the wonders of suspenders strapped into words

When I was younger I used to watch a show called Family Matters that had a character on it who's name was Steve Urkel. Steve was kind of an oddball. He wore suspenders and was very out of fashion, he talked a little funny, and no matter what he did he seemed to constantly be messing things up. Have you ever felt like Steve Urkel?...you just didn't know if you could do anything right? While it's important to acknowledge our faults and attempt to better ourselves on a daily basis, we must also realize we will never be perfect, and it is essential we seek where God wants us and be content with what all that includes. Sometimes, God teaches us through our weakness and our shortcoming is for our own benefit. Other times, our weaknesses are to help others. Either way, we should attempt to correct what problems and weaknesses we can, but accept those that we may not be able to improve to the point we'd like.

Has a handicapped person ever inspired you? Has an eloquent speaker ever inspired you? You can probably say yes to both, but they each had their strengths in how they tackled the inspiration, and you probably got a different sort of inspiration from both of them.

Let's hit up some Biblical examples. Take Moses--the guy had a nasty stuttering problem. He didn't trust that God could speak to Pharaoh (the most powerful guy in the world at that point) through Moses' weakness. Yet He did. (Exodus 3) And through Moses, a country and a people had a complete turn around.

You are weak...let's face it, we all have some weakness that we aren't proud of or don't want others to figure out. But God can use you, and He will if you let Him. Remember the Bible tells us that [God speaking], "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9. In verse 10, Paul says, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Last off, let's go back to the Urkel thought. Steve Urkel, because he looked different, acted funny, and did not talk the same as others, often got laughed at and made fun of. Although he was a fictional character, you can probably imagine what that would do to his confidence. You've probably been the victim of ridicule before. Do you remember how it felt? Not so much fun? So then why do we do it to others? It is important that we remember that we are one body with our brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 4:25). We also must remember that we are to be honest, encouraging, and uplifting to everyone, even those that are not brothers and sisters under the blood of Christ. Check out Ephesians 4:29-32...

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ God forgave you." [Ephesians 4:29-32, emphasis and italics mine]

So strap on your pick me ups and pull up your breeches, I'd say you've got so go-gettin' to get done; and while you're at it, give a high-five to your weaknesses for me. Welcome to vulnerable. Christ might just pierce your heart with some love here. Watch what awesome He can do.

if Christmas had wings, I'd bet it'd fly to San Francisco

Christmas does not fly. I've never seen one with wings. But whatever mode of transportation Christmas takes, they sure pass by quickly. I have found with each Christmas though, that as they pass they bring in more value. No longer is the holiday about the anticipation of gifts as perhaps it was when I was a child, but I find myself focusing on and appreciating the things of greater value like spending time with family and the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps, you're convinced it's that I've grown out of childhood, and most every adult has this turning point. And perhaps you're right. But then again, I know many unhappy adults this time of year.

This year seemed especially meaningful. Perhaps it was because I travelled to another country where the celebration and understanding of Christmas is just blossoming and where the faith of Christians is challenged by the government and society every day. Perhaps my grandparents' declining health has made time with them seem more valuable. Or maybe it's because I no longer seek out getting and opening the right gift for Christmas, but cherish the true gift and reason for the celebration.

It's easy to fall into the rut of getting tired of long lines at retailers, crazy traffic in the parking lot, stress of how you will pay for all the gifts and not forgetting anyone, and all the negatives that this season can entail. But maybe every time you begin to focus on the irritants that come with the celebration, instead focus on the true reason...easier said than done, perhaps, but try this. I have found this year that the more I talk about the birth of Christ our Savior, what it means to me, and the potential joy it can have to everyone around me, I become overfilled with joy and everything else begins to seem less important (and thus, less stressful). ...and this result is only logical, because everything else is less important. We have a huge celebration for this very reason--the birth of the Almighty Savior and the resurrection it led to is most important. Check out Luke 2 that tells of a virgin giving birth to a God who became man....try and tell me that's not more important than stockings and shopping, music and mayhem...you can't.

So it's the end of Christmas day, 2010, but don't let that discourage you. The celebration of such a gift should be year round. And as I addressed earlier, Christmas doesn't fly, but it will be back soon again Lord willing. Take a second to think about this...and then take a few more.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

a gift with no wrapping

Have you ever been naked in public?

Think about that. Jesus was. Perhaps you picture Him with the little cloth wrap around His waist because that's what you have always seen in pictures. Even though a picture can speak a thousand words, it doesn't mean they always speaks the truth. So picture this: picture yourself, in all your pride and self-esteem, the pride of your friends and family, and all that you are connected with and value being humiliated in sheer nakedness hung on a cross. All your most intimate details are revealed publicly in the most embarassing manner, while you struggle for breath. That. was. Christ. So often we display a cross around our neck or on our t-shirts or walls...but do we realize the depths of the pain and the importance of this picture. It was not any other day. It was the day that changed the world, and one that we seem to so often take for granted and overlook. But picture yourself in this situation and perhaps the sacrifice that was made for you will come a little bit more alive and realistic.

It's about a whole lot more than a fad, a phase, or something that people strive to impress on others. It's about a perfect sacrifice, a perfect love, and a perfect plan.

During a worship service I recently attended, the leader paused at the bridge of a common song. Without telling you what the song is, read these lyrics and think on them: 'Shine your light and let the whole world see. We're singing for the glory of the risen King.' Now read it again. We're singing--the song of our lives--is the very reflection of the glory of God...or at least it should be.

Live like every day is Easter Sunday. The part where you get all excited, put your best forth, and rejoice in the sacrifice that was made nearly 2000 years ago for your salvation. Salvation is not an annual thing, neither should the celebration and thanks for it be.

Philippians 2:1-11...check it out and ponder on these words: In our humiliation is His exaltation. In our weakness is...well I suppose it's up to you what you make of it...but oh, the possibilities.

if your mouth could think...

May not have a blog for a week or two. Until then, remember the reason for the season--that is, we celebrate Christ's birth with Christmas!

Here's a verse to ponder:
Psalm 19:14
'Let the words of my mouth, and meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."

a green orange is bitter and an offended brother is harsh, but the Word of the Lord is just what it needs to be

Christianity is not about telling other people that they're wrong.
But the Holy Spirit can use the Bible to reveal to you when you are.

Christianity is not about making people feel like they're always right to make them feel good no matter what
But it is about acknowledging the ultimate truth, as hard as it may be to grasp.

The Bible is not multiple choice, nor does it need your help.
When God made guidelines, commandments, and promises, He wasn't confused.

So the next time you read the Bible and disagree, just remember that it doesn't need your approval. You can tear out pages, mistranslate its points, bend the wording to make yourself feel good.

In the end, there is one solid Truth. You don't need to tell me what it is.

What's the point of following something if you're going to select just the parts you like?

Don't stop at mediocre, and don't let some personal preference keep you from Heaven.

And no, I didn't touch on any specific sins/ideologies/etc...so perhaps if you're ready to argue about one, the Holy Spirit has revealed to you it's wrong.

As mean as it may sound--get over yourself. It's not about you. It never has been. Although you are of extreme importance and there's a God out there that made the ultimate sacrifice for you and loves you, you don't get to change His Word to your liking and you need to start worrying more about things of greater importance than yourself.

Welcome to the big picture, there will be no changing it. God is sovereign, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient.

you are not a mouse, but if you were you might also fall into traps.

He's worth way more than my silence. Well, when you put it like that....have you been saying enough?


Do not speak to fill a void,
For wisdom can be found in the unspoken.
But do not keep quiet and prevent a message
That throughout the years has not broken

Have courage, have strength,
Keep poise and have might
Remember all that you say
Is within God's sight


A few years ago I was privileged to see the Dead Sea Scrolls tour the U.S. as part of the event called Ink and Blood. The point behind the name was 2 key elements of the Bible's survival: ink and blood (sacrifice). So many people have been martyred (KILLED!) to keep the Bible around and to spread God's word, yet sometimes we are hesitant to bring it up when our only consequences may be awkward silence, a weird look, mocking, an offended friend or family member, even losing our job, etc....these do not compare. Remember you are merely the messenger, you have no magic. It is through and by the Holy Spirit and His timing that the Word of God will do its work. Don't miss that timing.

So next time you put your arrow down, remember you'll never hit your target if you do not release.

Praise God. Share God. Love God. In my opinion, the third (love God) cannot come without the other 2. What was it you were ashamed of, again?

expiration passed. past: expired.

What I learned today: I have a hard time throwing away chapstick containers...empty ones that is. Random, I know, but I discovered this while cleaning out my nightstand. I found several different chapsticks that were beyond gone...to the point where you have to dip your lip in it to get the chapstick to even slightly apply. What does this have to do with anything? Well, the reason behind my keeping chapstick for so long is generally that I don't want to be wasteful, so I get all I can out of it. But this got me thinking (imagine that). I find that often we have things in our lives that we hold on to far beyond their date of expiration. Whatever it may be--addictions, relationships, past mistakes, dreams we shouldn't be dreaming, and so on. The great news: God forgives....completely. Here's the verses playing backup dancer to that statement:

Psalm 103: 8-12, "8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
Do you know how far the east is from the west?...That description in that day meant as far apart as possible...P.S. transgression is a fancy word for something you've done wrong or a sin.

2 Chronicles 7:14- "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
...give your burdens to Him!

Romans 10:9-11, " If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Take that, regret!

There's a God that's bigger than regret,
a God bigger than your last cigarette,
a God that fights each fight at your side,
a God who wants to be your Guide, out of the pain and into His joy :)

do stars twinkle when they're hidden? who knows.

Projects. Projects are good. Projects--helping others specifically, quite often leave us with a feeling of fulfillment. When we begin to make our lives about something other than ourselves, surprisingly enough, our selves get rewarded. It's like one of those fabulous win-win situations. What I also know about projects is that they are very hard to do if you don't know the opportunity exists. So I'm going to spread some knowledge. It's yours to decide what to do with it....like I said knowledge=opportunity....=project? or no project? http://www.chroniclesofaplanter.com/2010/11/vision-for-nashville-part-6-need.html

So here's the story on that link. A young couple had a 5 year old (a gorgeous, super-well behaved 5 year old). The father had a ministry position at a huge church on a nice part of a Nashville suburb. The mother was a teacher. What a pretty picture. Then God broke their hearts for 2 little orphan girls in Ethiopia. ...So they adopted the sisters and went from one 5 year old daughter to 3 daughters in an age bracket of about 4-7...you can imagine there was lots of energy and need for attention (not to mention the expenses of 2 other children and adjusting them to a new country).

So maybe you thought that was a lot. Well, it was...but then God broke their hearts again. This time, God called them to the west end of Nashville--a different scene from the upscale church attenders that they might have seen before. So into the need they went with 4 other couples to plant a church in the west end. This meant the husband gave up his job...which means they stepped out on faith with 3 little girls and a teacher's income. Now this is all from my perspective..I don't know all the specifics and behind the scenes, but from what I know--that's rough.

From my experience, God's people are pretty generous. From my experience, God can make miracles happen, and He often does it through His people. So what part can you play? Maybe your church is looking for a little project, maybe you just got a $.25 raise (which is about $10 a week...and you'd like to just give them $10 a month...or a week). Whatever it is, (one time gift, monthly group donation, etc.) it helps. This isn't begging for money. I'm not in any way trying to guilt trip you. But I know a lot of people with a lot of great intentions that sometimes are challenged to find opportunities to match with their intentions. So if that's you, you're welcome. If it's not, consider this a good read and move on with your day. Thanks for listening, whoever you are.

P.S. prayers for the family in this story--the Eglys--are certainly appreciated, and for the church they are currently planting in Nashville.

Shine on.

B.Y.O.C. (This is a Bring Your Own Conscience Party)

Pity parties. They happen every day (and you thought life wasn't a party). We get in these selfish ruts where not enough is about me, or life's not fair, or they shouldn't have gotten away with that...perhaps even, 'why do I do everything right and bad stuff happens to me while such-and-such person does everything wrong and has everything going for them?' Oh here's a classic: 'why does he(she) get all the girls(guys) when all he(she) does is hurt them?' Welcome to the mindset of Jonah. This dude is a pretty decent guy and God get that. So God tells Jonah to go help out the people of Nineveh who have turned their backs on God. Jonah runs--you know this story where he's in the belly of a fish. But check out Jonah 4...this would be the aftermath. Jonah gets to Nineveh, the people repent, God forgives, and Jonah...gets mad. Wait...Jonah gets mad?!? But doesn't he want the people to be forgiven? Isn't that why he went there in the first place (Jonah chapter 3)? Yes. Yes. Yes.

Jonah seemed to be experiencing the same selfishness we feel during our pity parties. It wasn't fair that these horrible people had been forgiven....God is very compassionate. This is where I end--without writing too long of a blog, so that you can go read Jonah 4 (just Google it and click the first link).

How much do you desire to see those that 'don't deserve it' forgiven by God?

P.S.-no one deserves forgiveness, not even you.... But all have the chance. Change your picture any?

if a cliche could solve the world's problems, i'd be serious as a heart attack about finding it

Days like today. Oh jolly.

Happy Thanksgiving while we're on the topic.

So it's days like today. Days like today when I'm laughing so hard with my family that I literally am about to pee myself. Days like today where I get over 20 hugs and loving embraces. Days like today where I eat sooo much that I'm full beyond full. Days like today when I'm warmed by the thoughts and concerns of others that just want to know about me--my life--because they care.

...oh these days, they make me smile. They make me laugh. They make me cry. At first, I cry because I have tears of joy. I think, God, what have I done to deserve so much? That's just it, I haven't. Then, this cry turns into tears of pain and concern...as my heart breaks. I begin to think about all the little babies in this world that just don't get held enough. I think about that guy I go to college with whose dad abandoned him, whose mom is too concerned with her job and her girlfriend to make him a priority, the guy who because he aches so much for love is afraid to let anyone in. I think about the mother who wonders, on this day of great feasting for so many, where she will find the next meal for her child--not even concerned about herself. I think about the man who has hit some rough patches in his life, turned to alcohol, and can't actually remember the last time he laughed. I think about one of the people I love dearest--how he lost his father at a young age, and I wonder if he longs every Thanksgiving to be in daddy's arms again--to make up for all those Thanksgivings as a child that Daddy was never there.

And then I pray. I pray that God would give me wisdom and understanding. I pray that He would help me to know how to best change lives. I struggle with this. Some days I want so badly to just fix the world--to hold every baby there is and give them love, to give that woman enough money to feed a tribe, to be the friend that helps that man break his alcoholism, to be the breakthrough of love and understanding in that friend's life...and so on and so forth. But I cannot fix everything. I can't. It's not within my power, no matter how much I may want it. So I pray for this wisdom that God will show me what I can do to be most effective, not only in directly helping others, but also in inspiring others that they can do the same. I long to be the drop in the bucket that creates ripples that become tidal waves. Or heck, I'll even settle for being a ripple that causes another ripple. I just want to see God's great love spread and people to be fulfilled.

Sometimes when people see these horrible situations, they want to blame God. 'why do these horrible things happen, if He is in control?' we wonder. I've heard many valid explanations, and I don't pretend to know God's thoughts and ways (they are higher than mine, Isaiah 55)...but what works best for me at least is acknowledging that at the beginning of time, evil entered the world. Because of 'simple' sins like selfishness, anger, pride, greed, etc., we have the resulting consequences. ...so I'm not looking for perfection. But rather than attribute all that's wrong to sin and these things and just move on, admitting that that's how the world has been for so long, I pray that I put aside selfishness, pride, desires for wealth, attention, and comfort in the name of Christ's cause and to help this hurting world. I don't say this to look good. I don't even say this because it means I'll hold up to it.I sure hope I will, but I am not going to pretend like I don't have glaring faults. I'm on a journey and working toward the best me. But I say these things to keep myself accountable (I hope you'll help) and to speak the desires of my heart. I hope they will be contageous and impact others to do the same. I pray that these desires of my heart become greater than any other desires in my heart. And I pray this that people around the world less fortunate than I can take the wishes of 'Have a Happy Thanksgiving' and see them come true for perhaps the first time in their lives.

I pray for those hurting in this world. I hope you'll do the same.

And as Tiny Tim would say, 'God bless us, every one.' Happy Thanksgiving and goodnight.

don't let Mr. Scrooge get between you and the alarm clock

AHHH Mondays. They just seem to take the life out of ya don't they? Well, for a good number of people they do. But why? Isn't the end of the weekend merely a mindset? Doesn't this happen every week, 52 times a year? (the answer here is yes). But I admit, sometimes Mondays seem tougher and more stressed filled.

Welcome to Monday morning, the ceasing of my dreaming. Generally when I wake up on Monday mornings, it's like I download my to-do list in my mind for all I have to accomplish today and this week. Oh joy...But instead, this morning when I woke up and the mental download and related tension and stress started, it ceased. Then God showed me this:

Time
Value
Mission

When you go to worry or stress, or judge yourself as a failure/success (related to yesterday's blog), stop and consider these 3 tests.
1)Time-The time you have the ability to most directly influence is that of today and that within your direct reach. Thus, if you cannot influence something in the future with your actions today, there is no sense worrying or stressing about it, for it is not a trouble of today (Matthew 6:34). (For example, don't worry about if everyone will make it to Christmas play practice next Wednesday--you cannot influence that with actions...give it to God). And even if you can influence something in the time you have set before you, that does not mean you should stress, but seek wisdom in using that concern to most efficiently and effectively conquer the challenge or task.
2) Value- The resources, talents, and money you have set in front of you are the value you need to be concerned with. That is to say, be content with these resources (whether you're making minimum wage or you just flat out can't sing) and use them to the best of your ability for God's glory. There is no need to fret about a talent God has not blessed you with or funds He did not provide for you to conquer your tasks today. Remember James 1:2-3 tells us that struggles/trials (even with speaking in public or making ends meet) produce endurance and ultimately develop us as people.
3) Mission- Here's the biggie. Remind yourself when you wake each morning what your mission is. And what is your mission?--you, ask yourself? Hopefully as a Christian, you identify your mission to be sharing the love of Christ and His message of salvation. When you go to judge 'successes' and 'failures' in your life, before you get all down and out, compare them to this mission, and reevaluate--was it really a failure? was it really a success? This helps me when I face challenges or big tasks at work or home. If I remind myself that no matter what my test score comes out to be or my project at work results in that it's most important to live and share His Gospel, it seems to take pressure off of the stresses of life and help me navigate with wisdom in more difficult situations.

So next time you go to fret, or your Monday morning wake up isn't fresh and exciting, remember Time, Value, Mission....are you using your time and the resources/valuables provided to you to accomplish His mission? What can you do today to ensure that you are?

'ripe for the picking' doesn't mean you get to pick

Promises, promises. We make them to each other a lot without realizing it. On the night before an exam we confirm our friends by saying, 'I'm sure you'll do great,' but that doesn't change the amount of Chemistry they know going into and exam...and that friend still very realistically could fail. Or perhaps it's the post-breakup speech of 'you'll find someone...there's someone better out there for you.' ...but perhaps not, and they end up living single for the rest of their lives. So is this wrong? Is this a lie? You wrestle with that yourself, it's not my point today. Moving the idea forward....
So the intent behind these promises, this reassurance we so freely hand out is good I think. And often, the results are exactly as we predict them. But what about those random cases where that person fails their exam or someone ends up single their entire life?

The real situation is not at all that they're single or they failed, or whatever their 'boo boo' dilemma may be, it's the fact that society has labeled these situations BAD....when in fact, they are not bad at all. What if tragedy is part of God's plan?

Here are some testaments to that:
1. Good friend of mine struggles in nursing school...switches programs, switches schools (negative, negative)...but finds her passion. Bad? not at all.
2. My aunt did not get married until well into her 40s. Because of her singleness, she often took my brother and I out on weekends. Some of my fondest childhood memories and most influential moments were formed because her weekends were free. Bad? still a nope.
3. Two people at my church cannot have children of their own. So they reach out to orphans and provide a home for a child who needs the love of parents as much as they desire the love of a child. Bad?....I'm still seeing way too many positives.
4. The beautiful and amazing Penny dies from cancer at an early age (and goes out strong). Because of this, the family pulls a little closer together, a sister rededicates her life to Christ and pulls out of years of depression. Bad? Well I sure miss her, but God brought good from the bad AGAIN.

So, here's the point. Yeah, being single for you right now may be horrible...and I don't know, maybe you'll never get married. Then again, maybe next week you'll meet the most amazing man/woman in the world who is 'totally out of your league' and fall madly in love. I cannot predict the future. And yeah, failing out of pre-med is no sweet drink to swallow, but maybe the result of that is you going to the air force and changing someones life. Or maybe there's a reason you lost your job last week. Perhaps God has a 6 figure salary waiting for you somewhere. Or maybe you'll struggle for a bit but ultimately come out more content and be able to help someone you couldn't have helped had you been at work 40 hours a week. In whatever gloom and doom situation you may be in, remember there's one who can predict the future, who knows the future, who controls the future, and who has this super awesome plan that we can't fully comprehend.

So shoot for the stars, the moon, a 14 point buck, your deepest desires, whatever, but also realize that in your weakest moments and biggest failures that He's still got a plan and that He's got a reason. I don't agree with the prosperity movement that says 'follow God and all will be well and you'll be rich'....wrong. Instead, follow God and look for wealth beyond your paycheck, for value beyond the dollar sign, and for joy in the unexpected. There is a good side to everything--which do you choose to see? ...Dig deep.

I'll close with this--the scripture that inspired this whole diddly. Isaiah 55:8-12 talks about how God's thoughts are higher than ours, as are His ways higher than ours. His word does not go out void, but what He means to be accomplished will be accomplished. And also, He will give us peace if we allow Him in. Psalm 85 was the other scripture inspiration (and I recommend you go read both of these for yourself). Specifically, Psalm 85:12, "The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest." Focus on the harvest--and remember it will come in, but it may be different than you expect. Don't let the corn spoil because you expected wheat. He still provides.

I pray God blesses you and keeps you, and that you see His goodness in all the 'badness' of this world.

God's awesomeness: it's simple math.

Multiplication tables. We learn them at a young age. Basically, you take one number with another number and together they far surpass what each other would have amounted to alone. With Christ, just as with multiplication factors, we can far surpass any of our abilites. Just look at John 6:1-14. You've probably heard the story of the boy with 5 loaves and 2 fish, but give it another gander and perhaps you'll learn something new. Just before Christ fed the thousands, Philip exclaimed it would take a half year's wages to feed the crowd. And yet, somehow--God's how--one boy's 5 loaves and 2 fish became a half year's wages. I've been struggling recently to see how my limited abilities can glorify God and serve His will, His people, and His purpose in the huge needs of this world. Although I can certainly not fix all the problems in the world, I see Him over and over again take my limited abilities and multiply them many times over...God is a master of exponents (and everything else as well.)

So give it your best shot, and then--as momma always says--'let go, and let God.'

isn't that lovely

How do you know when 2 people are in love? Is it the butterflies? No, wait...unless you're one of the 2 parties you certainly can't feel the butterflies. So then is it all the physical affection? No, not so much that either...after all, plenty of people not in love show lots of affection. So then, what is true love?

Perhaps you'd like to insert a clause in here and say something like, 'it depends..on who you ask.' Many would argue that the definition of love varies throughout time and culture and age. Ok, I'll give you that. But there is one trait with love that has existed throughout all time.

True love is most evident by commitment. Think about it--a Dad that truly loves his children will do what he thinks necessary to make them best off (whether his translation of that is providing for them or playing with them), that couple in college that truly love each other find a way around all the homework to see each other, and so on and so forth. True love, true desire for something is proven by priority. Anything deemed worthwhile will be given time.

So let's talk your love relationship with God....if you have one. If people were to see your actions, your commitments, your priorities would they point to true love?

Now I'm not saying live so that people will be like 'oooohhh ahhhh Christian,' but rather that--just like 2 young lovebirds--people just know.

So hit up Ephesians 5:1-17. It speaks about being fit to serve--the very essence of love with Christ: being committed to loving His desires, His will, and His requests also. When 2 people love each other, they go above and beyond to make the other look good to others (talk em up), feel good (reconfess and reconfess that love), and accomplish their goals/dreams (for God, it's His will).

Are you needing 'couple's' therapy?

welcome to the streets of NYC, 1994

The following is something a chapter from a book I found at a used bookstore, Am I Going to Heaven?: The Shocking Story of America's Street Kids. It was written by a nun from Covenant House, a place that took kids off the street. Read it from the perspective of 1994, when it was written.

"On the street I saw a girl cold and shivering in a thin dress, with little hope of a decent meal. I became angry and said to God, 'Why did you permit this? Why don't you do something about it?' For a while God said nothing. That night He replied quite suddenly: 'I certainly did something about it. I made you.'"

....
Chapter 13, May 1994
"She sauntered over to the van, hips swaying in her short white shorts, acting cooler than cool.
But her eyes betrayed her. There was nothing happy inside them.
'Can't get too excited about nothin' when you're out on the street, man,' she said.
'It's really good to see you, Bernetta,' we said.
We all felt like just throwing our arms around her that first night, but we couldn't. Bernetta was like a skittish colt, and the last thing we wanted to do was scare her off. We were determined to take things slow.
So was she. At first, all she would accept was a cup of lemonade. Then she'd head back to 25th and 9th, the corner of New York City her pimp owned...all pimps have their 'territory'...and hustle for the rest of the night.
But after a few visits, Bernetta began to stay a little longer. Sometimes, she'd accept a cheese sandwich. And slowly, she began to reveal a little more of herself.
In fact, getting to know Bernetta was like peeling layers off an onion. Including the tears.
'I was already 'broken in' before I got to the city,' she said one night, shrugging her shoulders. 'My step-dad, he raped me the first time when I was nine.
'Then, whenever he had a little to drink, he'd come creeping into my bedroom, late at night.
'One night, I tried putting a chair up against the door to keep him out. It worked pretty good. But the next day, he was so mad, he smashed that chair to bits, and gave me a black eye.
'He told me if I ever said a word, he's hurt me bad. Course, he already had....'
Her voice trailed off and she looked inside our van, blinking furiously to drive back the teardrops that hung precariously in the corner of each eye.
She shook her head and swallowed hard.
'After a few years, I left. But I couldn't do nothin', I never finished school. I couldn't get a job.
'Then I met Freddie (her pimp). He told me there was only one thing in the world I knew how to do, and if I wanted to stay alive on the streets, I better do what I know best.
'I guess he was right,' she said, smiling ruefully.
'He's not right, and don't you believe it,' we said furiously. We could tell Bernetta was startled. That's why we usually try not to let kids see our anger.
But sometimes we can't help it.
These young girls come from across America to New York City, looking to escape from men...fathers, brothers, friends, men they loved and trusted...who have stolen their innocence and shattered their dreams.
By the time they get onto the streets, their self-esteem could fit onto the head of a pin.
Then their pimp tells them that they're good for nothing, that they deserve nothing--and that tiny speck of self worth disappears. Or turns into self loathing. Or gets buried in some deep, secret place.
'Bernetta, we want you to come back to Covenant House with us.' Her eyes clouded over with fear.
'I can't. Freddie would kill me. He doesn't even know I talk to you guys. I can't, I just can't.'
She began to sob.
'You know where Covenant House is?' we asked. She nodded. 'You have one of our cards?' She nodded again.
We touched her hand. 'We're going to say an extra prayer for you.' (We didn't know then just how much she would need that prayer.)
She smiled through her tears and headed back to her corner of hell.
A few nights ago, the van swung by the corner of 25th and 9th, as we always do. We were really hoping to see Bernetta.
But when we got to the corner and started to pull up to the curb, Bernetta frantically waved us back.
Then she turned on her heel and started walking in the opposite direction.
We pulled away and headed down the street. But we were uncomfortable. And not a little scared. Something was very, very wrong.
So we turned the corner and headed back up the block. When we got there, I saw why Bernetta had tried to warn us off.
Her pimp held her against the wall with one arm. With the other, he punched and slapped her across the face and screamed obscenities.
'Who do you think you're talking to in that van, girl? You want to talk, you talk to me!'
When he spotted the van, he grabbed Bernetta by the hair and dragged her out of sight.
We drove after Bernetta and her pimp, but they escaped down a narrow alleyway.
A few hours later we came back to find her. She was back on the corner. But when we tried to come near, she shook her head and waved us away.
That was a few nights ago.
I think about Bernetta all the time. I think about her sad, empty eyes, and hope that there's still a twinkle hidden deep inside. Mostly, I hope she hung on to that card.
And I pray that God will show her the way to our door.
What I would like to ask this month is that you add your prayers to mine. Pray that Bernetta looks deep into her heart and finds that little speck of self-esteem that I know is buried there.
Pray that she has the strength to take the biggest step of her life...away from her pimp, away from the street, and onto the steps of the only place in New York City where she can be safe--Covenant House.
I described Bernetta to all our staff members, and asked them to let me know when she arrives, whether it's 6 o'clock in the morning or midnight.
Because I want to be there at the door to greet her, and tell her how glad I am she came.
My friend, I hope she does make it to our door. With your prayers, and a little help from Him, I think she will."

Once again, the previous was an excerpt from Sr. Mary Rose McGeady's Am I Going to Heaven?: The Shocking Story of America's Street Kids-- an eye-opening look at lifestyles that surround you, but that you may not often consider.

So, how bad was your day, again?

Keep life in perspective. Keep others in your prayers.

Perhaps you have a role to play in helping someone out that's in an ugly situation?

the R isn't silent

World Vision is an international organization that has the purpose of providing necessities to children all around the world. They are the doers connecting the givers with the needy. They make $35 a month transform into work training, food, medical care, education, and other essential assistance for thousands of familes around the world. I'm not trying to make a sales pitch here, but I do think it's important to bless as you have been blessed, and they are an organization I trust to help Christians do that. So if you're looking for a trustworthy organization to donate to, they have my recommendation.

...that's not the point of this blog.

World Vision has a magazine they send out to sponsor to keep them posted on progress through the year, and also to make sponsors aware of extra Christmas opportunities. There was an article in this magazine titled "Red Shoes for Rwanda." This is where the point of the blog begins.

Sheridan Ellis of Washington state vowed to wear red shoes every day in 2010 whether they matched her outfit or not. And while some days she may have looked festive wearing red and green together, it caught people's attention--and that was her goal. The result of wearing the shoes was the "Red Shoes for Rwanda" campaign. Supporters agreed to sponsor her for up to $2 a day. Although that seems small at a glance, that's one person commiting over $700 a year, and she had multiple sponsors. All the money this one woman raises will support World Vision's project to benefit children in Rwanda.

Her small town of Quilcene, Washington now hosts Red Shoe Friday, where the townspeople demonstrate their support by wearing red shoes.

For those of you wondering 'why Rwanda,' perhaps you should watch Hotel Rwanda, the movie that inspired Sheridan's campaign, which is only a glimpse of the genocide in Rwanda. Some children have lost both parents due to AIDS. Sheridan reflects on if her own 2 children were in that situation that, 'it would be nice to think that if that happened to them, there would be someone--even some stranger thousands of miles away--who would be willing to do something to help them."

The article doesn't mention whether or not Sheridan gave of her own funds, so I'm not sure if she did. Just think, though, how much she was able to do just by putting on shoes. If money is what keeps you from helping others, or you feel like what you have to give isn't making a big enough impact, start a cause. Sheridan's passion was shoes, and she used it to glorify God and serve one of His greatest commandments (John 15:12, James 1:27). What's your passion? We can't all be artists, shoe lovers, sports stars, etc. Find what you're good at, what makes you really excited, and find a way to glorify God and help others with it. It will have vast rewards.

I 100% support the mission field and those called to ministry, but remember that just because you are passionate for God does not mean you'll be working full time for a church. I believe it was Kevin DeYoung's book Just Do Something that reminded me that we need doctors to keep the missionaries healthy, entrepreneurs to support the ministry, etc. etc. Where you are is your mission field, work in it. But don't just stop there.

The R in Rwanda isn't silent, the children hurting there are not silent, nor should you be silent. Step out, whether you're in red shoes or not.

God Bless...to be continued?

I like the funny papers (comics as some people call them), and generally their jokes on politics, the business world, and the quirks of talking animals bring me lots of delight. Today, I found something in the comics though that didn't make me laugh at all. Classic Peanuts by Shulz, featured Sally trying to tell Charlie Brown a secret. The comic strip goes through 7 scenes of them peeking around doors and crawling behind couches to sneak somewhere where they wouldn't be heard. Then Sally whispers to Charlie Brown, "we prayed in school today."

At first, this really caught me off guard--why this would be in the funny papers, but then the reality sank in. Many children are under the impression that praying in school is wrong. WRONG. This isn't the "I don't want the teacher teaching religion to my children spill"...no, this is children underestimating their freedom of religion and overestimating the restrictions on their freedom of faith in schools. Perhaps you think I'm overreacting, but the restrictions in schools is silly, it's too much, and it's uncalled for. Freedom of religion does not and should not have a clause that says 'except in schools and government buildings.' I do not become an atheist when I walk into the White House, a courthouse, or my nephew's school, and I refuse to act like one.

The other morning while I was getting ready for school I heard on the radio that a court upheld the moment of silence in schools law in Illinois. Thank God for that.

I say all this to point to the fact when God's people are silent, God's people lose some power. As children of God, we should not let it get to the point that we can be silenced because we are already quiet. Tonight at church, our pastor preached on Psalm 107, a chapter that speaks of God's awesomeness and how He has saved people from starvation, storms, danger, etc. Frequently the chapter says let them praise Him, let them thank Him. The second to last verse in the chapter, verse 42 says, "The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths."

So pick a side, join a team, and decide. Is God worthy of praise to you?? ...then are you praising Him? And I don't mean only in your prayer journal, to your pastor, or in church. That's all great, but praise Him and speak of Him and His good works to your classmates, in your workplace, at your lunch table, in the elevator, etc. You may have 30 seconds to get the Word about Jesus and all He's done for you out. I hope in whatever situation you are in, you will not hesitate to praise Him. Even if it's titled a 'moment of silence', I hope that my children will have the privilege, option, and right of praying in their schools someday. If we do not take advantage of the rights we have, it should be no surprise that they are taken away from us.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

your brain waves, do you wave back?

When you go for a visit to the doctor, the first thing they do is the simple check up: blood pressure, height, and weight. Well, here's your simple check up for the week....how many of you read Tuesday's blog? How many of you implemented it and wrote thank you cards?... If you did, I would love to hear feedback.

As humans, our attentions spans are short, easily diverted, and often focused on so many things at once we sometimes miss important details. Like blessings for instance. When was the last time you just had one of those blah days or were just plain down? When was the last time you made it through counting ALL of your blessings? I imagine the first one was more recent. So, knowing that we are humans and that our often ungrateful, easily diverted minds work this way, how can we correct/help this problem?

When we were little, my mom understood that we often learned best by song. So much so that a song took our attention off an order and made it into something fun, and more importantly, something memorable. Call it crazy (and some of you surely will), but when my brother and I used to go to day care, we had a song that helped us remember what we needed to get ready in the morning (keep in mind, we were daycare age). The song went "brush your hair, brush your teeth, and pee pee in the potty." We laugh about it now, but it worked wonders. Why? Because mom figured out how our brains worked and she catered to it. That's what you need to be doing in your life...mom's no longer in charge (assuming you're an adult), so figure out how your brain works and structure your lifestyle to help yourself. Here's a thought:

I have learned over the years that I work best when I journal. Although I constantly find it a challenge to keep up with a journal, I purchased a nice one over a year ago and was able to keep up with it almost daily, if not weekly for a year. The nice thing about this journal was that it had an inspirational quote and a verse for each day, along with a general writing section and a box specifically for writing the blessings of the day. Something I know I come up short on is counting my blessings, so having a journal where I had to think specifically what I was thankful for that day really helped keep my thoughts in perspective. So the great news on the first part of this story is that while I journaled it helped me...but, wait, there's more.

A few months ago, I took time to sit down and skim through my journal from the previous months-year, stopping on some pages to read the entire entry. As I reflected on this year in my life, I was amazed to see how much God had done for me, how silly my stresses from days past had seemed on the other side, and the HUGE number of answered prayers. This was extremely uplifting, and the great thing is that the writing is permanent and will be there to reflect on the next time that I am having a moment in need of inspiration and years to come.

We all have days where we could use a boost, so why not thank God in the process of your life, and help give yourself a boost later? While talking to others can be extremely helpful, especially mentors, I find that often I can learn the most when I talk to God and reflect on talks I've had with Him in the past.

So that's my suggestion--whether it's writing songs, journaling, creating a devotional blog, teaching a class, reading, etc. Figure out what it is that gets you most in touch with God and that will help make changes in your life by reinforcing the positives, the blessings, and God's providence we so often overlook.

And when you get to the point you think you have nothing to be thankful for...take a moment to read the book of Jonah (seriously, it's a short book). This guy ran from God, got in a bad storm at sea (not fun), and then got swallowed by a fish (yep, that happened). And in the midst of all this, dude gives thanks (Jonah 2:9). So, wipe the fish guts of today off, tackle the barriers of your brain, and get out there and enjoy your life.

Your check up is done. Step off the scale and into reality. Your future awaits, and I anticipate a very healthy report.

it's like dominoes, only better

"There is always a reason to write a thank you note."--That was the line and intro to a book of devotional articles I received in the mail tonight. So, take the time you might have spent reading c ramble on, and go send a thank you to the first person that comes to your mind. And then write one to the person that comes to mind when I say 'the very last person that comes to mind.'

Be the unexpected.

The thank you doesn't have to be detailed...just thank someone for being Karen J. Turner VIII or whatever. There's only one of each person--and there's at least one good thing about each of us.

Spread love. He first loved us. :) (1 John 4:19)

Throwback, May 9

Today, I took a step back to look back. Blog of the day=May 9, "Should You Hurry Up and Read This?" Enjoy..or don't. http://crambleson.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html Note: This was over 5 months ago...and it still applies today. Amazing how God's truth does that. :)

if your life was a dart board, what would be the bulls eye?

I cannot fill your void. Now you guys are thinking 'oh no, serious blog...' Well, yeah, it is. I joke a lot and I encourage a lot, and I think those things are great. But tonight at revival, the minister said something that really made me reflect. There are a lot of people out there that look up to me, that read my blog, that I teach in Sunday School, that seek out my statuses, etc. for encouragement. First, thanks for your feedback so that I know this (its encouraging). Second, I'm glad that something little ole me does can be a blessing in your life and that God has used me in that way. But you need to know that I am human, I fail, and I cannot fill your void (not saying people that read this seek that...but just know, if you always turn to my insight when you are down, you're not turning in the right direction--talk to God). In fact nothing I say or do will carry you too far. And I hope you realize this--that it is not in the words I speak, but the awesome God that is behind them, and the message of Christ that is that hope, that love, and that forgiveness that can fill the void.

Often we will subconsciously fill voids in our life. A lot of people can point out that alcoholics fill the void with alcohol, abusers fill the void with abusing others, etc. But most people cannot or do not acknowledge what they fill their void with because it isn't so 'extreme' or obvious. The minister of revival this evening was talking about how when he was younger, he used to feed off of intimidating people. If he went a day without scaring/intimidating someone, he felt less than or less fulfilled. I used to do that when I was younger, I'll admit. I was always much taller than everyone (boys and girls included) when I was in elementary school, and I fed off the fact that people feared me and my size. I didn't take it as far as being a bully, but as humans we like power. We like control, attention, feeling important, looking good, being appreciated, etc. etc. Welcome to your human nature. It's nice to know that like the rest of us, you have fleshly desires.

So here's a secret on how to solve the constant need for power, importance, that 'feeling,' etc: be in control. You ask, "isn't that what I'm trying not to do---control people--ya know, power?" I didn't say be in control of others...be in control of yourself, of your desires, of your wants. Easier said than done, I know, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. So how do you control these wants? Well, for those of you that seek a fight every day, see fighting that desire as the fight itself. And rejoice when you succeed. This is no little task. Temptations are not to be taken lightly.

You were made with a void in your heart so that you would naturally seek Christ to be complete. The Holy Spirit was sent as our Comforter for a reason...God knows we need something...Him. So don't think it's silly that attractive naked men or women tempt you, or that you are prone to drink when something's bothering you--it makes the pain go away for a bit, or that you want to cut yourself--at least you feel something, or that you eat 7 meals a day because when you eat you don't have to think about stressful/painful things so much, or that you feel like when you talk a certain way/act a certain way you may hurt others--but it's the only way you think you can get respect....whatever your temptation, it isn't silly. That's the last thing it is. It is legitimate and it is real, and it is important. But most of all, it is conquerable.

1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us we are not tempted with more than we can handle and that God has made a way out for us. We just have to want that way out badly enough to search for it. Your temptation is real, it is a battle, and it will not be easy to defeat. I can tell you from experience. I don't say that to give you reason to slack off or just continue on filling the void that is meant for Christ with something else--whatever void-filler-of-choice is: eating, homosexuality, bitterness, anger, sex, drugs, alcohol, gossip, etc., etc., etc.--I say that to let you know
1)I care, and I am going to try to understand my best what you are facing. I cannot fix it, but I can sure pray for you and hold your hand through the fight.
2)Your temptation/temptations is/are real and it is serious. You must first admit this to yourself before you will ever get close to overcoming any weak area. The devil is not stupid, he is sly and cunning. He tempts each of us with what we are specifically weak in...helllllo, that only makes sense if he wants us to fall away from Christ. So when you struggle, know it's the real thing, but you are fighting against Satan, not just your mind or someone's set of standards/rules.
3)You can do it. You can do it. You can do it with Christ. Like the little engine that could, when your mind is overwhelmed and all you think about is cutting yourself, or drinking, or how you're going to fix this...remember, it's a hill to climb, but there's victory when you reach the other side...and oh, so much peace from God.
4) God can forgive you for any times in the past you have slipped up, when you've fallen into that temptation, etc. It doesn't matter if you have a baby, scars, an ex-bf or ex-gf (or both) to show for it, GOD CAN AND DOES FORGIVE when we turn to Him humble and seeking His desires. Yes he can. There's a guy at our church that has been to jail, done drugs, been a borderline alcoholic, and got his girlfriend pregnant. He accepted salvation, and you know what--that saved man is as forgiven as Sunday School teacher me...that's right forgiveness, wiping away of sins, it's the real deal, and we all can become clean in Christ.

So ask yourself: How often do you feel empty? What is different when you do? I find the greatest fulfillment when I focus all my vision, hopes, and intentions on Christ, His salvation and forgiveness from sin, and what small part I can play in His huge awesome purpose. I hope you will find this hope, and that the desires for Christ's kingdom will grow so much in you that it will become stronger than any temptation you will ever face. Know this, when you fall, acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness. I find Jesus Christ is the very best at picking me up and dusting me off. And yes, I make plenty of mistakes. Praise His wonderful name for the gift of forgiveness.

perhaps you drive a car. what's driving you?

What is your motivation? Why do you do what you do? Seriously. Sit there and think about it.

Start with the basic stuff: why do you brush your hair? Because you don't want to look like a 4 year old or homeless person, perhaps. Why do you go to work/school? To either better yourself or just pay the bills, perhaps. Ok I'm done giving you answers....you get the thought. Go through your day and reflect.



So many of us have passions we pursue. We have those things that tempt us. Those around us that direct some of our desires (i.e. taking a job to care for your family vs. taking a dream job that would pull you away from them). But we also have those things that we do to make us feel whole. Ever think about what yours is? Perhaps there's more than one? So often we don't realize what we do in the pursuit of completing ourselves, but others might. Maybe your best approach is to ask around from trusted sources from what they think your source of motivation is.

Just a simple self reflection, but the better you know how you are wired, the better you can direct yourself toward your goals and the ultimate goal of becoming more Christlike.

you're going to need more than carbs for this

Endurance. Do you have it? We often see TV commercials for sports oriented products like Gatorade, Adidas, or Nike with slogans like "Is it in you?" "Impossible is Nothing" or "Just Do It" which encourage us to endure and do greater things at the sports and fitness level, with the help of their products of course.

This morning I was watching the Today show and they were reflecting on exercise, how difficult it is to stay in a routine of exercise, but how overwhelmingly beneficial the results are. Once again...endurance.

A principle you can probably easily picture/relate to is the fact that when you exercise, you often have muscle pains....the reason a lot of people don't like to continuously exercise. Interestingly enough, muscle is built by tearing old muscle, which rebuilds bigger...hence the pain. Yet, if we want to reach the goal of fitness or washboard abs, etc., we must endure.

Our Spiritual lives are much the same way. Often it is the tearing down of walls, temptations, and even obstacles that emotionally seem to weaken us that allow our spiritual muscle to rebuild stronger. Just like lifting weights or doing 200 sit ups a day, it can be a painful process, but the real question is will you endure? You must if you want to reach the goal.

Tonight, our church had its first night of revival. The preacher had travelled to Africa in the past and reflected on his experiences with one tribe in particular. He explained that some people are physically beaten, imprisoned, or killed when they convert to Christianity. One story about the tribe that caught my eye though was about a cooking pot. There was one woman in particular who had converted to Christianity and was even helping to lead the Christian movement. When the chief of the village found out, he threatened to take away her cooking pot if she did not worship the idols of the village. While this may seem silly to you, it is a huge punishment for women in the community. They only have one cooking pot--it is what they cook their yams and all their food in after assembling some stones and a small fire. Without the pot, they have no way to prepare the food. Well, the woman refused, and sure enough her pot was taken away. What you have to realize here is that this means she had NO promises of food...she could have died from starvation...but (that's right) she endured.

Another message here is that the Christian community came together and provided for her from their meager means. This is what we need to be doing for out brothers and sisters in Christ...helping each other to endure. Share your Gatorade, your life juices, your blessings from God. At the very least...the VERY least, share a kind word (but you can do so much more than that I feel).

Six weeks later, the chief felt silly and decided to give her her cooking pot back, thinking he had proven his point. To the contrary, she had never bowed down to idols, and God had provided.

So how far will you endure? Would you risk not being able to eat to spread the cause of Christ? Will you depend on Him for your everything even when the odds aren't in your favor (cool thing is, He outdoes the odds all the time :))? ...most of all...is it in you--to endure, to conquer, to win for Christ? It can be. After all, impossible is nothing [with Christ]...so get out there and just do it.

2 Timothy 2:11-13
"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself."

duct tape repairs leaks of all kinds: vents, mouths...

Tonight I watched a show that pointed out how people's persecution of the obese, the handicap, the 'ugly,' the less well educated, etc. can completely turn people off to Christianity. The reason people are turned off toward Christianity at that point has NOTHING to do with the faith itself...they don't get that far...they stop at the fact that a follower of the faith is saying one thing and doing another. While none of us are perfect, we should be striving to uplift not destroy. Don't dislike people because of certain physical features--appearance, health, or knowledge wise. Instead befriend them in this critical world, and listen to what God said--LOVE THEM.

1 John 4:19-21, "We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

So it really isn't a matter of why you a predisposed to racism, or mocking handicap people, or finding your strength by pointing out others weaknesses...fix it. Either pick up the cross and focus on the challenge of loving more than skin deep, or realize that you are at best luke warm and God doesn't have a pretty plan for the lukewarm and half-hearted...that means Hell. We need to put more effort into not deterring people away from God and the church...the devil is a powerful tempter and we don't need to be giving him any assistance.

As my mom always told me when I was little, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." ...words often spoken to a child, but that are important to adults as well. If you're convinced you can't love overweight, handicap, 'ugly,' etc. people equally, try closing your eyes and doing it. Literally...a few toe stubs from running into the wall and you'll want to be hugging every wheel chair on the block.

don't dress for next tuesday, it might rain.

My email account has this lovely feature at login that has little blips of news articles to keep me posted/tempt me to read on about the latest and greatest, etc. Today one of the features blips was title, "Spring Eye Shadow Trend You Can Try Now." Also, today I came home to the Wall Street Journal on the table with a heading reading, "The Top 10 Looks for Spring." ...Isn't this fall? For a second, I wasn't sure if I'd mistaken the season. While it is indeed important to plan, sometimes I think we get a little anxious. Fashion is not something I think we need to prepare for 6 months ahead of time...the shirts will still be in style when they hit the rack. And I'm just now getting prepared for winter. So let's take this out to the bigger picture of our lives. Ever planned too far ahead? Boxed yourself in before you got to a situation?

While this is not what I'm saying the WSJ and AOL are doing, just imagine if you focused so hard on Spring Trends that you weren't focusing on the chillier days of Fall and soon to be Winter, and you went out in the snow in a tank top. Frost bite? That's exactly what can happen in life if we approach situations focusing more on what might happen in the future than what is happening today. Perhaps you're in a relationship and you're focusing more on potential marriage than you are on getting to know the person today...that could cause some problems. Maybe you're so focused on getting a promotion at work that you step on everyone, not realizing that alienating people today could challenge your tomorrows and even your goal. Maybe you're stressing about a project/opportunity/event 3 months away, and you forget about your son's baseball game. Whatever the situation or story may be, we must be careful not to look so far ahead that we forget to embrace our todays.

This seems to be a really big problem for the age group that is graduating HS/college and looking for God's plan for their life. The stress of having everything planned out overwhelms making the most of today. Here's a quote from Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, "But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the perfectionism and the preoccupation with the future, and for God's sake start making some decisions in your life. Don't wait for the liver-shiver. If you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, you will be in God's will, so just go out and do something." Basically, just keep in mind that a lot can change in a year, or even a month...perhaps a week will turn your world upside down, or right side up. Let God move and don't box yourself in. If you're so determined to do X in the future, you may miss out that God says, "give that kid a hug" or "write your great aunt, she's having a tough time" or whatever He leads you to today. And while those things seem piddly (they aren't), imagine if God tries to tell you something that will be future altering...like about the person you'll marry? My advice: have a sketch of your future, but don't make it with a permanent marker, and be ready for God to answer prayers with some 'wowzer' changes every now and then. It keeps you awake and listening.

Let's hear it from James..."Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that' (James 4:13-15)"

Don't let your tomorrows eclipse your todays. Don't let your todays stop you from seeking tomorrows. It's a hard balance, but I believe you can do it.

there's a clock with your name on it. don't make it a staring contest.

When you think the bad times can't pass quickly enough, or you can't hold on any longer...just remember the last time a week flew by and you went 'it's Monday again?!' or how one day you woke up and your baby turned 5...or 16...or 30. Embrace what you're given. Don't wish time away. You're only give this one life, and there is a time for every thing. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Now, go enjoy that weekend that just showed up. :)

C. Stan is the man

Generally, if I find something worth sharing...I will. The following is from Charles Stanley and InTouch Ministry, a mailing I get called "The Pastor's Heart":

"Hold on to God. No matter what happens or how discouraging your situation may become, never stop clinging to the Lord. He is faithful, and He will most certainly keep you. Keep trusting Him--regardless of how your circumstances appear.

I write this to you today because all of us have walked through valleys at one time or another in life. Each of us has wept over difficulties and struggles we thought we couldn't survive. We lay awake at night, wondering, "God, what am I going to do? I don't know how to go on." We're not sure how to face the decisions and consequences that will come. The pain and emptiness overwhelm us.

I imagine that is how James Cash Penney felt when he lost $40 million in the stock market crash of 1929, becoming deathly ill from the stress of his circumstances. Seven million dollars in debt, false accusations of fiscal impropriety lodged against him, emotionally and physically spent, Penney wrote, 'I was convinced I would never see another dawn. I wrote farewell letters to my family. Then I waited for the end--a failure at the age of 56.'

Although Penney felt as if he had no future, God had other plans. At the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan where he was being treated for his illness, Penney one day heard the hymn, "God Will Take Care of You," and he decided to trust the Lord Jesus as his Savior. Not only did he survive, he also lived into his nineties, building a financial empire through his JCPenney stores.

Perhaps you are experiencing devastating difficultires today or see disturbing troubles on the horizon. Maybe you lack a sense of direciton or real purpose. You might even wonder if you need to give up on your goals and dreams because you feel like you don't measure up and will never deserve the good things you desire.

At such times, you may be tempted to seek refuge in earthly comforts such as wealth, possessions, food, or activities. Perhaps you throw yourself more deeply into ministry, trying to hide your hurt, but becoming more wounded in the process. You may even attempt to isolate yourself from the world, pushing everyone away. Don't. These things promise to comfort your hurting coul, but will eventually cause you more pain.

Instead, cling to the only One who can truly help you overcome all of your difficulties--Jesus Christ. As 1 Peter 5:7 admonishes, cast "all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." How do you do so? Here are some principles that will help you through the most difficult times.

First, whenever you are tempted to think about your circumstances--and the empty feeling of hopelessness wells up within you--realize it is an important indication that you should be in prayer. The emotions you're experiencing are a warning sign to your spirit, revealing your utter need for the Father. He is calling you...drawing you into a relationship with Him. Go to Him with an open heart, and invite Him to teach you.

Second, commit yourself to God and whatever He has planned for your future. Did you know that one of the biggest gold deposits ever excavated in this nation was discovered just two inches beneath the spot where a previous miner had given up? There are many wonderful blessings that you will forfeit if you quit now. Don't miss out on the good things the Father has for you because you are discouraged. Devote yourself to the Lord, and He will strengthen you to go on.

Third, claim God's promises to always love and never forsake us. Often, when we experience loss, rejectiong, or we fail at something important, we attribut our painful feelings to our own sense of worth. We begin to believe we don't deserve acceptance or anything good. But the Father promises to love us unconditionally, and our job is simply to accept His everlasting love (Jer. 31:3; 1 John 4:9-11). Deuteronomy 31:8 assures, "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Fourth, cling to God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, regardless of what happens, with the knowledge that He ultimately provides what is absolutely best for you. Understanding this principle will help you get through the most difficult times in your life, because when you turn to Him for help, He will comfort your hurting soul and fill the emptiness with hope.

No matter what happens in your life, don't let go of the Savior. Respond to your feelings of discouragement with prayer. Commit yourself to trusting His plan, regardless of the circumstances. Claim His unfailing promises and cling to His loving presence. He can and will help you through this. So hold on to God. He knows the pathway to victory in your situation and is simply waiting for you to trust Him to lead the way.

Prayerfully yours, Charles F. Stanley"

here's the puzzle: you, what, have, want

I turned on the radio this evening to hear the last words of that amazing Diamond Rio song, "One More Day." Though perhaps not the original purpose of the song, it got me thinking about how if we are given something (anything), quite often it just makes us want something more. As the song says , "one more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied, but then again I know what it would do, it'd leave me wishing still for one more day with you."

Even starting out as children, we tell our parents at Christmas time--'mom, if you get me this toy, I will never ask for anything again.' Most mothers aren't silly enough to believe that. Then as adults, it seems we only get worse--'this sportscar is it...after that I will not want anything more.' ...but then we get the car and we need the rims, or the turbo package, etc. What we must come to understand is that our wants are ever changing, with trends, fashions, age, etc. And they have the potential to never be fulfilled. But I tell you what, I have come up with a solution to fulfill all your wants. Are you ready? You may want to grab pen and paper for this, it's a potential breakthrough. You can satisfy all of your wants by: wanting what you have. In a better way of putting it--be content. The interesting thing about this breakthrough (which is in fact no new breakthrough at all) is that the Bible reminds us frequently of the key to satisfaction....

Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."...look toward Heaven, not things here on earth which will fade away (whether in our lifetime or after)

Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." ---the want here is not the 'I want a doll, or choclate' sort of want as we know it, but rather it talks about being in want, that is, having a need unfulfilled. The Lord is your Shepherd, your leader...He's going to take care of your needs.

Paul, one of the great leaders of Christianity, tells us in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Now, mind you, Paul had been in prison, had been mocked, had depended on the funds of others to supply his needs as he travelled as a missionary...and yet, he was still full of joy (4:4) and content! Put your wants in perspective.

Truth is, a wish list is not a sin so long as you keep in perspective what your real goals and priorities are, and that you put Christ first. Remember the rich guy that had it all together, had followed all the commandments, yet was too in love with his riches to follow Christ completely? Luke 18:18-24. Don't become that. The smallest want can become the biggest barrier in your relationship with Christ if you do not remember what is most important (Him!).

One of the hardest things to let go of in this world, and one often not addressed when we talk about 'wants,' is those people that we love. It's a rough subject, but at some point we all have a date with the Big Guy (Jesus) where we pass from this world to our fate in eternal life (hopefully you have salvation and are going in the direction of Heaven). When those we love pass away, we must remember that Christ still must come first. If anything we should not turn our back on God during the pain of loss, but run to Him, His comfort, and seek His understanding of the 'whys' in the situation. Do not let other people become your god. This concept applies in living as well--don't make any person such an idol in your life that their wants come before those of God....even if it's family or a spouse (ouch...I know, it's not always easy), remember Christ should be number one.

So break the habit of wanting more and more. Look at what you have and realize just how blessed you truly are. I don't know what you have, but this I do know, if you are reading this, it must be enough. This life will not always be about thriving...some days it's just surviving. Just remember even in the surviving ('whatever state I'm in' as Paul put it) to be content.


[....and for those of you confused by the title...you're supposed to organize it as 'want what you have' not 'have what you want'...the lesson: perspective is key.]

there's more to it than stars and stripes

Having some of my rights at least in theory being breifly taken away in China was one of the biggest blessings in my life...here's why...

Today on my way to school, I was listening to KLOVE, a national Christian radio station. This past week was 'meet me at the pole,' where Christian students from all around the country gather at their school's flag pole to pray because, well, we're free to do so. A particular Christian school that didn't have a flag pole went to their nearest military base to pray around the flag pole on base. After they were done praying, the radio station reported that, one of the miltary personnell presented them with an American flag....this brought the teacher to tears. And tears of joy flowed in my eyes too. I have an extremely high level of respect and appreciation for America, our leaders, and our military. To me, the flag represents the embodiment of many great things--of peace, hope, unity, dreams, freedom, possibilities, values, and so much more. Throw my pride in America with my excitement about God (which America allows me to show without reserve or consequence!), and I'll admit you're probably going to get some sort of display of emotion and joy out of me.

This morning reminded me again of how EXTREMELY blessed I am. I have the right to praise God wherever I am whenever I want. That's amazing. Most of the world does not have that blessing. The amazing thing is that so often we don't take advantage of it. So my challenge to you is to sing on the sidewalks, pray in your car, tell the sales attendant that Jesus loves them. Fulfill with your freedom what God calls you to do: spread His Good News!!

When I was in China, conversation anywhere in public about religion was completely banned. It could lead to imprisonment or worse. Live it up and cling to what you have people!! Show your commitment to and love for God, make it more than just a statement on your Facebook profile.

The serious truth is that there is absolutely NO guarantee you'll have religious freedom forever.

Think of it this way: if I told you that you could no longer talk about your family in public--what would you do? what if owning a dog was banned? what if you had no choice in the type of car you drove? you were only allowed to work 20 hours a week--too bad if you can't make ends meet?....etc. These seem silly or like they cut into our basic...freedoms. We'd all wear t-shirts and write our politicians to demand we could own dogs, or choose cars, or talk about our family!
Take this same zeal, get out there and speak about Jesus. It's your right. Fight for it, keep it, hold it, use it, savor it, and by golly, be thankful for it. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Matthew 18:20. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I [Jesus] in the midst of them"....get some Jesus in your midst. :)

don't swing with your eyes closed

A reminder today:

Song Lyrics--Unpredictable by Francesca Battistelli

Got my thoughts
I got my words
Got this head full of answers
Got You wrapped up
Got You under control
See my future like the past behind me
I think I know where You're leading
Don't need no questions
Don't need no rocking the boat

But I just forget all the mystery
I just forget who You are

(Chorus)
When I know that I know
What You have down the road
When I'm sure that
I've figured You out
Help me see that I'm small
That I can't know it all
'Cause You're so unpredictable
'Cause You're so unpredictable

You said the foolish
Would shame the wise
To put my faith
In what's beyond my eyes
And to believe You
I have to come as a child

So help me to rest in the mystery
Of what I can't understand

(Chorus)

Can't wrap my mind around You
Can't put You in a box
Can't keep You safely contained
You're gonna move the way
You wanna move today
Just let me FOLLOW along

(Chorus)


.....So just remember, He's in control of the unpredictable. Follow, Move, Go. Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plent or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Batter up.

what espresso taught me: reflections of a former barista

As a former barista, I do not pretend to be in the least bit a professional, but during my 2 month adventures in the coffee world, I learned many lessons. The lesson I reflect on today: espresso taught me the value of time.

Due to the shortage of espresso funerals/ceremonies, most people are not aware that a shot of espresso dies after 10 seconds. That is to say, once a shot has been pulled, it goes from a creamy brown color to a dark brown color....and at the point it becomes bitter. When I first started working as a barista, I found it hard to balance steaming milk, pumping syrups, rinsing pitchers, making other iced beverages, etc. during the about 15 seconds it takes to pull a shot of espresso. As time went on (and like I say, I was never a pro) I began to understand better just how long 15 seconds was. Now, for most of us, we sit down to accomplish a task and think 15 minutes is not enough to do most things, much less 15 seconds, but you learn just how fast you can do things when you are limited in time.

Currently, I am reading a book called Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. It reflects on finding God's will and other useful information. Today I read a chapter titled 'Our Magic 8-ball God'...a spin on a previous quote DeYoung had, "God is not a Magic 8-Ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for Him. We know God has a plan for out lives. That's wonderful. The problem is we think He's going to tell us the wonderful plan before it unfolds. We feel like we can know--and need to kn0w--what God wants every step of the way. But such preoccupation with finding God's will, as well intentioned as the desire may be, is more folly than freedom. The better way is the biblical way: Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we're going."

...so now you're like, umm what does this have to do with espresso? Remember...we're thinking about time here. Follow me...back to the chapter.

DeYoung goes on to say, "We want to know what tomorrow will bring instead of being content with simple obedience on the journey. And so we obsess about the future and we get anxious, because anxiety, after all, is simply living out the future before it gets here...Worry about the future is not simply a character tic, it is the sin of unbelief, an indication that our hearts are not resting in the promises of God."

So, now let's talk God's timing: in our past, in our present, and (what most of us are concerned about) in our future. Working with espresso took training, and I had to come to comprehend through trial and error what all I could do in the 15 seconds a shot pulled. It was silly to stand and watch the shot pull and most of the time ended with unhappy customers or a back-up on drinks...so that wasn't an option. I had to learn to multitask. So how long is 15 seconds?

What I am learning with age and experience (neither of which do I have an abundance) that sometimes we get overwhelmed by juggling--"God, how can I get ALL this done in that amount of time?"....it's never enough time. We also get overwhelmed by waiting--"God, why is this happening/why aren't you speaking or moving/why have I had to wait this long?"...it's always too much time. Weird balance huh? In the doing, we don't have enough time; in the waiting, we have too much. So here's what I gather mathematically from that...in your waiting, be doing [something productive for God] and in your overwhelming of doing, be waiting [for God's provision to carry your load, for the target to be hit, for His help and guidance]. Balance is key.

Do not limit yourself to less than you can handle in life. Remember Psalm 121: 5-6, "The Lord watches over you--the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night." Kevin DeYoung spoke toward anxiety--not knowing what is coming, but trying to live in it before you get there. You cannot hand out an espresso-based drink (i.e. latte, americano, caffe mocha, etc.) until the shot pulls...so you use your time wisely. You cannot get to tomorrow's successes/struggles until today's events have taken course....so use your time wisely. You only have one life...make the most of it when you give it a 'shot' :).




Philippians 4:6- "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

life may not always seem solvable, but it is entertaining, and your dreams...they sparkle

Let's start out by first agreeing and establishing that sometimes life sucks. We face adversity, the right person says the wrong thing at the right time, your favorite cardigan rips, shin splints take over your ability to venture to the nearest Subway, etc. From the little things to the big things and all that falls in between, we can all confess that not every moment of our life is a happy one. Today, and in fact, most of this week was full of favorite-cardigan-tearing/kick me in my weak spot/is this ever going to end moments...and so this evening I came home to take a break. So I put in the only movie in our collection I don't think I've seen yet, All About Steve, a romantic comedy about a crossword puzzle designer, her love for the written word, and her pursuit of love. In the movie, the crossword puzzle designer often quotes the 3 requirements for a great crossword puzzle: "Is it solvable, is it entertaining, does it sparkle?" Toward the end of the movie, real life disaster happen, and as she is coming out of a collapsed coal mine, she reflects on judging life's worth and greatness in the same way as the crossword puzzle: "is it solvable, is it entertaining, and does it sparkle?" So when facing any adversity and you feel that the problems in front of you are too much or too difficult, this simple and almost funny reflection perhaps will help you to realize that although life doesn't generally have the triumphant background music at just the right time like a well developed movie, it's going to be ok.

In fact, it's important that you realize it's going to come out alright. But, on the flipside of the coin, I was reminded today that it is also okay to hurt. For those of us with massive amounts of pride, sometimes it hurts to hurt. Others of us feel like by burdening others with our burdens, we only hurt others we love more and don't accomplish anything positive through sharing our struggles. These perceptions are in fact, untrue. A beautiful friend, in listening to my burdens today, shared with me Proverbs 14:10, "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." Everyone has their pain. We are each influenced by different events in different ways, and what only slightly hurts one will be heartwrenching for another facing a similar situation. Don't be afraid to hurt. God says there is a time for all things, including a time to mourn (Ecclesiates 3: 1-8). But, in balance, He also tells us there is a time to be silent, a time to embrace and refrain from embracing, and a time to dance. So dance when you can, mourn when you have to, and embrace others when they need it most.

And also to those of you who have pride or are afraid to burden someone with your burdens, remember we all have a desire to connect with one another. We are all battling something. Often I find that by sharing what we've been through, we help educate each other on the best and worst ways to approach situations. Also, none of us are perfect, and by sharing our struggles it reinforces the fact that in a world filled with so many hurting, there is hope, there is triumph, and we have others that are in this with us. So give your team a high 5, grant yourself some down time, and then get back at it. We've got mouths to feed, hearts to heal, and souls to save (and some of us even have ripped cardigans to repair ;)).

Life may not always seem solvable (take it one moment at a time), but it is often entertaining (learn to laugh at your mistakes), and my, how your dreams do sparkle.

Shanghai, Shang low...

Let me take you to China. June 16. Shanghai. This is from my new handmade leather journal I bought there. See if you can follow it.:

"There is something about the smell of new leather. The freshness of the aroma. It makes life seem simpler. Tame. Bittersweet. We think of prairie days in the West as a life of simplicity and bliss. Rather, it was a daily struggle to provide and survive. Fear. Death was common and sometimes sudden. A simple cold takes a child's life. A husband gets bucked off a horse. Accidents happen. Tragedy breaks. What is interesting--no matter the age or time, people adapt. What we are called to is not always the best, but it is simply this: to pursue the will of God in whatever bliss or horror we face, and through what we encounter to make the very best of it. Good can be found. There is something about the smell of new leather. The freshness of the aroma. It makes life seem simpler."
------------------------------------
Same day...quote from Thomas Merton's No Man is an Island
"This discovery of Christ is never genuine if it is nothing but a flight from ourselves. On the contrary, it cannot be an escape. It must be a fulfillment. I cannot discover God in myself and myself in Him unless I have the courage to face myself exactly as I am, with all my limitations, and to accept others as they are with all their limitations. The religious answer is not religious if it is not fully real. Evasion is the answer of superstition."
------------------------------------
Now, onto June 17...Shanghai, China

"People live in fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of loss. Pain. What is hope if it is only an attempt to replace or temporarily displace fear? Can it stand? What is hope if the thing you hope for is in something that you, the powerless, fearful self, have created? Can something birthed in fear cast out fear? When we feel powerless against the odds of rejection, loss, pain, etc., is there anything within our power we can do to correct this situation? Perhaps that is a contradiction...
Rather, I argue we are powerless being only endowed with the power allowed us by the Great Power, being God. Thus, fear cannot be prevented by our own means, but only by relying on something completely out of our control and power. Someone trustworthy. In acknowledgin how little control we have, we gain some control--at least of ourselves and our fears (which sometimes have no grounds). People live in fear. Thankfully, there is One we can cast our fears upon who has our best in plan (Jeremiah 29:11)."

there's more to an intersection than a stop light. there's more to the call than just sitting.

Today I was sitting at a busy intersection leading to a mall, stores, restaraunts, etc. on a Friday night. So needless to say, lots of people are coming through the intersection--to give you a picture of where I'm at. I am thinking about my to do lists, agendas, etc. etc. when in the corner of my eye I see a cross moving. For those of you that have seen the Passion movie, it is moving at the angle you would picture Jesus moving it. It's a large wooden cross, about the size I would imagine a person would be crucified on, and over the cars in the distance I can read 'Jesus Saves' painted on the horizontal part. As the cars begin to move, I am able to get a better look, and realize there is a man carrying this cross....and as he approaches the intersection, he waits on the cars to cross by setting the cross upright and holding it. Just chillin there proclaiming Jesus saves. Interesting. And the question hits me, am I carrying my cross? I think about how many people passed through that intersection tonight and mocked him or pointed at him, or maybe thought he was too forward, a 'holy roller', or overly religious. It happens...on a daily basis. But yet, this man felt compelled to carry his cross and send a message.

As I drove past the man, I also realized he was at least middle aged, a little older gentleman, and I got to thinking about how many people that are most bold and set in their faith are the ones who have lived longer and had more experiences. I understand how wisdom comes from being around longer, but I ask myself, why does it take so long for us to realize what we really should be doing? Why do we wait until that point to be bold or care less about what others think? We are all called to stand for Christ in whatever way He may lead us to be. What are we waiting for? Ask yourself, do you have the mentality that you have plenty of time left in this life...you'll get around to x,y, or z? Perhaps there won't be another tomorrow, or perhaps your life will continue but the opportunity or ideal time to witness to that person won't. God is in control. He's omniscient (that's a fancy way of saying He knows all), so if He says move---for goodness sake, MOVE! If that means making a 'fool' (in some eyes) of yourself at a major intersection, by golly, go do it.

So anytime I see someone doing something, especially for Christ, I ask myself: should I be doing that? Why am I not doing that? What progress are they making through that? Is there a more effective approach? What are the consequences? As I reflected on the consequences of this man's actions tonight, I realized that some people with hard hearts may think he's silly...but what damage has he done there? No REAL passionate, faithful Christian is going to pass and be like 'that stupid idiot is trying to push the Gospel and change lives...what is he thinking?!?!'...no. So the only other alternative is that someone will drive through there today that's kind of been on the fence. Perhaps life's been a little confusing or not everything's gone their way and they're asking God why/turning their back to Him. Maybe someone made a mistake, did the 'big sin,' and think that they are doomed to Hell with no chance of forgiveness. Or perhaps a great Christian person is feeling a little discouraged in their walk today....all 3 of these scenarios have something to gain--the confused and hurting person maybe realizes there's love out there and people who care to let them know about it. That person with the big sin is reminded of the perfect sacrifice and ultimate forgiveness...and that NONE of us are worthy through our acts to receive His forgiveness (but He gives it anyway, praise God!). And that discouraged Christian remembers what exactly it is he/she is REALLY living for, what their goal should be, and that they aren't fighting this fight alone, there are other brothers and sisters out there persecuted as well.

So kudos to mr. intersection crusader. Whatever your story is, you changed my day. I hope you press onward in your goals to change the world for Christ.

To wrap up, here are some verses that spoke to me today, "Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Also, vs. 23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

And finally, here's a quick praise chorus that came to me today. It's simple, it's legit. Put it to a tune and repeat, repeat, repeat it to the Lord and to yourself when you're facing struggles, or just to praise Him because HE IS WORTHY. I love you all. God bless.

You are Jehovah, Jehovah Jireh
You have the power, You are the King
You are so worthy, You give us blessings
Jehovah Jireh, To you we sing
When ways are cloYdy, When skies are empty
You will not fail us, Your praises ring
You are Jehovah, Jehovah Jireh
You have the power, You are the King