Catch and Release

I heard a story this week that is just too good not to share. It's a true story of two men, one white, one black. One a wealthy art dealer, one a homeless man residing in Ft. Worth, Texas.

In an attempt to 'minister and serve' in the Union Gospel Mission of Ft. Worth, Texas, Ron Hall attempted to befriend a homeless man named Denver Moore. His attempt didn't go off too well, as Denver wasn't very interested in any friendship with Ron. Afterall, what did they have in common? However, Ron felt that his sucess by the world's standards was a significant offering to this poor black man.

How arrogant this rich white man was...Denver would teach him a thing or two!

"What do you want with me?" Denver asked one day to Ron. "I just want to be your friend," said Ron. "Friend?" Denver proceeded to tell him there was one thing he heard growing up as a boy in Louisiana--that white people, while fishing catch their fish and then release them back into the water. Ron confirmed this was true. Denver told Ron if he was thinking about catching him in a friendship for a time and then releasing him soon after, that he would not be interested in a friendship with him at all.

I got to thinking, isn't this what we do in ministry and in some of our relationships with others? We catch them, and then we release them. We're in and then we're out. This is not the picture of a true relationship, and this is definitely not the example of Christ.

I've started a new job this week-my first after graduating from seminary. I will be ministering to women in an inner-city community in south Dallas. This story reminds me in ministry to be about the business of people, not programs! I don't want to catch women and then release them. I want to catch them, and relying on God's strength, never let them go.

Read along with me more of Ron & Denver's story in Same Kind of Different as Me. It's going to start off my summer reading! Let me know if you too will be reading it.

The Newlywed 15

So, in an effort to be authentic and vulnerable I've decided to write about a subject that no woman likes to discuss: her weight!

D & I have been married now for 4 months. You can tell we are happy by looking at our waistlines! Yikes! I have not gained 15 pounds as the title suggests, but being a newlywed is a lot like being a freshman in college. Remember the 'freshman 15' everyone warned you about? Well, no one warns you about the Newlywed 15!

When I went to the doctor last month for my annual check up, I lamented my weight gain to my doctor, and her response was, "Oh yeah, that happens to us all in the first year of marriage!" She told me to give myself a break and not be hard on myself, it's just life change.

Well, I don't like this part of life change. My husband and I have been working out little newlywed tails off in the gym. He's lost 7lbs and I've lost about 4. We decided we weren't going to go on any "get thin fast scam diets," but do it the healthy, organic way--eating healthy and working out. Here's a couple of things we are doing together:

-Exercising 4-5 days a week doing lots of interval cardio and resistance training
-Eating lots of fiber: vegetables, fruits
-Drinking lots of water!
-Trying to cut out processed sugar (this has been hard!)
-Eating fish 2 times a week (my husband, not me...I don't like fish)
-Cutting back on starches, but not entirely
-NO FAST FOOD! (we haven't had fast food all year)

I will admit, I have been discouraged. I am trying to look at this whole weight loss thing through a realistic, fresh way. I want to be healthy, I want this to be a lifestyle change, I want to be strong & have endurance, I want to challenge myself, and I want to be willing to work for those changes. It takes time though. We live in a society with lots of quick fixes, and a healthy lifestyle is not a quick fix, it occurs over a lifetime. So, I am giving myself some goals, but I'm not saying to myself, "I have to lose 10lbs in 10 days!"

One more thing, Sunday when I was having a pity party and punishing myself with unhealthy thoughts, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a verse we often quote as Christians, but rarely believe or practice. This, I believe is the key to my efforts:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding.
Acknowledge him in all your ways,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Check it out!

I wanted to share with everyone a new blog I will be contributing to for ProvenWay Ministries. I serve with this ministry as the Next Generation Specialist. Basically, that means I serve as the voice and face of the young generation. You can find it by clicking here. The blog is for women, by women. It will exist to create a dialogue for women leaders in ministry. We will discuss everything from leadership issues, next generation ministry, Bible study, how to be an effective leader, and whatever else may come up!

If you know women who may benefit from this blog, spread the word! We desire to walk beside women, and pass on proven ways!

A Love Letter to Oprah by James Robison

Dear Oprah,

I remember when you first launched your daily talk program throughout the country. My wife and I have watched with amazement as it has grown. I know you have been gratified by its broad acceptance and popularity.

My wife Betty and I have been praying for you since Gene Self (my former staff member and close friend of Stedman's) began to tell me about the relationship you had with his friend. On numerous occasions I thought we were going to be able to get together and just talk based on comments Stedman made to my associate. This never occurred, but we have watched your television programs and especially the talk format grow until they have worldwide impact.
Betty and I also host a daily television program, LIFE Today (http://www.lifetoday.org/), which airs around the world. I also founded the ministry of Life Outreach International. With the help of countless supporters, Betty and I have been sharing the life and love of God in word and deed in the U.S. and abroad. We focus heavily on Africa, feeding more than 400,000 children each month and drilling hundreds of fresh water wells.

I am writing out of a sincere love and concern for you. I have heard some comments recently, visited the "New Earth" and witnessed the influence of Eckhart Tolle. Some of your statements concerning your beliefs and the direction you are going actually brought tears to my wife's eyes. She was stunned to hear your views of Jesus Christ, eternity and the Bible.
You are a true example of the opportunity and success that America offers people who have had difficult challenges. I can relate, because I am the product of a forced sexual relationship on a 40-year-old woman. As I child, I spent time in a foster home, then with my birth mother and a stepfather who could not read or write. Later, my violent, alcoholic father came back into the picture. It ended when I pointed a gun at him in self-defense as he threatened to kill me. By the grace of God, I did not have to pull the trigger. A couple of years later, I committed my life to Christ and God changed me, established my life, and gave me a future. My wife Betty and I recently celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary. We have three children and 11 grandchildren.

We have witnessed the vast influence you have been afforded. There is no question that you sincerely care about people. Your outreach in Africa and your personal response to the suffering you have seen reveals your genuine interest in the well-being of others. I believe you truly care about others.

You have become popular because you shared your own challenges, your own questions and your own failures. You have shared your battle with weight and tried to help people improve their own health. Anything that helped you, you passed on. I appreciate that. I sense that you believe in God and want the best for all His people.

What breaks my heart is that somehow we, as Christians, have failed to effectively communicate the greatness of our God to you. I cannot express how much I want you to fully experience the grace that God freely shares through Jesus Christ, as well as the supernatural enabling He provides "to live appropriately and victoriously in the now," as you eloquently put it.
We both know that life can be difficult, but God Almighty has provided a helper through the person of His Holy Spirit to walk through the valleys and also enable us to experience success without our gain becoming idolatrous addiction. He offers us the very things that you claim to be discovering in a mind-boggling journey wrapped in New Age philosophy and relativism. The Apostle Paul warned against the human tendency to justify ungodly ideas by "changing the truth of God into a lie" and allowing our own appetites and desires to control us rather than the proven principles of the Bible.

Here is my great concern. You have obviously seen good Christians whom you admire, such as CeCe Winans and Nicole C. Mullen. I know both of these wonderful women and I am sure they shared the reality of a personal and deep relationship with Jesus Christ. But where have we, as Christians, either in our prayer life or in our example failed to connect with you and inspire you so you could see Jesus as He really is? Many have seen limited portraits of God, such as the extreme suffering depicted in Mel Gibson's The Passion of Christ. But you may not have been able to see the power of the comment Jesus made to his mother when he fell beneath the weight of the cross in that movie. He commented, "Mother, I came to make all things new."

Oprah, He is the one who enables us to rightly live in the now. Only Jesus Christ can free us from past problems, present pressures and future pursuits that can become idols. Rather, we look back on the past, thank God for the lessons we have learned, trust Him for grace to deal with painful experiences, and provide present abiding power to count it all joy when we face temptation and trials, knowing that He will walk with us not only in the presence of our enemies and accusers, but even through the valley of the shadow of death. He is our ever-present spiritual and personal Shepherd. Think about this: He said it was necessary to leave and send "another of the same kind" -- the Holy Spirit, His Spirit living in us in order for us to live life fully and freely.

Surely you have seen the reality of this eternal truth. The fact is He not only covers the past and provides for the present, but He also promises to secure our future. We are, in fact, eternal beings. We are not creatures of the day. It breaks my heart to hear you say that a sentence from your pastor concerning God being a jealous God caused you to reconsider your entire belief system. You misunderstood what the pastor intended and the reality of God's jealousy. He is not jealous of us, He is jealous for us in the sense that He does not want to see anything foolishly captivate us and take us as prisoners. God does not want you to miss the supernatural fulfillment that He freely offers. It is like a wife being jealous not because her husband associates with other women, but because she knows that he might be captivated by a false relationship and taken away from his first love and his family. Godly jealousy is an expression of love and concern for our best interests -- not a petty human emotion of fear, but concern that we might miss the very essence of life.

Oprah, you are gifted. You have been so blessed and I know you recognize and appreciate it. I believe that you want to share the best you can discover with others. But Oprah, can I encourage you to please sit down and go a little deeper and discover something that will also truly enable your friend Eckhart Tolle and others caught up in his teaching to see that God has given us Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, who not only lived and died, but now through the power of His Spirit is available to live in us if we open ourselves to His indwelling presence? This is not mere religion, it is relationship with the living God and an unconditional love for others.

You are an honest seeker and sincere in your desire to help others. Please give us as Christians another chance to clearly communicate the matchless, amazing grace of our great God and give Jesus, the One who has never in any way failed, the opportunity to become the fullness of life for you and those you care about. He will enable you to deal with the past, live fully and meaningfully in the now, and secure your future, so that whatever challenges may come, you will have a Friend and Father who never leaves or forsakes you.

As believers, Betty and I are praying for you and encouraging every person with faith in Jesus Christ to lift you up in loving prayer before the Lord. You are a special person and it is my prayer that you not miss anything God has to offer. I pray that your journey will inspire all of us to examine our lives and become more consistent, compassionate, effective witnesses for Christ. Perhaps each of us as Christians should feel some weight of responsibility for not more effectively demonstrating the great message of hope found in Christ. Those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will never be disappointed in Him.

God loves you so much, as well as everyone you sincerely seek to inspire.

Praying His best for you and those you love,

James Robison

About the author: James Robison is the founder and president of LIFE Outreach International, a Christian media ministry and mission relief organization. He and his wife, Betty, host of the television program Life Today; He has authored numerous books, including The Absolutes: Freedom's Only Hope and True Prosperity.

Is God Green?

Go green.

It seems like everytime I turn on the television, get on the internet, or drive past a billboard on the highway, the message to go green is everywhere. Today is Earth Day, a day to bring awareness on how to be environmentally friendly to our earth.

I was shopping the other day and noticed there are even cute handbags and t-shirts promoting the 'go green' message. Green is hip. Celebrities, corporate companies, and cities have all gone green.

As I see green everywhere I couldn't help but to wonder one question: Is God green?

What does the Bible say about this 'go green' message? What is God's position on the green campaign? What should be the Christian response to the environment.

I believe that not only is God green, but He's always been green! He was green when green wasn't in! Scripture reveals this truth. First, I believe the Lord cares about the Earth because He took the time to create it! God could have created it in one blink of an eye, but He took His time creating the Earth (6 days), taking into account every detail. Read below for just a glimpse of this creation in Genesis 1:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water....God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” It was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the cattle according to their kinds, and all the creatures that creep along the ground according to their kinds. God saw that it was good."

I love the last part, God saw that it was good. He was pleased with His creation and took pleasure in His creation. We too should look at the earth and see it as the Lord saw it for the first time. Whenever I look at the massness of the ocean or huge mountains I know I am always taken back and amazed at God's creation. How did He do it? I am not sure, but I do know that it was good!

Because we see that God is green, then Christians should be green too! It's not a matter of your political persuasion, it's your Christian duty. In fact, this was the first commandment given by God in the Garden to both Adam and Eve. I believe it is applicable for us today. Take a look:

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.” Gen. 1:28

God blessed them and then commanded them to subdue the earth and to rule over the creatures. This was not only a commandment, but it was their job. What a big responsibility too. God who took the time to create the earth allowed mankind to be His vice-regents, or representatives to take care of the earth. Unfortunatley, we have not always done a good job of taking care of the earth.

The reality is, this earth is passing away. This position is not popular, but the Word of God describes to us that because of the fall of man and the advent of sin, the earth experiences the ramifications of sin as well. There will come a day though, when Jesus will come back and create a new heaven and a new earth! It will be then that the earth will no longer moan.

In the meantime, let's not be so heavenly minded we are no earthly good!

Go green because God is green, not because it's the hip thing to do. Do what you can to conserve the beauty of God's creation. Happy Earth Day!

Almost There

I can't believe it's been 3 years I've been in seminary now. I think this has been by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. There were times I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I'm almost there! Thank you, Lord!

In four weeks I will graduate with my Master's of Arts in Christian Education (concentration in Women's Ministry) at Dallas Theological Seminary. It has been quite a journey to discover my giftedness and passions, and to see how that relates to a vocation. I am looking forward to this milestone in my life, and I treasure the opportunity seminary has afforded me. I have been trained by some of the world's top biblical scholars...wow! It has been amazing to study God's Word and theology, and to be able to sharpen my mind.

More importantly, I have a deeper love for the Lord and the Word of God, which in turn has deepened my compassion to share it with others. I am grateful for the many friends and family members who believed in me, encouraged me, and affirmed me during this time. Your love and support saw me through!

I'm almost there...

Church isn't a building.

It's a community on a journey...

Reaction

During a lovely trip to our local farmer's market last Friday, I discovered I am allergic to mangoes! Go figure! I never knew that in my 28 years of life! I have never eaten mangoes before, but tried one for the first time on Friday. It actually tastes pretty good. The texture is weird, but they are juicy. My husband didn't care for them at all.

Almost immediately after eating the mango I felt the corners of my mouth stinging. I assumed it was because I was eating so many acidic citrus fruit.

After doing some quick research on google I found out there is a cross section between mangoes and poison ivy. The nectar has the same chemicals from poison ivy found on the outside of the mango. So, if you bite into a mango be careful! I am happy to say the allergic reaction went away and I no longer have a rash.

Ouch!

"All the arrows of God are aimed at proud hearts."

Charles Spurgeon

Bridal Blues

Two months. We have now been married for two whole months. Sixty days. Time flies by so quickly, and I've got a case of bridal blues...

I think bridal blues is like post-pardum after pregnancy-but for brides!

I've been warned by many former brides that after the big day, things can become a little nostalgic. I mean, the day just zips by. All of that planning, all the fuss, all the flowers...and it's over. I look at our pictures and I just want to cry! How can we get that day back? Oh, how I wish we could! The Bible is so true in saying our lives are but a vapor, a mist.

People say the fun truly begins after the wedding, and I will say I believe them, but I want to put my dress back on one last time! I asked my husband the other day real sweetly if I could put my dress back on, and he quickly said, "NO!" Oh well...I guess I do just need to move on!

I think I am feeling this way because for a girl's whole life she dreams of that day, that moment...and then it is just gone. Friends were telling me, "Just take it all in." I did take it all in, and it truly was a great day. It was the commencement of a blessed future with my husband, as we now are on the journey of becoming one each day, sharing laughs, cries, disappointments, and even sharing the bathroom!

Maybe I shouldn't be blue! It's a beautiful day outside and I am truly blessed to be experiencing God's goodness in the land of the living!

My times are in Your hand.

Psalm 31:15

La Luna de Miel

Barak the Vote?

I say that with a question mark because I am not sure whom I am endorsing quite yet. Like anyone cares...but, still I have not yet decided where my vote will land.

Yesterday, my husband and I went to hear Barak Obama speak at a political rally here in Dallas. We both decided to go and witness history in the making. I am proud to see a black candidate make it this far in a presidential race, and to see that he is in the lead! In my opinion, these are exciting times for our country!

I cannot believe we actually made it in the rally. There were soooo many people there; about 18,000 turned out to hear Barak's inspirational message of hope. While I don't agree with all of his political positions, I do agree with him that America was built on the foundation of hope...and look how far we've come.

But what is hope?

The theologian in me could not resist disecting his speech as he spoke of hope! My husband says I am always thinking in theological terms!! Sometimes I think I wear him out. But anyway, as a Christian I truly believe there are no divisions between the secular and the sacred. What does this mean? It means as a Christ-follower I am compelled to bring Christ, His teachings, and His cause into every area of my life. No exceptions. Everything is spiritual in life...from the way we care for our families, to our careers, to how we talk to the person who checks us out at Wal-Mart, to issues related ot government.

I say all of this to say, I do not place my hope in Barak Obama or in any politician. So, as people were yelling and getting excited about the hope he spoke of, I found myself not able to get all that worked up. I am not looking for Washington to solve the problems of the world: education, poverty, genocide in Darfur, economic distress, gas prices.

Now, can the Lord use the government as a vessel to bring hope to these hopeless issues? Yes. But, it will be the Lord, not any politician who will bring the ultimate healing to our land. I pray, like King David of Israel, that our next president will be one who recognizes their position as a means to exercise and bring hope, restoration, and righteousness to our land.

In the meantime, however, the church should be a pillar of light and hope to the world. Christ is the hope of the world, not the government. No matter what the world may think, Christ and the good news of the Gospel are relevant to today! Every single issue our country faces, Christ offers His hope, not just right now in the present, but hope for the future too!

Because one day, a Savior will be coming back to restore that which has been lost. Jesus will restore order where there has been chaos. He will restore peace where there has been war. Jesus will restore righteousness where there has been injustice. I hope as Chrsitians we will all long for that day when there will be no more need for hope, because it will be fulfilled upon our Lord's return!

I want to insert here: the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. Our nation right here in the United States is a mission field, ripe and ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's get busy bringing the message of Christ's hope to our world. What an honor to be a vessel of hope to others. So, in all areas of your life, bring Christ's hope...in the classroom where you teach, in the way you conduct business, or in your children.

Back to the presidential race: I am looking for a candidate who will stand for what I believe in: equality among races and socio-economic lines, a concern for the environment, educating all children, ending genocide in Darfur, extending help to the homeless, sanctity of life, justice, and peace.

What candidate fits the things that are most important to me? I'm not quite sure yet. But, when I decide I will be sure to post my thoughts. I am hopeful that God will place exactly whom He wants to be in Washington to fulfill history and the times which we are living in.

Keep hope alive!

I just can't resist...

...posting a picture of me and my sweet husband!

This picture was taken last Saturday night at a friend's house. Our two friends just got engaged and we helped him (along with lots of other people) with the proposal! It was a fun night & we wish them well!

Can't believe how quickly time zips by all of us...seems just like yesterday we got engaged. I guess it's just another reminder why we should enjoy each day and thank God for the blessing of it!

Oh Happy Day!

The First 30 Days!

Well, hello again, world! I am officially a married woman of 30 days! I haven't posted in a while, because as you can imagine, life has been HECTIC! So, let's catch up...

The Wedding

Our wedding was amazing! It was all I had ever dreamed of! The day flew by. So, word to those about to get married: enjoy every moment, every detail, and every minute of your wedding day. I can't tell you how many people kept telling us to "take it all in." So many people came to celebrate with us, I was shocked! Old friends, new friends, and family I hadn't seen in a while. Weddings really do bring people together, even if just briefly.

The weather was perfect! Go figure, it was 75 degrees on an early January day in Texas! An answer to prayer, as we prayed for no ice!

Right after I put on my 18 pound, princess-like wedding dress (with the help of all 9 of my bridesmaides), my mom came over to me and gave me a hug and said, "I could just hold on forever and never let you go..." Ugh...that was when I lost it & the tears started to come. Everyone started acting goofy to make me laugh instead of cry! That was such a sweet moment...

Another memorable moment for me was when my groom came down the ailse to get me, his bride. (We did this as a symbolic picture of Christ, our Heavenly Groom, coming to get us, the Bride of Christ) He cried upon the moment of the chapel doors opening! And though he was supposed to walk down the ailse to get me, he did more of a sprint! He was coming to get me! It was so sweet, and I've never felt more wanted and loved in my life. Thank you, Lord.

Our Pastor, Dr. Tony Evans officiated our wedding, and one of the most memorable things I remember him saying to me is, "Lynzee, your husband will need your respect more than your love." Sweetie, I will endeavor with all my strength to do just that...

My sweet husband had one last surprise for me as we prepared to depart the reception, I walked out and to a 1959 vintage, white Rolls Royce named, "Cloud 9".

I think that is a perfect way to describe the array of emotions I felt that day. It really was as if we were on Cloud 9!

The Honeymoon

We left the next day for our honeymoon: a 7 day cruise to the Western Carribean. I had no idea where we were going, so that was a fun surprise too! He just told me how to pack. We woke up that morning and just wept again...we couldn't believe we were married & how beautiful the wedding was! All we could do literally was thank God!

The honeymoon was great! We ate until we got stuffed, and then ate some more! Unfortunately, I got sick the last 2 days of the cruise. I guess D got a taste of, "...in sickness and in health..." early on in our marriage! He did a good job as I vomited all over the bathroom! (Sorry, too much information!)

One of our favorite stops was to Belize. We went on a private island and relaxed, laid out by the ocean, and ate. We even got adventurous and went kayaking!

Back to Reality

So now it's back to life, back to reality. I've moved all of my stuff over to my new home finally! We have been working on getting our home together and in order. I LOVE this part! My husband has just been singing my praises about how nice our place looks. That makes me feel so good!

Some of you who know me and know I cannot cook would be happy to know, I have been in the kitchen burning it up! (Not literally...well just one time I burned our dinner!) We have made a vow to abstain from 'fast food' joints this year (yikes!), so that means eating lots of meals at home...now, there's a lofty idea!

So, what's next for us?

I know you guys are all wanting to ask, "When are you going to have a baby?" Isn't it funny how we just keep moving from thing to thing to thing instead of just enjoying the here and now? Next on our agenda is to slow down, enjoy one another, adapt and adjust to married life (in every detail: finances, relationally, etc.), and to take it one day at a time.

So, babies will come in their proper season. We'll leave that up to the Lord and His timing. But for now, I just want to sit back and reflect on the first 30 days of my marriage!

A Shower of Love