Mess Into a Message

Seven years ago today, I experienced one of the most heartbreaking things we as women can feel.  It was a memory I will never forget with my second pregnancy.  I was only a week shy of being in the “safe zone,” as I’ve heard it called, or actually, in my second trimester.  Josh and I were ecstatic to be having another baby.  After all, this was only a couple of months before I got pregnant again with Tori.  We really did want a baby at that time in our lives, for Savannah to have a sibling closer in age.  She turned 2 that year, so they would have been less than 3 years apart.  Again, what I had always wanted as a mother!  But…God had other plans.

I have shared the details of this day before with some of you, but there’s something about the “anniversary” of a miscarriage or death that makes all of the memories and feelings resurface, as if it just happened yesterday.  And it’s okay.  God has healed my heart and taken away my pain.  He has replaced my mourning with gladness.  He has put real, true joy in my heart, despite the babies I miss that I know stand with Him today.  Next month, Friday, February 21 was my projected due date from the baby I lost last summer.  I yearn for that baby, even though it was forming in my tubes VS my uterus.  It’s all the same.  Loss and infertility are something you can never fully “get over,” you just have to hand it over to the One who knows best.  Because after all, God had other, better plans. 

The miscarriage 7 years ago today was by far the worst.  I still remember the reality I felt that my baby was dead.  It was a person, with a beating heart, just a few days before.  But that morning I woke up lightly cramping, and just knew something was wrong.  By the time I was driving to work that morning, I couldn’t hardly breathe because the intensity of the cramps had picked up.  My doctor’s office wasn’t open yet, so I had planned to call them as soon as I got to my desk at work and ask to come in.  I will never forget, I was walking up the stairs at work, hadn’t made it to my desk yet, when my water literally broke.  We weren’t far from the hospital, so my dear friend helped me in her car and rushed me there.  I am shocked that I didn’t ruin her car.  We’re all adults, and know what happens in childbirth, so I’m just going to say it:  I have never seen so much blood.  I just couldn’t stop bleeding; I have never seen anything like it in my life! 

My Doctor’s office was attached to the hospital, so I called them on the way, letting them know I was headed to the hospital.  They wanted to see me in the office first instead of the ER.  That should have been my first clue.  I should have bypassed them and went straight to the hospital.  They did rush me into an exam room and my doctor came in.  She just patted my hand and said words I will never forget, “this was nature’s way of taking care of a pregnancy that just wasn’t meant to be.”  Being in so much pain, all I could was cry as a response.  If I could go back now, I would like to share differently with her.  That actually, this was God’s plan for mine and this baby’s life, and that He had numbered this baby’s days before they ever began outside the womb.  He had me in His hands, as well as this baby.  It was NOT a fetus, but a baby that had already formed SO much at only 11.5 weeks! 

They sent me over to the hospital for a D&C, where I awaited my doctor to finish her office appointments.  (Graphic content again, sorry, but it’s important to my story or else I wouldn’t share.)  I continued to bleed such large amounts, that the nursing staff was rushing around, a little panicked they told my family later, and it was a honestly a blur for me.  If it wouldn’t have been for a caring anesthesiologist that was concerned more about a patient than his agenda or schedule like my doctor was, it could have been a different outcome.  He had come in to see me before the procedure, quickly seeing how urgent things had become.  He had a nurse call over and tell my doctor that she needed to come now, to which she had told her assistant, she would be over in an hour or so when she was done with her office appointments.  The anesthesiologist then got on the phone himself and spoke directly with my doctor, alerting her to come NOW.  I am SO thankful for his care and concern, and the willingness he showed to TRULY care for a patient in need.  I did recover fully, although I did lose a lot of blood and had to receive more.  It was a scary time for sure.

I share the details of that day, to paint the picture to you of how BAD and heartbreaking it was, only because it is SO AWESOME to think back on where I’ve been, and yet where God has been faithful to bring me!  Does that mean nothing else bad will happen?  Absolutely not!  Jesus says we WILL have trials in this life!  As a matter of fact, this happened in January 2007, and Tori was born at 28 weeks that same year, in September.  One might start to feel a lot like Job after the couple of years we had, when we lost her a few months later in March 2008.  I did wonder WHY at times.  I did struggle at times.  But God is sovereign, and as I’ve already said, God had other, MUCH better plans for us.  I have to trust that.  He says in His word that He works ALL things (even death and miscarriage) together for our good and His glory. 

If you are or have experienced this type of loss, not having healed from it yet, I encourage you to reach out to someone walking with the Lord who HAS walked this very difficult road.  Seek counsel if you haven’t already.  I know many women comfortable sharing their pain with others so that they can comfort and better understand what they are going through.  Several women reached out to me after I miscarried.  I am so thankful for them.  And while an earthly comforter is great, knowing the Ultimate Comforter and Prince of Peace is what will get you through this feeling of despair, pain, and uncertainty of the future.  I can assure you of that!  I plead with you to know Him today, before it’s too late.  I’ve heard a quote that says “you’ve either just come out of a trial, you’re in the midst a trial, or you’re going to be going into a trial.”  That is so true!  We are NOT promised smooth sailing in this temporary home of ours, but we ARE promised the best guide you could ever ask for!!!  I think of it this way, if your child is terminally ill, don’t you want the best care possible for them?!  You are going to be their best advocate, trying to find the best physician possible.  Well, we are “terminally ill” in the fact that our life is not promised tomorrow, our days are fading quicker than we realize.  Don’t you want the best guide and hope you can find to help you through this life?!  If so, CHOOSE CHRIST today!!

If you or a loved one haven’t experienced this kind of pain and loss, and you can’t fully understand what I’m talking about here, I am so glad for you.  Honestly!  It is very rare that I don’t know someone who hasn’t experienced a miscarriage, infant loss, infertility, etc.  I find that it is all too common when you start talking to people.  You can bear other’s burdens through compassion and sincere concern.  I don’t mean, “I’m sorry you’re going through that,” and then move along in your life.  Compassion, and “gospel fueled neighbor love” as my pastor put it last week, is messy at times, but living out the gospel and being concerned for others (instead of yourself) and bearing their burdens with them is SO important!  After all, loving others is the second greatest commandment.  Loving them where they’re at.  In the middle of something you may not want or know how to approach.  Praying for and with them regularly is the best thing you can do. 

One last thought I will leave with you…have you ever heard this saying, “God can take your mess and turn it into your message.”  That’s what I feel He has done with my miscarriage, Tori’s death, problems in my marriage as we grieved, and my tubal pregnancy.  All of that was my “mess” in my life, and yet my message is:  “Jesus rescues!”  He "rescues" you from all of that pain and heartache, turning your mourning into gladness.  Quite possibly, over and over.  After all, remember what I said about being in, leaving, or going into a trial throughout your lifetime.  So hopefully I have “convinced” you of why you need Jesus.  One last analogy J …do you ever go on a trip unprepared?  If you’re like me, you OVER pack!  So why “leave home” without Him?!  A relationship with Him is what you need to be prepared in this life.  You NEED Him to make it through all this life throws at us!  Hopefully, you don’t think I am just sounding cliché, but am instead very sincere, I assure you.  I wish you much joy, comfort, and peace as you walk with Him.  Blessings, friends.

Wait Upon the Lord

So many of you saw the picture of Savannah with the stroller and baby shoes last week on Facebook, and I shared that we were finally getting foster children.  Well, as is the life of foster care, it is a roller coaster. Both in what happens and emotionally.  We were supposed to get them this week, so we got all prepared, and then it changed like it often times can.  We now wait to see if we get them on the 31st.

I have mixed emotions and a heavy heart as we wait to hear.  God is definitely trying to teach me to better wait on Him and trust His plan COMPLETELY.  No ifs, ands, or buts.  It's not a coincidence that His plans for my (our) life, and trusting that He is in control, has been weighing heavy on my mind lately.

I have seen over the past week how we can have one thing planned in our mind, and then it changes on a dime.  I have seen that happen before in instances like Tori's life and death, so it's really nothing new to me.  I just think I need a reminder (often) that my ways are not His ways, and my thoughts are not His thoughts.  Is that easy to live out?!  Absolutely not!  The momma in me has wanted to go pick up these kids this week, hug them, rock and sing to them, read them stories, tell them they're special, and overall give them a safe home as we share Jesus' love with them.  When that didn't go as "planned,"  it was a rough couple of days to be honest.  I HAVE to trust that God is in control, though, and that He does indeed want to work things together for His glory and my (our/their) good.

I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has given us a heart for children and called us to this ministry.  We so desperately desire to live out James 1:27, however He sees fit for us to do that.  We are willing to love and take care of children whether it's for 2 minutes, 2 weeks, 2 years, or their lifetime.  At this point, just when I think I see the plan, I once again have to rest in the fact that HE sees the bigger picture, because I CAN'T.  Lord, increase my faith!!!

I will tell you why we signed up for foster care.  We signed up knowing that reconciliation with the parents is the end goal.  We want to see lives changed, and not just because someone is drug free or whatever their vice is, but we want to see lives and families changed by Jesus Christ.  If a parent is not going to choose that, though, we want to be that safe place and love these children like they need to be loved.  I am hoping for their sake we get to be that safe place for these precious children on the 31st.  So please pray for this situation and that God will work everything according to His will, that He will be glorified, and our hearts will be prepared in a supernatural way, no matter the outcome.  Even though we won't be able to share details, I will let you know if we get them on the 31st.  I appreciate those who have messaged or texted me that you are praying and have been thinking of us.  You get to see through us and others how hard the road of foster care can be, but don't let that discourage you if you've ever felt the Lord tugging at your heart to foster/adopt like He has ours.  I know it will be so rewarding in the end, and our family will grow and be changed by it, quite possibly more than the children we are able to love and take care of.  THAT is what keeps us going as we wait upon the Lord.

She Laughs at the Things to Come

I thought of Proverbs 31:25 this morning, and this verse is exactly how I feel right now...

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear at the days to come." 

{Let me explain fully, before it is assumed I am taking credit myself. My only desire is to promote Christ and bring glory to Him, so make sure you read completely.} :) 

I will be the first to admit that I can be anxious and worrisome at times when circumstances cause me to yield in that direction. However, I think about everything going on in our life right now, and I can honestly laugh (have joy) at all that is to come because The Lord is indeed my strength!!! That is huge for me to be able to say and mean it!!

I do not fear the unknown. I am not stressing about things I can't control. I have a peace in my heart. I can honestly laugh at things to come without feeling overwhelmed at this point in my life!  To be honest...This is not typical of me. In times past, I can remember being like a cat on a hot, tin roof and needing a Valium! :) 

Seriously though, The Lord has given me unexplained peace with where we are, when in times past, that was not the case at all. I boast nothing of us, but simply that The Lord has extended such grace and mercy, allowing us time to repent, and given us a desire to follow Him.

Don't get me wrong...we DO still lose sight of His provision and guidance sometimes, and try to control things ourselves, but He lovingly reminds me that He is control. He never gives up on us, never leaving us alone to figure it out ourselves. He gently calms my heart through prayer, scripture, and encouragement/truth from a friend.

I am just so incredibly thankful for all He is doing in our midst!!! He does NOT need US to work His plan. He does NOT need to use US, because we are unworthy, imperfect sinners that are just being given a second chance...actually a third, fourth, fifth...and so on.

I can laugh {i.e. have joy; not be worrisome} at the future instead of fearing it because He is on my side. He clothes with me HIS strength, not my own. Mine is minuscule compared to His. But greater is He who is in me...and in my weakness, His strength is magnified!!! 

Why do I share this? A wise friend shared with me that when we are on the mountain tops, to record our victories, things He has done, answered prayers...so that one day when we are in the valleys, tempted to despair and ask, "Where's God?!," we can look back at the things He was doing on the mountain tops and see His hand always at work, that He is ALWAYS good, even in our darkest times. 

I can laugh at the days to come...despite the busyness of being a mom and wife (it is a blessing, but still busy!), Homeschooling, working 2 half days a week, my husband being in school full time (in addition to working full time), getting precious, new foster children, and our house is now on the market, meaning we could have to pack and move somewhere else if it sells (but only be there for a year until he finishes school). Side note- this is because when josh surrendered to full time ministry, we knew we weren't sure we would stay here, so we didn't want to buy a house and have a hard time selling again. So we have been renting, but the house is now on the market. Just explaining another variable. :)

That brings up another thing in our future: we are praying about where The Lord will have us to serve when he is done with school. I have no idea if that will be locally, in the state, or somewhere further.  That in itself is a great unknown and if I'm being honest, my heart can tend to feel anxious when I can't control what I don't know/can't see. I might usually be tempted to fear instead of rejoice in the midst of the uncertainty. But I know God is my portion. He is my strength. He upholds me when I am weak. He is the lifter of my head. He is the prince of peace. He is ever faithful!!!

Why do I share this?! I hope He is all this to you as well. If you're going through something tough, stressful, heart wrenching, or just worrisome, He CAN give you HIS strength when you feel you have NONE. Without Him, I would just be going throughout this life hopeless, wandering aimlessly. I don't want any of my friends to be feeling this hopelessness. Call on Him, repent of trying to do it yourself, and accept the love and comfort He so freely offers! I have to do this often!!! :) 

Maundy Thursday

The following is strictly John Piper's writing, nothing of my own. It is taken from his ebook for this week as we prepare for Easter on Sunday. I emailed a copy of it to many of my family and friends, and hope you have been enjoying it this week as well. Today's was too good not to share. I never knew what "Maundy Thursday" meant, but I do now...

Maundy Thursday
Thursday of the Commandment
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

Today is Maundy Thursday. The name comes from the Latin mandatum, the first word in the Latin rendering of John 13:34, “A new commandment (mandatum novum) I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This commandment was given by Jesus on the Thursday before his crucifixion. So Maundy Thursday is the “Thursday of the Commandment.”

This is the commandment: “love one another: just as I have loved you.” But what about Galatians 5:14? “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” If the whole law is fulfilled in “Love your neighbor as yourself,” what more can “Love one another as Christ loved you” add to the fulfillment of the whole lawI would say that Jesus did not replace or change the commandment, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” He filled it out and gave it clear illustration. He is saying, Here is what I mean by “as yourself.” Watch me. I mean: Just as you would want someone to set you free f rom certain death, so you should set them free from certain death. That is how I am now loving you. My suffering and death is what I mean by ‘as yourself.’ You want life. Live to give others life. At any cost.

So John says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). Was Jesus loving us “as he loved himself”? Listen to Ephesians 5:29–30, “No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.” In the horrors of his suffering, Christ was sustained “by the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). And that joy was the everlasting gladness of his redeemed people, satisfied in the presence of the risen king.

Therefore, let us see the greatest love in action on Maundy Thursday and tomorrow on Good Friday. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). He loved us to the uttermost. And let us be so moved by this love that it becomes our own. “He laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” This is the commandment. This is the Thursday.

Not Ashamed

Our pastor has been preaching a sermon series on Proclaiming the Gospel on Sunday nights.  As Christians, that is what we are SUPPOSED to do:  actively share the gospel with those we come in contact with on a REGULAR basis!  Often times, though, we (myself included) go about our business and rush through our days not once sharing about the hope we have to someone who may desperately need to know what we know.  Woe is me…

In the “Bible Belt” where we live, we assume everyone knows about Jesus.  We assume they know how to get to heaven, and that they are just backslidden if they claim to be a Christian but yet they aren’t living right.  No one can judge someone’s heart except God, for only they and God know the status of their salvation.  The Bible says they will be known by their fruits, though, and in 1 John 2:19 it says, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they HAD been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”  If they truly ARE Christians, they can’t escape the Holy Spirit for He is living IN them.  They DO repent and come back.  But those who never come back, the Bible says they weren’t really ever a part of us.  That’s hard to swallow, I know.  I doubted my salvation for a lot of years but I now see that I hadn’t truly repented of my sins…I was as the Bible says, “a dog returning to his vomit, and a fool who returns to his folly.”  Gross, I know.  But that’s what we do when we continue to live OUR way and give in to our fleshly desires instead of dying to ourselves and following Christ.  THIS is what people need to know about the gospel, that He TRANSFORMS us; NOT that we just believe in Him and yet continue to live life our own way! 

Josh and I have been convicted about how much we DON’T share with our waitress, our cashier, our coworkers, etc.  Yes, sometimes I am in a rush with two kids and not always able to get into an in depth conversation.  And yes, I don’t work in a secular workplace anymore, but am home with my girls more than anything.  THEY are the majority of my mission field, and believe me, I try to teach and live the gospel as much as I can with and before them.  But that’s not enough.  There is ALWAYS SOMEONE that I come in contact with that needs to hear the gospel.  I try to share things with my friends very openly on Facebook, as I know that is a large venue and there are a lot of unbelievers on my friend list.  I have pleaded with those that may read things to please come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  That doing good things, or just the lack of a lot of bad things, WON’T get you to heaven.  Sadly, there are many people who know “how” to be a Christian, as in accepting Jesus as your Savior, so they believe in Him and profess that He is indeed their Savior because of a prayer they prayed at one time.  But they haven’t made Him LORD by repenting and TURNING from their sins.  That was also ME for a lot of years.  As a friend and I were discussing it last week, your HEAD knowledge HAS to match up with your HEART.  I was raised in church and knew a lot of the answers, but the HEART had to eventually match up with all that.  Only then could I profess Jesus as my Savior AND Lord.

I have had FOUR people tell me over the past week alone that we are the happiest that they have ever seen Josh and I, and they have known us for A LOT of years!  You know what that tells me?  That doesn’t speak volumes about Josh and I AT ALL.  That speaks VOLUMES about the God I serve!  Some of those people aren’t in Christ, but they can SEE a difference.  My prayer is that they see Him through us as He shows His power and grace mightily in our lives, so that ultimately, they too, will come to Christ!  Not because of anything WE do, but because of HIM.  This is a burden of ours because we love our friends and family SO much and don’t want to see them die and go to a Christless hell.  A place that people don’t really like to talk or think about, but let me tell you, the Bible clearly tells us that it is a place where people WON’T die, they will BURN forever, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Can’t imagine a place that bad is actually real?  Have you ever been in excruciating pain before, and until you had the problem relieved or got some pain medicine, you thought you just might die! Well, that is how it will feel in hell…you will FEEL like you’re going to die, you will be hurting constantly, but there will be NO relief from the pain this time!  Why would anyone want to take their chances of going to a place like that, and go through that much suffering and torment for ETERNITY?!  I’ve heard something before along the lines of, “Okay, so what if I’M wrong and there’s not a heaven and hell, then what?  All I have to look forward to is being dead in a grave forever.  But what if YOU’RE wrong, and there IS a heaven and hell…you’re going to have a lot less to look forward to than I do!”  Friends, there are NO if’s, and’s or but’s about it….the Bible IS true!  Don’t wait until Judgment Day to choose whom you believe in.  For then, it will be too late.  Believe in Him and you WILL be saved from this horrible place!!!

I’m telling you, I am typing this with tears.  It hurts me SO bad to hear people we love reject Christ.  Josh and I were talking today about the fact that certain people in our life just think we’re “Jesus Freaks” and that we take all this too seriously.  That doesn’t hurt me for ME, it hurts me for THEM.  They don’t see the seriousness of sin, or that the Lord WILL be coming back soon, and they wonder why we are so “religious.”  Who said that as long as you profess with me your mouth, but yet don’t live out your faith in ALL you say and do, you’re still good to go?!?!  Certainly not God! I’m not saying that we’re perfect by any means, but there’s been a definite change in our lives…I say this often to reiterate, but it’s nothing on our OWN MERIT, but God alone!  I want those we love and care about to have the same JOY we have!  To have the same HOPE we have!  To impact the world for Christ WITH us!  I don’t want to be a “Pharisee” and think I’m better than ANYONE, because I’m not!  I say all this in LOVE, with PASSION, and URGENCY because it IS important.  Let me tell you why.

The passage that our pastor’s sermons have been coming from is Luke 16:19-31:

¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. ²⁰ And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, ²¹ who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, ²³ and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. ²⁴ And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ ²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ ²⁷ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— ²⁸ for I have five brothers^[b]—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ ²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ ³⁰ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ ³¹ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

This passage should compel every Christian (myself included!) to run to their family, friends, and neighbors and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ!  The rich man went to hell and saw how bad it was.  He was in anguish it says, and asked for some relief.  He could have NONE.  Well, if he couldn’t have relief, then he wanted his 5 brothers to avoid coming to this horrible place and begged him to send someone from the dead to tell them how to avoid that awful place.  He told the rich man that there were people on earth to tell them about hell, and that they should listen to them.  But he said they would listen better to someone who came from the dead, but again, his response to the man was that if they won’t believe Moses and the Prophets, then they won’t even be convinced by someone from the dead. 

Once our loved ones die and go to hell, there won’t be any saving them from that place.  We must tell them now, and give them the chance to accept Christ before it’s too late.  What about when they denounce the Bible, and don’t feel the seriousness of this like we do?  Don’t lose heart.  I reminded Josh today that although we don’t want them to go to hell, we know that we will stand before God one day and we will receive the crown of eternal life.  They may make fun of us now, but unfortunately, they will then see that what we were pleading with them to accept, will have been the right choice to make.  It HURTS to share with them and see them reject it, but it’s Him they’re rejecting, not us.  We can’t let it discourage us.  Matthew 10:14 says, “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”  It is very stressful to speak about this and yet not be heard.  Don’t resent them for not hearing, though.  You did what you were supposed to do, and planted seeds as you were supposed to.  Pray for good soil in their hearts so that as the seeds have been planted, they will cultivate and grow. 

I will leave you with some scriptures to be encouraged with when the fear of sharing the gospel comes into your mind and heart.  These have helped me have boldness and not apologize for the gospel.

No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.(John 15:20)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3)

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (1 Peter 2:20)

It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:17)

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (1 Peter 4:16)

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you. (1 Peter 4:14)

Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.(Luke 6:22)

Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. (Isaiah 51:7)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to the faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:29)

Dear friends, do not be surprised if the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
(Matthew 5:11-12)

 

 

Wonder Working Power

I was reflecting on the awesome saving power of Christ evident in Phil Robertson's life (from Duck Dynasty), and the transformation he described in the video that I shared yesterday (on FB), in which Phil shares his testimony.  I thought how strong God's power is to be able to truly change a life headed one way, and yet totally transform it as they accept the gospel, and then go on to proclaim it so boldly themselves. 

Josh and I then discussed Saul (who later became Paul), and how he killed and persecuted Christians, but after a powerful conversion experience on the Damascus Road, He went on to proclaim Christ and even wrote letters which make up a lot of the New Testament.  The infallible, God breathed Word of God came from a man who used to kill the very people that he became one of.  That wasn’t anything Paul could claim to have done on his own, it was all GOD.  God revealed Himself to Saul, and changed his heart to be turned to Him.  This is the same power that changed Phil’s life.

Praise the Lord that I have the same testimony!  God’s saving power has changed mine!  Now I’m not perfect by any means, and I still mess up royally when I battle my flesh and give into it.  But I have seen the cross as something done BY me (because of my sin), therefore, seeing His death as something done FOR me, has compelled me to live my life FOR Him, in obedience to Him, and not myself.  As Phil said in his video, he realized “that was an awful kind thing for someone to do for him (Jesus dying on the cross and taking his sin and making it His own).”  Salvation was life changing for me, when I realized this too, then repented and surrendered, vowing to live my life for Him until He calls me home VS praying a prayer and knowing I had “fire insurance” from hell.  How silly to think that is all God requires or deserves from us! 

The very same God who brought Noah through a flood safely, parted the Red Sea for His people, calmed a storm, healed lepers, made blind people see, raised Lazarus from the dead, changed Saul/Paul’s life, saved Phil Robertson, also saved ME and I just think that is pretty AWESOME!!!  I’m not the same person I was before.  Neither are any of those people after God radically SAVED and changed each of them.  If you claim to know that power first hand as well, but it doesn’t excite you anymore, that would lead me to pause and ask WHY.  Ask God to search your heart and “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” as the Bible says.  If you’ve never experienced this transforming power in your own life, then may I suggest, or should I say urgently plead with, you to know The God of the Bible today!  It’s NOT just a storybook.  Like Phil said, the Bible is too great for sinful people to just think up on their own. 

What hope do you have if you don’t have your hope in Jesus?  What meaning do you have in your life if you’re not living a life lived for Jesus?  I was there!!  I was coasting along in life, self seeking, pleasing myself, and yet never being totally fulfilled.  There was always a void, always a longing, and always an empty feeling behind my mask I wore well.  Jesus can fill you up, though, and change all that!  People often times think that you have to get “cleaned up” or change your lifestyle BEFORE you can get right with God.  That is a lie from Satan himself!  He discourages and wants to deter you from making the biggest and best decision of your life!  You come to Jesus and surrender your ALL (no one ever said the price was low or it would be easy), and He will give you SO much more than you could ask for, imagine, or dream up on your own.  HE will clean you up as you grow in Him…you DON’T have to do that yourself!  You CAN’T!  It’s impossible!  Don’t think you’ve done too much wrong, you’re in too deep, what will people think, they’ll think you’re a fraud, etc.  None of that matters!  Your eternal security and having a relationship with the Creator of this world is what matters. 

There was a saying I heard many years ago in my youth group, and it was said by a young man in 1980 from Rwanda that was forced by his tribe to either renounce Christ or face certain death. He refused to renounce Christ, and he was killed on the spot. The night before he had written the following commitment which was found in his room:

“I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed, the die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made- I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vision, worldly talking, cheap giving & dwarfed goals.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I won’t give up, shut up, let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till everyone knows, work till He stops me & when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.”

That is all this blog post is about.  I’m not giving up or shutting up about the saving power of Christ until that final day that he calls me home, too!!!  Until then, may I glory in Him alone and be a faithful daughter of the King.

FAMILY

Well, it has certainly been awhile since I've posted!  The fall decor from 2012 is still up on my blog!  Looks like I need to do some "tidying up" and refresh things!  :)  I will get around to that when I can!  The Christmas season came and went, and although it was a very fruitful time for blogging, the business of it all just kept me from doing so.  Maybe life will slow down enough again soon, and I can get back into the swing of posting.  I do enjoy blogging, and putting my heart and thoughts on "paper." 

One of my homeschool mom friends who is in charge of the yearbook at our cover school, read my blog and asked me to write a short piece on FAMILY, and how our families compare/prepare us to be a part of God's family, in that we all have different roles, etc.  This was a theme based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.  You can read this passage of scripture below.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,   and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”


I asked the Lord to give me the words to say in this article for the yearbook, and here is what I came up with.  Maybe it will be a small reminder for you on the importance of FAMILY...not just our biological or adopted families, but the family of God.  The Lord has blessed my family with a church family who seems to understand and has a desire to carry out this passage well.  They are not a perfect Church body, for no Church is, but they have a love for the Lord, one another, and the lost like I have never witnessed before.  May the Lord continue to bless their efforts as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission by being the hands and feet...and ears and eyes...of Jesus.


"What is a family?  It is a group, who may or may not all be blood relatives, but that live, learn, grow, serve together, and more!  Not everyone in a family enjoys the same activities, books, or movies.  While we may enjoy some of the same things, no two people are alike.  Not everyone is the same height and weight, nor do they all have the same hair and eye color.  God made each one of us uniquely different.  Not everyone has the same responsibilities in a family.  We all play different roles to help our family function well. 

Our families are very similar to the family of God.  We have one thing in common as believers, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14:  we are all a part of the body of Christ.   “Whether Jews or Gentiles…we were all given one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part, but of many.”  It goes on to say that we all play a different role in the body of believers.  We are not all “ears, feet, or hands.”  We all have different spiritual gifts and talents.  As verse 17 says, if the whole body were an ear, how would we have a sense of smell?  Each of us have different gifts and talents that the Lord has given us, because if we were all the same, we wouldn’t be able to effectively minister and serve in all the different ways that we are able to. 

We can learn a lot from our families and apply it to the family of God…we are not all the same, but we each play an important role to make it a functional, thriving family of God.  We must each strive to carry out our role with excellence as unto the Lord, just as we do with our families at home.  Not only will that help us be a healthy body, but it is most glorifying to God when His people work together for His name’s sake, each one using the gifts and talents He has given us to help further His kingdom."