It's just a few days before Christmas and one can't help but look back at the year's accomplishments, struggles and memories. I truly couldn't come up with a single item I wanted this year, but I do have one thing that I so deeply desire to have 365 days a year.
"Seek the joy of the Lord in everything."
In my afflictions, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my suffering, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my quiet and still moments, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In times of uncertainty, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
When facing persecution for my faith, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my tears, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In my celebration, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
In everything I do, I desire to seek the joy of the Lord
May each of us receive this same desire that only the Lord can give. Joy is not a moment of time but a spiritual blessing given for a lifetime.
May your Christmas and every day of the year be filled with the joy of the Lord.
"Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Heavenly Gifts
My daughter mentioned to me the other day that she wished she had a special talent. She knows many people who have wonderful talents such as the ability to dance, play sports, sing, or play a musical instrument. These are all very special talents and it’s wonderful to see others flourish with these gifts God has given. But often how we see others defines how we view ourselves. We look at the talents of others and minimize the gifts that our Father has given to each of His children. Every human being has a divine purpose in life. However, we often feel our purpose is defined by "talents" we have. And for those of us who don’t think we have special talents, we feel lost and wonder what truly am I good at?
The Apostle Paul speaks of this matter. He was a brilliant scholar of religion and highly regarded by his peers as being a leader of the church. Yet despite all of his accomplishments, God viewed his talents very differently. God didn’t see Paul as a brilliant intellect, but as His child and servant in sharing the Gospel with the people. Paul even confessed that without Christ, all of his talents were meaningless.
The Bible tells us that God looks at each of us as His greatest masterpiece; a work of art that is to be used to draw others towards Christ.
I have a friend who is so spiritually gifted and yet doesn’t see herself that way. However, her gift isn’t necessarily a talent by the world’s standards. She is a silent servant of Christ. While others seek recognition and the spot light, she remains in the shadows compassionately giving of her time, money and prayer to those in need. While others take credit for their good works, she doesn’t want her name mentioned, but desires to give all of the glory to God. In a world that thrives on being recognized, becoming a silent servant is more than a talent. It’s a gift.
As a parent, we need to stress the importance of the spiritual gifts so that our children will see themselves not as the world sees them, but as God sees them. The greatest gift that God gives is love. In everything we do, we are to do it for Christ as a reflection of His love. In a world that is filled with darkness, love becomes hard to find. I have met people who cannot fully love and therefore cannot forgive. People who cannot fully love, limit themselves in how they can serve. People who cannot fully love, cannot be fully used by God. Love, not talents, is the greatest gift we’re given and believe it or not, many hearts never fully receive it.
Today, I pray that we strive to fully love others and glorify God in everything, making this more important than any given talent. And I’m not talking about loving our children more; I’m talking about fully loving those whom we have not been able to love. Only Christ can give us this gift, but first we must be willing to receive it with a humble and compassionate heart.
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1Corinthians 13:4-7
Love isn’t a talent. It is a gift freely given. And without it, life and all of our talents become meaningless.
The Apostle Paul speaks of this matter. He was a brilliant scholar of religion and highly regarded by his peers as being a leader of the church. Yet despite all of his accomplishments, God viewed his talents very differently. God didn’t see Paul as a brilliant intellect, but as His child and servant in sharing the Gospel with the people. Paul even confessed that without Christ, all of his talents were meaningless.
The Bible tells us that God looks at each of us as His greatest masterpiece; a work of art that is to be used to draw others towards Christ.
I have a friend who is so spiritually gifted and yet doesn’t see herself that way. However, her gift isn’t necessarily a talent by the world’s standards. She is a silent servant of Christ. While others seek recognition and the spot light, she remains in the shadows compassionately giving of her time, money and prayer to those in need. While others take credit for their good works, she doesn’t want her name mentioned, but desires to give all of the glory to God. In a world that thrives on being recognized, becoming a silent servant is more than a talent. It’s a gift.
As a parent, we need to stress the importance of the spiritual gifts so that our children will see themselves not as the world sees them, but as God sees them. The greatest gift that God gives is love. In everything we do, we are to do it for Christ as a reflection of His love. In a world that is filled with darkness, love becomes hard to find. I have met people who cannot fully love and therefore cannot forgive. People who cannot fully love, limit themselves in how they can serve. People who cannot fully love, cannot be fully used by God. Love, not talents, is the greatest gift we’re given and believe it or not, many hearts never fully receive it.
Today, I pray that we strive to fully love others and glorify God in everything, making this more important than any given talent. And I’m not talking about loving our children more; I’m talking about fully loving those whom we have not been able to love. Only Christ can give us this gift, but first we must be willing to receive it with a humble and compassionate heart.
“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1Corinthians 13:4-7
Love isn’t a talent. It is a gift freely given. And without it, life and all of our talents become meaningless.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Living In Spiritual Darkness
How many of us remained glued to our television set as we witnessed the miners being rescued from several thousand feet below the earth’s surface? As each one was brought out of the darkness, I found myself praising God for His mercy upon their lives. But for me it was more than watching individuals being rescued. It reminded me of my spiritual awakening, knowing what it’s like to live in darkness and experiencing God lifting me out into His spiritual light.
I lived in darkness for most of my life. For so many years, I called myself a Christian and thought I was living my life the way God intended. But I was blinded by the darkness of my own sinful nature, claiming to believe one thing yet living entirely different. The day I began studying God’s Word was the moment my spiritual darkness was exposed. I spent most of my life working in corporate America. Making a lot of money was one of my greatest ambitions. And I’ll never forget when God revealed to me that my dependence and love for money was greater than my love and dependence upon Him. He also revealed how I feared my boss more than I feared Him. I was living in spiritual darkness not knowing what my heart looked like through the eyes of faith. I found myself on my knees in deep sorrow because I never realized how detestable my sin appeared to God. At that moment I felt a huge weight lifted from my heart. Forgiveness was granted through His mercy and love for me.
God placed it on my heart to write a book to corporate America, revealing my sinful nature and sharing my story of His divine presence in the business world. I must honestly confess I didn’t want to write the book. I told Him no one would listen. No one would read it. No one would publish it. I even suggested that he have Bill Gates write it because people would read his book. Bill Gates was a “somebody” in this world, and I saw myself as a nobody. God patiently listened to all my excuses that stemmed from my fear of rejection from a world that had become my friend. Once I finally became quiet, God spoke softly to my heart and said, “You are somebody to me.”
This was the day I declared Christ as my CEO over my life. I felt like I was lifted out of a dark black hole of spiritual darkness that for so many years filled my life with lies. Perhaps you’ve heard some of them:
You are a “nobody” in this world
Your disease cannot be cured
Your marriage cannot be saved
You cannot get out of dept
The list of lies that stem from spiritual darkness is endless. But just as these miners were carefully lifted out of a black hole, God lifts us out and shines His love and the light of His truth that come from His Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given to you.” John 15:7
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.” John 14:6
These are a few examples of knowing the truth; God’s truth.
Are you still living in a black hole? Do you still believe the lies of the darkness? May today be the day we are all lifted from our black hole and placed into His light through Christ our Lord. Once we allow our darkness to be exposed, He graciously gives us a renewed life through our repentance. We are all somebody’s to God and may He reveal Himself to each of us through His love, mercy and grace that shines in His Light.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and
find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Ephesians 5:8-11
I lived in darkness for most of my life. For so many years, I called myself a Christian and thought I was living my life the way God intended. But I was blinded by the darkness of my own sinful nature, claiming to believe one thing yet living entirely different. The day I began studying God’s Word was the moment my spiritual darkness was exposed. I spent most of my life working in corporate America. Making a lot of money was one of my greatest ambitions. And I’ll never forget when God revealed to me that my dependence and love for money was greater than my love and dependence upon Him. He also revealed how I feared my boss more than I feared Him. I was living in spiritual darkness not knowing what my heart looked like through the eyes of faith. I found myself on my knees in deep sorrow because I never realized how detestable my sin appeared to God. At that moment I felt a huge weight lifted from my heart. Forgiveness was granted through His mercy and love for me.
God placed it on my heart to write a book to corporate America, revealing my sinful nature and sharing my story of His divine presence in the business world. I must honestly confess I didn’t want to write the book. I told Him no one would listen. No one would read it. No one would publish it. I even suggested that he have Bill Gates write it because people would read his book. Bill Gates was a “somebody” in this world, and I saw myself as a nobody. God patiently listened to all my excuses that stemmed from my fear of rejection from a world that had become my friend. Once I finally became quiet, God spoke softly to my heart and said, “You are somebody to me.”
This was the day I declared Christ as my CEO over my life. I felt like I was lifted out of a dark black hole of spiritual darkness that for so many years filled my life with lies. Perhaps you’ve heard some of them:
You are a “nobody” in this world
Your disease cannot be cured
Your marriage cannot be saved
You cannot get out of dept
The list of lies that stem from spiritual darkness is endless. But just as these miners were carefully lifted out of a black hole, God lifts us out and shines His love and the light of His truth that come from His Word:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given to you.” John 15:7
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.” John 14:6
These are a few examples of knowing the truth; God’s truth.
Are you still living in a black hole? Do you still believe the lies of the darkness? May today be the day we are all lifted from our black hole and placed into His light through Christ our Lord. Once we allow our darkness to be exposed, He graciously gives us a renewed life through our repentance. We are all somebody’s to God and may He reveal Himself to each of us through His love, mercy and grace that shines in His Light.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and
find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Ephesians 5:8-11
Friday, August 13, 2010
The "Have's" and "Have Not's"
Last evening I was in the emergency room with a friend. As we patiently waited for the doctors to perform the necessary tests, we watched from our door the number of trauma patients coming through the ER. I have to say it was overwhelming to watch the doctors and nurses racing from room to room, administering to the needs of those holding on to life. While we waited, my friend began a list of things she didn’t have. She told me she never had a boyfriend who loved her, she never had a husband and she never had children. She claimed her illness prevented her from having these things. I listened intently as she went down her list of “have not’s.”
After she was done, I felt this immense guilt because all of the things she didn’t have, I had received at some point in my life. Yet, so many of my years were wasted on a sense of entitlement for “things” I felt I deserved. I never saw them as purely gifts from God. And although today I’m grateful for all He has given, what I’ve discovered is, the “things” I have cannot provide what I really need.
God spoke softly and reminded me of why He brought this friend into my life. I had prayed for God to remove all things that would hinder me from fulfilling His purpose. I also prayed for people to come into my life who reflect His Spirit and light. I told my friend that although I had received many of the things she hadn’t, what she had was far greater than anything this world has to offer. She has the gift of the Holy Spirit which resides in her. She is a reflection of the love of Christ that I strive to obtain in my life. She opened my eyes and revealed the shallowness of my faith. Although faith isn’t something tangible, its value outweighs anything that I have.
God blesses every Christian who strives to walk in His Ways and He freely gives His Holy Spirit to provide everything we need. When we receive the Spirit of Truth, it becomes clear that what we have doesn’t measure up to the gift of salvation which only comes through Jesus Christ.
What my friend has is all that we need. The Holy Spirit is so prevalent in her life, even the nurses were amazed. They would rush into her room, frazzled from the previous patient. But when they left, the nurses had a sense of peace and a shield of strength to face the next trauma around the corner. It was simply wonderful to experience.
May those of us who think we are the “haves” of this world need to look at our own lives through the eyes of Christ. When we do this, it becomes clear that what we have and what we need are often two different things. Today, may we seek God and His Holy Spirit in everything so that we too can have all that God desires for our lives.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their Sheppard and carry them forever.”
Psalm 28:8-9
After she was done, I felt this immense guilt because all of the things she didn’t have, I had received at some point in my life. Yet, so many of my years were wasted on a sense of entitlement for “things” I felt I deserved. I never saw them as purely gifts from God. And although today I’m grateful for all He has given, what I’ve discovered is, the “things” I have cannot provide what I really need.
God spoke softly and reminded me of why He brought this friend into my life. I had prayed for God to remove all things that would hinder me from fulfilling His purpose. I also prayed for people to come into my life who reflect His Spirit and light. I told my friend that although I had received many of the things she hadn’t, what she had was far greater than anything this world has to offer. She has the gift of the Holy Spirit which resides in her. She is a reflection of the love of Christ that I strive to obtain in my life. She opened my eyes and revealed the shallowness of my faith. Although faith isn’t something tangible, its value outweighs anything that I have.
God blesses every Christian who strives to walk in His Ways and He freely gives His Holy Spirit to provide everything we need. When we receive the Spirit of Truth, it becomes clear that what we have doesn’t measure up to the gift of salvation which only comes through Jesus Christ.
What my friend has is all that we need. The Holy Spirit is so prevalent in her life, even the nurses were amazed. They would rush into her room, frazzled from the previous patient. But when they left, the nurses had a sense of peace and a shield of strength to face the next trauma around the corner. It was simply wonderful to experience.
May those of us who think we are the “haves” of this world need to look at our own lives through the eyes of Christ. When we do this, it becomes clear that what we have and what we need are often two different things. Today, may we seek God and His Holy Spirit in everything so that we too can have all that God desires for our lives.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their Sheppard and carry them forever.”
Psalm 28:8-9
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Brokenness To Blessedness
Have you ever felt broken? Has something happened in your life that has left you feeling completely hopeless? Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one and the void in your life has left you feeling broken. Or maybe you’ve just lost your job and there doesn’t seem to be a new opportunity within reach.
I have a dear friend who battles every day a rare and complicated form of cancer. I didn’t know her when she was actually diagnosed. We met several months later and that’s when I learned about her disease. This cancer is so complicated that at the time she was diagnosed, MD Anderson actually turned her away. This hospital, as many of you know, is one of the leading cancer facilities in the world. Personally, I have never faced cancer so I cannot begin to comprehend how broken she felt when she learned of this disease. Her brokenness stemmed from a loss of hope and confusion over why this was happening to her. I remember when she shared with me all that she had been through. I could tell by her voice that although she felt defeated at times, she would continue to fight until her last breath.
Despite what the doctors believed, my dear friend is still alive today and what we’ve both learned is as she continues to fight for her life, cancer doesn’t have a claim on her life. As her disease worsens, her faith strengthens. I can’t explain it but I have had the privilege of watching from the sidelines the blessings she pours out to all who come into her life. I asked her if she truly felt God’s blessing throughout this ordeal and was simply amazed by her response. She said to me that not only had she been blessed, but in many ways, she had already been healed. Every day, my friend has to get out of bed, be a mom, and has several doctor appointments in any given week. The medicine alone leaves her tired and feeling nauseated, yet her brokenness has been healed through God’s blessedness.
When we face brokenness, that’s when we can experience God’s love and strength in our lives. When we’ve reached a point of acknowledging there’s no human solution to our problems, this can become the most divine moment to be seized.
Nobody likes to talk about death and as a result, it’s the one event that we are so unprepared to face. Yet death is inevitable and how we choose to face it can be the most significant decision in our life. Death is often what makes us feel so broken. My family has lost loved ones and the grieving is very painful and devastating. But with each loss, we have experienced the transition from brokenness to blessedness because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross but that wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus ascended into heaven and lives today so that we as Christians can know that even death doesn’t hold a claim on our lives. Death is nothing more than the passageway to a new life through Christ our Lord. When we allow God into our brokenness, He mends our hearts with His blessedness and for many this becomes the moment when we experience what it means to be His Beloved.
May today we seek God in our brokenness. When we do this, the healing of our hearts begins and like my dear friend, that’s when we’re able to become a blessing for others.
"I waited patiently for the Lord;he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."
(Psalm 40:1-3)
I have a dear friend who battles every day a rare and complicated form of cancer. I didn’t know her when she was actually diagnosed. We met several months later and that’s when I learned about her disease. This cancer is so complicated that at the time she was diagnosed, MD Anderson actually turned her away. This hospital, as many of you know, is one of the leading cancer facilities in the world. Personally, I have never faced cancer so I cannot begin to comprehend how broken she felt when she learned of this disease. Her brokenness stemmed from a loss of hope and confusion over why this was happening to her. I remember when she shared with me all that she had been through. I could tell by her voice that although she felt defeated at times, she would continue to fight until her last breath.
Despite what the doctors believed, my dear friend is still alive today and what we’ve both learned is as she continues to fight for her life, cancer doesn’t have a claim on her life. As her disease worsens, her faith strengthens. I can’t explain it but I have had the privilege of watching from the sidelines the blessings she pours out to all who come into her life. I asked her if she truly felt God’s blessing throughout this ordeal and was simply amazed by her response. She said to me that not only had she been blessed, but in many ways, she had already been healed. Every day, my friend has to get out of bed, be a mom, and has several doctor appointments in any given week. The medicine alone leaves her tired and feeling nauseated, yet her brokenness has been healed through God’s blessedness.
When we face brokenness, that’s when we can experience God’s love and strength in our lives. When we’ve reached a point of acknowledging there’s no human solution to our problems, this can become the most divine moment to be seized.
Nobody likes to talk about death and as a result, it’s the one event that we are so unprepared to face. Yet death is inevitable and how we choose to face it can be the most significant decision in our life. Death is often what makes us feel so broken. My family has lost loved ones and the grieving is very painful and devastating. But with each loss, we have experienced the transition from brokenness to blessedness because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus died on the cross but that wasn’t the end of the story. Jesus ascended into heaven and lives today so that we as Christians can know that even death doesn’t hold a claim on our lives. Death is nothing more than the passageway to a new life through Christ our Lord. When we allow God into our brokenness, He mends our hearts with His blessedness and for many this becomes the moment when we experience what it means to be His Beloved.
May today we seek God in our brokenness. When we do this, the healing of our hearts begins and like my dear friend, that’s when we’re able to become a blessing for others.
"I waited patiently for the Lord;he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."
(Psalm 40:1-3)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Preparing For The Unexpected
Last evening I watched my son play basketball at camp. It was a wonderful moment filled with excitement and anticipation as he ran up and down the court preparing for the next shot. The coaches had taught them several strategies of where they were to position themselves, anticipating at any time that the ball could come their way .
As my husband and I were sitting in the stands, I looked down at my phone and noticed several messages had been left. I never keep my cell phone on during a game but as I scrolled down the messages, I learned that the life of an old friend had passed away.
It was hard to maintain my composure as my heart became flooded with memories of my high school days filled with images of my friend. News like this can come at any time, and yet I found myself overwhelmed with the unexpected. So how do we prepare for the unexpected, or is this something that we must condition our hearts for knowing at any time, life can change on a dime?
In the book of Joshua, we read about a young man, chosen by God, to lead the people of Israel into the promise land after many years in captivity in Egypt and forty years of wandering in the desert. Although Joshua had no idea of the battles he would face upon entering the land, God was fully aware of what they were up against. Just as life isn’t always handed to us on a silver platter, Joshua and the people of Israel would have to overcome the unexpected and it wasn’t going to be easy.
The Bible doesn’t promise a Cinderella life on earth. In fact, many of the chapters written are filled with stories of how God’s people faced multiple trials in their life time and how God prepared their hearts for the unexpected. In each case, we can have comfort knowing that we never face the unexpected alone. God doesn’t stand along the sidelines like a basketball coach shouting out instructions to the players. God enters our battles with us, and provides all the strength we need to overcome life’s trials. In chapter one of Joshua, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous and to not turn to the right or the left but instead, turn to God’s laws and commandments. In fact, God instructed Joshua to meditate on His Word day and night so that he would be successful in overcoming anything he faced. God promised Joshua just as He promises us that He would be with him and He would never forsake him.
So how do we prepare for the unexpected? So often when we face the unexpected, many will choose to turn away from God and try to overcome the unexpected alone. Yet, meditating on God’s Word every day is what strengthens our faith by filling our hearts with the hope Christ promises to all Christian believers. Although we may be surprised by life’s events, God is never left surprised. He’s fully aware of our past, present and our future. It’s a huge comfort knowing that whether we’re on a mountain top, or in a valley of life, we never face the unexpected alone and by placing our trust in God just as Joshua did, He will help us overcome the unexpected.
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9
As my husband and I were sitting in the stands, I looked down at my phone and noticed several messages had been left. I never keep my cell phone on during a game but as I scrolled down the messages, I learned that the life of an old friend had passed away.
It was hard to maintain my composure as my heart became flooded with memories of my high school days filled with images of my friend. News like this can come at any time, and yet I found myself overwhelmed with the unexpected. So how do we prepare for the unexpected, or is this something that we must condition our hearts for knowing at any time, life can change on a dime?
In the book of Joshua, we read about a young man, chosen by God, to lead the people of Israel into the promise land after many years in captivity in Egypt and forty years of wandering in the desert. Although Joshua had no idea of the battles he would face upon entering the land, God was fully aware of what they were up against. Just as life isn’t always handed to us on a silver platter, Joshua and the people of Israel would have to overcome the unexpected and it wasn’t going to be easy.
The Bible doesn’t promise a Cinderella life on earth. In fact, many of the chapters written are filled with stories of how God’s people faced multiple trials in their life time and how God prepared their hearts for the unexpected. In each case, we can have comfort knowing that we never face the unexpected alone. God doesn’t stand along the sidelines like a basketball coach shouting out instructions to the players. God enters our battles with us, and provides all the strength we need to overcome life’s trials. In chapter one of Joshua, God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous and to not turn to the right or the left but instead, turn to God’s laws and commandments. In fact, God instructed Joshua to meditate on His Word day and night so that he would be successful in overcoming anything he faced. God promised Joshua just as He promises us that He would be with him and He would never forsake him.
So how do we prepare for the unexpected? So often when we face the unexpected, many will choose to turn away from God and try to overcome the unexpected alone. Yet, meditating on God’s Word every day is what strengthens our faith by filling our hearts with the hope Christ promises to all Christian believers. Although we may be surprised by life’s events, God is never left surprised. He’s fully aware of our past, present and our future. It’s a huge comfort knowing that whether we’re on a mountain top, or in a valley of life, we never face the unexpected alone and by placing our trust in God just as Joshua did, He will help us overcome the unexpected.
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:8-9
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Have You Ever Experienced The Glory of God?
I have to brag for a moment about my niece who is graduating from high school in just a few weeks. Two years ago, her mother passed away after battling breast cancer for nearly five years. When we go through something as tragic as losing a loved one, it’s hard to pick up the pieces of life and persevere with a smile for the world to see. However, I must praise God for all that He has done through my niece, showing the rest of us how we can have joyful hearts and experience God’s glory even in the midst of our trials.
The list of my niece’s accomplishments surpasses anything written on my resume and I have lived many more years than her. But the accomplishment I’m most proud of is her faith. As I watch from the sidelines, God reveals to us His glory through her by observing how she lives life to its fullest despite what’s happened. It would be easier to remain in a state of grief after the passing of a loved one. We miss their presence and our hearts refuse to let them go. I remember shortly after my mom passed away, someone came up to me and said, “You act like she isn’t dead.”
My response must have baffled them when I replied, “That’s because she isn’t. She’s with the Lord.”
As Christians we say we believe in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was resurrected three days later. And the Bible tells us after His resurrection, he appeared to His disciples and over five hundred witnesses for forty days before His final ascension into heaven. We say we believe in the promise of eternal life after our earthly lives have ended. But when we experience difficulties in our own lives, do what we say and what we believe become two different things? Trials can become times of testing when many will begin to question God’s promise. That’s when we quickly discover how useless our beliefs are when they’re not combined with faith. But when we do combine our beliefs with faith, God’s glory is revealed in our lives by the joy and peace that resides in our hearts.
My hope and prayer today is that every Christian experiences God’s glory, especially when going through trials. I can tell you firsthand that having joy in the midst of suffering is possible. I recognize God’s glory in my life when things seem like they're spiraling out of control and all I feel is God’s peace surrounding me.
I also pray for those who have never read the Bible and live in the shallowness of their faith, perhaps not able to recognize the glory of God working in their own life. Most importantly, I pray for those who don’t know Christ and believe that nothing exists beyond our earthly lives.
Praise God for the resurrection, the hope and everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven. May we all grow deeper in our faith by reading God’s Word and living as a reflection of His light for others to see. When we combine our beliefs with faith, we will experience firsthand God’s glory in our own lives.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
The list of my niece’s accomplishments surpasses anything written on my resume and I have lived many more years than her. But the accomplishment I’m most proud of is her faith. As I watch from the sidelines, God reveals to us His glory through her by observing how she lives life to its fullest despite what’s happened. It would be easier to remain in a state of grief after the passing of a loved one. We miss their presence and our hearts refuse to let them go. I remember shortly after my mom passed away, someone came up to me and said, “You act like she isn’t dead.”
My response must have baffled them when I replied, “That’s because she isn’t. She’s with the Lord.”
As Christians we say we believe in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was resurrected three days later. And the Bible tells us after His resurrection, he appeared to His disciples and over five hundred witnesses for forty days before His final ascension into heaven. We say we believe in the promise of eternal life after our earthly lives have ended. But when we experience difficulties in our own lives, do what we say and what we believe become two different things? Trials can become times of testing when many will begin to question God’s promise. That’s when we quickly discover how useless our beliefs are when they’re not combined with faith. But when we do combine our beliefs with faith, God’s glory is revealed in our lives by the joy and peace that resides in our hearts.
My hope and prayer today is that every Christian experiences God’s glory, especially when going through trials. I can tell you firsthand that having joy in the midst of suffering is possible. I recognize God’s glory in my life when things seem like they're spiraling out of control and all I feel is God’s peace surrounding me.
I also pray for those who have never read the Bible and live in the shallowness of their faith, perhaps not able to recognize the glory of God working in their own life. Most importantly, I pray for those who don’t know Christ and believe that nothing exists beyond our earthly lives.
Praise God for the resurrection, the hope and everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven. May we all grow deeper in our faith by reading God’s Word and living as a reflection of His light for others to see. When we combine our beliefs with faith, we will experience firsthand God’s glory in our own lives.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Meeting Desiree
When my life changed from corporate executive to Christian author, it not only had a profound effect, but a personal one as well. This path has not always been easy, but the people that I’ve met along the way have made it so rewarding.
When you decide that you’re going to publicly proclaim your faith and share your story with others, be prepared that many in the world will not want to hear it, even those whom you called family and friends. Many of Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him throughout His ministry and Jesus warned those who remained that the world will turn against you because of Me and the Gospel. At one point, I wondered if I would have any friends left at all, although I’m deeply grateful for the few who have remained by my side. However, I remain committed and have prayed for God to remove those who would hinder me from doing His Will and open my heart to those who live in His light.
That’s when God introduced me to Desiree.
Before knowing Jesus Christ intimately, I shamefully must admit that I would have come up with a hundred excuses why I couldn’t be a friend to Desiree. I’ve lived most of my life blind, not physically but spiritually. I could only see people from a human perspective and not through the eyes of Christ.
Desiree relies on a wheel chair to get around. Her wheel chair would have been my excuse for never taking her out to lunch. Desiree also has a speech impairment, which would have been another excuse to limit our conversation to a simple hello. Desiree has limited muscle coordination, which would have been another excuse for me not to become close to her.
The list of excuses could have been endless due to my spiritual blindness. Yet God sees His children differently than we see each other, or even ourselves. God sees Desiree as a divine instrument to be used as a reflection of His light and love. When my eyes became spiritually opened, I saw myself from God's perspective. It became crystal clear that I was the one who was disabled in God’s eyes, not Desiree.
God has graciously placed Desiree in my life so that I could witness someone who lives their life to please God and not the world. This is a lesson we should all embrace. The Bible teaches us to be imitators of God, not man. Desiree is an imitation of God, whereas I have been an imitation of the world.
How often in the Bible do we read about God using the weak to humble the strong? Jesus himself said He came into the world not to be served, but to serve others and to give up His life as ransom for many.
“But many who seem important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”
(Mark 10:31)
May we all learn to see through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, and not live in spiritual blindness, seeing others solely with our eyes and not our hearts. When we do this, we may discover someone whom the world overlooks, but whom God uses to open our hearts and be more like Christ. Thank you Desiree for loving me despite my disabilities.
When you decide that you’re going to publicly proclaim your faith and share your story with others, be prepared that many in the world will not want to hear it, even those whom you called family and friends. Many of Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him throughout His ministry and Jesus warned those who remained that the world will turn against you because of Me and the Gospel. At one point, I wondered if I would have any friends left at all, although I’m deeply grateful for the few who have remained by my side. However, I remain committed and have prayed for God to remove those who would hinder me from doing His Will and open my heart to those who live in His light.
That’s when God introduced me to Desiree.
Before knowing Jesus Christ intimately, I shamefully must admit that I would have come up with a hundred excuses why I couldn’t be a friend to Desiree. I’ve lived most of my life blind, not physically but spiritually. I could only see people from a human perspective and not through the eyes of Christ.
Desiree relies on a wheel chair to get around. Her wheel chair would have been my excuse for never taking her out to lunch. Desiree also has a speech impairment, which would have been another excuse to limit our conversation to a simple hello. Desiree has limited muscle coordination, which would have been another excuse for me not to become close to her.
The list of excuses could have been endless due to my spiritual blindness. Yet God sees His children differently than we see each other, or even ourselves. God sees Desiree as a divine instrument to be used as a reflection of His light and love. When my eyes became spiritually opened, I saw myself from God's perspective. It became crystal clear that I was the one who was disabled in God’s eyes, not Desiree.
God has graciously placed Desiree in my life so that I could witness someone who lives their life to please God and not the world. This is a lesson we should all embrace. The Bible teaches us to be imitators of God, not man. Desiree is an imitation of God, whereas I have been an imitation of the world.
How often in the Bible do we read about God using the weak to humble the strong? Jesus himself said He came into the world not to be served, but to serve others and to give up His life as ransom for many.
“But many who seem important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”
(Mark 10:31)
May we all learn to see through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, and not live in spiritual blindness, seeing others solely with our eyes and not our hearts. When we do this, we may discover someone whom the world overlooks, but whom God uses to open our hearts and be more like Christ. Thank you Desiree for loving me despite my disabilities.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
In God We Trust
My daughter asked me the other night if the government’s health bill had passed. She’s fourteen years old and I found it interesting that even though we don’t watch the news at home, there has been so much talk at her school on this issue. I told her that it had passed and asked if she had any concerns about it.
I have to be honest about something. I, along with many others in our own government, have not read the bill. But, I was certain God was familiar with every human motive tied to its existence. I assured her that God would protect those who place Him first in their lives despite what's happening around us. It’s not to say we wouldn’t be affected, but I have placed my full trust in Him.
We live in unprecedented times and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of political and social chaos. I used to spend hours reading every newspaper and watching every news channel just to stay on top of worldly events. It’s not to say that we should live in a bubble, but I have discovered that when I focus on God, my world becomes centered upon His peace that He graciously gives even in the midst of chaos.
In the Gospel of Matthew (14:22-33), Jesus sends His disciples out in a boat while He remains behind to dismiss a crowd that has been with Him all day. Jesus then went up to the mountainside to pray by Himself. While He was gone, the wind picked up and the disciple’s boat began tossing and turning. Jesus was seen walking on the water towards the disciples and they became frightened. He immediately told them not to be afraid. Peter then asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water.
“Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus called out, “Come,” and Peter did the impossible. He walked on water. However, when Peter diverted his focus from Christ to the wind, he began to drown. Jesus immediately reached out and caught him.
Jesus said to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When we live our lives focused on Christ as the center of our existence, we will be able to do the impossible. We will get through tough economic times. We will find joy in the midst of our suffering. We will experience peace while the world is living in chaos. However, the minute we divert our focus to our circumstances just as Peter did, we will feel like we’re drowning. Jesus didn’t hesitate to save Peter from drowning, nor did He wait and walk around awhile on the water leaving the disciples terrified. When you read the Scripture, Jesus’ response is immediate. He doesn’t want us to drown in our fears. He is right at our side ready to pull us out of the chaos when we call out to Him.
No health bill, president, or government has a hold on our lives. God remains sovereign despite what we read in the newspapers. Praise God for His control over our lives because the only motive He has is to bring all of His children together to join Him in the Heavenly Kingdom. In God We Fully Trust.
I have to be honest about something. I, along with many others in our own government, have not read the bill. But, I was certain God was familiar with every human motive tied to its existence. I assured her that God would protect those who place Him first in their lives despite what's happening around us. It’s not to say we wouldn’t be affected, but I have placed my full trust in Him.
We live in unprecedented times and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of political and social chaos. I used to spend hours reading every newspaper and watching every news channel just to stay on top of worldly events. It’s not to say that we should live in a bubble, but I have discovered that when I focus on God, my world becomes centered upon His peace that He graciously gives even in the midst of chaos.
In the Gospel of Matthew (14:22-33), Jesus sends His disciples out in a boat while He remains behind to dismiss a crowd that has been with Him all day. Jesus then went up to the mountainside to pray by Himself. While He was gone, the wind picked up and the disciple’s boat began tossing and turning. Jesus was seen walking on the water towards the disciples and they became frightened. He immediately told them not to be afraid. Peter then asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water.
“Lord, if it’s you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus called out, “Come,” and Peter did the impossible. He walked on water. However, when Peter diverted his focus from Christ to the wind, he began to drown. Jesus immediately reached out and caught him.
Jesus said to Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When we live our lives focused on Christ as the center of our existence, we will be able to do the impossible. We will get through tough economic times. We will find joy in the midst of our suffering. We will experience peace while the world is living in chaos. However, the minute we divert our focus to our circumstances just as Peter did, we will feel like we’re drowning. Jesus didn’t hesitate to save Peter from drowning, nor did He wait and walk around awhile on the water leaving the disciples terrified. When you read the Scripture, Jesus’ response is immediate. He doesn’t want us to drown in our fears. He is right at our side ready to pull us out of the chaos when we call out to Him.
No health bill, president, or government has a hold on our lives. God remains sovereign despite what we read in the newspapers. Praise God for His control over our lives because the only motive He has is to bring all of His children together to join Him in the Heavenly Kingdom. In God We Fully Trust.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Letting Go
When our kids were young, my husband and I performed the ritual of teaching them how to ride a bike. This requires one to run along side, holding on to the seat while our child bravely steers the bike. We always started off on the grass so that if we fell, the landing would be softer than cement. After a while, our kids would build up the courage and yell, “let go.” Hesitantly, we did and as we watched them ride away, we also witnessed many falls. But each time, they got up and wanted to try again.
I’ve learned throughout the years, that letting go is often the first step in placing our trust in God, yet it's very difficult to do. Our nature is to hold on to everything we have, providing us a false sense of security. How many times have we held on to jobs, people, and things only to see them taken from our lives? And yet how often do the things we hold on to hinder our trust in God?
Many of us have read or at least heard about Moses, God’s appointed servant to lead His people out of Egypt and into the promise land. But what many may not know is it wasn’t Moses who actually led the people of Israel into the promise land. The man that completed this task was Joshua.
In the Old Testament, the first chapter of Joshua begins reminding the reader that Moses is dead.
“After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites.”
(Joshua 1:1-2)
I always thought God’s words were somewhat abrupt to Joshua. Moses, the great leader was dead. Can you imagine the disappointment and fear the people must have felt knowing their leader was no longer with them? However, God’s advice isn’t always about painting a flowery picture. Moses was the past and God needed Joshua for the future. It’s not to say that Moses wouldn’t be remembered, but it was time to let Moses go and realize the One leading this venture was God. This was God’s doing, and His plan always prevails despite the downfalls of man that occur along the way.
How do we know what God’s plan is for our lives? I believe 99.9% of the time we are exactly where God needs us to be. The challenge we face is letting go of the things that hinder our trust and faith in Him. However, once we let go of the world, we find ourselves holding onto Him and it’s amazing to see His plan unfold for our lives.
Are you in a job that causes you to compromise your integrity, but fear the job market is so bad, you won’t find anything else?
Are their people in your life that discourage you from doing God’s work, but you don’t want to lose the friendship?
Are you holding on to a grudge against someone in your past and you can’t let it go?
If you want to know the plans God has for you, it begins by letting go of the things that come between you and faith. When Jesus walked on this earth, He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword to cut out anything that comes between us and His love. Pray today for the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and the courage to let go of anything hindering our faith. Although we may have falls along the way, God will be at our side, holding our hand and steering us into a promising future.
I’ve learned throughout the years, that letting go is often the first step in placing our trust in God, yet it's very difficult to do. Our nature is to hold on to everything we have, providing us a false sense of security. How many times have we held on to jobs, people, and things only to see them taken from our lives? And yet how often do the things we hold on to hinder our trust in God?
Many of us have read or at least heard about Moses, God’s appointed servant to lead His people out of Egypt and into the promise land. But what many may not know is it wasn’t Moses who actually led the people of Israel into the promise land. The man that completed this task was Joshua.
In the Old Testament, the first chapter of Joshua begins reminding the reader that Moses is dead.
“After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites.”
(Joshua 1:1-2)
I always thought God’s words were somewhat abrupt to Joshua. Moses, the great leader was dead. Can you imagine the disappointment and fear the people must have felt knowing their leader was no longer with them? However, God’s advice isn’t always about painting a flowery picture. Moses was the past and God needed Joshua for the future. It’s not to say that Moses wouldn’t be remembered, but it was time to let Moses go and realize the One leading this venture was God. This was God’s doing, and His plan always prevails despite the downfalls of man that occur along the way.
How do we know what God’s plan is for our lives? I believe 99.9% of the time we are exactly where God needs us to be. The challenge we face is letting go of the things that hinder our trust and faith in Him. However, once we let go of the world, we find ourselves holding onto Him and it’s amazing to see His plan unfold for our lives.
Are you in a job that causes you to compromise your integrity, but fear the job market is so bad, you won’t find anything else?
Are their people in your life that discourage you from doing God’s work, but you don’t want to lose the friendship?
Are you holding on to a grudge against someone in your past and you can’t let it go?
If you want to know the plans God has for you, it begins by letting go of the things that come between you and faith. When Jesus walked on this earth, He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword to cut out anything that comes between us and His love. Pray today for the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and the courage to let go of anything hindering our faith. Although we may have falls along the way, God will be at our side, holding our hand and steering us into a promising future.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Standing Firm
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Those words are from Isaiah 7:9. Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament and was speaking to King Ahaz who was facing his enemy in battle. Ahaz was so fearful of the enemy that the Bible tells us “the hearts of his people were shaken as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind” (Isaiah 7:2). But the Lord sent Isaiah to King Ahaz, assuring him the enemy would not win. This wasn’t part of God’s plan for Israel.
Standing firm in one’s faith is a battle every Christian faces because faith is constantly challenged by human intellect. The world says our security lies in the things that physically surround us such as homes, bank accounts, and even family and friends. Yet like Ahaz’s situation, we learn all of these things can easily become jeopardized and when they are, where do we turn for our security?
This year will hold many changes in our lives, some good and some bad. Most of what happens may be completely out of our control. From my own personal experience, I’ve discovered God often shakes the foundation of our lives so that we learn to stand firm on the foundation of our faith.
When we face adversity, how often do we turn to friends for comfort or human intuition for solutions? What if we looked at change as the workings of our Lord in our lives? We can’t expect others to understand our actions that stem from standing firm in our faith when others rely on human intellect to rationalize all that is happening. When I think back on my own life, how crazy it must have sounded to some people when I told them about leaving my job to write a Christian book. Yet, as we grow deeper in our relationship with Christ, we become foreigners to the world and at times, may even appear crazy.
Standing firm in one’s faith reminds me of the story about Noah found in Genesis. Only one man on the earth found favor in God’s eyes by standing firm in his faith. The world was filled with corruption and Scripture tells us God grieved over His creation. (Genesis 6:6) Can you imagine God grieving over his children for their actions? Do you think God grieves over us today when our ways don’t reflect His and we don’t stand firm in our faith?
Noah never lowered himself to the actions of slander, gossip and corruption of those around him. Back then, people had never seen rain, so because of human nature, we can presume neighbors were mocking and ridiculing Noah as he stood firm in his faith and built an ark to withstand a flood that was about to wipe out the earth. Despite what the world thought about Noah, Noah only cared about what God thought of him.
Whatever we face in the upcoming months, we must remember God faces it with us. He never goes on vacation and will get us through anything we encounter when we earnestly seek His counsel. That should be motivation enough for us to want to live favorably in His eyes, and most importantly, stand firm in our faith.
Stand firm in your faith no matter what happens. God has a history of shaking our world and taking us out the norm so that He can play a larger role in our hearts. Change doesn’t have to be an obstacle, but a divine moment to be seized. May this year and every remaining year be one of facing change with a divine perspective and embracing adversity with the power of our Holy Spirit.
“Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary”
(Isaiah 8:12-13)
Those words are from Isaiah 7:9. Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament and was speaking to King Ahaz who was facing his enemy in battle. Ahaz was so fearful of the enemy that the Bible tells us “the hearts of his people were shaken as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind” (Isaiah 7:2). But the Lord sent Isaiah to King Ahaz, assuring him the enemy would not win. This wasn’t part of God’s plan for Israel.
Standing firm in one’s faith is a battle every Christian faces because faith is constantly challenged by human intellect. The world says our security lies in the things that physically surround us such as homes, bank accounts, and even family and friends. Yet like Ahaz’s situation, we learn all of these things can easily become jeopardized and when they are, where do we turn for our security?
This year will hold many changes in our lives, some good and some bad. Most of what happens may be completely out of our control. From my own personal experience, I’ve discovered God often shakes the foundation of our lives so that we learn to stand firm on the foundation of our faith.
When we face adversity, how often do we turn to friends for comfort or human intuition for solutions? What if we looked at change as the workings of our Lord in our lives? We can’t expect others to understand our actions that stem from standing firm in our faith when others rely on human intellect to rationalize all that is happening. When I think back on my own life, how crazy it must have sounded to some people when I told them about leaving my job to write a Christian book. Yet, as we grow deeper in our relationship with Christ, we become foreigners to the world and at times, may even appear crazy.
Standing firm in one’s faith reminds me of the story about Noah found in Genesis. Only one man on the earth found favor in God’s eyes by standing firm in his faith. The world was filled with corruption and Scripture tells us God grieved over His creation. (Genesis 6:6) Can you imagine God grieving over his children for their actions? Do you think God grieves over us today when our ways don’t reflect His and we don’t stand firm in our faith?
Noah never lowered himself to the actions of slander, gossip and corruption of those around him. Back then, people had never seen rain, so because of human nature, we can presume neighbors were mocking and ridiculing Noah as he stood firm in his faith and built an ark to withstand a flood that was about to wipe out the earth. Despite what the world thought about Noah, Noah only cared about what God thought of him.
Whatever we face in the upcoming months, we must remember God faces it with us. He never goes on vacation and will get us through anything we encounter when we earnestly seek His counsel. That should be motivation enough for us to want to live favorably in His eyes, and most importantly, stand firm in our faith.
Stand firm in your faith no matter what happens. God has a history of shaking our world and taking us out the norm so that He can play a larger role in our hearts. Change doesn’t have to be an obstacle, but a divine moment to be seized. May this year and every remaining year be one of facing change with a divine perspective and embracing adversity with the power of our Holy Spirit.
“Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary”
(Isaiah 8:12-13)
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