Hope for the Flowers...

I just love the whole butterfly analogy! Isn’t the way the...

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:22:33 -0500

I just love the whole butterfly analogy! Isn’t the way the Lord designed the life cycle of the butterfly and how it relates to Christianity just incredible :)

"Come and make my heart your home. Come and be everything I am and all I know. Search me, through and..."

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:01:02 -0400

““Come and make my heart your home. Come and be everything I am and all I know. Search me, through and through… Let everything I say and do, open up a door for you to come through.””

Matthew 7:24-29

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:57:58 -0400

Blessed is the man who built his house upon the rock. When the storm came, his house remained standing. The house built on sand was destroyed once there was opposition.

Building a house on the rock took more time. In the Jewish culture it was much easier to build on sand. A person had to “dig deeper” in order to find solid ground whereas sand was easily accessible. Although the laboring was much more intense during the building process, how much more grateful is the man that took the time to build a house on solid foundation rather than doing what was easiest and quickest. The man who chose the easy way ended up spending more time on the building process because once a problem arose, he had to start over due to his structure being demolished.

How much better it is to take the time to build on a strong foundation now as opposed to going back and having to correct construction mistakes. I would rather labor now than spend a lifetime repairing.

Jesus, I want my house to be built on the rock. However deep I must dig, let my foundation be you. You will never leave. My house will stand. I don’t want a lifetime of repairing. I want a lifetime of remaining. I will not chose the easy or convenient. I will labor for what lasts.

"forsaking what this world has offered me, I will choose to be in love with you."

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:08:07 -0400

““forsaking what this world has offered me, I will choose to be in love with you.””

"It is not what we do that determines who we are. It is who we are that determines what we do. I..."

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:09:33 -0400

““It is not what we do that determines who we are. It is who we are that determines what we do. I don’t labor in the vineyard with the hope that God will one day accept me. God has already accepted me, and that is why I labor in the vineyard.””

"Is Jesus your end, or is He merely a means to your end?"

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:59:58 -0400

““Is Jesus your end, or is He merely a means to your end?””

- David Platt

The Secret Garden

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:53:39 -0400

You hold the key to this garden.
You are the keeper.
It has the potential for beauty, but weeds have covered the ground.
These weeds grew from thinking something else would do.
Simply cutting them back will never suffice.
The garden needs its keeper.
The garden needs his hands.
The garden needs his care.
Come and pull these weeds by their root.
Rid them from ever coming back.
Clear the ground for what you have planted to grow.
Water this garden.
Let the light shine.
For so long, there were hinderances that caused the sun to be blocked.
But now, Master Gardener, only you have the key.
Come into your garden.
Enter in your garden.
Take delight in me.

"I don’t wanna talk about you, like you’re not in the room. I wanna look right at you. I..."

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:19:18 -0400

“I don’t wanna talk about you, like you’re not in the room. I wanna look right at you. I wanna sing right to you.”

Where you lead, I will follow...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:38:59 -0400

I just LOVE when the Lord places a Desire or vision on my heart without me having the slightest possibility how things may work together, and then, as He has always been so faithful to do in the past, He begins to open doors.

“For I KNOW the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future…. You will seek me and fin me when you seek me with ALL of your heart.” - Jer. 29:11,13

The Lord is incredible!

Jesus, I trust you…. I surrender ALL. ALL to thee, my BLESSED Savior, I surrender ALL.

Let My Reflection Be You

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:33:00 -0400

“We must learn to embrace pain and suffering as our friend.” - Bob Warren

The past 7 months has been an incredible journey for me. I have had the opportunity to take a counseling course learning the Exchanged Life Message at a much deeper level. The road has not been an easy one, but it has been rewarding. The Lord has pointed out false belief systems and lies I have believing for quite some time. It has been a wonderful time to rest in the Lord and believe the truth about what He says about me while allowing Him to correct these false beliefs. Tonight ended the first part of the counseling class. We had a paper due that caused us to reflect on what we have learned throughout the course. The quote mentioned above was the first thing the Lord brought to mind for me.

This sounds like such an odd statement. Pain. Suffering. How on earth could I befriend such emotions? The last thing I want to do is enjoy these feelings. In fact, I don’t want to feel pain or suffering. The Lord has taught me an incredible lesson. We all know that were never told this Christian life was going to be an easy road. In fact, the Lord told us we should expect persecution. If they persecuted Christ, why do we believe this journey will be smooth? It’s not. This I understood; however, I did not like this idea of embracing my pain. What does it even mean to embrace something? The first thing that came to my was big hug. One definition Webster gives us this word is, “to receive gladly or eagerly.” Um… no thanks! I’m not really up for gladly receiving pain. Please go to someone else’s door. My life is pretty full, and to be quite honest, that’s not part of “my plan”.

Why does Bob Warren suggest that these emotions should be eagerly welcomed? This is the place we become more like Christ. I’m sure you’ve heard the analogy of the silver? When silver is refined it must go through a heating process. In order to be at its purest form, it must “go through the fire.” Once this process takes place, silver become like liquid. When finally at the purest form, the silver is smooth. All of the excess has been removed. Not only are the lumps gone, but the reflection of the one doing the refining can be seen. What an incredible example of our refining process. When looking at ourselves, in order to see our Master, Jesus’ reflection, we must go through the fire. We must allow Him to take us through this refining process to “remove the excess.” We must experience the fire in order to be rid of the lumps. Once we have experienced this process, when Jesus looks at us, His reflection can be seen rather than our mere selves.

This is the importance of embracing pain and suffering. We can choose not to embrace these emotions. We can chose to find escapes for the hardship we are experiencing. Many people do this. I’ve done this.

What is an escape? Anything. A relationship, movies, drugs, exercise, busyness, etc. We can find our own way to cope with the hand we have been dealt, OR, we can choose to find Christ in the midst of the pain. We can run from suffering, or we can embrace it.

I believe if we turn our back on pain and suffering, we can still make it. I don’t think this means we have turned our back on God. I think it means we are trying to get our needs met apart from Christ. We are looking to some external source to meet the needs Christ has placed inside of our hearts that only He can meet. To me, this is the way we begin to set up a life-long pattern of coping mechanisms. It’s our way to “make it” through life. We don’t want to deal with what is really there. So, let’s say we get our needs met apart from Christ. Lets say we don’t embrace pain and suffering. Instead we put up walls and create our own ways to cope. This is option one. An example? Hm… A woman has been married for 20 years. She just found out her husband has been cheating on her the past 5 years of their marriage (heaven forbid, but a good example). The man leaves her for this younger and thinner woman. This woman that has been divorced realizes she’s going to have to “make it”. She has these needs to be loved. She needs security. Where is she going to get her needs met? Her husband just left her! This pain is WAY too much for her to bare. She has to do something, and fast! She becomes an “active” member at the gym. She is now a size 2. She begins to get attention from other men. She transfers her security from one man to the next. Her pain and suffering suddenly feels much lighter, at least as long as she doesn’t reflect on what has happened to her. She will just keep exercising, starving herself, and getting attention from this new man and any other guy she possibly can. Ahh… she can finally breathe. The answer is just to work harder for the perfect body. - This is her lie. This is her way to cope. This is her getting her needs met apart from Christ.

Option two. Christ’s way. He will supply all my needs (Phil. 4:19). This woman (mentioned previously) comes to the cross. She discovers Jesus. She is broken and hurting. She felt loved and secure at one time. Now, this has all been stripped from her. She no longer has anything. She knows that she cannot bare this pain alone. The great news? She was never meant to! She embraces her pain and suffering. She allows these emotions and this experience to bring her closer to Christ. She discovers the truth. “Christ doesn’t love me based on my figure. He doesn’t love me based on my age. Yes, I feel inferior to this other woman, but striving for perfection is not the answer. Man will always fail me. Jesus, I’m going to let you meet all my needs. I am going to embrace this pain and allow You to refine me.” This woman listens to Christ’s truth about her rather than making ways to cope.

Imagine if instead of running from these emotions, we dealt with them. Imagine if when one relationship went wrong or someone was hurt, people didn’t jump to the next one like the last person was the problem. Perhaps the divorce rate wouldn’t be so high? Imagine if we didn’t spend countless hours a night staring at a television (nothing against t.v.). Perhaps our relationships with our families would be more in depth? Imagine if we didn’t consume ourselves with a busy schedule because we are running from time alone. Perhaps we would accomplish what God wants us to rather than doing everything insight… The list goes on.

I believe part of the answer to this madness is embracing these feelings. Christ has something to teach us in the midst of our suffering. If we turn to Him rather than some external source, He will refine us. He will correct our false belief system which will in return correct our behavior. Jesus Christ will refine us in the fire if we simply let Him. In the end, if we stop running, we will reflect Him, Our Savior.

Jesus, thank you that my life is in your hands. Thank you that you are the potter, and I am merely the clay. Thank you that you are constantly refining me. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for pain. Thank you for suffering. I want to embrace these emotions so that I can discover you at a much deeper level. I want to look like you. I want to be taken through the fire so that I can be refined. I surrender all. You held nothing back from me. My life is in your hands. Jesus, when I look at myself, I want my reflection to be You. You are Lord.

The More I Find You, The More I Love You

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:36:12 -0400

The More I Find You, The More I Love You

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is as strong as death;..."

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 12:59:41 -0400

““Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is as strong as death; jealousy demanding as the grave: the coals are coals of fire, that have a most vehement flame.””

- Song of Solomon 8:6

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:03:33 -0400

““No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.””

- The Princess Diaries

Only You...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:32:52 -0400

Hungry I come to you for I know, you satisfy.
I am empty, but I know your love does not run dry.
So I’ll wait, for you.
So I’ll wait for you.

I’m falling on my knees,
Offering all of me.
Jesus, you’re all this heart is living for.

“…you are not your own. You were bought with a price…” -1 Cor. 6:19,20
“…in Him, you have been made complete…” - Col 2:10
“As a deer pants for water, so my soul pants for you…” -Ps. 42:1

The Tree of Life

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:38 -0400

When Adam and Eve ate from the wrong tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, essentially, they were trusting in themselves rather than God. They chose to believe the lies from the enemy to get their needs met apart from God. They wanted control and fell into the deception that they knew better than God…. We can choose to live from Satan’s lies, or we can choose to believe the truth about what Christ says about us. Choosing to dwell on the lies from the enemy only brings death, just like it did in the garden. However, choosing what God says about us and trusting Him brings life.

Jesus, you have control. Only you can meet my needs. You are truth. Thank you for the abundant life you give me. Thank you that in You, I will bear much fruit. I surrender all.

Phil. 4:19
James 1:13-16
2 Cor. 10:3-5

Great is Your Faithfulness

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:57:10 -0400

Last night as I was in bed, I began to question God. Maybe I’m the only one who doubts, but I suspect that most of us do. Thoughts began to enter my mind like, “Does God really have a plan for me? Am I headed in the right direction? Why would God use me for anything?…” After a few minutes of this doubtful thinking, the Lord brought a memory from years ago to mind.

When I was 8 years old, my family and I used to have breakfast every Saturday and Sunday morning at our breakfast table. This was a small table that extended from the wall in the kitchen. It was surrounded by two benches. It was the perfect place to build a tent (side note I was a little obsessed with tents). There was a window right next to the table that overlooked the side of our yard. A few bushes also lined the side of the house.

One morning, my dad said to us, “How neat would it be if a bird built its nest in one of these trees, and we could watch baby birds get fed in the mornings while we ate our breakfast.” My sisters and I thought this sounded exciting. So, my dad suggested we start praying for a bird to build its nest here.

This may sound like a crazy request. I thought so at the time. “Jesus has bigger things to worry about than a bird building it’s nest in this exact tree on a branch at the right level so we can watch it every morning.”

Weeks went by, but we prayed for this request every Saturday and Sunday morning while we blessed our food. Then, one day, my dad called us all to the window. A nest was in our tree! My family and I were able to enjoy the view of a mother bird feeding her babies. It was a beautiful sight, and we thanked the Lord.

This may sound like such a small, meaningless prayer, but in the eyes of an 8 year old, this was a big deal. At a young age, God showed me that he listens to me. He hears my “small requests.”

Yes God is still God regardless of if a bird had built a nest in our special tree. He knows what is best even when prayers go unanswered. But, last night the Lord reminded me of this. It was as if the Lord was saying, “Do not worry. I have already proven my faithfulness to you. I have already shown you that I hear your little requests and cries to me. I know you. I know your heart’s desires. I know the deceitfulness of your heart. My plan is perfect. I have told you, I will finish what I have started. Remember, I even provide for birds. Rest my child. You belong to me.”

When we doubt or question the Lord, let us always reflect and meditate on the times he has proven his faithfulness… The times He has proven He is good. When it is hard to press forward, let us remember He has already brought us out of Egypt. We have the Promise Land waiting. We must simply rely on Him in this wilderness.

Great is your faithfulness Lord.

Matthew 6:24-34

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over..."

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:26:27 -0400

““But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.””

- Psalm 5:11,12

The Father's Gentle Voice

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 01:36:00 -0400

As I continue on the journey you have laid before me,

I can feel life’s pull from all directions.

The soft melody begins to catch my attention.

The music seems ever so peaceful.

“Go here. Wear this. Give up. Follow your emotions…”

I begin to tell myself, “Taking a side road never hurt anyone.”

I whisper, “The broad path seems to be the better way.”

The tug on my heart is so strong. I feel as though I cannot resist the pull.

The song is welcoming. It allures my heart.

Just as I begin to take a step in the direction of life’s deceiving melody,

Your voice softens the music.

My heart skips a beat.

My Beloved speaks.

“My daughter, you are mine. I have inscribed you on the palm of my hand. You have taken my name. You belong to me, and I am yours. I know this path seems uphill, but remember my Words. My words are truth. Your heart is deceitful, but my Words, they are life. Narrow is my way. But, my reward is eternal. Keep your eyes fixed. Set your mind above. Nothing outweighs my reward. Nothing have I withheld from you…”

The music ceases when He speaks.

His voice is gentle. His words are love.

He embraces me.

Why did I doubt your faithfulness?

You have proven to be true so many times before.

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Your words, they are Spirit, and they are life.

Peace overtakes me.

The once peaceful melody sounds like nothing more than chaos.

I now have the strength to overcome life’s demands.

However, my strength is not found by my own striving.

My strength is found through submission and rest.

Father, I submit. I surrender.

My strength is found in my identity.

You are my Maker.

I no longer call you Master, but I call you Husband.

I am my Beloveds, and He is mine.

Jesus, thank you for this narrow path.

Thank you that it is not wide enough to bring anything along.

It must simply be the two of us.

I will continue my journey with you.

Speak your comforting words in the midst of this wilderness.

“And it shall come about in that day, declares the LORD, That you will call me Ishi (My Husband) and will no longer call me Baal (My Master).”

—Hosea 2:16

My precious 7th grade girl’s group taking a break during...

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:27:06 -0400

My precious 7th grade girl’s group taking a break during SPLASH 2011 - spreading the love of Christ to Troup County.

Over 70 mission projects completed with 10 churches uniting… not to mention, hearts and lives changed among the youth…. AMAZING.

Psalm 1

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:40:20 -0400

The vibrant flowers that blossom during springtime could never take place without the cold, harsh months of winter, a time the plant’s roots grow deep into the soil.

“…let my roots go down deep… I want to be like a tree, planted by the streams of LIVING WATER… In the midst of the coming storm… In the midst of the coming blessing… That my life would be built upon the rock… that I would not be moved, not be shaken…”

Psalms 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of living water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all he does, he prospers.”

Jesus, thank you for the winter months. Thank you for the cold, harsh seasons. Thank you for the times spent wrestling in order to reap the fruits of spring. You know what is best. You are in control.