What it All Boils Down To: Obedience

A Kiss From God

Sometimes there are moments so special, so amazing, they take your breath away. Sometimes those moments are share-able and sometimes they are just love notes from God. A way to show He cares, He sees, He approves of and loves you. 

I had one of those moments yesterday. A love note, wrapped in an email, from someone I have never met. Her name is Sabrina. She had a dream of a Barbie that looked fine in the box, but was in a state of brokenness. The dream made such an impression, she knew God was trying to show her something. So, when she awoke, she googled "my brokenness" and discovered my blog, complete with Barbie and a title about brokenness.... 

Then she discovered my book, and got that too. 

This isn't about another book sale. This isn't about another blog subscriber. This isn't even about me.

This is about God's faithfulness to His kids. 

Taste and See

 "O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trust in him." Psalms 34:8 

In the desert God supplied the Children of Israel with manna from heaven. This met their basic need for food. It was a sign of God's love and faithfulness to His children. The Bible is full of stories of God's love and provision. 

Here is another one about a woman named Ruth. She was a widow, not even a Jew, and she left all she knew to serve her aging mother-in-law and accompany her back home. She was lonely, poor, and practically homeless. Yet, for Ruth, God provided favor and blessings and a second husband. Through this provision- generations and generations later - God supplied the earthly  lineage of Jesus. Jesus was a gift for all people. Freely given, and the perfect sign of God's love for us.  

I guess what I am getting at is this. We think God's provision is just about us. Sometimes it is.Sometimes it is about meeting a need, like hunger. The manna in the desert met that need. Sometimes, and probably more often than we know, it is about setting us up for provision so we can in turn, be a conduit for God to provide something for someone else.

It's not about us! 

This is the Lord's faithfulness in action. He set up a blog a little over a year ago, in an unknown corner of the world WIDE web and one of the things it did was meet a need for a woman in San Antonio named Sabrina. Did that have anything to do with me? Yes and no. 

The Power of Obedience

Yes, it had something to do with me. It is after all my blog and my book, but that is where things get tricky. It doesn't have anything to do with my talent, or my ability. For without Christ I can do nothing, "but with God all things are possible." 

It boils down to obedience. 

When we obey the voice of the Lord, that small whisper that prompts us to do the uncomfortable thing, the hard thing, the impossible thing, we give Him the room to work in our lives, and unbeknownst to us, in the lives of people thousands of miles and many generations past us. 

I obeyed 13 months ago and began a blog and this weekend, someone I never met, received the encouragement they needed for their lives. This is how God works. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 NIV 

He provided for the children of Israel, and He provided for Ruth, and He provided for you and I. God is not like man, He does not change or waiver. He works the same today as He did thousands of years and hundreds of generations ago: through people. 

Someone once said to me "We cry out for more of Jesus, but sometimes what we really need is to give Jesus more of ourselves."

What have we got to lose? What has the world got to gain? Surrender and obey so you too can taste and see that the Lord is GOOD! 

Join the Conversation

What is God whispering to you about? Leave your comment below. 

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Look Who Turns One!

The Blog Turns One

Today is a special day. I was so surprised at how quickly this year has flown. One year ago today I heard God say write a blog, and so I came home from church and sat down and began.

I wrote about praise and worship, about prayer, about parenting, and about life in general. It wasn't until about half way through the year I began to understand what direction I wanted to head and since I have become focused on helping others find purpose, I have found mine.

I never would have dreamed that in less than a year, over 60,000 people would have seen my blog. I never dreamed that I would have written a book, let alone two. This last year has been amazing!

God is good. He has a plan for me and He has a plan for you. I have avoided writing the typical "New Year's Resolution" piece because I know that everyday we must resolve ourselves to lay down our lives and pick up the life that God has designed for us.

2013 Challenge 

I want to challenge  you today to find three scriptures that define for you your life. They may be the same ones you have clung to for years or they may be completely new, but these scriptures will help shape you and your next year. For me, I will endeavor in 2013 to keep living my life by my favorite three scriptures.

Jeremiah 29:11 "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." (NIV) 

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV) 

and Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV) 

God has a plan, and since I do not always know the details, with these three scriptures I can trust, I can endure His reshaping of me, and I can rely on His redemption and His grace. With these three scriptures I can live life as an adventure and not worry about the small stuff. 

Thank you for being along for the ride. 

Prize Announcement: 

This blog was holding a giveaway, and no one entered. If you want to win this cross, then subscribe now to enter. I will extend the giveaway until the end of the month. The prize is a hand-carved, reclaimed wooden cross. This cross is made by recovering drug addicts in a local ministry that I have recently learned about. I will be telling you more about them soon. 

If you already subscribe to our Newsletter you can enter too by sharing either on Facebook (the "F" icon is below) and tagging me (Dayna Renee Hackett Bickham) or by Tweeting #TheAnnivesaryGift. Best of Luck all! 

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What was your favorite part of the past year? 

A Year in the Spiritual Life Review

Let's Look Back

This year, with its tragedies and its triumphs has been a year of discovery. I have looked at myself, at the world, and at the Word. I have grown so much. 

This year I have begun teaching young girls about God, I started this blog, I volunteered at my church, I joined the worship team, and I wrote a book. This year I discovered so much about myself and my purpose. I hope I have helped you discover something too. You and I were made for more than the everyday ordinary...we were made to live the extraordinary. 

Our everyday lives: the run to the mall, drop the kids off to school, grocery shopping lives do not stop, but there is more to life than blindly driving from point a to point b. In the in between moments there is opportunity. There are chances to see God in others, to share Jesus with the wounded, and to bring light to the darkness. 

A year ago I was a bitter smoker walking around with a chip on my shoulder. I was unpleasant and thought I was funny, when I was really only cruel and cold. 

Surrendering to God changed all of it. 

I am not perfect...at all! There are days I mess up. Things I still need to let God have. As long as there is breath in me there will be flaws too. But God is faithful to work on us, to love on us, to change and perfect us. Why? He does all this because we are His workmanship. 

Imagine yourself as a lump of clay, waiting for something to happen. As a lump of clay we get rained on, we dry out in the sun, and we sit there....doing nothing, letting life happen to us. Until we get up on the potter's wheel. 

When we put ourselves on the potter's wheel we submit to His molding and making us. It is a trans-formative experience and it is not always comfortable. Yet, somehow, we go from ordinary vessels to extraordinary vessels of honor in the Master Potter's hands. Now, we have a purpose. We have been made for something. The potential was always there, but now we are becoming. In Christ there is fullness of joy, and part of that joy is knowing we have a purpose in this world. 

I know that God has done some extraordinary things this year. Next year is already shaping up to be equally amazing, if not more so. Soon, I will be leaving the states to go on my first missions trip to Guatemala. I will continue to write and I am praying that this year will bring some wonderful adventure. I pray this, because I believe God loves a good story, and my life is just another story written by Him. 

Join the Conversation

How has your life changed in the last year and what are you hoping for in 2013?  

TOP 10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR

Yeah, I am "borrowing" the Top 10 from a popular late night show on Television, but I have to say this week it is worth it. I hope you enjoy your holiday and for those of you that take advantage of the Black Friday deals, be safe and have fun! 

# TEN

I am thankful for another book review of The Purpose of Chosen. It is nice when other people like your work. The launch is going slowly, but I wrote a book! How can I not be grateful for that? 

# NINE

I am thankful for tow truck drivers who do not try and run me over. This was in fact, in question yesterday and that whole story will be for another post for another day. Suffice to say that it was traumatic and I am still recovering emotionally....lol. 

#EIGHT

I am thankful for budgets. I can hear some of you groaning right now, but for the majority of my married life we did not live with one and we were miserable with money and over money way more than we should have been. Now when my husband and I work out a budget for the next two months together I have peace about knowing what I cannot plan, spend, and or do because it really tells me what I CAN plan, spend and do. The freedom of this simple act and the discipline to follow it is one of the most freeing experiences of my life and it has happened this year. This Christmas season will not be about stress, but about "bless"ing others. Thank you Lord! 

#SEVEN

I am thankful for my home. We are renters. In this economy that may seem crazy, but owning a home (in this tax climate in the US) may be more crazy for some than renting. Regardless of how you may feel about renting versus owning, this will be our second Thanksgiving here and our third Christmas and I am loving how at home we truly feel here. The house is in a great neighborhood on a cul-de-sac, and minutes from my kid's school. The rent is extremely cheap as well, so Thank YOU Lord for your favor! 

#SIX

I am thankful for my blog. This year I started this blog. It began in January and it was something I did to obey God. Less than 30% of bloggers actually stick to blogging more than three months, so I feel honored and a little proud (the good satisfied-with-my-work-ethic kind of pride) of myself. Through this blog I have met incredible people, gained friends from every walk of life imaginable and written a book like I always dreamed of doing. By obeying God in a "little" thing back in January, I have had a year of blessings beyond my wildest imaginations. 

#FIVE

I am thankful for you. You are in fact one of my top five things! I cannot type another word without thanking my Father for you. You have read my blog, encouraged me, challenged me, prayed for me, and laughed and cried with me. You are a benefit of my obedience to God. The impact you have had on me and the other readers of this blog can only be fully measured when we receive our great reward. Thank you for being a part of my life and my ministry. 

#FOUR

I am thankful for my church. Now, no church is perfect. If it was, it would be spoiled the minute we showed up, right? But my church family is kind, welcoming, open and giving. It is an honor to attend there, worship there, laugh there, volunteer there and grow there. My pastor is a great communicator with a huge heart for people, a great wife and kids and a decent sense of humor. The staff is down to earth and I never feel out of place. It has become HOME too and I am so glad my Father has planted us there. 

#THREE

I am thankful for my kids. Sarah (16) and Connie-Lyn (14) are the biggest challenge/blessing that I have ever received. Talk about a mixed bag! One minute I want to pull their hair out and the next I am laughing, loving, and learning with them what it means to be a parent, friend, teacher, mentor, instructor, policeman, authoritarian, and tons of other things that make my head want to explode! No one save the Holy Ghost can strip me so bare as my children. They expose me for the lack luster parent I am on a regular basis and make me hit my knees in prayer more than any other single issue in my life. Because of them I have grown as a person and my life has been so richly blessed. They fill my heart with love and gratitude in equal measure. 

#TWO

I am thankful for my husband Randy Bickham! When I met the man I have spent the last 18 and 1/2 years with, I thought he was a bit dorky. Truth be told, he was. But he is the most loyal, forgiving, gracious and giving man I know. My exact opposite in so many ways he balances me. God gave me a miracle when He brought me Randy. Someone who loves me,  leads me, challenges me, and corrects me, my husband is a wonderful friend, lover, provider and father. My life would be unimaginable without him, and I thank Daddy-God for the perfect fit of a mate for me. 

AND THE NUMBER 1 TOP TEN THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR THIS YEAR IS...........................

My Father. God is so good. His mercy is new every morning. His love never fails. He provides food to eat, shelter to sleep, seed to sow, and increase to grow. I am thankful for His love, His kindness, His faithfulness and His grace. I have messed up so many times and in so many ways and my Lord still loves, still forgives and still sings over me. Without God, nothing is possible, but with Him all things are possible. He is amazing. 

I could go on and on. I could fill volumes of books extolling His goodness. Maybe another day.... 

Enjoy your holiday, and be blessed as you are a blessing. Count it all joy and claim your Victory in Christ today! 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Join the Conversation: 

What are you thankful for?  

The Procrastination Dance

Let the Whining Begin! 

I have so much to do. It is practically the same exact list I started out with when I began this week. You see, I have a very bad habit.

I procrastinate.

There are times when, in my head, I justify the waiting.

I don't feel good. (That excuse is always handy.)

I can get to it later. (It isn't going anywhere!)

I don't want to get stressed out right now, and ______ always makes me stressed out.

I need help. (This is a great one for when no one else is around!)

As a matter of fact I think I have used every single one of these tactics (IE. excuses) this week. Here it is Saturday, with a full day of ministry and services tomorrow, and I still have tons of stuff to do. My piles begin to turn into mountains and soon my life looks like this:

My desk as I write this.... do not judge me....lol.

(That isn't dirt all over the keyboard tray, it is just very old and worn down particle board.) 

This is why I want to redo my room. So I can have a new desk, bright colors on the walls, and some organization. I do not know if this inspires you today to clean your own mess, but it inspires me to get busy! 

Enough excuses. Time to get on with the chores! 

I know, I know. That word is the most dreaded word in my house. It makes my kids cringe and my husband break out into a cold sweat. Chores are no fun, but they need doing. They have needed doing for a while. See? Pro-cras-tin-a-tion! 

I need to break up with procrastination. We have been dancing too long. I have put it off and put it off, but no more. I will clean. 

As soon as I post this, and take a nap. It is Saturday after all. 

Join the conversation: 

Do you tackle chores right away or do you tend to procrastinate? Do you have any hints to help get my act together? 

Share your comments below. 

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Focus On what Matters

I woke up to one word in my spirit this morning: focus. 

I had planned on writing something else, but then I opened my Bible up to find the scripture I was going to write on and this is what I saw instead. 

Nehemiah 4:6 (AMP) says “So we built the wall, and all [of it] was joined together to half its height, for the people had a heart and mind to work” 

The note (in case you cannot see the picture) is what stopped me in my tracks. I do not know how long ago I wrote this. I know it has been a while since I read this book of the Bible, so it has been at least a few months, if not years since I scrawled these words: 

“Focus and willingness to obey can get great things accomplished. God’s favor seals the deal. His grace holds off the enemy.” 

The wall of Jerusalem had been destroyed, and God told Nehemiah to rebuild it. What a task! He was in service to the king. He had another job. One that placed him in a position of trust and gave him favor in the sight of his employer: he was the cup bearer. Now, he wanted to leave to do something totally different, out of his area of expertise, and completely dangerous. 

That speaks volumes to me about his trust in God. That tells me Nehemiah knew that God had a plan, and he knew he needed to obey. 

Now here comes the amazing thing God is showing me and I want to share with you: God has a plan for you too. You just need to focus and obey. 

Rebuilding a wall was a big job! 

The job required crews of workers, organization and a lot of courage. There were enemies around that did not want Nehemiah to succeed. Do you know what that is like? “Haters” want you to fail, they are just out of sight while you do all the hard work, and then they come in at your most vulnerable moment to denigrate and attack you. 

You have to know in your heart of hearts WHY you do what you are doing. If you are doing it for the recognition, the fame, the money, the feel good feelings you get doing it, then you will not have the success God wants you can have. You are getting in your own way! 

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.” Colossians 3:23 (CEB) 

Focus on the Why 

Did God tell you to build a wall? Then build the best wall you can. Do it because God said to, not because everyone you know and some people you don’t know may or may not be impressed. 

I went down that road with this blog. I wondered “how can I get so-in-so to read it?” “How can I get more people to my site?” and “How can I get more people to comment?” 

Now I know my focus (my heart and mind) was not on the task. I should be focusing on what God told me to do, and let Him bless it. “His favor seals the deal.” I just need to focus and obey. 

Honestly, whether or not one more person ever reads this does not matter. I wrote it. That is what God told me to do. He will bless it, or use it, (or not) in His way, in His time. 

Get your heart and your mind on the things God has told you to do and stop wondering when you will get recognized for your “efforts”. Let God see your obedience, let Him bestow favor. 

Do not work for man, work for God. 

What has God told you to do?

Waiting: Pit Stop or Serving Time?

Okay- I think everyone will admit to being in this place at one time or another. You rarely like it, probably do not appreciate it, and may even get frustrated by having to be there longer than you expected....

It is that waiting place.

That place where you know you have been praying about something, but have not heard a clear yes or no. That place where sometimes you may not even know what to pray for or how to pray. That place reveals your level of trust and fellowship with God.

Ouch. Close to home? It is for me.

Will you worship him even though it seems as if there is nothing happening? Will you be ready to move when he says go here, or stay there? Will you have you prayer life in order, your finances, and your family?

How many times have we missed the perfect will of God for our lives because of a lack of preparation? It comes down to what we do in this place called waiting.

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Does this mean sit on our duff and do nothing? No.

Wait means serve- it is an active verb. If you do not think so, look at your waiter next time you go into a restaurant. As he/she waits on you, they are working.

They shall mount up with wings like eagles- soaring above the turbulence and getting a different perspective... a bird's eye view... to their life and the circumstances around them.

They shall run and not be weary- life is a marathon... Paul said to press toward the mark...he ran his race...will you run yours?

They shall walk and not faint- Wow- our walk with Jesus can be a hard one. He said we would be hated for his namesake, but that we are also able to do what he did and so much more thanks to the Holy Spirit. 

Our walk may be hard, but there is restoration and healing along the way. We will not faint (fall out of our walk) if we hold tight to his love and rest in his goodness.

This place called waiting- it should not be a place of frustration, but of preparation and dedication. 

Focus in on the prize- our Lord- and all the rest will fall into place. If your treasure is anywhere else, then this place called waiting will be a pit stop on the road to stagnation and apathy.

What have you been waiting for? 

Mountains - To Climb or Not to Climb?

Big or small mountains are not fun to climb. Each of us has them- at one time or another- and every time we face a new one the challenge can seem insurmountable. 

I know that when I have looked back at some of the mountains I have faced in my life, one of two things go through my mind.

1- "I called THAT a mountain?" or 2- "I know that only God brought me through THAT!" 

If you are alive, and I would hope that if you are reading this it means you still have a pulse- you have faced mountains. You might be facing one now. I am just writing this to encourage you to be strong.

Easy to say right?

Well, I can honestly say- no- it is not easy. Intellectually and spiritually when facing a mountain we can feel insignificant or overwhelmed. I have been there. I know. Have I faced every mountain with faith, composer, dignity, strength, and determination? No- but I know it can be done, because my Lord said it can be.

"Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to thismountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done". Matthew 21:21

You might be thinking- 'Dayna- you don't know- my mountain is so big I can't even seem to get out of bed today'. This is the enemy and his name is depression.

Depression can be mild, (man I am bummed I did not get that job!) or it can be severe (thoughts of suicide, mood swings, uncontrolled malaise, and general apathy toward your situation and your world).

First Things First

First I have to say that if you feel like you are in severe depression- seek medical help. Your regular physician can diagnose and treat you. You do not have to seek out a therapist right away, but you should. If you are suicidal TELL SOMEONE NOW. Help is available. (more on this later)

Personally I have dealt with depression. I have had postpartum depression, clinical depression, and have had to commit my husband (several years ago) to a hospital. He was so severely depressed that thoughts of suicide were all-consuming for him. I have seen both sides. I know that when you are depressed you face a mountain with little if any ability to overcome by yourself. 

But it can be done.

Jeremiah 15:20I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD.

God's whole plan for man after the fall of Adam and Eve was a plan of rescue. That is why He sent Jesus. To save us. This salvation is complete and it is permanent. Just because your circumstances have changed does not mean you are not loved just as much now as when God made this plan in the first place.

2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." [ Isaiah 49:8] I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

and

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of LIFE...

God is in the rescue business...daily.  

Why? 

Because of His unending and undying love for us. The cry of your heart, as you face your mountain- whether or not you face it depressed- is for wholeness, healing, and salvation. 

These things God provides.

Good counsel in these times- these face the mountain and can I take the next step times- is imperative. 

If you attend a good church, seek help with your pastor. They are the sheep with bells on. They are on the fore-front of ministry and are down in the trenches with you. This is a great place to seek Biblical and (most importantly) Holy Spirit guidance for your life. 

If you don't have a good church, find one. If church is not something you think you can handle, get over yourself. We all need a family, and though flawed, a church family can add tremendous support when going through "it".

The Father said:

Psalm 32:8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

The psalmist said:

Psalm 73:24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Glory. Sounds like standing on top of that Mountain doesn't it?

Facing mountains, especially if you feel you are facing one alone can be daunting. But you do not have to be alone. The Lord made you, called you to be His, and longs to love you through the biggest circumstances...all the way to glory.

If you have never prayed before, or if the closest you came to praying was at the dinner table, then talk to the Father now. That is all prayer is...talking to the Father.

"Father, you see where I am and all that I have done and been in my life. Forgive me for my short comings and bring me to life. Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for Jesus. Amen"

You are now God's child, his son or daughter. If you are already His, and feel that the mountain is too big, remember there is NOTHING too big for God. When He is for us, who (or what) could possibly stand against us?

When you look at the greatness of the Father, and his sheer awesome ability to bring you out of any situation- mountains begin to look like mo-hills...

What kind of mountain are you facing right now?


If you liked this post read more about battling Depression God's way here. 

O be Careful Big Mouths- 3 Steps to Bridling Your Tongue

"Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little ears what you hear. Oh be careful big mouths what you say."

Why We Need to be Careful 

Words have power, and as Christians, they are a direct witness to the people around you. There should be a careful guard on our mouths at all times. 

As a friend of mine says, "engage the brain to mouth filter"! 

The Bible has plenty to say about our words. 

Matthew 15:16-20 (MSG) Jesus replied, "You, too? Are you being willfully stupid? Don't you know that anything that is swallowed works its way through the intestines and is finally defecated? But what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart. It's from the heart that we vomit up evil arguments, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, and cussing. That's what pollutes. Eating or not eating certain foods, washing or not washing your hands — that is neither here nor there." 

Psalms 34:13 says “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” 

James 1:26-27 (Easy-to-Read Version) says “You might think you are a very religious person. But if your tongue is out of control, you are fooling yourself. Your careless talk makes your offerings to God worthless. The worship that God wants is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help and keeping yourself free from the world’s evil influence. This is the kind of worship that God accepts as pure and good.” 

When we fail to control our words there are consequences. We offend and we become stumbling blocks to those around us. Matthew says those that offend little ones (Small in stature but also small in faith) it is better that a millstone be put around their neck. 

There are three things you can do to begin to change the way you speak. 

STEP 1 

Repent. (This just means acknowledge your sin and ask forgiveness) 

Job said “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.” 

STEP 2 

Renew Your Thinking – we do this by reading the word and by submission to God. 

Ephesians says “change the former way of life that was part of the person you once were, corrupted by deceitful desires. Instead, renew the thinking in your mind by the Spirit and clothe yourself with the new person created according to God’s image in justice and true holiness.” 

STEP 3 

When you mess up and you will miss the mark repeat step 1 and 2. 

Do you have a hard time controlling what you say?  Leave your comments about your struggles and victories below. 

Sunday Reflection April 15, 2012

This week has been a potpourri of posts. The first was about God’s restoration of dreams. He restores things we have given up on because He has plans for us that include those things. For me, it was singing. What is it for you? Whatever it may be, just surrender to God in it. 

On Tuesday I just got really honest and shared with you My Struggle with the blog. In so many ways this is not about me! Yes, God is working in me and through me to write this blog, but it really is about you, the reader. Whether you are an audience of one or one million, I need to be faithful and consistent. 

On Wednesday we talked about The 4 Benefits of Being a Believer. This was also the day I was launching the new podcast. I was so excited to bring the option of listening rather than just reading, but technical difficulties squashed that. I am working on finding a way to get around that, but it may take a while. Please continue to bear with me in this. 

Storm Stories was one of my favorite posts this week and then my husband corrected me about something, it wasn’t Hurricane Rita that the kitten story happened in, but Tropical Storm Faye. I do not know why I got those confused in my head and I want to apologize for the error. It does not change the points I make about preparing for the storm. I hope that you can enjoy the story for the allegory it is and overlook my mistake. 

If you haven’t read Exercising My Faith then you may not know that my youngest child is getting surgery this week. When the surgeon’s office called me and said how much the cost of just his services was, I began to have a little panic session. This post was about building my faith in that moment, and I wanted to share it with you, because what came out of it is so important: trust. 

An update on that is this: The surgeon’s cost was dramatically reduced by more than 75% and they will take it a day later than they originally said which is a blessing because it means less traveling and expense for us. God is good. 

Yesterday, with the pressures of everything that is going on right now, I began to feel overwhelmed and wonder can we Have It All? I know that everyone feels overwhelmed at one point or the other, but the key to getting past that is to really look at the why of it all. Why are you focusing on the things in your life more than the God who loves you? It is worth the read. 

As I wrap this week’s reflections up, please pray for our daughter, Connie-Lyn as she goes into the hospital for surgery. Pray for the doctors, and pray for us. As always, I love you, I pray for you, and I ask you to trust in the God who made you. He has plans for you and His promises are Yes and Amen! 

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Have It All?

There are moments, when I am up at dawn, planning out my day, looking at the pile of work I have to do and feeling overwhelmed because my time management has not been up to par that I wonder “How am I going to do it all?”

Not exactly a Proverbs 31 woman kind of question. 

In my head a woman who is “the proverbs 31” woman is up at dawn with a project going, make-up on, no hair curlers left in her hair, praying over her house and children, making breakfast and kissing her husband as he heads off to work.

Instead I am up, haven’t showered yet, I have prepped the ribs I am going to barbecue later, helped my 16 year old put on her false eyelashes for a modeling gig, did a load of dishes, checked out Twitter and Facebook, and now am writing this.

Sans the hair and make-up I have not done too poorly. Then how come I feel so overwhelmed and dissatisfied?

I am doing more than I have ever done before. I am maintaining a household in a higher standard, though it is not up to the level I want it yet. I am praying and studying more than ever, and I still feel like I don’t study enough. I have small successes and even little Kisses from God, and I “feel” like it is not enough.

So what is the problem? I am.

The word says to be content in whatever circumstances I am in because God’s grace is sufficient. I also know that there is a difference between conviction, God’s spirit prompting me to repent and change, and condemnation, feeling bad for no reason other than to feel bad.

I need to let go of the pressure I put on myself to get it all done right now! I need to relax and enjoy the moments I have, and when I get more done than I planned, THEN I can be impressed rather than depressed.

So my hair isn’t perfectly blown out and styled. So what I have a day that is packed with “to do’s” and not enough time “to do”. My world will not come to a screeching halt because something fell through the cracks this once.

I need to stop living by my feelings and begin living by God’s word. I know He says I am his child, joint heirs with His son Jesus, and I have a purpose. I will keep plugging away at that: sowing – sowing - sowing into what He has told me to do, and let Him bring the increase.

I am not meant to do it all, I am meant to have God as my All in All.

Question: Have you felt pressure to get it “all” done before? How do you handle that?

The 4 Benefits of Being a Believer

My husband has been looking for a new job. After eight years at the same place, he is ready for a change. One of the things he always looks at when he is interviewing for a job is the benefits package. These benefits are the extra “perks” of working for one company versus working for someone else. 

This got me thinking, “Are there benefits to being a believer?” 

You bet ya! 

Benefit #1 

When we are in covenant with God, we have the SECURITY of a  contract with God. 


He signed on the cosmic dotted line with the Blood of His son Jesus, and when you give your heart to Him, your name is entered into the Lamb’s book of life. Contract sealed! So this covenant does have benefits. 

In Genesis 15:1 we see that as believers we receive protection and a great reward. Deuteronomy 28:12 says: “The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.” 

Benefit #2 

When we are faithful to God and to the body of Christ we receive rewards. 

Before David was king, he had an opportunity to kill King Saul in his sleep. 2 Samuel 26:23 says he refused to touch God’s anointed king and because of that God would reward David’s loyalty. 

We are called to be a body of believers that serve one another: to love our neighbors as ourselves and fulfill the law of Christ. This means we need to need to grasp the parable of the hired hands. 

Matthew 20:15-17 sums it up. The 1st shall be last and the last shall be 1st. 

No matter what time you come into the kingdom of God, if you are faithful you will receive the same reward as everyone else. The benefits package is the same for a CEO and the lunch lady. 

Benefit #3 

Our work is not in vain. 

2 Chronicles 15:7 says, “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.” 

The prophet Isaiah said this: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

There is work to be done in the Kingdom of God. We have to feed the poor, lay hands on the sick, and serve our community as a witness that God’s love is an active love. 

In Galatians it says do not be weary with well doing, but in due season we will reap the benefits if we don’t give up! 

Benefit #4 

God grants us protection and favor. 

Unmerited favor, also known as God’s grace will follow us all the days of our lives. 

In Esther, we see 2 examples of God’s favor at work. First with Esther herself, who found great favor in the sight of the king and became his wife, and secondly with her uncle Mordecai, who the king remembered and honored, while Mordecai's mortal enemy, Haman, lead him through the city announcing all the wonderful things Mordecai had done. 

In Psalms 23, it says God prepares a table-a veritable feast in the presence of our enemies. 

So our enemies may be the bad economy, or they may be a co-worker trying to get you fired, or it could be an enemy that is not carnal, but spiritual. 

No matter how you look at it, God’s favor on your life is a benefit you cannot scoff at. 

Above all these things though, remember this: 

Do not let your pursuit of God and His Kingdom become a pursuit of blessings in a Thing-dom. 

Matthew 6:33 says seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS righteousness and all these things (aka benefits) will be added to you. 

What have I missed? 

Have you got another benefit to share? Share away! The comments are below!

Easter's Best

It is Easter and clothes are flying off the racks. 

Countless people are shining shoes they wear only on special occasions, and little boys are being tortured with ties, hats, and Oxford sweaters in 85 degree weather. 

Girls are giggling over their Easter baskets. Moms are fretting over the Sunday ham that might begin to burn if the preacher goes on too long. Dads are wondering why on a perfect spring day they got up so early and it wasn’t for a round of golf?

Somehow we have lost what this season is. 

This is our true Thanksgiving. 

A time when we remember what Jesus did. A time to remember He chose to lay down His life. 

He laid it down in the Garden when He prayed for God to take the cup from Him. When Jesus said “Nevertheless”, what He meant was I will die for ________. (Your name goes here) 

He laid it down again when instead of calling angles to rescue Him from the cross, He took the punishment anyway. He laid down His life when He said “It is Finished”. 

Thank God He did not stop there. 

He laid down His Life, but He had the power to take it up again. Rising from the dead, the redemption of Man was complete. He made a way for man to die a spiritual death once and become alive in Him forever. 

This man was fully man, or the sacrifice He made would have been in vain, AND He was fully God. God’s one and only Son: the spotless lamb. 

This weekend does give us a chance to make new family memories, and to watch and delight in our children. 

Yet, if we do not focus on what Christ did, what is the point? 

Take a moment with your family, away from the church, and talk about the moment when you realized it should have been you on that cross. 

Take communion together. Pray with one another.

Share with your loved ones the message of the gospel and see the power of the Passion Story change their hearts and lives. 

Live Easter like you really believe what you say you believe.

The clothes are nice. The dinner is great. The reason for this weekend is Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice for you and I. He came to fulfill the goal of His father: the redemption of man. 

Do not lose sight of that. God gave His best- now give your's. 

How to Discover Your Purpose No Matter the Season

My daughter Sarah Beth

She is so young, only sixteen.

She thinks she has the world figured out.

My heart is heavy because I know how much she still has to learn. She is my daughter and I love her.

I want what is best for her. I have dreams and plans for her: a close personal relationship with God, college, a healthy and happy marriage, a successful art career and so much more, but it is her life, and she has to want the same things.

I by no means think it is my job is to micro-manage my children, but the Bible says “train up a child in the way they should go”. I have a desire to send her out into the world with her purpose firmly before her. That, above all is my desire: that she know what she was meant to do.

When we understand that God has plans for us, that we have a purpose, we are more focused, more patient and more effective.


More Focused-

Jeremiah 29:11 says God does have plans for you. They are plans full of peace and hope for a future. Plans to prosper you and not harm you.

In the book of Esther a young woman has been plucked out of her life, and placed in the palace. Here she becomes a wife, a queen, and a hero to the Nation of Israel. When she faced the reality that her life was not as important as the life of God’s people, she knew she was placed in the palace for a reason: “for such a time as this.”

God not only protected Esther, through her He delivered an entire nation from being destroyed.

More Patient-

Isaiah 40:31:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”


When we know that God has a plan we can rest. We can pull into a “spiritual gas station” and refill our tanks. We can keep going when circumstances would tell anyone else to stop. Because we know God is taking us toward our destination, we can relinquish control and soar in the wind. We can ride on the current above the storm clouds.

When things don’t seem to go according to our plans, we know that as long as we are in His plan, (His good, acceptable and perfect plans) we are okay.

Romans 8:28:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”

Seasons come and go in life. When we surrender to the God who makes the seasons, who made the stars and is writing our story, then we can be assured He will be faithful to complete the work He started.

More Effective-

Esther 4:15-16:

“Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”

Circumstances cannot sway us when we know what God’s purpose for us is. Esther’s uncle told her the choice to obey or not was hers. He knew that if Esther chose not to obey, that God would deliver His children, but her life might be cut short because of her disobedience. She was born for “Such a time as this”.

Knowing who we are and why we are where we are, whether the circumstances are good or bad, is the crux of being effective. This discernment will allow you to see ways to overcome circumstance, to effect change and to become influential in ways you never would have been before.

Daniel had endured captivity. He had served faithfully a pagan king while never compromising his faith. Now Daniel’s faithfulness brings him before a king once more. When he read the writing on the wall he discerned the time. He saw what God wanted from him and he acted on it without fear. Though that king died that night, Daniel still found favor with the new king, Darius, because he never altered who he was and pursued his purpose no matter what.

Still not sure what your purpose is? That is okay. Just know this: God knows. His ultimate plan is the redemption of man. His individual plans for us may vary, but they will always be in line with His ultimate plan. Trust Him and remember this:

Matthew 6:33:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Serve God where you are, no matter the season, and you will be in His will for your life.

Question: How can you be more effective where you are right now? 

What Rejection Taught Me About Myself

Oh the Sting! 

I have called myself a writer, I even wrote a Manifesto. The truth is today I became a real writer. Why? Today is different because today I got my first rejection letter from a magazine. 

I have to say, the editor was very warm and went above and beyond in her reply to me. She actually gave me writing tips and encouraged me to resubmit. Her advice has prompted me to take some extra steps in preparing for each post to make my pieces stronger. 

That same advice has also made me slightly neurotic. I have obsessively read and re-read the piece I submitted and I see so many things I missed. Embarrassed does not begin to cover the way I feel, but what is done is done. I am moving on now. 

As I write this I hear in my head the advice I have read from Jeff Goins and Jon Acuff.  I have poured over every line of advice from these men I could get my hands on. These men  are successful at the very things I want to do, so what they say has authority. The odd thing is,  now I realize I still  was not getting “it”. 

Until I got this letter today, I did not understand what it felt like to hear a “dream” no. Until today I did not know how determined I really am to succeed at this writing thing. Until today I was playing around. 

Now I need to prove to myself that I can do this. Now I need to attack this and stop goofing off waiting for some “magical” moment when everything suddenly “happens” for me. Now I get my hands dirty and do the work. 

I do not know what will happen. I may never get published in that particular magazine, but I will try again. I will keep trying. I will keep writing. 

Have you had a moment like this, when someone else’s “no” became your “Yes I will!”? Tell me about it, because I would love to know I am not alone in my stubbornness.

I am God's Cabbage Patch Kid!

The Gift of a Decade

It was the 1980s, and there was one thing that I wanted more than any other. Burning with a passion that could not be denied, I begged my new grandparents for THE gift of the decade. 

The Litmus Test 

So ugly they were cute, I wanted a Cabbage Patch Doll (CPD). Not just any doll, I wanted a premi. The crème de la crème of all CPD that premi doll meant that my family “got” me, they accepted me and I would be like any other kid of that era. 

Instead I got one of the last ones in the county, a boy CPD I named Jeremy after some kid I liked in my class. My Grandma searched high and low, and bought one for me and one for my sister. Her persistence to find that toy made it all the more special through the years. 

I still carry that doll around in a sealed bag of “Childhood memorabilia”  It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but in the long run, I did not care, he was mine! 

Nothing New Under the Sun! 

The thing about CPD that was so genius was in the marketing. Each one was different. You “adopted” them and they became yours. 

The funny thing is this was not a new idea. God had it first. 

In Psalms 139 it says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made us individually, and intricately. He watched our very cells knit together in an individual pattern. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says God knows the plans He has for us. 

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

We aren't the only creatures He does this with. Each animal may be genetically coded by species and genius, but look closely: no two zebras have the exact same stripe pattern. God’s imagination is endless, just like His love. 

For us, though, God goes beyond just giving us individuality, he gives us purpose. 

We are all creations of God, we are not all are children of God. Salvation through Jesus is the means by which God “adopts” us into His family and His heart’s desire is that every single person comes to be a part of His family, not to perish. 

He loves us, and those he loves he calls. He gives purpose to us. Without purpose there is quality to our lives.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

The Difference Purpose Can Make

I always say that before I gave my life completely to God I was floating along clinging to driftwood. Now I am being steered and directed aboard a ship, headed where God wants me to go. This is the difference purpose can make. 

We are a family that is a body with many moving parts and each part has a job to do in and for the Kingdom of God. This is why you are so individual. Because there is a work God wants to do through you, and He has tailor made you for this purpose. 

So we were the first Cabbage patch dolls!

God created us, and then He loved us so much He adopted us Himself: into His family. 

Now, when I look at “Jeremy”: my ragged sailor suit wearing, brown headed, dimple cheeked, so-ugly-he-is-cute Cabbage Patch doll, I think, he is just like me and it always makes me smile. 

Question: What toy was your favorite growing up and why?