His Beloved

It has been a long week. My days have been so uncharacteristically slow, unhurried, and void of our usual ministry activities. I make it a priority to thank the Lord daily for the ministry He allows us to engage in. I don't ever want to be sitting idle because there is no one to minister to. This week I found myself reminiscing and recollecting my thoughts, grumbles perhaps, and prior days where I was simply exhausted in service. I took some time to thank the Lord all over again for the places He's opened doors for us to minister, and for the people He is allowing us to journey with. This week my sweet daughter and I took the day to bake treats, and share them in the community. Selfishly, this was so that we could lay eyes on some of those in the community that we just wanted to make sure were doing well. We laughed, made a mess, and got such a blessing at the homes we visited. We didn't go many places, (don't worry, we distanced socially), because we used all ...

Please listen to the song above before you read. You owe it to yourself to take a few minutes. You won't regret it. Go ahead. You need to hear the lyrics to understand my point. As I sit here listening to the lyrics of this song, this anthem, this cry of praise, I am quieted in my spirit. There are some key phrases and words used in this song that absolutely still me. If you have been to my blog before, you are aware that music is my love language. I can place my hand on my chest, close my eyes, and just escape to that place. In that place, He meets me there. It is intimate and personal and it is real. I love real. Right now, the world is waiting, watching, and looking to media outlets for updates and guidance in regard to the obvious. The world is in a state of worry, panic, and quickly headed toward pandemonium. What about you? Are you fearful or confident in God's hand of control in what happens? For a few minutes, let's you and me talk about something else th...

I am afraid that this post is going to be one of deep transparency. Proceed with caution. Sometimes life happens and we self-protect by putting up walls and pretending things don't really exist. In steps reality. Let me rewind for a minute. There was a time in my life when God brought a beautiful gift that needed me as much as I needed it. At the time, we don't always see a gift for what it is because when inconvenience happens, and disappointment comes, we are inclined to view the gift as a burden. I am sure that you can relate as this post gets way too close to home for many of you reading. There is a place in our lives where God doesn't see our ability, capability, or resources as the reason He brings the trial or the blessing. He brings them because He has a plan for it and He simply desires to use our slain vessels to accomplish His purposes. Never confuse the two. Never tell yourself that God brought me this task because I am something wonderful. Never let...

I'm not very courageous, not really. I do not like confrontation. It makes me feel a physical sickness in my whole being. Usually, when the matter I'm having to confront comes into view, I am left standing there dumbfounded with my mouth hanging wide open in amazement saying in my head, "who says that!" Later, I'm usually saying, "I should've said this or that." I would prefer to just be still until the storm passes by. Boldness on the other hand, I try really hard to be that every day. I am learning that you cannot have boldness without courage riding shotgun. Much like salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, oil and vinegar. They complement each other.  The one without the other is still useful, but when combined, we get the full experience. Not all people we minister to are open to see the scripture as God wrote it and intends for it to be understood. Not all who we share the love of God with will be open to accepting His way for the...

"When grace begins to rule, then our preoccupation  with ourselves begins to leave."                                           - Alistair Begg Search my heart and insecurities and see if there be any pride within me. This is how Monday began....two months ago.  A simple prayer, but a prayer that causes a lump to form in your throat as you count the cost of bringing this request to God.  God's word says to bring your petitions to Him, and ask whatever you will, and with confidence know that it is answered. Rewind a few months back. I found myself in the heat of a battle that was perplexing and stunning all at the same time. Potential  to be stunting, but instead stunning. Have  you ever felt the weight of a storm that was brewing, but that hasn't touched you; hasn't directly impacted you, but you were aware of the chaos that was ensuing? ...

The cross was, and still is an instrument of torture. It will forever be viewed as a cruel, shameful reminder of what we, as the created, caused.  There is no separation in the life of a Christ follower when it comes to living sacred and secular. Everything remains sacred because we choose to see everything through the lens God sees it through. John 17:14-19 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. "Being 'not of this world' isn't the destination in these verses, rather the starting place." Jesus was referencing his disciples and the hatred the world sh...

One day I set out on a journey into, what was at the time, the unknown. This place offered new surroundings. There was a curiosity , desire, and unquenchable thirst to know more about this new place God had ushered me into.  There was only one catch. Life as I knew it before still plagued me with it's guilt and shame.  When I arrived at this new place with God, He made it clear that my past, my sin, my disgusting fleshly choices were no more a part of my existence. He made me a new creation the moment I conceded my frail will and took on what He wanted for this child.  As I arrived at this new juncture of life, I looked around. The ship that had taken me to this present point in time was sure to take me wherever I wanted to go after this journey. I could direct the stern. I could change the course. I could decide enough was enough and head back to familiarity. But one day I realized- there's nothing to go back to.  There was not a single thing in my past...

This one goes out to all the Mamas.  You have mamas who hustle and grind each day just trying to get by. You have mamas that work outside the home out of preference and out of obligation. You have mamas our there who have found the balance required to keep the man, the kids, and the house all in order. And then, you have the rest of us who are simply striving to just make it through this...one...day.  To all of us I say, press on! Fight the good fight! And at the end of whatever craziness today held- peek in on those sleeping babies. Say YOUR prayers and thank the Lord for one more day of love, laughter, fingerprints, and chaos. In ten years we will wish we had fingerprints. We will wish we had just one more night of shouts of the beautiful chorus  "mommy I love you", for the 27th time since I tucked that sweet face into her bed. We will wish we had one more time of having them sit on our hip. One more time tying their shoes. The truth is, in the midst of all of th...