"I want to be just like her when I grow up!"

Wow! How many times have I uttered those words about this particular lady?  Have you ever met someone that is just SO totally, without any doubt, genuine to the very core...sweet? Expecting nothing from the other person, but just loves...regardless? Patient beyond belief? A prayer warrior like no other?

My family and I live in another state from our extended families, so in many ways, our church family becomes our extended family. Its not that we wouldn't love to be with our families for every holiday, but being married to a preacher, well, thats just not always possible...especially with Easter.  Some days I get a little jealous of the families who get to gather together for Easter lunch and Easter egg hunts with all the cousins, etc, but there's not a fiber in my being that would have my family doing anything but the perfect will of God!  So, we celebrate on days like today with families we choose for ourselves, not the ones God gave us to begin with...and you know what? I think He likes that!

This "choosing" a family here, where we are is how this lady became so very dear to us.  She is one that prays for my family and my kids, truth be told, as much or more than I do. She has never been a "mom" in the literal sense, but as I sat in her home today I fully believe she is much more of a mom/grandmother than many found worldwide. Her heart and love is pure because of Who's love is in her. She is filled with God's grace, beauty and love and as He pours in to her, she is continually pouring into others.  Today, Easter, she hosted several different families (including ours) that are no relation to her, as well as having six international students join us from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia!  Her heart is just SO full, it just has to pour!

She is always sending notes, cards, taking dinner, and serving wherever and whenever an opportunity arises, not to mention taking birthday goodies to nursing homes on a regular basis. Her home is my "house of sanity", for those days that my kids are driving me crazy, she'll call out of the blue and say "hey, can the kids come over?"  Yes, her house brings sanity to my house!  My kids adore her and consider her one of their best friends, who says age has anything to do with friendships??  My husband has no bigger encourager in our church family and I have no bigger help, mentor, guide, prayer warrior, friend here in Conway!

Jason and I have both been blessed with amazing moms by birth whom we love and adore, and we are thankful to God for blessing us with another lady in our lives and in the lives of our children....many have known her as Mrs. Jensen, some as Gloria, some as Glo, but for my family, she's "Gigi"...and somewhere that has to mean "gift from God"!!!

And truly, I do SO want to be like her when I grow up! :)

Just LOVE!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”    John 13:34-35

If you are like me and have grown up in church, you have heard that verse many, many times. I've always thought it was a good verse, you know, for Jesus to say. I mean, He's GOD! He's suppose to have these great loving thoughts toward everyone, right?

Well, I had a real "duh" moment this morning while doing my devotional.  I'm not sure if I ever realized the timing of which this was said.  I'm sure after decades of going to church it has been pointed out to me, but I didn't get it. I never fully comprehended it, I don't guess, until this morning.

We had the Lord's Supper yesterday morning at church and while some churches do that weekly, we do not. When we do have it then, it is a very special time, as was yesterday morning...especially enjoyed sharing in it with my son sitting beside me (even if he did think the unleavened bread tasted like paper!). 

This morning I was led to John 13 and the beginning of the chapter itself is humbling enough...that the God of the universe stooped to wash the feet of His disciples (His friends), even the feet of those who would run off soon to betray Him. That in itself is love. I've had my feet washed by another one time and it is truly a humbling experience!  I've also had them massaged after a long, trying day or when I've been laid up after a surgery. These two examples have shown me the love of God, how else in the world could you touch someone else's feet??!!!

Well Jesus had done this for His friends and had shared in the Last Supper with them and soon after the meal is when He shared these verses on love.  The thing that really hit me this morning was the fact that Judas Iscariot had just left them. He had ran off to begin the plan of betraying Jesus and Jesus KNEW that was what he was doing. And yet still told his disciples to "love one another" and He was one that practiced what He preached!

Has there ever been a more perfect picture of love?  I've often times thought of the love Jesus had to have had for Peter, James, and John just over the fact that at the time in His life He was most anguished, they couldn't even stay awake!  I mean, would that not tick you off just a little bit? Knowing what you were about to face and your three closest friends on earth could not even stay awake? Now, looking at these verses, and the timing of them being said, wow! Never has there been greater love!

As I sit here now, I ponder the fact if the disciples that heard these words straight from the mouth of Jesus, were they able to still love Judas? Did their hearts just break for this fellow disciple that turned his back on Jesus or did they look down on him and hate him for what he did? Did they mourn his suicide? I don't have those answers, I just wonder. 

I saw a quote the other day that said something to the effect of "People will come to Christ because they know Christians. People will reject Christ because they know Christians."  Sting!!!!  How true is that? Oh may this week of Easter bring out His love in us for each other. May the world be able to see Him through our love for one another. 

Does it really matter if someone took your pew? your parking place? Talks too much? Laughs too loud? Ignores you? yells at you? won't answer your text, your phone call, your email? Oh how we have gotten so petty about the little things! And by "we" I do mean "me" as well!!  Dear friends, I honestly feel the time of His coming is so very near and there are still so many that have not made a decision to accept Christ. May they look on our lives and desire to have that love that can only come from Him!!

Have a wonderfully blessed Easter week and allow the world around you to see His love in you!

Freak Us Out!

I have fought the urge to blog all afternoon and evening. I've had to take some time to just abide in Him and process the many things that were thrown at me this weekend at Living Proof Live in Little Rock.  Beth Moore never fails to disappoint in bringing a word from the Lord, I just sometimes fail to be still and listen. Truly listen. 
Its easy to become caught up in the emotions of a weekend like this and quickly fall off our "high". Been there. Done that. 
She started off by quoting Travis Cottrell, the event's worship leader. She said he had been praying before they came out and had prayed the words, "just freak us out with Your presence, Lord".  How awesome would that be? To just be totally freaked out by His presence?  She went on to lead us in a prayer before she spoke and she said something in that prayer that stuck out to me, "send Your Spirit in a torrent of rain".  
I think those particular words that she was praying specifically to God was meant for me to hear, to get.  A friend and I have discussed this before, how God can just pour down His grace and mercy like a monsoon and those exact words were perfect timing for me. How does He do that? He's God, but man, it sure does bless my soul how He can know my heart, my fears, my failures, my hurts at a point in time and put the exact words I need to hear into the prayer of another. Freaked me out? Hmm...yeah!!! In a good way!

Here are my notes:
Friday Night, Session 1:
We will never fulfill the ministry God has for us until we become sober-clear headed.  Do the real thing, not the fake thing. 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."
FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY
You have a ministry. Its up to you to fulfill it. No one else can do your ministry.
*7 Statements How To Fulfill Your Ministry
1. Adopt a succinct (briefly and clearly expressed) life goal. 
What do you want out of life? 2 Timothy 4:6 tells us that Paul knew his departure was at hand "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near."  He wanted to finish running the race, running to finish, to accomplish everything God had for Him.  What if we knew our departure was at near? Would we do things differently?
*G-God
*O-On
*A-A
*L-Life
There's the goal He wants for my life, to be all over my life! I honestly desire for the Spirit to be obvious in my life. 
2. Acquire the Appropriate Tools
2 Timothy 4:9-13
We cannot accomplish a thousand things for His glory. What would it take to be excellent  in what He's called me to do?  I have the insight for my calling in my hands, His Word. That is where He equips me, gives me insight, and lays out His plans for my life.
(*this next one needs a disclaimer! I voted to remove it from the list, but oh okay, here it is!)
3. Endure the hard for the sake of the good. (hmmm...yeah! ouch!!)
If a hardship is left with me, then its there for a reason, and will bring good. I have to understand that the good may be for those around me, to bring Him glory. 
I have to learn the art of perseverance!  Sometimes I have to go back to go forward. Will I honestly trust God with my heart, to shine some light on what I need to look back on that I may go forward?
Don't be afraid to deal with the past, that it robs you of the freedom of the present. 
4. Embrace the necessity and complexity of community.
You can NOT do your ministry without community!  2 Timothy 4:9-22 lists nearly 20 people in Paul's life that was a part of his community.  His departure was near and he had these people on his mind and in his heart. 
If we do not get healthy in our Christian community then we cannot fulfill our ministry.  
Then she gave us homework for the evening, we were to list folks that were like our similar relationships in the faith...those "near and dear", the "dear and far", the "close by, but less close tie", the disappointments, and the perceived dangers.  And can I mention, how cool is it that God can use a little assignment like this to work on a heart?!!

 Saturday morning (session 2)
-Are you tired of playing dress up?
-Stop comparing yourself to others, we ALL bring something, we don't do other's work/ministry, we have our own to do!
-Immunity from community means no ministry...you have to have people in your life to have a ministry.
-Most things that trip us up is not circumstances, but people. 
*Our similar relationships of the faith:
       -Perceived danger: (Alexander) 1 Tim. 1:18-20, 2 Tim. 4:14 Who has done me harm?  There ARE dangerous people that come into the church who need healing, be on guard. Keep these situations in a small group setting.
       -Disappointments: (Demas) 2 Tim. 4:8-9 the terms "longed for" and "loved" have the same meaning. Love ALWAYS possesses a longing. There is nothing the world can give you that God can't way out do!
2 Tim. 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  the Greek word "kalos" means beautiful (good fight)

-no ugly fight is worth having
-a beautiful fight is for something!
*LOVED THIS NOTE:  she asked, "do you have a teenager giving you ugly fights? take away their money! take away their car! and by all means, take away their cell phone! You ARE the parent!"  Amen! and amen!!!!!
     -Close by, but less close tie  (2 Tim. 4:21)
There are people in our lives that may not have close ties with us today, but we would do well to remember they may be our "Luke" of tomorrow.
"All women is brothers" quote from Wendell Berry's book "Hannah Coulter"
     -Dear and far: Paul knew his departure was at hand and restored some relationships that were dear, though far. Do you have a history of restored relationships? Do you give people 2nd, 3rd, 4th...chances?
Paul also wanted Timothy to come to him, wanted to see him.
     -Near and dear: this was Luke
These are the enduring friendships, just good for the soul; no matter the distance between us.
She then went into an area of boundaries and how what's going on in our culture comes into our churches. Boundaries is a big word of today.
Matthew 5:40-41
Biblical valid reasons to draw boundaries or to simply say "no":
-we can't help
-our help doesn't help
-beyond the boundary is unauthorized danger
Nehemiah 9:20 (the Message) "You gave them your good Spirit 
   to teach them to live wisely. You never stinted with your manna, 
   gave them plenty of water to drink. You supported them forty years in that desert; 
   they had everything they needed; Their clothes didn't wear out 
   and their feet never blistered. You gave them kingdoms and peoples, 
   establishing generous boundaries."

*Jesus wants us to help carry one another's burdens.

Saturday morning (Session Three)

5. Accept God's willing and healing

I need to accept God's sovereignty at the end of the day, He's still Lord!

God allows some things to happen to help us minister to others. 

No one has it all together!! If they did, they were complete, they'd be dead!

*Do not give up and do not give in!

There will be times when even those closest to you, who truly love you cannot be there for you - "may it not be held against them" (2 Tim. 4:16)

Sometimes people cannot be there for us because the Lord has orchestrated it to be that way, so that we have to just depend and trust on Him. He is ALWAYS there! ALWAYS! And gives strength and pours strength into us so that His message can be proclaimed! (2 Tim. 4:18-19)

*I'm meant to live in community. What if God does hold friends back just so you can be with Jesus? We HAVE to have intimacy with Him-we have to come to a point where there is no one more real to us and that can only happen when its just you and Him!!6. Entrust yourself to a divine "so that" 
"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it." (2 Tim. 4:17)  We have to go through a "so that" period. 
*Forgive the people who's not there when you think they need to be SO THAT He can fill you! Nobody can deliver you but Jesus. "better dance with the one that brung you!"
How are we delivered safely? Keeping the Faith!  The point of our existence is faith in God-and the number one thing the enemy is trying to steal from us? our faith. 
7. Always and forever, come what may, Keep the faith!! (Heb. 11:6)
Stay face forward, keep the conversation open with Him, even if it is just groaning. Wrestle it out with Him. Do NOT let the enemy have your faith!




Well, those are my notes and I know this is pitifully written up switching from first, second and third person! I'm not an English major, so get over it! :)  It was a painful, stepping on my toes weekend, but exactly what I needed. I've heard people say, I felt like it was just for me, well a whole lot of this weekend was pointed at me, to point me back to Him.


Dear Lord, thank you for the sweet reminders of who You are. I ask you to just get all over my life! Freak me out! Send your Spirit in a torrent of rain! Fill me to be emptied and empty me so I may come seeking You to fill me once again. I thank you for those dear friends in my life that encourage and point me to You. Also remind me, though I can't do ministry without community, I cannot have a healthy community or ministry without seeking You first and foremost. Help me to keep the faith, to stay facing forward and wrestling out those things I don't understand. The enemy will not win! Victory is only in You! Amen.

Velveteen??

So the kids and I watched the Velveteen Rabbit tonight. And yes, Landri was in tears and wanted her daddy, so maybe it wasn't such a great movie choice, but what a precious story regardless.


"Its not love that makes you real, its in loving."  That was a quote from the horse to the swan. 


I've been sitting here thinking about that. A lot of truth to be learned from this timeless childhood story. It was the love of  God that created man, He wanted us to have a relationship with Him. To love Him. And though He loves us. Unconditionally. Regardless. Always. We do not become "real" (a child of His) til we choose to love Him. 


Thats how Rabbit became real in the story. He had to give up his life so the little boy could live. And isn't that just what Jesus did. John 15:13 tells us just that "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."  


Now I'm not saying that Jesus only becomes real if we love Him. Lets face it, Jesus is Jesus and God is God whether we believe in Them or not!  For us to honestly feel "real", that area can only be filled by loving God, having that relationship with him. We can spend our whole life going from man to man, dollar to dollar, mall to mall, friend to friend, but until we allow Him to fill that area all will be temporary. 


"Going through the motions doesn't please you, 
      a flawless performance is nothing to you.
   I learned God-worship
      when my pride was shattered.
   Heart-shattered lives ready for love
      don't for a moment escape God's notice."  Psalm 51:16-17 (Message)

Those are verses that have touched my life several times over the past couple of years and once again did tonight. Going through the motions of loving will not please Him. Trying to live a perfect life is nothing to Him. When we lay broken lives before Him, then He fills our hearts to overflowing with His love and then, my friend, we really love! Only then are we "REAL"!!

God is good folks! He will always keep His promises! Always faithful! Always there for you!

(And now I pray that the kids don't have nightmares of their favorite stuffed animals flinging themselves into a fire to save them!)

Wisdom from a Post-it Note

My daughter has just recently begun writing words, sounding them out and wanting to write on everything! Especially notebooks and post-it notes.  Yesterday after school she found one of my post-it note pads and asked if she could write, and of course, I said "yes!" We have to encourage those precious writing skills of a Kindergarten child. :)
She sat herself down at the kitchen bar and began working with great determination and this is what she gave me

"I love God"

 "I hate Satan"

:) 

"I love God and everyone"

Wow! Simple sentences with great truth!  Perhaps everything we really need to know we did learn in Kindergarten: love God, hate evil (Satan), love (honor) our parents, and love everyone.  What if the world lived through the heart of a Kindergarten child? I do think it would be a happier place and a world that would make God's heart smile!