Do I have enough?

Have you ever counted coins at the cash register hoping you have enough?  I have, but never to buy just one loaf of bread to feed my family for a week.  Have you ever thought you didn't have enough room in your home to host a bible study?  I have, but not for 50 people to gather for a church service risking their lives.  Have you ever thought you didn't have enough time to do things for Christ?  I have, but not because I have been motivated by lost souls dying and going to hell!

Dayv and I have lived in our "small" town house for a year now.  I sometimes feel like we live in a can of sardines!  It has often kept me from having people over for fear that they will not feel "comfortable".  We also still have our VA house which puts a strain on our budget.  We are thankfully able to pay bills each month, but that's about it...forget being able to support a missionary or have a compassion child.

Have you ever felt constrained by what you have?  Not enough time, money or space?  When you think about how the rest of the world lives, you might feel differently about how much you do have.  I love reading "Voices of the Faithful".  I read this after dreaming with Dayv of a bigger home to minister out of and more money to "do" for God.  The devotional that night was about a missionary in Africa who ministered to the poorest of the poor.  One day as church service was ending, the people reminded the missionary that they had not yet taken tithes/offering.  The missionary shared his humbleness as the people put in the equivalent of pennies, but did so with such a thankful and excited heart that they were serving God.

Mark 12:41-44 "And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned,[f]all she had to live on.'"

So let me ask you, do you have enough?

Adoption

Today a good friend celebrates her Gotcha Day with her now four year old son. Two weeks ago an old friend brought home a precious baby girl into their family. A month ago friends learned that the foster son they have only had a few months is now able to be adopted by them. This time last year, my former youth pastor and his wife welcomed a darling lil gal into their home. And in two years, a new friend will, Lord willingly, bring home a precious Haitian little girl.

Waiting 9 months for our amazing son growing in my womb cannot quite compare to the excitement we felt as we waited an excruciating 90 minutes for our little girl to come to our doorstep July 6th, 2010. Adoption and foster care is really becoming a movement in the Christian community (and rightfully so). Perhaps I just have an adoption radar now, but I love hearing so many believers welcoming strangers into their home to call their heir.

Christ did the same for us. Romans 8:15-17 says

"So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering."

Essentially Paul is referring to new life God has given us after saving us from one of sin, but the fact that God adopts us and we can call him "Abba, Father", Daddy, is one I am soooo grateful for!

Whether you are unable to have children, or your home is busting at the seems, I invite you to consider if God may be calling you to fostering or adoption. My family and I sat around chatting this weekend talking about how different my little girl is now that she is out of the lifestyle she started in. When I think about the conditions she was living in, I'm literally sick to my stomach. I cannot even imagine where she would be 12 years from now if she had stayed there. Most likely pregnant and addicted to drugs and alcohol like her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I may not be a perfect mom, but I am so thankful that the Lord chose our family to place this little girl in. I love her to the moon and back.

He'll do it again!

There's a song I've sung many times at church called "He'll Do it Again"  It talks about how God is still the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  The bridge says:

Oh He's still God and He will not fail you 

Oh He's still God and He will not change 

He's still God and He's fighting for you 

Yes, just like Moses, just like Daniel, 

And just like Shadrach and Meshach, Abednego

How awesome to remember that the same God that parted the red sea, closed the mouths of hungry lions, and protected three men from the fire is the same God that is working in my life.


I don't know about you, but I get discouraged and overwhelmed often.  Between school, church, being home with two kiddos all day, balancing the check book, trying to sell a house in VA, etc, I get worn out.  Too often that allows Satan to get a foothold into my attitude and faith.  When I remember how good God is though, it makes everything easier to handle!


I don't know what you're going through today, but just remember, "He'll Do it Again!"

Freedom

Can you hear it? Aretha Franklin belting out the word Freedom? I'm one of those people who seem to think of a song for everything, and while the rest of "Think" has nothing to do with this post, that small bridge of freedom has everything to do with it.

As Easter is approaching in just days, I've been wrestling with what the Easter story really means. I know that only through a perfect sacrifice could the payment of sin be made and it could only be in human flesh and only satisfied by the Son of God. I know that Christ's resurrection sets him apart from every other religious figure in history, but why? Why were the sacrifices in the Old Testament no longer "good enough"? Why did he have to come back from the dead? If his death and shedding of blood was all that was required, why did he have to go "via dolorosa" the way of pain/suffering?

Although many of these questions I still don't quite know the answer to, I think I have finally understood why the sacrifices were no longer sufficient. For the Israelites, following God was a list of do's and don'ts. They had no personal relationship with him. Only the High Priest could be in the presence of God and ask for forgiveness of sins. When Christ came though, he brought liberation, freedom and extended the gift of salvation to not just the Jews, but the Gentiles (everyone else). Have you ever thought about the fact, that if Christ had not come, and you are not Jewish, you would not have the hope of Salvation?

My favorite part of the story of Christ's death and resurrection is but a short line in chapters of the story, Matthew 27:51 "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. " Why is this significant? It means that the barrier between God and man was not removed. The High Priest used to wear bells on his ankles and have a rope tied to his waist as he entered the Holy of Holies because if he entered with any sin in his life, God would strike him dead (and the priests would not be able to go in to get him without desecrating the place, thus the rope). Because of Christ's death, we can BOLDLY approach the throne of grace, and KNOW God! We don't have to be perfect to go to Him, just humbled and seeking forgiveness.

My prayer is that I may walk in the Freedom of Christ's death. I am no longer under the Old law, but have a New Covenant with Christ!

Superhero

If you have ever watched a superhero movie, it always seems like it's at the very last possible moment that he saves the damsel.  I've always wondered why he couldn't change into his tights faster, why he had to save the other guy first, why the sidekick just happens to be tied up at the moment.  At the end of the day though, Lois Lane (Superman), Mary Jane (Spider-Man), and Rachel (Batman) go safely home in the arms of their superhero.  


Have you ever seen God work this way?  Let me be clear that God is never late, but it often seems like He sure waits as long as He can to save the day.  Lately I have not been in crisis like these damsels, but yet God has made it His priority to make me feel loved and appreciated lately, which totally makes my day.  


It has been through little things, a friend writing on my wall (Facebook) letting me know how much they miss our coffee dates, a former youth sharing about the impact I made on her and how God is currently working in her life, and a husband who spontaneously cleans the microwave until it shines before he leaves for work, that I have seen God's power.  I do often miss friends in VA and it's always hard to start over building friendships (though I already have many in PA); ministry can easily get frustrating when you feel like the kids just aren't listening; school, housework and motherhood can become quickly frustrating and there just aren't enough hours in the day.  None of these issues are life and death, yet over time they weigh on me.  


It's so refreshing to see God make those little efforts to put people or circumstances in my way, often when I don't even realize I need it.  I saw a saying today that I will leave you to ponder... "Find the Wonderful in your day".


Isaiah 9:6b "His name shall be called Wonderful..."

Who is He?

Have you ever been on Facebook, or (gasp) reading the newspaper, and seen a new face in Hollywood?  You know the one, the actor or actress that is all of a sudden in every big film and no one knows where he/she came from!  


In our Senior High Sunday School class, we've been talking about a man who has become one of the most controversial people in all of history, who seemed to come from no where and has rocked this world.  His name?  Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah!  


I have been in church all my life.  Even as a kid when we were on vacation my Dad would always find a church for us to attend.  I can probably count on one hand how many church services I've missed (okay, so maybe before kids I could have...germs often make it hard to ALWAYS be there).  If you were to ask me about my faith I could probably talk to you for hours about what I believe.  If you were to follow up and ask me WHY I believe it, you may just stump me!  I've always been confident in what I believe, but don't always know why.  


I've been challenged to really dig into God's Word and figure out who Jesus really was (and still is) so that I can really take my faith to an even more personable level.  


This summer I hope to do a girl's bible study called "Not your mama's faith" which really just digs into God's word and looks at what Christianity is, and why! 


Our society has so many thoughts about who He is (future blog), but who do You say He is?  Do you know who He is?  If not, will you journey with me to discover why you believe He is the true King of Kings?  

Give and Take

Blessed be Your Name  

By Matt & Beth Redman

Chorus

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Bridge

You give and take away

You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name 

This is a song we sing often at our church.  If you know me at all, you know that worship and music is in my blood.  I LOVE to sing, I LOVE to praise my Jesus, but I must admit that there have been seasons (though some seem like years) where this song did not fit the outpouring of my heart.  I would literally sit down and be silent.  I was hurting...bad!  I was so sick and tired of God taking away and I did NOT want to CHOOSE to say "Blessed be Your name".  I was downright mad that God was allowing this pain in my life.

I share this because I know we all have times when God doesn't "feel near" or we are really frustrated or confused with what is being thrown at us.  So many I know are facing huge crisis in their lives:  cancer, divorce, sick children, finances, and death of loved ones.  Can I just say that it's okay to not understand it?  It's okay to question God's intentions?  To ask why He's allowing this trial to happen in your life?  It is often in this time of questioning that if we search God's Word for answers, we find a peace that surpasses all understanding, and finally get that this world is not our home.  God allows struggles so that HE may be glorified and magnified.

The verse of this song comes from my favorite bible character (outside of Christ)...Job.  If you don't know his story, go read it!  

Job 1:21 "He [Job] said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.'" NASB

I am sure that there will still be seasons that I can't sing this song, but right now, I will belt it out in praise.  I still am struggling with things in my walk, but I know that no matter what is happening in my life, God deserves glory, for He never changes!

Lullaby

Ellie just 2 weeks after she came into our home...

We got our daughter almost 2 years ago.  When she first came into our home, she was quiet, scared, and not used to people showing her affection.  She seldom smiled, never laughed, and looked quite honestly scared to death.  One of the hardest parts about mothering a child who has been neglected, is feeling rejected when they do not want to cuddle.  Ellie did not want to be rocked, soothed or comforted.  She had spent 11 months in a car seat.  I sometimes wonder if there were days that she was not hugged, kissed or even held.  What is a mom suppose to do when her child does not desire these things?

How often are we as God's children like this?  I am often independent, too set in my own ways to acknowledge His, and often think that the plans I have for MY life are best.  I wonder if God's heart is broken when He sees that I do not want to be rocked, soothed or comforted by my Father?

Ellie recently cheesin' it up

Fast-forward two years later.  Today I was (attempting) rocking Ellie for her nap.  She did not fall asleep, but for a few moments there was a tender peace, a comfort, and ultimately joy as she would glance up at me to see if I knew she wasn't asleep, then smile and close her eyes.  Too many times I neglect to slow down long enough to hold her in my arms and rock her to sleep, yet our Father is NEVER too busy.  We only need to climb into His lap and REST!

God's Beauty for Ash

Crystal Lewis had a song that was very popular when I was younger called “Beauty for Ashes”. It was one of my favorite songs and such a beautiful picture of what God does for His children. As I’ve prayed and contemplated the beginning of this blog, I asked for the input of friends on what to name it. I want this to be a place I can share my not so pretty, pathetic attempts at faith, the joys that Christ allows me to experience, and the revelations that accompany exploring the living, breathing Word of God that they may encourage you on your journey as well.

God has been working on my heart over the past three years or so about being authentic, real, and transparent. I think for far too long our Christian culture has suppressed the reality that we make mistakes, and as a result, we have forgotten how rich God’s grace is. I never want people to think I have it all together, or that I’m “perfect”. God has blessed me in amazing ways, but I have also had my fair share of mistakes, flaws, and just plain ol’ sin in my life.

I chose the title "Beauty from Ash" because I am in a season right now of learning that God WANTS me to rest in Him, to let go of my imperfections and embrace His righteousness. I did some research on the scripture that this quote comes from. It’s from Isaiah 61:3 and says:
        

         "To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory."  NLT 

I especially LOVE how this version translates this passage. The word for “beauty” here means head-dress, ornament, or turban. The root word of pĕ'er literally means to beautify or adorn. As I thought of what head-dress beautifies or adorns, only one word came to mind…a TIARA! If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a good love story…especially fairy tales. The other side of this phrase is that of ashes. In biblical times, ashes were symbolic of mourning. Often people would literally cover themselves in ashes when they mourned or when they had sin in their life they were grieving over. What a picture of the season I’m in…that an Almighty, Holy God would clean off these ashes, and put a beautiful tiara on His little girl!

Thank you Father that you care so deeply for Your children. I pray that as my writing begins, it opens your eyes to all that God has for you when you allow Him to clean you off and adorn you with a crown on your head!