Tag: jesus

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.

To Fear or To Not

I did a scary thing this week.

It wasn’t sky diving or acting on stage.

I didn’t speak in front of 1000 people or dance in the spotlight. (If I did the latter, that would be scary for ALL involved.)

And if I told you what I did, you wouldn’t think much of it. In fact, you probably wouldn’t think it scary at all.

For Joshua, stepping into the role he had only seen Moses do, must have been scary. In Exodus 34, it says that no one had ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Those are some big shoes to fill!

Joshua was told over and over again that the Lord was with him. The Lord told Joshua that he would lead the people to the promised land (Joshua 1:6.) No ifs, ands or buts…Joshua and the people would go into the promised land.

And Joshua was told multiple times to not be afraid or discouraged. But, being human and about to walk into the unknown, I’m sure he was.

I believe I know what the Lord has told me to do. I believe He is with me. I believe that what God initiates, He will sustain.

And yet, I fear. I think at the root is the fear of men and women. Sigh….

So once again, I am reminded that God is with me as He was with Joshua. If God is for me, who can be against me? He is a good Father. He will never leave me. If I continue to walk with Him, He will show me whether to go the the left or the right. I will remind myself of this constantly.

So yes, I fear. But I continue to do scary things. But not because I muster up my will and put my big girl pants on.

But because greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world. I’m on a mission.

You are too. Let’s move together and do the scary things. Let’s change our worlds. All for His glory.

;

It was a mostly normal week. Work. Supper. Sleep (or at least try.) Repeat.

But there was something looming. Two events were approaching on the same day and we didn’t know what to expect. They were on the calendar just waiting to arrive.

I had a lot of questions surrounding the first event. I didn’t know who was attending or what the expectations were. We were invited, given an address and a starting time.

I asked a lot of questions – some just in my head and some to Tim. He responded constantly with “I don’t know” or “All I know is this place at this time.”

We prayed for our attitudes and expectations. We prayed against the enemy and the ‘what if’ scenarios in our heads.

Prayers for the people involved – for blessing and understanding and agreement.

And then it was time.

The hype leading up to the first event was definitely more stress-filled than the event itself. It turned out to be a nice time. Nothing major in the positive and nothing major in the negative.

The second event contained a lot of unknowns too. We didn’t know who would be there or what the format would be. Again, we were given and address and a time. And we knew there would be food.

But we also knew the theme – worship.

Oh, what a sweet time that was.

The worship leader began with prayer. He commented that whatever we walked in the room with – discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, pain – whatever – we could give it to Jesus and just worship Him.

I know I walked in with all of that. I walk with most of that stuff and more on a daily basis. I lay it at the cross and then immediately go back and pick it up again.

Why is that? Discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, pain.

But NEVER from Jesus.

During worship, I tried to keep my focus on God alone. When I was able, it was a sweet time.

A young man, a pre-teen young man, said he thought about the evening as a semicolon. I didn’t understand at first either.

A semicolon separates (and then joins) two distinct thoughts. The weight of my world is heavy at times; I can always lift my eyes to God and worship Him.

The first part of that sentence causes my head and shoulders to droop. After the semicolon, I look up with hope and anticipation. There is peace.

When you have discouragement, unanswered questions, hurt, trust issues, and pain, pause for a moment and put a semicolon in your mind. Then change the narrative in your head by refocusing the direction of your thoughts. Focus it on the only One who is the Source for answers, peace and healing.

Awareness

Our church is one that prays. We gather every Saturday for a prayer service.

On Sundays, people will write prayer requests and we will pray over them during the prayer service. It’s a beautiful time to remember that everyone is going through something. People who are hurting or who are in need of healing. We have prayer requests from members, prisoners and the kids.

The ones from kids are always interesting to read. Some are wanting to do better in school or are praying for their pets. Others are thankful that they have a home, air and that they got out of school for the snow. One girl wanted courage to eat her vegetables.

But then you read one and it just immediately causes your eyes to leak.

It read, “I just want my parents to be happy.”

The child didn’t explain the situation – had someone died? Is someone ill? Did a friend hurt them with their words?

But perhaps the parents love for each other has died. Perhaps their marriage is ill. Perhaps they are hurting each other with their words – and indirectly, their child.

I think I knew my parents were mad at each other one time throughout their marriage. I am sure they were mad at many times but there was only one time when I was aware. I never went to sleep wondering if my parents loved each other.

Children are perceptible. They pick up on words, your tone and the tension.

I certainly was not a perfect parent. No one is. But I definitely want my words to speak life over my kids and grands. I want there to be no mistake that I love them – not because of what they did or didn’t do – but because of who they are. I want them to know that I want the best for them and that I pray that God will continue to reveal himself to them. I want them to know that they can talk with me and I’ll listen.

I also want them to know that I love their father and I will always choose to love them too.

Love, Thumbs and Oranges

I recently had some minor hand surgery. The bandage was less obtrusive than the one for my carpal tunnel. I had the use of four fingers but my thumb was completely wrapped.

It’s amazing how many ways you use your thumb.

Opening jars, squeezing the toothpaste tube, zipping anything, and opening the plastic storage bags.

I did as much as I could and would make adjustments as you learn to do. My mom kept asking if I needed help and what she could do for me. I kept her at bay and tried to do everything myself. (Wait…am I stubborn?)

I managed pretty well but, the one thing I just could not do was peel an orange.

My first and only attempt was a complete failure. I couldn’t use the knife properly and then I couldn’t remove the peel and just made things mushy and sticky.

Mom to the rescue. She even put it on a plate for me. Every piece was separated and whole. It was the sweetest orange ever.

I thought about this day in respect to my conversations with the Lord. He is there, waiting to help. I picture Him standing there waiting for me to ask.

But I ignore His presence and ‘power through’. I can handle that relationship, the money problems, the work issues by myself.

And sometimes I do. Until everything becomes ‘mushy and sticky’. Then I cry out in desperation. Help, Lord! Please!

What if I asked Him first? What if I prayed first? Not only in the big things but the little things too. He cares about them all.

Lord, help me with this conversation. Show me how to love people. Reveal truth and help me walk in the confidence of knowing that You are always with me. Give me words to share with others.

He always answers. It’s not always the way I think He will or in the time frame I think He should. But, He’s God and I am not. He is for me. I can trust in Him.

And so can you.

Adulting

Yes, I started this post with slang.

Adulting is an informal term to describe behavior that is seen as responsible and grown-up, if mundane and unpleasant—like bills and chores, according to Dictionary.com.

I’ve been above the age of 21 for sometime now. I should be used to it. I should be thriving in adulthood.

And sometimes, I am.

But then there are days like today. I just don’t want to (insert anything here.)

There are bills to pay, dishes to wash, dog hair to vacuum and a lot of clutter to clear. But I don’t want to.

But, I know it’s better for me if I do. It’s better for this household also.

The Apostle Paul states in Romans 7:11, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (ESV)

I don’t like being lazy. I don’t like wasting time. But I still do.

Shift my focus!

Everything I have comes from God. Everything I need comes from Him too.

Should I ask the Lord to help me clear the clutter? Absolutely!

Should I ask the Lord to help focus me on the mundane tasks? Yes!

All with a thankful heart! Thankful that we were able to seek and receive medical attention when we needed it. Thankful that we have the dishes to serve the food that is in our refrigerator. Thankful for the clothes we have and a machine that washes them. Thankful for the dog that brings me so much joy. Thankful that I can serve Him where I am with what I have.

Have you ever thought about that? Everything we have to worship God with – our minds, bodies, voices, hands, etc. – everything we have, came from Him.

And He has more for us. So be faithful in taking care of what He has given you today. He has more for us.

Let’s get started! Are you moving yet? Here I go!

(Originally posted May 15, 2025. But every bit relevant on this day too. Lord, please redeem this day!)

Shepherd

“The Lord is my Shepherd” is the beginning of Psalm 23.

Most people know that phrase even if they aren’t believers.

But have you ever stopped to consider the meaning of those five words?

There isn’t much sheep herding in Alabama. But, I imagine the role of the shepherd hasn’t changed much over the centuries.

Their job is to protect and care for the sheep. To make sure they are safe, to lead them to water and food. To pick them up when they fall over.

So if the Lord is MY Shepherd, then I am one of his sheep.

In W. Phillip Keller’s book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, he states, “Sheep do not ‘just take care of themselves’ as some might suppose. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care.”

I can attest to that. When I think over my life, and just over the past week, I have required attention and care. I have been ‘redirected’ when I have gone astray.

I needed this reminder and perhaps you do too.

The Lord is My Shepherd. He leads me. Which means He knows the way to go. He is my protector. Which means I’m safe when I am near Him. I don’t have all of the answers. But I am led by the One who does.