Have you ever said "Hello" to an acquaintance, and after a few moments, to your dismay, you hear them say, "Do I know you?" You go on to share with them who you are, their relationship to you, and memories you've shared together.
As we've spent time in my grandmother's hospital room this week, she will wake up and see me there. She has intently looked deep into my eyes as my father will lean over her and ask if she recognizes me. I watch as she searches through her memories. I see her think to herself "Do I know you?" and honestly, it breaks my heart to see this precious woman struggle to remember. I hear my father say, "Mom, this is my little girl, this is Jody, do you remember her?" She shakes her head "no" as tears fill her eyes and trickle down her cheeks. I say "Grandma, do you remember me, I'm your granddaughter?" Again, she shakes her head, regrettably.
No recollection of the years we've shared together; no remembrance of the times we've had as family. Although I believe she wants to remember, it brings her sadness that she cannot. The tears flow as she moans with a deep sorrow that I can still hear when I close my eyes.
As we leave the hospital, the Lord shares His Word found in Matthew 7:21-23. He gently reminds me of tears He has shed over His creation that does not know Him. His Word says one day He will say to some people who call Him Lord, and even people who perform miracles in His name, "Depart from me, I do not know you."
I think about how my dad tries to help my grandmother remember me, and God reminds me of the simple truth that it's not who you know that knows Him that gets you into heaven, it's about your own personal relationship with Him. God doesn't have grandchildren. Just because my parents may know God, doesn't mean I'm a "shoe in".
Also, I think about the lost and dying world we live in, and how it must break God's heart to think about how many of His own Creation don't know Him. There are so many people existing without Christ, it is our responsibility as "Christians" (meaning "like Christ", or "little Christ's"), to share Jesus with our world.
When my husband was home this past weekend, we were walking down the street. A homeless man approached us and asked if we could spare $0.50 cents. I watched my husband dig deep into his pocket and give this man all the change he had. Then, I heard the homeless man say, "Do you know Jesus?" Without hesitation, I heard Jay reply, "Who do you think just gave you $0.50 cents?" In that brief moment, Jesus shined!
Do you KNOW HIM? I mean really KNOW Him? He longs to meet with you and talk. I pray that this week we ALL can spend a little more time feasting at His table, learning His voice, and trusting His plans. God Bless us each and every one!!
Matthew 7:23 (New International Version)
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Stones
In my life, I've come up against numerous obstacles, ugly giants, and incredible odds. I've had bridges to walk across, difficult paths to take, and dead end roads to endure. I've been involved in situations that I had to bear down and press on more times than I care to count. Along these paths, with God's help, I've learned lessons, discovered truths, and overcome. These paths, these journeys, these stories, I'd like to call "stones".
Throughout my life, I've been challenged to look at each of these stones with 2 options. The choice of which perspective to look at is ultimately up to me. When situations arise, I can look at them as a stepping stones or tombstones. "Will I learn from this situation?" (stepping stone) "Will I allow God to use this situation in my life to help other people?" (stepping stone) "If, after coming up against this stone, will I give up?" (tombstone) "Will I become bitter for having to walk this path?" (tombstone)
I'd like to share here that I've never stood on, rolled in, or thrown a pity-party because of a tombstone, but I can't. Unfortunately, there have been times I've given up, times I've become bitter and times I've regrettably hurt people. The cool thing about God is that He "makes all things new". 2 Corinthains 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! That brings me hope! God can use my tombstone experiences for His glory.
If we share our experiences; if we live out loud; if we not only "talk the talk, but walk the walk" others can learn from our experiences. I'm challenged by the words found in Joshua 4:21 (NLT) "Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?" And with great certainty, we can share in our circle of influence exactly what the Lord has helped us walk through. With the Word of God as our foundation, we will be Godly examples of overcomers that our world is in desperate need of!
Throughout my life, I've been challenged to look at each of these stones with 2 options. The choice of which perspective to look at is ultimately up to me. When situations arise, I can look at them as a stepping stones or tombstones. "Will I learn from this situation?" (stepping stone) "Will I allow God to use this situation in my life to help other people?" (stepping stone) "If, after coming up against this stone, will I give up?" (tombstone) "Will I become bitter for having to walk this path?" (tombstone)
I'd like to share here that I've never stood on, rolled in, or thrown a pity-party because of a tombstone, but I can't. Unfortunately, there have been times I've given up, times I've become bitter and times I've regrettably hurt people. The cool thing about God is that He "makes all things new". 2 Corinthains 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! That brings me hope! God can use my tombstone experiences for His glory.
If we share our experiences; if we live out loud; if we not only "talk the talk, but walk the walk" others can learn from our experiences. I'm challenged by the words found in Joshua 4:21 (NLT) "Then Joshua said to the Israelites, "In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?" And with great certainty, we can share in our circle of influence exactly what the Lord has helped us walk through. With the Word of God as our foundation, we will be Godly examples of overcomers that our world is in desperate need of!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The WEIGHT of the WAIT
Sometimes, the road we're on brings unforeseen bumps and sensitive bruises. I know, all too well, how patience gets weary, how the light at the end of the tunnel often looks like a train instead of the light at the end, and the urge to sub come to the thought of giving up almost looks bearable. I want to encourage us with truths from God's Word:
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I titled this post the "weight" of the "wait". What weight are you carrying?? First of all, ANY weight we carry around is excess. Jesus says His burden is light. If I'm heavy with burden, obviously, I'm carrying weight needlessly.
But, even knowing this, the weight of the wait still attempts to overtake me. I've had expectations fail, trials arrive, hopes explode, promises break, and my bubble busted more than once. I've longed for change for so long, that when change finally does occur, sometimes I have become so discouraged, I miss it.
Throughout my life, I've found myself waiting numerous times: waiting on the bathroom to open up; waiting for the stoplight to change; waiting for the person on the other end of the phone line to answer; waiting for an expected email to arrive; waiting ..... waiting ..... waiting ...... waiting for the next visit with my husband; waiting for the test results; waiting for the other shoe to drop; waiting for healing; waiting for my husband to come home; waiting .... waiting .... waiting .....
Is the wait bearable?? Can I stand up under it?? NO WAY - not in my own strength. God's Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I desperately need the Lord's strength. I need the Lord to help me wait. I need the Lord to carry my weight through the wait.
What are you waiting for?? The miracle you have been waiting for could be just around the next corner. Don't give up!! With God's help, the weight of the wait is do-able; and it's worth it!!
Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
I titled this post the "weight" of the "wait". What weight are you carrying?? First of all, ANY weight we carry around is excess. Jesus says His burden is light. If I'm heavy with burden, obviously, I'm carrying weight needlessly.
But, even knowing this, the weight of the wait still attempts to overtake me. I've had expectations fail, trials arrive, hopes explode, promises break, and my bubble busted more than once. I've longed for change for so long, that when change finally does occur, sometimes I have become so discouraged, I miss it.
Throughout my life, I've found myself waiting numerous times: waiting on the bathroom to open up; waiting for the stoplight to change; waiting for the person on the other end of the phone line to answer; waiting for an expected email to arrive; waiting ..... waiting ..... waiting ...... waiting for the next visit with my husband; waiting for the test results; waiting for the other shoe to drop; waiting for healing; waiting for my husband to come home; waiting .... waiting .... waiting .....
Is the wait bearable?? Can I stand up under it?? NO WAY - not in my own strength. God's Word says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." I desperately need the Lord's strength. I need the Lord to help me wait. I need the Lord to carry my weight through the wait.
What are you waiting for?? The miracle you have been waiting for could be just around the next corner. Don't give up!! With God's help, the weight of the wait is do-able; and it's worth it!!
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Mother's Day
Mother's Day brings a mixture of emotions for me. Over the course of my life on this earth, I've experienced an array of emotions in the 14 Mother's Days I have had the honor of celebrating. As a single mother for many years, with gifts being my primary love language, I have had to come up with inquisitive ways for my boys to "help me out" with Mother's Day Celebrations. In their younger years, I'd give them construction paper and crayons and "hint" for them to make me a card; I've even gone so far as to give them extra allowance and "greatly encourage" them to spend it on me.
Nonetheless, Mother's Days seem to be an emotional time. Is it because I have such high hopes and this day doesn't meet my expectations, or could it be because I don't see myself as being important enough to honor for even one day, or is it because the world really doesn't seem to acknowledge the intense sacrifice Mother's make for their families? Whatever the reason, my past Mother's Days have been low times.
It is during times like these, times that I feel down-trodden or less than worthy, that the Lord reaches down, takes a hold of my heart, and reminds me of truths like "I am his daughter", "I am deeply loved and completely accepted to the Creator of the universe!", "I have been bought with a price", "I am His princess", "I am royalty!"
This Mother's Day, regardless of how it turns out, I am making a conscious decision to believe the truth from scripture, about me as a daughter, about me as a mother, about me as a wife and about me as a woman. I am listing references below to the Proverbs 31 woman. Being a Wife is a noble task, as well as an honor! Standing beside our husbands, raising our children, and doing our part, IS making a difference.
So, on this Mother's Day, if you're a woman, wife, mother, or daughter, my encouragement is to celebrate the gift God made when He made YOU!! You are worth celebrating!! And if you're not one of the above, I'm sure you could send a "Happy Mother's Day" to someone that is.
Excerpts from Proverbs 31 (NIV)
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Nonetheless, Mother's Days seem to be an emotional time. Is it because I have such high hopes and this day doesn't meet my expectations, or could it be because I don't see myself as being important enough to honor for even one day, or is it because the world really doesn't seem to acknowledge the intense sacrifice Mother's make for their families? Whatever the reason, my past Mother's Days have been low times.
It is during times like these, times that I feel down-trodden or less than worthy, that the Lord reaches down, takes a hold of my heart, and reminds me of truths like "I am his daughter", "I am deeply loved and completely accepted to the Creator of the universe!", "I have been bought with a price", "I am His princess", "I am royalty!"
This Mother's Day, regardless of how it turns out, I am making a conscious decision to believe the truth from scripture, about me as a daughter, about me as a mother, about me as a wife and about me as a woman. I am listing references below to the Proverbs 31 woman. Being a Wife is a noble task, as well as an honor! Standing beside our husbands, raising our children, and doing our part, IS making a difference.
So, on this Mother's Day, if you're a woman, wife, mother, or daughter, my encouragement is to celebrate the gift God made when He made YOU!! You are worth celebrating!! And if you're not one of the above, I'm sure you could send a "Happy Mother's Day" to someone that is.
Excerpts from Proverbs 31 (NIV)
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
15 Minutes
Philippians 4:4-8 (The Message)
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
____________________________________________________
I've been challenged recently to live out loud! Definition meaning: share not only the good, the pretty, the pleasant, but sometimes, share the ugly. In this manner, others will see that it is the "I AM" that brings about change.
With that being said, I'm feeling down today. A a wife of a TC Student, learning to keep conversations to 15-minutes has been a struggle. Well, honestly, keeping any conversation to 15-minutes has ALWAYS been a struggle for me! Nonetheless, this season has been no exception.
I've made mental lists of what to talk about in advance, and then, when the call comes in, I forget everything I wanted to share. We've enjoyed conversations together where all we've done is laugh as we've shared about our week. We've also had our share of hang-ups whereas one of us will choose to end the call sooner than our 15 minute time slot.
For me personally, last night's 15-minute call was one of those. Sparring all the "gory" details, I woke this morning burdened. I felt my shoulders slump as I stepped out of bed. I felt the dried tears crusted in the corners of my eyes. I felt a longing for just one more 15-minute call. It was at that time that I popped in a CD I received from Larry Low.
In this teaching, he shared the above referenced scripture from Philippians 4. As the Lord massaged His Word into the wounded places of my heart I heard that sweet, still small voice reassure me, "Be still and KNOW that I AM God!!" It was during that ironic 15-minute teaching that I gave my burden to the Lord. The burden lifted. I then poured out my brokenness, insecurity, and loneness, and the Lord took those as well. In their places, I received acceptance, peace and security.
Soon after that, my phone rang and I received a quick 2-minute call which consisted of "I'm sorry", no "I'm sorry", no "I'm sorry" and the cycle TRIED to repeat itself yet again. This time we both recognized it and quickly agreed to the others apology, said our "I love you's" and said "good-bye".
Looking back, I wouldn't trade either of these 15-minute experiences. It took the second 15-minutes to remind me of just how much the Lord loves his kids. I seemed to have forgotten that after the first 15-minutes. And the bottom line truth is that to the Lord, time means nothing. If I would have asked Him immediately, He would have spoken this truth to me IN A MINUTE.
So, no matter what you might be going through, know that HE is GOD! He's asking for a minute of your time, what will you offer Him today??
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
____________________________________________________
I've been challenged recently to live out loud! Definition meaning: share not only the good, the pretty, the pleasant, but sometimes, share the ugly. In this manner, others will see that it is the "I AM" that brings about change.
With that being said, I'm feeling down today. A a wife of a TC Student, learning to keep conversations to 15-minutes has been a struggle. Well, honestly, keeping any conversation to 15-minutes has ALWAYS been a struggle for me! Nonetheless, this season has been no exception.
I've made mental lists of what to talk about in advance, and then, when the call comes in, I forget everything I wanted to share. We've enjoyed conversations together where all we've done is laugh as we've shared about our week. We've also had our share of hang-ups whereas one of us will choose to end the call sooner than our 15 minute time slot.
For me personally, last night's 15-minute call was one of those. Sparring all the "gory" details, I woke this morning burdened. I felt my shoulders slump as I stepped out of bed. I felt the dried tears crusted in the corners of my eyes. I felt a longing for just one more 15-minute call. It was at that time that I popped in a CD I received from Larry Low.
In this teaching, he shared the above referenced scripture from Philippians 4. As the Lord massaged His Word into the wounded places of my heart I heard that sweet, still small voice reassure me, "Be still and KNOW that I AM God!!" It was during that ironic 15-minute teaching that I gave my burden to the Lord. The burden lifted. I then poured out my brokenness, insecurity, and loneness, and the Lord took those as well. In their places, I received acceptance, peace and security.
Soon after that, my phone rang and I received a quick 2-minute call which consisted of "I'm sorry", no "I'm sorry", no "I'm sorry" and the cycle TRIED to repeat itself yet again. This time we both recognized it and quickly agreed to the others apology, said our "I love you's" and said "good-bye".
Looking back, I wouldn't trade either of these 15-minute experiences. It took the second 15-minutes to remind me of just how much the Lord loves his kids. I seemed to have forgotten that after the first 15-minutes. And the bottom line truth is that to the Lord, time means nothing. If I would have asked Him immediately, He would have spoken this truth to me IN A MINUTE.
So, no matter what you might be going through, know that HE is GOD! He's asking for a minute of your time, what will you offer Him today??
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