Feeling it Leave...

I like to dream with the LORD. I like to imagine with Him the possibilities for my life, and the lives of my husband and children. It's fun...and I think He likes it too.

One of my favorite things to imagine is what I'd do if Bart and I were wealthy. (Now, some religious people are gasping right about now...can you hear it?) Did I really just say that?! Let's be honest...we'd ALL like to have money, and most people know some of the things they'd do with it.

Some of the things are just for us: schooling, savings, decor, cars, vacations, etc. But I also like to dream about what I'd do for the kingdom of God if I had money. Now, I'm not talking about tithes (giving one tenth...we already do that, and that is God's already). If you never tried tithing...you should, it will Change your Life!! What I'm talking about here is offering.

I always think about two things in particular: 1. I'd like to pay for our church to have a playground, and 2. I'd like to donate money to Eddie James Ministry. His music has blessed my socks off...and gotten me through some really hard times.

I was dreaming about this earlier today, when I heard God's voice say to me: "Do it now."

I said, "WHAT?! Have you seen my bank acct, LORD?"

And He said, "Do it now...now is when you'll FEEL IT LEAVE...now is when it matters."

Then, I remembered the Bible verse: "One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much..." ~Luke 16:10

So...we're going to give now. At the current rate...it will take roughly 50 years to pay for the church a playground, and it seems pitiful to send such a small amount to Eddie James each month, BUT God said to do it now. We're going to faithful in the little...and see how God can bless it.

Have you dreamed with God today?!

Flood of Dissipation

1 Peter 4 talks about a "flood of dissipation."

In short, it says that we've spent enough time doing what pagans (people who don't know Christ) do, and living like they live. "They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation..."

So, I looked up the word, "dissipation," and it means: " mental distraction, amusement; diversion."

Hmmm....

Honestly, this brings to mind another flood. We've all heard from childhood the story of Noah and the Ark. God flooded the earth because of humanity's exceeding evils, but God first told Noah to build an ark. I've heard before that this ark would've been the size of 3 football fields! Can you imagine?! Sooo...it also stands to reason that it took a LONG time to build it. Don't you know that during that time, people thought Noah was crazy? He probably went years with people telling him and treating him like a lunatic...but then it started to rain, and it kept raining.

Noah gathered his family and the animals onto the ark as the earth began to flood. Can't you imagine that NOW those same people who had tortured him and teased him, ran to him, and probably tried to storm the ark, to get to safety.

It's not in the story...but can you imagine the trauma of that; the trauma of watching everyone on earth drown...and then the isolation of being trapped on a boat with family and a bunch of animals for a LOOONNNGGG time. We know it rained 40 days and 40 nights, but they were on that boat longer than that, because we know that Noah kept sending the dove out to search for land.

Can you imagine what that kind of trauma and isolation would do to a person?!

When I first started reading the Bible for myself, I was SHOCKED to keep reading about Noah after the flood. They never tell you in Sunday school that the first thing he did when he got off that boat was to plant a vineyard, and then he got drunk!! Honestly, can you blame him?

Anyone who has ever been through something stressful or difficult knows what the Bible is talking about when it says "dissipation;" "mental distraction." Amen?

Everytime I go through something stressful or difficult, my flesh and my emotions rise up and all I want to do is either overeat, overshop, veg out on the couch with a good movie or tv show...just lose myself into a distraction...a flood of dissipation. I've battled it this week...I've lost a couple of times. We want comfort so badly.

The important thing is keep reading though. Noah messed up! His drunkeness started a chain reaction, which led to curses for his sons, and division for his family. WHAT FEELS LIKE THE RIGHT THING ISN'T ALWAYS THE BEST THING!

It might feel good right now to overeat...but it's not ultimately what I want! If I let my emotions rule me, then I will miss what God wants me to learn...what he wants me to have, in the end.

So...what is your flood of dissipation?! It could be anything, and that seemingly harmless activity could be keeping you numb to what God wants you to feel...what he wants you to heal.

"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Running the Day

"I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants-but let them not turn to folly."

As I posted earlier this year, the LORD told me that this year He wanted to deal with some of the "chaotic" things in my life, (things that are out of order). And that was no lie.

Just in three months, He has had me examine EVERYTHING I do and everything I am a part of with a discerning eye. What I've learned is that some things are good, some things need to go, and some things can stay, but need to get into order under me.

A couple of months ago, I had just a crazy day. I was running late all day, I was crabby with my husband and the kids. I felt like I was saying, "Hurry hurry" all day. At the end of the day, I'd worked all day and felt like I had little to show for it. I was exhausted. I told God I needed help.

The next day, I got up earlier, I had laid out clothes the night before, I was more conscious of God throughout the day, and I was more "in control" of the elements around me. Then I heard God's voice say to me, "Isn't it better when you run the day, instead of it running you?" And yes, it is better!!

So, I don't have all the answers yet, but I am learning discipline. I'm trying to go to bed earlier, be more prepared for the coming day, spend more time with the LORD, cut back on things that don't REALLY matter, and say "hurry up" less. Also, I've lost 11 lbs.

I am learning, because I'm listening. His ways truly are wonderful.

1/4 gone or 1/4 of the way there?

Well, it's March!!

Can you believe that 2011 is 1/4 of the way gone?!! Time is flying!

Sometimes I think we focus so much on the business or stress of the tasks at hand (what is right in front of us), that we don't realize that time and its beauty and opportunities are slipping through our fingers.

My Dad wrote Bart a letter once thanking him for being the wonderful man that God picked for me to marry. He told Bart about how he'd been praying for Bart all of my life, and that he saw God's faithfulness and love in the fact that those prayers were answered...that I'm loved and taken care of. I love that letter, and one of the things that struck me about it was when he said that raising his children had been like a cross country train trip...he said he got so caught up in the speed and the scenery that he didn't realize the train was pulling into the station, until it had. That imagery has always really touched me. It was a beautiful trip, Daddy.

As I contemplate it now, it makes me want to somehow cherish these moments while my children are small more than I'm capable of cherishing them. These "hurry, hurry" days seem unending now, but I know they're not. I want to be conscious of what I am teaching them, and of the childhood that I'm "tucking inside their coat pockets."

I resolve to worship with my kids every day if I can...to dance around the house with them, to play more games, more puzzles, read more stories, etc. I want them to KNOW their worth.

So...as far as my own train ride goes for this year, are we 1/4 gone or 1/4 of the way there? Something to keep in mind...and the scenery is lovely.

"But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord's love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children's children." ~Psalm 103:17

2011 Promise Verse

The end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 have been "challenging" to say the least.

All in the span of two months, we've had:

2 ER visits in the middle of the night
3 of us with pink eye
Bart's surgery complications
3 of us with Bronchitis
5 doc visits
Christmas vacation while sick
Bart's masters work (papers and exams due)
And very little consistant sleep...

So, one night when I was literally up ALL night with Sellick...I decided to use the time to pray (if I was going to up anyway). I told the Lord that I was very excited about the end of 2010, and all the good things that He has for us in 2011.

THEN...I asked Him for a promise verse for this year. I got the idea from Beth Moore (one of my favorite Christian authors).

And God immediately spoke to me. I heard Isaiah. So, I flipped there, and then I heard 54, so I went there, and then I heard "start at 11." I thought "am I hearing right?" But, I flipped to the reference and was astounded at what I knew the LORD was saying to us.

"Afflicted city, lashed by storms, and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you, will surrunder to you.

See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD."

What a comfort!! What a promise!! I encourage everyone to do the same...take a little time and ask God to show you a scripture or bring one to mind (and then go find it, and read all that is around it...ask Him for your promise verse for this year!!)

He already knows what's coming...

New Year...Blank Slate (Luke 6)

Happy New Year!!

I love new year's eve! It's a time of reflection on the past, and looking forward to the future...with HOPE and determination.

God has plans for everyone, and every minute, day, month, and year matters! In fact, God is really into numbers (there is a whole book of the bible devoted to them!) :) So, I looked up biblically what the number 11 means, and I think it's so interesting and very appropriate!

Eleven means, "dealing with imperfect things, disorder, or chaos."

W-O-W!! Can I get an AMEN?!!

My prayer right now, is YES GOD...let's deal with all the imperfect things, the disorder, and the chaos in my life, and let's do it THIS YEAR!! He is the only one who can make all those things straight and perfect, and I want them that way. I want His best!

So, how is it going to happen this year? Well, interestingly enough, I think Luke 6 gives us some clues:

Near the beginning of Luke 6 we find Jesus praying all night long, and THEN selecting his disciples. After this, his ministry really takes off...huge crowds, miracles, etc.

1. We have to PRAY!
We can't get direction from God if we don't talk to Him. And we not only talk, but LISTEN, and then OBEY. Life can get so hectic sometimes, but this year I'm really going to focus on prayer, and intimate relationship with the Lord of the Universe, Jesus Christ. If I don't have that, I'll always be off balance, and never truly in the right place to receive what He has for me.

2. We have to be very selective about how we allow to be around us in an influential way.
The Bible encourages us to be loving and kind to everyone, so I don't mean that we should exclude people. HOWEVER...we have to be very selective about who we allow into our inner circle...because it's those people who influence for good or bad on a regular basis. If you surround yourselves with positive people, you will be optimistic. If you surround yourselves with negative people, you will always see the glass as half-empty. Jesus was very careful in who he selected to be his disciples. He knew that not everyone could walk the path of his life WITH Him. And just like Jesus, not everyone is called to our lives. But thank God he has ordained certain people to walk this pilgrimage with us. Let's seek them out, and hold them dear.

And THEN, Jesus addresses the crowd with beautiful words of hope that are just as relevant to us now as we see the end of one year, and the beginning of a new one!

"Blessed are you who are poor (now), for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you, and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man."

Can't you just hear Jesus saying, "I know that you have struggled financially, but look ahead. I know you hunger for more out of this life than you've had this past year, but look ahead. I've seen you weeping this past year, weighed down with sorrows, but this year you will laugh and be happy. I know that people have mistreated you, cheated you, and hurt you, BUT I AM YOUR GOD. LOOK AHEAD!

Let's all co-operate with God this year to remove the chaos from our lives...the things that don't work, and aren't pleasing to Him. He promises in the end of Luke 6 that if we hear his word, and do what it says, that we will be like a person who builds their house on a rock. When the storms come, the house is secure.

Come Lord, Jesus, and make this year beautiful like none other! Amen.

Luke 5...Because You Say So

In the beginning of Luke 5, we see Jesus teaching to a large crowd of people. The crowd was so large that he eventually got into a boat belonging to some local fishermen, and had them set off a little ways, and he taught the people on the shore from the boat.

The boat belonged to Simon, who would become Peter, the disciple of Christ. After he is done teaching, Jesus instructs him to put out into deep water and to let down his net for a catch of fish.

Simon informs Jesus that they had fished ALL NIGHT LONG and caught nothing. (And remember Simon is a professional fisherman...Jesus is a carpenter). But he says some really profound words...he says, "But because you say so, I will let down my net."

And of course, then they catch such a large number of fish that the net begins to break, the boat starts to sink, and Simon is in awe of the goodness and power of God.

I think that for anyone who has served the Lord for any length of time, this is a familiar story. Isn't God always asking us to do things that seem CRAZY?!! Whether it's giving a large offering when financially that doesn't seem like a good idea, or talking to someone you don't want to, or sharing the gospel with a stranger, or any number of other crazy things...God continually asks us to do things that require faith...and I've found that just like that catch of fish, there is always a huge reward for obeying.

But I think one of the biggest lessons of this story is that sometimes we think we are experts about situations in our lives. We think we know everything about our circumstances, what can happen, and what can't...how things are going to be. I think sometimes God invites us to remember that He is all-powerful...nothing is impossible for Him, and he wants us to re-examine situations that look hopeless or broken, and to see them as God sees them, recognizing that He can change things no man can change.

What circumstance in your life seems fixed, hopeless, or futile? Imagine it in your mind, and ask God to show up there. Ask Him what to do...and even if it seems crazy, obey Him. That might be the very area of your life He has been desperately wanting to get His hands on.

"Because You Say So, I Will!"