Well, hello there again! It's been a while since I last sat down and tended to my blog. My best excuse is that I've been diligently writing "The Book"....you know, The Book I started five years ago because I heard God say, "I want you to write a book about getting off the fence and surrendering your life to Me." So, I would say I am 3/4 of the way finished with the first draft, which in itself, will be a great accomplishment, to say the least. But that's another post for another time...
This semester, in Bible Study, we are covering Hebrews right now and the issue of "Faith" has come up. Faith? What does that look like to you? In Hebrews 11:6 it says,
"Without faith it is impossible to please God! You must believe He is God and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." KJV
One word that really screams at me from this verse is: "Impossible." It is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith! For me, faith is believing, even though I can't see. Believing what? Believing God's word is Truth and Life and Absolute. Believing God's promises are true, even for a redeemed wretch such as myself. Believing I am an heir with Jesus Christ and have eternal salvation with Him in Heaven. Believing that God is working all things out for my good, even though I can't SEE Him doing anything.
Since my conversion in 2003, I have wanted nothing more than to please God. Without faith, that is impossible. The truth is, as a Believer, I don't have a choice. I must have faith if I am going to please the One who saved me.
Faith is the opposite of Doubt. Faith is the opposite of Worry. Faith is the opposite of needless Fear. (False Evidence Appearing Real-type Fear.) So, suffice it to say, that when I am doubting, worrying, or fearing something....I am not pleasing God. I want to be a beautiful fragrance to the Lord. I want to make Him smile every time He thinks of me. I must exercise my FAITH to be pleasing to God...the same God who has given me Life, not death. I don't think that's asking too much, do you?
So, think about it. . .what does your faith look like? It's definitely something to keep at the forefront of our mind if we want to please our wonderful God in Heaven, huh? :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
Watch What You Say. . .
Currently, I'm reading and re-reading a book titled God's Creative Power by Charles Capps. My dear friend, Tammy, gave me this book last Christmas and although I didn't take to it immediately, once I sat down and read through it, I realized what a treasure it was. Since then, I've given it to many others in hopes they too, would find it such a wonderful treasure.
The author explains, quite convincingly, how powerful our words are. I believed that already, but this book explains it in much more depth than the verse in Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV)
That is a fairly bold statement, isn't it? Life and death in our words? Really? I believe the Bible is the absolute truth and God cannot lie, so this verse is just as true as all scripture. I haven't always taken this verse so seriously, though. No, many words flew out of my mouth in casual conversation that I do believe now, opened doors for the enemy to attack me. Such as, "Oh! That traffic drives me crazy!" How many times have we heard that statement? Too many to count. Well, if our words, even idle words such as that statement have the power to bring life and death, why would that statement be held to a different standard?
Mr. Capps states, "Spoken words program your spirit (heart) either to success or defeat. Words are containers. They carry faith or fear, and they produce after their kind." That statement lines up directly with the Proverbs 18:21 verse, in my opinion. This book has completely changed how I speak, what I speak and even where I let my thoughts go. The enemy is always on the prowl, looking to whom he can devour. The last thing I want to do is give him an open door through my spoken words!
Try this: Closely examine ALL the words that come out of your mouth on a daily basis, even hourly. See if there are places you've allowed the enemy to attack by the words you speak. If you're like me, there were many, but I was unaware until I really began to pay attention. When you catch yourself, ask for forgiveness and rebuke the enemy in Jesus' Name to close that door tight! He flees at the sound of "Jesus." Here's an even bolder statement:
The author explains, quite convincingly, how powerful our words are. I believed that already, but this book explains it in much more depth than the verse in Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NIV)
That is a fairly bold statement, isn't it? Life and death in our words? Really? I believe the Bible is the absolute truth and God cannot lie, so this verse is just as true as all scripture. I haven't always taken this verse so seriously, though. No, many words flew out of my mouth in casual conversation that I do believe now, opened doors for the enemy to attack me. Such as, "Oh! That traffic drives me crazy!" How many times have we heard that statement? Too many to count. Well, if our words, even idle words such as that statement have the power to bring life and death, why would that statement be held to a different standard?
Mr. Capps states, "Spoken words program your spirit (heart) either to success or defeat. Words are containers. They carry faith or fear, and they produce after their kind." That statement lines up directly with the Proverbs 18:21 verse, in my opinion. This book has completely changed how I speak, what I speak and even where I let my thoughts go. The enemy is always on the prowl, looking to whom he can devour. The last thing I want to do is give him an open door through my spoken words!
Try this: Closely examine ALL the words that come out of your mouth on a daily basis, even hourly. See if there are places you've allowed the enemy to attack by the words you speak. If you're like me, there were many, but I was unaware until I really began to pay attention. When you catch yourself, ask for forgiveness and rebuke the enemy in Jesus' Name to close that door tight! He flees at the sound of "Jesus." Here's an even bolder statement:
But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 12:36-37 NIV
Monday, May 30, 2011
He Makes All Things New
Finally, our 5th Anniversary arrived. I have literally been anxiously awaiting it since the day we married, May 28, 2006. Literally. As most know, the precious man who became like a Father-Figure to me, Norm Saunders, passed away the night before our wedding. He didn't get to walk me down the aisle. Needless to say, our wedding day 5 years ago was one of the saddest days I've lived. The entire ceremony was a blur through all my salty tears. I cried for the first three days of our honeymoon, in beautiful Hawaii. In fact, I cannot remember one wonderful thing about my wedding day. That's sad for any bride.
So, when the tears finally stopped flowing, I decided I wanted a "do-over" on our 5th anniversary. A bigger diamond, another ceremony...the whole nine yards! But, as time inched along, the pain started to slowly dissipate for the long-lost wedding ceremony. Within six months of our 5th anniversary, I'd decided a new diamond and a Vow Renewal ceremony would be enough to suffice in order to have a joyful memory instead of a sad memory.
I've been planning our Vow Renewal for 6 months. It all came together this past weekend and I must say, HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW! God is so faithful to give us the desires of our hearts as we delight ourselves in Him.
New Diamond? Check
New Wedding Dress? Check
New Veil? Check
New Location? Check
New Vows? Check . . .
New Joyful Memory? Check!
I am so thankful to have a husband who "gets me" and understands why this was so important. He was on board with every aspect, (and he was pleasantly surprised to see me walk down the stairs in that dress!) I can say that I have a new, joyful memory to replace the sad memory of five years ago.
We plan to have a Vow Renewal Ceremony on every 5th year. And when I get to Heaven. . .I will get Norm to walk me down the aisle!
So, when the tears finally stopped flowing, I decided I wanted a "do-over" on our 5th anniversary. A bigger diamond, another ceremony...the whole nine yards! But, as time inched along, the pain started to slowly dissipate for the long-lost wedding ceremony. Within six months of our 5th anniversary, I'd decided a new diamond and a Vow Renewal ceremony would be enough to suffice in order to have a joyful memory instead of a sad memory.
I've been planning our Vow Renewal for 6 months. It all came together this past weekend and I must say, HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW! God is so faithful to give us the desires of our hearts as we delight ourselves in Him.
New Diamond? Check
New Wedding Dress? Check
New Veil? Check
New Location? Check
New Vows? Check . . .
New Joyful Memory? Check!
I am so thankful to have a husband who "gets me" and understands why this was so important. He was on board with every aspect, (and he was pleasantly surprised to see me walk down the stairs in that dress!) I can say that I have a new, joyful memory to replace the sad memory of five years ago.
We plan to have a Vow Renewal Ceremony on every 5th year. And when I get to Heaven. . .I will get Norm to walk me down the aisle!
And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."
Revelation 21:5 NLT
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Birthday and a Funeral
Yesterday, I got the privilege of celebrating one more year of life on Earth! Yes, it was my 46th birthday and I enjoyed every minute of it! If I've never mentioned it before, now would be a good time...I LOVE my birthday! Beginning on April 1st, I start celebrating "Birthday Month"...it works out great since my birthday is at the latter end. I've just about got Gary trained to begin celebrating (with gifts or cards) on April 1st as well. Birthdays aren't quite as special to him as they are to me....but he's learning.
So, with all the early celebrating going on...by the time my actual birthday arrives, I am beyond excited! I remember when I was very young, maybe 6 or so, and the neighborhood kids came over for my birthday and I had a Barbie Doll birthday cake! You know, the one where her very full dress skirt is the cake and the Barbie stands in the middle? yep! That's the one! I loved that cake and I continue to LOVE birthday cake now! So, yesterday I enjoyed a fabulous lunch with a great friend, who gave me chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate and cinnamon covered apples! Fabulous! Then, I bought me a birthday blouse, (gift to self). . .then I went and had my toe nails painted bright red, my solar nails filled AND a few doors down from the nail shop was this fabulous Cupcakery! Yes!!! How on earth did this Cupcakery go into business without my knowing? It was pure elation when I walked in and smelled the warm, sweet little cakes with all that icing on top! I had to have one....the red velvet, please! And then, at the register, I see these icing covered cookies! Oh! I must have one of those, too....but here's the most unbelievable part...I ate both of them from 34th and Coulter to Soncy!!! Oh my goodness, they were beyond delicious! I had to ask God to forgive me for my gluttony....I arrived at the hair salon and had my hair washed and styled...nice treat when you have ridiculously thick hair like mine.
Then I ran home, changed clothes and made my way to the Civic Center for the Happy State Bank Annual Stockholder's meeting...yes, 850 of my closest friends were there to greet me...but not for my birthday, although, I felt like it was a really big party because inside me, there was a party going on! I don't mind turning a year older, at all. I celebrate another year, whatever the number may be, knowing that if I'm still celebrating, I still have a mission. Otherwise, my celebrating would be in Heaven and not here on Earth.
Which leads me to the "funeral" part of my post. Today, I attended a funeral of a dear person, Bud Townsend. What a guy! I met him in my former life and met up with him again in my new life. He treated me the same each time. He truly loved Jesus and it showed...always. He smiled so big you might have thought his cheeks would crack! He was a jolly, joyful guy all the time. He and his best friend, Steve Covington, came to see me the day I had the kidney surgery while in Lubbock. I believe they were in Lubbock for work, but Bud wanted to stop by and say hello. I'll never forget his kindness.
Anytime I attend a funeral, I review my own life and wonder what might be said when I pass and people gather to pay their last respects. I also ponder how I want my service conducted, what music to be sung, what Scriptures to be read and what pictures on the power point for all to see. One thing I know for sure is this, I hope I am remembered as a woman after God's own heart. I hope people know how much I love Jesus and want others, who don't know Him, to find out how much He loves them. I don't always go about that in the best way, but I certainly pray God will give me opportunities to share His Good News with those who haven't heard. I am a walking billboard of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness and I don't take that lightly. There are "Divine Appointments" every day...waiting to hear the Good News, from me and from others. I pray my funeral is a celebration of my attempts to do just that. Live each day as if it's your last....we never know the hour God will take us home. My dear friend, Bud, is dancing with the Angels, while in the presence of Jesus Christ! What a glorious day it will be when we meet our Maker and Savior!! Hallelujah!!
P.S. I'm still celebrating my birthday month...I had another great dinner with a dear friend and Tiramisu for dessert...Lord, forgive me!
So, with all the early celebrating going on...by the time my actual birthday arrives, I am beyond excited! I remember when I was very young, maybe 6 or so, and the neighborhood kids came over for my birthday and I had a Barbie Doll birthday cake! You know, the one where her very full dress skirt is the cake and the Barbie stands in the middle? yep! That's the one! I loved that cake and I continue to LOVE birthday cake now! So, yesterday I enjoyed a fabulous lunch with a great friend, who gave me chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate and cinnamon covered apples! Fabulous! Then, I bought me a birthday blouse, (gift to self). . .then I went and had my toe nails painted bright red, my solar nails filled AND a few doors down from the nail shop was this fabulous Cupcakery! Yes!!! How on earth did this Cupcakery go into business without my knowing? It was pure elation when I walked in and smelled the warm, sweet little cakes with all that icing on top! I had to have one....the red velvet, please! And then, at the register, I see these icing covered cookies! Oh! I must have one of those, too....but here's the most unbelievable part...I ate both of them from 34th and Coulter to Soncy!!! Oh my goodness, they were beyond delicious! I had to ask God to forgive me for my gluttony....I arrived at the hair salon and had my hair washed and styled...nice treat when you have ridiculously thick hair like mine.
Then I ran home, changed clothes and made my way to the Civic Center for the Happy State Bank Annual Stockholder's meeting...yes, 850 of my closest friends were there to greet me...but not for my birthday, although, I felt like it was a really big party because inside me, there was a party going on! I don't mind turning a year older, at all. I celebrate another year, whatever the number may be, knowing that if I'm still celebrating, I still have a mission. Otherwise, my celebrating would be in Heaven and not here on Earth.
Which leads me to the "funeral" part of my post. Today, I attended a funeral of a dear person, Bud Townsend. What a guy! I met him in my former life and met up with him again in my new life. He treated me the same each time. He truly loved Jesus and it showed...always. He smiled so big you might have thought his cheeks would crack! He was a jolly, joyful guy all the time. He and his best friend, Steve Covington, came to see me the day I had the kidney surgery while in Lubbock. I believe they were in Lubbock for work, but Bud wanted to stop by and say hello. I'll never forget his kindness.
Anytime I attend a funeral, I review my own life and wonder what might be said when I pass and people gather to pay their last respects. I also ponder how I want my service conducted, what music to be sung, what Scriptures to be read and what pictures on the power point for all to see. One thing I know for sure is this, I hope I am remembered as a woman after God's own heart. I hope people know how much I love Jesus and want others, who don't know Him, to find out how much He loves them. I don't always go about that in the best way, but I certainly pray God will give me opportunities to share His Good News with those who haven't heard. I am a walking billboard of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness and I don't take that lightly. There are "Divine Appointments" every day...waiting to hear the Good News, from me and from others. I pray my funeral is a celebration of my attempts to do just that. Live each day as if it's your last....we never know the hour God will take us home. My dear friend, Bud, is dancing with the Angels, while in the presence of Jesus Christ! What a glorious day it will be when we meet our Maker and Savior!! Hallelujah!!
P.S. I'm still celebrating my birthday month...I had another great dinner with a dear friend and Tiramisu for dessert...Lord, forgive me!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
REDEEMER of My Time
I don't know about you, but I can probably guess....you too, feel there just aren't enough minutes in a day to get everything accomplished you'd like. I have many days like that. I have a "to do" list that keeps morphing into a novel! What I don't accomplish on Monday, I move to my Tuesday list and so on and so on. You get my drift?
Jesus Christ has redeemed me from so much: loneliness, abandonment, fear, insecurities, shame, guilt, condemnation, being lost, my past as a whole, and the list goes on and on. :) One day, while praying, it dawned on me that if Jesus has redeemed me from all of those things listed, and more, why couldn't He redeem my time? That seemed logical to me. So I asked Him that day, "Lord, I need You to redeem my time today, every single minute of this day, Lord. I want to accomplish what You have set before me to do in an effort to be in Your will. Please protect every minute of this day from the enemy who desires to steal, kill and destroy my time so I won't accomplish Your will today. Please be the Redeemer of my time. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Done. Just like that, with a simple prayer, the Lord has become the Redeemer of my time. My day still has only 24 hours in it, just as before, but now, the enemy has no authority to steal minutes from my day. Now, I feel like I have time left over at the end of the day! Is that amazing? Because I prayed a prayer that lines up with God's will, He will honor it. If I happen to have a morning where I'm running late and don't say this prayer....Oh! will I ever pay! I know immediately what has taken place. So, I stop where I am, and say this little prayer. From it, I get big results!
What has Jesus redeemed you from? Is your list long like mine? Well, add one more item to your list: TIME. Let me know how this prayer works for you. I pray your time will be redeemed for Him. :)
Jesus Christ has redeemed me from so much: loneliness, abandonment, fear, insecurities, shame, guilt, condemnation, being lost, my past as a whole, and the list goes on and on. :) One day, while praying, it dawned on me that if Jesus has redeemed me from all of those things listed, and more, why couldn't He redeem my time? That seemed logical to me. So I asked Him that day, "Lord, I need You to redeem my time today, every single minute of this day, Lord. I want to accomplish what You have set before me to do in an effort to be in Your will. Please protect every minute of this day from the enemy who desires to steal, kill and destroy my time so I won't accomplish Your will today. Please be the Redeemer of my time. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Done. Just like that, with a simple prayer, the Lord has become the Redeemer of my time. My day still has only 24 hours in it, just as before, but now, the enemy has no authority to steal minutes from my day. Now, I feel like I have time left over at the end of the day! Is that amazing? Because I prayed a prayer that lines up with God's will, He will honor it. If I happen to have a morning where I'm running late and don't say this prayer....Oh! will I ever pay! I know immediately what has taken place. So, I stop where I am, and say this little prayer. From it, I get big results!
What has Jesus redeemed you from? Is your list long like mine? Well, add one more item to your list: TIME. Let me know how this prayer works for you. I pray your time will be redeemed for Him. :)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
When God says, "No."
I thoroughly enjoy Beth Moore's Bible Studies...all of them. I continue to be amazed at how this woman of God can take Scripture and stories we've heard for many years about characters in the Bible and make them literally come to life before my eyes! She is truly anointed as a teacher and I am thankful for the blessing of studying the Word with her.
A couple of weeks ago, Beth was winding down her hour long video after talking about the different "levels" of relationship Jesus had with others and how we are to model our relationships after Him. Imagine five circles, each getting smaller and smaller. The smallest circle in the middle depicted the relationship of Jesus to God. His innermost relationship of all relationships. Jesus had his 12 disciples that he took with him, but sometimes, he took just his three closest disciples, Peter, James and John. But even still, there were times when he asked them to pray for Him and He went further still, with God and God alone. There are times when even our closest friend or spouse is not what we need-we need to go closer inward with God...all by ourselves.
Have you ever had God say "no" to something you prayed for fervently? Have you ever begged God to heal someone and He said, "no?" I imagine we all have. For the past five years, I have wondered "why?" to the death of Norm, the night before my wedding. Norm, in case you didn't know, became like a father figure to me after the Lord put us together so I could give Norm a kidney. He needed a kidney and I needed a father figure. It was an amazing miracle of sorts and he was an amazing man. Sadly, he started to reject the kidney about two weeks before our wedding. His kidney had already stopped working for him a few months before and he was back on dialysis, which was a heartbreak all in itself. But to remove a kidney was routine and the doctors felt it best since his body was rejecting it. After the surgery, his arteries and veins began to bleed and the doctors had to go in several different times to repair them and stop the bleeding. His condition was up and down literally from day to day. At first, I believed he would get well and be home in a few days and would certainly be able to walk me down the aisle as we'd planned. After a few days went by and his condition never stabilized, my prayers changed to, "Lord, please heal him and allow him to come home and attend the wedding, if even in a wheelchair." As the days inched closer to our wedding, and Norm's condition continued to deteriorate, my prayers turned to desperation..."Lord, please let Norm live and make it through this!"
It was not to be. We lost Norm the evening before our wedding, May 27, 2006. God's answer was "no." There was no bargaining, no exceptions...just an emphatic, "no." Guilt, that my kidney failed Norm, set in. The enemy was quick to pounce on an already wounded heart. Devastation doesn't even begin to describe the way I felt. I wondered if I was being punished for my past sins; I wondered if I was not supposed to get married the next day; I wondered "why?" for a very long time. Years, in fact.
Two weeks ago in Bible Study, the Lord gently spoke to me using Beth Moore as a mouthpiece. She said, "When God says no, it's because in that "no" is your greater purpose in life. Something that God says "no" to will change your life forever and THAT is part of the greater purpose of your life." That sounds so simplistic, but to me, it was beautiful music to my ears. Having had the opportunities to share my testimony with others in the past year, I realize that the "no" God handed me the day before my wedding has caused me to search for Him more intently...desire Him more....and know Him more deeply.
I can't explain why that simple statement gave me such peace about the years of wondering "why?" but it did. It's effect was immediate and it penetrated deeply to my Spirit. It was a Word, I believe, from God to me. I thank God and Beth Moore for delivering it because it has given me freedom in some unbelievable ways!
So, remember. . .when God says "no," -- after the suffering of the "no," go to God in search of your greater purpose from that "no." Don't let the enemy shut you down like he did me. Get up after the grieving and ask God what His purpose is through that "no". . .He will be delighted to tell you.
A couple of weeks ago, Beth was winding down her hour long video after talking about the different "levels" of relationship Jesus had with others and how we are to model our relationships after Him. Imagine five circles, each getting smaller and smaller. The smallest circle in the middle depicted the relationship of Jesus to God. His innermost relationship of all relationships. Jesus had his 12 disciples that he took with him, but sometimes, he took just his three closest disciples, Peter, James and John. But even still, there were times when he asked them to pray for Him and He went further still, with God and God alone. There are times when even our closest friend or spouse is not what we need-we need to go closer inward with God...all by ourselves.
Have you ever had God say "no" to something you prayed for fervently? Have you ever begged God to heal someone and He said, "no?" I imagine we all have. For the past five years, I have wondered "why?" to the death of Norm, the night before my wedding. Norm, in case you didn't know, became like a father figure to me after the Lord put us together so I could give Norm a kidney. He needed a kidney and I needed a father figure. It was an amazing miracle of sorts and he was an amazing man. Sadly, he started to reject the kidney about two weeks before our wedding. His kidney had already stopped working for him a few months before and he was back on dialysis, which was a heartbreak all in itself. But to remove a kidney was routine and the doctors felt it best since his body was rejecting it. After the surgery, his arteries and veins began to bleed and the doctors had to go in several different times to repair them and stop the bleeding. His condition was up and down literally from day to day. At first, I believed he would get well and be home in a few days and would certainly be able to walk me down the aisle as we'd planned. After a few days went by and his condition never stabilized, my prayers changed to, "Lord, please heal him and allow him to come home and attend the wedding, if even in a wheelchair." As the days inched closer to our wedding, and Norm's condition continued to deteriorate, my prayers turned to desperation..."Lord, please let Norm live and make it through this!"
It was not to be. We lost Norm the evening before our wedding, May 27, 2006. God's answer was "no." There was no bargaining, no exceptions...just an emphatic, "no." Guilt, that my kidney failed Norm, set in. The enemy was quick to pounce on an already wounded heart. Devastation doesn't even begin to describe the way I felt. I wondered if I was being punished for my past sins; I wondered if I was not supposed to get married the next day; I wondered "why?" for a very long time. Years, in fact.
Two weeks ago in Bible Study, the Lord gently spoke to me using Beth Moore as a mouthpiece. She said, "When God says no, it's because in that "no" is your greater purpose in life. Something that God says "no" to will change your life forever and THAT is part of the greater purpose of your life." That sounds so simplistic, but to me, it was beautiful music to my ears. Having had the opportunities to share my testimony with others in the past year, I realize that the "no" God handed me the day before my wedding has caused me to search for Him more intently...desire Him more....and know Him more deeply.
I can't explain why that simple statement gave me such peace about the years of wondering "why?" but it did. It's effect was immediate and it penetrated deeply to my Spirit. It was a Word, I believe, from God to me. I thank God and Beth Moore for delivering it because it has given me freedom in some unbelievable ways!
So, remember. . .when God says "no," -- after the suffering of the "no," go to God in search of your greater purpose from that "no." Don't let the enemy shut you down like he did me. Get up after the grieving and ask God what His purpose is through that "no". . .He will be delighted to tell you.
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11
Thursday, February 10, 2011
RADICAL by David Platt
Have you ever read a book that really messed with you? I'm in the middle of one right now, Radical by David Platt..."Taking Back My Faith from the American Dream"....
Sometimes the word "radical" has such a negative connotation that we don't want to use it, especially associated with religion, but if we read the Bible and accept it as absolute Truth...we realize, IT IS RADICAL! For instance, in Mark 10:17-31, when a rich, young man asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life...Jesus tells him about the commandments to keep-do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your mother and father. . . and the young man says he has done all these things since he was a boy, (so far, it's looking pretty good for this guy to go to Heaven), however, Jesus then says, "One thing you lack, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven, then come follow Me." Uh oh, that's where the young man turned away sad....this young man had acquired great wealth and apparently, the thought of giving up all that to follow Jesus and have eternal life was just too much for him to bear. Ouch. Big O' American Ouch!
If you think about it, the American Dream does not line up with the Gospel. Many times, Jesus tells people to leave their home, their family, their possessions and take up their cross and follow Him. When I think of people that do that, they fall in the "missionary" category, but not in the everyday people category, which is where I land.
Two years prior to going on a mission trip to Nicaragua in June, 2008, I had been "jokingly" telling Gary that "we should sell everything and move to Costa Rica and become missionaries." I said this in an effort to run from the "rat race" we seemed to be in over here. After our mission trip, I knew deeply in my heart that we, here in America, were somehow, "missing the mark" of what God wanted for His children. I didn't believe God wanted His children to be stressed day in and day out, to not sleep at night, to constantly wonder if what we were doing was what we were supposed to be doing...but it's difficult to NOT get caught up in the American Rat Race...its a phenomenon, to say the least.
What I saw over there changed my heart. I knew I wanted to stay involved with Savior's Tear Ministry in some capacity from then on. When I'd been back in America for some time, slowly, but surely, the severity of what I saw diminished in my memory. It became clouded and veiled by all that goes on over here in America...such as, total immersion in "wanting more" by seeing or hearing thousands of commercials a week, whether on radio, TV, billboards, you name it. Or by trying to keep up with the Joneses. I am guilty of it all, and most definitely, ashamed of myself.
One scene that has never left my memory from the horrific dump grounds of Managua, Nicaragua was a young little boy, dirty from head to toe, but smiling from ear to ear. I thought to myself, "Lord, what on Earth does this little boy have to be smiling about while running around in this horrible dump ground?" Do you know what the Lord replied? He said, "Dawn, this little boy has everything he needs for today. He doesn't know to want more because he hasn't seen "more." His needs are being met today and he is perfectly content and full of joy." Another big Ouch!
Reading the book Radical has taken me back to that place in my heart that I felt while in Nicaragua. I loved that place, although heart-breaking at times, it was motivating to me. I want to be motivated any way I can be to help the poor. We, over here in America, are filthy rich compared to the rest of the world. Why is it so unbalanced, God?. . . God says to me rhetorically, "I don't know, Dawn, why is it?"
I want to be a Radical, Jesus Freak, who makes a difference in this world. I can't sit idly by hoping someone else will do something. I have been blessed beyond belief. Why? To give generously to the poor and bring glory to God's name. Pretty simple calling, huh? Want to join me? Read the book Radical and join us for a discussion at Leal's Restaurant on Thursday, March 10th at 12:00 noon. Everyone is welcome . . .I hope to see you there!
Sometimes the word "radical" has such a negative connotation that we don't want to use it, especially associated with religion, but if we read the Bible and accept it as absolute Truth...we realize, IT IS RADICAL! For instance, in Mark 10:17-31, when a rich, young man asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life...Jesus tells him about the commandments to keep-do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your mother and father. . . and the young man says he has done all these things since he was a boy, (so far, it's looking pretty good for this guy to go to Heaven), however, Jesus then says, "One thing you lack, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven, then come follow Me." Uh oh, that's where the young man turned away sad....this young man had acquired great wealth and apparently, the thought of giving up all that to follow Jesus and have eternal life was just too much for him to bear. Ouch. Big O' American Ouch!
If you think about it, the American Dream does not line up with the Gospel. Many times, Jesus tells people to leave their home, their family, their possessions and take up their cross and follow Him. When I think of people that do that, they fall in the "missionary" category, but not in the everyday people category, which is where I land.
Two years prior to going on a mission trip to Nicaragua in June, 2008, I had been "jokingly" telling Gary that "we should sell everything and move to Costa Rica and become missionaries." I said this in an effort to run from the "rat race" we seemed to be in over here. After our mission trip, I knew deeply in my heart that we, here in America, were somehow, "missing the mark" of what God wanted for His children. I didn't believe God wanted His children to be stressed day in and day out, to not sleep at night, to constantly wonder if what we were doing was what we were supposed to be doing...but it's difficult to NOT get caught up in the American Rat Race...its a phenomenon, to say the least.
What I saw over there changed my heart. I knew I wanted to stay involved with Savior's Tear Ministry in some capacity from then on. When I'd been back in America for some time, slowly, but surely, the severity of what I saw diminished in my memory. It became clouded and veiled by all that goes on over here in America...such as, total immersion in "wanting more" by seeing or hearing thousands of commercials a week, whether on radio, TV, billboards, you name it. Or by trying to keep up with the Joneses. I am guilty of it all, and most definitely, ashamed of myself.
One scene that has never left my memory from the horrific dump grounds of Managua, Nicaragua was a young little boy, dirty from head to toe, but smiling from ear to ear. I thought to myself, "Lord, what on Earth does this little boy have to be smiling about while running around in this horrible dump ground?" Do you know what the Lord replied? He said, "Dawn, this little boy has everything he needs for today. He doesn't know to want more because he hasn't seen "more." His needs are being met today and he is perfectly content and full of joy." Another big Ouch!
Reading the book Radical has taken me back to that place in my heart that I felt while in Nicaragua. I loved that place, although heart-breaking at times, it was motivating to me. I want to be motivated any way I can be to help the poor. We, over here in America, are filthy rich compared to the rest of the world. Why is it so unbalanced, God?. . . God says to me rhetorically, "I don't know, Dawn, why is it?"
I want to be a Radical, Jesus Freak, who makes a difference in this world. I can't sit idly by hoping someone else will do something. I have been blessed beyond belief. Why? To give generously to the poor and bring glory to God's name. Pretty simple calling, huh? Want to join me? Read the book Radical and join us for a discussion at Leal's Restaurant on Thursday, March 10th at 12:00 noon. Everyone is welcome . . .I hope to see you there!
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