Slipping Through the Cracks

       I was very busy.  I spent countless hours volunteering and trying to reach out to as many groups of women as I could.  I loved doing what I felt was furthering the kingdom of God.  Please don't misinterpret what I am about to say.  It is important to reach out to all people.  A great way to do this is by volunteering or offering groups that appeal to different situations in life.  This post is just about how God recently opened my eyes to a common problem with the church today.  Unfortunately, it was a painful lesson for me.
 
      I love volunteering.  Prior to my marriage, I stayed busy volunteering with the church youth group, working at the church, and keeping up with my women's Bible study (it met every other week and sometimes  we volunteered at the women's shelter in between meetings).  Between work, school, and these activities, I left little time for much else.  It is a miracle that my husband did not give up on me while we were dating! I was a worker! I thought one day I would be able to look back and see the many lives I had touched. Instead, I see visions of the lives I let slip away.  

     Through all my efforts to reach so many, I ignored those who came to me with personal needs of discipleship.  I would let them know I had little time but the church was offering a great class on whatever their need may be. . .they should look into it.  But I never took just a few extra moments to hear them. . . I never really saw them. 
     Recently, out of curiosity, I looked at some of their social media accounts.  I wanted to cry! When did they take that wrong turn?  Why did no one intervene? Why didn't I just take the time? 

    I think it is great that so many faith based organizations do the outreach that they do....We reach out to the community to bring them in; but, what happens to them once they get here?  Please understand I am pointing the finger at myself when I say this = What good are we doing if we are planting seeds in shallow soil where they have no chance to take root (Matthew 13:3-8)?  Why are we not letting the lost know just how important they are by giving them just a few precious moments of time? When will we learn that our busy work is actually costing the Kingdom? If we are not disciplining them, then who is?

    I look at my daughter today (she will be three months in just two more days) and I think about the word written in the book of Titus:

Titus 2:3-5 =  "3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God..."

We are to be counseled by those who came before us; and to make the time to instruct those who come after us.  It takes only a few minutes of my time to answer the questions of those asking. It is an honor to pray for those in need.  It is a privilege to live by example.  If we are not doing these three things, then God knows who we are letting slip through the cracks. 

Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for those that you have put in my life to teach me Your ways.  Help me to help others so that they do not slip away into the darkness.  Help me to show Your love always.  Thank you for reminding me that it is the heart, not the deed, that matters.  

 

   

We Choose to Love

    In our family, we do not watch television or keep up with the days and lives of Holly Woods most famous (or notorious) celebrities.  Instead we spend our time talking with each other and reading together.  My husband is my best friend. We share everything! And, just like any friendship, we can "share" quite a few disagreements. In other words; yes, we do fight.
    We fight about the dogs and where we are going to eat; we fight about clothes and our hobbies. Sometimes, agreeing on a time to go to bed is a task. We are different. We make mistakes. Sure we could spend our time pointing out each other's flaws; or we could choose to love each other despite our differences.

Our marriage works because we choose love. What do you choose?

"What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?" 1 Corinthians 4:21

Today's prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to choose love in all of my dealings with others.  I know those "others" can include family, friends, or complete strangers.  Help me to bestow Your mercy to all I come into contact with. In Jesus name I pray this... AMEN 

Void and Without Form

Genesis 1:2 " Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

Psalm 139:15, 16 
"My frame was not hidden from You
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
    before one of them came to be."

    There are times when I feel empty in my soul.  Darkness covers my life and I feel as if my dreams are hidden in the depths of the earth.  I feel invisible. But His Word reminds me that Holy Spirit is always hovering over the surface of my life. He sees me. I am not hidden in the depths of this dark world. He knows me. In me, He sees His image: fearfully and wonderfully made. In my life, He creates the light that illuminates my heart. 

Genesis 1:3 "And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light."

My God, I thank you for lighting up my life and my days. 

PS..... I wanted to thank my wonderful readers and ask that you keep me in your prayers! I am blessed by you all. Above is a picture of a tiny miracle my husband and I have been recently granted. We are expecting!!! My pregnancy is difficult and I have been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. It is not a pleasant condition. Please pray that the symptoms ease up and our little one remains happy and healthy. Thanks to you all! 

Weakness is His Strength

Many know this story; but for those of you who do not... Gideon was a man of God. In the book of Judges, we read chronicles of how he led Israel. His name means "Mighty Destroyer." But it was his  faith, not his name sake, that led to the destruction of massive armies. 

In the 7th Chapter of Judges, Gideon led the Israeli army against the might forces of the Midianite and the Amalekite Armies.  He had with him well over thirty thousand fighting men.  They were a force like no other in that time; and, many had heard of their strength and valor. The Army of Israel knew of the fear they struck into the hearts of other nations.  

God also knew of Israel's pride and how Israel would boast of their accomplishments.  He needed the Israelite people to trust in Him alone; not in their own strength. So, being a God like no other ("Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like Me." Isaiah 46:9), He made a decision like no other.  He advised Gideon to send some people home. All but 300 men. Gideon was to attack two of the strongest armies of his time with only 300 fighting men. 

Judges 7:7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.” 7:8. So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. 

God was with Gideon and he gave him and Israel victory.  God blessed his faith and his obedience. Gideon believed in God's power...not his own resources. 

Our God is a God of numbers (among other things). I wonder, in my life, what are the areas where I am putting faith in my own calculations and not in my God. My finances? My family? School? What if I used my shield of faith to combat the large numbers this life threw at me instead of counting on my breastplate of righteousness to deflect their attacks. 

Father God, El-Shaddai~ My Provider, I take my hands off of this World and its devices. I trust in You and know You alone are supreme. I need Your perfect strength to fight all of my battles. I let go of the faith I have in myself. I put all hope in You. 

"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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Character... (Daniel Chapter 1)

J.C. Watts, a former US politician, is quoted as saying "Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught" 

In the first chapter of Daniel, the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, had laid siege to all of Israel and carried into exile the inhabitants.  He then chose some of the young men of royal blood to be taught in his ways and put to work in service and allegiance to him.  One of those young me was an Israelite named Daniel. The king commanded that those chosen be fed a portion from his own table, which was a high honor. Because these foods were prohibited to his faith, Daniel refused. The story goes on to say that he was shown favor by the guard and he and three friends were allowed to eat within the diet required by his faith and how his appearance was "healthier" looking than that of the other individuals after just ten short days. 

Later, when Daniel was presented to the king, "The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service." ~ verse 19. 

David and his friends were captives in a strange land, far away from family and their priests. They could have easily chosen to eat the foods that were a sin to their faith; but, they chose to do what was right to them. . . even though no one would ever know.  

But God knew. God showed them favor and blessed them because they did what right by the laws He set forth. Doing the right thing may not always look good to those around you; but, it will always earn you the favor and blessings of a loving God. 

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

So whether you are at work, home, school, church, or out with friends. . . remember you define your character. Receiving the praise and applause of those around you may seem great; but, it will be short lived. 

Father God, I choose to do the right thing even though I know it is not the popular thing. I choose to be blessed. Help me to make my life choices....guide me in Your ways! I love You and I thank You for Your unfailing love and the MANY blessings You have given me. 

My Hero Wears Combat Boots

My mom, an avid Facebooker, posted a picture to her profile a few days ago and tagged it as a picture of my husband. It looked kinda like this:

I thought it was adorable.... It also sparked my curiosity of what the Biblical heroes were like. So I started reading through some of my favorite stories...

Judges chapter seven names a man, Gideon, who was an amazing hero and warrior. He was obedient and loved to "play the odds" at numbers. He killed thousands by leading a few (about 100) into battle. 1 Samuel 17 speaks of a Philistine hero named Goliath. He stood more than a foot taller than the tallest of any Hebrew man. He was a fierce warrior who knew no fear. A godless man who fell at the toss of a stone from a slingshot. The stone was thrown by another hero appearing throughout 1 Samuel. That hero was David who the Bible speaks of as being handsome, ruddy, and small in stature. He went on to become the most respected king of Judah and Israel. Throughout the Old Testament are many examples of men who heroically changed the future  of nations by stepping out into society and taking risks most men of their time were either too fearful or comfortable to take. . .

My hero is no different when it comes to taking risks... He asked me to marry him (which is a HUGE risk in and of itself).  He wears flip flops, sneakers, combat boots.... and he pumps my gas. He takes me to the grocery store and holds open the door for me. He says nothing as he waits hours for me to get dressed and fix my hair. He walks the dogs and washes the dishes. Some mornings, he cooks me breakfast instead of me always doing the cooking. Then, after he works all day, he fires up the grill and prepares our dinner.

He treats me with respect; and values my opinion as an equal partner would ("Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7). In my hero's eyes, I am a precious gift... and he guards me with his life.

He leads our family (of me and two dogs) from on his knees.  He is a warrior at work and in his prayer life. He worships and loves; and fights for his beliefs. He prays with me and for me. He not only reads his Bible, but also uses it in our everyday lives. On Sundays, he takes me to church.... then home to do our devotionals as we spend our day just talking and loving each other. He is my Hero. . . AND yes! He does wear combat boots.

What You Leave Behind

This morning I was at my kitchen sink finishing up a weeks worth of cleaning. I stood looking out the window, past the trees in my front yard to the roadway below.  After a few seconds, I noticed a car stop abruptly beside of my garbage can.  A man quickly jumped out and reached for an old, broken shower door I had hauled to the roadway this week. I watched as he inspected the metal frame then proceeded to stomp out all of the glass in order to take with him his small treasure of scrap metal. I can only assume he was planning on cashing it in for a little money.

On the ground is now this pretty prism of sharp glass shards of all sizes.... sharp, broken pieces of glass left in an area of my yard where neighborhood children frequently play and wait for the school bus.  My roadside visitor stopped briefly intent on finding and gaining his treasure, then scurried away leaving someone else to clean up a dangerous mess.

In all of my dealings, whether personal or professional, there is always something I leave behind....we all do. An impression, a legacy, a thought... Today I wonder how many times I have taken some of life's treasures only to leave behind broken shards of glass upon which others coming after me may stumble or fall; causing pain or scars. How many scars do I hold in my heart caused by broken glass left behind by another?

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

My God in Whom I place all trust, You are good and You give good gifts to the ones You love.  I know the fruits of  Your Spirit. As a branch coming from the vine of Your Spirit, constantly pruned by You, help me in all of my dealings to leave behind treasure just as precious as that which I may take. I love you.