The light at the end of the tunnel

Job: 23 Then Job spoke again:

² “My complaint today is still a bitter one,
    and I try hard not to groan aloud.
³ If only I knew where to find God,
    I would go to his court.
⁴ I would lay out my case
    and present my arguments.
⁵ Then I would listen to his reply
    and understand what he says to me.
⁶ Would he use his great power to argue with me?
    No, he would give me a fair hearing.
⁷ Honest people can reason with him,
    so I would be forever acquitted by my judge.
⁸ I go east, but he is not there.
    I go west, but I cannot find him.
⁹ I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden.
    I look to the south, but he is concealed.

¹⁰ “But he knows where I am going.
    And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
¹¹ For I have stayed on God’s paths;
    I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
¹² I have not departed from his commands,
    but have treasured his words more than daily food.
¹³ But once he has made his decision, who can change his mind?
    Whatever he wants to do, he does.
¹⁴ So he will do to me whatever he has planned.
    He controls my destiny.
¹⁵ No wonder I am so terrified in his presence.
    When I think of it, terror grips me.
¹⁶ God has made me sick at heart;
    the Almighty has terrified me.
¹⁷ Darkness is all around me;
    thick, impenetrable darkness is everywhere.

I think a lot of people stop there. Thick impenetrable darkness......... If you haven't read any other part of Job and if this is the only part you ever read you would think Job is in misery forever. However when we look to the beginning we can see a man who had it all and lost it all. A man lost in the darkness. A man who cried out to God. 

Are you lost? So many of us are today. We lie to ourselves. We lie to our friends. We lie to our family. The feelings of hopelessness. The losses of loved ones, jobs, dreams, and even sometimes hope can cripple you. They can wound you to your very soul, and the wounds they leave behind seem too deep to heal.

So what if Job had stopped there? Why didn't he just give up? What was worth fighting for? 

If you lose everything who are you? If you lost everyone who would you be? Could you go on? Could you trust God?

I want to share an exerpt from a story that Kupendwa Ministries posted:

"Jaja Teresa is a Rwandan lady who is now 80 years old. She ran from Rwanda and settled in Uganda, as she was forced out of Rwanda because of the genocide war that broke out years ago. She managed to escape and settle in Uganda amidst all the turmoil and chaos in her country. Jaja Teresa’s husband and all of her children have died, leaving her a widow with very little help. Her children were kidnapped during the time of Idi Amin’s regime of power in Uganda and her children were taken to fight in the war.

Teresa says she was so grieved that she almost committed suicide. She thought that she would be able to raise her children up, love them and see them grow for many years, but even up to now she still grieves for her children as they were killed, murdered and tortured during the war. She wishes that she could have at least seen them again before they died and were buried. Our hearts were so touched and burdened by this precious woman’s need for both love and compassion, as well as tangible help.
We so desperately wanted to help Jaja Teresa because she is in such desperate need of help and most of all love. Teresa’s house was leaking very badly; she had no mattress and was sleeping on hard plywood on the dirt floor. She has very little food but she tries to garden and plant crops for herself to eat to live. Teresa’s house had many holes in it because it was built out of sticks and mud. She says that snakes would come in and out of her house constantly, and there were many spiders inside when we visited. She would get very cold at night because of the condition of her house."

To read the story further you can click on the Kupendwa Ministries at the top it is a link to the story. This woman lost everything and yet she went on. Job also suffered great loss and he went on. So the question is not how much loss you can suffer, but the question is how much joy can you find? Many people find joy in such simple things after great loss. I once heard a man say the economy took his 7,000 square foot home, his 10 cars, his yacht, and it gave him back his life. 

What do you have to lose before you find God? 

Something to believe in....

My husband thinks I am crazy, which is partly true. How could I not be I married him? I hope he doesn't read that. Of course it is debatable who is crazier him for marrying me or me for marrying him! I guess we both are luckily living in crazy bliss!  But seriously, I have an insane impossible dream. I want to change the world. Those  of you who are my friends on facebook have probably seen my posts about moving to Nicaragua. Again my husband would ask why there? I don't really know why Nicaragua, but for some time I have longed to travel there.

If I could have my dream it would look something like this. A small coffee producing acreage in Nicaragua not too far from a city and close to multiple rural towns. Of course I would have goats, at this point if my husband is reading he is rolling his eyes! Oh and there would be chickens, because I like eggs, and fried chicken!

I would have a space dedicated to a school where I would teach reading and writing to anyone who showed up; catering to the poor people who cannot afford to send their children to school.  I would teach reading in both English and Spanish and basic math skills. I would also share the Gospel and the truth about Jesus Christ.

Now of course none of this could happen without some type of income. So in my dream scenario we would travel to our nearby city and sell Goat Cheese, Goats' Milk Soap, and Coffee in the touristy open air market.Additionally we could import products to the US through a web based sales principal.

I'm sure it would be tons of work, in fact having grown up in a rural area I know it is probably more work than the dream is worth.The chicken coup cleaning alone is totally past my gross out point, not to mention having to pluck my fried chicken!  However, an accessible education could change the lives of so many poor people and it would pretty amazing to be a part of that.

Of course the logistics are impossible to imagine, I've never been outside the US besides Canada, I am not even sure where to start, and I am pretty sure we could never make a living wage selling Goat products and coffee...........................So why is this my dream? What purpose? I'm no philanthropist, but I am a Christian. I believe that the Glory of God is greater than logic. So however illogical my dream is I still dream of it, and if by some chance I ever do end up in Nicaragua I know that it is only through the Grace of God that I could get there and I will give him all the Glory!

Ephesians 3: 20-21  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Changing the World One Diaper at a Time....

So today is like any other summer day for me and my kids. We have actually fallen into a routine of not having to do anything. We got up, had breakfast, watched cartoons, cleaned up, had lunch, made cookies, had a nap, and then a quick shower later everyone is busy fighting with eachother.

So as I sit here in my house sipping my iced espresso I wonder do they realize how blessed they are? Do I realize? How can I show them that in places throughout the world there are children who are suffering, children who will die, children who are hungry. It makes me just want to snuggle their little bodies closer.

However in between diapers and clean underwear before laundry and after lunch I cannot change the world........Or can I? In just loving them. In breaking up a fight over toys and snuggling a little one in my arms I am teaching them what it means to be loved.  As my little snuggle bug with her wild hair and rotten stinky diaper runs up to me I am reminded that love is the little things.

Jesus said let the little children come to me. He challenged us to have the faith of children and if we are lucky we can also experience their joy too. Children are amazing and a wonderful gift from God, but all over the world children are alone and starving. Orphans without someone to cuddle them. Without a mommy to make cookies. Without toys to pick up or siblings to fight with. Without hope for a family and with an uncertain future.

There are so many ways that you can help, and I want to encourage you to look around your house today and reach out. I want to encourage you to look into helping the least of these just like Katie does.
Did I mention I just read the most amazing book called Kisses From Katie. You have to read it. I promise it will inspire you, and if you want to do more here is the link to Amazima Ministries, Katie founded it to care for the children in Uganda. 

 

I would also encourage you to read her blog!!! Kisses From Katie  

Honestly I just wish I could pick up my kids and husband and go spend a week with Katie. 

Love what you have

It's amazing to me how many people are caught up in what someone else has. It's amazing to me how easy it is to get sucked in. When I look around I think it's a culture thing. Our culture teaches us to want the newest, the best, and to throw away that old stuff. But what if you decided to go against the grain?
Luke 21:19 By standing firm you will gain life.

I think that's a pretty powerful statement. By standing firm you get life. If you stand firm going against the cultural norm you keep what works, you trust that the newest is not always the best, and you take care of what you have. In return you will gain life. Read in the context of Luke 21 standing firm against persecution, death, lost family, lost friends, and anything you could imagine. So I guess the big question is where do you need to stand firm, and will you?

I know life gets hard and there are times when everybody feels let down or betrayed. There are times when things don't seem like they could ever get any worse. Sometimes life does give you lemons. You can look back and wonder how did we get here all day long, but it won't change your circumstance.
Joshua 1:9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Wherever you go........................................................

I don't know why, I don't know how, but I know God will be with me......................and I will stand firm. Will you?

Reflections on Time

It seems like yesterday that I had a brand new baby girl, but this week she turned two! Two full years have passed since we brought Hailey home from the hospital. She has changed our lives in so many ways! She is a joy and at times a little terror. I call her my little diva because she is loves attention. Of course it goes without saying that my life would not be the same without her.

So my thought for today is how many times in life do we pass up a life altering opportunity because of fear. Change is scary, it was when we brought Hailey home from the hospital. Change was even more scary as we planned for our new baby. Four kids I couldn't imagine it! Four hungry little mouths, daycare would go up, diapers, and baby gear that we had gotten rid of would need to be repurchased. Of course with all that fear their was the joy of expectation and that joy overcame any apprehension we had!
Philippians 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with tthanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

So the question of course is what if you took every new and frightening thing and treated it like that... Instead of facing your dilemma in fear why not face it with the expectation of something new and beautiful~


Philippians 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun ta good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

Life will change. You will wake up and look back realizing the years have passed and so much has changed, but if you trust God and move forward without fear, grabbing hold of each opportunity he presents, and trusting him along the way the result is beautiful!

My strange Dream

I woke up agitated the other night. My dream was like no dream I have ever had before. It was so vivid and the sense of loss stayed with me for days. Even now as I think about this dream it brings back that same sense of loss. So before I tell you about the dream let me give you a bible verse that goes along with it.

James 4:14  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 

This is not a verse I knew from memory. I actually had to google for the reference. I am currently reading Colossians so not even in this book of the bible, but a few nights ago I dreamt of two top hats. You know the kind that you pull white rabbits out of. They were large and into them the souls of everyone in existence were being poured. As the souls went in a vapor arose. White for those who knew Jesus and Dark for those who did not. I was standing there observing all of this. As I watched I felt my heart breaking. So many lost souls. I cried out in sorrow and then was told you can change all of this. One soul at a time.....................

Now that may seem like a crazy dream to you. It was one like nothing I have ever dreamt before, but the message was clear. Life is short and there are so many lost souls out there. What am I doing daily to bring those souls to Christ? My dream was an outcry against complacency. We cannot as Christian men and women sit back and let those lost souls go. Not without a fight. 

So how do we bring those souls to Christ? I believe that there is a simple 4 letter word that outlines it pretty well, LOVE. Through love we show others that we are different. Remember your language counts. Watch your words, be different than society. Show love to those who don't deserve it. Bless those who come to you in anger and most of all cover everything you do in prayer. If you live differently those around you will notice. If you have Jesus and your heart is full of love; those who are seeking will be drawn to you. When they are remember we are all sinners, do not judge them, but show them the amazing power and love of the Savior that came to die for them. The Savior who loves them despite anything they have done or will do.

Because every soul that is lost in eternity is heartbreaking to God, and what breaks his heart should break ours too............... Every lost soul was once a baby, formed in his perfection, somebody's child, a brother, a sister, and most importantly they have the potential to be an earth shaking leader, the next Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, or C.S. Lewis could be sitting next you right now..........What will you do about it?

Hillsong United

 I see the king of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest 
I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

A to do list

I'm not big on lists, but there are some great things I want to do this year, and if I write them down maybe I will get them done.

1. Read the books on my list
2. Make goodie baskets for all my neighbors and invite them to church at Christmas
3. Sponsor a child
4. Give money to missionaries
5. Memorize 10 bible verses
6. Complete the family ID
7.Serve others  at least once in a way I have not previously, i.e. soup kitchen or other community outreach
8. Run a 5K
9.
10.

So 9 and 10 are up for debate still................

Obstacle=Divine Opportunity

Your prison can be your pulpit. This is the message of Paul in Philippians. It's all about perspective and Paul's is that anything that furthers the gospel of Christ is gain.

God specializes in using our trials for his gain. Often we find ourselves in impossible situations. We see these situations as setbacks, but God sees then as setups. He's got it all figured out and all you have to do is stop asking why and start saying "What now God?" Your trials today are the testimony of tomorrow.

There are so many examples out there of people who struggled through their trials and came out on top! They were better for what they went through. Psalm 66: 10-12 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.¹¹ You brought us into the net;You laid affliction on our backs.¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads;We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.  Notice the underlined portion of this verse. It's really all about Perspective. 

I know that trials will come. Some of them will seem insurmountable and others will seem tiny. God doesn't bring us to the trial to hurt us, but to bring us through the trial. Look at Paul in Philippians he was chained to the Roman soldiers. Paul wanted nothing more than to bring Christianity to Rome. He longed to teach of Christ in Rome, but that seemed impossible. However, here he was chained to soldiers. These influential men were a captive audience and one by one Paul preached to them. He could have cried out in agony at his plight in prison. He could have asked God, "Why me?" He could have grown angry with God and turned away. Surely imprisonment was terrible, but Paul saw that some things are bigger than our dicomfort.


I've said it before and I am sure I will say  it again: what it comes down to is your faith. No matter the trial you have to ask yourself, "Do I have enough faith for this?" Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.  He won't desert you in your time of need, and that time may be the opportunity for you to witness to someone who wouldn't hear the message if it weren't for you. In the situation that seems impossible will you have the faith to ask God, "What Now?" No more asking why, No more making Excuses, set your pride aside, and ask him what he wants from you in this situation. A lot of things that we worry about don't really matter. Ask yourself 100 years from now will this matter? If the answer is no then you need to stop worrying and start doing!
Philippians 3:8   Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 

James1:2  ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Lead me to the Cross

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
Te word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

A verse for this year.....

Isaiah 43: 18-19 Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. 

This year has been a change for us. So many new things in our lives and so many old things that are changing. It is not that we don't welcome the new beginnings, but more that the unknown is so scary. I think that fear is the greatest factor in keeping so many Christians from answering God's call. I am often reminded of my pastor Craig Groeschel's teaching: delayed obedience is disobedience. 


Just think of your children, if you were to say sweetie I'm going to need you to go to bed  now, and your child were to delay what would you do. You would firmly assert your will in the matter forcing your child to go to bed. It might take you longer with them fighting you, but eventually you would accomplish the task of getting them to sleep. Of course we all know that children need a good night's sleep, and you are doing what is best for them.

Well this is a good analogy of where God is in your life when you delay obedience. He knows what is best, he has a plan for you, but you have the free will. I believe God gets you there even when you make all the wrong choices. Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He plans to give you hope, to give you a future, and most of all to prosper you. God has planned something good. So why is it so scary to obey him? Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. In all things he is working for our good. His plans are big; don't you want to be a part of them?

I know that I do, but I also find myself wondering and looking to the past. Hence, my verse for this year. God led me to the book of Isaiah, and there in chapter 43 the words jumped from the page at me. Forget the things of old. Forget your past, the mistakes you have made, and the things you have lost. Today is the beginning of something new. It's time to put one foot in front of the other. Listen to what God is asking you to do. Don't delay he is making a road in the wilderness of your life. As the living water springs forth in the dessert it's time to answer his call.

You make beautiful things

Summer has arrived

As much as I love the summer I also dread it. Summer means that it gets hot, summer means vacations that while well planned they always prove hectic, it means having free time, and having tons of activities.........................

What does summer mean to you?

To start off this summer I did something I have been meaning to do. I dug up the garden in front of our house. When we first moved in I was pregnant with Hailey and my parents did a quick fix on it. Since then the grass had grown both under and over the paper. It took me an entire day but I got the job done. I then planted some flowers and other plants in the newly tilled soil.

I also planted some potted veggies so we will have fresh veggies this summer, I hope.

Life is kind of like a garden. Our priorities and duties are the plants in the garden. The things we water thrive and the things we neglect don't. Of course with any garden their are weeds. They encroach even our best laid plans. If we ignore these weeds they take root in our hearts and begin to choke out the good things. By the time we finally get around to doing some weeding we find ourselves with one big hot mess. Just look at how my little garden was. The neglect of a couple of years took a full day to remedy. It's only a start though just because you plant the right things does not mean they take root. Jesus can be planted in your life, but if you don't take notice your relationship with him will never grow. Sometimes we have to forget the stuff that consumes us and remember the important things.

I think as I look forward toward a summer of fun that the important things should be highlighted. My God, my husband, my children, my church, and my friends. My time is like water and sunlight. The things I want to grow I will nurture with time and energy. Don't spend too much time nurturing trivial nonsense, and remember watch for weeds.

Passionately Following God's Call.............

Ephesians 3: 20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Passion is what we lack in today’s society. Truly passionate Christians doing God’s work because of his call, are out there, but they are in the minority. Many Christians are consumers. They consume church resources, devouring and taking, without giving back. I’m not talking about tithing that is another issue entirely. What I am talking about is service both in the local church, surrounding community, and global world.

On any given Sunday in hundreds of thousands of churches across the country that are staffed in majority by volunteers. Sure pastors receive a salary, but greeters, nursery workers, children’s church leaders, hospitality staff, and even parking attendants all give their time. Why do they do it? What is the purpose? The purpose is simply Ephesians 3: 20-21, it is a passion we have for the things God is doing, will do, and has done through the works of his people. We believe that God will have the glory because of what we do.
I cannot tell you how amazing it is to sit in a room with up to 30 three year olds on a Sunday morning. It is a struggle to get them all seated quietly at the story, but as I teach them about David and Goliath my heart soars. These are the future of our church. Here sit the future leaders and I have the great priviledge and honor to be able to teach them. I also get to settle their squabbles, make play dough animals, color pictures, cut  and glue, and most of all pour out my passion and love. 1Corinthians 11: 1-2 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. Jesus said let the little children come to me. Their faith is great, and they can teach us so much.  I find true joy and passion in service to God’s children. Where do you find that passion?

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. We have a purpose, and we need to seek that purpose with passion. Some of us have a great purpose to be missionaries ministering to others in countries across the globe. Others are to be Christian parents to the orphans of this world. Some of us are serving in our local churches and communities. Wherever you are you have a purpose and God will use you. Do not allow yourself to fall victum  to the temptations of this world. The world will tell you, you are not good enough, you don’t have enough time, and most of all that God doesn’t need you. The truth is completely opposite. You are very much needed. There is a place for you where God will use you and help you grow. Don’t get me wrong it’s not always easy, and at times you may feel unappreciated, but God sees what you are doing. He knows your heart and he appreciates you more than you can ever fathom.

Ray Boltz

Thank You

Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea
We heard these angels singing
Then someone called your name
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came
And he said friend you may not know me now
And then he said, but wait
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight
And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart

CHORUS
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you
And said remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry
You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today

CHORUS (repeat)

One by one they came
Far as your eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices you made
They were unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know that up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child look around you
For great is your reward

CHORUS (repeat)

I am so glad you gave.

Are you too busy to be a good parent?

I am just too busy……… I hear that a lot. In fact the people who are often telling me this have no idea who they are talking to.  I work two jobs, have 4 kids, and serve at church. Eric attends University classes on Saturdays, serves in church, works, and takes care of the kids. Our kids do swimming lessons, soccer, and have school and church functions. We are always busy. Our normal week is packed, but we know when and how to say no.

With that in mind I realize that it is all too easy to become too busy. Hebrews 2: 1-2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,  I refuse to drift away from what is important. Some things are worth giving everything up for. I think some of what our society lacks is passion. What are you passionate enough that you would give up everything for? Would you do it for your church? Is it religion?  How about Jesus? Luke 9:23-25  Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? It doesn’t say if you belong to this special church you will gain the world. It doesn’t say that if you turn around five times before the sun comes up on X day you will gain the world. It doesn’t give you a list of activities to keep you busy. The bible is clear you deny yourself and follow Jesus. Sometimes that means denying what you desire to do so that you can be doing something better.

Really it’s all about priorities. Ephesians 5:15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, The fool tries to do it all. They know they can’t accomplish it all, but they are determined to stuff  as much into the time they have as they can. Foolish parents are the norm today. Their kids do homework on the way to one practice or another every night. These kids never eat at home because there isn’t time. They have at least two activities going on every night of the week. Their parents need electronic calendars just to track their schedules and often still find their children double booked. The parents of these children don’t have time for board games, quiet evening walks, dinner around the table as a family, playing with friends, or even family devotions. It’s just impossible to fit it all in.  The good news is that you don’t have to. In fact when asked many of these kids would rather not. This rigorous do it all schedule is as stressful to the kiddos as it is to the parents and often is an attempt for parents to let their kids do all the things they wish they could have done.

To better illustrate why this is wrong I want to tell you about my life. When I was little I wanted nothing more than to be a ballerina. If you know me then you know that would never have happened. I can’t dance, but I did want to do dance. I loved music and dance. My mother was the product of an upbringing where she danced and danced. She wanted me to not have the pressures of that. So I never did it. As a young adult I swore I would put my daughter in dance. My daughter loves music and she would most definitely be good at it. However, my daughter hates performing in front of people. This year is the first year she hasn’t cried through her school’s holiday program. It makes her frantic to be in front of all those people. I know that I would enjoy seeing her dance, but she wouldn’t love it. So the question becomes who would she be doing it for? What would the purpose be? And the big question, is it really a good use of both our time?

Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. It seems pretty clear to me that I am to teach my children daily through my interactions with them. This scripture verse makes it clear that we are to make time for meaningful conversations and reflections with our children. I can’t just be the chauffeur and cheerleader at the many events they are involved in. I think it is apparent that as a parent we need to set aside time for these interactions. There’s a big debate about quantity vs. quality and many misconceptions that go with that. I recently heard a speaker talk about new research that says if you have the quantity the quality will follow. Some of the best memories I have growing up were not big planned events. If my parents had been totally into providing quality over quantity I might have missed the lessons learned in the little special moments along the way.

 Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. My goal as a parent is succinctly summarized in proverbs 22:6. I don’t want my children to depart from the path I set them on. If I show them the right path I can sit back and watch them grow and learn, but most of all I want to marvel at the amazing things they  do along that path.  I don’t want them to miss the point of life because they are too busy………………..

Take a minute and write down the three most important priorities in your life today.

1.

2.

3.

What is keeping you from accomplishing those things? Are you too busy being busy?

 

American Dream Casting Crowns

All work no play may have made Jack a dull boy
But all work no God has left Jack with a lost soul
But he's moving on full steam
He's chasing the American dream
And he's gonna give his family the finer things

Not this time son I've no time to waste
Maybe tomorrow we'll have time to play
And then he slips into his new BMW
And drives farther and farther and farther away

So He works all day and tries to sleep at night
He says things will get better;
Better in time

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

His American Dream is beginning to seem
More and more like a nightmare
With every passing day
"Daddy, can you come to my game?"
"Oh Baby, please don't work late."
Another wasted weekend
And they are slipping away

'Cause he works all day and lies awake at night
He tells them things will get better
It'll just take a little more time

He used to say, "Whoever dies with the most toys wins"
But if he loses his soul, what has he gained in the end
I'll take a shack on the rock
Over a castle in the sand
Now he works all day and cries alone at night
It's not getting any better
Looks like he's running out of time
'Cause he worked and he built with his own two hands
And he poured all he had in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are coming crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You
All they really wanted was You

What’s in your heart and can God use it?

If you are the prettiest, smartest, well educated, and most prepared person out there I have some good news for you; God can probably still use you. However, if you are broken, sinful, unprepared, and flawed God will probably choose to use you. Don’t be surprised that he chose you instead of someone else. This is a mistake that so many of us make. It keeps us from doing big things. We think that those around us are better qualified. They’re less flawed, more prepared, or just better Christians. God knows your heart and that’s what he’s looking at. He doesn’t see your appearance, or look at how well you’ve prepared. He just looks at your heart.

If you think he can’t use you look at some of the people he’s used:

Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea married a prostitute. Rahad was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair.

Solomon was too rich. Job went bankrupt.

Abraham was too old. David, Jeremiah, and Timothy were too young.

Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead.

John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow.

Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.

Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted.

Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burnt out. John the Baptist was an introvert who ate bugs. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy.

Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk.

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul -- well, lots of folks did. But God doesn't require perfection. In fact we don’t find too many perfect people serving him. Only 1 in the history of the bible and in return he was hung on a cross to die for all.

Really think about it, how unlikely is Jesus? His mother’s faithfulness was questioned; some thought her an adulterous. His parents were young. He was born in a barn. His family fled from the law. They lived in exile for years. He had no college education, but was a trained carpenter. Yet this man led 12 disciples across the country changing lives. He was so influential that the heads of church and state put him to death.

So what is it that makes ordinary people extraordinary? It’s their heart. It’s a passion that God has laid on their heart. An awe inspiring need to serve him no matter the cost transforms these ordinary people into heroes. I can give you some modern day examples of this:

Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslovia. She was one of 5 children. Two of her siblings did not live to adulthood. She was from a well-off family and grew up in a comfortable home. Her father died when she was a teenager, and at 18 she decided to become a nun and missionary. The rest you know………

Youcef Nadarkhani is a father of two, a pastor, and imprisoned Christian who may die for his beliefs. Youcef was born in Iran. He is an Evangelical pastor who spoke out on forced religious education in Iranian schools. I’m sure he was concerned as any parent would be about what his children were being taught. He has been imprisoned and is sentenced to die. His crime being a Christian, and the government has told him that if he renounces Christianity they will free him.

Gianna Jessen whose life inspired the movie October baby has Cerebral Palsy. Her mother was 17 years old when she was born as a result of a saline abortion performed at 7 ½ months of gestation. Instead of dying she lived. Gianna fought for life in a local hospital for 3 months. She has not had an easy life, but she says she is happy to be alive and thanks God that she is here. She does not consider herself a by-product of conception, a clump of tissue, or any other of the titles given to a child in the womb. Gianna considers herself a person with a right to be alive, and she thanks God that she has had the chance to share her life with others.

There are more modern day religious heroes than you or I know. Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Modern day Christian heroes serve others out of love. They have a burden for God and they cannot just stand still. Modern day Christian heroes do Weird stuff. They don’t value the things society tells them are important, but the things God tells them matter. They know that God will use them and they have enough faith to pursue his purpose even in the face of disappointment and uncertainty. I believe the difference between a Christian hero and you or I is a small thing. You see the devil will place obstacles in your way. The devil doesn’t want you or I to serve God’s purpose and his mission is to distract and divert us from it. These Christian heroes see those obstacles and choose to overcome. These are people who no matter how many times the world knocks them down they get up again. They praise God in the storms and worship his purpose even in their pain. These are the people we need to raise up as examples for our children, and not some sports or movie star.

But most of all this is what we should aspire to be…………………………………

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Grappling with why….

Why didn’t God answer my prayers? Why hasn’t God healed someone I love? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is life so hard?

^{Mark 11: 24} Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

When you are praying God may not be answering your prayers because of what is in your heart. The bible clearly says we must first forgive others so that our father in heaven will forgive us. I can think of many times I have wanted something from God and not received it at a point in my life where I was filled with bitterness toward someone else. Can you? The bible tells us that we are to forgive others as we wish to be forgiven. Well, that my friends is easier said than done…… But what if when we choose, because it is always a choice, not to forgive we are also choosing not to have our prayers answered? Is it worth it to hold onto your bitterness?

James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

This verse from James is one I have read and shared before. It really resonates with me, especially when God doesn’t answer my prayers. How many people do you think prayed to win the Mega-Million lottery a few weeks back? How many of those people were Christians? I am sure quite a few. It seemed like everyone bought a ticket. Didn’t you? The thing is God wants the glory. He wants to meet your need where you are. It’s not about money with God or pleasures. God wants you and your heart. God sees what the end result would be. It’s not that he doesn’t love you in fact it’s more that he does love you. Think of it this way. Your kids have a whole basket of Easter candy. The candy is good, but they want to eat it all. A little candy is great, but a lot will make them sick. You as an adult know this. It’s not that you love them any less when you say no more candy today. In fact you say no out of love. God loves you more than that and he too says no out of love. Just because you didn’t win the mega million doesn’t mean you are less loved. He knows that having too much can make you sick so he said no. You may think you would do one thing with the money, but money can become a powerful idol and God knows what it would do to your life and mine. Proverbs 6:2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.

Of course it might not be your motives that are the problem. It could be your faith. Do you really believe God will heal the person you are praying for? Do you believe God will change that sinner’s heart? After all these years do you still believe that your crazy drunk relative can find God? Mark 9:23 If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” If you don’t believe God will answer a prayer there is no point in praying it. Do not say well we’ve tried everything else all we can do now is pray. Start each day, end each day, and throughout each day PRAY. God can do all. That doesn’t mean he will, but if you truly believe he won’t he may decide to prove you right. It amazes me sometimes that those who don’t believe in God have such animosity toward those who do. C S Lewis wrote: “Atheists express their rage against God although in their view He does not exist.” Why would you hate something that doesn’t exist? Why is it that when God doesn’t do what you want him to you question his very existence? I think the answer is simple I can most definitely run a mile. I have run a mile in the past. I will run a mile in the future, but today I am not going to run a mile. Why not you ask? Well today is not a good day to run a mile. It is cold, it is rainy, and I have church tonight. Church is better than running a mile. So today instead of running a mile I will do something better. God can answer your prayer, has answered your prayers, and will answer your prayers; but this prayer he chooses not to because he has something better for you. Believe that he will and he can, and when he doesn’t you must still believe. James 1: 6-7 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

It’s just not fair is it? Not fair that God can answer your prayers and won’t. Not fair that you a good person struggle with bad things. It’s not fair that babies die, that corrupt politicians exist, it’s not fair that some people have tons of food and others starve, and it’s not fair that I didn’t win the mega-million. ;) We’ve all heard the phrase life’s not fair. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” You were not made for this world. Remember that when you are thinking of unfairness.

Just because something bad happens does not prove there is no God. Atheists will tell you that if there is a God then why is there evil? The thing is atheist, Christian, or agnostic we all grapple with the question of why bad things happen. I believe there are two reasons bad things happen.

1. Bad things happen so you can see the Glory of God

On September 11, 2001 there were thousands of good people going about their day. Many of these people were doing exactly what they did every day. No one saw it coming. America was forever changed in an instant. By the time the second plane hit we were reeling. So many why’s unanswered in that moment and on that day. Maybe you should take a look at what happened during and after 9/11:

“I had not prayed in years, especially the lifestyle I was living. And my prayer was very specific I said ‘Lord, I need to feel alive again. I feel that I have a heart that’s not beating. I don’t want to feel this way.’ I said, ‘God let me see with your eyes and let me feel with your heart what you’re feeling now.’ Suddenly I felt God’s hand touch me. Tears start coming down my eyes and to me that was impossibility. I felt good, like for the first time in my life God was actually with me.” Steve Negron

Then in the midst of America’s darkest hours and in the midst of the enormous devastation, John says he believes hope was revealed. Four steel girder crosses laid upright in the middle of Building 6. All the workers in the immediate area, both believers and non-believers, stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads and prayed. John Picarello

There is another amazing report that more than 100 members of a New York church who worked at the Twin Towers got a witness in their spirit to not go to work on the morning of 9/11.

“It was the most beautiful, clear day on the east coast ... I sent out an email to someone that goes to my church saying, ‘Something is happening to me this morning. I know there is a call of God on my life. I have just been chasing stuff in America, but I want to be used by God,’” John wrote. Moments later, he heard an incredible explosion as the first plane hit the North Tower. While the walls shook and jet fuel from the plane ignited a fire all around him and thousands of other employees, everyone began to run for the stairs. Then he heard another explosion, as the second plane crashed into the South Tower, where his pregnant wife worked. No calls could be made to his wife because cell phones were not functioning properly. When he finally reached the plaza, huddling together with 15-20 other people, all he could think was, “These people that are with you, where are they going without Jesus?” “I started crying out to Jesus, and I asked those 15-20 people to call upon the name of the Lord. The most incredible thing happened. Not one tried to argue with me or debate with me. But as I started calling upon the name of the Lord, they followed in unison and I could hear these people cry, ‘Jesus,’ with me for a few minutes.”

Twenty minutes later, everyone around him had been crushed or smashed by the rubble. He was the only survivor.“I said, ‘God, they just called upon your name, and how come did they not make it?’ And I felt God saying, ‘Sujo, they made their peace with me in their dying moments and they are resting with me in my presence.’”As rescue workers soon led him out of the debris, he could not help but ask God why he spared his own life. Believing that his wife was dead already, John soon received a call on his cell phone with his wife’s caller ID on it. Though he assumed that it was someone calling to tell him the news of his wife, he answered, only to hear the reassuring voice of Mary on the other line – she was running late for work that morning. After being reunited with the love of his life, John prayed that night, “God, I am done chasing things that have been on my heart. I have been chasing success, fame, financial security, but from now on I want to be chasing that which is in your heart.” From that day forth, John following his convictions, launched Sujo John Ministries, an international evangelistic ministry dedicated to spreading the Gospel message of grace, which he so vividly experienced himself.

September 11, 2011 is only one example of a tragedy that God used.John 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. In your pain and in your sorrow God is there. You may be like the blind man in the Gospel of John. Through no fault of his own was he blind, but the glory of God was revealed to many when he was blind no more. Sometimes bad things happen because a miracle is needed. 9-11 led to a religious revival. Many people who had never sought Jesus found him and were saved. God’s plan in many tragedies is to save someone or in the case of 9-11 thousands died so hundreds of thousands might struggle with the tragedy, seek God, and be saved.

2. Your definition of good people is flawed.

The other thing you must know is all men and all women have sinned. You and I are sinners. Our nature is deprived. The bible says: 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. We can try to be good enough every single day for the rest of our lives, but the reality is that’s just not enough. Romans 3: 23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. All fall short. That means that I am as much a sinner as you are. God doesn’t distinguish between sins either. Sin is sin. The only way out of sin was a price that was very high. God sent a truly good person. One who was completely without sin, and he allowed a bad thing to happen to a good person. Only once in all of history has a bad thing happened to a truly good person. It happened when they hung his son, Jesus, on a cross to pay for the sins of every man. He died sinless so that you might be saved from your sins. 2Chronicles6: 36“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; Remember, that there is no one who does not sin. No matter what they tell you. No matter how holy they seem. Everyone sins. We sin in our hearts and minds daily. The bible tells us our thoughts of anger are as bad as our actions.

So the next time something horrible happens, and you ask why did that happen to such a good person? Remember it happened to a sinner. It doesn’t mean that a tragedy is any less a tragedy. Horrible sad things happen every day. They are tragic. They will shake you, but God will do something amazing through them. He saves people in the midst of tragedies. Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

I believe that God is good. I believe that God will answer my prayers. But if he doesn’t I WILL STILL BELIEVE

Note: Craig Groeschel preached an amazing multi-part series called Why. This series has insight on other why questions that we ask and delves deeper into the ones that I highlighted here. I recommend taking the time and watching it online. It is free to anyone who wants to watch it. Here’s the link: WHY

Mac Powell

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus