My son, Peyton, loves money, what teenager doesn't!?? He likes to earn cash. He does yardwork at our house, occasionally at his grandparents and their neighbor's homes as well. To my surprise today, he came in with a 5 dollar bill and asked me what it was worth. (In my head, I'm thinking, where is this going? He's good at coming up with a plan to make more dough.)
I answered, "It's worth 5 dollars."
He kept going.
Peyton, "Mom, what if I crumpled it up?"
Me, "Still 5 dollars."
"How about if I stomp on it and roll it in dirt?"
"Still 5 dollars."
Then he gets to his point. "Ok, see even if your life is crumpled up, rolled in the dirt of sin, you still have value to Jesus. You are still worth something to Him."
Awesome. And I thought this was going to be a 'make a buck' scam. I'm impressed.
He's absolutely right on. You have worth, you are loved and valued. Don't let the stink and dirt of sin in this world tell you different.
John3:16-17 MSG
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help , to put the world right again."
Simple reminder, you are loved.
m
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Stop Blowing Your Horn!
Picture this:
I’m driving to school one morning (in my big suburban-type vehicle) and I approach a green light; just ahead of that green light is another traffic light that is red. Traffic is backed up into the intersection, so I slow down upon the green light approach. The young lady in the small sedan behind me blares the horn. What she cannot see in front of me, is all the traffic stacked up from the red light ahead. For all she knows, I am just stopping at a green light. Immediately, I think, “Really, you’re going to blow your horn when you don’t even know what is happening in front of me?” As the light ahead turns green and the gridlock eases, I begin to spiritualize this scenario.
I’m driving to school one morning (in my big suburban-type vehicle) and I approach a green light; just ahead of that green light is another traffic light that is red. Traffic is backed up into the intersection, so I slow down upon the green light approach. The young lady in the small sedan behind me blares the horn. What she cannot see in front of me, is all the traffic stacked up from the red light ahead. For all she knows, I am just stopping at a green light. Immediately, I think, “Really, you’re going to blow your horn when you don’t even know what is happening in front of me?” As the light ahead turns green and the gridlock eases, I begin to spiritualize this scenario.
How many times have we laid on the horn to try and speed up the plans God may have? He drives the large vehicle in front of
us and His view is greater than ours.
We cannot see what is ahead, but He knows. Many times in my life, I have
blasted the horn at God, trying to move things along more quickly. His timing is not our own. Perhaps He sees the gridlock and is trying to protect us
from it.
How many times will it take for me to learn this
lesson? Maybe you needed a
reminder too. Allow Him to drive
ahead of you…sometimes even rolling out the pavement before you. Be encouraged. He is the Master of Road.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread
their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and
don't lag behind. “
Lay off your horn and wait on Him!
m
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Build or Bulldoze?
For the past several months, our church has watched as a new building has gone up. What an exciting process and looking back it seems to have gone quickly, although the truth is we anticipated, planned and prayed for years. Within a couple of months after occupying our new facility (kids worship auditorium and Sunday school classrooms), the old building was scheduled to be demolished.
We received a phone call that the demolition company would be in our property and the whole process would take about a week. Wow, they were not kidding. Within 1 week, the entire building was taken down, including the foundation!
I could literally find dozens of spiritual applications to make in this scenario, but I have chosen one today that has been on my heart.
We build relationships, and good ones that are Christ-centered take years to forge. We usually don't just allow people to know our inner selves immediately. As Christians, our common denominator of friendship is that relationship with Christ. Really, it's more than a common denominator, it is the way we conduct ourselves in every part of our life. We build these brick, by brick, so to speak.
Likewise, we have the ability to tear one another apart. Like it or not, sometimes even Christians do not behave in Christlike ways. It takes seconds to tear down or demolish a relationship. Harsh words and actions are like a bulldozer over the foundation of relationships. Re-building and repairing these damages takes time, sometimes a lifetime.
I could go launch into a lesson on forgiveness and Christian love here, but that'll have to be another week. My encouragement to you is this...what will you be? Brick layer, foundation builder or bulldozer, demolition crew?
1 Thessalonians 5:11
'So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.'
m
We received a phone call that the demolition company would be in our property and the whole process would take about a week. Wow, they were not kidding. Within 1 week, the entire building was taken down, including the foundation!
I could literally find dozens of spiritual applications to make in this scenario, but I have chosen one today that has been on my heart.
We build relationships, and good ones that are Christ-centered take years to forge. We usually don't just allow people to know our inner selves immediately. As Christians, our common denominator of friendship is that relationship with Christ. Really, it's more than a common denominator, it is the way we conduct ourselves in every part of our life. We build these brick, by brick, so to speak.
Likewise, we have the ability to tear one another apart. Like it or not, sometimes even Christians do not behave in Christlike ways. It takes seconds to tear down or demolish a relationship. Harsh words and actions are like a bulldozer over the foundation of relationships. Re-building and repairing these damages takes time, sometimes a lifetime.
I could go launch into a lesson on forgiveness and Christian love here, but that'll have to be another week. My encouragement to you is this...what will you be? Brick layer, foundation builder or bulldozer, demolition crew?
1 Thessalonians 5:11
'So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.'
m
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Be Real!
I received a call today from a high school friend. We have been in touch a few times over the years, but the first time Rob called was probably 10 years ago or more. I was extremely surprised to hear from him back then. The last contact we had prior to this first phone call was while I was in college. Rob was not really doing well at that time and looking back, I now know that our meeting that day was divinely inspired. I remember we talked for a long time and I drove him to his mom's house, where he was staying. I don't remember very many details about that day, but I do remember I did not really feel comfortable leaving him there, and I also recall telling him that he needed Jesus to be his personal Savior. It would be several years from that day that I received the first call. You know that feeling, 'this cannot be happening,' that's kind of how I felt when Rob called. He told me so many things. Come to find out, he remembered very well my attempt to lead him to Jesus the day I drove him home. He admitted he wasn't ready. After that day, he ended up spending some time incarcerated. During his time in jail, he became ready and gave his life to Christ! I was very excited to hear this. Rob went on to tell me that he is now married, has children and is a Pastor! He told me he had told many stories about the girl in high school who was salt and light, the girl who was Jesus to him before he knew Jesus for himself. I am completely humbled and overwhelmingly honored that my friend, Rob, would think so highly of me. I was just being me, a little nerdy Jesus girl who did the right thing even though it wasn't cool. I am definitely not perfect, just ask my kids! I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to now share this story with my kids, showing them how you live your life CAN make a difference.
Something Rob said the last time we talked struck me, 'You reached out to me when no one else did. You represented the Kingdom of God correctly.'
Wow, represented the Kingdom correctly.
I wrote all of this to encourage you. Love God, love others, and serve Him. You never know the impact you will have on someone, and then they will have on someone.
Be the real deal.
Rob has spoken to crowds of thousands, pastors 2 churches and has traveled the world sharing the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His testimony includes many people who planted the seeds, watered them and God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7-8
"It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving."
Plant seeds, water them, be part of the process of bringing someone to Jesus. God will orchestrate the rest. Do your part, He will do His.
Humbled. Honored. Totally blessed.
m
Something Rob said the last time we talked struck me, 'You reached out to me when no one else did. You represented the Kingdom of God correctly.'
Wow, represented the Kingdom correctly.
I wrote all of this to encourage you. Love God, love others, and serve Him. You never know the impact you will have on someone, and then they will have on someone.
Be the real deal.
Rob has spoken to crowds of thousands, pastors 2 churches and has traveled the world sharing the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His testimony includes many people who planted the seeds, watered them and God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7-8
"It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving."
Plant seeds, water them, be part of the process of bringing someone to Jesus. God will orchestrate the rest. Do your part, He will do His.
Humbled. Honored. Totally blessed.
m
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Raise Your Hand to Walk or Talk
As a first grade teacher, I feel like I spend most of the day repeating directions. I am constantly saying, 'stay in your seat' and 'raise your hand.' The rules of the classroom are 'raise your hand to walk or talk.' Seems like after 100 or more days of school, one would think the students would start to get into the routine. But, at the ages of 6 and 7, some children are not quite ready to accept this responsibility. Most kids point the finger and get 'someone else' in trouble instead of dealing with themselves. It is a daily, more like hourly, battle to follow instructions and listen to the teacher. This results in disciplinary action, with the hope that students learn to follow the rules.
The more I ponder this quandary regarding the first graders, the more I think of the spiritual illustration in this scenario. For a teacher, the goal is to help students learn and grow to become independent responsible reading, writing, mathematical individuals. I can only imagine the frustration of a Holy God. At times, we behave like an irresponsible, intolerant, self-centered 6 year old! This can be expected from young children, they have to be taught. As a new Christian, I was similar to an infant learning to drink milk from a bottle and crawl. But, as an adult, we should be learning and growing by praying, reading God's Word, and becoming involved in a Bible study. As we mature in our relationship with God, we are learning to drink from a cup, eat with a fork and walk, so to speak. Eventually, with maturity comes serving, teaching and discipling others to grow in their relationship with God as well.
As you can imagine, students raise their hand and wave it in the air, trying not to make any noise, but letting out squeals and anxious noises, still trying their best to get the attention of the teacher any way they can. Impatiently, they wait and wiggle.
Can you see it? We do the same. We moan and groan, crying out to God, begging for His attention. What results, if we do not wait for Him, can be messy consequences.
God, the Teacher, has the ultimate patience with us. Raise your hand to walk or talk seems obvious to me now. We should be raising our hands and asking for Him to be in our every move. He is the One who knows what the future holds, the ultimate keeper of the classroom of life.
Even though it seems as though your hand has been in the air forever and you're tired of holding it up; even propping it up by the elbow with your other hand, the Teacher sees you. You will have to exercise patience, but He will not leave your request unanswered.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Keep reaching for the Teacher and be encouraged, His ways are good!
m
The more I ponder this quandary regarding the first graders, the more I think of the spiritual illustration in this scenario. For a teacher, the goal is to help students learn and grow to become independent responsible reading, writing, mathematical individuals. I can only imagine the frustration of a Holy God. At times, we behave like an irresponsible, intolerant, self-centered 6 year old! This can be expected from young children, they have to be taught. As a new Christian, I was similar to an infant learning to drink milk from a bottle and crawl. But, as an adult, we should be learning and growing by praying, reading God's Word, and becoming involved in a Bible study. As we mature in our relationship with God, we are learning to drink from a cup, eat with a fork and walk, so to speak. Eventually, with maturity comes serving, teaching and discipling others to grow in their relationship with God as well.
As you can imagine, students raise their hand and wave it in the air, trying not to make any noise, but letting out squeals and anxious noises, still trying their best to get the attention of the teacher any way they can. Impatiently, they wait and wiggle.
Can you see it? We do the same. We moan and groan, crying out to God, begging for His attention. What results, if we do not wait for Him, can be messy consequences.
God, the Teacher, has the ultimate patience with us. Raise your hand to walk or talk seems obvious to me now. We should be raising our hands and asking for Him to be in our every move. He is the One who knows what the future holds, the ultimate keeper of the classroom of life.
Even though it seems as though your hand has been in the air forever and you're tired of holding it up; even propping it up by the elbow with your other hand, the Teacher sees you. You will have to exercise patience, but He will not leave your request unanswered.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NAS
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Keep reaching for the Teacher and be encouraged, His ways are good!
m
Saturday, February 4, 2012
You are Worth It!
I read a story in a magazine that made me so sad. It told of a celebrity and how her downward spiral with drugs and a scarcely thin body had landed her in the hospital. One of her close friends reported that the thing that scared this celebrity the most as she aged was fear of not being worth loving. My heart grieves.
On the flip side, this week, I overheard 2 volunteers at school talking as they worked in the workroom. One was telling the other about her son and his academic achievements. She was proud to share about her son! She wasn't being overly braggadocios, simply telling how well he had done for the purpose of encouraging the other mom to hang in there. I thought to myself, everyone should have someone who is that proud of them. If only we all had a cheerleader, or a proud parent to lift us up and tell others about our talents, we would all be more confident and have more self-worth.
Good news!! God is the One. He is so proud of His children, that He stretched out His arms to show us how much. No matter what your human upbringing, whether churched or unchurched, Christlike family or not, lovingly adored or just tolerated as a kid, God loves you. No place is too far for you to be out of His reach. You may have had wonderfully godly parents who filled you with value and confidence. Maybe you struggle daily with valuing yourself because you did not receive that affirmation during your growing up years.
I am telling you today, no matter the road you have come, God sent His One and only Son to die on a cross for you. You are worth it! Your life has meaning and purpose. If you had been the only one on earth, Jesus would have come and died for you. Don't let those negative words or lack of affirmations be the fuel for a downward spiral. Be filled with God's love and find your worth in HIM! He wants to be the Heavenly Father saying, 'I'm so proud of you! You are worth it!'
Love the words of the song...'Someone Worth Dying For' by Mikeschair
'You might be the wife, waiting up at night
You might be the man, struggling to provide feeling like it's hopeless
Maybe you're the son who chose a broken road
Maybe you're the girl thinking you'll end up alone
Praying God can you hear me? Oh, God are you listening?
Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah, I want to believe, I want to believe that
I'm not just some wandering soul
That you don't see and you don't know
Yeah, I want to believe, Jesus help me believe
That I am someone worth dying for
I know you've heard the truth that God has set you free
But you think you're the one that grace could never reach
So you just keep asking, Oh, what everybody's asking
You're worth it, you can't earn it
Yeah, the cross has proven,
That you're sacred and blameless.
Your life has purpose'
The Message 'This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His One and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him , anyone can have a whole and lasting life.'
Amen.
Be encouraged, you are loved.
m
On the flip side, this week, I overheard 2 volunteers at school talking as they worked in the workroom. One was telling the other about her son and his academic achievements. She was proud to share about her son! She wasn't being overly braggadocios, simply telling how well he had done for the purpose of encouraging the other mom to hang in there. I thought to myself, everyone should have someone who is that proud of them. If only we all had a cheerleader, or a proud parent to lift us up and tell others about our talents, we would all be more confident and have more self-worth.
Good news!! God is the One. He is so proud of His children, that He stretched out His arms to show us how much. No matter what your human upbringing, whether churched or unchurched, Christlike family or not, lovingly adored or just tolerated as a kid, God loves you. No place is too far for you to be out of His reach. You may have had wonderfully godly parents who filled you with value and confidence. Maybe you struggle daily with valuing yourself because you did not receive that affirmation during your growing up years.
I am telling you today, no matter the road you have come, God sent His One and only Son to die on a cross for you. You are worth it! Your life has meaning and purpose. If you had been the only one on earth, Jesus would have come and died for you. Don't let those negative words or lack of affirmations be the fuel for a downward spiral. Be filled with God's love and find your worth in HIM! He wants to be the Heavenly Father saying, 'I'm so proud of you! You are worth it!'
Love the words of the song...'Someone Worth Dying For' by Mikeschair
'You might be the wife, waiting up at night
You might be the man, struggling to provide feeling like it's hopeless
Maybe you're the son who chose a broken road
Maybe you're the girl thinking you'll end up alone
Praying God can you hear me? Oh, God are you listening?
Am I more than flesh and bone?
Am I really something beautiful?
Yeah, I want to believe, I want to believe that
I'm not just some wandering soul
That you don't see and you don't know
Yeah, I want to believe, Jesus help me believe
That I am someone worth dying for
I know you've heard the truth that God has set you free
But you think you're the one that grace could never reach
So you just keep asking, Oh, what everybody's asking
You're worth it, you can't earn it
Yeah, the cross has proven,
That you're sacred and blameless.
Your life has purpose'
The Message 'This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, His One and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in Him , anyone can have a whole and lasting life.'
Amen.
Be encouraged, you are loved.
m
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Interrupted!
Wednesday, race home from school, getting ready to go to church for a rehearsal, and the doorbell rings.
This has happened to you, I'm sure.
Solicitor, an interruption!
I'm thinking, 'Oh, good grief, I do not have time for this.'
As I open the door the very polite, well-dressed young man begins his spiel. In a split second, I stop him and ask what he is selling. In his best salesman's voice, he assures me this is not some kind of gimmick. He proceeds to tell me about his family in Detroit, Michigan and how the book and magazines sales help him support them.
Well, now I feel like a jerk.
So I start asking a few questions and listening to him.
Again, politely I say no thank you to what he is selling, only this time I ask his name. He introduces himself as Patrick and I ask if I can pray for him. He steps forward and his whole demeanor changes. He asks if I am a Christian. When I acknowledged that I was, he was very excited to tell me he was a Christian too. I prayed for Patrick, offered to fill his cup with a cold drink and he went on his way, thanking me and asking for continued prayer.
It's not really earth shattering. I didn't make him a bunch of money that day, but I offered encouragement and hope to a weary young man who is just trying to make a living. In the midst of my busy day, the interruption was worth it.
Anyone can be curt and rude. In a split second, a kind word can change that. It can happen for you, in the grocery store, bank drive-thru, restaurant or at your front door. Offer an encouraging word or even a prayer. Everyone needs a positive, hopeful word.
Choose kind words. An interruption to you, may turn someone else's day around.
m
Proverbs 15:1-4 MSG
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. God doesn’t miss a thing—He's alert to good and evil alike.
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
This has happened to you, I'm sure.
Solicitor, an interruption!
I'm thinking, 'Oh, good grief, I do not have time for this.'
As I open the door the very polite, well-dressed young man begins his spiel. In a split second, I stop him and ask what he is selling. In his best salesman's voice, he assures me this is not some kind of gimmick. He proceeds to tell me about his family in Detroit, Michigan and how the book and magazines sales help him support them.
Well, now I feel like a jerk.
So I start asking a few questions and listening to him.
Again, politely I say no thank you to what he is selling, only this time I ask his name. He introduces himself as Patrick and I ask if I can pray for him. He steps forward and his whole demeanor changes. He asks if I am a Christian. When I acknowledged that I was, he was very excited to tell me he was a Christian too. I prayed for Patrick, offered to fill his cup with a cold drink and he went on his way, thanking me and asking for continued prayer.
It's not really earth shattering. I didn't make him a bunch of money that day, but I offered encouragement and hope to a weary young man who is just trying to make a living. In the midst of my busy day, the interruption was worth it.
Anyone can be curt and rude. In a split second, a kind word can change that. It can happen for you, in the grocery store, bank drive-thru, restaurant or at your front door. Offer an encouraging word or even a prayer. Everyone needs a positive, hopeful word.
Choose kind words. An interruption to you, may turn someone else's day around.
m
Proverbs 15:1-4 MSG
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise; fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense. God doesn’t miss a thing—He's alert to good and evil alike.
Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.
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