What's the Word - 2016

When I first saw my brother in-law's message on my phone with the request of choosing and sharing a “word” for 2016 (so that we may all stand together on for each other in prayer), the one that came into my mind first (and loudest) was IMPACT.  To not just be efficient or effective, but to make an impact in this life as God’s will. But I started questioning it and doubting that God says I’m ready for such a bold desire to manifest. And who am I? (Exodus 3:11)

I began to overthink it. I made a brainstorming list of other words… better choice words in my human mind’s eye.  Perception, wisdom, sanctify, surrender… I didn’t even write “impact” on my list (though it kept ringing in my ears).  But it then occurred to me...if I simply ask God which word to consider more, I know He will reveal it to me. This is a big deal, and I want it to be right.  I thought it would be nice, actually, if it could be one that Tommy might agree upon.  Last year, I had to focus on my own relationship with God while He worked on Tommy’s.  Miraculously, we came together.  We were brought together, just as God intended and just as He promised.  So, I resolved to let God do His thing and I put my pen down and opened my ears.  In that familiar soft whisper, I heard, “Just wait…”

Hours later in the evening, I asked Tommy if he had given any thought to our “word” for 2016.  I only assumed he had seen the text message from Craig (my brother in-law), since neither of us had brought it up until that moment. I decided not to influence or manipulate him, so I kept my own thoughts to myself. I desired his lead.  It’s what I have prayed for. But even when I anticipate God to show up and show off (because He always does in one way or another), I am still blown away with awe when my prayers are answered. Tommy was fairly quick to answer my question… “I think we should go with IMPACT.” 

(Jaw dropped)

Okie dokie… IMPACT it is.  Man I love how God works.

So, here it goes… 

It turns out that our word, IMPACT goes perfectly well with the scripture I chose to stand on for the year.  My “anthem” for 2016 is in 1 Peter 4:10.  To acknowledge and accept our gifts with such gratitude and love that we are compelled to use them. To be a good steward of God’s grace and these gifts to serve Him, my husband, my family and others. And believing that with time and heart revelation, He will show me how if I keep my ears tuned to HIS frequency - just as I have learned to do this past year (“Discernment” was my word for 2015).  

Just as Tommy and I have found on the plate of spaghetti noodles of finding our faith and purpose, we find ourselves standing side by side with this... on the same noodle. Both in the same season of recognizing our gifts (some as we go) and desiring to use them. To make an impact.  

Tommy and I know we have a unique testimony to us. Darkness knows us well and though we remember that time in our lives as if we were looking through pages of someone else’s book, it was us. We learned to shut out the darkness by clinging to the light.

Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and th is absolutely no darkness in Him.  If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)

The beginning of 1 Peter, chapter 4 quite accurately depicts our journey out of the darkness into the light. I believe this might have been the first time I’ve read it, even though it’s a few short verses away from my 2016 anthem. How crazy is that?!  I like how the Message version puts it… 

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good… (1 Peter 1-5 MSG)

Why IMPACT?  Because we want what God desires. And we desire to live out the rest of our days living for the will of God. To follow Him together.  To wander no more.  To use the gifts He has given us make an impact, not for us to be seen, but to let Christ be seen through us.  To be impact the life of our child… to impress upon him that making Christ Lord in your life is the best possible thing you can do in this life for yourself and your family. To be impactful in the lives of our family. Our friends. Coworkers. Strangers. Each other. To give grace and share wisdom. To spread love. To see others as God sees them and treat them as such. Even the Pharaohs in our lives. 

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received  to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 4:7-11)

The Gift - A SAHM Rant and Confession

What in the world am I doing? 

Or really, the actual burning question is, 

What am I doing in the world that serves any purpose in the Kingdom? How do I use my gift to serve...how do I know what my gift is? What if I'm wrong?

Sitting in my snuggery (my craft room) amongst a mess of snippets and strings of yarn, it's all too common I fight thoughts that I am wasting my time on this stuff. Some say I have a gift. I can do thinks with hooks and needles that not too many others can, I know this. But I downplay it quite a bit. After all, anyone can follow a pattern. And 

 It's a choice I have to make to plow through those thoughts to get any kind of "Made for You" (my rinky-dink, in-progress business idea) work done or get any kind of practice to get better at the actual craft...Most of all, to get any kind of enjoyment out of doing what I like, I must plow with blinders on, ignoring the distracting thoughts. And even when I do plow through and focus on my project, I'm not sure if it's right for me to do it...to spend so much time on something that doesn't have anything to do with the house or my family. It's knowing that I can do something, but not knowing if I really should. It's a guilt that I battle and I am going to have to face if I want to ever see anything on my etsy page, for instance.

Thoughts are powerful. If allowed, they can keep you from working toward your potential with any kind of intentionality, especially when the enemy doesn't want you to use a gift. He'll tell you you can't do it, you shouldn't do it, you're not good at it and there's not enough of you to be all that you might actually be called to be.  Satan will use your higher priorities to try to convince you that "homemaker" is all you have room in your life to be and if you try to be anything more, you will fail. Or worse (if your story is similar to mine) that doing anything else is a gateway to who you used to be before you followed Christ and use fear to stop you before you even really begin (I could go on a whole other tangent about THAT). And you'll never know how much use God can get out of you with that gift if you don't shut those thoughts down. Those thoughts are lies, yes...but they have power to you as long as you believe them. You might not really understand how to use your gift to serve God or others yet, but you never will if you don't start using it to see where He can take you. 

These are my battles. How swift I am at defeating this daily mind game, maybe my progress will tell. I am determined however, no matter the pace, to overcome the chatter in my mind. But the point, as I am learning in this season of my life, is that it is us who allows the road blocks, the thoughts, the fiery darts of the devil to stop us on our path to using what God has gifted us with. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Waiting and Running

Hebrews 4:15 says we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tested in every way we are. He knows. He gets it. There's not a thing in the world we could go through that our God wouldn't understand. Sickness. Addiction. Persecution. Family drama. Financial trouble. Temptation. Death. You name it, He knows it. This is probably one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. I've "used" it for many reasons and it has comforted and assisted me greatly over the past year. Well, I have some new thoughts on this which I didn't have before just the other day. Sometimes that's what happens when you read a familiar scripture from a different angle.

I have a rather large Holman Christian Standard Bible that sits on my desk in my snuggery (A.K.A. "Mom Cave"). For a study Bible, it's the best, in my opinion (and if I don't note otherwise, all scripture I quote is from this version). But, one thing I love to do in my Bible studies is play around with different versions and translations. I find that when I look at the same verse in parallel with another version, the same message will sink into spaces of my spirit that it didn't quite reach when I first read it.  And often, God will show me a new revelation just by doing this! This is exactly what happened when I read Hebrews 4:15 in the King James Version...

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Now let's look at the vocabulary that some of the other versions use.  The New Living Translation says our High Priest "understands" our weaknesses. In the New King James, Holman Christian Standard, and English Standard Versions He "sympathizes" with us. The Amplified version uses the phrase "understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling."  And interestingly, the New International Version uses the word "empathize." This intrigued me, because in grammar, the words "empathy" and "sympathy" often are confused with one another.  Let me clear this up... To sympathize with someone, you feel compassion for them, but not necessarily share their feeling. To empathize means you understand another's feelings for yourself. You feel them too. So, if Jesus was tested and tempted in every way we are today (which I know He was), I would think He would not only understand and have compassion for us, He would also know exactly how we feel! But when I read the King James version of this passage I saw something else. Let's look at it again.  

For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities...

Let me share with you what this means to me. Our Lord is touchable...He is accessible. Reachable. Tangible. He not only loves us, cares for us, and understands us; He is touched by our feelings. You know, nothing like this could be done from a distance. He isn't up in the clouds feeling sorry for us in our worst times. He is with us in every situation and circumstance. Catching every tear. Loving us tenderly. Holding us up.  

He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities...

He knows when we are weak...when are so overwhelmed with feelings of doubt, worry, fear or exhaustion that we just can't stand anymore. He gets us. Yet, we will ever only know a miniscule fraction of what He felt on the cross. That was the whole point, wasn't it? 

I like to think about another part of the Bible where Jesus was touched.  In Luke, chapter 8, Jesus was on His way to heal the daughter of one of the synagogue leaders, Jairus, in Galilee. Crowds were nearly crushing Him from every direction. He kept moving forward until some unidentified sick woman touched Him...in fact, she didn't even touch Him; she touched His robe...and she was immediately healed. Jesus felt power draw from Him and He stopped.

"Who touched Me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You." "Someone did touch Me," said Jesus. "I know that power has gone out from Me." When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. "Daughter," He said to her, "your faith has made you well..." (Luke 8:45-48)

This event, of course, delayed Jesus in His quest to save Jairus' daughter. By the time He reached her, He and her father were told she had already passed away. Of course, that's nothing to God. And Jesus knew that....

When Jesus heard it, He answered him, "Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well." (Luke 8:50)

He healed the girl, restored her spirit, and had her fed. Mission accomplished. But not before being interrupted on His way.

When you are walking with God, it's not so much about the destination; it's about what happens on the journey along the way. What brings you closer to God...within reaching distance...is not necessarily getting what you hope for; it's about the lessons you learn while you wait. So we have to stick close to Him.

I don't know about you, but I really dislike waiting. I'm not incredibly patient. But I have learned that there are reasons God has for waiting. There's something always going on behind the scenes of your journey from point A to point Z...and in those times (and there are many) you won't see or understand what that is, but if you want to get to Z, you're going to have to wait. You can fuss, push and complain about the pace or you can open your eyes to what God has for you to learn on the path you are on. Yes, waiting is frustrating when you want to keep moving and get results. But God says we can find strength in waiting on Him. And protection. And joy.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices and I praise Him with my song. (Psalm 27:7)

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Um... run? Can I say right here that I love running just about as much as I love waiting?  (Insert eye rolling emoticon here.)

When I was younger, I related waiting to resting. However, when I confused resting with complacency, I stopped moving forward all together. Although at the time, I never knew where I belonged or where I was going. But when you walk with God, your wandering in life comes to an end. There's a destination. And when you know the destination, whether it's healing or provision of any kind, the last thing you want to do is wait when you don't understand why. Have you ever felt that waiting on the Lord feels quite a bit like running? It's exhausting and sometimes it's just painful. But when I started my walk with God (I mean really walking with Him), I learned over time that waiting on Him means keeping a steady pace of whatever He has me doing.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each person should remain with God in whatever situation he was called. (1 Corinthians 7:23)

[Side note... why would you doubt your worth when you've already been purchased? Maybe for later post!]

Here is what I found out... if you remain with God, keeping HIS pace that He has called for you to keep with Him (instead of fighting Him and throwing tantrums), He can help you along. He can build you up. He can bless you immeasurably along the way. He can even bless others through you in the interim!    

You are the light of the world...No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and gives light for all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14a-16)

So, when waiting feels like running...exhausting and painful...and my light doesn't feel so bright, I like to go to the Amplified Version of Hebrews 12:1-2 (very wordy, but oh so perfect)...

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us RUN with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive of our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Wait on God. Run with God. Walk with God. Crawl with God. Be still with God. What you learn on the journey to your destination, who you can help along the way, and what you can accomplish with Him at your side will serve such a greater purpose in heaven than the destination alone. The reward will be all the more sweeter for you and for those you have served and lit the path for!  

Remember, He is not leading us blindly through our situations. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities because He has felt everything we feel and so much more.  

Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we were healed by His wounds. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

The King James Version says:

He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.

He gets it. He knows exactly what we are going through in the worst of times. He feels us, bro! But He has joy, strength and protection for us in those times, too. More importantly, He has a message for you to hear. A lesson for you to learn...and quite possibly one to share. Though our human bodies may be fragile and our minds are so easily overwhelmed with the pressure of our circumstance or our calling, He wants us to know we won't be crushed. Jesus was crushed for us. He loves us that much. Why on earth would he leave us alone with our feelings?

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way, but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9) 

I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers. They will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. (Isaiah 43:2)

My love. We are not alone. When it gets rough, take a deep breath. Look around. Look inside. He's there. He's right there. Ask for the revelation to be revealed. Let the Word in and let the Word out. It's just like breathing while running. You wouldn't stop breathing, would you? What lesson does He want you to learn...or share?

Just one last thought... I heard a pastor say once that dealing with this kind of frustration means trusting in a God that you can't physically see to get you through a situation you see no way out of. A dear friend of mine posted a scripture on facebook this morning that rang true with this thought... don't give up. Don't lose heart. Perseverance might mean waiting on God, but if you don't resist, you'll find the journey was even more worth it.

Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Burning Bridges

They conquered him 

by the blood of the Lamb

and by the word of their testimony...

Revelation 12:11

~~~~~~

Everyone has a testimony.  So much of mine isn't written yet.  I haven't touched on how God moved in my marriage (and how He used our son to draw us closer to Him), my relationships with others (including the friendships with the godly women I've been so blessed with), and how He has used me in the lives of others. But, this is a particularly important turning point in my life that I was asked to share.  A moment in time when this prodigal daughter remembered who I am and Who I belong to...and who I am meant to become.  Not a beggar for scraps, but a daughter of the King.    

~~~~~

A year ago, during my (now) church's First Wednesday Service, September 2014, Greg Surratt was the speaker.  I had only attended Church on the Move for two weeks at this time.  That night, I made my first notes in my Youversion Bible app.  The first line read:

“Voice of less vs. Voice of MORE.  Follow the voice of Jesus.  I CAN do this.” 

One of the scriptures from that night was from John 15:16:

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.”

Looking back on that night moves me to tears of unmeasurable joy.  How can I put into words what God has done for me in one year?  Truthfully, I’m not sure I can do Him justice in one page, but I’m just going to go there.

I had never truly submitted myself to the Voice of More.  I suffered "mental illness" for much of my life…riddled with fear, overwhelmed with depression and labeled with diagnoses I let define me.  And at this time of my life, I was in pretty bad shape.  I was very lost.  I fought thoughts of suicide and I hurt myself where no one would see.  I drank to cope with my depression.  I drank to settle my anxiety.  And I drank to celebrate a good day.  I tried to fix myself with psychiatry, therapy and medications…medications that my body could no longer tolerate but I was convinced I would die without.  And so, I was very sickly.  Not only could I not function as a normal human being, but most importantly, I couldn’t function as a mother.  My four year old little boy needed me.  And my husband needed me.  Only, I had let the “voice of less” run my life for as long as I could remember and I just didn’t know how to be me.  I didn’t even know who I was.  What I did know was that if I couldn’t be saved, I would surely die.  And I didn’t want to believe anymore that the world would be better off without me.

That night during service, with people standing around me with their hands lifted in praise and worship, I wrung my shaking hands and wept quietly.  The burning question that I could not shake was this…

Can I be healed? 

While worship was still going, my dear sister-in-law, who stood next to me saw through my pain, gently took my hand and led me to a volunteer standing in the isle of the auditorium to pray for me.  I then agreed to meet in a room called the “Healing Place” after the service.  I listened to Greg’s message with great anticipation.

I CAN do this…

Stepping into the Healing Place with my husband and his family was like walking over a burning bridge.  I knew in my heart that there was no going back.  This was it.  I shook inside and out as I tearfully unpacked my pain and fear before the cross.  The pastor who cared for me that night gave me a firm “YES” to that burning question in my mind. 

I can be healed!

I am in awe as I now reflect on what God has done for me in the past year.  I have been sober for the first full year in 14 years.  I am free of medications.  I am free of darkness and depression!  Physically and mentally, I am healthy.  In fact, I could quite possibly be the happiest person I know!  In January, my husband and I were baptized by the same loving pastor that helped me in the Healing Place.  Around that same time, we joined the Saturday night Host Team (who have since become like a family to us) and became solid volunteers (and most recently team leaders)!  In June, we became tithers!  God has filled my life with such fellowship, friendships and love that I can’t even begin to express my gratitude without tears in my eyes.  My cup overflows with blessing after blessing!  You see, God not only healed me, healed my family and fixed my life; He used me.  And there is simply no greater joy in existence than in serving Gods purpose and being loved by Him. The best is yet to come...

“As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love.” (John 15:9)

~~~

Reflections

Pastor Rob (who I affectionately call, "Pastor Batman") is a very special person to us and to our story.  He gives our huge church that "small church" feeling.  And I think there is a need for that.  Relationship.

Easter Service with my Momma!

Serving at SEEDS!!!

Christmas Train... truly a magical place.

Candlelight Service. 

One thing our Host Team does best... Hospitality.  We love each other like family.

Yeah.  That's Pastor Steven Furtick on our stage.  No biggie. (AAAAHHH!!!)

My gifts from God, who I treasure most of all. 

Mothers Day with my Momma.  She has been my rock, my teacher and best friend.  Love you so.

Serving at the Joel Osteen "Night of Hope" with two of my favorite people in this world.  They brought me into their Host Team, made me their friend and I never looked back.  Love you, Grant and Stephanie! 

Baptism by Pastor Batman. 

(May only be able to be viewed on computer.) 

Crap or Confession

Lately, I've been centering my Bible studies around faith and the power of the tongue.  I haven't had to reach very far for material.  It seems the more I learn, the more revelation I receive...and the more excited I get!  Here is one of my studies that was actually inspired by two of my amazing mentors, Grant Gardner and David Parker. They are and have been a huge source of support, encouragement, knowledge and friendship for me.  So...thanks, fellas.  =)    

Abundance = Great plenty; extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply of fullness...

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:34-37

I like the Holman version in parallel...

"For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. I tell you that on the day of judgement people will have to account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." 

The question is (rhetorically speaking, to make you think)... what's in your storeroom?  

Lysa Terkeurst says that whatever you focus on first in the morning is what you are saturated with most throughout the day.  I believe this.  I experience it first hand.  Although there is never a point in the day that is 'too late' to get into the Word (and I often do throughout the day as I'm led to), the first fruits are generally most productive.  After all, is it not easiest to fill an empty bucket?

Let me step back a minute...

The other day I watched Pastor Willie George's Part 2 of the Armor of God series where he talks about the Girdle of Truth.  The girdle is the centerpiece of the armor.  Most of the other pieces are hung on, tucked in to, or attached in some way to the girdle.  It protects the waist, loins and reproductive organs of the body.  Now, we know our war is not carnal.  Satan has a strategic method of attack by penetrating our mind with thoughts... 

Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ..."  (1 Peter 1:13)

Thoughts are seeds.  But a seed is only productive if you plant and water it.  I've heard Pastor George say that our thoughts' way to our heart is through the tongue.  So, when we speak our thought, we are planting that seed in our heart.  If life and death are in the power of the tongue, and the heart is our source of life, then we absolutely must control our minds.  That's where it begins, isn't it?  That's not saying that we must have full control over my thoughts.  That's not realistic.  I like what one of my mentors said to me in our last Bible Study..."You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you don't have to let it nest there."  If we have a thought that is contrary to what God says (about anything), we can shoot that bird down.  That's, of course, another piece of the Armor and a whole other topic of discussion...one I'm learning more about wielding.  

Back to the bucket.  If it's full of crap (bird poop?) then clean it out.  Then fill it up with the truth and plant it in your heart.  Replace the crap with confession....

Crap:

I'm not sure I have enough potential for personal growth or for making an impact on anyone.

Confession: 

I am confident of this very thing... that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. My love will keep growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment. I am filled with the fruit of righteousness through Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:6,9-11)

Crap:

I really don't feel like a leader...  

Confession:

I am level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. I am an example of good works, self control, and teach with integrity and dignity. I am a leader, encourager and teacher and will not be disregarded.  (Titus 2:1,6-7, 15)

If we fill our empty bucket in the morning with the overflowing abundance of God's Truth... we're not leaving much room for crap in the first place, are we?  For then we are already tuned in, tucked in, hung on, and attached to it so that we can discern which seeds are worthy to plant.  

One more thought...

Don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands...write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:1,3)

If our heart is a tablet, then our tongue is the pen. If someone were to pick up the tablet and flip through the pages, what would they learn about us? 

Good Habits

While going through my notepad, I came across a note I wrote from one of my John Maxwell Mastermind classes...

What is my best habit? 

-  "A person's secret of success is found in his daily agenda." - John Maxwell

I set out to allow and work with the Lord to be healed of deep depression. I was convinced whole heartedly that the key to counteracting the daily mental anguish and emotional pain I was experiencing is the renewal of my mind through Christ; committing time to study God's Word through devotionals, watching sermons online, reading through parts of the Bible, journaling, etc.. The best time for that, other than anytime and every time you need to, is in the morning.  Lysa Terkeurst says, "You must exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world." The idea is this: whatever you focus your mind on first in the morning is what you will be saturated most with throughout the day. After all, it is easiest to fill an empty bucket. 

As I reflect on this time of my life, I have a chance to look at what success this habit has brought me. I find myself asking, could I possibly be one of the most joyful people I know?

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Matthew 12:34 NKJV

Get Out of the Cave!

Thoughts and revelation from Steven Furtick's sermon, "There's Nothing to See Here."  

Click here to watch!!

We usually want God to fix our problems... but could it be that God wants us to change our perspective? Pastor Furtick talks about Plato's Allegory of the Cave and Elijah and his cave (1 Kings 19)... Do you perceive the shadows on the wall of the cave you might be in as your reality? The echos of your past and your failures? The feed on your facebook? The headlines on your news program? What are you looking at? Maybe if we change our perspective... step out of the cave... look around... what do you think can happen? What would you see...possibilities? Potential? Change? The promises of God are out there.

"After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave." (1 Kings 19:12-13)

"God's voice will reach you in the cave, but His vision will only be revealed to you on the mountain." - Steven Furtick

Faith and Fruitfulness

It's been about a week since I've been consistent with my devotional times.  I've been pretty ill.  Today is the first "normal" day we've had in a while.  So, for this morning, I decided I needed a devo that would really get me going.  When I'm feeling really inspired, I have been trying to make my own studies...pick a word, pull out Vines, Webster, Strong and my Bible and go to town.  When I need something topical and a little practical, I go for Joyce.  When I want something specific and historic, I'll pull up Pastor George.  But when I need a punch and some real thought provoking sentences, there is none other than Furtick.  That's who I'm going with today. 

I'm catching up on his current series, "Power of the Same".... I'm on the 3rd part.  He's talking about John 15:1-2 where Jesus makes the connection between faith and fruitfulness. 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Steven is really focusing on the talking about the difference between being pruned and cut off.  Between cut back and cut off.  There are times in your life when you know you are doing the right things, but you are not seeing any fruit.  The thing is, Jesus said the branches that bear NO fruit are cut off... but even the ones that DO bear fruit are pruned.  For a while, even fruitful branches will have no fruit on them. 

You're snipped if you do, and snipped if you don't!

But what He is saying is that in those times, even though you don't feel like you're experiencing fruitfulness - even though you're life has cut you and you feel hurt, frustrated and let down - if you are planted in the right soil, there will always be fruit to come.  It's not being cut off (which is how not being fruitful feels), it's being cut back.  It means God is working in you.  Preparing you.  Making you stronger.  Pruning you.

If it's cut back, it means it's coming back! 

"...pressed down, shaken together, and running over - it will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)

Life may make the cut, but God is holding the scissors. No matter how live cuts you, it's your Father that controls your destiny.

Habukkuk 3:17   Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! Yahweh my Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer and enables me to walk on mountain heights!! 

Last thought...

If we can learn how to remain in Christ while we are being pruned, we will grow.  If we can learn how to praise while we are still hurt...if we can learn to be thankful while we are in tears, we will prosper! 

John 15:4-7,9  Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you....As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.

God wants you to know, He will make it worth your while.  He will make it worth the pain.  Worth the sacrifice.  Worth the expense. 

I just really loved this message.