A couple years ago, I began sending out a scripture with a short devotion via text each morning of the week to my fellow Sunday school class. At the time, we were studying the scripture about meditating on God's Word in Psalm 1:2 and I decided I would send them a text to meditate on during the workday. Once I accepted the call that God had placed on my life to work with the youth in our church, I added them to my text list and by word of mouth, my text list grew. So each morning, after my quiet time with God, I share with them what God has spoke to me about that day.
It's common for my kids to find me sitting in the recliner or on the couch with my Bible in my lap and my phone in my hand typing the scripture out in the mornings. They no longer ask, "Mom, what are you doing?", they just know. Just this week, I went to Hanna's room to gather her dirty laundry from her hamper and found her sitting on her bed with her Bible open and her iPod touch in her hand. It took me by surprise but also sent my soul soaring. I asked, "What are you doing?" to which she replied, "reading my Bible and sending out a devotion to my friends in my contact list." Wow, I thought! She said she had even texted her big sissy in Kentucky and asked if she could send her a devotion text. Monkey see, monkey do I guess!
After I left her room, I thought of 1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. Our children follow our examples, whether good or bad. If we use bad language, they use bad language. If we are kind to others, they tend to be kind to others. If we are impatient, they become impatient. If we dress provocatively, they dress provocatively.
I once read a story about a lady that had a dog that was pregnant. One day, the lady was out mowing her grass on a riding lawn mower and the dog was out in the yard with her. Not paying close attention, the lady accidentally ran over the back of her dog injuring its back legs. She immediately stopped and took the dog to the veterinarian hoping the dog would be OK. Sure enough, after an examination, the vet told the lady her dog and her unborn puppies were fine and the dog would learn to "get around" her with injured back legs. A couple weeks passed and she gave birth to a litter of healthy puppies. Several weeks later, the lady was out on her front porch and noticed her dog out in the yard with her puppies. What she observed blew her mind. The momma dog had learned to "get around" by taking a step with her front legs and then flipping her backside in order to proceed forward. She didn't seemed to be bothered with her handicap. But to her amazement, every puppy that followed would also take a step with their front legs and then flip their backside even though they had four healthy legs. Monkey see, monkey do!
So as I sit here and think of my actions, words and demeanor in my everyday life, I ask myself this question: Is this something I would want my children to mimic? Do I scream at them so they are going to scream at their children? Am I part of an abusive relationship they are witness to and are they going to accept the same thing in their life once they are married? Have I gossiped about someone so they think it is OK to gossip about others? Do they observe the way I pay attention in church so they will one day pay attention in church? Am I negative about situations so they are going to look for the bad in situations as well? Am I quick to judge others so they will be judgemental as well? Is the life I am living something I would like to see my children follow in my footsteps?
I don't think we really pay enough attention to ourselves sometimes when it comes to TRYING to life a righteous life, a life that is in right standing with God. Our kids adopt our behavior! So I leave you with this question: Is your behavior something you would be proud for them to adopt?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Playing Favorites
I love quotes. I write them down or put them on my notepad in my phone. Here are some of my recent favorites:
- Don't judge each day buy the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. - Robert Louis Stevenson
- In all His displeasure with His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), God never feels contempt, but rather affection for us. - John Piper
- As long as we are planted and rooted by the Living Water, we will never wither. Whatever we do will prosper (Psalm 1:3) - Me!
- Hurry destroys prayer. Inner calm opens my inner-com to God. "Be still..." (Psalm 46:10) - Rick Warren
- Worship isn't an event to attend and watch. It is a LIFESTYLE to be lived - Rick Warren
- There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. - Mother Teresa
- Jealously guard your time with God...He will love you for it! - Unknown
- TWIST - God grant me the serenity to accept the PEOPLE I can't change, the courage to change the ONE I can and the wisdom to know it's ME! - John Maxwell
- Worry is a 100% waste of emotion. It cannot change the past. It will not change the future. It just ruins today. If you prayed instead of worrying, you'd have a lot less to worry about. - Max Lucado
- Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. - Max Lucado
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Third Times A Charm
Sorry I haven't blogged lately folks! Between two girls on two different teams, I have made the ballpark a temporary home these last couple weeks and softball season hasn't even started yet! It's fun though! I love watching my girls play, even out in the damp night air like tonight!
Anyway, as I was driving home, I began to think about God's grace. How He knows EXACTLY what you need EXACTLY when you need it! We try so hard to control a situation that seems out of control but thankfully He steps in and grabs the reigns and takes over. And you know what? I don't know why I don't go ahead and give Him the reigns to begin with because I KNOW He can do a much better job with my life that I can! After all, He knows the outcome! But so many times, my carnality kicks in and I snatch the reigns right out of His hands and give it a try again. Maybe, just maybe, one of these days it will stick!
I saw a friend today that I admire so much. He was our minister of music at FFUMC up until August of last year when he decided it was time for a break. You see, his daughter, who is in her early 20's, is enduring a second bone marrow transplant in hopes of defeating leukemia. She has been such a trooper and I have learned so much grace, hope and endurance from this family. They are all fighters. There isn't many hours that go by that I don't stop and pray for that sweet young lady and her family. I admire them for keeping the faith like Job. This precious family is totally saturated in prayer. As a matter of fact, Chris told me today he has been blow away at the response they have received from people all over the world. Yes, the world. There are people praying in nations across the seas, even in countries where Christianity isn't the prominent religion. I know we aren't suppose to question God but sometimes I wonder how many more prayers it will take on her behalf to receive healing? Chris shared that the CEO of Lifeway, the huge Christian bookstore, sent out a mass email to all those at Lifeway and asked them to also be in prayer for Anna. Wow! One life, one battle has affected so many others!
On another note, I had something a little crazy happen to me a couple weeks ago and God has refreshed my mind of it today. If you know me, you know I zip around going 100 miles an hour doing 8 different things at one time. And if you are a cop reading this, I really don't go 100 miles an hour, it's just a figure of speech, okay :-), I only go 60! Anyway, I was zipping up to Wal Mart one afternoon around 2:30 so I could get my groceries before picking up the kids. About the time I reached the local college, I saw this womas walking on the side of the road. Then it was almost audible; God said, "Stop and offer her a ride". I am sorry to report that I told God I really didn't have time because I was trying to make it to the grocery store and back to the school by 3:00. Yes, I felt bad but I didn't meditate on it. Then a couple days later, I was driving by a local Exxon station and I saw the woman AGAIN and yes, God said, "Dana, stop and offer the woman a ride". A little frustrated I replied, "God, I don't know her and I have never picked up anyone" and drove on. (I know, shoot me now!) Well, Sunday of that week, I was leaving church and had a little time to waste because we get out of church at 11:00 and Anna Kate had spent the night with a friend and her church didn't get out until 11:30. Instead of going my normal "get out of church and find somewhere to eat" route, I went a different way. Now this Sunday was cold and rainy. I went to the light and turned left and about 100 or so yards up the road, I was someone walking. The closer I got, the clearer the image appeared. It was her. Walking down the side of the road with about 6 bags of groceries. You know the routine by now: God: Stop and offer her a ride. Me: Pause. God: Dana. Me: turn the blinker on. I made the block and pulled up beside her. Now my youngest was in the car with me at the time and she asked, "Um, mom, what are you doing?" to which I replied, "Finally obeying God" and she just looked at me. I rolled the window down and asked the lady if she would like a ride. Immediately, she burst into tears and answered YES! So in the car she gets and gives me directions to her house. I make small talk with her for the 3 minute ride to her house and we pull up and stop. She asked me to wait while she got something. I told her I didn't want anything but she insisted I wait. Out she walks with a Styrofoam cup from Sonic with the prettiest, most fragrant flowers. She said, "It's not much but it's all I have. Thank you so much for stopping." I busted out crying. That was the kindest thing I had received in a long time. The minute I pulled out from her house, I remembered Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
So that's been about three weeks ago and I have looked and looked for her since. Fayette is a small town and surely I would have seen her again but no. I have even driven by her house in hopes of catching her outside during the beautiful days we've had but she is no where to be found. How crazy is that? Did God send that angel in ordinary street clothes to see WHEN I would finally obey Him? Did He send her to show my daughter that we are to be kind to others and help them when they are in need, even if we don't neccesarily know them? I don't know the answer to those questions but I am thankful I finally obeyed Him! I would hate to think He might have shoved her out in the road in front of me so I would finally stop.
So what is it that God is asking YOU to do that you've been a little hesitant about? Is He asking you to step up and serve Him with your WHOLE heart? Is He tugging at your heart to step out of your comfort zone and do something for Him? There's one thing about Him, He's constantly moving in our lives the question is, are you hearing Him and if you are, are you doing what He's asked?
Anyway, as I was driving home, I began to think about God's grace. How He knows EXACTLY what you need EXACTLY when you need it! We try so hard to control a situation that seems out of control but thankfully He steps in and grabs the reigns and takes over. And you know what? I don't know why I don't go ahead and give Him the reigns to begin with because I KNOW He can do a much better job with my life that I can! After all, He knows the outcome! But so many times, my carnality kicks in and I snatch the reigns right out of His hands and give it a try again. Maybe, just maybe, one of these days it will stick!
I saw a friend today that I admire so much. He was our minister of music at FFUMC up until August of last year when he decided it was time for a break. You see, his daughter, who is in her early 20's, is enduring a second bone marrow transplant in hopes of defeating leukemia. She has been such a trooper and I have learned so much grace, hope and endurance from this family. They are all fighters. There isn't many hours that go by that I don't stop and pray for that sweet young lady and her family. I admire them for keeping the faith like Job. This precious family is totally saturated in prayer. As a matter of fact, Chris told me today he has been blow away at the response they have received from people all over the world. Yes, the world. There are people praying in nations across the seas, even in countries where Christianity isn't the prominent religion. I know we aren't suppose to question God but sometimes I wonder how many more prayers it will take on her behalf to receive healing? Chris shared that the CEO of Lifeway, the huge Christian bookstore, sent out a mass email to all those at Lifeway and asked them to also be in prayer for Anna. Wow! One life, one battle has affected so many others!
On another note, I had something a little crazy happen to me a couple weeks ago and God has refreshed my mind of it today. If you know me, you know I zip around going 100 miles an hour doing 8 different things at one time. And if you are a cop reading this, I really don't go 100 miles an hour, it's just a figure of speech, okay :-), I only go 60! Anyway, I was zipping up to Wal Mart one afternoon around 2:30 so I could get my groceries before picking up the kids. About the time I reached the local college, I saw this womas walking on the side of the road. Then it was almost audible; God said, "Stop and offer her a ride". I am sorry to report that I told God I really didn't have time because I was trying to make it to the grocery store and back to the school by 3:00. Yes, I felt bad but I didn't meditate on it. Then a couple days later, I was driving by a local Exxon station and I saw the woman AGAIN and yes, God said, "Dana, stop and offer the woman a ride". A little frustrated I replied, "God, I don't know her and I have never picked up anyone" and drove on. (I know, shoot me now!) Well, Sunday of that week, I was leaving church and had a little time to waste because we get out of church at 11:00 and Anna Kate had spent the night with a friend and her church didn't get out until 11:30. Instead of going my normal "get out of church and find somewhere to eat" route, I went a different way. Now this Sunday was cold and rainy. I went to the light and turned left and about 100 or so yards up the road, I was someone walking. The closer I got, the clearer the image appeared. It was her. Walking down the side of the road with about 6 bags of groceries. You know the routine by now: God: Stop and offer her a ride. Me: Pause. God: Dana. Me: turn the blinker on. I made the block and pulled up beside her. Now my youngest was in the car with me at the time and she asked, "Um, mom, what are you doing?" to which I replied, "Finally obeying God" and she just looked at me. I rolled the window down and asked the lady if she would like a ride. Immediately, she burst into tears and answered YES! So in the car she gets and gives me directions to her house. I make small talk with her for the 3 minute ride to her house and we pull up and stop. She asked me to wait while she got something. I told her I didn't want anything but she insisted I wait. Out she walks with a Styrofoam cup from Sonic with the prettiest, most fragrant flowers. She said, "It's not much but it's all I have. Thank you so much for stopping." I busted out crying. That was the kindest thing I had received in a long time. The minute I pulled out from her house, I remembered Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
So that's been about three weeks ago and I have looked and looked for her since. Fayette is a small town and surely I would have seen her again but no. I have even driven by her house in hopes of catching her outside during the beautiful days we've had but she is no where to be found. How crazy is that? Did God send that angel in ordinary street clothes to see WHEN I would finally obey Him? Did He send her to show my daughter that we are to be kind to others and help them when they are in need, even if we don't neccesarily know them? I don't know the answer to those questions but I am thankful I finally obeyed Him! I would hate to think He might have shoved her out in the road in front of me so I would finally stop.
So what is it that God is asking YOU to do that you've been a little hesitant about? Is He asking you to step up and serve Him with your WHOLE heart? Is He tugging at your heart to step out of your comfort zone and do something for Him? There's one thing about Him, He's constantly moving in our lives the question is, are you hearing Him and if you are, are you doing what He's asked?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Being Real
We all do it. Every day. Every morning. We get up and start our day. Some might have their quiet time. Some might head straight to the coffee pot. Some might get up and hit the floor running. But before we are out the door into the real world, we put our masks on. We put on the smile that says we are OK. We put on the front that our lives are just honky dory (is that a word?). We all "act" as if we have it together and know what we are doing. We want to APPEAR to others that we are who we pretend to be. We even convince ourselves of it most days.
After going on an Emmaus Walk a couple years ago and being a part of an amazing group of ladies, I realized we all have our junk. Broken or strained relationships, disappointments and discouragement from our loved ones, too much temptation to bear in some situations are just a few that come to mind. But to the outside world, we want everyone to think life is OK so we put on our mask.
One think I have learned in ministry is that I can reach more people by being real. Revealing mistakes I have made and disappointments I have caused others are just naming a few. After all, I am human. But One thing I have come to know is this: Jesus loves me regardless of the mistakes I have made in my life. He loves me so much that He suffered on a cross and bore the shame just so I can be forgiven. Oh how I love Him for this.
I once heard a preacher say, "We go through unpleasant things in life and learn from them. And while those unpleasant things are miserable when we are going through them, they can be used for God's glory." Yes, as a matter of fact they can. You see, God can take the dirt that Satan has on us and sprinkle His love into our soil make us bloom and grow. That is what He has done for me. I guess He has had to sprinkle A LOT of love because I had A LOT of dirt but PRAISE GOD He had and continues to have enough to saturate my soil!
This week in Bible study, I heard Priscilla Shirer say that God doesn't want us to just HEAR Him, He wants us to KNOW Him. When we KNOW Him, we will hear His voice. And how do we get to know Him? Like any other relationship we have: we spend time with Him. Reading His Word and thinking about what we've read, talking to Him, singing to Him, praising Him and the list could go on and on. Don't you think our lives get so busy that we don't take the time to "spend" with Him? Yes, they do but that's when we have to prioritize our time. It's easy for me, especially with 2 girls involved with so many activities, to keep putting off time until at 9 p.m. and then I am exhausted from the day and doze off when I crack my Bible open. I make it a priority to take a little time first thing in the morning to devote to Him. It makes a huge difference in my day. Then throughout the day, I will think back about what I read that morning and can hear Him softly speak something into my spirit. Now I will admit, some mornings I want to just hit the snooze button and sleep an extra 15 minutes but I am to the point in my life that I know if I do that, my day will NOT go as smoothly. He just gets me off on the right foot!
Now don't go and beat yourself up if you haven't taken time to spend with Him today. There is tomorrow. Make Him priority. Try it and see if your day doesn't go better! If it doesn't, will you please comment and let me know? And if it does go better, will you let me know also? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! God willing, I will catch y'all later!
After going on an Emmaus Walk a couple years ago and being a part of an amazing group of ladies, I realized we all have our junk. Broken or strained relationships, disappointments and discouragement from our loved ones, too much temptation to bear in some situations are just a few that come to mind. But to the outside world, we want everyone to think life is OK so we put on our mask.
One think I have learned in ministry is that I can reach more people by being real. Revealing mistakes I have made and disappointments I have caused others are just naming a few. After all, I am human. But One thing I have come to know is this: Jesus loves me regardless of the mistakes I have made in my life. He loves me so much that He suffered on a cross and bore the shame just so I can be forgiven. Oh how I love Him for this.
I once heard a preacher say, "We go through unpleasant things in life and learn from them. And while those unpleasant things are miserable when we are going through them, they can be used for God's glory." Yes, as a matter of fact they can. You see, God can take the dirt that Satan has on us and sprinkle His love into our soil make us bloom and grow. That is what He has done for me. I guess He has had to sprinkle A LOT of love because I had A LOT of dirt but PRAISE GOD He had and continues to have enough to saturate my soil!
This week in Bible study, I heard Priscilla Shirer say that God doesn't want us to just HEAR Him, He wants us to KNOW Him. When we KNOW Him, we will hear His voice. And how do we get to know Him? Like any other relationship we have: we spend time with Him. Reading His Word and thinking about what we've read, talking to Him, singing to Him, praising Him and the list could go on and on. Don't you think our lives get so busy that we don't take the time to "spend" with Him? Yes, they do but that's when we have to prioritize our time. It's easy for me, especially with 2 girls involved with so many activities, to keep putting off time until at 9 p.m. and then I am exhausted from the day and doze off when I crack my Bible open. I make it a priority to take a little time first thing in the morning to devote to Him. It makes a huge difference in my day. Then throughout the day, I will think back about what I read that morning and can hear Him softly speak something into my spirit. Now I will admit, some mornings I want to just hit the snooze button and sleep an extra 15 minutes but I am to the point in my life that I know if I do that, my day will NOT go as smoothly. He just gets me off on the right foot!
Now don't go and beat yourself up if you haven't taken time to spend with Him today. There is tomorrow. Make Him priority. Try it and see if your day doesn't go better! If it doesn't, will you please comment and let me know? And if it does go better, will you let me know also? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts! God willing, I will catch y'all later!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
One Down, A Million To Go
Journey To The Cross, "Temptation Along the Journey" was the title of today's sermon at FFUMC. And let me just tell you, Pastor Kathy BROUGHT IT!
Just this morning as I was getting ready for church, I was thinking about temptation. You think God is trying to tell me something? YES!
On this journey we call life, we are delayed by crossroads. At those crossroads, we have a choice to make. While we SHOULD stop and study which road to take, many times we are speeding through this life and don't take the time to STOP and look. We just zip on down the road and end up in a major construction zone that slows us down or we might even wreck! We get sidetracked by the sights around us and we aren't focused on the road ahead.
I remember my younger years when I was a little speed demon. Flying from here to there and barely taking time to stop at the crossroads. Whichever road looked the most fun, I dropped a gear and sped on down it! I admit, I received a few tickets but even those tickets really didn't slow me down. Now you may think I'm just talking about me and my car on a road but I am also talking about my life in general.
We throw caution to the wind and supposedly live life to the fullest. We don't INTEND to get ourselves into trouble because we wouldn't knowingly do that but by not taking the time to THINK about situations we are a part of will ultimately be our demise. At the mere age of 38, I am BEGINNING to learn to stop and take a look around. Which path is the best for me? One path may LOOK more fun and exciting but will that path be laced with traps and temptations that will lead me off the path God has for me?
I know for a fact I will be tempted on this journey. Will I let the temptation stay around me and allow it to grow? I know if I do that I will eventually be entrapped by sin. Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit in Luke 4, was tempted by Satan while in the desert. You see, Satan likes to get us away from people who are TRYING to live a life in right standing with God. He doesn't want us to be "influenced" by them. He wants to draw us to the dark side where he can convince us what we are doing is OK. Ultimately, when we fail, and we WILL when we are dealing with him, he leaves us high and dry to crash own our on! You see, Satan doesn't REALLY want us, he just doesn't want God to have us!
Now, how do we get there? How do we get the life God desires for us after crashing and burning time after time? One decision at a time! At the crossroad, stand there and look. We KNOW what we are suppose to do but do we do it? Do we do the right thing or do we do the thing that "feels good"? Do we lie or do we tell the truth? Do we keep our mouth shut or do we gossip? Do we eat the dessert because it looks good or do we stick to our diet? Do we login to facebook just to sneak a peek or do we abstain from it and stay true to ourselves? Do we not drink tonight and stay sober or do we have just a couple of drinks to "take the edge off"? Do we refrain from clicking on the porn site or do we just have "one more look"? There are many, many, many "do we" questions. Right or wrong. That's the question. We can justify it to pieces in our minds but if Jesus Christ was sitting right beside us when we ask ourself this question, how would we answer? You know what...He is. The Holy Spirit indwells in us. He knows the decisions we make. Some decisions He is proud of and some break His heart.
Victorious living begins one day at a time. The days we obey and do the right thing, we place a mark on our "Right" Calendar. And eventually, we have more marks on our "Right" Calendar than we do on our "Wrong" Calendar. We get there One. Day. At. A. Time.
I still have "Wrong" Calendar days but thankfully my "Right" Calendar days are beginning to outnumber the "Wrong" ones! Is it easy? NO. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Just this morning as I was getting ready for church, I was thinking about temptation. You think God is trying to tell me something? YES!
On this journey we call life, we are delayed by crossroads. At those crossroads, we have a choice to make. While we SHOULD stop and study which road to take, many times we are speeding through this life and don't take the time to STOP and look. We just zip on down the road and end up in a major construction zone that slows us down or we might even wreck! We get sidetracked by the sights around us and we aren't focused on the road ahead.
I remember my younger years when I was a little speed demon. Flying from here to there and barely taking time to stop at the crossroads. Whichever road looked the most fun, I dropped a gear and sped on down it! I admit, I received a few tickets but even those tickets really didn't slow me down. Now you may think I'm just talking about me and my car on a road but I am also talking about my life in general.
We throw caution to the wind and supposedly live life to the fullest. We don't INTEND to get ourselves into trouble because we wouldn't knowingly do that but by not taking the time to THINK about situations we are a part of will ultimately be our demise. At the mere age of 38, I am BEGINNING to learn to stop and take a look around. Which path is the best for me? One path may LOOK more fun and exciting but will that path be laced with traps and temptations that will lead me off the path God has for me?
I know for a fact I will be tempted on this journey. Will I let the temptation stay around me and allow it to grow? I know if I do that I will eventually be entrapped by sin. Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit in Luke 4, was tempted by Satan while in the desert. You see, Satan likes to get us away from people who are TRYING to live a life in right standing with God. He doesn't want us to be "influenced" by them. He wants to draw us to the dark side where he can convince us what we are doing is OK. Ultimately, when we fail, and we WILL when we are dealing with him, he leaves us high and dry to crash own our on! You see, Satan doesn't REALLY want us, he just doesn't want God to have us!
Now, how do we get there? How do we get the life God desires for us after crashing and burning time after time? One decision at a time! At the crossroad, stand there and look. We KNOW what we are suppose to do but do we do it? Do we do the right thing or do we do the thing that "feels good"? Do we lie or do we tell the truth? Do we keep our mouth shut or do we gossip? Do we eat the dessert because it looks good or do we stick to our diet? Do we login to facebook just to sneak a peek or do we abstain from it and stay true to ourselves? Do we not drink tonight and stay sober or do we have just a couple of drinks to "take the edge off"? Do we refrain from clicking on the porn site or do we just have "one more look"? There are many, many, many "do we" questions. Right or wrong. That's the question. We can justify it to pieces in our minds but if Jesus Christ was sitting right beside us when we ask ourself this question, how would we answer? You know what...He is. The Holy Spirit indwells in us. He knows the decisions we make. Some decisions He is proud of and some break His heart.
Victorious living begins one day at a time. The days we obey and do the right thing, we place a mark on our "Right" Calendar. And eventually, we have more marks on our "Right" Calendar than we do on our "Wrong" Calendar. We get there One. Day. At. A. Time.
I still have "Wrong" Calendar days but thankfully my "Right" Calendar days are beginning to outnumber the "Wrong" ones! Is it easy? NO. But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Monday, March 14, 2011
The Chase Is On!
Monday night is Bible study night at my church and I get excited about it EVERY week we have it! Right now, we are doing Discerning The Voice Of God by Priscilla Shirer. It is AWESOME!
Although Priscilla and I don't know each other personally, I feel like she, of course along with the Holy Spirit, was the one who nudged me into Youth Ministry. A couple years ago, I was at a Going Beyond event (Priscilla Shirer's ministry) in Roswell, GA with a couple of gals from my church when God whacked me over the head and said, "GO". I had heard the call to youth ministry the prior year but kept telling God he had the wrong person. My kids weren't "youth age", I was past my 20's, I was normally in bed by 9 p.m., and the list went on and on. Needless to say, God didn't listen to me. And now I thank Him every day He didn't!
Anyway, Priscilla was teaching on Jonah that night. As she read 1:17, the Holy Spirit opened my ears. But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Priscilla said, and I quote, "The LORD ALWAYS provides when He asks us to do something." The Lord had asked Jonah to do something, he didn't do it and we all know what happened after that! Not that I thought I was going to be swallowed by a rather large fish, I just knew it was confirmation of the call He had placed on my life.
In Mark Batterson's book, Wild Goose Chase, he pretty much sums up the leading of the Holy Spirit: Most of us have no idea where were going most of the time. Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit, Geadh-Glas, or the Wild Goose. The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what its like to follow the Spirit through life.
Needless to say, from the time I entered youth ministry until now, it has been a WILD ride! I am so thankful God has allowed me to be a part of the lives of the youth I shepherd. They are a fun, crazy bunch! We have laughed, cried, been scared, joyful, and every other emotion there is together. We have been on mission trips that have totally took us out of our comfort zone and made us realize what blessings we have been given. We have prepared meals, locked ourselves in the church overnight, been to Six Flags and too many other things to mention. They are truly a great group!
I am so thankful for "the call". I am thankful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in ministry. But most of all, I am thankful for the sacrifice Jesus made for me, a broken vessel, so He could fill with His Spirit that I may have life and have it more abundantly!
Although Priscilla and I don't know each other personally, I feel like she, of course along with the Holy Spirit, was the one who nudged me into Youth Ministry. A couple years ago, I was at a Going Beyond event (Priscilla Shirer's ministry) in Roswell, GA with a couple of gals from my church when God whacked me over the head and said, "GO". I had heard the call to youth ministry the prior year but kept telling God he had the wrong person. My kids weren't "youth age", I was past my 20's, I was normally in bed by 9 p.m., and the list went on and on. Needless to say, God didn't listen to me. And now I thank Him every day He didn't!
Anyway, Priscilla was teaching on Jonah that night. As she read 1:17, the Holy Spirit opened my ears. But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Priscilla said, and I quote, "The LORD ALWAYS provides when He asks us to do something." The Lord had asked Jonah to do something, he didn't do it and we all know what happened after that! Not that I thought I was going to be swallowed by a rather large fish, I just knew it was confirmation of the call He had placed on my life.
In Mark Batterson's book, Wild Goose Chase, he pretty much sums up the leading of the Holy Spirit: Most of us have no idea where were going most of the time. Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit, Geadh-Glas, or the Wild Goose. The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what its like to follow the Spirit through life.
Needless to say, from the time I entered youth ministry until now, it has been a WILD ride! I am so thankful God has allowed me to be a part of the lives of the youth I shepherd. They are a fun, crazy bunch! We have laughed, cried, been scared, joyful, and every other emotion there is together. We have been on mission trips that have totally took us out of our comfort zone and made us realize what blessings we have been given. We have prepared meals, locked ourselves in the church overnight, been to Six Flags and too many other things to mention. They are truly a great group!
I am so thankful for "the call". I am thankful for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in ministry. But most of all, I am thankful for the sacrifice Jesus made for me, a broken vessel, so He could fill with His Spirit that I may have life and have it more abundantly!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Packing/Unpacking for This Journey
If you've been reading my blog, you will know Lent began last Wednesday and I decided to deny myself logging on to facebook in order to spend some extra time with God and do some self-examination. I really thought I would probably blog every day but as you can see, that hasn't happened. To be honest, I am kind of enjoying the absence of facebook. You know, Beth might have just hit the nail on the head when she said I might not ever go back but I guess time will tell!
Anyway, this past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and I participated in the Ash Wednesday service at my church Wednesday night. Pastor Bryan asked the question "What Are You Packing For The Journey" during his message. "The Journey" he was referring to is these next several weeks leading up to Easter. What is it that we are "taking with us" or "unloading for our journey"?
That is a great question for all of us. During these upcoming weeks, will you unpack forgiveness, anger, bitterness, resentment, hate? Will you pack love, patience, kindness, goodness? I don't know what is easier; packing or unpacking. It's easy to SAY we forgive someone, especially in our minds, but if we don't ALLOW God to help us forgive them in our HEARTS, our efforts are futile. The same goes for love, patience, kindness and goodness. We are sure to fail if we think WE can do this on our own. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit as our guide each and every day will we be successful.
I can tell you from experience, unless you TOTALLY, and I mean TOTALLY, turn your anger, bitterness, resentment over to God, you are fooling yourself. You tell Him you can't handle it any more and you HAVE to have His help. As soon as you do that with a pure heart, you are a captive set free! See, Satan delights in creating turmoil in our lives and we live with it long enough that we begin to think it is normal. That is a BIG FAT LIE! With the help of God, He can set us free from that mess so our journey will be enjoyable!
So, what is it that you will be packing or unpacking? Munch on that question for a while and let me know!
Anyway, this past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and I participated in the Ash Wednesday service at my church Wednesday night. Pastor Bryan asked the question "What Are You Packing For The Journey" during his message. "The Journey" he was referring to is these next several weeks leading up to Easter. What is it that we are "taking with us" or "unloading for our journey"?
That is a great question for all of us. During these upcoming weeks, will you unpack forgiveness, anger, bitterness, resentment, hate? Will you pack love, patience, kindness, goodness? I don't know what is easier; packing or unpacking. It's easy to SAY we forgive someone, especially in our minds, but if we don't ALLOW God to help us forgive them in our HEARTS, our efforts are futile. The same goes for love, patience, kindness and goodness. We are sure to fail if we think WE can do this on our own. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit as our guide each and every day will we be successful.
I can tell you from experience, unless you TOTALLY, and I mean TOTALLY, turn your anger, bitterness, resentment over to God, you are fooling yourself. You tell Him you can't handle it any more and you HAVE to have His help. As soon as you do that with a pure heart, you are a captive set free! See, Satan delights in creating turmoil in our lives and we live with it long enough that we begin to think it is normal. That is a BIG FAT LIE! With the help of God, He can set us free from that mess so our journey will be enjoyable!
So, what is it that you will be packing or unpacking? Munch on that question for a while and let me know!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
He said WHAT?!?
I received an email yesterday afternoon that made reference to Ezekiel which sparked my interest. Once I got the girls a snack and settled doing their homework, I got my Bible and started at the beginning. It is quite an interesting read!
Ezekiel was a man who chose to obey God. He served as a "street preacher" in Babylon for 22 years, telling everyone about God's judgement and salvation, urging them to repent and obey. And he was a man of his word, he LIVED what he preached.
I found it interesting that he described the wheels on the throne of God. "They sparkled like chrysolite and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions; their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around" according to verses 15-18. How cool is that?!? Able to move anywhere, these wheels show that God is present everywhere and is able to see all things. And I also find it interesting that chrysolite means "golden stone" in Greek. Well, if His streets are paved with gold, can't the wheels of His throne be a golden color too?
As I sit and think about the details that Ezekiel has given to us about the throne of God, I wonder how many other intricate details there are in the Bible that I haven't taken note of? I use to speed read through a chapter so I could say "I've read my chapter for the day" instead of taking my time and really getting the meat of the scripture.
I found another couple of verses that kinda stuck out at me. Chapter 3 verse 26 reads "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your moth so that you will be silent"....I just think that's hilarious! The trouble God goes to to get us to shut our mouth!!! And Chapter 4 verse 15 reads "'Very well', he said, 'I will let you bake your bread over cow manure instead of human excrement'"...are you thinking I might have mistyped that verse? Seriously, bake bread over cow manure....I think I will just pass on the bread that day!
I wonder what other crazy things in The Good Book I have skimmed over in the past but will now blow me out of the water?!? Harlequin nor John Grisham have NOTHING on God. The stories I've come across, when I have taken my time, are the BEST STORIES EVER!!! Back to digging a little deeper, catch y'all later!
Ezekiel was a man who chose to obey God. He served as a "street preacher" in Babylon for 22 years, telling everyone about God's judgement and salvation, urging them to repent and obey. And he was a man of his word, he LIVED what he preached.
I found it interesting that he described the wheels on the throne of God. "They sparkled like chrysolite and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions; their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around" according to verses 15-18. How cool is that?!? Able to move anywhere, these wheels show that God is present everywhere and is able to see all things. And I also find it interesting that chrysolite means "golden stone" in Greek. Well, if His streets are paved with gold, can't the wheels of His throne be a golden color too?
As I sit and think about the details that Ezekiel has given to us about the throne of God, I wonder how many other intricate details there are in the Bible that I haven't taken note of? I use to speed read through a chapter so I could say "I've read my chapter for the day" instead of taking my time and really getting the meat of the scripture.
I found another couple of verses that kinda stuck out at me. Chapter 3 verse 26 reads "I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your moth so that you will be silent"....I just think that's hilarious! The trouble God goes to to get us to shut our mouth!!! And Chapter 4 verse 15 reads "'Very well', he said, 'I will let you bake your bread over cow manure instead of human excrement'"...are you thinking I might have mistyped that verse? Seriously, bake bread over cow manure....I think I will just pass on the bread that day!
I wonder what other crazy things in The Good Book I have skimmed over in the past but will now blow me out of the water?!? Harlequin nor John Grisham have NOTHING on God. The stories I've come across, when I have taken my time, are the BEST STORIES EVER!!! Back to digging a little deeper, catch y'all later!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
And The Referee calls interference
Today begins the season of Lent. Although "Lent" isn't in the Bible, it is the 40 days preceding Easter in which some denominations observe. It is a way for Christians to remind themselves to repent of their sins in a manner similar to how people in the Old Testament repented in sackcloth, ashes and fasting as did Esther, Tamar and others in the Bible. In preparation for Lent this year, I began to seek God's guidance in what I needed to fast, or remove, from my life. As I was "milling" around my house Saturday with no TV or kids to distract me, I began to ask God again what He desired for me to put aside. It was almost audible as He said "facebook". Now some of you know, I am an avid facebooker and use it as a tool in my ministry. "Are you sure God" I asked Him. "Yes, Dana, quite sure" He replied. "God, you know I use it for Your glory don't you", I asked. "Yes, dear, I know that but I need you to lay it to the side for this season" God said.
So here I am. The first day of Lent and no facebook and I have survived so far! Actually, it has been quite refreshing. My morning started off the usual: alarm goes off, I grab my Bible and go to my chair, read a passage, meditate on it, and then post it on.....wait, no facebook! Well, I think, I will just read a little more. Before I knew it, I had been sitting there, reading and meditating on what I had read and it was almost time to get the girls up. It was a glorious time with God! I took our dog outside to potty and as I was waiting on him to finish his "business", Anna Kate pops the door open to tell me school has been delayed two hours because of flooding. Really, I thought? She told me she had heard it on the television. Immediately, I thought I could just login to facebook and see if anyone had any posts about the delay. WOAH, WOAH, WOAH....God said. Just that little temptation that was completely innocent, I thought. Once back inside, I turned the television on only to find that Cullman County schools were on a 2 hour delay and Fayette County was under a Flash Flood Warning. Two different counties, two different problems. Her wires just got a little crossed. God right then spoke to my spirit, "You see how easily tempted you were to login to facebook just for a bit of information" He said. Yes, all it would have taken was a couple of keystrokes and I would have been logged in to "my world". But thankfully, I listened to the news and got things straightened out!
Isn't that just like the devil? He entices us with the smallest little thing sometimes and gets the focus off of God. Not necessarily on him, but certainly off of God! Facebook, although it can be a tool used in my ministry, it can also be an interference between me and God. I have even deleted the app off of my iPhone so the temptation to "sneak a peek" will not be there to entice me. And I have to tell you, it has been nice not to look to my phone for "updates". I was talking with a friend earlier about this and she said, "Dana, you might not even get back on it after Easter" and you know what, I might not! I will do what God tells me to do!
Now during my reading time this morning, the LORD lead me to Luke 17:11-19. This passage talks about Jesus healing the 10 men with loeprsy. The verse that really stuck out to me this morning was 14. It reads like this: When he (Jesus) saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed. Jesus didn't go up to them, annoint them with oil, lay hands on them or anything like that. He just merely said to go and show themselves to the priests. It was the men who BELIEVED they were healed even though they couldn't SEE their healing! AS THEY WENT, THEY BELIEVED! Wow, what faith!
I wonder if our TRUST in God is like these 10 lepers? Do we REALLY believe God will do what we DESIRE even if we can't SEE it with our very own eyes or do we think "that's too out there"? You know what the world says, "Seeing is believing". But you see, the world tells us alot of things that are NOT true and the sad part is WE ARE BELIEVING THE WORLD! Are we holding ourselves back from blessings because of our unbelief, because we can't "see" it? I know God is no respector of persons and if He can do something amazing for these lepers, He can do something amazing for me! Yes, people will probably look at me crazy sometimes but isn't the crazy looks worth the "out there" things He can do for us? Yep, I believe it is!
So here I am. The first day of Lent and no facebook and I have survived so far! Actually, it has been quite refreshing. My morning started off the usual: alarm goes off, I grab my Bible and go to my chair, read a passage, meditate on it, and then post it on.....wait, no facebook! Well, I think, I will just read a little more. Before I knew it, I had been sitting there, reading and meditating on what I had read and it was almost time to get the girls up. It was a glorious time with God! I took our dog outside to potty and as I was waiting on him to finish his "business", Anna Kate pops the door open to tell me school has been delayed two hours because of flooding. Really, I thought? She told me she had heard it on the television. Immediately, I thought I could just login to facebook and see if anyone had any posts about the delay. WOAH, WOAH, WOAH....God said. Just that little temptation that was completely innocent, I thought. Once back inside, I turned the television on only to find that Cullman County schools were on a 2 hour delay and Fayette County was under a Flash Flood Warning. Two different counties, two different problems. Her wires just got a little crossed. God right then spoke to my spirit, "You see how easily tempted you were to login to facebook just for a bit of information" He said. Yes, all it would have taken was a couple of keystrokes and I would have been logged in to "my world". But thankfully, I listened to the news and got things straightened out!
Isn't that just like the devil? He entices us with the smallest little thing sometimes and gets the focus off of God. Not necessarily on him, but certainly off of God! Facebook, although it can be a tool used in my ministry, it can also be an interference between me and God. I have even deleted the app off of my iPhone so the temptation to "sneak a peek" will not be there to entice me. And I have to tell you, it has been nice not to look to my phone for "updates". I was talking with a friend earlier about this and she said, "Dana, you might not even get back on it after Easter" and you know what, I might not! I will do what God tells me to do!
Now during my reading time this morning, the LORD lead me to Luke 17:11-19. This passage talks about Jesus healing the 10 men with loeprsy. The verse that really stuck out to me this morning was 14. It reads like this: When he (Jesus) saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed. Jesus didn't go up to them, annoint them with oil, lay hands on them or anything like that. He just merely said to go and show themselves to the priests. It was the men who BELIEVED they were healed even though they couldn't SEE their healing! AS THEY WENT, THEY BELIEVED! Wow, what faith!
I wonder if our TRUST in God is like these 10 lepers? Do we REALLY believe God will do what we DESIRE even if we can't SEE it with our very own eyes or do we think "that's too out there"? You know what the world says, "Seeing is believing". But you see, the world tells us alot of things that are NOT true and the sad part is WE ARE BELIEVING THE WORLD! Are we holding ourselves back from blessings because of our unbelief, because we can't "see" it? I know God is no respector of persons and if He can do something amazing for these lepers, He can do something amazing for me! Yes, people will probably look at me crazy sometimes but isn't the crazy looks worth the "out there" things He can do for us? Yep, I believe it is!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tornado warnings of life
We are approaching tornado season here in the great state of Alabama. When winter can't make a smooth exit and spring is opening the door to come on in, it can cause great turbulence. I love the warmer days of spring and to me, it's worth the a couple turbulent days of tornadoes. As I was thinking about this earlier today, I began thinking about my life.
There are days and weeks that life seems to run ever so smoothly and then there are those days when you hang on for dear life so you won't be blown away. As I was thinking about this, the Lord led be to Isaiah 43:2 which reads like this:
There are days and weeks that life seems to run ever so smoothly and then there are those days when you hang on for dear life so you won't be blown away. As I was thinking about this, the Lord led be to Isaiah 43:2 which reads like this:
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