Tag: faith

Lies. All lies.

The devil, our enemy, has one goal. Since he knows our salvation is secure, his goal is to make us ineffective while we are alive. If we don’t promote the Gospel and point people to Christ…if we aren’t unapologetically enthusiastic about Jesus and what He has done for us through the cross…if we aren’t seen as different from the world…the enemy has won the battle. (He still loses the big one.)

His mission is to kill, steal and destroy. He does this through lies. Jesus called him the father of lies (John 8:44.) I know this to be true. And yet, I have believed the lies for many years.

I had friends throughout school and college but when I moved, I didn’t really keep in touch. I am an introvert and used that to agree with the enemy that I didn’t need relationships. I was okay on my own. (Lie #1)

I married Tim and three teenagers. I rarely spoke life over them because I was convinced that I didn’t know what I was saying (#2) because I didn’t have any biological children.

When we would attend church, I would walk quickly by people with my head down. I would busy myself with tasks and not engage. I had nothing to offer people. (#3)

If people knew me and knew what I had done (or didn’t do) or what I said or what music I listened to or what cuss word I said, they wouldn’t want to know me. (#4) This was my lot in life – to be mediocre (#4) and to work through the condemnation (#5) that God had for me.

At our first small group in Highlands, people were hugging each other and smiling. I hated small talk and would disappear or busy myself with my phone. I could always appear pious with a Bible in my hand.

I asked one of the ladies in the group if I was going to have to become a hugger to stay in the group. I don’t like that, I said. That’s not me. She came very close to my face (all up in my personal space) and said, “I will pray for you.” Oh my goodness! I wanted to run far far away.

But I know that she did. Things didn’t shift overnight. But they did shift.

The Lord revealed to me the lies that I had believed. I found who I was in Christ and who He created me to be. Here is the truth.

I am God’s child. (John 1:12) I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10) I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2) I am created in His image. (Genesis 1:27) I have a future that is good and was planned by my Creator. (Jeremiah 29:11) And another BIG one – Jesus came so that I (and you) could have life – an abundant, amazing life. Or, as The Message paraphrase states, more and better life than (I) ever dreamed of. (John 10:10)

Think on purpose the TRUTH about who you are in Christ. In Him is your confidence. This is truth. And the truth will set you free. (John 8:32.)

(originally posted August 2022)

Let me tell you about…

When was the last time you read a good book? Saw a great movie? Ate at a great restaurant? Heard some wonderful music?

Did you tell anyone? Did you post on your social media?

Probably so. When something is favorable or enjoyable, we tend to let others know – whether they ask or not.

Now, did you have a bad experience with customer service, the doctor’s office or in traffic? Did you share that too?

What is the motivation you have when sharing with others? Is it to impart wisdom or to complain or to throw shade on someone who irritated you?

Today, I’d like to brag on my heavenly Father. He is a good Father who longs to bless His children. Do you ask Him for favor?

It really feels unnatural to me to ask God to bless me. Blessings for you? Sure, no problem. But to ask for blessing and favor for myself, somehow seems arrogant.

But – He owns everything. Everything flows from Him. So if I ask for blessing, it’s not like He can’t bless you too. He has everything!

So I have asked for blessing regularly. It’s a bit awkward at first but it’s been fun to see how He shows up.

Tim and I were able to get away for a few days and I asked for favor every day. Let me hit a couple of recent highlights:

  • the trip was paid for in cash – before we left
  • Tim was able to unplug from work on the trip down
  • car was parked in the shade
  • the weather was magnificent
  • the Blue Angels were flying home to Pensacola and they buzzed our beach. They flew directly over the neighboring condo.
  • Blue Angels practiced and we sat in the front row – no major sunburn
  • we saw dolphins everyday
  • our kids were unexpectedly blessed financially
  • mom had doctor appointments while we were gone and family and friends went with her. She was shown kindness and favor during the appointments.

We give God praise for all of this and more. He is not a slot machine or a magic genie. But He is a good Father who knows what is best for His kids.

He knows what is going on in our lives. He knows the situations that need solutions. We have many questions and He has all of the answers.

Thank you, Lord, that we can come to You. We trust You.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

Prideful Humility

When I was in second grade, we were given coloring sheets. I diligently colored and did my best to stay inside the lines. I am sure my colors were rather safe and predictable. My grass was always green and the sky was always blue.

I used to comment on my work, “Oh, I don’t think it looks as good as yours. I didn’t do my best work.”

It was a surefire way to get a compliment! I did that week after week. Oh, the praise always lifted my mood.

It wasn’t long before that all changed. One day, I said, “Oh, I really don’t think this is very good.” And my friend responded with a resounding, “You’re right. It’s not.”

Well, the jig was up. No longer did I try to manipulate compliments from my classmates.

We are taught to be confident in our abilities but shouldn’t be proud.

We enjoy it when people need our specific talent or savor a wonderfully prepared meal from our own kitchen. We appreciate the ‘Atta-boy’ or ‘Atta-girl’ from a boss or coach. And then there are some who command thunderous applause in huge stadiums.

But how do you actually receive a compliment and not become prideful? How do you walk in the confidence of your abilities but still get your head through the doorway? How do you not become prideful of how humble you are?

I think all of those questions have the same answer.

Everything we have comes from God, our Creator. He gave us the strengths and skills. He gave us the ability to create, learn and build.

So we accept the compliment and give praise to the one who made that possible.

We walk in the confidence of who God says we are – not in our own strength. We use our work, strengths, abilities, good deeds to point others to Christ, not ourselves.

Everything – all of it – comes from Him. We keep our eyes fixed on Him. We find our worth in Him. We have His strength and our confidence is in Him.

Thank you, Jesus.

Prayer

Our church has 21 Days of Prayer in both January and August. On weekdays it starts at 6 am.

It is amazing to see a line of cars pulling into the church parking lot shortly before 6 am. I hope that never becomes too familiar that I’m not thankful for it.

This year, the first Monday of prayer was actually the first day of school for many in the area.

Still, the cars were filing into the parking lot.

There was worship, a short message and then we prayed individually for 20-25 minutes. We then regrouped about 6:45 for another time of worship and corporate prayer.

The first day of school. 6 am. And the young people were there leading the way.

Scores of teens were seeking fervently after God.

There were parents with their kids. Dressed and ready for school but starting with prayer.

Prayer is not rote. Webster defines rote as “mechanical or unthinking routine or repetition” and “the use of memory usually with little intelligence.” That is not prayer!

Prayer is a conversation with the almighty God. It is interactive. It is worshipful. It is holy. It is emotional.

I am so grateful for this reset in my prayer life. If I’m honest, most of my prayers had become rote. I repeated phrases but didn’t have any thought or intelligence to it. Certainly there was no emotion.

Watching these people drive in at 6 am, watching the young people raise their hands, watching the parents lay hands on their kids…it reminds me that God is big. He has all of the answers and wants to hear from us, His kids.

He loves us so very much.

Wait…What?!?!?

Have you ever read something and then have to stop and ask, “What?” And then read it again to verify your thoughts agree with what you read?

That happened in my quiet time this morning.

Disappointment is a feeling of sadness or frustration when expectations or hopes fall short.

I have been disappointed with my kids, my husband, my parents and even Xena, the wonder dog.

Does that mean that they did something wrong? Not necessarily. It’s that I had expected or hoped for one thing, and that thing did not come true.

Goodness, even this morning, I am disappointed with myself. I should have exercised, written this blog sooner, done a load of laundry.

In Isaiah 57:15, it speaks of God being in the high and holy place, and “also with him who is of contrite and lowly spirit….”

He is so big and so mighty – so far above His creation. Yet, He is near to the humble, the hurting and the lonely.

In verse 18, it reminds us that God sees us. He knows our actions. He knows our sins. Yet, He will heal us and restore us.

So, He knows all. He has no unmet expectations. He knows that we will sin. He knows exactly how we will sin. We cannot disappoint Him.

What?!?!?

I don’t understand this. I cannot fathom not disappointing Him. But, thankfully, I don’t have to understand it. I am human and He is God.

It says elsewhere in scripture that we can grieve Him. He loves us and wants the best for us. But, He has emotions too.

But, we cannot disappoint Him. We do not surprise Him.

The question becomes: What do you do when you sin? Do you say, “I messed up. God (my Father) is going to kill me.”

Or do you say, “I messed up. I need run to God (my Daddy.)”

God’s wrath for our sin is no more. It was paid for on the cross. He is waiting for us to go to Him every time we sin. He will forgive us. Every time.

He can also change our hearts. He longs to be in relationship with us.

Thank you, Father, Abba, Daddy. I worship You.

Everyday Wear

I was able to get away by myself for a few days recently. I tell people it is my Jesus and me retreat.

After I unplugged mentally from work, I relaxed, hung out by the pool, and walked. I watched numerous sermons and listened to spiritually sound women on podcasts.

I worked some on the new business, slept when I needed to and prayed. It was a wonderful time. I literally and mentally was on top of a mountain.

My first morning at home though, the black dog of depression was waiting for me to open my eyes and just pounced.

Little things were irritable. I hated having to do everything. People annoyed me. Even Xena, the wonder dog, was not out of range for my hatefulness.

I knew what to do. I should put on worship music and pray. I should tell myself that I am the righteousness of Christ. I should tell the enemy that he has no right to my mind or my body.

But instead, I watched evil scenes on the television. I played mindless games on the iPad. I ate way too many potato chips. I wasted my time and put things into my mind and body that fed the depression and gloom. The darkness increased.

In Ephesians 6, Paul tells the church to put on all of the armor of God. Then we will be able to stand firm against all the schemes of the enemy. This increases the light.

The armor of God is everyday wear. It’s not something we take out when we go to another country on a missions trip. It’s not something saved to wear when a friend asks her community to pray for her wayward child.

No, it’s to be worn every day.

If you are trying to do every day by yourself or in your own strength, put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. Then grab that sword of the Spirit and stand firm.

First Question

First child. First date. First car. First love. First job. First home.

You can probably remember a lot of firsts in your life. I even remember my first car payment – $260.

The first recorded question in the Bible was from the shrewd serpent. “Did God really say….?”

And since the beginning of my relationship with God, I have been asking the same thing.

Did God really tell me to say that?

Did God really tell me to go down this aisle at the store instead of that one?

Did God really tell me to talk with that person?

Did God really tell me to give that person what is in my wallet?

Did God really tell me to step down from that ministry?

Did God really tell me to leave my job and start my own business?

Did God really tell me to leave my business and start another?

The more you spend time with someone, the more you come to know them. You know their character, their style, their words, their voice.

The more I spend time with God, reading His Word and praying, the more I recognize Him in my day to day life. The more I will know His voice.

The more I look for Him, the more I will see Him. He promises to be found. He promises that He can be heard.

But still the enemy gets in my head and asks (or prompts me to ask), “Did God really say…?”

I want to trust and obey the first time. I want to stand firm. I want to walk in confidence. I long to say, “I know that I know that I know….”

My pondering and over thinking leads me to one simple fact.

I need God. Every moment of every day.

The more I call out to Him – about everything – the more I hear from Him. Oh, Lord. How I need You. This is something that I know that I know that I know.

Thank you, Father.

Treasure Restored

I have always wanted diamond stud earrings.

I don’t remember if someone I knew had them or I had seen them in a magazine or a store. But I knew that was on my wish list.

At one time, I worked for a very generous law firm. When a big case was won, everyone shared in the bonus – whether they worked on the case or not. From partners, other attorneys, support staff to the runners, we all shared. It was amazing!

After one of these bonuses, I was determined to get those earrings. But, when I actually started looking at them, the cost to me was so high! I couldn’t justify the expense. Cubic zirconia became my substitute.

After Tim and I married, he discovered this desire of mine. After he received a bonus, he bought my first pair. They were lovely and tiny. I adored them.

After a few years, Tim blessed me again with another pair. These had a little drop down that sparkled when I turned my head. I felt very glamorous.

I was purging one weekend. I was consolidating, throwing away and giving away. Sometimes I think socks and t-shirts spawn like rabbits. A thorough cleansing always feels good.

I had two separate boxes for the earrings and they were easily consolidated into one. One less box to keep.

I tossed the wrong box. I didn’t double check it before throwing it into the trash. I was so heartbroken. Tim and I both try to hold our things with open hands. I didn’t lament for long. But still, I missed the earrings.

Fast forward a few more years and Tim gifted me again with diamond stud earrings. Still tiny. Still so very lovely.

I was wearing them the other day and told him how much I appreciated him replacing my treasure.

We both thought of how God does the same thing.

When we are in Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone and the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When something has been lost, run over or mutilated, the Lord restores what the locust have eaten. (Joel 2:25)

God’s Word also says that we are His special treasure! Can you imagine?

You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure. (Deuteronomy 14:2 NLT)

The Creator of the universe has declared me His own special treasure. My Savior gave His life because He found me to be precious. Not because of anything I have done but, because of His love for me.

So very thankful.

Summer Blast

You might be thinking a summer party that was a hit. Or a blast of heat. (I am continually thankful that I was born in the 20th century with indoor plumbing and air conditioning.)

I am actually referring to three fun filled days at our church. The days are structured and chaotic. They are loud and worshipful.

Our church campus had 586 children registered for this event. Some attend regularly and others had never set foot on the property.

I spoke with the kids. Some had attended before and were looking forward to the snacks and confetti. Others had never been there and were just looking for friends.

I spoke with parents. They reminded me that it was a big deal to leave their kids with people they do not know. Thank you for trusting us with your children!

During these three days, the children were taught the gospel. Three points to remember. Three important beliefs.

I believe God the Father created me.

I believe Jesus the Son saves me.

I believe the Holy Spirit empowers me.

Oh, to believe these three truths at a young age! To walk in the confidence and the freedom that they bring! To engage in conversations with others your own age about these truths! It’s so amazing to watch.

Tim and I saw our grandson engaged in worship- raising his hands in praise. He knows these truths. He wants to lead at Summer Blast next year.

So very grateful for a church that believes in the youth. Grateful that they don’t just want to entertain them. They want them to know the truth about who God is and who they are. And they are teaching them that they can talk about it with their friends and family.

It was exhausting and hot and loud and frenzied. But definitely worth every second.

Hevel

This morning I read the first half of Ecclesiastes. It can be quite depressing if you don’t know the rest of the story.

In the original Hebrew, the word ‘hevel’ was used throughout this book. It’s translated as meaningless in my version. But using a word picture, it is more aptly described as a fog or a thick vapor or smoke. It appears solid, firm and sustainable but, ultimately it is not. You can’t hold it and it eventually disappears.

The author of Ecclesiastes claims that everything in life is hevel. The rich and the poor, the wise and the foolish, the family and the single all reach the same end – death. So why bother?

Because we do know the end of the story. This world is not all there is. There is more.

We work not to just earn money. We work to please the Lord.

We raise a family not to just pass on our heritage. We have a family to please the Lord.

We serve others not to puff ourselves up. We serve to please the Lord.

If the Lord is our focus for everything we do, nothing we do is in vain.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 reads, “And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” (New Living Translation)

Imagine being so busy enjoying living that you don’t waste time regurgitating the past regrets or failures. It takes focused attention – not on ourselves but on Him.

I want to be that person who enjoys life. I can be that person. You can too. Do you know the One who loves you more than you can imagine? The One who created a purpose and then created you to fulfill that purpose? The One who paid for your sins – past, present and future? If not, let me tell you about Him and let’s walk in this freedom together.