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!