Today

Today.
My one shot.
To be more like Christ.
At my job.
In my home.
In my life.
I should view every day like this.
But I don't.
I worry too much about tomorrow.
And the next week.
And the next month.
And the next year.
I only am guaranteed today.
And I should make the most of it.

Cast Your Cares on the Lord

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the preparations for this conference at the end of the month. I'm trying hard to take things one day at a time, but it is so hard to only worry about today and not tomorrow. Whenver I'm feeling like this, I am reminded of Matthew 6:34 that says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own". the verse preceding it asks " Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" This is true. I've probably lost more hours wringing my hands asking myself what to do next than I would if I "cast my cares on the Lord, who cares for me." 
Do you have a problem with worry?
What areas in your life could you " cast" on the Lord?

Sometimes I Need a Little Clarity

I am the tag sale queen. Every Saturday my family and I hop from town to town looking for the next best sale. My pet peeve, though is when the tag sale signs aren't clear enough to know where it is. Sometimes the sign contains too much information that I miss it as I strain to read it. or, it simply gives an address and I'm not familiar with the area. Sometimes I wish the sign would just say "tag sale today" with a big arrow. Sometimes less information is more to get the main idea.
It's the same in the Christian life. Sometimes I wish God would just make a sign with a huge arrow to tell me where I am going. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Sometimes I get too many conflicting opinions that I miss the main point. Sometimes I'm unfamiliar with the direction God is taking me and I don't feel he is speaking clearly. I think sometimes I need to go my own way, and block out the drone of others' opinions in my ear. Sometimes I need to go to his word or pray for more information. But, a little clarity is sometimes all I need to finish the race marked out for me.

Extend Grace

I had a discussion with a friend this morning about some miscommunications we had over the past few weeks. When I first heard that their was an issue, I was upset that this person decided to talk about me to other people as opposed to coming to me directly and working out the issue. I could have ranted and raved about the hurtful treatment I received from this person. I could have pointed out all of the things this person had done. As I prayed about how to handle the situation, I felt God saying to "extend grace." During this morning's discussion, I was able to share a bit of the gospel and my conviction that if I claimed to be a Christian, I had to be gracious.  I couldn't be anything but gracious. I think my light shined more brightly and I ushered in the kingdom of God more quickly today because I made the choice to extend grace.

Ten Years

Today is my ten year wedding anniversary.  The time has truly flown by.
My husband and I have done so much together in our ten years: pastored 3 churches, one of which was started from scratch, traveled cross country twice, lived in a foreign country,had 2 children and completed bachelors and masters degrees. It has been a whirlwind.
And I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank You

As I prepare for the conference in July, my heart is filled with awe and excitement at all god has done with me and through me inthis past year. Just to say I have something to work on and edit even though I have only been writing since November is an accomplishemtn. I'm sure many writers stare at blank cursors on blank computer screens with equally blank faces wondering what to write. I do not take this accomplishment lightly.
I hope I have made the right choices in my publisher appointments, but even if I have not, I am going to put my best foot forward in presenting them with a well polished manuscript.
I also want to thank all of the support I have received over this past year in my writing. Everytime I think a door is closing in this area, God presents me with somoene who reopens it. from little nots of encouragement, to gifts and discounts, I appreciate it so much. It has made a potentially expensive calling much more affordable! Thank you al ,and I hope you will all continue with me on this journey, no matter down which path it leads.

Check your Celebellum at the Door

I've been listening to the song " O'm Not ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie chicks lately ( I know, I'm just as surprised as you are by my new country music fascination). Now, i don't know much about the background behind what the Dixie Chicks said against the president, but I do remember the backlash from it. I remember people's mistreatment of them because they expressed their opinion about the president's actions. But, I was quite surprised at some of the lyrics in the bridge:
" And its a sad,sad story
That a mother would teach her daughter
To hate a perfect stranger
And how can it be that the words that I said
Would send someone right over the edge
That He'd write me a letter
Saying I'd better Shut Up and sing
Or my life will be over."
As a pastor's wife, I've heard a lot of secrets, all of which I've kept over the years.
I know how I'd feel if someone aired my dirty laundry all over creation,
and I know those who have confided in me with theirs, want me to respect their privacy.
Because I disagree about something that I see or hear,
does not give me the right to criticize him or her about it.
I always have the choice to respond with words seasoned with grace, or tabasco sauce.
I always want the grace.
I should be willing to give what I want to get.

Raccoons Don't stink

My daughter told her teacher this is what she wants to be when she grows up...
"When I grow up, I want to be a butterfly. She actually tickles your finger when she lands on you. She flies away to her family- She has a mother, a daddy, a sister and a brother. Her brother's name is Willy, her daughter's name can be silly, her mother's name can be Silly, too.
Or, maybe I can be a raccoon because they don't stink."
Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Was it as whimsical as my daughter's, or was it a real aspiration?
Are you doing it now?
Why not?
Was there someone who crushed your dream?
Did they tell you it wasn't a real dream, or you wouldn't be cut out for it?
Do you have dreams that you are not realizing today?
What is stopping you from realizing them?

In the Blink of an Eye

Did you ever stop to think what can happen when you blink your eye?
I've never thought that much about it.
I'm sure not much happens in that millisecond of time.
But, overtime, those milliseconds add up.
Milliseconds to seconds, seconds, to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, months, years.
It's amazing what can happen in the blink of an eye.
I swear my son and daughter were crawling around the floor in their sagging diapers, went through the exhausting process of potty training, starting a new church and saying goodbye to our old one a minute ago.
Now my son graduates preschool today, and my husband finished grad school this month.
Where did the time go?
I don't know what happened.
I must have happened in the blink of an eye.

Live by Example

 I came across this verse the other day, and was by the example of these two women that led a whole church into righteous living: 2 Timothy 1:5. "I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." It amazes me that Paul would even choose to write about these two women, so that tells me that their example must have been an astounding one. It is so beautiful to hear of these women being pillars of the faith and carrying on the legacy of the gospel through their lives.
Will you be remembered by the example you set forth in the world? Will you be known as a pillar of the gospel?

Choose Life 2

Give life to the people in your life through intergenerational mentorship. Paul refers to the gift of investing in those around us more than any other biblical leader.  In fact, 2 Timothy 4:13 talks about the importance of passing things onto the next generation. "When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments." What I love about this verse is that Paul himself values teaching and leaning. He values the books, which shows me that he is not above learning something new. Here he is saying I need to learn, too. He brings Timothy with him, sort of his right-hand man to disciple. He allows him to do it through hands- on training. He goes with him, learns what Paul does, and then is sent out to do it himself. But, he also places an emphasis on “ the parchments”. Parchments in those days were made of a certain material so that it would last, and not be lost. So, whatever he is learning, he is writing down. Why? So, that generations after him can benefit from what he has learned. It’s that give and take relationship that benefits the body of Christ.  

Choose Life

Choose life in the midst of death- John 5: 19-23: " On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸Bethany was less than two miles^[a]from Jerusalem, ¹⁹and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
 ²¹"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²²But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
 ²³Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
 ²⁴Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
 ²⁵Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" ²⁷"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,^[b]the Son of God, who was to come into the world."A different verse used on the concept of hope than you are probably used to hearing. But, to me, it is one of the best.  Here is the hope, don’t blink or you’ll miss out. It is in 2 words in verse 22. The words are EVEN NOW. Even when I don’t understand what’s going on. Even when the situation isn’t getting any better. Even when I did everything you asked, and you were my friend and you didn’t do what I asked of you or expected of you. EVEN NOW I know who you are. Not only do I know who you are, I believe it. I’m not afraid to declare it. There is so much going on in the world today, it easy to believe God is not there. That he is silent and has forgotten you or the world. But, he has forgotten us now as much as he had forgotten his friend Lazarus that day. He chose to wait and to do what was expected so that His Father’s glory could be more closely revealed. How does the fathers’ glory become revealed? Through us. Choose life in the midst of death. 

Prayer Request

I am feverishly preparing for my conference in July, where I have the opportunity to meet with 2 publishers in the Christian book industry to submit my book proposal for Becoming the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. I am asking that you join me in prayer as I search through websites to find the best 2 publishers to examine my work. I have a wonderful friend who has been willing to edit the three chapters I am going to be submitting and we are working together to reword, rewrite and repackage the message.
Choosing a publisher is no easy task, as I'm looking for someone with which I can open the lines of communication with, not just at the conference, but in all future endeavors. I am hoping that my time down there will be fruitful, not just for publishing but also improving my skills in a writing and speaking ministry to which I feel a calling.  I ask that you pray for me in that as well.
Happy Friday, Everyone!

Faith is Stupid

Faith is stupid.
It defies all logic.
It calls you to abandon everything you have ever known or ever known.
There's a lot I don't know or understand about God.
Like what God allows one of His followers to be swallowed by a whale, only to be regurgitated a few days later?
Or who gives His life for those who don't know who he is in the first place?
Faith calls us to bet it all on a God who we've never seen and cannot prove.
It's stupid.
But worth it.

The gunshots

I was 7 years old when I heard the sound of the gunshot for the first time.
the shots jarred me and forced me to cover my ears.
My grandfather's tribute was wonderful
But little did I know what the gunshots were for.
I know enough now, but I still don't really know the significance.
Only a veteran really knows.

Happy Memorial Day Everyone.