friday!--hopefully).  Praise the Lord!  There are so many people and things we have to be grateful for--I am sure we will miss some as I try to recap.  First, we will start by acknowledging the Lord and His direction.  We believe with all of our hearts that He has called us to this move and He has answered so many prayers and filled so many needs I wish I had kept a detailed list.  We know that He prompted us to trust Him as we have pursued this project. We still cannot fathom all He has planned for us but we know He has a plan.  We know that He is the One who orders our steps and He is the One who has sustained our faith and commitment to this journey.  If He had not been there for us, we would have thrown in the towel and walked away many times.  We have experienced disappointment, fear, lack of faith, anxiety, and weariness.  However, we have seen God’s hand at work in so many ways as He has granted us more faith and more strength which comes only from Him.  He has continued to give us hope to continue moving forward even when we couldn’t understand how it all would work out.  So again, we say “Blessed be the Lord, God Almighty!” for He is worthy to be praised and exalted above all.  We are also so thankful for all of our Christian brothers and sisters who have prayed for us throughout this process--we know that your prayers have gotten through and we are stronger because of you and your commitment to love and pray for us.  

Next, I must take the time to thank my sisters and brother for their awesome patience as we have worked on our “Faith House”.  Without your patience and generosity, our “Faith House” journey would not have even begun.  We were especially blessed by Angie and Tim’s talented workmanship:  They have invested many hours in painting and laying floor tile and wall tile among several other tasks from our things-to-do list.  They even custom-built doors for the new storage cubby in the master bedroom!  So grateful for them and their willingness to join their hearts and hands with ours to get stuff done.  Then, we have been so grateful for Marsha and Jim’s patience, advice and counsel in helping us arrange work permits and finding dependable and experienced workers for our various projects.  They have been such a blessing!

Then we must take the opportunity to thank some precious neighbors:  Mike Gilliam, our sweet cousin, has been a special blessing.  First of all, I am so grateful for the love and support he showed to Daddy over the years.  He was there for Dad when we couldn’t be there.  Mike continued to honor Mom and Dad’s memory by supporting us in the clean-up of the property and helping to install the drain lines for the guttering.  We really appreciate all Mike has done for us.  Then there is Chuck and Rhonda Lindsey and their girls - they were so loving and supportive of Dad over the years.  We could never repay the kindness and generosity they showed to Dad.  We are so grateful for Chuck as he continued to mow the property and kept an eye on things that first year after we lost Dad.  We finally starting getting “our ducks in a row” with the help of the Lord and was able to start doing our own mowing last season.  Again, we are beyond thankful and feel so blessed to have such awesome neighbors.

Along this journey, the Lord has sent others to support us in getting the real work done.  With Marsha and Jim’s assistance, we were able to contact our cousin, Jerry Joyner, to get the new basement walls put in and to get the basement floor poured.  What a difference that made--it looks so awesome!  Jerry was so persistent and figured out how to do what needed to be done.  So thankful the Lord used him to bless us.  Then there is Larry Anderson, a precious friend from church.  He is so talented!.  He was able to replace the support beam that had us so worried--he did an excellent job.  The Lord brought Larry to us just after Ed broke his shoulder.  So Larry stepped in and did so many projects for us--guttering, moving the basement steps & door, plumbing and our bathroom remodel.  What a blessing! And just at the right time!  Larry did an awesome job and we are so grateful for everything he did for us.  

The Lord has met so many needs along this journey.  We would have to say His healing of Ed’s shoulder has been the most precious.  It did not look good but the Lord came through in such a mighty way--but how could we have doubted?  He IS the Great Physician.  And He has provided the money to pay all of those medical bills too--the last payment was this month! So Blessed!!  

Last summer, the Lord led us to a great deal on a riding mower and it continues to serve and bless us this year.  We have found many of God’s blessing at the Holston Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Kingsport--we found light fixtures for several rooms, wood trim, curtain rods, great wooden doors for the master bedroom closet just to name a few.  We are continuing to visit the store anticipating our next great find.  Lowe’s has been our “go-to” store for almost everything else we have needed from our guttering to the steel support posts to sheetrock and paint.  We found great deals on our kitchen floor and wall tile among other things.  Wow!  We have spent a lot of money there this last year!  The Lord has provided everything we have needed plus some.

What a journey so far!  We are incredibly blessed and grateful to the Lord for all that He has done and we are anticipating great things in all that He plans to do with us in the future.  

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Our Savior Awaits

Our Savior awaits
     the offering of our hearts
          whether it is
                     shining as gold or black as coal.

Our Savior makes no note
     of the difference-
           both of equal value
                      in His eyes.

He simply seeks the heart
       that is willing to expose
            the light and the dark.

That's our Savior
        Loving each of us the same.

What Is The Big Deal? It's Just Sex...

Recently I've been noticing several conversations about abstinence and sex before marriage.  The prevailing attitude among today's culture seems to be "what is the big deal, it's just sex--use contraceptives to protect from disease and pregnancy and you are good".  My first reaction:  "Woe unto us! The lies we choose to believe to justify our desire to behave the way we see fit.  Do we think that we can follow our desires and have no consequences?"

I hear people say abstinence is religion-based and I understand where that comes from.  We hear the church preach morality and those who do not see or understand the purposes behind the teaching take it as judgmentalism.  The church has a poor history in this area - choosing to judge instead of offering mercy and grace.  However, I believe the church does a great disservice to itself and those we are trying to reach when we try to impose Christian standards on an unbeliever.  Christians must step back and remind themselves that if the "offender" of morality is not a Christian then our standards do not apply.  The Bible was written to teach the Christian how to live and to be Jesus to the world.  Jesus came into the world not to judge but to offer His mercy and grace to those who would believe on Him.  This gives the Christian an opportunity to reach believers and unbelievers with Jesus' mercy, grace and love.

So if you are a Christian, the moral code in the Bible does apply to you--whether you like it or not.  If you are not convicted by going against the Bible's teaching, you need a checkup or you need to get back to studying your Bible.  Do you have an accountability partner?  Do you really want to pursue God's purpose in your life?  What kind of witness are you?  I hear you and NO, Christians are not perfect--we mess up a lot--but we should desire to please God and want His best in our lives.  That often means we must delay self-gratification for God's higher goal or purpose in our lives.  He will judge your disobedience and you may feel the weight of that judgment in your relationships and in your life circumstances.  But know this, He also rewards your faithfulness.  His mercies are new every morning so you can start over by repenting, receiving His forgiveness and getting back on track.

All right, now the religion-based discussion is covered and we can talk about abstinence and sex.  I agree that when the government (education system) is involved in this teaching, it often seems embarrassing and makes you feel like a number.  This subject is best taught by parents, family or a mentor because you can get one-on-one attention and can discuss all of the emotional and hormonal ups and downs that you experience.

First, abstinence is the ONLY guaranteed and foolproof way to avoid sexually-transmitted disease and pregnancy.  It is 100% effective and medically-proven.  Girls and guys, this decision can save you a lot of heartache.  Many say they just need contraceptives and that will take care of those problems.  This argument has been used since I was young - and it is no more true today than it was then (more than 30 years ago).  Secondly, contraceptives are not 100% effective and in the heat of the moment using a contraceptive is the last thing on your mind.  If you are not disciplined before you enter into the act, it's unlikely you will be disciplined in the middle of it.

Now I would like to talk to the girls out there.  Be warned.  When you allow the petting and make-out sessions, it is hard to change your mind and truth be told most will not because they don't want to disappoint the guy. And it feels good (it’s self-gratifying) at the time.  The guys are visually and physically turned on by you and you have the power to turn the temperature up or down.  If he respects you, he will follow your lead in this area.  If he doesn't respect you, then he is the wrong guy for you.  If you decide to go forward, know this and try to understand - you are more emotionally committed and invested than he is.  Guys can disconnect the emotional component during sex - I have not met one girl who is able to do that.  Sexual intercourse is an intimate act in which partners are committing themselves totally to one another.  It is not a casual act no matter what our culture says. The relationship is best protected and enjoyed in the bonds of marriage.

My admonition:  Girls and Guys, don’t let this decision be emotionally or hormonally driven.  Please make the decision to be pure and remain abstinent beforehand.  Stay committed to your decision-share your decision with a friend or mentor who can help you stay strong. You will not regret it--I promise.  This one decision can affect the course of the rest of your life.  It really is that important.



A Poem Inspired by My Sunday School Teacher

Relief for The Heart

by Lisa Akers

Rumbling.

Frustration.

Threatening to dissolve my resolve.

Longing.

Searching.

Needing answers and direction.

This loneliness demands company.

Relax.

Recall.

My God is in Control.

Realizing I’m never alone

As a Child of God.

And the heartache can only be relieved

When deposited into God's heart.

 

 

A Blessing Or A Burden?

How many times have I judged another person’s actions based on my perceptions?  Too many I am afraid.  It becomes so painfully apparent when I am on the receiving end of such a judgment call.  Lord help me to be sensitive to your leading more than my need to be approved or to have my opinion heard.  Although I agree that fellow Christians are to endeavor to help one another stay on the straight and narrow--we should be doubly sure that we are not being legalistic and setting forth a standard that God has not called us to.  

I know I have been guilty of judging others in the past.  And honestly I really didn’t know what my friend or family member was dealing with.  I used to be a rule-follower believing that would enable me to be a better Christian.  But I have learned the best way to be a better Christian is to be real with the Lord and with people.  That means I cannot be perfect and I need to be ok with that.  The Lord God created me so He’s not surprised by my failings and shortcomings.  In fact, I believe His mercy reaches out to minister then--and I am more able to look to Him for my strength and healing because of those same weaknesses.

Now I can be honest and I can say I am not where I want to be in my relationship with the Lord but I am not running from Him.  I’m just learning to slow down and let Him work in me and on me--healing my body, my mind and my spirit.  In the past, I was overwhelmed and in too big of a hurry to allow Him to work because people were depending on me.  I’m learning to say “no” and I’m learning to rest.  The Lord is delivering me from being a people pleaser and from a performance-based mindset.  I am trying to listen for the Lord’s direction in the things that I do and say.   Even though some difficult issues have presented themselves in my life, I am not abandoning my faith in the One who has all the answers.

So, friends, let’s be cautious about making assumptions and do not judge others when they  don’t do what you think they should be doing.   Walk beside them and show them your love, concern and support.  And above all, use your words to pray to our Father to meet the needs represented in their lives.  When our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing challenging times, be a blessing not a burden.

Romans 14:13  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.