Beyond Words

Yesterday I got an e-mail from a friend in distress. She wanted me to be aware of something going on in her life. She also mentioned that she would love to hear back from me regarding the situation, but after she had had an opportunity to spend some quiet time with the Lord herself.

I really appreciate her honesty and desire to hear God speak first into her situation.

For me, it was a display of who is her Source in her life. Sure, we all say, "God," but really, who do you and I go to first when we need some adivce, or when we need to talk?

It's so easy to pick up the phone and call a friend when life hurts or things for us are bad. It takes obedience and trust to go the Lord first. Maybe things wouldn't seem so bad if we would talk to the Lord first?

As women, we sometimes like to offer up advice so quickly when sometimes people just need for us to listen. I know I have often been convicted of doing that. One of my favorite quotes by Elisabeth Elliot is,

"Not everything has to be said, and not everything has to be said by me."

Boy, we sure feel like we need to say it all and that it needs to be said by us or people just won't "get it." How silly! We cannot play "Holy Spirit, Jr." for folk! I have learned I need to let the Holy Spirit do what He was designed to do, which was to minister and comfort believers. Sure, we are called to do that as well, but I want to be sure to allow the Holy Spirit room to do His thing first!

I'm studying Job right now and man, is it painful...and I'm only on chapter 2! At this point, he has already lost all of his possessions, his children, and has been struck with an illness from head to toe. His 3 friends come to console him, and upon approaching him, they did not even recognize him from the scars of his illness. Can you imagine? What would you say to your friend if that happened to him or her? Guess what his 3 friends said? Nothing.

"Then they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, yet no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great."
Job 2:13

What a sad, but beautiful picture of freindship. Sometimes our silence is what we should offer our friends and loved ones in their time of pain, while the Holy Spirit ministers peace and comfort beyond words.

A Hot Mess

I believe summer is officially here in Texas! It has been almost 100 degrees everyday this week, and you can see the heat coming off the pavement! The bad thing about Texas heat is that there isn't even a slight cool breeze...the air is just thick with heat!

It's a hot mess...

As I was driving to work today, I noticed some people's yards are already starting to die from the heat. It's not even June yet! What makes matters worse is that we are on a water conservation plan, and can only water our yards 2 or 3 times a week.

As the temperature begins to rise, so do people's attitudes...including mine! It is a well known fact that crime in Dallas increases in the summer, which is believed to be a result of the heat.

Isn't that a hot mess?

What is it that makes people get short-tempered when it is hot? I mean, what about people in Africa...do they just stay mad because it's always hot over there? Surely not.

Considering that it stays hot in Texas until about October, I think I better resolve to just accept that it is hot, and not subject others to the wrath of my hottness!! I was thinking about what makes me or others get ugly when the temperature rises, and honestly, there is a deeper issue there...

I think it's called lack of self-control.

I do believe that the Lord wants me, you, and every other believer to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5 says the fruit of the Spirit is: self-control. If I cannot control my attitude, regardless if it is 110 degrees outside, that is an area in my character where the fruit of self-control is a little...sour. We serve a God who will use anything to pull out, and showcase where you are not walking in the Spirit...even the Texas heat.

Now, that's a hot mess.

In the other 3 seasons of the year...I'm fine. It's jus something about the summer that does something to me. My friend Julie always says to me, "God is more concerned about your holiness than your happiness."

In relating that to life, God does not always allow the circumstances of our life to feel like a cool, spring day. Sometimes He turns up the heat in our lives to see how we will respond. For example, how do you respond when:

1. You get a flat tire
2. You lose your job.
3. You get stuck in traffic.
4. Your checking account is overdrawn.
5. You look at your life and things aren't where you thought they would be.

Well, I know how I respond to all of those things...I'm a hot mess! Hopefully, I will mature in this area. I've got the whole summer to work on it! In the meantime, I'm going to try to stay cool.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

My friend Beth has a son, Trevor, who is four years old. He was running around one day and fell and hurt his hand, or as he likes to call it, he got a "boo boo." Taking the opportunity to make the ocassion a "teachable moment," Beth was consoling her son,

"Your'e ok, Jesus will take care of you, and make it feel better, and He will heal your hand."

Trevor looked up at her with his adorable brown eyes,

"Yeah, and He's gonna have a wooden spoon in His hand?"

Isn't it interesting that a four year old boy pictures Jesus with a wooden spoon in His hand? Of all the images, why that one? Sure, he's four years old, and we usually don't equate them being very theological, but after I thought about that...it is an interesting statement.

You see, I don't think we as adults are much different than Trevor. I am not sure if we have a correct image of who Jesus is either. Whenever things are not going the way we want them to, sometimes we think, "God is punishing me." Or we may even have jacked up motives for serving God because we fear God will punish us if we don't perform up to His standard.

I think our image of God can be correlated with our experienc of God. Experience is great, and God invites us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." But there also must be some caution in this area, because God's character is not limited to our circumstances; it supercedes it.

Consider Job. In Job 1:1, he is described as "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." Yet, Job experienced tremendous suffering, all brought upon him from God. Yes, that is correct, God brought about Job's suffering...for His name sake.

I have come to a decision that either God is a liar or He's telling the truth. We get so used to hearing Romans 8:28 quoted, that sometimes it becomes a little mundane. But read it again, as if for the first time,

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Praise God! God works all things together for our good, not for our punishment! Let's stop imagining our Heavenly Father as a punisher with a wooden spoon in His hand, ready to beat us! He is the Lamb, who was sacrifced in our place, so that we would not experience eternal punishment, but eternal life. I want to enjoy Jesus, not dread Him.

Don't you?

Highway of Rememberance

I am officially finished with my first year of seminary, and I am so glad I have the summer to look forward to. It was a great year and I learned so much, but I must say I am ready to relax for a little while. This time last year, I didn't know if I would make it through the whole year. I had no idea what this year would be like, nor did I have any idea how I would make it financially through the school year without a full time job.

I don't know why I am amazed at how God made repeated provisions for me through the year. I mean, He owns everything, yet I stand amazed at how my financial needs were met! I found myself once again on bended knee asking of the Lord to provide a summer job for me so that I can save up for fall tuition. For a minute there, I was starting to get worried.

I kept getting online, sending my resume out, e-mailing people, calling people, yet no one would call me back! I was really getting discouraged and fear was beginning to set in, until I stopped myself and began to pray. This is how my prayer went,

"Lord, I'm not going to worry about finding a job. I know you will provide for me. But, Lord, I am asking boldly that I find a job that I can begin on May 22nd, and that is not south of 6-35 (a highway in Dallas)."

After I prayed, I decided I was not going to worry. Well, later that day I received a phone call from a company I had inquired about in early April. They asked me to come in the next day to discuss the job.

I made my way over to the job site the next day, and as I drove up, I just had to chuckle at the Lord! From the office window I can see 6-35! The office is located north of the highway...10 yards from the highway!

So, not only did the Lord answer my prayer by providing for me a job, but each day when I drive up I will be able to say I don't work south of 6-35! That highway will serve as a rememberance for me that God listens to my prayers and cares for me! Isn't that funny?

Throughout the Old Testament the Israelites had many physical memorials to remember God's faithfulness and provision. Whether it be the Red Sea, the site of the Exodus, or Mt. Sinai, where God spoke to His people by the giving of the Ten Commandments, these sites and others were to call back to the attention of the Israelites the faithfulness of a God who was among them and cared deeply for them.

And for me, He gave 6-35. If that huge slab of concrete highway could speak for the voice of God, I believe it would say,

"Trust me."

What things has God given you to recall of His faithfulness? Think about those things and let them speak to you peace and rest of a Father who longs for His children to trust Him.

You may be saying, I don't have any physical thing I can recall God's faithfulness for. Yes, my friend, you do. An often quoted verse is John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son..."

If the Lord never gave me or you another thing on this earth, it would be enough because He gave His Son! Jesus Christ's life and His death on the Cross serve as a symbol of God's love for the world. Surely, the Cross cries out as well,

"Trust me."

The Downside of Seminary

Well, I cannot believe my first year of seminary is about to end. I have a final Tuesday and one on Wednesday and I will officially be finished...for four days until I begin a mini-mester course that will last for one week! I know, I am crazy!

Seminary has been amazing, and honestly, I never imagined I would enjoy it as much as I have. I have fallen in love with God's Word and I leave amazed after every class, as the Scriptures have come alive for me in a new way. I have learned that the Bible is not boring, it is not impossible to understand, but it does require dedication and thoughtful study. More importantly, the Holy Spirit's job of illuminating the Scriptures is true...it does come to light for the believer.

However, there has been a downside to seminary. I want to be sure to say that I am not complaining, but there have been some things that have been bummers this year. The first downside has been the amount of time I have had to spend away from friends and family due to studying. There have been COUNTLESS times I have had to sacrifice away from friends in order to study.

Just this weekend I missed my friend's daughter's first birthday party. I was very disappointed to miss it, but I had to study for finals. I also had another friend who sang a solo at church on Sunday. I missed it, and I wanted so badly to be there to support her. I know everyone understands, but it has been hard to say "no" to so many things.

As a result, I have realized how lonely seminary can be. I think this is because it is so demanding, and requires a lot of solemn study, that it can become lonely. I have a deeper appreciation for community, and now I understand more why the Lord desires us to be in community with fellow believers.

We were created for companionship and for fellowship.

Consider Adam in the garden before Eve was created by God. Imagine how lonely he was as he walked through the garden with the animals, noticing that there was nothing similar to him. God said, "It is not good for man to be alone," and thankfully created a companion for him.

In the midst of it all though, God has met my need and been a companion, a friend to me. I have had some sweet fellowship with the Lord in my time of solace, which has been beneficial for me.

I realize now there are downsides to all aspects of life; in all and every season. Like my friend Priscilla says to me:

"The grass is not greener on the other side, just another shade."

How true! One season is not better than the other, each brings with it its ups and downs. I know this is where the Lord has appointed me to be in this season. So, I have been trying to seek His face and hear His voice even in the silence of my study room!

I sure am glad we serve a God who is able to work all things together for good...(Rmns 8:28); taking the downside of seminary and sweetening it with His presence and companionship.

Grateful for the Small Stuff...

During my morning walk in the neighborhood I discovered a new sound that brought a smile to my face and peace to my soul. It was the sound of the wind blowing through the huge oak trees in my neighborhood. As I listened, I noticed that it almost sounded identical to ocean waves brushing up on the shore.

How many times have I walked down the same street and heard the same sound but never noticed it; never appreciated it?

I think today was different because last night I was in a car accident that could have potentially been fatal. I was driving down the street and as I came to a major intersection, a truck, attempting to turn left on a yield hit me. The bumper came completely off and was on the other side of the road. Thankfully, no one was hurt...I only suffered a couple of cuts and welps on my arm from the air bag.

It's times like those that make you really appreciate life. From loved ones, to having mobility of your body, to the sound of the wind through the trees...
How easily we forget the small things of life that are a blessing. How quickly it can all be taken away.

What are the small things in life you enjoy?

What are the small things in life you take for granted?

I encourage you to find those things, enjoy them, thank God for them!

Spring Pruning

Are you a pack-rat? You know, the ones who keep everything-whether it be a receipt from 1992 or shopping bags from Wal-Mart and Bath & Body Works.

Come on...tell the truth, shame the devil!

A year ago, I moved back home, and every since then, I have been driving my mom crazy by throwing things out little by little. We even had some heated arguments about wheter or not to throw out some items, but I didn't back down...she really did need to throw out some stuff! Though it almost started World War III, my mom finally admitted that throwing things away and clearing some room gave her a sense of freedom.

Why do we hang on to stuff that has no purpose in our lives? I mean, really...a receipt from 1992? Perhaps there are many reasons why we don't prune things out of our homes or cars:laziness, apathy, busyness. Whatever the reasons may be I think we can draw some spiritual applications from it.

When someone comes to Christ they become a new creature. In the process of sanctification, or spiritual growth, God begins to prune us from those things that are not like His Son, Jesus Christ. Take a look...

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:2

Jesus' job is to prune those things of our character which are of no use that we may go on to bear fruit. One observation that can be made here is that this pruning process may be painful...but it reaps a reward!

I believe we serve a God who is interested in cutting away all of the unuseful areas of our lives...whether it be things of our character or the junk in our trunks!!!

What are the things you need to prune in your character or in your home this spring?

Is it a spirit of bitterness?

Is it a shelf full of books you have never read?

One man's trash is another man's treasure! Go through your home and honestly ask God to show you if you have use of different items or if someone else could be blessed by you passing them along. Now, don't go passing on dirty socks or anything...for example, maybe you have a set of stationary you no longer use-give it to someone else!

Christ came that we may be free! This includes all areas of life. Free yourself from the clutter in your home and the clutter in your character. This spring do some pruning, whether it be freeing up some extra space in your closet, or freeing someone else from the forgiveness you need to extend to them.

Here are some spring pruning ideas:

1. Clean the trunk of your car
2. Clean out the junk drawer in your bathroom or kitchen
3. Get rid of old boxes in the garage
4. Clean underneath your bed
5. Clear off your office desk
6. Give away old movies you don't watch anymore
7. Clean out files
8. Clear out clothes you no longer wear...pass them along!
9. Go through your food pantry
10. Throw out old magazines in your magazine rack

Here are some character pruning ideas:

1. Pray & ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those areas in you which need to be pruned
2. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's voice to #1
3. Read Scriture accounts of Jesus, noting His perfect character. Ask God to develop those in you.
4. Ask your close friends or family members the areas in your life where you are weak...tell them to be gentle!
5. Ask God for obedience to do that which He reveals to you!

Happy spring pruning to you and I!!

An Easter Story

In the Christian faith, Easter should be a joyful celebration, even more so, in my opinion than Christmas because it signifies that our Messiah is risen, and behold, He lives! I must admit there were a series of events that happened today which allowed me to take my focus off my risen Savior.

It all began with me waking up a little earlier than usual this Sunday because I knew it would be packed at church. So, I rushed out of the house with my breakfast in hand, and I remember thinking to myself,

"I didn't even take the time to greet Jesus this morning."

As I drove into the packed parking lot, I sat in my car waiting for the first service attendees to leave. I watched patiently with my blinker on as an adorable interracial family put their two little ones in their car seats and drive off. As I was swinging my car around to park, I noticed a woman standing in the parking space motioning to me that she was saving the parking space.

I rolled down my window and said, "Excuse me, ma'am?"

"We're parking here, " she said, without looking me in the eye, while no other vehicle was in site.

"Ma'am I've been waiting here for about 10 minutes for this parking space," I said in the nicest way I knew how.

"Fine then...you can have it!" As she stomped off.

Wow...Happy Easter! Is that what we're concerned about? A parking space? I've seen people do that kind of nonsense at the mall during the Christmas season, but never at church. Are our mega-churches of America beginning to take on the worldly characteristics of the parking lots of Wal-Mart and shopping malls?

I tried to not let that bother me for too long, I went inside and found my seat while visiting with fellow church members. Then lo and behold...another distraction would be brought my way on this Easter morning. My ex-boyfriend and his family, who lives out of town, came to worship at my church this morning, and in a sanctuary that seats 5,000 comfortably where do they sit? Yep, you guessed it-directly behind me! Now, there are no hard feelings, but I just prefer for them not to sit right up on me...ya know? So now all I could think of was, "Wow...are you really going to let the people sitting behind you distract you from praising God for His Son?" Well, the answer to that, my friends unfortunately was, "yes." I just could not focus on Christ.

Later that afternoon my mom asked me a simple question which would lead to a debate, and me feeling rotten because I over-reacted, which was probably a reaction to the events earlier in the day. We're fine now, but it just sucks to get upset with the ones you love...Especially on a day with an emphasis on forgiveness!

Isn't it peculiar what Satan will use to distract us from giving God our best?
Satan already knows he can't mess with my salvation, but he sure did do a good job at trying to steal my joy on the of occasion the resurrection of Our Lord!

I am grateful to God though that despite the crazy events of today, I can wake up tomorrow and celebrate His resurrection just as if it were Easter Sunday! In fact, we should celebrate every day that the tomb was empty, and Jesus currently sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on behalf of me and you.

He is alive, he's not dead, he's not asleep!

So, while my Easter story was a rotten one, praise God that His Easter story is a glorious one...to be celebrated every day!

Waiting on Uncle Sam...

If you are like me, once your W2 form came in, you got right on to turbo tax to file your taxes. I put in all of my information, and anxiously waited for my calculations for my tax return. My worst nightmare would be to owe the IRS money...thankfully, Uncle Sam owes me this year. However, my money still has not come in, and Uncle Sam is taking his sweet time, however, I have some bills that are desperately waiting to be paid, and won't be until Uncle Sam has made his delivery to my chekcing account!

Matter of fact, I need to pay the rest of my Spring tuition by April 1 with that money. I felt like breaking out into hives earlier today because that is in a couple of days! But then I remembered something...I am not waiting on Uncle Sam,

I am waiting on the Lord...

You see, everything is spiritual. We should strive to look at all things from a spiritual perspective rather than an earthly one. I believe this is an opportunity for the Lord to teach me many spiritual lessons regarding His character...and maybe even a couple of things about my own character too! (Like how I can be impatient.)

Throughout all of Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, God's lessons to the Israelites were centered around one thing: trust. God repeatedly proved His trustworthiness to them, providing for their every need, even when they did not trust Him. We serve the same God today who is begging for us to do one thing: trust.

So, I'm not waiting on Uncle Sam to deliver my tax refund...

I'm not waiting on some man to declare his undying
love for me and want me to be his wife...

I'm not waiting on someone to hire me and give me the career of my dreams...

I am waiting on the Lord, while He is waiting on me to trust Him.

It's my Birthday!

March 7, 1980 at 3p.m. my mom gave birth to me in Albequerque, New Mexico. So, today that makes me 26 years old! I can hardly believe it, I am now officially in my late 20s. Time sure does fly by, and it seems just like yesterday I was celebrating my sweet 16. Much has happened, and much has changed in my life, but through it all, I look back on this day and see how God's right hand has kept me...for such a time as this. I am truly excited to see what God has in store for me, and I humbly am ready for the work He has set before me this 26th year of my life.

The other day driving home I saw a bumper sticker on the car in front of me that read,

"Don't need to be born again...my first birth was good enough."

I couldn't believe how cynical and mean-spirited that message was. In reality though, we live in a society that is very hardened against the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many today do not recognize the depravity of their souls and desperate need for a Savior.

So while I am thankful for this day, March 7th, I am even more thankful for January 18, 1994. That was the day God wooed me into His presence and welcomed me into His family by giving me eternal life. I praise God for being born again because now He not only calls me His own, but He has a purpose and a plan for my life that will be used all for His glory!

Amen.

A Psalm of Lament

On Monday I was having a horrible day! I was just down, sad, and not understanding some things in my life. That night I was doing an assignment for school. Of all things, our professor asked us to write an original psalm of lament. Initially I thought to myself, "Ok, I'm not David...how can I write a psalm?" Well, I after studying a few of the lament psalms before writing my own, a common theme I found in the lament psalms were: honesty, transperancy with God, and ultimately a cofession of trust in the Lord. I have such a greater appreciation for the lament psalms now, and I am so grateful that our Lord invites us to be honest with Him just like David! I hope you will enjoy my original Psalm of Lament and that God would minister to you through it!


A Psalm of Lament

O God, how long must I wait?
Lord, how long until I see a change?

Be gracious Father, my heart aches;
Come near me for I am lonely;
But You, O Lord, You are silent.

Hear me, O Lord, hear my silent cries.
Comfort me in my longing, for Your name’s sake.
Restore me, I need Your mercy.

My hope fades even in the day light;
I am blinded by my circumstances;
I cry out for You to move;
But You, O Lord, You are silent.

Be lifted up, O God!
For You have already crushed the enemy.
The Lord is Sovereign in all His ways.
My tears have not escaped You;
Your loyal love is a banner over me.
__________________________________________

“There are times when our hope despairs;
those are times when our despair must learn to hope.”
Martin Luther

Women in Ministry

For centuries many women have faced challenges, discrimination, and even death all in pursuit to minister in the name of Jesus Christ. Through the testimonies of trailblazers who have gone before us, I am encouraged and reminded that it is Jesus Christ Himself who has personally called all women to ministry, “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Nevertheless, women today will not be immune from some of the same challenges women faced in the past. Perhaps one of the most pressing challenges women in ministry face today is linked to the role of women in ministry. Unfortunately, many Christian men and women are still unclear on what women can or cannot do in ministry. This one issue has enormous implications for the Body of Christ as it relates to bringing the lost into the kingdom of God, not allowing women to use their spiritual gifts, and thwarting the call and commandment given equally to women by Jesus Christ.
To gain an understanding of the role of women in ministry, one must first look into the Word of God. As I began studying women of the Bible, I was encouraged and excited to learn how God has used many women in different ministry roles throughout scripture. From examples of women of the Old to the New Testament, we today in ministry have a responsibility not to allow their legacies to become lost. For it is by their examples, that we first have been able to understand our calling by the same Lord who called them.
I love the story in John 4 of the Samaritan woman at the well. It was to this woman Christ first revealed that He was the Messiah. In doing this, Jesus not only transcended racial and ethnic lines, but gender lines as well. Upon hearing the news, verse 28 says she went into the city and “testified to the men” about the Messiah, and in verse 39, “From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified.” Christ revealed Himself to this woman at the well first, and He has continued to reveal Himself to women to this present age. Surely we have a role in ministry, which includes women ministering to men. Like the woman at the well, women today must testify and tell others about the Christ revealed to them.
Despite Christ’s affirmation for the role of women in ministry, there are still skeptics, and the question still remains, “How can we overcome this challenge?” May I suggest another question we all should be asking, which is, “How then shall we as women minister?” I believe we should be asking this question because the unfortunate truth is that there will always be challenges in ministry, regardless of gender. Women do not need anyone else to affirm them for ministry; God has already given us His high mark of approval! Therefore, we need to be asking the Lord, “How would you have me to minister? How can I be used as your vessel? How may I serve in your kingdom agenda?” I sincerely believe it will be through humility that Christ will raise up women to be used by Him in ministry. In Matthew 20:26-28 we learn from Christ that whoever wants to be become great must be a servant…and “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Christ is the standard, and Christ is the answer to overcome this challenge and the many other challenges women in ministry will face in the future. The goal in overcoming the challenge of the role of women in ministry should be to avoid divisiveness within the Body by taking on humility.
In Acts 1:8, Christ says that it will be by power of the Holy Spirit that we will be His witnesses…to the “remotest part of the earth.” We shall overcome…but not by any works of ourselves, but by the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that together, women and men in ministry would press forward under the one banner of Christ’s love and enablement of the Holy Spirit.

The Heart of Solemn Assembly

Here's a devotional that I wrote for the e-devotional for the singles' ministry at my church. You will read about "solemn assembly" in the article, which is a week-long, church-wide fast we participate in yearly. I hope you will enjoy it and be blessed!

The Heart of Solemn Assembly

Technology today has allowed doctors to see the internal condition of the body in a 3-D image through a procedure called an MRI. The images given to the doctor can precisely pin point any issues inside of the body. When having an MRI image taken, one has to lie down flat, being completely still, and completely quiet. Then the patient enters into the machine, where light is shined on their body in order to accurately see what is inside of them.

This week during Solemn Assembly 2006, have you allowed God to take an MRI image of you? Have you been quiet, not moving a muscle in order to hear His voice? Have you allowed light to be shined upon your heart in order to see what’s on the inside?

God commands of us in Joel 2:13, “Rend your heart and not your garments.”

We serve a God who is in constant pursuit after our hearts and will not relent until it is His. Rendering a few missed television programs and delicious meals is not the “heart” of the fast He has called us to. The fast the Lord has called us to this week is one not only to perform an MRI, but to give us the results of the MRI! The Lord is concerned about the condition of your heart, and that you release the grip you have on your heart, entrusting it to Him.

So as we draw closer to Friday and to the end of Solomon Assembly 2006, do not let today pass by without spending some quiet time with the Lord and asking Him to give you an MRI. However, remember you must be still, be quiet and let His light be shined upon your heart.

Pray as David did in Psalm 139:23-24:

“Search me, O 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 of everlasting.”

May you have a blessed day in the Lord as you get to the heart of Solemn Assembly…

Celebrate Today

I have made a choice that this year will be a year of celebration! Psalm 149:1 says,

"Sing to the Lord a new song..."

After reading that, I thought to myself, "What new song of praise am I singing to the Lord?"

So, in an effort to be more grateful to the Lord for the new things He is doing in my life, I have made a choice to find one new thing everyday to praise God for whether it be small or big. Satan steals our joy from day to day by getting us to focus on what we don't have...today. But if we were to look closer, I believe we could find treasures to celebrate today!

Some verses in the Bible we have all read or heard recited so many times that we allow them to lose their effect upon our hearts. I realized this today as I was reading Psalm 118:24:

"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

I decided not to roll by that verse that I memorized years ago in my youth group, but to stop and meditate on what that verse means for me today. First, God has blessed me with this day...so I must thank Him for it. I am exactly where I am, doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing because this is the day He has made for me. He is Sovereign. The sooner you and I realize that, the better off we'll be!

We are commanded to rejoice! Rejoicing is a verb--it's something you do. Therefore, you and I have to make the choice not to complain, which is the opposite of rejoicing! Then we are commanded to be glad in it. What is the "it" we are to be glad about? The "it" refers to this day--but not just any day, but the day that the Lord has made. We can rejoice and be glad in today knowing that God is in control!

Now, in saying this, I know there are things about today that we are all unhappy about. God did not tell us to rejoice in that...He said to rejoice in the day He has made. Notice the rejoicing has nothing to do with us...but with Him. He is our joy! With the rising of each new day, we can be glad because it reassures us that He is still in control, He is still on the throne!

So, what about you? What are you rejoicing for today? What are you glad about today? How will you celebrate today?

There is Something about that Name

What do you think about when you hear the name cancer? Unfortunately, it is a name many of us have been aquainted with. Me personally, my grandfather died when I was in the eight grade of lung cancer, and I will be honest with you, cancer scares me. Just the name itself...CANCER, sends chills up my body and a pain in my heart for those who battle cancer daily. To think that cancer can form in one tiny cell in your body and have the power to overtake your body is unbelievable...

I know two people currently who are battling some form of cancer, and my heart goes out to them and their family. Cancer is a name that none of us want to hear when it comes to ourselves or our family members and loved ones. As we have already begun a new year, I wonder how many lives and families will get an unwelcomed visitor of cancer knocking on their doors in 2006?

As I was praying for the two people I know with cancer today, the Lord whispered a sweet truth to me:

"My Name is above every name..."

Wow...JESUS' name is above every name, even cancer! A friend reminded me earlier this week of something I had forgotten:

"There is power in the NAME!"

How often we forget about that when we hear of a friend diagonsed with cancer, or when we face many of life's obstacles. We immediately look horizontally to our circumstances on earth instead of looking up to heaven and saying the name, "Jesus!"

Remember the hymn:

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
there is something about that Name...
Blessed, Savior, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim
that kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
but there's something about that Name."

What a beautiful truth in that old hymn...that all things, even cancer, will one day pass away, but the name of Jesus is the Name above every name that will never cease! Praise God!

Dreams I Dream for You

Someday, I hope to completely let go of the reigns of my so-called destiny and allow God the opportunity to blow my mind.
~Jeremiah 29:11

You taste the tears
You're lost in sorrow
You see your yesterdays
I see tomorrow

You see the darkness
I see the spark
You know your failures
But I know your heart

You see your shame
But I see your glory
You read one page
I know the story

I hold a vision
That you'll become
As you grow into the truth
As you learn to walk in love

The dreams I dream for you
Are deper than the ones you're clinging to
More precious than the treasures you pursue

Let the old dreams die
Like stars that fade from view
Then take the cup I offer
And drink deeply of
The dreams I dream for you...

Song by Avalon

Count the Ways...

Can you believe we are at the conclusion of yet another year? Where does the time go? I can remember December 31, 2004 so vividly, and now another year has come full circle. Tonight I will be celebrating New Year's at my church at our annual watch night service. It is so fun! We spend the time in praise, prayer, fellowship, and thanksgiving. All day I have sensed the Lord wooing me into His presence, and once I stopped what I was doing, I was so blessed by His words to me.

As I was thanking God for a wonderful year, God challenged me to go month by month and thank Him for one thing He did in my life. Immeditaely as I wrote January, February, March, April...God's blessings and provisions came back to mind so vividly, I even remembered things I had forgotten about. It was such a wonderful reminder of God's invisible hand interwoven in my life this year from January through December.

I want to encourage you to spend some time over the next couple of days meditating on the ways God has blessed you in 2005. As you count the ways from January through December, remember to count it all joy!

Happy New Year!!!!

Daily Devotional Ideas

Many of us have the desire to spend quality devotional time with the Lord, but don't know how to do it or where to begin. Don't be discouraged, and whatever you do, don't neglect your personal time spent with the Lord, for it is a litmus test of relationships you have with others.

Here are some suggestions of how to spend your daily devotional time:

1. Keep a prayer journal-This is a good way to log all of your prayer requests and it serves as a way to think about God's goodness. It's also neat to look back over your journal and see how God answered your prayers or met your needs.

2. Study the book of Proverbs in a month- This book has 31 chapters. Read a chapter a day corresponding with the calendar date. For example, read chapter 14 since today is December 14th. Jot down personal notes over each chapter and ask God for His wisdom in your life.

3. Worship- Get out your favorite worship CD and spend your time focused on the goodnes of God. Remember worship of God begins with Him, not us!

4. Select one verse and study it for a week- This is really fun. This week I have been studying Phil. 4:6-8. I began by just observing the passages, then I journaled some thoughts regarding the passage, and I prayed for God to help clarify the meaning of the passage. Be patient with the Word of God. One single passage is full of so many things.

5. Write a note of encouragement for someone else-You may know of someone who is going through a rough time, or maybe you want to thank someone for being a special friend. Hand write them a note and afterwards pray for that individual in every area of their life. It's a great way to take the focus off yourself and to lift up another brother or sister in Christ.


These are just some of my ideas of what I do during my devotional time. What about you? How do you spend your devotional time with the Lord?

Or maybe you don't spend time with the Lord...it's ok, you can start today!

It is finished!

I've been slaving over my term paper in my role of women in ministry class, and I am proud to announce that (drum roll please...)

It is finished!!!

It has taken me days, and hours to flesh through this and I have finally completed it. It was so freeing to write and study about all of the great women throughout the Bible and to read words of affrimation from Jesus in regard to serving Him. I literally wept upon completion. I was so humbled while writing that God would use me, a sinner saved by grace, as a vessel to do His work! I'll be posting my paper after I turn it in next week and if I get a good grade, I'll even share that with you too!

Lord of the Ring

Well, my friends, it has now been over two weeks, and the ringing in my ear unfortunately is still occuring. I'm not sure what the problem is. The medication did not stop the ringing. My ear does not hurt, and I have not lost any hearing in my ear. Through more research I learned that taking ginkgo biloba helps with tinnitus. Maybe that will help, if indeed tinnitus is what I am suffering from. The other night when I was studying in the silence it seemed like it was a freight train running through my head. Out of my frustration I prayed, "Lord, take this away!!!!" As I sat there reading, God whispered to me,

"I am Lord of the ring!"

I couldn't help but to smile and chuckle to myself. Then I thought about how much truth there is in that statement. When God told Moses to go to Pharoah, He told them, "Tell them I am that I am sent you."

God is the Great I AM. He is whatever you need Him to be.

You need healing? He is the Great Physician.

You need a friend? He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

You need financial breakthrough? He is Jehovah Jireh, My Provider.

You need guidance? He is the Good Shephard.

You need salvation? He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

You need sustenance? He is the Bread of Life.

You and I are trusting Him for so many things. Aren't you glad that we serve a God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ever imagined?

Trust the Great I Am, my friend.