The Challenge

This November as everybody puts on Facebook what they're thankful for I was inspired (instead) by The Lord to tell my family each day why am thankful for them. 

I started a chalkboard at our house so each family member can write on it daily. It can be something deep and heartfelt one day and as simple as "thank you for making my breakfast this morning". 

Do not make this harder than it has to be. A quick note of appreciation each day will do the job even I scribbled on the back of a HEB receipt on the kitchen counter. 

In this crazy busy life we all lead I think this exercise will be a breathe of fresh air to each family who does this with us. 

Words are powerful. Let's sow some extra love, special reminders and heartfelt thankfulness into the ones we love the most this November.

 

I'm challenging you and asking you to share and challenge your friends and family. I believe our homes are our first ministry, & the smallest things such as a kind word make A BIG difference to the atmosphere in our lives, hearts & homes.

  

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

 

In all things, give thanks. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Amazing grace

Early this morning I got on the ski lifts in Angel Fire NM. I couldn't help but be reminded of a conversation I had with God exactly a year ago to the day on these same lifts.

I've told the story many times as I felt lead to. Never once did the listener walk away with dry eyes.

It was powerful.

Each time I tell it I go back to the emotions it brought up, the lesson learned and the wonder of the flawless God I serve.

I was a mess. I sort of always am a mess but in that particular season I was really really a mess. My relationship with God was dry and I was drained. Oddly enough all kinds of blessings had been coming. I can't honestly tell you what they were. However I do remember asking God why?!

Why in this season was I so blessed? I've had so many seasons where I had "been so good".

Just a short time before this valley low I was leading women's bible study at church regularly.  I was religious about not missing a tithe check. I was praying and reading the word daily. I even got asked to speak at a women's conference.

I loved every minute of it. I grew tremendously. God showed me I could do things I would have never believed I could do. It was a mountaintop season and I was on fire!

 It was amazing.

Season came and season went. (As they do) I slowly slid right down that mountain top high into a valley low.

I hated it.

I loved the high I felt on the mountain peaks. I felt alive and free. I felt like my life was making a difference. I felt qualified and deserving of blessings.

So surely you can understand My confused with the abundance of blessings coming my way now...?

It's not that nothing good happened while I was on the mountain. It did. But this was different. Just so many things so fast. I couldn't help but notice. Strange. I was a mess... I'm case I haven't made that clear.

The morning of the lesson I found myself riding a lift alone which was Unusual.
We were going to the top of the mountain which was the longest lift and it takes around 10 minutes to get to the top.. Needless to say I had plenty of time to think.

I did my usually  "beat yourself up routine" for all the things I wasn't doing that I should and the things I should be doing but I wasn't.

It was almost a daily gig at this point.
When I felt like I had punished myself enough I decided to chat with God about this situation..

So I asked The Lord why all the blessings now? Why while I'm in this state? I don't deserve them.

He responded only with-
"My love is like the snow".

Random at first I though, until I looked around again to be reminded that I could see nothing but snow. Sitting on the lift I smiled. I smiled at the shear amount of snow that was before my eyes .. Just then as if a switch was flipped it began to snow... It came down slow at first and lightly kissed my face. A tear fell from my eye as the weight of understanding became revelation. I knew God was showering me....Literally showering me, this wrenched sinner.. With his love.
The snow began to fall more fiercely.  The entire sky turned white.
It came down for a minute or so. I sat on the lift quietly in awe of this display of Love from my father. Never in my wildest dreams.. Speechless.

As  the snow slowed down and I could see again God asked me to look down at the ground and tell him what was under the snow.... I though for a second and  said "dirt and mud."

"Yes, that's right... But can you see it?" He asked.

I smiled realizing what He was telling me.

His love covers ALL!

ALL my sin.
ALL my failures.
ALL my faults.
ALL my backsliding.
ALL my stinking bad habits.
ALL. MY. MESS.

I was speechless all over again. I could feel pressure being lifted. God's love for us isn't measured off the fancy check marks we make in our head of all the church activities we lead and plan and schedule. He isn't impressed by our busyness.

It was in that moment that I totally understood & excepted God's grace.

Friend, I pray you allow this to really resonate in your soul tonight.. Stop working so hard for a love that is given so freely. Stop the rat race of your important to do list and let the God of all the universe cover your face with kisses. Rest and relax knowing His grace is sufficient for you.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-
and this is not for yourselves, it is a gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.
~Ephesians 2:8-9

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Are you Judging Jonah?

The other night I was reading the book of Jonah to the girls before bed.

I've known of this bible story all my life, but was so shocked towards the end of the book to see what a temper tantrum Jonah was throwing as God gave compassion toward the ninevites for their earnest repentance. 

In chapter 4 verse 3 Jonah even spouts off "Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." 

I think it is a common misconception to think that the prophets, disciples, apostles and other leaders written about in the bible where perfect, God following, God fearing, Christian super heros. Of coarse, we know that isn't true, but something about Jonah having this verbal outburst directly to God really grabbed my attention. 

For days I tossed this whole thing around in my mind.

Why did he run away?  Why was he so angry? 

Why in the world would a prophet of God be angry that God showed mercy on a city of people who had complete repentance?  

As I researched further in one of my bible reference guide's I found more bad news for Jonah's rep. This particular guide describes Jonah as a proud, self-centered egotist: willful, pouting, jealous, bloodthirsty & without proper respect for God. 

Um. Whoa. 

Through this whole ordeal I was judging Jonah. I couldn't believe how he was talking to God! I was wondering how I missed that the other times I had read the book? 

God quickly reminded me how all too common this behavior is.

Christians are not perfect. 

Never have been. 

NEVER WILL BE. 

Who was I to judge Jonah? 

Who are we to judge anyone at all for that matter? 

Should a Christian do their best to follow the example Christ set? Well of coarse! 

Should a Christian repent and ask God for forgiveness when they fall short of that? Yes again! 

Christians who mess up are not mearly "hypocrites".  They are people. They are human. They mess up just like every other person who still lives on this earth today. Stop being so critical of your neighbor.  Remember people all have a different cross to carry. They have hurts, baggage, and strongholds that may not look like yours. I have a sign in the front hallway of my salon that sums this up short & sweet..

                            "Don't judge someone because they sin different than you." 

   

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for your word and what it teaches us. Continue to grow us in your ways. Allow us to go to the deeper places with you Lord. Give us wisdom and discernment as we seek you more and more.  I ask father that you use this message to minister to all those who read it. Show them anywhere in their own life where they have judged too quickly. Help them to look upon the people in their lives with your eyes, mercy and grace. Let us love like you love. Let us see like you see. Let us do like you do. We love you Lord. Forgive us where we fall short. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen 

                 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. -Romans 3:23

                  Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and

             you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. -Luke 6:37

Wisdom comes in all shapes & sizes.

Today a young lady came in to the salon. 

She came in for a routine trim up between a 5 month study abroad to Spain & a 3 month stint working a summer youth camp. I've known this young lady since she was about 12. I've watched her change and grow over the years. These days when she comes in to see me it's like chatting with an old friend I've known forever. Seems like just yesterday this little girl was babysitting my little girls. 

I asked her what she learned in Spain not related to Spanish? 

She laughed & told me no one had asked her that question. She thought about it for a moment more and said..

"We'll, I learned a lot! I learned what an authentic walk with Jesus looks like."

"I also learned that Christians can be like manure. When all together it can be a big pile that stinks, but when spread out over an area it becomes fertilizer & makes things grow." 

I have to admit I wasn't exactly sure I could follow this life lesson until she continued her story with the details of her atheist professor and a new friend who was a practicing Hindu. 

She was exposed to the world while in Spain. 

The real big world.

She talked about how in her "normal" college life she spent most of her time with like minded Christians. They did the same types of things planning events, going to church, bible study and dinners etc. 

In Spain she was separated from her "pile". For the first time it all really made sense. 

This young lady is only 20 years old. 

She is wise. 

She is strong.

She is a leader. 

We can all learn from this lesson. Examine your life for a moment , Christian.. 

Are you just a big stinking pile (of religion) or are you fertilizing the area God gave you and delighting in watching things grow? 

1 Timothy 4:12- Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believer in speech, in life, in love, in faith & in purity. 

You know who you are and know you SHINE BRIGHT and I am PROUD of you beautiful one.