"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwZsywhXDg8
We have some very dear friends, Roger and Cheryl, who came into our lives about 9 years ago. We were attending the same church in Columbia, SC and they felt God's call to begin a young married small group. We had been married just over a year and they asked us to participate. It was an answer to prayer. Tyrone had just stopped going to church, which would last 2 years, but he was willing to be a part of this group. We were a part of the group until we moved to Evansville, IN in 2007. By then we were more like the young family group, but Tyrone and I had become great friends with Roger and Cheryl.
Now, 5 years since we left Columbia, I still consider Cheryl one of my best friends and my spiritual advisor. Likewise, Roger is quite possibly the only man Tyrone has ever connected with on a deep, spiritual level and trusts completely. They enjoy hanging out and confiding in one another. God placed them in our lives at a very tough time in our marriage and I think in a lot of ways their guidance helped keep up together and growing in our faith. I am eternally in debt to their willingness to reach out to us. The funny thing about our relationship is that both Roger and Cheryl are older than our parents. Their oldest daughter is 2 weeks older than me. (They have 5 amazing daughters.) We have never once thought of them as "old" or "out of touch" or any other labels our generation might put on the previous one. They are just friends - our brother and sister in Christ.
When I need advice I can and do call or email Cheryl. She has wonderful insight and encouragement. I know she will provide godly counsel. The guys don't talk much, but I will chalk that up to them just being guys. When we visit them in the summer, however, they always spend some quality guy time together which I just love. We feel a part of their family - like another aunt and uncle for our children.
I have heard the song "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets at least 5 times this week. It reminds me of Roger and Cheryl. They have provided a wonderful example to us over the years. They are living for the Lord allowing him to lead in all areas of their lives. If it were not for their obedience to ask us to join the young married small group, I don't know where we would be today. They have served the Lord in the United States and around the world. Always willing to go where God wants to send them. Whether it is to a neighbor's house a local prison or another continent, they are prepared to go.
I wanna live like that...being obediene to God's purpose for my life so others will see HIM living through me. Matthew 25:14-30 TNIV is the Parable of the Servants. The servants who were given 5 and 2 bags of gold to invest went out and doubled it. The master was pleased and gave them greater responsibilities and invited them to share in his happiness. The servant who was given 1 bag of gold to invest hid it instead and never made anything more with it. It says he gave it back when the master returned. The master was not pleased so he took the silver from the servant and sent him away.
God has given me so many abilities, talents, and gifts. I am learning how to invest those "treasures" to further his kingdom by encouraging other believers and leading non-believers to salvation in Christ Jesus. Just as the Master said to his servants in verses 21 and 23, I want to hear my Lord say "Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" when I meet him in heaven one day.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I see you, Lord, and it is amazing
"I have seen the Lord" is the title of the sermon series we have been doing at our church leading up to Easter Sunday. We have been tasked with looking and listening for God - observing Him in all areas of our lives. It doesn't stop there however. Once we see his or hear him there is one step left - we must surrender to him. That's where life as a Christian can get uncomfortable. He might ask me to do something I don't want to do or stop doing something I shouldn't be doing.
So I am actively looking and listening for God which has been amazing. He is EVERYWHERE! It's not that he has all of a sudden appeared, but that I am looking for him so I can see him right where he always has been, where he is, and where he will be. This has caused a great deal of reflection on my part to "rewind" in my head and look for God over the years. It's sort of like a game of "Where's Waldo?" only once you start finding God in your life all the other parts of the picture fade away and, at least for moments, all I can see is Him. I long for more and more of that every day.
After talking with a friend Monday night, God brought a past experience to mind that really illustrates how far he has brought me over the last 7 years. As we were nearing the end of my pregnancy with Jeremiah (April 28 will be his 7th birthday), I was thinking long and hard about whether to have an epidural or not. We watched the video at the birthing class and that looked awful. I can't remember how much I prayed about it, but I don't think it was a lot. The Sunday before he was born, however, we were at church singing the song, Enough, and in those moments I knew God was telling me I could get through the labor and delivery without the epidural. Part of my explaination to people was, "If I could squat 380 lbs in college, I can give birth to a baby without an epidural." That statement kind of leaves God out though, doesn't it? I was relying on my own strength to get me through. I know he was with me, but I only invited him into the room rather than letting him hold me and lead me.
From IV to birth, the process to get Jeremiah Aaron "out" took about 20 hours. He was born at 1:48am and I was beyond exhausted. I made it! No epidural! I did give up however, but by God's grace it was too late for an epidural at that point. He was carrying me even though I remained more focused on my own strength. I even told my doctor between pushes, which lasted an hour and a half, about my 380lb squat.
Maiesha Rae came along 18 months later on November 3, 2006. I was induced again, but this time the process only took 8 or 9 hours and there was only 30 minutes of pushing. God gave me the same song, Enough, just a week or so before she came so I knew again I could make it with no epidural. It was still about my own strength and stubborness. I thought, if I did it once I can do it again. My pride said I have to do it again.
As we prepared for Lydia to arrive in 2011, my attitude was a little different. I didn't have the same confidence in my own abilities to withstand the pain. I was much more nervous about going through the process again without an epidural. My song came at some point during the pregnancy, but not near the end. God gave me plenty of other signs to help prepare me. He gave me the determination to go the distance this time. I wanted to induce early again, but it was actually best that we wait until one day after my due date. That was a great mental toughness exercise because I was really ready to NOT be pregnant any more. My water broke 10 days early so I didn't have to wait, and we managed to fit it into our schedule. Ha Ha. God does that with me sometimes. As soon as I surrender something to him completely, he "let's me off the hook" as though the whole experience was about trusting him completely and not the waiting at all.
While the nurse put in my IV this time I was really nervous. I could not stop talking and laughing. From IV to birth, Lydia only took 6 and a half hours, but it was tough and I needed God the whole time. I had nothing to give on this one. In my head, not out loud, I was scared. I didn't feel up to the challenge at all, but the baby must come out. A bunch of people were praying for us throughout the process. We would text or call someone periodically to share an update. Some would text back an encouraging word. When things were getting very intense (they were really pumping the pitocin so she would arrive before bedtime) a lot of negative thoughts were running through my head. I said to myself, "You idiot, why didn't you get the epidural?" God showed up! A good friend sent a text with a verse from Psalm which was exactly what I needed. I wish I could remember what verse now. I kept repeating the beginning of the verse over and over. God was carrying me. I had no strength on my own. I was literally crying out to God to help me and one of the nurses and Tyrone both said, "He is." Then the Holy Spirit began ringing in my head. He said, "If Jesus can endure the cross for my sake, I can deliver this baby." Not my 380lb squat! Not my stubborn pride! He gave me the endurance and then the strength for one big push and out she came. I remember holding her and saying "thank you" over and over and over again.
God is at work! He is alive! He is everywhere! I need only open my eyes to see him. To experience his goodness. In Psalm 25 David writes(v 4-5 is my life verse),
In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.
So I am actively looking and listening for God which has been amazing. He is EVERYWHERE! It's not that he has all of a sudden appeared, but that I am looking for him so I can see him right where he always has been, where he is, and where he will be. This has caused a great deal of reflection on my part to "rewind" in my head and look for God over the years. It's sort of like a game of "Where's Waldo?" only once you start finding God in your life all the other parts of the picture fade away and, at least for moments, all I can see is Him. I long for more and more of that every day.
After talking with a friend Monday night, God brought a past experience to mind that really illustrates how far he has brought me over the last 7 years. As we were nearing the end of my pregnancy with Jeremiah (April 28 will be his 7th birthday), I was thinking long and hard about whether to have an epidural or not. We watched the video at the birthing class and that looked awful. I can't remember how much I prayed about it, but I don't think it was a lot. The Sunday before he was born, however, we were at church singing the song, Enough, and in those moments I knew God was telling me I could get through the labor and delivery without the epidural. Part of my explaination to people was, "If I could squat 380 lbs in college, I can give birth to a baby without an epidural." That statement kind of leaves God out though, doesn't it? I was relying on my own strength to get me through. I know he was with me, but I only invited him into the room rather than letting him hold me and lead me.
From IV to birth, the process to get Jeremiah Aaron "out" took about 20 hours. He was born at 1:48am and I was beyond exhausted. I made it! No epidural! I did give up however, but by God's grace it was too late for an epidural at that point. He was carrying me even though I remained more focused on my own strength. I even told my doctor between pushes, which lasted an hour and a half, about my 380lb squat.
Maiesha Rae came along 18 months later on November 3, 2006. I was induced again, but this time the process only took 8 or 9 hours and there was only 30 minutes of pushing. God gave me the same song, Enough, just a week or so before she came so I knew again I could make it with no epidural. It was still about my own strength and stubborness. I thought, if I did it once I can do it again. My pride said I have to do it again.
As we prepared for Lydia to arrive in 2011, my attitude was a little different. I didn't have the same confidence in my own abilities to withstand the pain. I was much more nervous about going through the process again without an epidural. My song came at some point during the pregnancy, but not near the end. God gave me plenty of other signs to help prepare me. He gave me the determination to go the distance this time. I wanted to induce early again, but it was actually best that we wait until one day after my due date. That was a great mental toughness exercise because I was really ready to NOT be pregnant any more. My water broke 10 days early so I didn't have to wait, and we managed to fit it into our schedule. Ha Ha. God does that with me sometimes. As soon as I surrender something to him completely, he "let's me off the hook" as though the whole experience was about trusting him completely and not the waiting at all.
While the nurse put in my IV this time I was really nervous. I could not stop talking and laughing. From IV to birth, Lydia only took 6 and a half hours, but it was tough and I needed God the whole time. I had nothing to give on this one. In my head, not out loud, I was scared. I didn't feel up to the challenge at all, but the baby must come out. A bunch of people were praying for us throughout the process. We would text or call someone periodically to share an update. Some would text back an encouraging word. When things were getting very intense (they were really pumping the pitocin so she would arrive before bedtime) a lot of negative thoughts were running through my head. I said to myself, "You idiot, why didn't you get the epidural?" God showed up! A good friend sent a text with a verse from Psalm which was exactly what I needed. I wish I could remember what verse now. I kept repeating the beginning of the verse over and over. God was carrying me. I had no strength on my own. I was literally crying out to God to help me and one of the nurses and Tyrone both said, "He is." Then the Holy Spirit began ringing in my head. He said, "If Jesus can endure the cross for my sake, I can deliver this baby." Not my 380lb squat! Not my stubborn pride! He gave me the endurance and then the strength for one big push and out she came. I remember holding her and saying "thank you" over and over and over again.
God is at work! He is alive! He is everywhere! I need only open my eyes to see him. To experience his goodness. In Psalm 25 David writes(v 4-5 is my life verse),
In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Spring Break has come and gone
Today is our first day back to the regular routine of life after spring break. A new feature of spring break here in Fayetteville is that the University and Fayetteville schools have the same week off. In Evansville, the kids would always be off a different week than the University so we couldn't have a lot of family time.
I don't really look forward to spring break. Hanging out with 3 kids 24/7 is challenging. Jeremiah and Maiesha tend to argue and fight more when they have so much quality time together (I could put on Tyrone's referee uniform and whistle). I had a choice to make as spring break approached - allow God to lead us through the week OR have a pity party for myself and focus on the possibility of a challenging week. By the way, it rained Monday through Friday.
I decided to pray and turn the week over to God. I asked him to work in all our hearts to allow the fruit of the Spirit flow as we have been talking about so much lately - especially patience and kindness. He answered big time! I am happy to say God took the lead and we had a great week.
We had a couple playdates and a dinner party with friends we haven't been able to spend much time with lately. We had lunch with Tyrone a couple days and even went to Chuck E Cheese to play games. (I really don't like CEC, but I too had fun.) Tyrone came home from work early every day. Between that and the rain stopping each evening, I was able to take some long walks and have quality quiet time with the Lord. This weekend was gorgeous so we were able to hit the playground and work on the yard.
God provided a Christ-centered basketball camp for Jeremiah to attend 3 morning. The coach who referees my basketball league at the Boys' & Girls' Club invited him to come even though he was a year too young. They prayed in the huddle, played urban Christian music, and talked about hard work on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He can dribble to balls at once, do lay-ups correctly, and his 3-on-3 team won. We were able to stay and play afterward each day for about 30 minutes so Maiesha played in the gym too. Tyrone ordered a basketball hoop for our house so we can all practice our game at home.
The kids and I spent an afternoon with our "adopted" family. It was awesome to provide them an opportunity to get out of the house and play at Boingo Bounce. The mom and I had a nice time talking and getting to know each other better. Maiesha and I were on our way to their house Friday to deliver the weekly meal when the tire pressure light came on in our van. It worked out great that we were headed to their house since the dad is a mechanic. We had run over a chunk of metal and the tire was leaking air bad. He was able to repair the tire (the same one I just bought a couple weeks ago because of a nail) and get us on the road to our Pampered Chef party. It was at the home of Maiesha's friend from dance class so it was important that we made it to the party so the girls could play.
The week flew by as it always does. I could write a story for every day and how God showed up to guide us along. As I look back over all that we did, I am a little sad that the kids went back to school today. I am so thankful we allowed God to lead.
Galatians 5:16-26 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
I don't really look forward to spring break. Hanging out with 3 kids 24/7 is challenging. Jeremiah and Maiesha tend to argue and fight more when they have so much quality time together (I could put on Tyrone's referee uniform and whistle). I had a choice to make as spring break approached - allow God to lead us through the week OR have a pity party for myself and focus on the possibility of a challenging week. By the way, it rained Monday through Friday.
I decided to pray and turn the week over to God. I asked him to work in all our hearts to allow the fruit of the Spirit flow as we have been talking about so much lately - especially patience and kindness. He answered big time! I am happy to say God took the lead and we had a great week.
We had a couple playdates and a dinner party with friends we haven't been able to spend much time with lately. We had lunch with Tyrone a couple days and even went to Chuck E Cheese to play games. (I really don't like CEC, but I too had fun.) Tyrone came home from work early every day. Between that and the rain stopping each evening, I was able to take some long walks and have quality quiet time with the Lord. This weekend was gorgeous so we were able to hit the playground and work on the yard.
God provided a Christ-centered basketball camp for Jeremiah to attend 3 morning. The coach who referees my basketball league at the Boys' & Girls' Club invited him to come even though he was a year too young. They prayed in the huddle, played urban Christian music, and talked about hard work on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He can dribble to balls at once, do lay-ups correctly, and his 3-on-3 team won. We were able to stay and play afterward each day for about 30 minutes so Maiesha played in the gym too. Tyrone ordered a basketball hoop for our house so we can all practice our game at home.
The kids and I spent an afternoon with our "adopted" family. It was awesome to provide them an opportunity to get out of the house and play at Boingo Bounce. The mom and I had a nice time talking and getting to know each other better. Maiesha and I were on our way to their house Friday to deliver the weekly meal when the tire pressure light came on in our van. It worked out great that we were headed to their house since the dad is a mechanic. We had run over a chunk of metal and the tire was leaking air bad. He was able to repair the tire (the same one I just bought a couple weeks ago because of a nail) and get us on the road to our Pampered Chef party. It was at the home of Maiesha's friend from dance class so it was important that we made it to the party so the girls could play.
The week flew by as it always does. I could write a story for every day and how God showed up to guide us along. As I look back over all that we did, I am a little sad that the kids went back to school today. I am so thankful we allowed God to lead.
Galatians 5:16-26 NLT
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Investing in the next generation
I have been playing basketball on Sunday nights at the Boy's & Girl's Club for a couple months now. It started as a bunch of women - post high school or college - who only played on occassion. I am the "outsider" since most of the women already know each other and some coach in NW Arkansas. It was great to be invited by being in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately, our numbers have gradually decreased over the weeks, but that has made room for some younger girls to get involved. We have some high school kids and some college players from a nearby Christian college. I love the challenge of playing against kids 13-15 years younger. I become more competitive in order to keep up and out play those young legs. I also hope I have skills and knowledge to pass along to them.
Last night we played 5 on 5 with 1 guy for a sub on each team. That is a little extra challenging since I am not in game shape, but I don't let that stop me. At halftime, one of those "youngsters" came to me to tell me she liked playing against me. She thought my intensity made her play harder. I was so touched. I told her that's what I am here for and hopefully she will become a better basketball player as a result. My team ended up losing (which I don't take well), but I walked away happy knowing my presence and tough play made a difference for the next generation.
To be perfectly honest, I am quite uncomfortable with getting older. When I turned 22 I vowed I would never get any older. That being said, on June 16, 2012, I will turn 22 for the 13th time (aka 34 years old). God is teaching me, however, that age is just a number, but these year of experience are incredibly valuable to my relationship with my Heavenly Father. He is using my years of experience - farm kid, athletics, coaching, marriage, motherhood, adulthood - to love through me to connect with so many people all around me. These experiences, and the years it has taken to gain them all, give me so many avenues to share the love of Jesus and what he has done for me. That is the true and most important life changing experience anyone can have.
Titus 2:3-5(NLV) "Teach older women to be quiet and to be careful how they act also. They are not to go around speaking bad things about others or things that are not true. They are not to be chained by strong drink. They should teach what is good. Older women are to teach the young women to love their husbands and children. They are to teach them to think before they act, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored."
I think these versed from Titus help us understand the responsibility we each have to teach the next generation of women who come after us. I need to accept that getting older is part of life. All the more reason that my attitude, my choices, and my obedience to God's Word are critical to becoming the woman God wants me to be. I must make the most of every day God gives me on this earth to make an eternal difference in my own children, young athletes, college girls, new wives, or first-time moms so they see God's love, grace and mercy.
I want to be the wife of noble character described in Proverbs 31:25-26 (NLT).
"She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness."
Last night we played 5 on 5 with 1 guy for a sub on each team. That is a little extra challenging since I am not in game shape, but I don't let that stop me. At halftime, one of those "youngsters" came to me to tell me she liked playing against me. She thought my intensity made her play harder. I was so touched. I told her that's what I am here for and hopefully she will become a better basketball player as a result. My team ended up losing (which I don't take well), but I walked away happy knowing my presence and tough play made a difference for the next generation.
To be perfectly honest, I am quite uncomfortable with getting older. When I turned 22 I vowed I would never get any older. That being said, on June 16, 2012, I will turn 22 for the 13th time (aka 34 years old). God is teaching me, however, that age is just a number, but these year of experience are incredibly valuable to my relationship with my Heavenly Father. He is using my years of experience - farm kid, athletics, coaching, marriage, motherhood, adulthood - to love through me to connect with so many people all around me. These experiences, and the years it has taken to gain them all, give me so many avenues to share the love of Jesus and what he has done for me. That is the true and most important life changing experience anyone can have.
Titus 2:3-5(NLV) "Teach older women to be quiet and to be careful how they act also. They are not to go around speaking bad things about others or things that are not true. They are not to be chained by strong drink. They should teach what is good. Older women are to teach the young women to love their husbands and children. They are to teach them to think before they act, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, and to obey their own husbands. In this way, the Word of God is honored."
I think these versed from Titus help us understand the responsibility we each have to teach the next generation of women who come after us. I need to accept that getting older is part of life. All the more reason that my attitude, my choices, and my obedience to God's Word are critical to becoming the woman God wants me to be. I must make the most of every day God gives me on this earth to make an eternal difference in my own children, young athletes, college girls, new wives, or first-time moms so they see God's love, grace and mercy.
I want to be the wife of noble character described in Proverbs 31:25-26 (NLT).
"She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness."
Monday, March 12, 2012
I am Free!
One of my favorite songs we used to sing at our church in Evansville was "I am Free". Here is the Newsboys' version for your listening pleasure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWv-UOHzaIc
I went on a ladies' retreat this weekend. The topic was Beloved and as God so often does, it was perfect timing for such a topic in my life.
Back in Evansville, I was part of an awesome women's Bible study. We met at McDonald's every other Saturday at 7:30am so to give our husbands an easier morning with kids. I can't count the number of times the topic or verses we studied would show up in the sermon at church that Sunday. It would also pop up on the radio or other places all the same time. It was so clear God was trying to hammer home a point.
Here I am in NW Arkansas and God is still hammering away on me. I have been wrestling with His love as compared to the love of others - my husband, family, friends, and even the world. I am trying to understand how to let God love me even when I don't feel loved by people. Or perhaps I feel unloveable all together. I just started studying the book, "The Search for Significance" by Robert S. McGee. I am doing it long distance along side my Evansville ladies. Chapter 1 explains how our significance can only be found on the foundation of God's love. As if that wasn't enough, I sign up for a retreat to hear all about how God is our beloved and we are His. Hmmmmm...is he trying to tell me something or what?
Isn't it awesome how the perfect God who created EVERYTHING pursues a relationship with me. He knows my deepest, darkest, ugliest parts and still he pursues me and knows me better than anyone else..
Psalm 139:13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God chooses to love me out of HIS goodness - not anything I do or don't do. God's pursuit of me and love for me is the ONLY reason I am loveable. Isaiah 64:6 says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
So when I understand this and accept it and allow God to love me I can respond to him in the freedom he intended. I am not bound by the imperfect love of broken people that will always disappoint.
I am free to enjoy his love.
I am free to share his love with others.
I am free to fear him and NOTHING else.
I am free to live out his purpose for my life.
I am free from guilt or shame.
I am free to lay down the heavy baggage of my past.
I am free to dance and sing.
I am free to rest.
I am free to happily obey his commandments.
I am free to seek him and not the approval of others.
I AM FREE!
Thank you, Lord for loving me with your perfect, infinite love. Thank you for demonstrating your love through the shed blood and resurrection of your only son, Jesus Christ. Remind me of your love when I start to think I can do life without you in the driver's seat. Forgive me for seeking the approval of man before you. I don't want to settle for earthly treasures that will all pass away. I want the eternal blessings you have prepared for me. Thank you for your relentless pursuit of me.
- Amen
I went on a ladies' retreat this weekend. The topic was Beloved and as God so often does, it was perfect timing for such a topic in my life.
Back in Evansville, I was part of an awesome women's Bible study. We met at McDonald's every other Saturday at 7:30am so to give our husbands an easier morning with kids. I can't count the number of times the topic or verses we studied would show up in the sermon at church that Sunday. It would also pop up on the radio or other places all the same time. It was so clear God was trying to hammer home a point.
Here I am in NW Arkansas and God is still hammering away on me. I have been wrestling with His love as compared to the love of others - my husband, family, friends, and even the world. I am trying to understand how to let God love me even when I don't feel loved by people. Or perhaps I feel unloveable all together. I just started studying the book, "The Search for Significance" by Robert S. McGee. I am doing it long distance along side my Evansville ladies. Chapter 1 explains how our significance can only be found on the foundation of God's love. As if that wasn't enough, I sign up for a retreat to hear all about how God is our beloved and we are His. Hmmmmm...is he trying to tell me something or what?
Isn't it awesome how the perfect God who created EVERYTHING pursues a relationship with me. He knows my deepest, darkest, ugliest parts and still he pursues me and knows me better than anyone else..
Psalm 139:13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
God chooses to love me out of HIS goodness - not anything I do or don't do. God's pursuit of me and love for me is the ONLY reason I am loveable. Isaiah 64:6 says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
So when I understand this and accept it and allow God to love me I can respond to him in the freedom he intended. I am not bound by the imperfect love of broken people that will always disappoint.
I am free to enjoy his love.
I am free to share his love with others.
I am free to fear him and NOTHING else.
I am free to live out his purpose for my life.
I am free from guilt or shame.
I am free to lay down the heavy baggage of my past.
I am free to dance and sing.
I am free to rest.
I am free to happily obey his commandments.
I am free to seek him and not the approval of others.
I AM FREE!
Thank you, Lord for loving me with your perfect, infinite love. Thank you for demonstrating your love through the shed blood and resurrection of your only son, Jesus Christ. Remind me of your love when I start to think I can do life without you in the driver's seat. Forgive me for seeking the approval of man before you. I don't want to settle for earthly treasures that will all pass away. I want the eternal blessings you have prepared for me. Thank you for your relentless pursuit of me.
- Amen
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Did you know there is a nail in your tire?
One of my biggest areas of stress and failure to trust God is in our finances. We have a reasonable amount of flexibility in our monthly budget, but added or unexpected expenses really stretch me. He has been so faithful over the years so I don't know why it is still such a struggle.
As we were leaving church Sunday the gentleman parked next to us pointed out a nail in our rear, driver's side tire. It was not going flat as the nail was firmly lodged in the side of the tire. We survived the rest of Sunday and all day Monday with no trouble which of course leads me to the obvious conclusion - just leave it alone, right? Is a nail stuck in your tire such a bad thing? I bought the $3 repair kit and Tyrone went to the garage at 10 o'clock last night to "repair" the tire. Note to self...when you only have one vehicle and the tire is not flat, leave the nail in there until you get to the tire shop.
The repair kit did not do much good so this morning we drove the school drop off route on a mostly flat tire then the girls and I drove straight to Walmart. The gas light also popped on right after we left home so we were really asking to get stranded. We filled up at the gas station in front of Walmart then parked by the service center and headed inside to see if they could just repair the tire. A long shot, I know.
Let me just say tires are much more expensive since the last tire I bought about 5 years ago (through a similar situation I might add). Fortunately, Walmart did not have a single tire in our size in stock. At that moment, that seemed like a terrible thing, but little did I know what God was working out. I noticed last week when I had the oil changed how very nice the people are which is not always the case at Walmart. So the customer service rep offered to call around to other stores to find a tire while the service techs put our spare on free of charge. Money is a little tight this month and I was praying on the way to Walmart about the repair vs. replacement cost and how this doesn't fit in the budget. I gave the whole situation over to God, however, and said I trust you Lord.
Praise the Lord! the wonderful lady found a used tire at a nearby place called Tire Tracks for only $35 compared to a new one for $95. I really wanted to drive straight home on the "donut" so we could finish getting ready for our "lunch party" as Maiesha and I call it, but I didn't want to miss out on the less expensive tire God had provided. Very quickly I realized the donut wasn't going to get us very far very fast and I needed to see this through so I called Tire Tracks to confirm that they had the tire in stock and to see how long it would take to get the replacement on. He said they could get me in immediately at that moment. I let him know we would be there in 5 minutes or less. We were in and out in about 20 minutes and back home in time to finish getting ready for lunch. God is so faithful even in the everyday stuff of life. He proved once again that He along is worthy of our praise.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
- Psalm 57:9-10
As we were leaving church Sunday the gentleman parked next to us pointed out a nail in our rear, driver's side tire. It was not going flat as the nail was firmly lodged in the side of the tire. We survived the rest of Sunday and all day Monday with no trouble which of course leads me to the obvious conclusion - just leave it alone, right? Is a nail stuck in your tire such a bad thing? I bought the $3 repair kit and Tyrone went to the garage at 10 o'clock last night to "repair" the tire. Note to self...when you only have one vehicle and the tire is not flat, leave the nail in there until you get to the tire shop.
The repair kit did not do much good so this morning we drove the school drop off route on a mostly flat tire then the girls and I drove straight to Walmart. The gas light also popped on right after we left home so we were really asking to get stranded. We filled up at the gas station in front of Walmart then parked by the service center and headed inside to see if they could just repair the tire. A long shot, I know.
Let me just say tires are much more expensive since the last tire I bought about 5 years ago (through a similar situation I might add). Fortunately, Walmart did not have a single tire in our size in stock. At that moment, that seemed like a terrible thing, but little did I know what God was working out. I noticed last week when I had the oil changed how very nice the people are which is not always the case at Walmart. So the customer service rep offered to call around to other stores to find a tire while the service techs put our spare on free of charge. Money is a little tight this month and I was praying on the way to Walmart about the repair vs. replacement cost and how this doesn't fit in the budget. I gave the whole situation over to God, however, and said I trust you Lord.
Praise the Lord! the wonderful lady found a used tire at a nearby place called Tire Tracks for only $35 compared to a new one for $95. I really wanted to drive straight home on the "donut" so we could finish getting ready for our "lunch party" as Maiesha and I call it, but I didn't want to miss out on the less expensive tire God had provided. Very quickly I realized the donut wasn't going to get us very far very fast and I needed to see this through so I called Tire Tracks to confirm that they had the tire in stock and to see how long it would take to get the replacement on. He said they could get me in immediately at that moment. I let him know we would be there in 5 minutes or less. We were in and out in about 20 minutes and back home in time to finish getting ready for lunch. God is so faithful even in the everyday stuff of life. He proved once again that He along is worthy of our praise.
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
- Psalm 57:9-10
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