Monday, April 14, 2014
Testimony of God's Faithfulness
God is so faithful. Especially to provide for things He's called us to do, whether it's that we are the answer to our own prayer or he sends someone else. As many of you know, my sister will be going on the World Race next year through A.I.M. (Adventures In Missions) for nine months and I will be going to Guatemala in June for a week on a short term mission trip. These trips don't just pay for themselves and they aren't cheap by any means. My sister received an anonymous donation of $8,500 and my trip was covered through the internship I am currently involved in. My sister still has about $3,000 to raise but we are standing in faith believing that all the funds will be covered. I just want to encourage you to dare to believe for BIG things. I think a trap that we all fall into is thinking that our dreams or the things that God has called us to do are limited by physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, or mental boundaries that cannot be overcome. But our God is bigger than any thing that stands in the way of the dream/vision that He has put in our hearts. My sister and I's story is a testimony of the faithfulness of God to provide in ways we never thought possible and the deep realization that God will always meet us when we step out on the waters of uncertainty.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Access Denied
Take a minute (in some cases it may not even take that much time) to think of someone that you would love to meet and spend some time around and in turn, have them be interested in spending time getting to know you!
New Life Church recently welcomed Christine Caine to speak at a women's event on a Saturday morning and our two main services on Sunday morning. While I, along with many others, was so excited to learn from and sit under her teaching, God gave me a revelation. It can be so easy to idolize well known speakers, singers, actors and actresses, whom may even be Christians. It's great to have mentors, leaders, and friends, that we look up to and learn from, but Christians can tend to justify idolizing people because they are doing great things for God. While there is no doubt that there are awesome things that these people are doing, it does not justify our putting them above God and the place that he should have in our hearts and lives.
God also reminded me that if we had the same passion and zeal for wanting to meet with him and spend some time around him as much as we want to spend time around the people on this earth that we want to meet, our relationship with him would be a whole lot deeper. He is the Creator, the One who formed you and knew you before you were even born. He has given you access to His presence and there is no time constraint or long line to wait in before you can meet with Him. And not only does he know who you are, he knows you, knows the deepest parts about you. How awesome is that? The Creator of the earth, the One who formed you, knows you and wants to spend time with you! You don't have to watch from afar and wish that he'd come and spend some time with you, you have access right now. There has never been, nor will there ever be a time when your access is denied.
New Life Church recently welcomed Christine Caine to speak at a women's event on a Saturday morning and our two main services on Sunday morning. While I, along with many others, was so excited to learn from and sit under her teaching, God gave me a revelation. It can be so easy to idolize well known speakers, singers, actors and actresses, whom may even be Christians. It's great to have mentors, leaders, and friends, that we look up to and learn from, but Christians can tend to justify idolizing people because they are doing great things for God. While there is no doubt that there are awesome things that these people are doing, it does not justify our putting them above God and the place that he should have in our hearts and lives.
God also reminded me that if we had the same passion and zeal for wanting to meet with him and spend some time around him as much as we want to spend time around the people on this earth that we want to meet, our relationship with him would be a whole lot deeper. He is the Creator, the One who formed you and knew you before you were even born. He has given you access to His presence and there is no time constraint or long line to wait in before you can meet with Him. And not only does he know who you are, he knows you, knows the deepest parts about you. How awesome is that? The Creator of the earth, the One who formed you, knows you and wants to spend time with you! You don't have to watch from afar and wish that he'd come and spend some time with you, you have access right now. There has never been, nor will there ever be a time when your access is denied.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Failing To The Top
"If Babe Ruth had had the philosophy, "Failure is not an option," then you and I would have never heard of him. Why? Because not only did Babe Ruth set a world record for home runs, he also led the league in strikeouts." -The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson
I have been so challenged by this statement made by Jeff Olson in his book, The Slight Edge. I am realizing that there have been many opportunities that I have passed by or chosen not to get involved in because I was afraid of failure. Jeff Olson also said, "Successful people fail their way to the top!" I think it is so easy to want to go straight to the top financially, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but I often struggle to step out and do the things that may cause me to fail the first, second, and tenth times I try them. I have just begun to see the freedom that comes with allowing myself to fail, to make a total mess of things and be OK with it. Not only does it bring freedom, it also creates an atmosphere of peace. It takes the pressure and anxiety out of trying to be perfect at things I may be trying for the first time or things that I have attempted over and over again. It is better to have tried something than to look back with regret at the things that I let pass me by, simply because I was afraid to fail.
What is that exciting opportunity you've let pass you by? What new thing(s) have you wanted to try? Do it. Step out in boldness, knowing that failing at something does not mean that you're a failure as someone. Your worth as a son or daughter of Christ is not in failure, it is secure in Him who made you to step out in faith and try new things even when you don't get it right every single time. Why? Because each time we fail, we learn something new.
I have been so challenged by this statement made by Jeff Olson in his book, The Slight Edge. I am realizing that there have been many opportunities that I have passed by or chosen not to get involved in because I was afraid of failure. Jeff Olson also said, "Successful people fail their way to the top!" I think it is so easy to want to go straight to the top financially, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, but I often struggle to step out and do the things that may cause me to fail the first, second, and tenth times I try them. I have just begun to see the freedom that comes with allowing myself to fail, to make a total mess of things and be OK with it. Not only does it bring freedom, it also creates an atmosphere of peace. It takes the pressure and anxiety out of trying to be perfect at things I may be trying for the first time or things that I have attempted over and over again. It is better to have tried something than to look back with regret at the things that I let pass me by, simply because I was afraid to fail.
What is that exciting opportunity you've let pass you by? What new thing(s) have you wanted to try? Do it. Step out in boldness, knowing that failing at something does not mean that you're a failure as someone. Your worth as a son or daughter of Christ is not in failure, it is secure in Him who made you to step out in faith and try new things even when you don't get it right every single time. Why? Because each time we fail, we learn something new.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Hold Nothing Back
1 Corinthians 15:58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.
"And don't hold back." I keep reading that line over and over again, asking God and myself if there are any areas in my life where I am holding back. Are there any areas in your life that you can see you are holding back? It's the start of a new year and it's the perfect time to identify some areas where we are holding back or not standing our ground. God has called us to walk confidently and boldly into the plans and purposes that he has for each of our lives, holding nothing back, being who we are unashamedly and speaking truth unapologetic because nothing, absolutely nothing we do for God is waste of time or effort.
"And don't hold back." I keep reading that line over and over again, asking God and myself if there are any areas in my life where I am holding back. Are there any areas in your life that you can see you are holding back? It's the start of a new year and it's the perfect time to identify some areas where we are holding back or not standing our ground. God has called us to walk confidently and boldly into the plans and purposes that he has for each of our lives, holding nothing back, being who we are unashamedly and speaking truth unapologetic because nothing, absolutely nothing we do for God is waste of time or effort.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Can We All Just Get Along?
Romans 14:1 Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with- even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.
The title of this chapter in Romans is, "Cultivating Good Relationships." The entire chapter is so good but this first verse really hit home for me. We can be so opinionated and pushy about scripture, life issues, decisions of right and wrong, etc. that we forget that we don't know everything and neither do the people around us. God also calls his people to different things at different points in life that may or may not fit the lifestyle of others. He is a personal God, and the things that we will be called to do or not do will be different than the things that he calls or does not call those around us to do. It also says in verse 11, "Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit." Ultimately, when we come to the end of this life on earth, we will stand before God and not each other. We are all in relationship with people that have differing opinions from our own and that is OK. There is a place for accountability and healthy, loving correction but it's time we embrace the differences of others instead of criticizing and condemning our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The title of this chapter in Romans is, "Cultivating Good Relationships." The entire chapter is so good but this first verse really hit home for me. We can be so opinionated and pushy about scripture, life issues, decisions of right and wrong, etc. that we forget that we don't know everything and neither do the people around us. God also calls his people to different things at different points in life that may or may not fit the lifestyle of others. He is a personal God, and the things that we will be called to do or not do will be different than the things that he calls or does not call those around us to do. It also says in verse 11, "Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit." Ultimately, when we come to the end of this life on earth, we will stand before God and not each other. We are all in relationship with people that have differing opinions from our own and that is OK. There is a place for accountability and healthy, loving correction but it's time we embrace the differences of others instead of criticizing and condemning our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
We Come To Gather, Together
Church, some call it a building, for others it is an optional part of their Christian walk. As I watched the New Life family that I've become apart of, come together to worship this morning, I couldn't help but be so uplifted by the pursuit of Christ that was happening among his people. Church isn't just a building or a hospital for broken people to get "fixed", it is a gathering together of imperfect people that is meant to challenge, encourage, inspire, and uplift. We were made for community. It is so important that we purposefully position ourselves in a body of believers where we can grow and find accountability and become a part of a family that will welcome us with open arms.
A large number of people avoid church and even cringe at the mention of it because they have been rejected, offended, hurt or frustrated by the church. Let me tell you, you are not going to find any church where you will not be hurt or offended at some point in time. As I mentioned earlier, the church is made up of imperfect people who make mistakes. It's time we realize that just because we're gathering together with a group of Christ followers does not mean that everyone is perfect and has it all figured out. Let's give grace and extend forgiveness to each other just as Christ did for us. Let's learn from our own mistakes as well as from others'. Let's take the time to be thankful for each other and the unique way that God is working in each of our lives. We are the church, it's time we get out of the rut of just coming to gather and come together in unity, moving forward into all God has called us to.
A large number of people avoid church and even cringe at the mention of it because they have been rejected, offended, hurt or frustrated by the church. Let me tell you, you are not going to find any church where you will not be hurt or offended at some point in time. As I mentioned earlier, the church is made up of imperfect people who make mistakes. It's time we realize that just because we're gathering together with a group of Christ followers does not mean that everyone is perfect and has it all figured out. Let's give grace and extend forgiveness to each other just as Christ did for us. Let's learn from our own mistakes as well as from others'. Let's take the time to be thankful for each other and the unique way that God is working in each of our lives. We are the church, it's time we get out of the rut of just coming to gather and come together in unity, moving forward into all God has called us to.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Christmas Gift
As 2013 comes to an end and we welcome 2014, I am amazed at how fast time is flying by. I always found it hard to believe that time would go by quicker as I got older, but as I write this, I've come to realize that it is more true than ever. Leaving behind a year and welcoming another can bring about regrets of the past, what ifs of the present, and resolutions for the future. I think sometimes we get so caught up in going, doing, and being in the holiday season that we forget to just enjoy. Enjoy our families and friends, enjoy the time, enjoy the things we've already been blessed with, and most importantly, enjoy the One who has given us all of those things. It's so much easier to enjoy when we take a minute (or a few hours) to simply take it all in. Sometimes the gift of time is more valuable than the gift of money, the gift of laughter can overshadow a last minute deal, and undivided attention can uplift a spirit far more than a half-hearted attempt at connection via text.
This Christmas, as my family gathered at grandma and grandpa's house, my grandma asked each grandchild to share what God was showing or teaching us in 2013. As revelation made its way around the circle from the mouth of a 7 year old to 27, we all received far more than material gifts could ever give. There wasn't a dry eye in the room of about twenty. My grandparents have raised us into a godly and rich inheritance that is founded in Christ and we were all able to see it first hand as it poured out of the hearts of each one that shared. I am so thankful for that exchange and the presence of God as we gathered on Christmas day. It will be one I remember forever and that is far more precious than the most expensive material gift I could ever receive.
This Christmas, as my family gathered at grandma and grandpa's house, my grandma asked each grandchild to share what God was showing or teaching us in 2013. As revelation made its way around the circle from the mouth of a 7 year old to 27, we all received far more than material gifts could ever give. There wasn't a dry eye in the room of about twenty. My grandparents have raised us into a godly and rich inheritance that is founded in Christ and we were all able to see it first hand as it poured out of the hearts of each one that shared. I am so thankful for that exchange and the presence of God as we gathered on Christmas day. It will be one I remember forever and that is far more precious than the most expensive material gift I could ever receive.
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