A Bible Bath Lesson in Friendship

Some people like to take Bubble Baths... I prefer to take a Bible Bath. One of the simple joys in life is relaxing in the tub while taking in some of God's word. 

My latest lesson from the lavatory... I love it when God shows me something in my reading that I have never seen before. This time it came from the book of Job. I have read the book of Job before... it is one of the staple hard knock life stories from the Bible. You can't help but read this book and be thankful for where your life is. This time however, God decided to show me a different side of the book of Job... it started with 3 little verses. 

When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. 

Job 2:11-13

This is nothing short of a lesson in true friendship. I think this speaks to the kind of man Job truly was. He had three extremely close friends, so close that when they heard the trouble that Job was in they all agreed that they must go to him. Their only plan was to go sympathize with him and comfort him. I believe this means they just wanted to go love on him. Think for a moment of your close friends, who would you drop everything to go to? Who would do the same for you? 

From a distance they saw Job... and could hardly recognize him. Instead of turning around and going back home they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. At first I thought "Why would they have done that?" I relate it to me when I'm having a bad day (and Job was having a doosey of a bad day). I can imagine if it were me I would be sitting at home, face red from crying, makeup streaked down my face, hair not fixed, probably not showered, in my comfy fat clothes. How well would I receive my friends knocking on my door if they were all made up and looking their best?! HA! I don't think I would even answer the door!! I think his friends wanted him to be comforted by them, not irritated by them. 

What they did next is pretty amazing... "they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was." v. 13. Imagine that... they just sat with him, probably cried with him... but didn't say a word to him. They really just wanted to be there with him. They knew he just needed friends, not advice, not a lecture and certainly no one telling him what is wrong in their lives. They knew his suffering was great. 

I wonder if I am that kind of a friend? Would I be able to sit for seven days and not offer my two cents? Probably not... 

God, help me be the kind of friend to people you want me to be. Even if it means keeping my mouth shut! 

From the Fast Lane

Well... I did it... I listened, obeyed... whatever you want to call it. I made the big move. God has taken me from the fast lane to a screeching halt. I believe it is called "being still and knowing He is God". Easier said than done...

It has been almost a year now since I made the decision to just listen to God and not ask questions.

So here I sit... jobless, answer-less, and yet hopeful. God has proven himself to be faithful time and time again... why should this time be any different?

I think it's only fitting to repeat one of my favorite verses...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

 Jeremiah 29:11

I have spent the past 4 years looking at plans that were drawn, approved and built by a team of architects, engineers and contractors. I am so thankful that when it comes to the plans for my life there is ONLY ONE who has put His seal on them, the architect, engineer and builder of my life. 

 

Change is a Comin'

I recently read Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book was a nerf gun... full of little foam darts hitting me in the head every time I turned another page. 

Here are just a few:

"Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers."

"This place of trust isn't a comfortable place to be; in fact, it flies in the face of everything we've been taught about proper planning. We like finding refuge in what we already have rather than in what we hope God will provide. But when Christ says to count the cost of following Him, it means we must surrender everything. It means being willing to go without an extra tunic or a place to sleep at night, and sometimes without knowing where we are going. God wants us to trust Him with abandon. He wants to show us how He works and cares for us. He wants to be our refuge."

"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him, so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through."

"...you must learn to listen and to obey God, especially in a society where it's easy and expected to do what is most comfortable."

So that brings me to here and now... I have felt for months that God is calling me away from everything comfortable to move someplace I never wanted to go. I don't know what He has for me... I can only assume it must be something incredible! I know the process has been and will continue to be a true lesson in faith. Doing something without it all planned out goes against every fiber in me, it puts me 100% outside of my comfort zone, which is exactly where God wants me... and that gives me peace. 

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way."

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Blindfolded

We've all been there... blindfolded... not knowing where you are going... 

The natural reaction is to reach out. But what are we reaching for? Somebody we can trust, something solid to hold on to, something or someone to lead the way...

This is where I am at with my relationship with God. I have my blindfold on. I know where I am, but I don't know where I am going. He is telling me to reach out for Him. He will guide me and direct me, step by step.

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along the straight paths. 

Proverbs 4:11

Numero Uno

It seems as though I have broken 2010 rule numero uno! I have been ignoring God in a big way over the past 2 months... It just took a loving friend to point it out.

Here's hoping maybe He didn't notice... oh alright... of course He noticed. HARUMPH!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Luke 1:45

Unashamed

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

by a young African pastor

Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him 

as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, 

in order to make your hope sure. 

Hebrews 6:10-11 

in rilievo

 

Have you ever watched a symphony? From the triangle to the tuba every instrument has its own unique part. A time to play and a time to be quiet. A time to be soft and a time to be loud.  A time to be fast and a time to play slow. However without the conductor to direct them all it would sound like nothing more than just a loud noise rather than a brilliant masterpiece.

This is the perfect example of what God desires our relationship to be with Him. He wants to direct us. If we don't follow His timing our masterpiece will a mess.

As I look back at the past few days, weeks, months and years I can see how even the smallest, most mundane things were all a part of His plan. I am so relieved that God orchestrates every part of our lives, every decision we make is an opportunity to follow Him.

I want to be a beautiful instrument to be used for His will. Guide me and direct me Maestro!

My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing and make music with all my soul. 

Psalm 108:1

in rilievo

adverb 

1. (music) The musical notation that indicates that a particular instrument to play slightly louder than the others so as to stand out over the ensemble; in relief.

Etymology: Borrowed from Italian , meaning "in relief"

The Nerf Bat

I started out this year with one goal in mind... to listen to God and not argue. If only I knew what I was in for! 

The Lord came and stood there calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 

1 Samuel 3:10 

I have been looking back at the past 8 months and it has become so obvious to me that when we do exactly that... listen no matter how hard it may be... God truly blesses you for it. 

The one thing that has amazed me is that it has been so easy! This is the relationship that God has been wanting with me for so long. I thought it would be so hard... and at times it was... until I listened and did as He asked. Then He blessed me for it! 

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 

Luke 16:10

I have also found that when you listen... I mean really listen... He does speak to you... and most of the time it is the obvious! I call these my "Nerf bat" moments. You know what I'm talking about... those silly foam bats that you can hit each other with... they don't really hurt or leave a mark... but you know you've been hit. Well, God has hit me over the head a few times with the Nerf bat in the last few months. I can just imagine Him saying "Are you listening? Yes, that is really what I am telling you... " It didn't hurt, it just got my attention. 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 

John 10:27

And so my walk continues... walking with God, not against Him. Listening, not arguing. Trusting, not controlling.  

Hush

This video got me thinking about Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God..." I looked up the Hebrew root word for "be still", it is Raphah, which translated literally means to sink, relax, abandon, fall limp, become helpless, let go, wait.

I think it may be time for me to "be still" in His silence... and listen.

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Luke 5:16

Present

No, not that kind... I'm talking being present... here and now.

For the last month or so God has been working on me about being content in the present.
Not much point looking back... it is the past for a reason... you have gone past it. I have definitely learned things from my past but there really is no point dwelling on it.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."
Isaiah 43:18

I think it can be good to look towards the future... however don't get caught up in it. He has plans for you. Just know that when it is time... HIS time you will be included in those plans.

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."
Proverbs 23:18

and one of my personal favorites...


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

As I have been reading my Bible I have noticed that there are certain words that speak to the present. Words like "do" not "did" or "will do" but DO... do it now. Give. Teach. Go. Be.

None of these words focus on the past or the future... they are the present.

I am working on it... trying not to plan.
(a bit of a challenge for a habitual planner)

I will be present for my King.

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts God has given us is the present.
The present is the present.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34

Hello?

I've been thinking about prayer lately... How lucky are we to have a direct line to the creator of the universe?! Anytime we need to chat, He (or She if you have read The Shack) is on the other end of the line, just waiting for us to spill everything on Him.

Here is what is bothering me though...

Why is it that so many times it takes us going through the desert to pick up that phone and call out to Him? I think we should be calling out to him when things seem great!

The Word tells us to "consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2). Why in the world would it say that?! Only when you are doing the things that God has called you to do will the enemy be bothering you. If you are conforming to this world and not following God's will for your life it will "feel" as if things are going great. Satan has no reason to harass you if you are already listening to him.

In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
Psalm 86:7

That is when you should worry...

I would rather have Satan pissed off at me because he can't get to me than for him to leave me alone because he thinks he already has me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Feed me!

What does it mean to hunger? Let's take a look at what Webster says:

Hunger

1 a : a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient b : an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food c : a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food
2 : a strong desire


So now that we know that hunger is a craving, an urgent need, an uneasy sensation, a weakened condition and a strong desire. How does this relate to our spiritual life?

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Luke 6:21

What does it take for anything to grow? Food! I have been thinking about what "feeds" me.

-Quiet time, I have been really digging into the Bible and loving it!
-Worship, not much is better than driving down the highway praising God.
-Prayer, how can you have a relationship with somebody without actually talking to them?
-Serving, give it a try... not much fills me up more than watching other people grow closer to Him.

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:9

Some food for thought... Are you hungry? Are you being fed? What fills you up? Figure it out... do it... and be ready to grow!

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
John 6:35

Stirring

Ever had the feeling that God is getting ready to do something BIG?
I'm talking... life changing BIG.

That is where I am at right now... I can feel it. My soul is hungry...



Whatever you are stirring in me God... I am ready.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Ephesians 4:1

Abundant Grace

It's been a while since I have posted... no reason other than pure life craziness.

A brief rundown...

3 weeks ago- I had 13 girls from the youth group at my house. Wow!!! No words to express the love I have for these girls... I was 100% where I was supposed to be that weekend. It was nothing short of a blessing. The depth of their relationships with God are absolutely amazing. These girls are going to do great things for the kingdom! Just wait and see!

"Blessed are those who huger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled."
Matthew 5:6

2 weeks ago- God was faithful once again on some personal issues... I prayed and He answered... not only did He answer... His faithfulness rained down on me!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, trust also in me."
John 14:1

1 week ago- The culmination of the last 3 weeks happened on Easter Sunday... how fitting! I was one proud momma when I had the honor of watching BOTH of my kiddos get baptized! It was 100% their decision. They have both grown by leaps and bounds in their faith over the last few months. Nothing could make me more proud! Without a doubt this will always rank as one of my favorite days EVER!

"for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Galatians 3:27

PS... Check out his shirt... it says "Lifeguard... Mine walks on water" Perfect! :)

So there's this guy...

So on my way home from gymnastics with the girl tonight and she starts to tell me about something that happened at school today...


She starts by telling me that one of her friends has a Grandpa that is a pastor, isn't that cool?! And her friend isn't a Christian. This totally blew her mind! How in the world could you have a pastor Grandpa and not be a Christian? She continued to tell me about how this little girl was having a bad day so my sweet girl asks her if she has prayed about it! The girl says, "no, my grandpa is a pastor but we don't go to church". My little disciple hit the ground running... She proceeded to tell this girl that "There is this guy who was hung on a cross to save us from our sins. He died instead of us. He is the son of God and his name is Jesus."

Time out for a moment... just imagine me... driving my car... totally tearing up at the thought of my little girl sharing her heart with one of her friends. In fact, tearing up now as I type this...

Anyway, she said she told this girl that when she is having a bad day she just says a prayer about it and God helps take away all of her "secrets" (as she called them) and will make her day better. Needless to say they ended up praying together, at lunch, at school. WOW!

He called a little child and had him stand among them.
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:2-4

As if that wasn't enough... she has decided that she wants to start a small group, during lunch, where she can tell people about Jesus. She has it all planned out, they can meet in the music teacher's room (who just happens to be the children's pastor at church). DOUBLE WOW!

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;

with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalm 89:1

All because "there's this guy"... Thank you Jesus!

My God is Stronger!

Last Sunday while sitting in church I felt the need to cover my kid's school in prayer. I didn't really know why... so I ignored it. (Shame on me!)

Throughout the week it became very clear to me why God wanted me to pray over the school. Our youth are being attacked by the enemy in ways that I couldn't even fathom when I was a kid. He is using cliques to divide and conquer. Pitting friends against each other. Using computers and cell phones as an avenue to expose them to moral filth. All of this came to a head in the Middle School this week. It was felt by the students, parents and church leadership.

At a leadership meeting on Saturday I was talking to a wonderful prayer warrior friend of mine. She mentioned to me that she was going to start praying outside the school. I told her about me ignoring God last weekend, we both decided that after church this week we were going to meet in the middle school wing of the school to pray for the kids. (This would be the benefit of going to church IN my kid's school)

Fast forward to church today...
Following service we geared up in the full armor of God and went to pray. The weight of the enemy was heavy! I have honestly NEVER been in a situation like that before. But guess what?! MY GOD IS STRONGER! And if it takes me praying at that school every day for a year you better believe that is what I will do! My kids go to that school and the kids who I have come to love in the youth group go to that school! These are MY kids... GOD'S kids... Satan will not win this one... BRING IT ON! I can handle it...

Stay tuned...

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12

Do you mind? I'm trying to listen...

Have you ever sat in church, very intently listening to the pastor and realize you aren't listening to God?

This was what happened to me on Sunday. Great service, I was getting a LOT out of it, taking notes like crazy when all of a sudden I felt a gentle whisper. I shrugged it off, after all I was trying to listen to the message. So I listened to the pastor a little closer... and the gentle whisper became slightly louder. So finally I got the hint and listened... (remember, listening and not arguing this year).

WHAT?! Why in the world would God be telling me that? God, creator of the universe, knows my deepest darkest parts of my heart... He knows that asking me to do THAT may just be impossible (at least in my humble human mind). Seriously God, can't I go to Africa or feed starving children?

So as I cried my way through the rest of an incredible service, more upset over how in the world I'm going to manage to do what I have been told to do than the actual service, I began to pray... Then I remember... God's promises...

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21

and for the whisper in my ear...

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20


Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14


But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:27-28

Here Come da Judge...

When I think of a judge I think of a man or woman in a black robe, with a gavel sitting behind the bench in court. The judge, the ultimate authority, the one that holds your fate in his hands.
 
Over the last week the subject of judging has been on my heart...

Why is it as Christians so many of us feel the need to judge? I had a conversation with a very dear friend over the weekend. One who I know believes in God, someone who truly believes and yet doesn't go to church because of the hurtful, judgmental things that have been said to her and her family by fellow believers, her brothers and sisters in Christ! How can I blame her for not wanting to go back to church?

The thing that has been echoing in my heart over the last few days is the one man who had every right to judge us... Jesus, son of God, who knows our deepest hurts and needs and yet even He didn't judge. Think about the woman by the well... (John 4) Jesus knew her secrets. He knew she was a sinner, she had some ugly skeletons in her closet and yet he still loved her. He still wanted the best for her.

Yet, somehow as Christians so many of us feel we have the "golden ticket". Say what you want, even if it is hurtful. How many believers are not going to church, not witnessing to non-believers because of the hurts caused by their brothers and sisters in Christ? This only addresses the believers... it's no wonder our world is where it is, with such a negative opinion of the "church".

We judge our pastors, politicians, neighbors, friends, that very nice homosexual couple down the street, our children's teachers... the list goes on and on...

Christ has called us to a higher standard!


"Do not judge, and you will not be judged." -Luke 6:37

I don't think the scripture could make it much more clear than that "Do not judge..."


"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else..." Romans 2:1

Again... pretty clear... "no excuse"


Lord, make me mindful of my judging, for YOU are the ultimate judge... the one with the golden gavel! Make me more like your son...

Broken Bones and Birthday Cake

A broken clavicle that may or may not need surgery,
on my 9 year old gymnast daughter.
A mother's heart aches!
(more to come following x-rays this Friday)

AND...


A Superbowl Birthday Party for the boy and his best bud.
It is so fun to see him growing into a little man!
A heart full of joy unspeakable!


Thank you God for giving me joy in the midst of my pain...


"... Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice,
and no one will take away your joy."
~John 16:22

The Small Things

I sometimes tend to forget to thank God for the everyday small things... things like...

• Giving me a good job, where I can work with people that I actually LIKE!
• My kid's school, the teachers and administrators are amazing!
• Our dog, the kids love him... they are so happy to see him every day and he loves them more than anything. If you ever want to take a lesson in true love, watch your dog!
• Always having food on my plate and a roof over my head

...and of course I always thank Him for blessing me with two beautiful kiddos. I am blessed beyond measure to see both of them growing closer to Jesus every day. I couldn't ask for more!

"You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus." Philippians 4:19 MSG

I get the girls!

For the last few years I have felt God gently tugging on my heart to get involved with the youth girls. Not just any youth girls... middle school youth girls. Here's a look at my heart... middle school, 3 years that can truly define who you are as a person. From what I have seen at various churches, the middle school has a tenancy to get lost somewhere between the wild and crazy children's ministry and the cool hip high school youth group.

Fast forward to 2010... the year of submission...
I started out the year by being called to a wonderful new church. One that just happens to have a wonderful youth group called Crave. My son absolutely loves it. I could not ignore the tugging on my heart any longer. This week I found out the youth pastor was looking for a house to host either high school boys, high school girls, middle school boys or middle school girls for a fun filled weekend of fellowship and discipleship training. So... I prayed about it, sent an email and I get the girls!!

I continue to be amazed by God's faithfulness when you submit to him and follow his will.

But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.
Proverbs 1:33

2010 U-Turn

It is only 4 weeks into 2010 and I can't help but feel that this year is a turning point in my life.

There have already been BIG changes in my world. For starters I was led to a new church. Quite literally led, as in "Kelly, turn your car around and go!" Thank God I listened. It was one of those u-turn moments in your life where everything just feels perfect.

Just a few short weeks later I am closer to God than I have ever been. I have the distinct joy as a mother to be able to say my kids are truly yearning to be more like Jesus too. What a blessing!

There are so many places that I have no doubt God is leading me. My New Year's resolution is to simply "follow". Less arguing with God and more listening this year. Easier said than done for this former control freak. If there is anything I have learned though, His plans are far better than mine. I anxiously await seeing His plan for my life unfold.

If the first few weeks shows me anything about the rest of this year. It will be INCREDIBLE!

So, here's to a year of submitting to His will, following His heart, listening for His quiet whisper, absorbing His Word and enjoying the ride.