Read All About It!
God is in the news. Sometimes we may not see Him...or the story. Maybe it was just a neighbor up the street who did something amazing for the local school. Maybe it was an outreach group who fixed an elderly man's fence. Whatever it may be, we know God is working all around us!
This week, we're going to share with you a cool story or two of where we see God working in our communities. Let us know where you have seen an example of God working in your local news recently!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
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Even In Australia
My
oldest son is half-way through an incredible 20 day trip to Australia. Though I
miss him terribly I am confident he is having the life-changing experience God designed for him.
I
say I’m confident because even in this day of Skype, instant messages, picture
texts and Facebook, he has no intention of contacting us until he arrives home.
I
think the reason is partly because A) he’s male, 2) he’s not a verbally-communicative
personality, and IV) this trip wasn’t his idea and he is subconsciously punishing
me for making him go (Okay, maybe not so much A).
Alright,
yes, I pretty much MADE him go on this trip. But in my defense, how could I
not? It’s a dream-of-a-lifetime trip (I read the itinerary).
It’s safe, well-planned and executed (again, I read up). God brought
this to us, so HELLO, right? I figured
the more he knew about it the more excited he would get.
Apparently
I. Was. Wrong.
And
God is LAUGHING at me.
You
see, He knows where my son’s "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad" attitude
comes from.
God has some pretty amazing roads mapped out for me. Unfortunately, they aren’t
ones I want to travel. Or, I do want to travel them, but not on His
schedule.
What
do I do? I stomp my little foot and tell Him I’m not going. I pout (real grown up, huh). Eventually I surrender
and remind myself that He has NEVER let me down, and that His roads are ALWAYS
FAR better, beyond ANYTHING I can ask or think.
I
know all of this, but I’m still learning it, too.
I
choose to pray and believe that my son is learning it too.
Even
in Australia.
Thursday, July 03, 2014
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One Way
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
When I was fifteen, a friend and I were selected to be the two students from our high school to study under an artist in Washington,DC. I love art, still do. But what blows my mind away to this day is that my teacher nominated me AND that my protective parents let me miss a day of school a week, join a group of twelve ragamuffin teens and go into the city. What?! This was no field trip. No bus took us downtown. It was my responsibility to navigate the metro bus and metro rail system on my own to get to my class and back home again. It is an experience I will always remember.
However, there is one detail over those weeks that still sits in my mind today and I think of it often. My friend's artwork was selected by our artist "rabbi" to be presented at the Corcoran Gallery of Art with other works of art created by students. She ended up winning and receiving a scholarship for her entry.
Her artwork? A One Way sign going in all different directions. Arrows pointed this way and that but the words stared back at you "ONE WAY". I thought it was brilliant irregardless of the chaos and confusion it communicated. The image is burned into my memory.
I am utterly thankful Jesus didn't say, "Follow me to the way" or "I know which way you should go". He said "I am the Way". God the Father loves us so much that He chose to make getting to Him simple. He doesn't want us confused in the chaos of the screaming voices and opinions in life. He chose to make it clear, plain. The only way to the Father is through Jesus.
God is Love. He would never make it so difficult to find Him. Follow Jesus. Period. Not one of us will get lost with that navigational direction.
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
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Traveling Long Roads
Traveling. We need directions. We need to plan and prepare. Sometimes we get lost. We need a map! Or to get with the times -- GPS! Have you ever taken a wrong turn in life? (Ummmmm...I sure have!) How did you get back on track with God's purpose for your life? What lessons if any did you learn? We gals at Daily Fast Fuel will be putting our best together to serve you this week. Join us!
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
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Outta Here -- GONE FISHING!
"Is there any place I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!" Psalm 139 MSG
It seems crazy to think we could go on vacation and leave God behind, that He wouldn't be right there with us. But that is the case with many of us when we leave for our long anticipated break from the "real world". Or maybe it's just been me?
Routine is simplest when we are in our day to day. It is when we stop the cycle of the mundane when we see where we lay our bibles and pick them up again. Or maybe it's just me?
For my family's vacations we like to go camping in the cool of the mountains or visit my parents at the beach. We enjoy nature through and through but to steal a moment of quiet time with The Lord can be a challenge, especially if your children are young.
For me, I have found great pleasure in having scripture laid out ahead of time which may relate to our location and possible weather. Can you imagine meeting our Creator God outdoors while reciting the very verses which were used to encourage those who would hear the Word?
God is IN all He created.
I challenge you to find some key verses about trees or water or the very earth you walk on and take them with you on vacation. Even if you plan to stay home, meet God in your yard and praise Him with glorious verses of Scripture.
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world." Psalm 19 NIV
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!" Psalm 139 MSG
It seems crazy to think we could go on vacation and leave God behind, that He wouldn't be right there with us. But that is the case with many of us when we leave for our long anticipated break from the "real world". Or maybe it's just been me?
Routine is simplest when we are in our day to day. It is when we stop the cycle of the mundane when we see where we lay our bibles and pick them up again. Or maybe it's just me?
For my family's vacations we like to go camping in the cool of the mountains or visit my parents at the beach. We enjoy nature through and through but to steal a moment of quiet time with The Lord can be a challenge, especially if your children are young.
For me, I have found great pleasure in having scripture laid out ahead of time which may relate to our location and possible weather. Can you imagine meeting our Creator God outdoors while reciting the very verses which were used to encourage those who would hear the Word?
God is IN all He created.
I challenge you to find some key verses about trees or water or the very earth you walk on and take them with you on vacation. Even if you plan to stay home, meet God in your yard and praise Him with glorious verses of Scripture.
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world." Psalm 19 NIV
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
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It's Vacation Time
We continue
our word association with the month of June. This week: Vacation
Our gals
will reflect on the time our families need to get away. She’ll tell you how she escapes from the hustle and bustle
of life -- whether she travels to the beach, the mountains or her back yard.
Join us every day and discover how to go on vacation without leaving God
behind. You’ll hear stories of her favorite place and ways to connect to our
Creator. We’d love for you to join in and tell us about your favorite ways too!
Sit back, relax, enjoy. It’s vacation
time!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
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To the Best Dad Ever
Hi Papa, just this morning I was remembering all those times I choose to pierce your heart. Those times you knew were coming and yet still loved me. It amazes me to think that in your knowing, you prepared ahead of time. You prepared my reconciliation to you, my redemption story. Reclaimed me.
I can look back and see how you meticulously laid out points along my path that would bring healing and wholeness. I can look back on those times when I was heading to my complete demise, all by my own choosing, and you shut down everything around me. You cut me off from my perceived momentary destination so I could keep on track to my eternal destiny. You save me from me.
I can also look back on those times you left me to suffer the natural consequences of my actions, because I wanted what was mine. I messed up. I thought you would never love me again. So I lived as a slave in a far off land. I never knew you spent your days looking over the horizon, waiting for the day you would see me coming while I was still a far way off. (Luke 15:11-32)
I look back on that day you ran to me, clothed me with new purpose. I'm amazed at your wisdom, your patience, your persistence.
Father, "You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I’d even lived one day." (Psalm 139:13-16))
You call me the apple of your eye. And you love my brothers and sisters the same. I am the luckiest girl alive. I love you.
Happy Father's Day Daddy God.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
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Today Tells Yesterday
Today tells yesterday to hold on, press forward, don’t ever
give up.
Today tells yesterday you cannot do this journey alone. You
need Light to see and when you find yourself lost, needing to find your way to
your destination, God will guide you.
Today tells yesterday there is an enemy who wants you alone so
when you fall there is no one to lift you. This is a tactic to lose trust in
the Unseen, to plot your own course. Today tells yesterday to find a core group
of women to trust because a strand of three isn't easily snapped. They will strengthen you and you will strengthen them.
Today tells yesterday take care of
yourself. Your body is a temple. Treat it as such. Today tells yesterday mental health is just
as important as physical and spiritual health. The Great Physician will provide
your needs to achieve it. Trust those He puts in your path.
Today tells yesterday to forgive quickly and often. You have an Advocate. He will count every
hurt that comes your way. He will build your character, teach you lessons and
redeem the pain. He will honor your resolve to forgive. He will bring you peace
and issue justice on your behalf.
Today tells yesterday you will experience hard times, some
will be difficult losses. Lean in and learn from the Comforter. He will comfort
you through hands of many then you too will know how to do the same.
Today tells yesterday to go to bed thankful, dream. Today
tells yesterday those dreams are the Creator’s desire for you. Pursue them.
Today tells yesterday life is not a race to finish first,
but a race to be finished with honor. This race requires stamina, perseverance,
strength of friends, support of loved ones, rest, Bread of Life for hunger and
Living Water for thirst. Reach the finish line and you will receive a crown of righteousness.
Today tells yesterday face every day with anticipation. It is the greatest race you will ever run.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
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She Will Wear White
Pornography, deception, gambling, addiction, theft, murder. Sounds like words used to describe the latest crime novel. Unfortunately, these same words could be used
to describe any number of raging church scandals across the globe.
As you read
the headlines and your heart pours out in tears, you may be tempted to storm
Heaven’s gates and demand an answer to "when will it stop!" And you
would be well within reason. Been there.
But there
was a moment when Spirit spoke to spirit and I heard “The Bride of Christ will
not be defiled”. I stopped to reflect on those words and weighed them against
words of Scripture.
“…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
In our free will, we are given the freedom to cause harm to
ourselves and as a result we hurt others because the fact of the matter is we are
not alone. What we do in the privacy of our homes, does have a ripple effect
on all those in our lives. And when those of us who practice in darkness are
members of the Church body, especially in positions of authority, God will not tolerate
it.
The Father loves His Son. His Son paid a high ransom for His
Bride and She will not be defiled in any manner by anyone. If there is anyone who has attached himself
or herself to His Bride who needs the cleansing, healing balm of light…they
will be exposed. Thankfully, Father God loves us too. He will not bring shame
onto the repentant. He is the Surgeon who removes and the Healer who brings
wholeness.
It is only those who refuse to see and are blind because of darkness
that God chooses to expose in the most shocking of circumstances.
The next time there is a report of abuse within the Church, I
will give thanks. I will give thanks that I turn to Him quickly when He
reveals my sin to me. And I will give thanks that God will not tolerate any harm that threatens His Bride.
“…Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water throughthe word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church,without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Eph 5:25-27
Thursday, June 05, 2014
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If Only...
If only I had a new car.
Or a new job, new house, new boss, new clothes, new school.
If only…
It is our human nature to want more, the new, the
improved, the better-than-I-have-it-now. We were created that way. Perhaps
Augustine said it best, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts
are restless until they rest in you.”
When we pursue earthly things, we remain thirsty. Day
after day, we maintain the same pace getting the same results while only hoping
for an end to the mundane.
What if we were told we didn't have to work so hard
at achieving status in things but instead were given Someone we could draw from
every single waking moment of our lives?
Do you remember the account of the Samaritan woman
who came to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the judgmental glances of
others?
“Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” (John 4:15)
Jesus could have had mercy
on her and made her life easier by showing His servant’s heart and dug a well
near her home. But He didn't because He knows this world is temporary. We need
to tap into Him in our everyday so the well of eternity springs up in our souls
and overflows into our daily lives and we can be who He calls us to be.
Perhaps God has you waiting
and you find yourself tired and useless and wondering how
can something old or familiar become new with purpose? Hear my heart my friend, the same power that raised
Jesus from the dead is the same power that can bring LIFE into your everyday. He
knows you thirst and He has plans to prosper you.
No matter if you’re planning to travel the world to
be a missionary or you go to work to pay the bills or are knee deep in dirty
dishes and laundry, draw from Him. His well is deep. He is the
better-than-I-have-it-now. He is the A-Z of every single breath of every single
day.
Cast off the “if only” and put on a garment of
praise. Hold your head up high and hear Him exclaim over you, “Behold, I make all things new”
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
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What's New!
This week we'll share what the Lord has taught us about stepping into the new. New homes, new jobs, new roles, new states, new journeys. Perhaps you need a little encouragement for something new you've stepped into and would love to read how God might meet or lead you along the way?
Join us every day this week. I know I'll be here soaking up every blessing poured out in words penned by my sisters at Daily Fast Fuel!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
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I Heard a Bird Say Shalom
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…” (John 14:27)
For me personally, peace is a matter of trust. If I do not
feel peace, I know I am not trusting God. As a matter of fact, I will be so
bold as to say I am calling Him a liar.
Do not worry says Papa God.
But, but, but, but...?
We’re human, so anxious feelings bubble to the surface
and we begin to take note and make lists. Here’s a sampling of mine recently:
- “Will the new-to-us van be reliable?”
- "Will the school nurse call again?"
- "Will my husband ever be able to quit smoking?"
- "What if I lose my part time job?"
Hear me out. There is a difference between fear which causes
anxiety and concern which causes action. God's truth is not a reason to live carelessly. I should never worry about what or when God will provide because Scripture says birds “neither sow nor reap”. But you have never seen
a bird sit idly by and decide Papa God would do the nest building. God provides
resources and we must do the work when able.
What I’m talking about is when bad news looms and we have actual cause for
concern. Some time ago our daughter was tested
for Cystic Fibrosis and the days we had to wait for an answer could have been
very painful. However, I chose to lean in on the God who formed her in my womb and
knows her appointed time on this temporary home called Earth. I had to make a decision to trust God, that He
would place every resource available in our path to keep our daughter well.
It was only then that the peace which transcends all understanding, made our wait bearable. Thankfully, our little girl’s story is
continuing to unfold without a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.
I know not all stories have great news, but all have a great
God. Somehow in His mysterious perfection, He is always able to take a cross
and ultimately change lives.
May the Peace of Christ be with you my friend.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
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Joy after Mourning
Look up the word joy in a bible concordance and you
literally will find hundreds of references. What I find the most fascinating is
that in most cases, Joy, comes after a time of deep trial or waiting on the
Lord.
I have a friend who, for whatever reason, God answered her
pleas for her own child with a “no”. My sweet friend (I’ll call her Sharna) and
her husband began the long and difficult road to adoption. If you've ever been close to a person who is
going through the draining process of paperwork, interviews, lawyers,
searching, waiting...etc, etc, etc…then you can imagine what this couple was
going through.
A little over a year ago Sharna and her husband received
news of a potential match. As time went
on they were elated to have been chosen and began the preparations to welcome
their precious new baby girl. Plans were
made, the nursery set, blessing after blessing was poured out during the baby shower.
Everything was coming into place.
Then the very thing most feared by all adoptive couples,
happened. One week before this precious
gift of life was due to arrive, the birth mother rescinded. It was a devastating
blow to my friend and her husband, and to all of us. To make matters worse, well intentioned
individuals would say “It’s ok. God has a plan. There
will be another baby.”
I cannot even explain to you how crushing those words are to
hear when your arms ache to hold a child. In a quiet stolen moment, I told Sharna I
loved her and would mourn her loss with her. I told her to give herself
permission to grieve and to give her anger to God. He is wise enough to know
how to make something beautiful out of our broken pieces.
This past Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I had the privilege to
watch my friend Sharna and her husband hold their six week old baby boy during
a baby dedication at our church. I couldn't have been happier. I was filled with unspeakable Joy!
It is good to share our troubles with those we trust because
when we allow others to walk with us during our most difficult trials, we get
to share in the joy after and God is rightfully glorified!
My dear, you may be going through a hard time right now.
Tell a trusted friend. Walk together. Grieve
together. But also give thanks to God today because, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy
comes with the morning." (Pslam 30:5)
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
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Tired and Cranky?
I am exhausted. Maybe
you are too? When we reach this level of fatigue we can get cranky and it’s not
only our body that feels the stress but our families can taste the bitterness
in the air. We can be downright sour.
The important thing for me to remember is, (even though I may
have had every reason to be annoyed by whomever is doing the disrespecting), I need to get a handle on it. Can you imagine if God snapped at us? “I’m too
tired to deal with you today. I really have had it with your lack of appreciation for all I have done.”
Yikes.
That whole forgive-me-as-I-forgive-others come to mind!
When I find myself drowning in perceived or very real
stressors I can begin to feel hopeless, so I force myself to take a break and worship God. I use a list Stormie
Omartian put together in her book The Prayer That Changes Everything. Let me share it with you.
I have hope because…
- He is my Creator
- He is my Heavenly Father
- He loves me
- He laid down His life for me
- He has forgiven me
- He has given me His Holy Spirit
- He gave me His Word
- He is a good God
- He is Holy
- He is all powerful
- He is with me
- He has a purpose for my life
- He redeems all things
- He is the Light of the world
- He is.
Because He is. He is here with me. He is there with you. He is everything I have ever needed, or will need. He is strong. He is patient. He is understanding. He is just. He is merciful. He is compassionate. He is wise. He is yours. He is mine. The list goes on and on. Praise Him because He is. Period.
There is no better medicine for a tired bitter heart than to
recognize the One who sees it and understands why.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
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Help Overcoming Perils Eventually
You’re stuck. The walls of safety caved in. Your spouse has cancer; your
teenage is cutting; your boss just laid you off. Your mind tells you to get out
of bed; your heart can’t beat just yet. Friends say, “Remember, there’s always
hope.” Really? Why can’t I feel it? You ask aimlessly.
This week the gals at dailyfastfuel will reflect on what life in Christ
has taught us about Hope. Why do we
need it? How have we seen it work in our lives? Where does it come from?
It’s not a feeling (happiness); it’s not a given (forced); but it is a
Person, “For You are my Hope, O Lord God . . . By You I have been upheld from
my birth.” (Psalm 72: 5&6)
Saturday, May 03, 2014
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Choosing Go(l)d
“If
this . . . then that.” Consequences based on choice. No matter what comes our
way—the hardships, the abuse, the things out of our control; even disease and
natural disasters—we have a decision to make. Sometimes all we can decide about
even the most heinous crime committed is how we handle it: what our attitude
ends up being.
I
went through a gamut of emotions when I found out my daughter had a terminal
illness. I’ve raised my fist at God a few times concerning the addictions of
not just one son; but each of my three faces a similar “enemy” in the path of
their life’s journey. And they each choose how they will handle the seemingly
destructive behaviors that work to disarm them. My prayer is that their choices
will bring healing and hope.
I
started in Job chapter 22 when penning this, but then a mark over 23:10 caught
my attention. I had written my daughter’s name to the side indicating the
choice I made when CaSondra slipped from this life into eternity. “But He knows
the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
We
are told in Job 22:24, “Assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to
the rocks in the ravines, THEN the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest
silver for you.”
Take
the “L” out of gold and you get God. Choose to meditate on God’s word and you
find out: “The ordinances of the LORD are . . . more precious than gold.”
(Psalm 19:10)
Thursday, May 01, 2014
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More Precious Than Gold
I’ve had four
funerals in the past couple of months, not all of which I could attend but
mourned and reflected nonetheless. Three of them where significant “firsts” in my family’s
close knit community. The forth was a stillbirth.
Grief hits hard but death is a part of life.
Funerals
always get us talking. We hear encouraging words from friends, stories from
families and comfort from pastors. We start thinking about our own
mortality. Many grab a hold of what time
they have and “live” again. Many begin to ask about streets of gold and wonder
if the reality is for them. Is there a Heaven? Will they enter it? And if so, is it really a golden city? Why?
Gold.
It is a
common description for intangible worth in Scripture. Ancient people knew in an instant that gold
was only for a select few. It was not meant for every day folk. So to hear they could be heirs to a throne and their faith
was far greater than what was only attainable to kings, was of great
encouragement!
This got me
thinking about many today. Many who do not know Christ and have become trapped by their sin may not
understand when I tell them they are worth more than gold. Sometimes in our failures and subsequent
sadness we forget what our Jesus did for us. Sometimes we think we are too far
gone and can never enter the Kingdom of God. Why would God want to rescue us and redeem our stories? But Scripture has the power to cut
through that lie. This is what one psalmist wrote,
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:16-19)
I needed this reminder today. Perhaps you did
too. You were made worthy by the blood of Jesus Christ because He delights in
you.
You are worthy to walk into the City of Gold. Turn
to Him today. And if for some divine reason you fell upon this blog and have
forgotten your worth…turn back to Him.
He has never left you.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
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