Recognizing Jesus

"As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. ² “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
⁴ This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

⁵ “Tell the people of Jerusalem,
    ‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

⁶ The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

⁸ Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Praise God in highest heaven!

¹⁰ The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

¹¹ And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:1-11
 

I think it is easy to make our own judgement calls on who WE think Jesus is or Who WE want Him to be, rather than looking into the Truth of the Word. We hear things and assume, or we read Facebook and other peoples' opinions, but do you really know Who Jesus is?
We see two sets of people in the crowd here, as Jesus rides in on the donkey colt. There are those who praised Him and shouted glory to His Name, and there where those who stood there in disappointment, asking "Who is this?"
I honestly believe that there is symbolism here in these two sets of people, which begs two questions:

1) Would you recognize Who Jesus is?

This may see vague or even like an obvious answer to you, but really? In our culture today, where we water down everything, or feel the liberty of being judgemental towards everyone we meet, would you be able to know Jesus in the middle of the crowd? When Jesus rode through on the donkey colt, we read there were questions. We read that people seemed confused. Great Kings in that day rode in on horses, which represented war. But Jesus rode in on a donkey - a colt at that- which is the symbol of peace. There is a reason people were confused and didn't quite understand why this man was considered a "Messiah" - which leads me to my next question:

2) Are you disappointed in Who Jesus is?

Do you have this picture of Who you believe Jesus is in your head? Is it accurate? People had been hearing of this great "Messiah" who had come, and they wanted to see for themselves. Once they got a look at this Jesus people were praising, however, they had to ask Who He was.
I think we all fall guilty of putting Jesus into our own picture. We think of a Jesus Who heals, or a Jesus Who gives us rest, or a Jesus Who provides us with what we want. While Jesus did all of these things and may have in your life (or will) we can't help but note that there are many times God doesn't heal or provide what we want, or give us rest when we think we need it.
I went through that "why" phase. Why would God bring me a newborn, then keep me away from her the first few weeks of her life? It wasn't until I looked back on that and realized that I wasn't relying on the same Jesus that He truly is. If I hadn't experienced that very hard time, I wouldn't be who I am today, and the story I have wouldn't be the same.

We have a SAVING God, not a God Who always keeps life cozy.

Are you believing in what He did and Who He is, or are you believing in Who you WANT Him to be and what you think He SHOULD do for you?
This is a hard question, and will require heavy reflection.

When you aren't provided for in the ways you think you should be, will you still recognize Jesus for Who He is? Will you be disappointed in Who He is?
We see a portion of our life that is so micro in our world. Jesus sees the big picture and knows what you will need down the road and how His glory will carry out. We serve a God Who is so much bigger than us, and Who's plans are always good. Trust Him.

The Guilt and Shame Game

We live in a society that has guilt and shame smeared all over it. People thrive on it. Others sink because of it. Guilt and shame are not of Christ and they don't have a place in the Christian community, nor should they ever be something acceptable to humanity in general.

I've struggled with the guilt and shame game. I fold to it like a weak chair under pressure. As soon as someone uses that "buzzword" on me...you know, the ones like "you should have...", "why didn't you...", "would you just do it?"... "If you were really a good Christian/mom/wife/woman/daughter/friend, you would...", "I thought you knew me better than that...",  I run from guilt and shame like they are an epidemic, so when I can't avoid, I give in way too easily.

Something I have learned over the last couple years is that no one ever has the right to guilt or shame me. I realized how much of a sucker I am for it. I make mistakes, but that doesn't mean someone calls it out in front of an audience, or tells me to do something in a manner that is superior in front of others. I get pushed around as a mom I think almost weekly. "Well, you really should be with your daughter more." "You only have 18 years with them, so maybe you should spend more time with her." Yes...I get it. They grow fast. I'll wish I had more time. But when you're at the breaking point of mommy-hood and need some mommy-time, I would say the "quality time" will turn a little emotional. Not to mention the "you feed that to your child?!" and the "maybe she needs a sibling" comments - whether they're undertoned or blunt, I've heard them.

Then there is the guilt and shame game among Christians. I believe that this is the ugliest kind because while you want to believe that Christians are "good people", you find it cuts a lot deeper when they don't offer that grace and love to others like Christ did for us. I know so many people who have endured guilt and shame over the schools they choose (or can afford) to put their kids in, the struggles they have and happen to let someone in on, the ways they keep a house, the habits they contend with, the lifestyles they choose (or are forced into), and the list goes on and on and on. And I have to be blunt here in saying that I've heard it most from Christians towards other Christians.

I'm not sure where the carte blanche came for Christians to judge others, but I don't remember reading that in the Bible I have...maybe I'm missing something. You are correct in recalling Matthew 18, where Christ tells us how to deal with conflict, but directly after that section comes the forgiveness story, and boy- is that one powerful.

Jen Hatmaker has become a very loved writer of mine. In her book, "For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World with Impossible Standards" (the title alone should be enough to get you to read this...), she has an entire chapter devoted to Christians who destroy each other, and what it is doing to our world. We are losing this battle, friends. Why? Because we are picking the wrong fights, scaring people away from ever walking into a church, and hurting each other in the process because we are set on our opinions and being what we think are Christ's advocates. One thing we're missing - LOVE. We can have our opinions. We can speak truth. We are called to do these things. But must we slam people to the ground with it?

When a stranger walks into church and is seeking something, the last thing they want is to feel the judgement, wrath, shame and guilt from people who don't have their own lives together. Welcome them. Love them. You don't have to agree with them to love them. You don't have to bash the school they send their kids to. You don't have to comment on the cigarette smell that is coming off of them. You don't have to point out that they are the one you saw stumbling out of the bar last weekend. You know where Christ stands on things. And yes, we know where you stand on things. But give these people some love and grace. The minute we guilt and shame them, they are gone, and will probably never consider a church again. What if Christ didn't offer you the love and grace? What if what brought you to church was want pointed out all of your faults and downfalls? I'd run, and I did for a time.

Let's end this guilt and shame game. Let's look to love and grace and allow Christ to do the rest. We stand strong on His truth and we will never move from it, but let's not bash it over the heads of seeking people. People who know the truth and reject it, that is another story. But the bystanders who are trying to figure this whole Christ-follower thing out, help them figure it out - in LOVE.

Moms - stop throwing guilt on other moms. I know you are supermom and can be with your child 24/7 for 18-30 years, but I'm not supermom. I give in to fruit snacks and french fries as lunch on occasion. (Keep your comments right there.) I'm aware my child is the only one, and if I want to share our future plans with you, I will. But notice the craziness it took me to get this one here! (Really?! - People have to ask if I'm "naturally having" more?)

Christians - "They will know we are Christians by our love." Not from our judging. Not from our hunting them down and dragging them in. Love.

"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." - Galatians 5:13

"Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." - 1 John 4:16

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." -1 Peter 4:8

"We love because He first loved us." -1 John 4:19

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." -John 15:12

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." - 1 John 4:12  

Do you really need any more verses to make it clear to you? Let me know.


 

First Love

I know many people who just don't get a kick out of Valentine's Day. I used to be one of them, and I have to be honest in saying that I thought having a husband would change my perspective on it, but really, that hasn't been the case.
Don't hear me wrong! I love my husband and I love our "married people" moments together, but the ultimate satisfaction is not and never will be found in him. Not only is that a lot of pressure to place on a person, but it is the completely wrong reason and way to pursue a relationship with another human.
As it is written, "Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all else will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33), this also applies with relationships, big time! When we put our all, and our hearts into people, we will be missing out on the happiness our heart can truly have.

Today, at MCRC we talked about the famous Ephesians 5:21-33. You know, the one that makes people squirm and that society is always fighting against. God's plan for relationships is all laid out here. The whole premise of a wife "submitting" to her husband make the feminist throw an outrage. The fact that a man has to love his wife (and only 1 woman) is sure blurred in the culture we dwell in. But do you actually know where those words, "submit", "respect" and "love" come from? Do you know their meanings in this context?

First of all, to understand the grand plan, we have to realize that this relationship thing goes both ways. Wives must CHOOSE to respect their husbands, and husbands must CHOOSE to love their wives, no matter how stupid a guy might be, or how stubborn a woman can get. This is an everyday choice. This is where our society falls incredibly short. There is this stigma of "well, if you don't like it, just get out of it." Unfortunately this is becoming the norm - both in the secular world and in the Christian world.

Secondly, there is mutual respect. When you get to know the others around you, whether this be a married relationship, friendships, coworkers, authorities, etc. this should be an easy thing to do. We see the disrespect that happens all around us - most recently and most well-known about is with law enforcement, as Pastor Todd talked about this morning. Do you know what that person goes through everyday? Or what they face when they get home? Or how that kid is bullied in school? Or what that kid faces when they go home? When you can stop dehumanizing everyone and see them for the hearts they really are, you can respect so much more.

When you see the pressures on your husband to provide for a family and be the "cornerstone" (as the word "head" here means) to the foundation of your family, you can begin to appreciate who he is. When a husband can see his wife for all that she has to put up with on a daily basis, with raising children, dealing with "backseat mothering" (this is my phrase for other moms telling you how to raise your children), getting meals put together, etc, he can really put into perspective what it is like for her and respect her.

We CHOOSE (that word we love to hate) to do this.

Lastly, there needs to be a common motive. If Christ is not your number one, your everything, your first and only TRUE love, you should not pursue a person to be that for you. It is so, incredibly unfair and you will be a year down the road, disappointed and left more alone than you thought you were before. No husband and no wife should have to be expected to meet the needs of your heart that only God can. That relationship will be absolutely miserable for you all. Christ MUST be in the center of it. When you are disappointed in your spouse, where would you run? Usually your friends or "someone else". This is toxic. When you run to God instead, that is something that can grow.

Friends, PLEASE hear me for what I am saying. Chase after God full force, and He will fulfill the needs He knows you have. Life will be much happier when you do and realize this!

Singles - as you wait patiently on the Lord to provide, remember He knows what you need right now. What are you doing to pursue Him fully to show your heart for Him rather than trying to cram a person into that lonely space? I can tell you that having a spouse is wonderful, but if I hadn't straightened out my relationship with Christ and realized His priorities for me, our marriage would be an absolute mess. When He feels like you're ready, He will provide. If you doubt that, you have more work to do. Wait while being active for your True Love - Christ. He will be my first love always and forever. It is everything.

Doors

As this 2015 closes out and yet another year is gearing up for take-off, I am in disbelief that I will be taking off to the Dominican Republic on January 22. Not sure how that came up so quick.
I'm excited beyond comprehension, but also very, very terrified.
I've been to the DR many times, but it has been about 3 years now since I last stepped foot on the country's grounds. Each time I'm filled with such emotion and inspiration as I work not only alongside the people I went there with, but with the people who are there, embracing us in return.

The excitement side of me recalls beautiful sunrises over an impoverished community, and the incredible range of emotions that stir as I daily faced a new challenge and/or realization. The children are so vibrant and content in who they are and where they are from, and challenge your thinking in the "have to have it all" mentality. Adults are no different. Welcoming, loving and embracing as you exchange smiles in lue of the language barrier. They again, have you asking yourself "what am I missing that makes them so happy?"
Then there are the evenings together as a team, diving into the Word that God has laid before us in ways we never get the opportunity to do back home in the midst of busy lives and chaotic schedules. Tears, laughter, opening up. Before you know it, these crazy people become your family and you are lonely without them once you get home. (Though, I literally married one of them, and made him my family...)
The evenings and mornings are just splendid. Nothing beats a morning, listening to the roosters crow upon the sunrise and sipping the coffee while God intimately moves you in ways that you didn't think possible. My, oh, my...I wish I could bring this experience home to give others a taste of it, but nothing compares. I think it may be the beauty in the midst of the differences, encompassing the simplicity of it all. So simple is this time, yet so driven and authentic.

Then, there is the terrified side of me. The side that questions everything. The stepping on a plane when blood clots have invaded and taken captive of my life. The leaving my baby girl home for that long. The unknowns of life back at home. It almost crushes me. Am I doing the right thing? Am I pursuing the right path?
I'm terrified of leaving the states after what happened 2 years ago.
There is a whirlwind of emotion that tangles itself up in the excitement, and brings me back down to earth when I loft on the memories of this sweet, beautiful place.
What if I do something stupid? Say the wrong things? Make a wrong choice?
All of these questions explode in my mind.

But then I remember how Christ grabbed my hand and guided me here. He has this. He has opened doors wide for me before. He has slammed them before I was dumb enough to step through them (although at the time, I was so upset and angry for those doors not working out). He has literally pushed me through doors before when it all seemed so wrong. But without going through those doors, I wouldn't be who I am today, or have the strength and faith that came with the hardships of those doors.
Again, He stands there, with this door WIDE, and I mean, WIDE open, holding out His hand and offering it to help usher me in to where I'm so unsure of going. He's put pieces in place, and people and contributions where they need to be to get me here. (I can't THANK YOU all enough!) He has given me every reason to hold on to His hand and go. Just go.

So, on January 22, I will be going. For the first time in 3 years, I will be returning to the DR, with a different strength, and health, and different worries than I had 3 years ago. I know He is faithful, and He has  proven this to me in so many dramatic ways since the last time.
Be in prayer for my team, my family, me, and God's direction as we do what He needs us to do. Some would question us going at all, but He has His reasons, and I know never to question that.

Hungry

I've been hungry lately. 

I don't mean physically hungry, because trust me, I've gotten my fill this month between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

No, my friends, I mean the ultimate and most painful kind of hunger. 

The hunger for God's Word to saturate my mind.

The hunger for God's presence to throw me to my knees.

And the hunger for a lost world to fall so deeply in love with it's Creator, that it freaking hurts lately. 

I am so hungry. I'm hungry for Christ-followers to start denying what they want, and do whatever it takes to drive a life-altering Truth into the lost, not in a Bible-thumping, intimidating, arrogant loser- sort of way, but in a loving unconditionally, so full of light despite life's darkness attacking - sort of way. 

I yearn to see passionate people giving up the fights within the church body, to pursue the battle that lies before us in this world in bringing the message. 

I am famished by the lack of faith and passion portrayed around me. For the love, quit fighting the battle of what your cozy church, life, job, spouse, children, home, programs, look like and SEEK FIRST the Kingdom! Surrender all of those things in His timing for His sake, and let Him provide. 

NOW is the time to seek Him, to share His love, to fight the battle in His Name, and to chase passionately after Him. 

This world is temporary, you guys! How will we ever realize this, and then get others to, if we are busy making comfortable lives before surrendering to His mission for our lives? What do those who aren't following Christ think when we don't even pursue Him in our daily lives? Why would they want to jump into that? We could lose this whole world tomorrow, and then we're left with nothing. God is eternal. He has given me a unique look at how short and questionable this life is. Please, please, please, don't waste it. Life is not about cars, jobs, money, spouses, kids, houses, achievements, "success", but about a surrendering to His cause. 

Please don't hear me wrong- all of those things are not bad, but we are to SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of heaven, and these things will be added. 

So if you're spending your time hunting for a spouse, or getting to the top of the career ladder, or pouring every ounce of energy into a program that is precious to your agenda, or working to earning an achievement that isn't going to count once this life is over, I urge you to pour that time into a mission that has lasting, eternal ripples instead. First chase Him. Surrender it all to Him. Give it up for His path. Then allow Him to bring you all of those other wonderful things in His time. When your heart can be content where it is in Him first, then He will bring you the rest. 

Get moving and do something! 

Mother's Heart

I don't wish for her to make the team one day. I don't long for her to be popular or win contests. She will accomplish much, but that is not what matters to me. Her life is more than being my daughter, and more than the achievements she will earn. I don't even hold a passion for her to make top grades or be aligned with the right schools. She's so smart at 20 months, but I'm not concerned with that either. While these things aren't bad by any means, they will come with seeking first His Kingdom and His plan.

No, I don't hope, wish, or even pray for these things, but for her to find her safety and security on the lap of her Heavenly Father.
I long with my whole heart for her to be so ridiculously passionate for her King that all her other passions are reflecting Him.
I yearn that she has a faith that shines and glows everywhere she goes so that others wonder why she is filled with such inexplicable joy.
When life pushes her around (because it will), I pray that she knows where to look and Who to reach to.
I pray she is surrounded with friends who push her to be full of the fervent faith that is disappearing from our world.
I don't want anything to matter to her as much as the things of Heaven.
I want her to reach the broken, love the outcasts, and set the alternative for what this world has to offer to those who need to see it.  
God, touch this little one to follow in the passions of Your heart.

Why We Value Kids in Church

 
Sometimes I have a hard time trying to figure out why our kids don't matter as much as they should in our churches. Here is why I think they should:

1) They are our future. Our kids will be the next generation of the church. On an single church basis, they will one day be a deacon, an elder, the secretary, the youth pastor, the pastor...I grew up surrounded by awesome kids programs and I have strong belief that those programs are a lot of the reason I hung on to the idea of church. I grew up in our GEMS program, which was amazing being that I was never an outgoing kid. Every summer I looked forward to VBS programs and having fun learning Bible verses in a way I could understand - and I hold on to some of those today in the same way as I learned them then. Youth group was huge for me too. I don't think I would have ever went to church without going to youth group. Now, I'm the secretary of a church and am a huge advocate for our kids. The impact of kids' ministries is so important and real!


2) Catch the kid, catch the parents. This one sounds creepy, but it's true. Kids who love kids' church will bring their parents to church. When they go home and rant to mom and dad about Wednesday night Awana or GEMS, parents tend to want to see more. Sometimes, kids will drag their parents to church because they don't want to miss Sunday School. Parents love that their kids are taken care of and show great respect for churches that put kids first. Now that I'm a parent, this is a MUST for us. If I know my baby is being taken care of in a safe place and will grow up learning some life-applicable teachings from God's Word, that is a win in my book.
Safety is a must too. By safety, I mean no random adults wandering through my child's classroom and area. Just because everyone knows Joe Smith in the church doesn't mean the first-time dad knows him, and he shouldn't be just walking through his kids' area unless he works with the kids and has proof of it. If Joe Smith is an elder, first-time dad doesn't know that and will probably look twice and wonder why they're in there. Same with anyone not wearing Children's Ministry ID and attire. A safe place for JUST kids is a must. (See more about that below). Turn off the safety, you might as well turn on a big sign saying "we could care less about the kids of our church". This is the biggest turn off for new parents.


3) Kids will be the next generation of the Good News. Kids pick up on everything. They will grow passionate about God if they see how passionate we ware about Him and how much we care about them learning about God. God tells us to teach His Word to our kids, and when we fail to pass that along, we miss the mark and we face a dying generation of the Word. How is this not important? Proverbs 22:6


4) We learn from children. The faith of a child is the purest and most open. Adults put on the blinders, create biases, and question every word they hear and read. Kids take things as they hear and see them. When we approach God in such a way, we are so open to His imprinting and molding of our lives. This is why it is also important to teach children while they are young and open. Matthew 18:2-4


5) Jesus commands us to value our kids. Check out Matthew 18:2-6. It speaks for itself.



What we should be doing about it:

1) Give kids their own, safe place to come. Just like us as adults, kids love to go to church when there is something for them. Many adults love to go to church...when there is something they can take away. I heard this conversation just this week. Yes- we need to go to give back to God too, but growth is a very important aspect of this too. If we cram our kids in the smallest room in church and have it packed full of stuff made for adults, what does that say about our value for our kids? Safety, as I ranted about above is HUGE.


2) Kids need new, exciting, curriculum. This can be a tough one in churches because curriculum is so much of the cost. But, how much does your church pay to have a pastor  teach a new message each week? I doubt the pastor uses the same messages year after year. I'm pretty sure if he did the people would probably start seeking another place of worship. How is it any different for our kids and youth? We need to value our adults, but I believe we need to value our kids even more. Giving them fresh, new stuff each year is a big part in creating the excitement in them for Children's Ministry.


3) Value those who value the kids. Volunteers and staff who work with our kids and youth are detrimental in growing faith-filled kids. It's hard to know the background kids come from and the adults that are in their lives, but you can guarantee they are getting some positive influence through the people at their church. This is to be a constant in their inconsistent worlds, and that is so valuable to our kids today. Treat volunteers and staff as inferior who work with our kids and you might as well kiss your quality kids and youth ministries goodbye.


What do you think?

My Essential 6

It's been a year...wow. One year ago this very Sunday evening I was helicoptered to Grand Rapids with a 7-inch pulmonary embolism (yes, I have a picture of it), unsure of whether or not I'd live to see the next day. In that time I learned so many things, including just how much of a keeper my husband is and just how many people we have that care about us. I can't even express how many people I had coming from all walks of life pouring into me and my family during that time. Probably people I didn't even realize were pouring into us were. But as I reflect back on that entire process and part of my journey in life, I have learned some other very valuable things. I call them my "Essential 6" as I carry myself through this world:

1. Christ will always be my center. Period. He is always my number 1. When He is my number 1, nothing else in this world can touch me. I have always strived to make Him my number 1, but after all of this, I realize that as long as I keep Him number 1, I don't have to care what others think of me or what in this world can possibly harm me. No matter what happens in this life, He is always there and He will carry me through.In turn, because He is the center of my life, everything I do is with and through Him. I enjoy the things I love, but glorify Him and thank Him through and for them. Anything that could possibly compromise Him being the center of my life or take away from Him, I count out. Do I still slip up? Of course. But refocusing myself from time to time is always in order anyways. With Christ at the center, nothing will ever ruin me.(Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:31)


2. Nothing is impossible with Him. I repeat, NOTHING. I wasn't supposed to have my own child, and I did. I probably shouldn't have survived a 7-inch pulmonary embolism, and I did. I have a rare heart defect that faced tough odds back in 1986, but I overcame that. Why? Because HE did. Because nothing is impossible with Christ. He will bless you immensely if you just put your all into Him. I won't lie when I say that these things were a hard hill to climb, but beating the odds feels pretty good and I know that doing that myself would have ended in failure. Simply saying "I trust You, Lord" isn't always simple at heart. But when you truly believe He can overcome, things change. (Matthew 19:26)


3. Forgiveness is a must. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people hold grudges that last their lifetimes. Grudges are held against other believers, family members, non-believers, friends, etc. I see these people literally fall apart in character and spirit because they let one person's opinion or actions get to them so deep. Grudges, I have learned, never hurt the person you have them against, they hurt you. I have learned that life is too stinking short to live in such misery of a grudge, especially if it's against a family member. I have disagreements with people all the time and many I would love to just dangle over their heads, but I have come to learn that for the sake of my health and for the sake of the faith, I have to either admit I'm wrong or agree to disagree. I know there are the "non-negotiables" when it comes to the faith, but when you've beaten the dead horse over and over again, and the opposing party knows your stance on it and still won't budge (on an individual level), you just need to agree to disagree and move the heck on. Fighting about it constantly puts a bad taste in someone's mouth about how Christians really are. Grudges tend to get in the way of love. And speaking when you don't have love behind your words is just annoying. (ask 1 Corinthians 13) You don't have to accept a lifestyle, but sometimes you just need to back off if they know where you stand already.(Ephesian 4:31-32)


4. Humility is key. This ties in with number 3.When you let go of your pride and allow humility to soak through every situation and relationship, things end up going so much smoother. Sometimes, you need to count yourself as less before you can build others up - not in a demeaning, hate yourself kind of way, but in a "I don't know it all, and I need Christ to grow me" sort of way. Going into something with a prideful attitude turns others off. In my experience, working with people, no one wants to be approached with your "I'm right, you're wrong" attitude. Rather, they seem to respond better to a "how can I help you" attitude. Of course, in a fallen world, you will find people that take advantage of you and do everything they can to drain you of what resources you have. That is where the "God doesn't help those who don't help themselves"mentality could come in as helpful. Humility and strength is how Jesus taught, and it is huge in growing today. (Philippians 2:3)


5. Trusting in Him will bring you the best blessings. There was a time before Lucy came that I really questioned what God wanted me to do in the kids department. I struggled with not knowing if I should pursue having my own children or giving it up on the spot. I always had a glimpse of God when I thought about this, however. I can't really explain it, but it was almost a voice in the back of my mind saying, "Just trust Me". And let me tell you, it was the hardest thing for me to just let go and let God. The fact that I became pregnant so quickly though, was an indicator of exactly what God wanted of me. It is the best decision and the hugest blessing He could have ever given me, and without trusting Him, I wouldn't have Lucy. So when you question your next step, turn to God and allow His perfect plan to flow amazing blessings on you, because our plans may seem great, but His are far greater. (Proverbs 3:5-6)


6. We have no time to waste. This one is my biggest conviction, and perhaps my biggest challenge, but getting our faith stories out there to a world in desperate need of God's love is huge. Your life is short (trust me, I know), and any day it can be taken from you. It can be a living testimony to someone near to you, whether you know it or not. Your story is the most effective way of getting His love out there. Tell it and share how God has moved in your life. Don't let the "crap" that happens to you become a hurdle to your faith, but another chapter in your story and how Christ used it to strengthen your faith. The time is now. (Luke 8:39)


I thank you all again for your continued prayers and encouragement in my life. I hope that Christ can use me to be a light for Him, because He has sure used all of you as I have endured quite a year. Look forward with the tools He has given you, but don't dwell on the hardships of your life without using them to move ahead.

Everyday Choice

Faith is more than one big moment.
At some point in your life, you may have decided to say "yes" to the question "do you want to ask Jesus into your heart?" You prayed a prayer after someone who sat with you. Maybe you knelt at an alter, or came forward at a youth rally. Perhaps you wanted to ensure you wouldn't go to hell, so you simply said you'd be a Christian. But what they didn't tell you is that your Christian faith is more than "the big moment".
Don't get me wrong at all. The Bible clearly says, "if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." But what happens to those people who "fall away"? Why do so many high school kids say "yes! I want to be a Christian!" then spend the next 3 years avidly attending youth group and every trip offered, only to do a complete 180 in collage and suddenly not care about the passion they once had in Christ? I've seen it over and over again.
I think one reason is because we highlight the "big moment" of coming to Christ. We say here is all you need to do (and it is all you need to do) to be a Christian. But what about when life suddenly slams you in the face? Where is the "big moment" then? What about when the grades fall, the job is lost, the loved one dies, the life falls to pieces? I hear many people say "where is God when...?" Though those things can be hard to explain, it's important to know that He is in the same spot you left Him when you had your "big moment". The only difference is that you were seeking Him, rather than waiting for Him to come to you.
Everyday is a choice. Everyday we must say "yes" to God. Just because we celebrated saying "yes" ultimately to God in that early relationship with Him, doesn't mean you'll have a "big moment" everyday of your life. Life will still have days that drag. It will still have days that leave you in tears, or laughing, or just another day like yesterday at the same job, picking up the same toys, and studying for the same class.
Everyday, you must choose to say "yes, God. I trust you with this day." Then you must live your day in that mentality. He will open the door to those that seek Him. But, you must seek Him. You must ask Him. You must pick up your cross daily. 
Luke 9:23 says "Then He said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me."
It's right there. We can seek God out and choose to say "yes" to Him everyday, or we can sit around, waiting for Him to show up on our terms and never stretch our faith.  You know you have mature faith when you can grow it in the good, the bad and they mundane. Seek Him daily.

 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8



"If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me." - Jeremiah 29:13

Why I Can't Move On - Keep Singing "Oceans"

I've been off my game lately.
I'm not who I was, and while the Johnson&Johnson saying goes "having a baby changes everything", I've been struggling with more than just the life-changes that come with having a baby.
I have found myself caring less about the everyday complaints from people. It's not that I don't feel for them as a person, but I find many things in life to not matter anymore. Who cares about something like wall colors, carpeting, and music style when there is something so HUGE we've been entrusted to?
I am walking so focused through life lately, and it isn't always a good kind of focus. I fail to see the needs around me at times, and become so task-oriented, rather than faith-oriented. I get so bent out of shape when I have a to-do list filled with necessary (I think), yet daunting things. I can't help but look at my life and ask "am I seriously making a difference by replying to emails, cleaning the house for the 100th time in a week, and typing up reports?" (I seriously feel like a lunatic lately.) Any moment can take me away from this life. I have learned this lesson hardcore this year, and now I have so much more at stake. Sometimes I feel as if no one really, truly understands. I can try and sort out my ...feelings (uhhg), and write things that rant on and on and on, and post ridiculous statuses on social media, but deep down, no one will get it. They can say they do, but they don't.
We all have something welling up inside that no one will ever completely understand. We can act in ways that people think are immature, but in reality, they have no clue where you've been and the storms you've faced. No one, except Him.
God knows exactly what is on your heart and mind. He can pick you up on those days that no one seems to notice or care or understand. I've been missing those God-encounters and not being able to find the time to open His Word in so long has caused me to feel empty. I reflect back a lot, if you haven't noticed, and recall 7 months ago when I faced one of the heaviest, yet exhilarating times of my life. (Ok, let's face it - it was THE heaviest and exhilarating time of my life...) And while I don't ever wish to undergo so much stress and pain again, I miss the growing I had during that time. I think I wait around for the big encounters because those are the ones that move me the most lately, but that doesn't HAVE to be the way it is.
He is with you during your smallest, most intimate moments and your biggest, most drastic moments. I believe that everyday God is calling us upon the waters where we may fail, no matter how big or small our challenges are.
When I was called to walk on the water, I really didn't have much choice. However, we always have a choice, even in circumstances where everything is out of control. Believe it or not, water represents "chaos" in the Bible, and circumstances we face can certainly be full of chaos. God calls us into the chaos. Crazy, huh? But if you think about it, those are the moments we grow so deeply in Him. Don't get me wrong, some people may choose to reject faith and God when they endure chaos, and even blame Him. But God has made chaos so that it can end up beautiful. He calls us to follow Him in the midst of it, and if we sink, He'll reach out to us. We only need to keep our eyes on Him.
So whenever I sing "Oceans" in church, at home, in the car, etc. I am reminded that God will not fail me no matter where He calls me. He will give us the strength, the courage and the faith to step out of the boat, and to keep our eyes on Him in the midst of chaos. When the "Oceans rise" aka: chaos, whether it be the heaviest chaos of your life or just a case of the Monday chaos, we can keep our eyes above it and be led by the Spirit. When we do that with the little things, we can trust Him in the biggest of challenges. Keep singing "Oceans". God will guide you through whatever chaos life brings, and He will make you stronger through it.

Busy Christianity

If you're like me, you say "yes" or "ok" a lot to people who ask you for things. Perhaps, also like me, you like to have control over every aspect of your inner circles - whether that be your job, your family, your ministry, etc. Did you know that saying "yes" all the time can actually end up being a sin?

When you reluctantly say "yes" to a request that you could probably care less about, but feel like you should care about, or something that someone absolutely "can't live without you" on, you are saying "no" to so many other things. It's true. You say no to your family time, your personal time, maybe even your God time. I've pushed these things aside more than I ever would like to confess because of the heart-wrenching "please do this for me".

A quote that I came across hit me so hard, it practically knocked the wind out of me because of the blatant truth it stated:

It was after I read this quote, that I realized God never wanted us to sign up to do all of these "good things" for Him. While those things are wonderful and we are asked to be servants for Him, a relationship with Him is the best place to be. When you don't even have the time to talk to Him and listen to Him, that isn't much of a relationship. We are to serve in the places He calls us to serve, and that is it. And that is ok.

I always feel so guilted into things. Working in a church makes it easy for that to happen on a daily basis. I bring work home. I do work in the morning before going to work. Come home from work, throw dinner in the oven, chomp it down before heading off to another meeting or group. Come home from said meeting or group, put Lucy to bed, or come home after she's already been put to bed, then drag myself to bed while trying to turn my brain off for the day, only to get up and repeat the process.
Sunday mornings are worse.  I go to more meetings on a Sunday and get asked more things than one person can ever take on than any other day of the week. Perhaps I'm over-stepping my bounds, but that is the reality of life. Why is that ok?

The question I have is "how did it get this way?" Why did it become the "norm" to be so busy? I've had so many people tell me "that's life". Why? Why does that have to be life? Sure, I brought many things upon myself, saying "yes" to everyone because it was "important" or because "it's my job". But every meeting you attend will be "important" to someone. What we are missing is what is ultimately important - a relationship with Jesus.

Yes, we are trying to win a community and a world over for Him, but when people look at us being busy, overwhelmed workers, who will ever want to jump on that band wagon? I see it as the oxygen mask on the air plane. If you aren't building up your relationship in Christ by being in the Word daily and praying to Him daily, how in the world will you lead others to Him? What kind of example is that?

So next time you are tempted to say "yes", consider all that you say "no" to.

Leadership isn't Loud

There has always seemed to be a bias about leaders being loud, boisterous people who can make beautiful public speeches and order people around.
In fact, I avoided leadership roles just because of this misconception I had throughout high school and college. It wasn't until I worked at Portage Lake Bible Camp that I learned I am a leader, no matter what I thought.
I recall a morning where we ran a large group game time for kids while parents were attending chapel services. Since I was a director (of ropes), it seemed like everyone on staff was looking to me to tell the 50-some kids what to do. I don't have a loud voice - let's just put that out there now, so as you can imagine, calling out to that many kids under the age of 13 was interesting. Luckily, other staff saw I wasn't overly comfortable or gifted in this form of leadership. So I suggested games, they explained it to the kids.
The other aspects of my job that summer though, worked wonderfully. I could lead smaller groups at their level and gave expectations for the staff I oversaw, all without ever raising a voice or putting on the "holier than thou" personality.
I look back on the summers I counseled and directed and see that I was indeed a leader, whether I recognized that at the moment or not. I think the instant you make the decision to follow Christ, and people know you are a Christian, you become a leader, whether you like it or not. Though it doesn't seem fair, your every move is judged. People watch you. It's not always that they are waiting for you to do something wrong as a Christ follower, but they will know it if you do.
Everyone you encounter will use you to add to their opinion of Christianity and Jesus. Everything you say, do, how you treat people, whether you "say" you're a Christian but do nothing to prove it - it is all judged.
So my question for you is this: How are you portraying Jesus to those around you? Maybe you're a teenager who talks back to your parents when you're home, but puts on the angel glow in public. Perhaps you tell everyone that you believe in Jesus, but proceed past the need for food in a local food pantry. Or maybe you gave your life to Jesus back when there was that huge, emotional moment in your life because it felt like the right thing to do, but now you sit around, waiting for another huge moment when God will show up. Who ever said He needs to show up? "Seek and YOU will find." Rather than talking about it, are you doing it? 
Moses couldn't speak well, yet he was one of the most influential leaders in the Bible. Jesus preached to the masses, but He served with humility. You don't have to be a sound speaker or a pushy person to be a leader. Being an example and serving make great leaders. Christ-followers are to be Jesus to those around them. What are you being?

But Really, Do Something

 

While I was in New York earlier this summer, celebrating the marriage of my brother-in-law and his amazing new wife, I had a little time to reflect on this past year as I spent a lot of alone time with Lucy, as my husband, Mark, was off doing best man tasks with his brother. It hit me that it has already been a year since many things happened in my life. I learned I was pregnant with Lucy a year ago and we lost Pastor Rick the same week. From there, my mind spiraled through the next months. August, I almost lost Lucy in a threatened miscarriage, but as you all know, God allowed Little, Lovely Lucy to come to us. September I visited New York for the first time. November my brother-in-law got engaged to his now wife. December of course was a lot of celebration and family time. January was the midst of the crazy winter. March, we welcomed Lucy earlier than expected. The end of March was almost the end of my life.  But I lived to see 28 on April 28^th and from there we come back to my thought processes in July while in New York.

It hit me just how fast and crazy this year has flown by. And as I grow older and have a wider perspective on things because of the events that have taken place, I realize that we have no time to waste. By we, I mean Christians, my family, my friends. We are here for a purpose of being the hands and feet of God. Yes, you’ve heard it before. Maybe in a song or two, but if you’re like me, you sing it or listen to it and then move about your daily life without blinking. What does it really mean to you though?

I think of that song by Matthew West, “Do Something”. It might be an uncomfortable song to some people, or maybe even one you write off and think “that’s not my job to go and do something.” We tend to look at the Great Commission – to GO and make disciples (or make followers) of Jesus- and get the mentality of not letting it be our problem. However, we can read the “come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest,” and suddenly the Bible applies to us. If we believe in the Bible though, and are determined to make it our life, we can’t section off portions of it that fit into our comfortable life. We can seek rest from God, but we also need to do something for God.

We can express passions about the hurting and broken of this world, but then we fail to follow through with helping them, thinking someone else is already there doing it. Maybe we have desired to have a small group on a certain topic and there is no one leading one – why not you? You can get plugged in to whatever desire God has placed on your heart. If you love working with kids, there’s Children’s Ministry. If you’d rather work with kids that aren’t covered in jam and can’t tie their shoes, try Youth Ministry (though I make no promises that they all are not covered in jam, but hopefully they can tie their shoes.) Love making someone’s day? Try greeting them at the doors of church and letting them know just how great they made your day by showing up to church! We have people passionate about going to those rough places and helping those hurting people, but you don’t have to even step on a plane to do something for Christ. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new that can further the Kingdom. The relationships you start and build will last a lifetime and beyond in God’s Kingdom.

365 days may sound like a long time, but as I reflected back on this past year in those moments I had alone, I realized they definitely aren’t a long time in the big picture of my life here on earth. I can ask God to do something, but He already did – He created me and you! So instead of living each day as if it is just another one for your journal page, do something.