Dear New Year

As we say farewell to 2016 and welcome in a New Year, it's good to reflect on some things. I want to encourage you to clear the schedule for tomorrow and make quality time with the Lord your first and foremost objective. Or if you're like me and this year you desired to be at home for New Year's Eve, take some time with Him tonight. I did and this is what He showed me.

In Philippians 1:12-14 we see that Paul is in jail for the cause of Christ. He says this, 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (ESV)

The part that stood out to me was "..what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.." 
It got me thinking, do I use the trials and tragedies in my life to advance the gospel, or do the trials and tragedies use me to hinder the good works the Lord is trying to do through me?

When trials come, you can either use it for His glory or use it for the enemy's purposes. Those are really the only two choices. Look at people's Facebook statuses as an example. It's either something positive or something negative. A complaint or a praise. Which one do you tend to do?

I have a friend who lost her baby boy last year. He was 4 months old and in the NICU for the entire span of his short life. They knew he had complications, they knew he might not make it, but they also knew what the purpose of his and their lives were: to give God glory no matter what. They named their son Triumph, because he was a miracle baby.  And when he went to be with the Lord, their hearts were broken but their spirit was not because they knew that God had used his little life as a testament to God's grace and mercy. Everyone around them could see that something was different about these people, they had a hope like no other. The doctors, the nurses, the specialists, and the other parents in NICU could all see something…and little did they know it was the glory of the Lord. 

Friends, can others around you see His glory when trials come?  That is our whole purpose for being here. Maybe you have cancer, or maybe you lost your job. Maybe you have a sick child, or maybe you have faced rejection from someone who was supposed to love you. No matter what you have endured or are enduring now, God is allowing it to use you as a vessel of His glory because when you are weak, He is strong. And He shares that strength with you:

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor.12:9-11)

Do you see that? We are made strong through weakness because Christ's love shines through us. His power is made perfect in weakness. Just like the cross. The weakest moment Jesus could ever endure, yet the most powerful. 

So this coming year, 2017, let's go into it ready to live out the glory of the Lord through whatever way He brings our way, good or bad.  Let everything you say and do be for His glory and His kingdom. You can start with your next Facebook post. ;)

Dear Christians

Sometimes my letters are full of love and grace, and sometimes they are what my friend Courtney calls, "a spiritual spankin"...

This probably falls into the spiritual spankin' category. But, it comes from a place of love and grace, I promise! I want you to be the best YOU you can be. First, let's read this passage from the Bible:

 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV) 

I believe we are in the last days. And I believe that everyone who claims to be a Christian falls into one of these categories:

1. A Pharisee
2. A Follower
3. A Fake

You are either a Pharisee -legalistic, cares more about the rules (the Law) than the miracle and mission of Jesus Christ.

A Follower- someone who believes the Bible to be true, and walks in the Spirit by praying, reading God's Word, making disciples, and living FOR Jesus.

A Fake- someone who goes to church, claims they are a Christian, but in fact doesn't live how a Christ follower would. A "Sunday Christian" is another term for this kind, very worldly during the week, but acts like a Christian on Sundays.

Do any of these sound familiar to you? 

Which one are you?

One way to tell if you could be more like a Pharisee is how you view other Christians. Do you look at them out' the side of your eye when they are saying things about Christ? Are you judging whether or not they "know" all the things they should about the Bible? Then do you feel the need to start a debate? This is exactly what the Pharisees did to Jesus EVERY TIME.  In every story, they judge what He said, they challenged Him, and they accused Him. Do you do that with fellow Christians?

The Apostle Paul (called Saul at the time), was a Pharisee before His encounter with Christ. But it was JESUS that changed Him. Not another person telling him he was wrong. Not a Facebook post declaring a personal stance on something. Only JESUS can change a Pharisees heart.

If you recognize yourself in some of this description, then ask Christ to change you from the inside out. Ask Him if there is any offensive way in you, because Pharisees have a hard time believing they could be wrong. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in real and mighty ways. Then go serve in a humble position somewhere where you get NO recognition. Look the poor or hurting in the eyes and get to know them. Learn how to LOVE like Christ loves.

Pharisees tend to point out the wrong in people more so than just love on them. I know this because I used to be one! My friend Catherine says that when it comes to people, we need to "love the hell outta them!" and I couldn't agree more. LOVE is the answer, and God is love. So love like God. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (ESV)


Then there's the "Fake"... the disciple Judas would be an example of this kind of christian. He walked with Jesus, he learned from Jesus, but when it came down to it, he chose deception and wealth over love and loyalty to Christ. He's the one who chose to turn Jesus in to the authorities, for a profit. Only to throw the money back in their faces, and in hopelessness commit suicide over his guilt of betrayal. 

But as long as you are still breathing, there is HOPE.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever.. Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV) 

Lastly, we have the Follower.  I think of the disciple, Peter. He knew he was an unworthy sinner, but a relationship with Jesus changed him. He followed, he learned, then he DID as Jesus did. He spread the Gospel, he healed the sick, he made disciples! We too can do these things! They might look a little different in today's age..we might spread the Gospel through social media, help bring healing through love and prayer, and make disciples by having Bible studies with people in our towns. BUT, Jesus said in John 14:12 :"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father." Anything is possible with Jesus IN us!


So no matter where you find yourself as a Christian in this world, whether Pharisee or Fake, you can change. You can be made new by the grace and mercy of our Lord, and you can be the Follower that He has called you to be (if you aren't already!)

Pray this with me, "God, please help me to love like you do. Please forgive me, and help me to turn from any legalistic or false beliefs that I may have of you. Help me to learn the truth of who you are by studying my Bible and by surrounding myself with true Followers of you. Help me to turn from my selfish ways in order to pursue you with my whole heart. Give me the desire and perseverance to read my Bible daily, to pray for those around me, and to go and make disciples as you have commanded me to do. Help me to choose mercy over judgment, and help me to LOVE. I love you Lord, In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!"

Shine On

"Don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine.."

That's actually a line from a Taylor Swift song called "Ours." She wrote it years ago for her boyfriend at the time. But I want to pass it along to you, because what she meant for a fleeting relationship, I think God meant for a word of encouragement to us.

If you are following Christ, then you have a brilliant light shining out of you. It's a light that can spread His love into the darkest of places. But sometimes it makes others upset. Maybe it's too bright, and they feel uncomfortable or even jealous. Or maybe when it shines, it exposes a darkness in them that they don't want seen. So they throw rocks. 

Expect it.

Know that attacks will come, but that it's Christ in you that people hate, it's not you. So have compassion on them, and pray for them, for they know not what they do. Matthew 10:22, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

You will be saved, all will be well. In the meantime, don't take it personal when people hate you. Pray for your enemies, and keep shining the light of the Lord! Stay in His Word and keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can continue to reflect His glory. 

And "don't you worry your pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine!" 

 

When Storms Come

Here are some lessons I've learned when times are tough, whether it's with finances, emotions, marriage, family issues, friend drama, stress, whatever!

#1 Set your hope in Christ alone
God allowed me to be rejected by several christian women, and by a family member who meant a lot to me, to get me to that point where I was no longer able to put my hope in them. All I had left was to put my hope in Christ, where it should've been in the first place. 
"..hold fast to the hope set before us. ¹⁹ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, ²⁰ where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever.." Hebrews 6:18-20 (ESV)
Is there someone or something else that you are putting your hope in? Why? What makes you think they would be a better answer over Jesus?

#2 It's either a storm of Perfection or a storm of Correction
We are either walking with the Lord in obedience (perfection) and the enemy wants to knock us down with storms OR we are not walking with the Lord and so He allows a storm of correction to try and get us back on the right path with Him. Seek His Word and ask Him which storm you are in. If you are in complete obedience with Him then it's a storm of perfection and you just have to keep your eyes on Jesus. Do not give in to the enemy's attempts! If it's a storm of correction, then you have some sin in your life that you need to turn from.  Get that sin into the light so it can begin to heal. In doing so, the storm of correction will soon turn into a rainbow of promise. 
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
 Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (ESV)

Do you have sin in your life that you need to turn from?

#3 Let praise be your battle plan

No matter what trial you face, you can choose praise over worry or fear. Choose to praise Him and watch as your worries fade and your faith grows. Read the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 to see what happened when he sent the worshipers before the army.  There are so many verses of encouragement in this passage, like, This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chron. 20:15 (NLT)

How can you turn your worries into praises today?

#4 God has already conquered your battle, you just have to walk through it in obedience!

God has already defeated our battles for us, we just have to walk through it trusting and obeying Him. Look at what the Lord told Joshua about the battle before him, And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. ³ You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. ⁴ Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. ⁵ And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.” Joshua 5:2-5 (ESV) God had already delivered Jericho into Joshua's hand, Joshua just had to follow through on what the Lord instructed him to do in order to experience the victory. 

How can you view your trial as a battle already won? What do you need to do to walk through it in trust and obedience?

When storms come, set your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. He will never leave you nor forsake you! God Bless!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

 

 

Church Is Not the Answer.

There. I said it. Church is not the answer.

Hear me out.  I love a good Bible teachin', Spirit-filled, disciple makin' body of believers. That being said...

Have you noticed how church-focused Christians are these days? If you have an unsaved friend that you want to "witness" to, then you invite them to your church. In fact this is most likely what your church promotes and encourages you to do. Is it possible that church leadership thinks that because they have the answers, then they ARE the answer?

Wake up churches: YOU are not the answer.

Jesus is.

If you were to take all the believers OUT of a church, then it would just be an empty building. Jesus wouldn't be there because He's IN you.  So why do we focus so much on church?

Now, if we are talking about big "C" Church, as in the body of Christ- you and me, then yes, WE are the answer because Christ is in us. Ya followin'?

The modern day church has created a fun-loving, seeker-friendly environment with an aesthetically pleasing design that is comfortable to go to. The atmosphere is great, probably because believers are worshiping and the presence of God is there. It's all good and fine, I am NOT against this.

The Bible tells us, 

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Meeting together. Did the Apostle Paul intend for this to be interpreted as "checking in" to church on Facebook, hearing an inspirational message and then literally not even speaking Jesus' name out loud for the rest of the week? 

I don't think so.

Church is not a country club my friends! Let me break down Hebrews 10:24-25 for you:

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

We should be actively thinking about how to spur each other on to love one another and to do good in this world. 

 ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We should meet together to encourage one another, because everyday that goes by is a day closer to Jesus coming back. Some Christians have stopped meeting with other believers altogether! The Church should start asking why?

Question: Did you see anything about Sunday church in this Hebrews passage?  "Meeting together" literally means gathering together. It's not indicative of a certain place. It can be any day and anywhere. And yes, a church service qualifies as meeting together...IF you are actually engaging with others, spurring them on and encouraging each other to serve CHRIST. Not slipping in late, leaving early, and only saying, "Hi, how are you? I'm fine." And for the church leaders, "meeting together" did not mean promoting the business of church because you want more members and more tithe to redecorate the church foyer to "attract" more people.

I believe Paul was encouraging us to live out this passage EVERYDAY. 

Every. Day. What a concept!!

And with today's technology there is no excuse.

There has never been an easier time in all of history to do what this verse tells us to. One of the ways you can "meet together" is by hopping on instant messenger or FaceTime. You can take 5 minutes out of your day to pray and ask the Lord  to show you who in your life needs encouragement. Ask Him to show you a Bible verse (on your Bible app of course) to share with them, then share it! Text it. Post it. IM it. Whatever! Just do it. Be intentional about your friendships and be open for what God wants you to do. Spur each other on. Make bags together for the homeless and go deliver them. Or get together for a bible study and/or prayer time. Disciple one another, reach out to the lost. ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. And you will be doing what this verse says and more.

And here's a crazy idea. What if once a month on a Sunday morning you decided to take the "church" to someone who would never step foot in a church building? By "take the church" I mean take yourself to a friend or a person in need and BE the church. Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Provide for a need they have. Ask them how you can pray for them. When they say, "Why aren't you at church?" You can say, "I am. I have Jesus inside me, so church goes where I go. He doesn't need a building, just me." If that doesn't perk up their interest to know more about THIS Jesus then I don't know what will. 

You see friends, I believe that the enemy has infiltrated our borders. He has twisted the idea of church into the very thing Jesus fought so hard against. Christ died to redeem it. So why are we letting the enemy mess it up again? Right under our noses??

In Bible times, "church" was the Temple and the synagogues. The Temple was where you brought sacrifices to atone for your sins and the synagogue was a place of worship and teaching. The Temple had the presence of God in it, but there was a very thick, floor to ceiling curtain separating man from God's presence.

But once Jesus came, gave us the ultimate example of how to love others and then died for our sins, that curtain was torn! It tore from top to bottom to prove no human could've done it. The curtain that separated God's Holy presence from us, the unholy sinners, was torn in two. No more separation.

Then God chose a new temple. His new temple was YOU. 
And me. And every believer ever made. 

1 Corinthians 6:19 says,
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (ESV)

We are the temple. We are the church. He dwells in us. So how did church turn into a place that you just go to on Sundays?? Or the only place where you act like a follower?

Everyday is an opportunity to live as the church God intended us to be. Like I said, it's fine to go on a Sunday and enjoy fellowship with other believers. But when doing THAT becomes your only definition of being a follower of Christ then you are missing it. Completely. 

Last verse and then you can either get defensive about this post or you can allow the veil to be removed from your eyes.... Matthew 12:6-8: (Jesus speaking to some Pharisees)

I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸ For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Something greater than the temple is here. That something greater is Jesus. It's not about church, it's not about religion, it's about Him. If your church or religion makes it more about you (or them) and less about Him, then it's time to ask God what He wants you to do on a Sunday morning. He desires for you to show mercy, not sacrifice. How can you make your Sunday morning more about mercy than sacrifice? 

Believers, there is something greater than the temple here. It's Jesus. Don't let the temple overshadow Him. 

5 Quick Questions before you go:

#1 Have you ever thought that your church or pastor is better than any other church or pastor? Read 1 Corinthians 3:21

#2 If you were invited to join a friend at their church one Sunday would you decline because you already "have a church"? Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

#3 Do you feel like you could never go serve the homeless on a Sunday morning because that's when you're supposed to go to church? Read Matthew 12:9-13

#4 Does your church sell anything within it's walls? Read Matthew 21:12

#5 If you are part of church leadership, do you feel competitive with other churches in your area? (Is your church sign on the street corner sitting right next to another church's sign??) Read Romans 12:3

 

If you answered YES to any of these questions then you (or your church) might actually be part of the problem. There should be no division in the body of Christ. There should be no "business" in church. We are all part of One Body! We are all on the same team. Team Jesus. Not Team My Church and Team Your Church. Let's start playing as a team! Let's stop putting bumper stickers for churches on our cars and start putting on Bible verses instead.

Church-Goers: Start going to church with the intention to love and serve others, and apply what you learn there into your everyday life.

Church leadership: Stop promoting your church and membership MORE than Jesus and the Great Commission. He didn't say, "Stay and become a member", He said "Go and make disciples." (Matthew 28:16-20)

The answer is not church. The answer is Jesus.

Be the church so those around you can see Jesus!

**Disclaimer** For those of you that think I'm attacking churches and pastors or trying to cause division, you missed the entire point. I am the wife of a Pastor. The point of this post is to try and help you switch your thinking from depending on the church to do what YOU are called to do. Too many Christians rely on their church or their pastor to do all the discipling and witnessing when that is ALL of our "call" and responsibilities. I also wrote this to call out churches that have been deceived into operating more like a business than a ministry. Thank you and God bless!

Are you a Believer or a Follower?

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

I used to wonder how I was able to stray so far from the Lord and walk in darkness when I was a Christian. I struggled with the bondage of sin, and it just seemed like I was always coming back to Him for forgiveness. How did I keep getting off track? I loved God, I believed in Him, I even served at church. Why couldn't I just keep walking with Him and not struggle so much? 

The answer is in this verse, "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

I believe there is a big difference between believing and following. You can believe that Jesus saves and you can even serve at church every sunday, but if you aren't actually following  Christ daily, then you may always struggle with living in sin. 

Believing is one thing. And believing is a good thing! It's the first step to a relationship with Christ. But just like any relationship, it has to move to the next level if you want it to go deeper. Believe me, with Christ you want to go deeper. 

So how do we do this? How do we go from just believing in Jesus to full-on following Him? Maybe we should look at how His first followers did it in the first century! The four gospels are a great place to start: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Commit to reading at least 1 chapter a day and you will begin to see.

His followers left their comfort zones, their expected path, their chosen professions. Fishermen, tax collectors, and even a prostitute. They dropped everything to follow Christ. Does that mean we need to do that too? Possibly! If He tells you to then yes. But don't let that scare you, His plan is perfect and better than you could ever imagine. Keep reading.

After that initial step of faith and turning from sin, they listened to Him teach. (Which we can do by reading the Bible) They walked with Him wherever He went. They believed what He said was true. Then they started applying what they learned. They began healing others in Jesus' name. They had front row seats to His many miracles and wonders. 

After He ascended into Heaven, they received the Holy Spirit and they followed the command to go and make disciples. Wow. Now that's a follower. Would you agree with me  that believing is one thing and following is another? Even demons believe Jesus is real. James 2:19: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (NIV)

I think when you are just believing and not following, it is easier to get distracted by the desires and temptations of this world. Christ is the light of the world. If you want to reflect that light then you have to be looking at Him. 

I want to encourage you today to take that next step from believer to follower if you haven't already. God has so much more planned for you, and one of those things is freedom from the bondage of sin. As soon as I went from just believing to actually following, those chains were broken. I was no longer a slave to my old ways. Being in His word everyday changed me. It brought me from a believer to a follower because reading His word is like listening to His voice. Listen as the Holy Spirit teaches you what His words mean. Ask Him to give you "ah-ha" moments from your daily reading. Write them down in your journal so you never forget them. Years later they can still be teachable moments for you. Next, tell someone! Share what the Lord has shown you. You never know who needs to hear from the Lord that day, and you could be the one He uses to do it.

Let's read Jesus' words one more time, 
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

There is a way to never walk in darkness again, and that's to follow Him.

You ready?

Dear Friendships

True friends are hard to come by as an adult. At least that's what I've noticed. Can I get a witness?? 

I look for authenticity. A person that is real with me. A person that doesn't gossip. I look for someone who wants the best for me, who supports my endeavors and who is willing to stand up for me. But I also want someone who is willing to put me in my place when I need it. Someone who loves me so much that she wants to see me grow spiritually, even if that means she has to tell me some things that would be hard to hear. There's a difference between pointing out someone's faults, and pointing someone back to Jesus. If a friend is trying to point you back to Jesus then you know she is doing it in love. When a friend is walking with the Lord, they desire the best for you, because they love you like Christ loves you. Even when you disappoint them, they are willing to pray for you and stick it out.

I had one of these true friend's confide in me about a struggle she was having with not getting what she felt her family deserved. They had been working so hard saving money, paying off debt, and making good financial decisions only to find out that their home had lost value. If they sold it they wouldn't be able to upgrade to a nicer home. All those years stuck in a neighborhood they didn't love, with neighbors that were living off the system, getting welfare and food stamps, popping out babies and not doing anything to better their situation. My friend even said that she was sure the neighbors had stolen diapers from her diaper delivery service that had been sitting on her front porch. It enraged her that these people were doing everything wrong and getting away with it, yet her family was working so hard to do everything right and seemed to be getting nothing from it.  She didn't like feeling this way and knew that it sounded so petty (first world problems) but it's just how she was feeling.

It's funny because when the problem is not my own I feel like I can see so clearly what the Lord is trying to teach her in all this. I value this friend so much because she knows that how she is feeling is not right, but she's real enough to share it with me. And then, what I love even more about her is that she accepts the response that the Lord has given me for her. It's important to listen to the Holy Spirit when a friend is in need and then respond with what He is telling you. A friend that is walking with the Lord is humble and teachable. They will listen and take it in because they don't want to be defined by their sin.

So I asked her if she had been praying for her neighbors? Had they invested at all in the opportunity to help a family in need? God has a purpose for giving them those particular neighbors and the reason was not to enrage them, but to grow them. Grow their love. It's easy to love kind people, but it takes Christ in you to love people who don't seem deserving. (Luke 6:33-35)
Another thing the Spirit showed me is that a lot of times what you hate in someone else is actually a direct reflection of the sin in your own life. Of course no one wants that reminder in their faces everyday so we judge the people committing our secret sin because we know someone needs to get punished for it! In this case, my dear friend was judging her neighbors for being entitled, when in fact she was being entitled with God. She felt that because they had worked so hard, they deserved better from God. Her struggle with her own entitlement was causing her to hate her neighbor. Isn't it amazing what sin can do?? Praise God for my sweet friend and her teachable spirit. God was able to speak to her heart in that moment and reveal some things she needed to hear.

Btw if there is someone in your life that drives you crazy, pushes your buttons and makes you angry, then take a good long look in the mirror and ask yourself, "What sin am I struggling with in my life that is reflecting back at me through this person?" Then do some soul searching. Spend time in God's Word and ask Him to show you. And if you have a trusted Christian friend that is walking with the Lord, ask them what they think. But make sure you are ready to hear it. Ask the Lord to humble you and make you teachable.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 (ESV)


Ok so I think "stupid" is a little harsh, but hey if the Bible says it!! 

My encouragement today is to BE that friend who is willing to receive advice. Be that friend that doesn't want to stay in a place of struggle, but wants help. Be humble, be teachable, and be loving. Don't lash out. Don't let pride get in the way. I want us to raise the bar when it comes to friendships! Step it up people! Love like Christ loves, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and ready to forgive when your friend messes up. I can't tell you how many times I have messed up or said something hurtful without meaning to, and the friends that have forgiven me are the ones I value more than ever. Don't accept your friends faults as a permanent thing, offer to help in prayer, accountability and encouragement, and expect the same thing when it comes to your own faults. If your christian friend is gossiping, call her out in love! If your married christian friend is flirting with another man, pull her aside and ask her for a heart to heart moment with you about it. From that loving moment of accountability might come an outpouring of truth that could set her FREE! 

I want to fight for my friends. I want to stand in the gap for them when they are struggling, and I want friends who are willing to fight for me. 
What do you say friends, can we raise the bar with our christian friendships?? 
Look at Jesus' relationships with His disciples. He was teaching, loving, healing, correcting and encouraging. They couldn't return the favor to Him because He was without sin, but we are all with sin so let's be that for each other! Let's be a friend like Jesus. 

His Restoration Project

Have you ever restored something? Like an antique dresser or nightstand?

I look at our kitchen table and it is in desperate need of restoration. It's over 15 years old and boy does it look like it! The legs used to be white..but now they are chipped, faded and somehow have food stains on them…not quite sure how that happened. (I blame the babies.) The top of the table is a natural wood color but is looking very dull with craft stains, rough patches, and a lovely ring from an overly wet cup left out overnight. I am embarrassed to admit that I didn't take very good care of this table over the years. When I wipe it down now, it doesn't actually get clean because the filth from all the years has seeped into the wood. I think we just need to take a sandblaster to it.

I feel like I can relate to this table.

I started out clean and new as a young Christian, but as the years went by I got trampled on by disappointment and unfulfilled dreams. I felt unloved so I fell into disrepair. I let the filth of this world seep into my heart and over time it corroded my view on love and marriage. With my negative outlook reigning supreme in my mind, my faith got smaller and smaller. I became stained by this world and the lies of the enemy. 

But God didn't give up on me. He never said, "She's too dirty now, I'm done with her." Or "This is too hard, I give up!" He kept on pursuing me. 

But sometimes the only way to get our attention is to let us fall.

If I were to restore my kitchen table, I would first have to take it apart. And this is what God did with me. 
In order to restore me, He had to take me apart piece by piece. It hurt, but once I was completely broken, I was finally ready to let Him put me back together. I knew He was the only One who could restore my soul.

With great care and patience He smoothes out our rough edges, He chips away at the bad and sculpts it into good. He cleans us. He seals us. He restores us. We are His greatest restoration project. And it's ongoing. He doesn't give up. The day He is done is the day we are face to face with Him and our restoration is complete. We will be perfect. 

But until then, I thank God for all He has done in me and all He continues to do. I know there is still so much work left. At times I still feel like a couple pieces haven't been put back together yet and it's because He is still working on them. As He works, I wait and abide in Him. Sometimes you just have to rest while He restores.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3 (ESV)

Please listen to this song and know that "there's nothing too dirty, that He can't make worthy." And know that if you are in pain and hurting right now, it may be because He is restoring you piece by piece. God is good, let Him do a good work in you. God Bless.

"Clean" by Natalie Grant
I see shattered
You see whole
I see broken
But You see beautiful
And You're helping me to believe
You're restoring me piece by piece

There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean.
There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean.

What was dead now lives again
My heart's beating, beating inside my chest
Oh I'm coming alive with joy and destiny
Cause You're restoring me piece by piece

There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean.
There's nothing too dirty that You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean.

Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I am clean

Do You Trust God with your child?

We live in a strange time, where transgender bathrooms are topics of discussion. In the not-too-distant future public schools will have bathrooms available for the transgender student to go where they identify most.

When I first heard this, I thought, "Oh no, my daughter will start kindergarten this year, am I going to have to put her in private school just to keep her protected from this??" (Lord knows I cannot home school..let's just say it's not my gifting.) ;)

So one thing I try to do when a big decision needs to be made is I imagine what life would be like for both paths I have to choose from. Let's say every christian takes their child out of public school: God's spirit would no longer be in the public school system through our children. 
How does that work in the grand scheme of trusting the Lord, living in the world and being a light to others? If every christian parent decided to homeschool their child to protect them from the world, haven't we just taken something that is not even ours to begin with and put a basket over it so it cannot shine to the unsaved? How will any non-christian child hear about Christ if not one child in the public school system is saved? We all know teachers can't talk about God without getting fired or written up!

Friends I am on the fence. One part of me says, yes, take your kid out of public school because God gave us the responsibility to protect them and raise them in His Word. But the other part of me says where is your trust? Do you not trust that God will take care of your child? Do you not trust in His great plan? And do you care more about sheltering your child from the world than obeying the commands of the Lord to let your light shine, to go make disciples, and to love as Christ loves?

I think what it boils down to is this: What is God telling YOU to do? 

There is no right or wrong christian answer to keeping your child in public school or taking them out. This is an issue that only God has the answer for. And YOU as the parent of God's child need to seek Him about it. Do not make your child's future decisions based on a high horse, or on what all the other christian moms are doing, or on a political stance. Make the decision on what the Holy Spirit tells YOU to do regarding your child.

Remember WWJD? (What would Jesus Do?) If Jesus had a child, (and btw He does, it's all of us!) would He allow that child into public school amongst "sinners"? Or would He take them out of that influence to homeschool them? I honestly don't know! Those BOTH sound like something He would do! wait..hold on a sec.. I'm seeing a parallel here…We are His children, and He has put us into a sinful world, (kinda like public school) but yet He still wants to be our Teacher. …so it's like being IN the world but not OF the world. We need to be around the unsaved, so do our children, but we need to take responsibility for teaching our children about Christ EVERYDAY, just like He wants us to learn from Him everyday. Fill them up so much with the good, that they will not be tempted to stray to the bad. 
Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way He should go; even when he is old he shall not depart from it."

When a lovely couple I met a few years ago felt called into missionary work in a dangerous part of the world, I remember thinking, how could they do that? They have 3 young children! Then after God radically changed my life, I realized that they were following the command God had given THEM, for THEIR life. Their children were just as much called to that life as they were, and THAT'S OK. God will take care of them. He has a plan. And if something terrible did happen to one or all of the children, it would be part of a predestined plan. A plan for His glory to be revealed through the lives of those kids.

Believers, we must be OK with God's plan, no matter how it looks. No matter what might happen. He is good. He has reasons. Good reasons for His glory. We need to live out the belief that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, BLESSED be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21)

If anything, I hope this crazy idea of transgender bathrooms gets christians to pray and seek the Lord on what He wants for them and their kids. I hope it brings every christian parent to that place where they can say, "My child is completely in Your hands Lord. I trust You to keep them safe when I cannot. And if something bad does happen to them, I trust that You know what you are doing and I praise you no matter what."

I may not know what God wants me to do for my kids in regards to this issue yet, but I can tell you that I trust them in HIS hands way more than my own. He is perfect and I just want to be obedient to what He has planned for MY family, so that we can be used WHEREVER He leads us for His kingdom. 

It's not about us. It's not about living in a safe, protected christian bubble. It's about love and obedience, and taking up your cross. Sure you might be able to take up your cross, but are you letting your child take up theirs? You cannot carry your child's cross for them. After all, God sent His Son did He not?

Let's sock one at the devil today by not getting angry and lashing out at the world, and creating even more reasons for the lost to never give Jesus a shot. Let's retreat into His Word, pray without ceasing, and obey what He tells us to do, no matter what that is. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

Dear Dreamer

I heard a sermon the other day about using your passions to establish peace with God and others. The pastor was encouraging believers to live out their passions with a gospel focus. Sounds all good, doesn't it?

Or does it?

The more he spoke the more I started to feel uneasy. The more I felt like he was saying to all of the comfortable christians in the room to just fit God into your passions and you'll find your joy. The sermon series was called "True Joy" after all.

Are we really called to fit God into our plans and passions?

Is that what the disciples did? From what I read in the New Testament Jesus said, "Follow Me" and they dropped their plans and passions to pursue Him.

In order to follow Christ there has to be radical change in your heart.

We should be willing to lay aside all of our dreams and passions to pursue Him, so that our entire focus and heart is set on Him, not our own agenda. Then as we pursue Him, surrender ourselves to His will and let Him circumcise our hearts (cut out what doesn't belong), He will show us His dreams and passions for us.

Sometimes your passion and His passion for you will align. Praise Jesus! Sometimes they won't. Praise Jesus still.

My passion my whole growing up years was singing and acting. I wanted to be in musicals on Broadway. But that's not what the Lord had planned for me. Why? Because I have one main purpose on this Earth (as do all believers) and that is to glorify the Lord, and He must've known that I wouldn't do a very good job of that on Broadway. For whatever reason that was not the place where I would be able to be a strong reflection of Him. So in order to follow Jesus, I had to give up that dream. Even after giving it up however, I still tried to morph my dream into a new one that glorified Him: leading worship! I tried to learn guitar, only to get stuck after 3 chords. Then I also realized that no one wants to hear worship being belted out show-tune style. Poor me. My dreams had to go. 
But God is not one to take without giving back ten-fold when you choose to obey.
He is a good Father. His dreams are way better for us than we could ever dream or imagine. He made dreams come true for me that I never even knew I had! But it wasn't until I let go of mine.

So I did. About 3 years ago I let go of all of it. I surrendered everything to Him and said "Thy will be done!"

Since then I have fallen deeper in love and gratitude with my Savior. I have fallen deeper in love and gratitude with my husband as well. I have learned way more than I ever could've while being distracted trying to fit God into MY passions.

Since then God has ignited a passion in me to find beauty in all of His creation through the lens of my camera. He has driven my hand to write messages of encouragement, correction, and testimony so that others can hear the love and grace He has for them. 

God has also placed a strong desire in my heart for the hurting, desperate housewife, because I know what it felt like to be one.  He also restored my marriage and united my husband and I in a new ministry that focuses on believers being the church, being in His word, and discipling others.

I think of the dreams I had for myself and they were all about ME. The dreams HE has for me are all about glorifying HIM.

God doesn't want us to be self-centered, fake versions of what He designed us to be. He wants us to live our greatest potential in Him and to have true joy that only comes from Him. He wants us to lead others to Him by the light He magnifies in our lives. You cannot magnify His love if you are focused on yourself and your passions. It's impossible.

Matthew 16:24 says, Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me." (NLT) 

I hope this message speaks to you today. Look at your life, are you trying to fit God into what you want for yourself? Or are you willing to give all of that up in order to live His plans and passions for you?

Bring an Offering

Back in Bible times people needed to bring an offering to the Lord, or a sacrifice at the alter as a way to atone for their sins. Instead of getting put to death for their sin, a lamb or other animal was sacrificed. When Jesus came, He chose to be the final sacrificial Lamb for our sins, so that we wouldn't have to live in condemnation of sin any longer. He atoned for our sins once and for all. 
All we have to do now is accept it, and choose to spend our life learning to love and obey Him. (Notice I said "learning" to love, not "earning His love".. big difference)

As I read David's words in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36, the phrase "Bring an offering" (vs 29) kept leaping off the page to me. I underlined it and said, "Lord what are trying to tell me? An offering was already made, it was Jesus." But He kept saying "bring me an offering" and I was reminded that even though God doesn't want an animal sacrifice from us anymore, he still wants an offering. And I'm not talking about money right now. He wants an offering of whatever stands between us and Him. He wants us to offer it up. This is why you see people raising their hands sometimes during worship, they are offering up whatever they need to let go of. Or they are simply offering themselves, saying, "Here I am Lord." 

So I opened my hands and said, God I give you my fears, my insecurities, I give you the issues I am having with others who have hurt me, I give you my children, my marriage, anything I can think of Lord, I offer it to You. It's Yours. Please do with it all as You please, and help me to always desire You more than anything else. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Is there something you need to offer to the Lord today? Maybe it's a past wound, or a current one. Maybe it's something you desire more than Him, or maybe it's your own life. Whatever it is, I urge you to do it today. Begin the journey of letting go of the things that weigh you down. Learn how to truly worship the Lord, and let your life be a daily offering to Him. 

David's Song of Thanks

8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
11 Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant,
    children of Jacob, his chosen ones!

14 He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever,
    the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
    his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
18 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan,
    as your portion for an inheritance.”

19 When you were few in number,
    of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation,
    from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them;
    he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
    do my prophets no harm!”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.

28 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;[a]
30     tremble before him, all the earth;
    yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
    and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
    before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

35 Say also:

“Save us, O God of our salvation,
    and gather and deliver us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
    and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!”

Then all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.