In Awe of God. . .

In awe of our Creator today! Boy does He love the orphans. He moves mountains for them. Please don't ever underestimate how much any little (or big) part you play means.  It is incredible when you see God's people come together to get something done that God has set in motion.  We are working feverishly on a new adoption blog/website. I do not get giddy about these types of things. In fact, Jim wanted to do this and I was incredibly hesitant. But I am really excited about this one. I feel like God is putting a plan in motion so much bigger than us. Call me crazy but I do.

For this adoption, the website will serve several purposes. First, I will begin posting all adoption related blogs there. Second, it will be the location for our online auction and so much better than doing it on Facebook. And thirdly, we are going to have some amazing adoption T-shirts available there.

After this adoption, we don't know what the plans will be but perhaps it will be used in some wonderful way to continue to get the message out and helps others. Praise God for whatever He will do!  The 1:27 Mandate

Pertaining to the t-shirts. . .have I told you how big our God is and how much He loves the orphans. Whew!!! We have an amazing friend who is donating professionally designed beautiful soft t-shirts to sell!!! God moves His people! Praising Him for ever puzzle piece, every auction item, every t-shirt and most of all for bringing hope to a little girl who would otherwise have none. Don't you love when God takes hold of something and all you can do is watch in awe. Humbled. . .

Unconditional Love

In recent weeks, I have often found myself thinking about or reading about prophets of Biblical times.  It has struck me how really hard their lives were.  They were often condemned and outcast.  Their messages were hard and did not follow popular opinion.  Truly there was nothing that was not touched by the very difficult task they were assigned. Hosea is case and point.  God told him to marry a women who would not be faithful. He was to be an example of God's relationship with Israel.  The story is gut wrenching as Hosea perseveres his very difficult marriage with even his children being names according to what God was teaching the people through him.

There are so many stories in the Bible that fit perfectly with where our world is today.  The world still often scoffs and outcast those who speak the truth of God's Word. It is not pretty and fluffy. It is hard.  The world and the enemy make it confusing with all the lies.  But there is hope!

If you read the difficult story of Hosea, then you find a story of unconditional love. Not just of Hosea to his wife but of God to His people!  Praise Him!  He has not given up on us. He is ever faithful and beckoning us to be His faithful bride.

"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy." Hosea 2:19

It breaks my heart to think of how we break the heart of the Lord our God. He has done so much for us and yet we turn our backs.  Yet. . .He is still there for us.  The picture of unconditional love.

It is not easy and, in fact, I think it is often very hard.  But the power of our God is unimaginable. There is nothing He cannot do.  Not sure of this, then ask yourself.  Why were prophets, like Hosea, willing to do what they did?  The Lord had not only given them an incredibly hard job. . .He gave them all they needed to do the job. I have no doubt that they KNEW that God is able and willing!!!! They knew God!  The question is . . .do we know God? Are we willing to obey even when it is not popular or even makes us outcast?

Say yes, to God who created you and loves you.  Then if you dare, read Hosea.  Fall upon your face and worship God!  Make it an amazing day in your relationship with the Lord! He is waiting. . .

 

Sometimes Change is Good

Time has surely passed since I last posted. There have been so many changes and it has been very busy! The changes have included moving, sending a son off to military, preparing another for college (next year), etc. One of the things that has been on the forefront is finding a new church. Stepping out and visiting new churches is scary to be sure. The first visit is a bit awkward and then there is the pressure to figure out if that is where God would have you. But I believe this is part of something bigger that God has been doing in our lives.

About six months back, the Lord our God began preparing us (as a family) for something. We simply do not know what yet. God has opened our eyes to some things, allowed us to be sifted in other areas, and allowed for growth in Him.  It is with excitement and trembling we take each step forward and sometimes a few steps back. As time moves forward. . . He ask for more and more to be given to Him. Often times we are deeply convicted of something we paid no attention to in the past. And that is where I am beginning to see that change is good.

Now please know that I am not speaking against any denomination or church. I would not so long as they preach the Word of God and believe in King Jesus as Lord and Savior. There will be no denominations in Heaven and we are all the same church! That being said, it is easy to do what you have always done. For example, your comfort zone may be with a particular denomination, certain friends, style of music, or even type of building for worship. While all those things may be wonderful. . . I wonder how often they keep us from being stretched or hinder our growth? This is what I have noticed. . .

In visiting other churches, we are required to go back to the Bible for answers. It causes questions to be raised as to why we do certain things or believe certain things. So much of what we do or believe falls back on tradition rather than the Word of God.  That is dangerous ground. I have been strongly convicted over past months that I must look to the Word of God for proof of everything. Other than Jesus Himself, there is no one who has walked this earth that knows everything and always speaks 100% truth. Sure there are many who desire to speak 100% truth, but Romans 3:10 says that "As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one". So despite our best efforts, we cannot always be right.

The Bible is the very word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that every word of it is "God breathed!" Are you hungry for more of the Lord? Are you wishing He would speak to you today? He will! All you need to do is open His word and read. While reading. . .remember that you are reading the living breathing words of the God who created all things including you. His desire is to have a relationship with you and that begins with a humble heart reading His words. I pray that His Word will greatly minister in and through you today! Praising Him with you!

Stressed Yikes!

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

I have lived my life in a perpetual state of varying levels of stress.  I am fully aware that it wreaks havoc with every aspect of life and health.  Unfortunately, it has still been something that I simply could not manage.  The fear of giving up control and the lack of patience just would not permit me to move forward.

Until. . .I learned something that revolutionized my life.  I hope I will be able to explain it in a way that is understandable. Really, what I learned is so simple but yet so foreign to us (as modern day Christians).  It is something that we want but yet at the same time it goes against everything else we want for ourselves. Have I lost you yet?

How many times have you thought. . . I am a Christian but yet things are still a mess. I want more out of my relationship with Christ but don't know how to get it. Does God answer prayers? I don't understand the Bible and it is too hard to read. I don't have time for Bible Study.

We have so many questions that our heart just burns for answers, but have we asked the most important question? The one that will ultimately answer all other questions. . .

Have I ever really come to Jesus on HIS TERMS?

I not too long ago began asking myself this question.  The answer surprised me. I was sure I could answer yes at first. I considered myself somewhat of a prayer warrior. I have facilitated many Bible Studies. I have tried to be diligent about reading His word. Etc, etc, etc.  But had I done anything that was really and truly on Jesus' terms?  Jesus, Himself, had some difficult things to say regarding this. Honestly, I think it is verses that we rather skip or try to explain away.  But, they cannot be explained away in complete truth!  Please read the verses from Luke 14:26-35

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

These are the words of our Savior and while they may sound harsh. . .they are truly not.  He is trying to help us understand that we must love God more than anybody or anything.  We must die to our old life and "follow Him" just like the disciples.  Once we do this all other aspects of our life fall into place.  Because our love is great for God and His Spirit fills us then we love others. Not only that and this is hard. But if we call ourselves Christians and we are not true disciples. . . then leave a bad testimony.  Our saltiness is gone and our testimony (salt) is worthless. Father, please forgive us for letting our testimony of you mean so little.

How long have we tried to balance being a good Christian and living in the world? It is impossible and furthermore, it is extremely stressful.  If we want to be a disciple of Christ, we must lay down our life. He wants ALL of us.  This is the part I love! I have discovered that when I go to Him on His terms. . . there is no stress!!!! Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!  He is in control! I simply follow Him.  I can't wait to see where He leads. Will you commit this for your own life? Will you go to Jesus on His terms?

Status Quo Christian

Getting ready to start a new Bible Study tomorrow.  I am filled with excitement and nervousness about it.  I know God has prepared this lesson for us.  For months now, He has repeatedly laid it out before me.  Now I feel the burden of the task to try to put together cohesively all that I have been learning.  I sense that this is the one.  The one that could radically change lives. The process of preparation has changed me and I so want to share it.

The theme of the study has been pounded out on my computer in a few of these post.  It is basically, how to not be a (what I am calling) a "status quo Christian".  You may be thinking,  what in the world does that mean? It is being a Christian but having a surface level daily relationship. If you are a "status quo Christian" then you may feel moved Sunday morning during the sermon, but by Monday you are too busy to let it matter.   You probably heard that God speaks, but doubt He does these days. When you hurt or are in a difficult situation, you have no faith God will change anything. You probably don't read your Bible or may not have ever been on your face before the Lord. And as a result, you are ho hum about your relationship with Christ.

The study we are doing is "One In A Million" by Priscilla Shirer".  I hope to be able to add to that some of what God has taught me over the past months.  In the end, I pray we will find our Promise Land.  The place where we live an abundant life with a God who desires to talk with us. I pray that we learn to "walk" with Him daily on both good days and bad. I pray that bitterness and lack of faith with be sent packing back to the father of lies.  That every time we read His Word our excitement will grow and we will tingle head to toes.  I cannot wait to see what the Lord Jesus will do with our lives when they are fully submitted (eyes upon the one who loves us more than life itself - literally).

Making the Change. . .you can do it!

Ok, so perhaps you have not learned to prioritize your time with God but you so want to.  You want to be a "deep" Christian but just can't get there.  Then hopefully this will help.

The most obvious answer is to check local churches for a Bible Study group. It does not need to be the church you belong to. Any church that teaches the name of Jesus and believes the full Bible will do.  These groups provide accountability and there are some amazing studies available for groups to do. If that is not a possibility or you just don't want to. . .then plan 2.

Choose a book of the Bible.  If you love history then definitely an Old Testament book.  You can learn about Ruth, Queen Esther, Daniel, David, the Father's of faith (such as Noah & Abraham).  You can feel like you are going on an adventure while you learn. If you love poetry, then Psalms or Proverbs will be your book.  If none of these fit but you are just hungry for more then try any of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John) and learn all about Jesus' walk on earth. Then there is Paul. I love studying Paul's journey.  There are so many possibilities. . .just choose one.

Next find a journal or notebook to use specifically for this.  Each day read one chapter of the book you chose.  As you read, really think about each verse and any special meaning they have to you.  At the conclusion of reading, just write that verse and what it means to you in your journal.

Now honestly, reading your Bible is step one of a two step process for going deep. The second part is prayer. Without prayer, you will not go deep.  Prayer is when we spend time talking to God.  It does not have to be poetry or memorized.  It simply has to be from a humble heart before the throne of God.  I would suggest, if possible, that you get on your hands and knees (preferably face to the ground).  Is that necessary? No. God will hear you regardless.  It simply helps us be humble and focused.  God loves us and treats us with tremendous mercy and grace but He is still God. He is the creator of everything.  He is Holy!!!!

I pray that as you pray today you will feel His Spirit wash over you. That you will know His great love and peace. I pray that He will guide your thoughts and your steps today.

 

The Pageant Contestants

I recently had the experience of going with a friend to shop for pageant dresses for two of her daughters.  It was a truly heartwarming experience. I watched as these girls went through the selections to find the one to delight their heart.  Only these girls didn't handle the experience as many would (after all it was one of those true "princess" moments).  They were pretty quiet about the whole thing.  They never whined, never begged and even only softly voiced their opinion. Even when the possibility of a favorite dress slipped away they handled it with such a humble attitude and not even a complaint.  I was so proud of them and felt I had been given a blessing to be there.

As I pondered on the shopping trip, I wondered if I handle things in the same manner or act like a spoiled little girl.  No, of course I don't pitch tantrums jumping up and down, crying and screaming.  But let's face it, the damage we do pitching a tantrum on the inside can be far worse.  Even as Christians, I wonder how often we pitch an internal fit because after all we are daddy's little girl. Knowing that we are so special and loved by the Father could give us a feeling of entitlement.   And it does.  Just not that kind.  It entitles us to act like Jesus.  Oops, for this we must take the tiara off and stop swirling in our beautiful gown.  This entitlement requires humility, selflessness, love, forgiveness and the list goes on.  But it requires us to be so passionate about the Savior that we have no time for tantrums. The good news is that we don't even need them because Daddy has our back. He always provides the best for us.

So often we are stressed and even panicked about life's circumstances.  When we go to the Lord in prayer, we give Him our fix-it list.  Father, please show my husband he is wrong, help the kids obey, give us enough money. . .  We whine, beg and maybe even pitch a fit.  Today I want to make a point to go to Him humbly ready to do as He ask and knowing that His plan is always what is best!

I am so proud of my little pageant contestant friends. I hope that it is so much more than they dreamed and that they will lay their crown at the Father's feet.  They are truly beautiful on the outside and inside.  And they will always be a Princess! Meanwhile, I might need to swirl around a bit as I praise God for the lesson these two sweet girls showed me.