This is Who I Am

I have a dear friend who is a clown, seriously he is a clown! He went to clown college and graduated! What a proud day that was :)   No really. I'm serious. It was hard work but my friend was up for the task. He loves to make others smile. Every Monday my friend goes to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham to help give the kids and families something to smile about. What does he get in return?  Smiles. I'm very proud to call this clown, my friend.


We were both teaching at a Shocco conference one weekend and a conversation started up about facebook. He told me I needed to lighten up; all my posts were too churchy. To be honest I was offended by the comment but I laughed it off because I knew he did not mean to offend.  That was a couple of years ago and I can still  hear him say those words in my head.  I thought to myself, maybe he is right, I am to churchy and I need to lighten up. So I asked, "God is that true? Do I need to lighten up? Are my posts too churchy?" 


When we talk to God, He listens and He answers.                             He doesn't always answer immediately - but when I finally was quiet enough to hear His answer it was: "Just be you!"


God created me as a very passionate person. Through the years many of the "passions" in my life have come and gone. But once I truly began to understand God's grace and His unconditional love for me, HE became my passion. The passion I have for Him will not come and go, but it will be with me for eternity!  


Back to my "clown" friend's comment, I believe all of the "social media" sites are a reflection of who we really are. You may or may not agree - but I believe our posts do say something about who we are, what we like and what grabs our attention. In many ways it reveals what we worship.


That leads me to my devotion from yesterday and my scripture reading from today... yep, here I go again - getting all "churchy" on you :) 

My devotion yesterday was about image verses character... and today I read this passage. (I like to read in several different translations)

Then he said to them, "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God. Luke 16:15                     (New Living Translation)

So Jesus spoke to them: "You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what's behind the appearance. What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. Luke 16:15 (The Message)

Jesus said to them, "You try to make yourselves look good in the eyes of other people. But God knows your hearts. What is worth a great deal among people is hated by God. Luke 16:15 (The New International Readers Version)

Two different days, two different readings - yet they brought me to the same place...

Image is "appearing righteous in public". 

Character is what God sees in your heart.

If we know this, then why do we go around justifying our actions and trying to impress other people? Our "social media" sites reflect the image we are presenting, but what about our character? Which one are we, the person we display on our social media pages, or the person who sits in church on Sunday? Are they one in the same? Does your image reflect your heart? Are we using our facebook and twitter to enlarge our Self-Image, or to enlarge Jesus Christ?

So, as for my friend (whom I dearly love & who is a very passionate children's pastor), I won't apologize for what you see on my facebook and twitter pages, they are a reflection of who I am and what I'm passionate about; my husband, my kids and my God.

So, some may think my posts are "churchy", and I guess that's OK. But as for me, my post are something more - they are a reflection  who I am... A child of God! He is the One I worship and my  relationship with Him is my passion! 

"It Will Never Happen Me" ?

Cup of coffee in hand, sitting down to "check on the world", and I see the Addison Road status update: 

"Don't stop living just because evil exist in this world. Don't let evil win.                                           Praying for the people of Aurora, CO."  

My heart sank. I turned on the TV to see that 12 died and 50 were wounded in a mass shooting at a "Batman" midnight premiere. The motherly emotions stirred up in me and I had the need to do something... how can I help? My kids have gone to midnight premieres many times, what if it had been one of them?  I prayed for the families and those who lived through the traumatic evening. This won't be a night they soon forget. 


I turned off the TV and picked up my Bible and devotion and began my quite time for today... here is the verse I read: " Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour."               1 Peter 5:8  


Part of the last paragraph said, "Just as we have to be aware that there are people who want to use the Internet to hurt others, the devil wants to use things that God meant for good to destroy us. WE SEE HIM IN THE NEWS WHEN A VIOLENT CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED (caps mine), but do we see him around us? Do we see him in the gossip you are spreading? Do you see him when you lie..."                                                                               (Audacious: 31 Verses Every Teenager Should Know)


Well, it's not a coincidence that is what I read today - it's a nudge to do something, but what? 


I agree with the Addison Road update... we can't stop living because there is evil in the world.  God created all things and He wants us to enjoy life, to have fun, to laugh and enjoy each other. 


I can't imagine what it would feel like to be a parent who took my child/teen to that midnight premiere last night - then to get a phone call with the news of the shooting! I pray those parents have had some really important conversations with their child/teen about eternity. Last night, 12 people began there eternity... I pray they all were followers of Christ, unfortunately statistics would not agree.


Still, what can I do?  I can boldly live out my calling to lead children/teens and parents to be prepared.  We can't live with a "It will never happen to me" mentality.  Not one person went to that theater last night thinking "this is my last night to live"! Not one parent thought as their child walked out the door, I'll never see them alive again.  What a morbid thought - of course we don't think those things! BUT that doesn't mean we shouldn't be prepared for that moment.  I've been the mom on the other side of that phone call. Fortunately God spared my children, but had He taken them - I have no doubt that right now they would be in the arms of their Father.  What about you? Do you know that you know that you know the same about your child's life? Your own life?  I don't even want to think about the number of parents and teens who've told me that they don't talk about spiritual things with each other because it's uncomfortable or awkward.  Really?  Come on people!!!  This is your child's eternity!!!  It's your eternity!!!   What ARE you talking about?  


For the past seven years I've had the privilege to teach the youth of my church on Wednesday nights, at church retreats and summer camps. I love it!!!  My desire is to prepare these students to live their everyday lives for Christ  so they in turn are prepared for their eternity. Some are eager to take in all in, like a sponge. They want to hear the easy and the hard lessons. Others, well the lessons step on their toes, God convicts them and they don't like that feeling - so they come less and less till eventually we don't see them at all.  Excuses become very easy - sometime parents even help them with the excuses.  What could we be teaching that would make them so uncomfortable? The lessons are simple... It's not about following rules - it's about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. When you love someone following them and doing things to please them come naturally. So, if we claim to have a relationship with Jesus Christ - this should be evident in our life. Sure, making some changes in our lifestyle can take time and isn't always easy - but it's so worth it!  Some aren't ready to make those changes... so what does that mean? Did they ask Him to come into their life to "save" them so they could go to heaven and that was it? Are they not interested in the abundant life that Jesus promises today? (John 10:10)


So I wonder if that is how all their relationships go?  I guess when they make a new friend they say, "Hi, I want you to be my friend!" The other person says - sure I'd love to!  "Yea! I have a new friend! Great, thanks - now I'm going to ignore you.  I won't be talking to you unless I'm in a jam - then I'll expect you to drop what you're doing to run help me.  When you ask me to do something - well, I will if it's easy and doesn't interfere with the rest of my life - and don't ask me to give up anything that I enjoy because that's none of your business."   I wonder how long that "friend" would be around?! 


Oh my, how do I end this blog?  I didn't realize the passion that would be stirred in my soul as I began writing! I guess my bottom line... had any one of the 12 who died or 50 who were injured been under "my watch" I would want to know that I did everything I possibly could do to have them prepared for eternity.  God told Ezekiel to warn the people, "it's bad now, but if you don't change your ways it will be worse!"  He told Ezekiel that this was his message to share - if he didn't and the people died the deaths would be on his hands, but if he did and they chose not to listen and obey, he would save his life. I guess like Ezekiel, God's asked me to do something and I'm willing to do it. Whether the message is accepted and changes lives is up to those who hear. 


Living Boldly for Christ!

And One Came Back...

And One Came Back. That's all. 

A week without a cell phone, facebook, twitter, television and email... what a restful blessing and gift from God!  Student Life Conference was everything I had remembered and hoped for. Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin were anointed by God's hand and delivered to us messages and music that led us to the Throne of God!   Between Monday evening and Thursday night we had 20+ hours of  worship with 7000 members of the "family".                              It was amazing!  

As I was unpacking last night I had this overwhelming emotion of  thankfulness!  Why God chose me to lead this student group, at this time in my life I'll never know - but I'm so thankful, grateful, & appreciative!  

As I continued unpacking I was reminded of the story from Luke 17:11-19...

11 It happened that as He (Jesus) made His way toward Jerusalem, He crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met Him. They kept their distance 13 but raised their voices, calling out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 Taking a good look at them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." 15 One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. 16 He kneeled at Jesus' feet, so grateful. He couldn't thank him enough - and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus said, "Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? 18 Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?" 19 Then he said to him, "Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you."

As Jesus was traveling these men, who recognize Him, call out - (loudly) for Him to come and  have mercy on them.  In other words, they knew He could do something for them that they could not do for themselves... be healed!   Jesus showed mercy, yet only one turned around, came back and showed his appreciation... and he was an outsider!!!                   How often do you "call out" for help, from God or others; receive that help yet fail to show your thankfulness?

This morning Ronald and  I slept in and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  (It was really nice to use real fork!) As we were leaving the hostess announced, "Harrison, party of eight - your table is now ready."  I was walking out the door and held it open for the group coming in. A rather tall man, took the door and held it for his group.  As a young girl walked through she said, "thank you." Then she looked up, realized it was someone from her group and she said, "Why did I say thank you - it's only you."  How sad is that?! Why is it that this person she knew didn't deserve a 'thank you' for doing something kind?  I'm sure he wasn't holding the door in order to get a thank you - but, probably would have appreciated the grateful words.  Again, I thought about the story from Luke. How often do we call out for God's help - get it, then fail to say thank you?  How often do we get help from people we know or random strangers and fail to receive it with sincere thankfulness? How often does someone do something that blesses you and your family - yet it seems to go unappreciated? The kind act wasn't done for a thank you - but a sincere thankful word would be encouraging.

In just about every letter Paul wrote, he begins with "thank you".  

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God."  

Philippians 1:3

"We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God..." 

Colossians 1:3

"Timothy, I thank God for you-the God I serve with a clear conscience..." 

2 Timothy 1:3

I guess my simple question is - do you live a life of thankfulness?  (for big & little things)

When is the last time you thanked someone for a random act of kindness?

When is the last time you thanked a family member or friend for doing something that they didn't have to do?  

Most importantly, do you give thanks to God in all situations? 

When He shows His grace and mercy - do you recognize it and turn around, fall on your knees and speak your thankfulness?  The scripture says the Samaritan (the outsiders) couldn't thank Him enough!  Do we as followers have that same outpouring of sincere thankfulness to our Father? 

I guess it might just go back to the Golden Rule found in Luke 6:31...

"Do to others as you would like them to do to you."

I thank my "Daddy God" for the blessings He has so graciously pour out for me.  

I pray that I will always be alert and recognize what He has done and is currently doing in my life. 

Your will. Your way. 

I love you "Daddy"!

At Some Point I Have to Let Go

This morning as I was reading Parenting By Design I thought about the days of raising my children.  The devotion title was "Release Control".  Do I have an issue with this???

Recently Jenni flew to Tampa on business. My baby girl flew, ALONE to Tampa!  Well, I wanted to buy a ticket and jump on the plane with her - she might need me for something! She probably would have let me... but I didn't.                                                      At some point I have to let go...

                                       

This week Andy is packing up and heading to Texas for six weeks. He will be playing the drums for worship and life-guarding during the day at Pine Cove / Outback Camp.   I wish I could go with him and hold his hand, he might need me for something! But that would look really silly and embarrass him!                                                                                      At some point I have to let go...

If I'm always holding on to my kids, and doing "for them", they will not learn to rely and depend on Christ - so as hard as it might be, I have to learn to release.  Children are supposed to grow up, move out, and live responsible lives without their parents looking over their shoulder and doing "for them" what they can do for themselves. At some point we have to trust that our kids learned the lessons we tried to teach and then trust them to go into the world and live it out! 

My heart is overflowing with joy because my children have become such an amazing young adults who love the Lord and live their lives to show it.  Their words and actions both reflect the relationships they have with Christ. I really didn't realize it at the time, but Ronald and I were raising our kids IN CHRIST not IN CHURCH.  There is a difference. Yes, church was a weekly worship activity, but worship was a 24/7 activity for us.  God is everywhere and we wanted Jenni and Andy to grow up knowing and recognizing it in their own lives. We wanted them to learn that we as their parents would move heaven and earth if we could, and many times we tried! But the best lesson we can teach our kids is to put their trust in the One who created the heavens and earth! 

So, Jenni is 27 and Andy is about to be 24 - what do I do now? I still want to go on their "field trips"; I still want to hold their hand so they won't fall or get hurt; I still want to be their mommy.

I've learned that an important part of Christian parenting is trusting our kids in the hands of the One who loves them most.  I find it  hard to believe that anyone could love my children more than I do - but God does. He is their Creator. He is the One who gave me these precious gifts and He has chosen their paths.  

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us; " I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

John 10:10 tells us;  "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." 

If I truly believe this - I will "release" my need to control and trust God to do as He promised. 

Lord, thank you for the two precious gifts you gave me in Jenni and Andy. They are grown adults who have given their lives to You and I can see that so clearly.  Please help me to release them  into your care. Help me to find ways to continue to be their "mommy" without feeling the need to control and hold on. Help me to encourage them to step out and take chances, giving them the opportunity to see and trust You in their lives.  You've always been there and I know You always will be! Thank You for holding Jenni and Andy close and protecting them along the way.  I love you.