It's Time for ..."20 Seconds of Insane Courage"

Have you spent too much of your time worrying what other people think?  Have you held back from being a little radical because you weren't sure how others would react?

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm done playing it safe.  I have done that my whole life, and it is no wonder that I am nowhere close to where I want to be in ministry.  I spent all my time trying to get along and not rock the boat.  I allowed others to intimidate me, to cause me to question who I was and what I was called to do.  And you know what, they weren't strangers.  Men and women of God that I looked up to from childhood.  They pushed me down and I let them every time!  Well you know what?  Something broke over me a few days ago, and I am done allowing other people to dictate my calling and abilities.  I am done walking on eggshells and worrying what the World will think.  Today is a new day.

Look around at the World we are living in.  The people who have given their lives to protect our homes and communities are being gunned down.  Our children's innocence is being stripped away to the point that they aren't even safe in their schools any longer.  Churches are choosing to change what they believe in order to obtain more members, instead of standing up for the truth given us in the Word of God.  

It is time for "20 seconds of insane courage...20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery."  Ok, yes I'm quoting a movie.

Sometimes that is all it takes.  I have begun a new chapter, and I will take you on this journey with me.  I have a passion for people.  In my daily life, I refrain or water down what I want to say in order to be accepted.  NO MORE!  Oh, I will still be tactful, but I will no longer water down the gospel to make it more palatable.  Yeah, I've done it and I bet you have too.  I will no longer limit my devotional life to a little while in the morning or at night.  I am making my pursuit of God a priority all day long.  Praying more, reading more, writing more, and did I say praying more?

Church it is time to pick a fight with the enemy on our knees.  I have been reading Mark Batterson's book "All In" and if you can't tell it has had quite an effect.  I highly recommend it.  It is time to make war in the Heavenlies.  If we want to see our country turn back to God, that battle must begin on our knees.  We can no longer make excuses... we must find the time to Pray.  No more excuses.

So who's with me?  Are you ready for "20 seconds of insane courage?"  Sometimes the smallest most radical step can cause a fire that consumes the World.  Let's do this!

Pray Specific!

We all have seasons where God has us in a holding pattern.  Currently I am in one of those seasons, waiting for God to open up an opportunity for full time children's ministry.  However, while I wait on God, I am working with an amazing group of real estate agents.  

Until stepping into this office three years ago, I had no idea how much work went into helping someone buy/sell a home.  I work with some of the hardest working people on the planet.  Their cell phones are permanently plastered to their hands and they are always on the move. Even though their job can be exhausting at times, they love what they do.  However, like any business they go through rough seasons where clients just don't seem to be calling or the right homes just aren't up for sale.  

We had a couple of agents who were dealing with one of those seasons recently.  I encouraged them to pray specific.  There are days we need to stop and tell God how we feel and what we need.  Not just what we need but EXACTLY what we need.  

Matthew 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Sometimes God is just waiting on us to ask.  Does God know what we need?  Yes, he does but he loves it when we ask things from Him.  God cares about how we feel and what we are going through.  He loves to spend time with us.  And the Bible says, 

Matthew 21:22
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

I'm not really sure how much more clear God could be.  If you believe and ask, God will answer.  In fact, both of those agents have seen an increase in their business.  One of them is so busy she doesn't know what to do with herself.  

God loves you and wants what is best for you.  Sometimes all you have to do is ASK.  Perhaps, I need to start taking my own advice and pray specific.  How About You?

"M Perfection"

Today is both a day of mourning for me and a day of celebration.  Six years ago today, I said goodbye to one of the most influential women I have known in my life.  Six years ago today, pretty much at this very moment, I received a call from my Mom letting me know that my amazing Mama (or Mamaw for those who don't spell like a Huff) passed from this world into her heavenly home.  I don't think I have ever had such a physical reaction to any news before or since.  I fell to the floor in utter disbelief.  In those few moments, heaven got one of the most amazing ladies I will ever know in this life.

She was an amazing cook, an indescribable artist (drawings, doodles, incredible quilts, intricate doilies), a fabulous gardener, an incredibly patient teacher, a cheerleader, a gracious hostess, a strong disciplinarian, and a veracious student of the Word of God.  She was also my friend.  Willing to give me the truth straight with a loving touch, willing to pray with me when even she couldn't give me the answers, willing to fight with me or for me no matter the circumstance...I miss her.

I am sure everyone reading this has someone in their life that they feel the same way about.  It is a gift that we too often take for granted.

Armina Huff was a light in the World to everyone who knew her, she was also a lesson in perfection or "M" Perfection.  With everything she did, my Mama strove for perfection.  She would cook something amazing, and then spend the next two days lamenting what was wrong with it.  No really, too hot, too cold, too salty, too spicy, bland.....on and on.  The woman was brilliant yet no matter what she did, it was never good enough.  She crocheted some of the most difficult doilies you have ever seen, not with a pattern..just with a picture.  If one stitch was out of place when she was done... she would take the whole thing out and do it again.  She has passed this insane vision of perfection on to my sister.  Oh what am I saying, it is a family characteristic or curse, I guess it is all how you look at it.

Perfection seems so important to us, but the only truly perfect human who walked the Earth was the Son of God.  However, that doesn't mean we should not work toward living a perfect life every day.  We are to imitate Christ who was the definition of perfection.

 "Be imitators of Christ, therefore as dearly loved children, and live a life of love just as Christ loved us."  Ephesians 5:1

We must keep moving forward no matter what mistakes we make, we must press on.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."  Hebrews 12:1-2a

With God's help and guidance and some perseverance, we can get closer to perfection everyday.  We just have to decide that we are dedicated to pressing forward.  We can't give up no matter what mistakes we make.  With every mistake we learn and become smarter, stronger and better able to help others.

I said before that my Mama was a lesson in Perfection or "M Perfection."  My sister, Rachael coined "M Perfection."  You see my Mama's nickname was Minie... so Minie's Perfection.  It isn't perfect but it strives everyday to grow closer and closer.  We won't find perfection until heaven, but we should never give up trying to live a Godly life in front of the World.  Now more than ever.

I may miss my Mama but because of her life in Christ I will see her again someday in Heaven.  I pray that I may be the example to the World that she was, and that through me others will find a life in Christ.  May I strive daily to live..."M Perfection"

Become a Peacemaker

I Thessalonians 5:14-18

"And we urge you brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in 

Christ Jesus."

If you turn on the news any day at any time, you will inevitably hear what anger has caused in someones life; the drastic affects of broken hearts and broken lives.   There are days it pains me to turn on the television.  I feel tremendous grief over the condition of the World around me.  

However, I have a choice to make each and every day.  Am I going to allow the struggles of the World to drag me down and overwhelm me?  Or, am I going to stand up and affect change in my little corner of the World.  

I love this passage because it gives us clear instructions on how to create a movement of love and peace all around us.  And it all begins in you!  I can't ask someone else to change if I myself am unwilling to make the effort.  We all have days where anger can overtake us.  However, what are we going to do with it?  I like to take a negative situation and turn it around for God's Glory.  Channel our hurt and anger into making a difference in someone else's life. Take the attention off of the negative all around you and make someone else smile, give them the gift of hope.  If you ask me, that's what Jesus would do.

Jesus suffered greatly, yet His only thought was you and your life eternally.   If we are going to truly follow after God, we must follow His example.  Become a peacemaker.  Everyday make effort to live your life according to God's Word and encourage others to do the same.  Be a light to the World around you.  When I am struggling, I can't help quoting Spock from Star Trek in my mind.  OK... Yes...Big Geek and Proud.  But I love when Spock says, "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one."  It's true!  I may not feel like being a peacemaker today, but the needs of those around me are far more important than what I may be going through.

And there is something cool that happens when we bless other people.  This feeling of pure joy and excitement will flood your being as you follow Jesus' example of service to others.  There is really nothing like blessing people and seeing their lives transformed.

So follow the verse and Rejoice, Pray, and Give thanks!  There is really nothing like doing the will of God.  When you begin to see the lives of people around you change, you will totally forget about your own mess.  It just won't matter anymore!

Blessings!

Heroes In Training

Ephesians 6:19-20

"Pray also for me that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

I truly love these two verses.  As I began Children's Ministry several years ago, God gave me this passage and every time I read it I can't help but smile.  In my mind, I picture Paul chained in prison, dressed in tattered rags that just barely cover his superhero costume concealed below.  That may sound a bit strange, but what can I say...if you are worried about me, just remember who created me!

As Paul is writing this letter to the Ephesians, he is chained in prison.  Looking around at his own circumstances, Paul's concern is not his freedom from his situation, but that despite his circumstances God would guide his words as he persists to "Fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."  As I read these verses the first time, I began to weep because finally someone accurately described how I felt every single day.  And that day, I began to own my title "Hero in Training."  

In fact, I am not alone.  We are all Heroes in Training!  Each of us called to tell the World who God is and what Jesus did for them through his death on the cross and his resurrection.  We are all called to be ambassadors, missionaries to all those we come in contact with on a daily basis.  It is no small task, and there are days we don't quite feel up to the challenge.  But because of who He is, we must tell the story.  

There have been a handful of days in my life, that I wished I could walk away from the massive calling He placed upon my life.  The world can be cruel, and the stress of living in a season of such corruption and persecution can wear on our hearts and minds.  That is when we have to run to our phone booths (Prayer closets), change into our hero costume (Put on the Armor of God), and announce our Hero Slogan.  Come on!  Put your fists on your hips, chest out, chin up, eyes on heaven and say it with me, for we are dedicated to "Fearlessly Make Known the Mystery of the Gospel."

I will pray for you as you seek the Lord daily to help you to say the right words to those in need around you, as you don your superhero identity everyday despite your own circumstances to change the World for Christ one person at a time.  Pray also for me, that I too will not grow weary in doing the work for which God has called me.  Together with God's help, prayer, and training through the Word of God we will see the World set Ablaze for Christ!  

Blessings!

You Are Not Alone

Psalm 23:4

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

We all walk through dark valleys.  Some of those valleys are emotional and some of those valleys are physical.  I myself struggled for many years with an enemy I could not physically touch.  

For years, I battled depression.  Many think depression is just a feeling, but I am a living testimony that it is a wicked force bent on destroying ones life and dreams.  It not only affects your mind, but it causes weakness and pain in your body as well.  The one thing this enemy didn't count on was the truth of the Word of God hidden in my heart and powerful praying parents.  Through the years of struggle I felt God with me, I was never alone.  As I sought God for deliverance, He showed up in a big way, and in one instant my life was delivered from depression and replaced by a spirit of joy I can hardly describe. I will never forget the night I was healed.  I was jumping so high that my Pastor could see my 5' 3" body way above the crowd.  There is nothing too big for your God.

The last few weeks I have been praying for a friend as she faced a struggle that I myself can hardly wrap my mind around.  She had to have surgery to remove a tumor from her brain.  With the strength of friends and family around her, her wickedly awesome sense of humor and her God, she fought the enemy head on.  (No pun intended)  I was astounded by her faith and humbled by her vulnerability as she shared her journey with the people around her.  I have prayed with her as she shared her faith in God with many who had not yet found Him for themselves.  She is recovering from a successful surgery now, and I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God has been with her every step of the way.  She has challenged me to trust in God no matter what I go through.  He is able and He will never leave you.

I don't know about you, but it is comforting to me to know that no matter what I go through, I am never alone.  God is with me guiding me and showing me the way.  I encourage you to trust God no matter your circumstances.  He is with you and will carry you through.  You are Not Alone!

Keys to Success

This week I had several conversations about the topic of success.  What is considered success?   How do you achieve it?  What does it take to get there?  And, why are we so obsessed with attaining it?

There are some people who define success by the amount of money in their bank account.  Others define success as achieving a certain level of distinction in their field.  Still there are those, that see success as becoming a better, stronger, and smarter person than they were yesterday.  I believe these are the people who are truly able to find the key.  Those that are not in competition with others, but rather are in competition with themselves.  They are focused on bettering themselves, and helping others do the same.

As I began to study the topic of success, I found myself in the Bible in the book of Joshua.  As I began to read in chapter one, I was tickled to find God's recipe for a successful and prosperous life.  I love when that happens.  No one can tell me that the Bible is irrelevant...you don't want to have that argument with me.  (I WILL WIN!)  No matter what I am thinking about or searching out, there is always an answer in the Word.  Anyway, I digress.

The Lord was talking to Joshua in this passage.  Moses had died and now Joshua was left with the task of leading the Israelites into the promised land.  He was in a new job, filling some really big shoes, and the Lord is letting him know that he is not alone.  He gives him very specific instructions for success.

Joshua 1:5b-9

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.  Be strong and courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  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."

First thing is first, a reminder that you are not alone.  Just as the Lord is speaking to Joshua, He is speaking to you today.  "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  No matter what God is calling you to do, He is not sending you in alone.  He is there to lead and guide you every step of the way.  Sometimes in the middle of the some of the most difficult challenges in our lives, we feel alone.  Why is that do you think?  I can only answer this question for myself.  I have the tendency, especially in business, to take on the challenge without first asking for God's help and guidance.  Why is it we only ask for help once we have jumped into something and gotten in way over our heads?  Perhaps if we had begun the task with God's help, we wouldn't be struggling.  

Then the Lord begins to repeat himself.  "Be strong and courageous...Be strong and courageous...Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous"  I would say the next step to success would probably be to "be strong and courageous."  We cannot walk in fear.  We must have faith and believe that no matter what we go through, God will get us through it.  David had courage as he faced Goliath.  The three Hebrew children had courage as they faced the fiery furnace.  Daniel had courage as he was lowered into a den of lions.  I could go on and on.  If they can, we can.  God was with them, and he will be with you too.

The next key to success is knowledge and obedience of the Word of God.  We must spend time in our Bibles everyday.  We must memorize scripture so that it is living in us when we need it most.  Too often when life gets busy and we see "success" on the horizon, we get too busy to spend time with God.  It becomes the first thing to fall off our to do list.  This is the biggest mistake we can make.  Discouragement, fear, depression, loneliness...all symptoms of a lack of devotional time with God.  You want to know why you struggle?  When was the last time you put God first?  We all struggle with this, myself included.  I love to be busy.  I love a little stress in my life.  It keeps me going.  But without God, I can't do it.  No matter how hard I try.  

Success and prosperity will follow if we remember these things.  These are the keys.  When you try to measure your success, check these areas.  Are you spending time in the Word?  Are you stepping out strong and courageous?  Do you realize you are not alone?  Are you stronger today than you were yesterday?  If you follow God's Word you will be a success.  Perhaps not in the way the World measures success, but who cares?  If I can look myself in the mirror and know that I did my best for God today, I'm a success.  That is the only thing that really matters.  

Blessings!

Are You Ready?

The last few days no matter what book, bible, or devotional I touched, they all pointed me to one portion of scripture.  At this point, I really can't ignore what God is saying.  I wasn't consciously ignoring Him, but there are times we let life distract us from even those things that God is making painfully obvious.  And, I know I'm not alone in that.

Joel 2:28-32 (Also quoted by Paul in Acts 2:16-21)

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.  The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.  And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls."

Joel prophesied the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God's people.  It is available today to all those who believe.  I feel like there are days we operate as though we are on this earth alone.  He didn't leave us alone.  And I believe with my whole heart, that we are gearing up for another outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The question I have for you is, are you ready?

On the day of Pentecost, God's people were gathered together in unity.  Since I was little I always pictured it as the greatest worship service the World had ever seen to that point, everyone fully immersed in prayer and worship.  They were not distracted by the worries of every day life.  They were 100% focused on their mighty God.  And then, in the middle of their insatiable worship, God invaded that space and changed the church forever.

Do it again Lord!  I don't know about you, but I am ready to see God pour out His Spirit upon the Earth in a powerful life altering way.  The question is, can we put away our pride and selfishness and unite as one church, one voice.  Can we stop trying to come up with excuses, busyness to distract us from time in prayer, reading of the Word, and worship?  Can we stop worrying about the things that we can't control and begin putting our faith in a God who loves us and wants what is best for us?

God loves you and has amazing plans for your life.  Stop trying to control everything and put God back into the driver's seat.  I have to admit that this is my biggest fault.  I try to control my life, as if that were even possible, instead of just following God where He leads me.  To look at my life, things don't make a lot of sense.  The trajectory of my life seems out of whack, but this is due large in part to my desperate need to continually grab the steering wheel.  Does that mean God can't use me?  On the contrary, He is using me right now.  I don't want others to make the same mistakes.  Allow God to lead you and open the right doors.  You don't have to go out and knock them down.  Let go and Let God be in control.

As I have said to others many times before, "What God placed in you at birth was enough to change the World."  The question is are you going to allow Him to use you or are you going to continue to walk your own way?  I surrender all.  I am letting go of my own agenda, and I am going to let God direct me.  I am going to make sure that everyday I give God my time, my ear, and my heart so that He can use me.  I want God to give me visions and dreams.  I want to see people miraculously healed and financial burdens miraculously lifted.  I am making a passionate pursuit of God my number one priority.

Are you ready?  Can you let go of your own agenda and allow God to guide you?  Are you prepared to be used by God in ways you never imagined?  I believe, with all my heart, that when the Church does this, the World will see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that they could have only imagined on the day of Pentecost.

Please pray for me, and I will be praying over you!

Blessings!

“TAKE ANOTHER STEP”

Have you ever had a day when you looked in the mirror and asked yourself, what am I doing?  Where is my life going?  I am happy, but I just feel like there is something more I should be doing.  I’m sure that I am not the only one to have had this mirror conversation, as if the mirror would be any help in answering the questions you are postulating.  None the less, I have done it many times. 

There are days we wonder what God’s plan is.  I have heard many people say, I know God can’t fill me in on everything but if He could just give me the first chapter I would feel better.  It goes back to our desperate and very human need to have some control.  In a world where nothing seems to make any sense, we are constantly grasping for control in any situation we can. 

The fact is, we can’t have control.  The Bible makes it very clear in Proverbs 20.  I love this passage because it is a very direct answer to our questions.

Proverbs 20:24

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

It’s like, duh?  Your steps are ordered of the Lord, what makes you think you can understand.  In fact the Bible says in Isaiah 55 that God’s ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than ours.  We were never meant to fully understand.  We are to have faith and trust in a God who loves us and knows what is best for us.  Sounds really simple right?  Let it go, because God has total control.  Don’t worry, it will work out.

Psalms 37:23-25

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.  I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.”

Though it is a difficult thing for us to let go and trust God with our path, it is the smartest way to live.  I like the last part of these verses in Psalm 37.  I haven’t “seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread.”  God does not forget about us.  We may feel that he has, but that is just a feeling.  I can attest that in my own life when things looked there bleakest, God always provided.  There was even a time when I was very small that my own father begged God for just one loaf of bread for his family.  The next day we were picking up a lady for church, like we did every week, and she brought us a loaf of bread.  (They were buy one get one free, but she can’t eat that much bread)  I watched my father’s reaction over that loaf of bread.  The knowledge that God does listen no matter how big or how small the request, He cares for us.  It’s amazing to know deep in your heart that God is in control of every situation. 

So then, when questions raise their ugly heads, how should we proceed?  Just “take another step.”  You may not be able to see the path you are on, but God sees it.  “Take another step.”  I was struggling one day, and just happened (wink, wink) to be listening to Steven Curtis Chapman’s newest album “Glorious Unfolding”.  Then the song “Take Another Step” came on.  It was the reminder I needed right then.  God knows how music seems to break through my stubbornness.

Here are some of the lyrics…

“We walk by faith and not by sight we know it’s true

We say it and sing it and love the way it sounds
But none of us can even begin to truly understand
What it really means till all the lights go out
And there we are nothing to hold on to
But the promises Gods made to me and you
Take another step, take another step
When the road ahead is dark
And you don’t know where to go
Take another step, take another step
Trust God and take another step”

Just trust God and “Take another step.”  It’s just that simple.  And if you still struggle, remember what it says in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  All you need to do is sit down and spend a little time in prayer and in God’s Word.  That is all the light you will need on this path we travel.  My Dad always says “hindsight is 20/20.”  As you follow God on this path, at times it is hard to see your way.  However, if you turn around and look back on your life, you will see God’s gentle hand guiding you every step of the way. 

Let me pray for you….

Lord, you know we all struggle to trust you in our daily walk.  Sometimes we struggle to see the path you have us on, and we begin to get discouraged.  God, please be our light and guide our paths.  Give us strength to trust you no matter our circumstance because we know you care for us.  Help us to love others, to guide those around us as we allow ourselves to be lead by your Holy Spirit.  Guide our steps, that we may fulfill your call on our lives.  In Your Precious Holy Name, Amen.

Morning Worship

Have you ever woken up with a song on your heart?  You hear it so clearly as if all of heaven has set up in your room, right where you're at, and begun to sing with such a power it almost brings you to tears?

That has been my morning!  I woke up to all of Heaven singing Praises to an awesome, mighty, holy God!  It is impossible to ignore God when He starts your day that way.  So, I grabbed my Bible and began to search the Word of God.  He encouraged me to rejoice today!  God took me to a very familiar portion of scripture in Philippians.  As you begin to read what the Word of the Lord says, you need to remember that when Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians he was sitting in prison.  It totally changes the impact of this passage.  As he sits there, himself in prison, he says to them...

Philippians 4:4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true , whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

Rejoice!  Get your praise on!  No matter what in life has come against you...Rejoice!  I call this passage the "Don't Worry, Be Happy" text.  We spend so much of our lives in worry.  We stress over the things that come against us, things that we have no control over.  I used to be a serious worrier.  I would obsess over every little thing in my life, and I have to be honest I still struggle with that.  I am a natural fixer.  I see a problem or a difficult situation and my natural instinct is to try to fix it.  I have made myself sick a couple of times trying to figure out problems that I had no business messing with.  Stuff happens, the question is how are we going to react to it?

I want to be like Paul!  I want to be one who prays and lays it down.  Am I always successful at that?  NO!  I am the worst, but I strive everyday to grow in this area.  God wants to be invited into that situation.  God can handle any problem you have if you ask.  Then after you do, Rejoice!  Get your praise on.  He is already at work in that situation!  Let God's peace reign over you.  I tend to be a very happy person for the most part.  I am learning that in this life things happen that are just far out of our control.  Why worry?  It's doesn't help the situation, and it just makes you miserable.  I am learning to put on joy and walk away trusting that God's got everything under control.  He loves me and He wants the best for me.

So get your Joy on!  And whatever you do (Like that transition, Ha), whatever you make sure that what  you read, listen to, watch, etc is uplifting and will feed your spirit.  We allow too much junk into our lives via television, radio, movies, and books.  There is material out there that will uplift and encourage you.  Why allow the trash in?  I believe the saying "Garbage in, garbage out."  If all you are feeding your mind with is garbage then that is what is going to manifest from your life.  Read the Word of God, pray, break out your hair brush and have church with some Godly praise music in the middle of your house.  You will usually find me having church in my car!  (Refer to the post:  Drive Safely!)  It isn't always a safe way to drive, but I feel amazing whenever I get to where I'm going!

So today, Rejoice!  Have a party!  God is watching over you, and He will not allow the things of this world to overtake you.  And, I want to share the song that God invaded my morning with.  I encourage you to start this video, close your eyes, raise your hands, and allow God to invade your space.

Blessings!

Trouble? Take Heart!

"Is anyone among you in trouble?"  Everywhere I looked today people were dealing with some form of trouble.  It seemed the unmistakable theme of the day.  Watching those around me explain their struggles made me think about that phrase, "the last straw or the straw that broke the camel's back."  I picture that poor camel burdened down with as much straw as his master can toss on.  Under the immense strain the camel is standing there with his knees wobbling under the pressure and every muscle crying out for relief, and his greedy master just can't help but pile on the one last piece of straw that had fallen by the wayside.  At which, the poor camel's body gives way and crumbles to the ground.  Quite a picture isn't it?  Today, I spoke with several people feeling that same strain.  The weight of the World bearing down heavily up them, and the intense uncertainty of their situations causing every fiber of their being to cry out.

Life is difficult...the Word of God says in John 16:33, "In this World you will have trouble."  God never hid that fact from us.  When sin entered the World in the Garden of Eden, we had to accept that trouble would come.  How do we deal with it day in and day out?  It seems at times that it never lets up, and we struggle to keep our hope and joy alive.

I love a passage of scripture that my Pastor quotes often in James.  By the way, James is an incredible book of the Bible for your personal study time.  So much, in such a small book.  James 5:13-16 says this, "Is anyone among you in trouble?  Let them pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let them sing songs of praise.  Is anyone among you sick?  Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.  If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  

I love that this passage leaves no wide room for us to argue over it's interpretation.  It is extremely straight forward.  Are you in trouble?  You should Pray!  Very often we overlook the most basic answer to our most difficult situations.  I am the Master Blaster Disaster when it comes to trying to handle it on my own.  I tend to be a control freak.  When things don't seem to be going my way or when trouble strikes, my brain's instant reaction is to find a solution on my own.  By the way, that's a complete waste of time!  Every time that I try to "fix it" I tend to make a bigger mess than I had when I began.  I end up even more upset and worn.

Heed the Word of God.  When trouble strikes, it is time to pray.  When illness bares it's ugly head, call believers to pray.  God makes it clear that He will answer.  When we reach out to Him, he is there.  And you know the passage in John 16:33?  It goes on to say, "But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  If you didn't read that out loud you need too.  He has "Overcome the World."  There is truly nothing in this World that can come against you, that your Heavenly Father cannot defeat!  Lay your troubles at his feet in prayer and allow "the peace that passes all understanding" to fill you up.

Let me challenge you today!  Are you experiencing trouble?  It is time to PRAY!  No matter what your circumstance, nothing is too big or small for God to intervene.  Remember He loves you.

Lord, I pray for all those reading these words.  May your presence rest upon them and give them peace.  I pray you would meet their every need and make them a beacon to others seeking answers. You are the Answer Lord!  The hope for a broken World.  

Blessings!

New Year, New Possibilities!

I love beginning a new year!  A year full of possibility and purpose.  It feels as though you have a fresh start, a new chance to accomplish great things.  That is how we should look at each day, another chance to change the World for the better. 

Too often we spend our lives looking behind at what could have been.  We fret over dreams not accomplished and goals unattained.  Instead of seeing each new day's possibilities, we see it as another day we haven't yet reached the goal.  I speak to so many people who look at life this way.  They are always mourning what is behind them, rather than rejoicing in the opportunity to accomplish something new.  I have to admit that I used to be that way.  Every day that I wasn't getting to do exactly what I thought I should be doing, I was so depressed.  I would allow the aggravation to fill me so completely that I couldn't seem to find joy in anything.  What a horrible way to live?  No one should ever live that way.  In the book of Philippians, we get a clear picture of what we should be focused on.

Philippians 4:4-8
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Lately, I more often get in trouble for being too happy.  Is everything roses and sunshine all the time?  Of course not, I live in the real World.  However no matter what comes my way, I keep my eyes on Christ and live each day with joy in my heart.  You don't make anything better by frowning and getting upset.  Remember it takes a lot more muscles to frown than to smile.  Take a deep breath, watch an insanely funny movie, or call up a friend and go do something silly.  Trust me I have done my fair share of silly!  I played in every public fountain in Springfield, MO during college (I wasn't alone), I took a big group of girls to try on prom dresses and put on a fashion show in the middle of the store (I have pictures), I started mailing silly gifts to family members (I have video of some of that, some of which is blackmail worthy!), I organized a scavenger hunt for a group of guys for valentine's day (That involved doing a Preparation H commercial on video in the middle of Walmart with a stranger...priceless video!), and on and on. 

Life is too short and God is too Good!  There really can't be anything so bad that tomorrow's sunshine can't erase it.  So wake up each day to new possibilities and joy, keeping in mind what is says in Philippians, and continue to work toward your goals.  With God's help, you will accomplish what God has called you to do.

Philippians 3: 12-14
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Happy New Year and God's Blessings!